jessypoo3

Im a recovering anorexic/bulmic.
Yet, im not so sure im completely
"recovered" .

I still struggle with it daily and desperately wish id
be able to become just as motivated as i was in the "peak"
of my eating disorder. all i want is to be about 40 pounds thinner
and ill weight 100 lbs.

any advice?

sourpuss

Rather than wanting to weight a specific weight...try to focus your goal on something like 'I want to be healthy' or 'I want to be able to run a half marathon this year'. Focus your goals on health rather than body image or a number on a scale.

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jessypoo3

Yea, i see what you're saying.
And i do want to be healthy...but the want/need
to be thinner and look better over powers the
want to be healthy. i forget about how it is damaging my health
and just focus on losing as much weight as possible.

jss2000

Even if you have a hard time believing in the healthy body idea, you can still act as though you want it.

It's impossible to be anorexic if you meet your body's caloric and nutritional needs, as well as maintaining a healthy body weight. Even if you still believe that an anorectic body is what you need in life.

So if you have trouble buying into the idea that you can be satisfied with your body... try good old-fashioned behavior change: "live it until you believe in it".

Because anorexia is a learned belief system, you can unlearn it. Sometimes the best way to change what you believe is to act according to the new belief. For example, consider how a person would act if they fully believe the following: "I feel great at any weight" or "I'm an attractive person" or "I'm happy to be healthy." In contrast, consider how a person would act if they fully believe, "I have to be thin in order to feel good." Sound familiar? Acting on that belief only makes it seem more true.

The trick is to decide on a more healthy belief system. Then figure out how to act so that you'll start to believe differently.

This will involve a) maintaining a healthy body weight while b) proving to yourself in other ways that you can have a satisfying life (e.g., being socially active, bringing back old hobbies, reaching out and helping others, or anything else that gives your life zest and meaning). Both of these new behaviors are essential if you want to think differently about your body image.

WildChild

Get rid of the scale. I have a roommate who dealt with this years ago when it was pretty unusual - she weighed herself 10 times a day. Sourpuss is right, it's having healthy goals rather than what you weigh. Being too thin isn't attractive, Unless you are about 5' tall and small framed 100 is too thin. If attracting men is a goal? Studies have found most of them prefer a woman with curves. You don't have to super busty or anything but skeletons aren't sexy.

Do work on your self talk. Shad Helmstetters book, What To Say When You Talk To Yourself, may be a help. I understand that many people with this condition actually have a sort of eye to brain training malfunction in that even though you are super thin when you look at yourself, you see fat? Why do you want to dissapear? Why do you want to so minimalize your profile, your physical self? This is almost entirely a female problem and ultimately goes back to our deeply patriarcal society which has demean, demonised and belittled the feminine for centuries. You have GOT to come to love yourself! To accept the beauty of your wonderful feminine being, which includes curves!

snowangels2

jessy ~ I know how youre feeling. I shifted between anorexia and bulemia for 10 years and still struggle with it. I dont believe it is something you can ever COMPLETELY recover from, but I do believe you can be healthy. It is a matter of putting the effort into losing weight. I believe the reason for my eating disorders was because I was flat out too lazy to stick to a routine. It is much easier to stop eating because you see the results IMMEDIATELY. However, the long term effects arent worth it. (My hair was falling out in clumps, ive noticed a greater increase of body hair, my molars are completely falling apart and I've had to get caps on them... and im only 23). Find a lifestyle change (not diet) you can stick to. Crash dieting/anorexia/bulemia will allow you to see those results but (as youve noticed) its not going to stay off for an extended period of time.

I know it is easier said than done, (as I said - I still have difficulty with it) but try your best to be healthy. If you feel you need to do a fast for a day or two to get you jumpstarted, i do completely understand. but dont make a habit out of not eating

Debra

Hi Jessy,

Since you are a recovering anorexic/bulimic individual, I was wondering what jump started you to become more healthy? Did you see a doctor and he ordered you to see a counselor on the matter? The reason I'm asking is because there had to have been something that MADE you want to change. Why not stick to the initial healthy motive?

On a side note: Eating disorders are more than just a frame of mind. You've developed a food phobia and body image distortion. You sound like you need some therapy and I hope you get it.

I used to be anorexic and what made me stop was realizing how physically weak I had been. Seeing me now you wouldn't know I was anorexic at all! But, keep in mind that I had gained weight from simply eating the wrong foods and not doing enough excersizing.

If you chose to fast and you are throwing up because of it. I'm asking you to invest in some almonds. They contain a natural chemical that stop acidosis from happening, and thus stops you from getting sick in the mornings when acidosis usually sets in. If it gets that bad PLEASE see your doctor. I honestly feel that you need therapy still. Good luck.

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Debra