Hi Everyone! I think this is a very important topic. I have talked to a lot of girls lately who have / had eating disorders. I've also talked to girls who have an eating disorder and are in denial about it.
Definitions:
There are 3 main types of eating disorders:
However there is another eating disorder.
- Eating Disorder - a group of serious conditions in which you're so preoccupied with food and weight that you can often focus on little else.
There are 3 main types of eating disorders:
- Anorexia Nervosa - an eating disorder that causes people to obsess about their weight and the food they eat. People with anorexia nervosa attempt to maintain a weight that's far below normal for their age and height. In order to prevent weight gain by starving themselves or exercise excessively.
- Bulimia Nervosa - an eating disorder in which people may secretly binge (eat a large amount of food) and then purge (try to get rid of food in an unhealthy way). Purging bulimia - You regularly self-induce vomiting or misuse laxatives, diuretics or enemas after bingeing. Non-purging bulimia - You use other methods to rid yourself of calories and prevent weight gain, such as fasting, strict dieting or excessive exercise.
- Binge Eating Disorder - an eating disorder in which you frequently consume unusually large amounts of food. Almost everyone overeats on occasion. However, for some people, over eating crosses the line and it becomes a regular occurrence (usually done in secret).
However there is another eating disorder.
- Orthorexia - an eating disorder similar to anorexia, though instead of an obsessive desire to lose weight, those who suffer from orthorexia have an unhealthy obsession with healthy eating. The word comes from Greek orthos, “correct or right”, plus orexis, “appetite”. In their search for dietary purity, orthorexics may become so restrictive about what they eat (for example, avoiding fatty foods, those containing preservatives, those with salt or sugar) that eventually they become as dangerously thin as an anorexic.
**All of these definitions come from MayoClinic.com
If you are restricting yourself, know you have an eating disorder, or just want to talk to someone - PLEASE seek medical treatment or therapy. These are no joke. However, if you are too embarrassed to tell your parents PLEASE reach out to me! I can help you get on the right track.
This is My Story...
Before
Last Summer I fell into an eating disorder. However, at the time i had NO IDEA! Yep, you heard me. I had no clue it was an eating disorder. Basically I suffered from anorexia nervosa and orthorexia.
I ate next to nothing and refused to eat anything "unhealthy". I ignored my mom when she told me I was getting too skinny. I thought I looked great! Hmm.. no I was skin and bones and so unhappy.
I was always cold, had really bad insomnia, depressed, and overall just moody.
I was obsessed with the scale. I wanted it to go as low as I could. My goal weight was 105 pounds... 105! WHAT! My lowest weight was 107.
At the point I was super pale, had huge bags under my eyes, and just struggled with every day activities. I couldn't lift any weight and my body ate away all of my muscle in order to do every day activities. My emotions were out the wazoo!
Then one day I just snapped out of it. I realized I was killing myself. I was home from school over Winter Break - I got up in the middle of the night to use the restroom. I took one step and passed out. I felt so weak I couldn't even get up. I just busted into tears on my hallway floor. I wanted to be "fit" and I went about it in the wrong way.
I ate next to nothing and refused to eat anything "unhealthy". I ignored my mom when she told me I was getting too skinny. I thought I looked great! Hmm.. no I was skin and bones and so unhappy.
I was always cold, had really bad insomnia, depressed, and overall just moody.
I was obsessed with the scale. I wanted it to go as low as I could. My goal weight was 105 pounds... 105! WHAT! My lowest weight was 107.
At the point I was super pale, had huge bags under my eyes, and just struggled with every day activities. I couldn't lift any weight and my body ate away all of my muscle in order to do every day activities. My emotions were out the wazoo!
Then one day I just snapped out of it. I realized I was killing myself. I was home from school over Winter Break - I got up in the middle of the night to use the restroom. I took one step and passed out. I felt so weak I couldn't even get up. I just busted into tears on my hallway floor. I wanted to be "fit" and I went about it in the wrong way.
Now
Today I am healthy and happy! I've gained 20 pounds. I eat healthy and DO NOT STARVE MYSELF.
Also I have put on some serious muscle and I can actually lift weights. HEAVY WEIGHTS! I increase my weights almost every week. I lift 5-6 times a week. I only do cardio hmm 1 day a week, maybe. I want muscles! And I don't want to jeopardize my gains by doing endless cardio.
To track my progress I take measurements and go by my body fat percentage.
I do not count calories - I count macro-nutrients (carbohydrates, protein, fat). I'll do a post on that tomorrow. I eat every 2 hours and do not cut out carbohydrates. I also follow IIFYM (if it fits your macros). Therefore, I don't restrict myself to "clean" foods. What are clean foods? Foods washed? Hmm.... FOOD IS FOOD. Eat everything as long as it is in moderation.
I have never been so happy or so comfortable with myself. Yep, I have love handles. Yep, I have cellulite (90% of women do). Nope, I don't have rock hard abs. AND I DON'T CARE! I am in the BEST shape of my life and it'll only get better from here.
If I can overcome an eating disorder so can you. Remember you are worth it! And you deserve to be happy!
Also I have put on some serious muscle and I can actually lift weights. HEAVY WEIGHTS! I increase my weights almost every week. I lift 5-6 times a week. I only do cardio hmm 1 day a week, maybe. I want muscles! And I don't want to jeopardize my gains by doing endless cardio.
To track my progress I take measurements and go by my body fat percentage.
I do not count calories - I count macro-nutrients (carbohydrates, protein, fat). I'll do a post on that tomorrow. I eat every 2 hours and do not cut out carbohydrates. I also follow IIFYM (if it fits your macros). Therefore, I don't restrict myself to "clean" foods. What are clean foods? Foods washed? Hmm.... FOOD IS FOOD. Eat everything as long as it is in moderation.
I have never been so happy or so comfortable with myself. Yep, I have love handles. Yep, I have cellulite (90% of women do). Nope, I don't have rock hard abs. AND I DON'T CARE! I am in the BEST shape of my life and it'll only get better from here.
If I can overcome an eating disorder so can you. Remember you are worth it! And you deserve to be happy!
I would choose HEALTHY / STRONG over
FRAGILE / SKINNY any day!
You are more than a number.
A number does not define you.
Stay strong and take it 1 day at a time.
A number does not define you.
Stay strong and take it 1 day at a time.
XO, Samantha