Eating Disorders Forum - anorexic eating habits to binge eating ?

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Q: anorexic eating habits to binge eating ?

asked by: justagirl05 on April 16th, 2009

New User

Ok, I've had a past of issues with food. I don't consider myself as anorexic- my eating habits go through stages. A few weeks of eating under 500 calories a day, back to normal eating, over-thinking everything I eat, keeping track of what I eat, etc...
Some reasons for these habits- pressure from being an athlete, sometimes I punish myself for doing something wrong, stress and depression. My mom has struggled with anorexia and bulimia since she was 12 and has also had instances of binge eating especially at night- M&Ms or ice cream in particular.
The past couple weeks now, I have been experiencing the binge eating side of the eating disorder world. I have definitely been over-stressed and depressed lately and, once I'm home for the night, I just keep finding things to munch on. It's like I can't stop. I've noticed a bit of weight gain- maybe two or three pounds and I am really losing it. I am not used to dealing with over-eating and have this extreme sense of guilt and failure after I do. I don't want to go back to over-thinking and under eating either, but I need to snap out of the constant need to be eating!
Has anyone else dealt with over-eating after a past of anorexia/under eating?? How do you find a medium!?

(I am a 22yr old female, 112lbs, 5'4", college runner, somewhat of a perfectionist and overly stressed!)

Thanks for listening.

Replies(6)

JustKeepSmiling

replied on April 17th, 2009

New User

Yes! I have been dealing with the same thing!!! The way I've dealt with it is by keeping only healthy foods at the house. So if I want a sugary treat I have to drive somewhere Razz

and that totally sucks. If you start by just switching to healthier alternatives for snacks and allow yourself to have them whenever you want you will lose that feeling eventually. Its like you keep eating cause your body doesn't know when it will get fed again you know? I seriously have felt the same stuff though. Good luck Smile

justagirl05

replied on April 18th, 2009

New User

That is definitely a good idea! I don't think Easter chocolates in the house are helping any! I've tried making meal plans but when I stray from them it only upsets me more and makes me feel incredibly guilty.

The crazy thing about this drastic eating change is that, usually the more restrictive diet comes during track season (right now). It is so strange to me to be having problems with eating TOO much right now!

Thank you for the advice Smile

someheartsx323

replied on April 21st, 2009

New User

I 16 years old and I have the same problem. I'll go on spurts where all I do is eat everything I see and I just keep eating, even when I'm full. Then there are times (usually the days after I binge) that I eat about 500 calories. I honestly don't have answer for you. I am just posting this so you know that your not alone, and Im not alone. I dont know what to do, I feel stuck.

splash75

replied on May 18th, 2009

New User

You can go from anorexic to bulima to compulsive over eating (basically bulima minus the purge). Best thing is to get the condition sorted before it goes any further. I know it takes guts to ask for help, but its better than letting it progress, I assure you. Good luck hunx

alphagirl123

replied on May 30th, 2009

New User

Me too =[

When you eat five hundred calories a day how much weight do you generally lose in a week?

lapetitemoi

replied on June 23rd, 2009

New User

Alphagirl123: If you're fishing for tips on how to crash diet, there are plenty of people who will offer up "advice" on how to destroy your body. Just don't ask about fad dieting in an eating disorders forum.

Original poster: At the weight to height ratio that you are at right now, you are very thin as it is. You certainly do not need to lose weight, if that is what you are looking to do.

What does food do for you? That is, restriction AND bingeing- what does it fill in you? Does it occupy you, fill an emotional void? These could be things to ask yourself, and contemplate on. Next, after you identify your triggers, so to speak, try putting together a list of things you can do to remember that 1) it is necessary to eat (no doubts about it, especially considering you are athletic- lack of nourishment can lead to the Female Athlete Triad!), and 2) there are other things you can do to cope instead of binge-eating. Check out this website for some ideas: http://www.something-fishy.org/reach/wayst ocope.php

Also, it is really important that you get in to see a therapist and a dietitian (very helpful for an athlete, not to mention someone with disordered eating).

Find a therapist here: http://therapists.psychologytoday.com
Find a dietitian here: http://eatright.org/cps/rde/xchg/ada/hs.xs l/home_fanp_consumer_ENU_HTML.htm

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