Eating Disorder Support thread

[TheGreatSatan]

Recently, I have not seen any posts regarding eating disorders (i.e. binge eating, bullemia, anorexia, etc....) I thought it might be helpful to those who suffer from such problems to have a place to come to and talk about them and also to receive support. I am starting this thread as a serious subject and, by no means, should it be abused or made fun of. There are a lot of bodybuilders out there, including myself, that suffer from an eating disorder that need support and motivation to combat the problem. Hopefully this will catch on and at least help a few people. So, I would like to start off by stating that over the past 3 months, I have suffered from a severe case of binge eating. I have been "on the wagon" for 2 1/2 weeks and am starting to get my eating under control. It has been hell, but I am doing whatever it takes to beat this problem.

This past summer, I was in the shape of my life. I was at 150lbs and 5-6% bodyfat. I don't know what happened, but around late July, something snapped. I was so sick of eating strickly. For 2 weeks I would eat and eat and eat. Nothing but junk. I put on 30 pounds in 2 weeks. About 2 1/2 weeks ago I topped off at 205. That is 55lbs in 3 months. I knew that if I didn't do something soon, I was in trouble. It got to the point that I couldnt even run anymore because my knees hurt me so much from all the excess weight I was caring around. Well, I decided to rework my diet and fitness plan and now I am down to 200lbs and feeling a lot better. Still have cravings like crazy, but I am learning to just say no. I am shooting to be at 180lbs by the end of the year. Hopefully, my willpower will win and I will get there.

I know that this thread may sound crazy, but I know there are some out there suffering from what I went through that really just need some support. I wish that this thread was around about 2 months ago. Maybe I would have stopped sooner. Who knows.

I'm back in the game now and coming here among like minds keeps me pushing the walls. Thanks everyone.

[Mudge]

I admit to being a binge eater somewhat, as opposed to cheating. I eat things until they are gone.

[dodgyone]

Don't get me started on binge eating. This summer has been a nightmare... I have these cravings for museli with dried fruit and nuts mixed in (no milk just dry as it comes.. weird huh?). The only problem is that it can be really high in calories and I can get through a box in one sitting.

I think my problem has been motivation. I haven't gone on vacation this year so there hasn't been a goal there set for me to work towards. Just maintaining and going through the motions which has really bored me. The photo I include on my postings is me from summer 2002 when all was well and I was in the zone, getting shredded for the vacation. I'm not too far away from that now (drop perhaps 10lbs and 2-3% bodyfat and I'm there) and I'm only just starting to feel good about things and get back in the gym with enthusiasm again.

So, try to set yourself goals and targets or things get boring very quickly and that's when the motivation dies on you... you find you dig a hole which is very difficult to get out of!

[donescobar2000]

Shit those binges can fuck you up. I believe I gained a couple of pounds off of them but i did loose it again. I make sure I get back on the cutting train ASAP. I already know the consequences of being overweight. I refuse to go back. The thing is when you diet you tend to crave a lot. It's not that you should go looking for junk. It is your body telling you that your diet is missing nutrients. But sometimes you just have to let go. It is not everday that you eat junk anyway. I just eat a junk maybe every 2 weeks. Right now though I am trying to hit 6% so I refuse to have a cheat for next 2 weeks or so. I am doing good so far. No cheats in a month.

[cjrmack]

I guess I am lucky because I have never got above 200 pounds. Takes a lot of severe overeating to get me there too.

[donescobar2000]

I used to weigh 280lbs at 5'4. Just check it out.

[brazeneye]

I struggle with non-purging bulimia, which I blame Weight Watchers for (and their diet prescription of 900 calories). I've slowly upped myself to almost 1400 calories, but I haven't lost any weight in almost 4 months, so it's very frustrating

[devildog88]

My sister in law struggles with bulimia. She was a very good body builder who looked way hot and now, a year later she looks like she belongs in a concentration camp. Doctor says her kidneys and vital organs may begin to shut down. she has spent $5000 in a two month period at fast food joints. It is truely a sickness!

