Developing a disorder?!
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| Tue, 07-20-2004 - 8:01pm |
I`ll make this to the point.
Basically I have been 15lbs overweight my whole life etc. Recently I have gained about 10 lbs through barbecues and the whole summer eating thing.
The past 2 weeks I have 'mind controlled' myself to stop eating. I restricted myself to literally 300calories IF THAT per day and only drink water...I exercise in my room a lot as well.
I have noticed that i`m losing a little weight in my shoulder area - but last night at my sisters bday party I ate. I was literally terrified to eat. I was afraid that all my restrictions and cut backs and work outs would be blown at this one dinner. As I put food in my mouth i thought 'i`m going to gain everything back'
I felt horrible. I still feel horrible. I have vowed to restrict even more and even longer. I feel like i`m losing control.....what is wrong?!
Chloe

First, one meal isn't going to blow anything. If you ate a good meal this week, that's fabulous. Good meals that you enjoy don't blow stuff for you. They make your life better and make you healthier. Why on earth don't you deserve to celebrate your sister's birthday with her? I bet you did stuff besides eating that would have been a lot more fun if you weren't thinking about the food.
Second, this is a bit rough, but if you're losing weight by eating only 300 calories a day, you most certainly are going to gain it back. When you return to eating what you should be eating to survive, by that time your body thinks it's starving at 300 cals. and has dropped your metabolic rate to cope. This means you'll gain weight more easily when you resume eating like a healthy person must.
Third, how are you deciding that you're overweight? If it's according to traditional weight charts and BMI calculators, they're as good as crap. If you've been at a certain weight your whole life, then that's what you weigh, it's probably your normal, healthy, sane weight. You've probably felt pretty good at that weight. If you gained 10 pounds from overeating, but your weight has always been pretty stable, then your body is likely to return to the original weight before the 10 pounds once you get out of the summer barbecue rut.
There's no need to feel horrible. You haven't done anything terrible that you can't recover from. I have a book to recommend: "Women Afraid to Eat" by Frances Berg. She has a lot of good, healthy, logical things to say about natural weight and how diets get that all confused for many people. Also, maybe try talking to someone about what you've been doing. Someone who loves you and can reassure you about how fabulous you are at any weight. If it's worse than you're letting on and you can't get back to normal eating on your own, please think about finding treatment with a therapist.
Hi Chloe,
I have to agree with Hemmy. Especially about the extreme calorie restriction you are putting your body through. It will just slow down your metabolism and cause other problems. It would be better to eat balanced meals and see if there are any emotional problems you need to address.
Love & hugs, Kristina
The opinions I have expressed here are from my own experience and are not intended as medical advice or to take the place of your own physician's advice.
Love & hugs, Kristina