I'm not a medical professional but I've suffered from bulimia for the past four years. I have gone from counseler to counseler and eventually wound up near death and in an intensive eating disorder treatment facility. I gained a lot of tools while I was there but unfortunately about six months after finishing treatment I had a severe relapse. Bulimia's a funny disorder because you fight against your body to loose weight but because it wants to protect itself it begins to retain most of the calories that you eat, even though you're supposedly 'getting rid of them.' So there I was going crazy because I was puging everything I ate but began gaining weight... again. I tried to apply the things I had learned from various counselers but they wouldn't work. The eating disorder was too strong.

An eating disorder turns into a psychological addiction. I don't know how hooked on your ED you are but unless you're an EXTREMELY strong willed person you will need a support system. I know it's really difficult to ask for help, especially in this area, but I've found that the help of people that loved me is my best tool.

Disraction is another great one; find a book to read, go for a walk, call a friend, et cetera. Maybe try going over the negative effects that bulimia can have on your body, your mind and your life. There are many more tools that can be used but the easiest way to sum them all up is to reccomend you a book called The Overcoming Bulimia Workbook. It gradually gives you tools and helps you to recover. It has really been helping me.
If none of that is helpful you may need to have inpatient or outpatient intensive care.

I really hope everything works out for you and I hope what I've said has been helpful. Bulimia is a hard thing to beat but if you're really ready to recover you can do it.

Hi there.

You need to eat "safe foods". These low calorie foods will control your hunger, give your body something to digest, and avoid the urge to vomit it back up.

Your body goes into "starvation mode" and starts hoarding all the calories it gets. So anything you eat and keep down will go straight to your hips.

Also, exercise makes me feel better about keeping food down at all. So go for a run when you get a craving. It'll distract you and maybe even make you feel better.

Drink a TON of water, unsweetened coffee and tea. Eat bulky foods like veggies (cucumber, celery, lettuce).

Your willpower will really play a part in stopping the binge eating. You want a pot of pasta? You *really* want to go squat over a toilet getting chunks up your nose? No? No.

And think about a multivitamin.

Hi

Thanks for the replies. Could you tell me a bit about this "staarvation mode" please? How long does this last? And how will I be able to maintain my weight without vomiting if my body iss hoarding pretty much every calory i take in?

From what I've learned in class, the body's metabolism slooooows down to conserve energy. You don't burn calories like a normal person. As for how long it lasts... hmmm.

I can't tell you for sure, but probably a few (read: 4-6) months of normal eating and exercise would do it.

So I guess what you need to do is calculate what your BMR is. That's the absolute minimun amount of calories you need to live. Then find what your recommended amount of calories per day is (for your height, age, weight, and sex). Then try to eat in between those two.

For instance, for me to stay where I am, I take in 1200 calories. Then to lose weight I would eat under that daily. I subtract the calories I exercise off too.

So go check that out, and try and follow the minimum in Canadian Food Guide. I know it sounds like a lot of work, but vomiting for the rest of your life is a lot of work too.

much appreciated