[njc]

Originally Posted by brazeneye

I struggle with non-purging bulimia, which I blame Weight Watchers for (and their diet prescription of 900 calories). I've slowly upped myself to almost 1400 calories, but I haven't lost any weight in almost 4 months, so it's very frustrating

What is non-purging bulimia if you dont mind me asking?

And you are a beautiful girl. I dont think it would be possible for you to look bad.

[njc]

I get up in the middle of the night to eat sometimes. And when I do, look out. If theres twinkies, cookies or peanut butter, theyre history.

Sometimes I wake up in the morning and cant remember if I ate in the middle of the night. My heart always sinks when I find wrappers and shit laying everywhere. This is the only reason im at 12% bf rather than 6 or 7. Im convinced of that.

[Brolly]

doesnt matter how good looking u are... u always think u have flaws... my gf was bulimic but i finally convinced her that she's putting her body into starvation mode and when she actually does eat its stored as fats etc etc... made her a diet and we tweeked it out and now shes losin some weight and feelin good about herself again

[Brolly]

dont kno what non purging bulimia is tho...?? is that when u swallow whatever comes up again or osmethin?

[Little Wing]

i think you exercise compulsively to lose the calories you eat? i'm not sure. but i think this thread is a very good idea.

[Velvet]

a non-purging bulemic is a person who eats out of control and then gets rid of it in other ways than purging such as what RG said, overexercising or using laxatives. It's just as dangerous and damaging to self-esteem and required professional help to overcome in most cases

[Phoenix87]

Originally Posted by brazeneye

I struggle with non-purging bulimia, which I blame Weight Watchers for (and their diet prescription of 900 calories). I've slowly upped myself to almost 1400 calories, but I haven't lost any weight in almost 4 months, so it's very frustrating

Hey Brazeneye I just went to your home and check all your pics. Altough they are mostly head shots I don't see an overweight problem... I may be wrong but I think you don't have anything to worry about....

[brazeneye]

Originally Posted by njc

What is non-purging bulimia if you dont mind me asking?

And you are a beautiful girl. I dont think it would be possible for you to look bad.

bulimic girls eat a lot of food and throw it all up afterwards, non-purging one don't throw it up

[brazeneye]

Originally Posted by Phoenix87

Hey Brazeneye I just went to your home and check all your pics. Altough they are mostly head shots I don't see an overweight problem... I may be wrong but I think you don't have anything to worry about....

I still battle it, and when I have my good weeks then it shows (in my pictures), right now I don't think I look as I did then in my pictures because I've been sliding again, but I really have to stick with this

[Phoenix87]

Originally Posted by brazeneye

I still battle it, and when I have my good weeks then it shows (in my pictures), right now I don't think I look as I did then in my pictures because I've been sliding again, but I really have to stick with this

I obviously can't tell from here but it's hard to beleive if been the same weight for 4 months you consider it sliding.... But keep up the good work... Train hard and train often!!!!!! You got to love....

[seven11]

i hate binge eating grrr... everytime i eat something bad, i think oh well i eat some junk anyways so why not eat some more and then i cant stop. but i learnd to control it better

[BiggerNstronger]

What constitutes an actual "disorder"? Most people would consider a bit of binge eating here or there fairly normal. At what point does it become a disorder? When you do it often or till you vomit? I understand the disorders of bulimia/anorexia and others but binge eating is a new one to me. Most people who are dieting have cravings and urges at different times, acting on those cravings wouldnt be a disorder in my books. If you kept it up for months at a time its as much MENTAL as anything I guess. Not criticizing here whatsover, just trying to understand.

[brazeneye]

Originally Posted by BiggerNstronger

What constitutes an actual "disorder"? Most people would consider a bit of binge eating here or there fairly normal. At what point does it become a disorder? When you do it often or till you vomit? I understand the disorders of bulimia/anorexia and others but binge eating is a new one to me. Most people who are dieting have cravings and urges at different times, acting on those cravings wouldnt be a disorder in my books. If you kept it up for months at a time its as much MENTAL as anything I guess. Not criticizing here whatsover, just trying to understand.

I have often thought of vomiting, but I can't bring myself to doing it because I think about girls who do it for years and there insides are shot and their teeth are rotting from the enzymes that come up when you throw up. When you find yourself in a daze, eating mindlessly more than 3000+ calories in one sitting, you know you have a problem. I would run to Subway, have 3 wraps, go to the grocery store, have a bag of oreos, chips, four chocolate bars and a tub of ice cream as fast as I could shove it in me. I don't find that as being a normal craving or urge... and think of doing this almost 1-3 times PER WEEK. That really takes a toll on a person. Then I'd starve myself for the rest of the week out of guilt. Then I find myself doing the same thing.. over.. and over.. and over..

But keeping myself away from these foods (binge trigger foods - ie. CARBS.. my main baddie) all together, eating small meals every 2-3 hours has really helped me

[njc]

Originally Posted by brazeneye

I have often thought of vomiting, but I can't bring myself to doing it because I think about girls who do it for years and there insides are shot and their teeth are rotting from the enzymes that come up when you throw up. When you find yourself in a daze, eating mindlessly more than 3000+ calories in one sitting, you know you have a problem. I would run to Subway, have 3 wraps, go to the grocery store, have a bag of oreos, chips, four chocolate bars and a tub of ice cream as fast as I could shove it in me. I don't find that as being a normal craving or urge... and think of doing this almost 1-3 times PER WEEK. That really takes a toll on a person. Then I'd starve myself for the rest of the week out of guilt. Then I find myself doing the same thing.. over.. and over.. and over..

But keeping myself away from these foods (binge trigger foods - ie. CARBS.. my main baddie) all together, eating small meals every 2-3 hours has really helped me

Have you tried therapy?

[KittyKat]

I have suffered with Bulimia for many years....it is a Mental disorder along with Anorexia and some similar eating problems. I am also a nurse who works with people with mental health problems so I therefore hold down a good rewarding job that I also enjoy. This means that just because you have a mental health problem, like an eating disorder, does not mean you are 'MENTAL' or 'MAD' just a normal human being with an illness. I am saying this because there is alot of stigma surrounding mental illness...it often conjours up thoughts of 'One Flew Over The Cuckoos Nest' which is showing the very extremes of psychiatric disorders.

Recovering from an eating disorder takes time. There is no magic pill or wand that can make an eating disorder disappear. It needs professional therapy to discover the route of the problem. This ususlly happens somewere in your childhood or teenage years. It starts off as a psychological thing and becomes a physical illness too.

I have always kept fit but the bulimia made me tired and lethargic due to the binge eat and starve cycle....eventually I broke down and decided I needed help. I had therapy and although it hasn't 'cured' me it is just the start to the road of recovery. Finding weight training has helped me too, it has helped me turn myself around and become stronger and fitter. I am feeling better about myself and my self esteem has increased. I am more aware of what I put into myself to improve my strength and sit out the binge cravings with the thought that I wont be able to train as hard if I do, due to the lethargic depressed feeling I get after purging.

I am not saying bodybuilding is a magic 'cure' but it has helped me along with professional therapy to begin to overcome my illness. I would urge anyone with an eating problem to contact their doctor and ask for what help can be provided. If they cant get help look for local support groups on the internet, dont suffer in silence, eating disorders cause misery to thousands.

Many people dont think eating disorders are a 'real' illnesses and think people just use it as an excuse to be thin or eat what they want and keep slim. Those people are wrong, eating disorders are 'real' illnesses that effect millions of men and women.

K Kat.

[BiggerNstronger]

I give you ladies (brazen and KK)much love/respect....sounds like this would be tough to deal with and something that just does not go away. Great job so far, keep it up. If I can do anything to help let me know.

[Cardinal]

When my binging tendency was at its worst, I had little trouble making a meal and binging on psyllium mucilloid with cinammon on it. Thankfully that thought seems rather nasty to me now!

One way I can measure the severity of my problem is to take note of what I crave. The more I crave junk, the more normal my eating and thought patterns and the less bingelike.

For me getting rid of it was largely about creating and implementing a list of activities that help create satiety. First gaining control of the problem, then attempting to eradicate the actual thoughts (done mainly by drastically increasing caloric intake for several months).

[Phoenix87]

I guess we all hit the gym for one reason or another.... This sounds like a very tough issue to deal with. Keep up the good work guys/girls....