Who doesn't love roller coasters? Recovering from ED

thesophierose
thesophierose Posts: 754 Member
Hello!

I am Sophie! I am 18, almost 19 now and I would like to share my story, even though it is not even close to being done yet. So at the age of 17, I was nearing 200 pounds and I would stand in front of the mirror asking myself why I did this to myself. Were chips, chocolate and pop worth this? Stretch marks started to form on my legs and I was just not happy.

Even before this realization, I went through high school a chubby girl and I was taunted incessantly and cruelly by my peers. It's not the greatest start to life and it did affect me. Big time. Their taunts stayed with me through middle school/ High school and so when I was 17 I wanted out.

I didn't want my life to be an unending story of emotional binging, and stretch marks. I'm a female, all I wanted was to be thin and beautiful. Was that too much to ask? The joys of society weighing down on a girl. I see it so often.

So, I started my change. The rocky road got worse. I cut out relatively all the sugar, most red meat, most food... actually. I literally only ate Special K original cereal, rice cakes, chicken breasts and pretzels. For months I did this, and I lost weight. A lot of weight. Of course that was do to my severe restriction with food, and in that time I let an ED demon come into my mind. So I kept eating less and less and I kept working out more and more.

Soon I was down to 130lbs. But of course I was not happy, I still had a belly. I didn't care that everyone was thinking that I was too skinny, I wanted to be thinner... so I'd have days where all I ate was cucumbers or broccoli. And more weight came off... and with that my periods stopped.

That might be a females dream come true and at first it was because I was like "**** yeah, no more pains... no more tampons... no more cravings!" I was ready to dance naked.

Weight kept dropping, I kept working out. I was white... and sick looking... but at the time I didn't see myself that way, I just was happy the numbers on the scale were dropping. And soon I hit 108lbs. My ribs , my spine and my shoulder bones were showing but I was still obsessed with losing my tummy... I still had an annoying layer of adipose tissue and all I ever wanted was for it to **** off but it wouldn't.

I was sick.

I stood in front of the mirror one day and I was looking at myself and I asked myself, "Do I really want this? to be boney, frail and sick looking...?" and my heart answered no. My head was a different story... but demons thrive there. I struggled to eat, but i tried. I slowly started to add more food back into my diet because eating the low calories I was made me grumpy and tired. I didn't want that. I wanted energy.

It took me awhile but soon I was able to reach 1200 calories and I was so happy with myself that I just stayed at that limit, (at the time I was not the brightest with how the body worked,) and I kept losing. I was like what.....!? So I started eating more...

My mind hated it. But I pushed through that, because I was sure my body couldn't take weight loss anymore. And soon I hit 1680. I gained until I hit 112 and soon I was maintaining. My workouts slowed down to yoga and walks. And it was like this for months. I was happy. My color came back, my hair loss lessened...But my periods still had not come back.

This is a concern because as a lady, you need your period and I realized it was because to my body I was still under weight. So I am at the point in my journey where I am ready... or going to attempt to be ready to gain the healthy 8sish pounds I need to for my body to be healthy again. I am defying a demon that has haunted me long enough.

The reason why I wanted to share this is because I see so many girls going through this and it breaks my heart. The ED demon is a beast in the worst way and no one deserves the hurt and pain that goes with it. Your body is your temple, respect it, work with it, worship it and it will worship you back.

You are all strong.

Much love,

Sophie.

Replies

  • spidey11186
    spidey11186 Posts: 141 Member
    I wish you all the best, kid! If you ever need anything, you know where to find me!
  • TribeHokie
    TribeHokie Posts: 711 Member
    Aww I thought we were gonna talk about roller coasters...

    But for real, congratulations on the progress you have made in getting yourself healthy so far. Luckily you are still fairly young so your body will hopefully be able to make a full recovery soon. Even though this site is mostly people who are trying to lose weight or maintain a healthy weight, you're not alone. Good luck!
  • 2ht2hand1e
    2ht2hand1e Posts: 116 Member
    Thank you for sharing with us, Sophie. You sound like a brave and wise young woman. I don't believe that an ED ever goes away, but the roller coaster does get a lot smoother.
  • MySweetPotato
    MySweetPotato Posts: 175 Member
    The ED demon is a beast in the worst way and no one deserves the hurt and pain that goes with it. Your body is your temple, respect it, work with it, worship it and it will worship you back.

    You are all strong.

    Much love,

    Sophie.

    I love this. Be strong.
  • mimieon
    mimieon Posts: 182 Member
    Thank you for sharing. You can do it! Take control over the beast.
  • thesophierose
    thesophierose Posts: 754 Member
    Thank you for reading.

    ED is a life long battle, I know this. But remission can be life lasting, I am determined to keep going with this. So I can hopefully motivate others going through this that they don't have to be scared, or have an image of themselves of being so thin. Society is cruel. I am sick of that control, and I hope that anyone else going through ED here or anywhere I share my story can see that food is not the enemy. Food can help you look at your best and society can go **** itself.

    My body is all I have, I know I have to care for it properly now.
  • pyrowill
    pyrowill Posts: 1,163 Member
    Well done! I'm likewise recovering from an ED. Good to hear a nice positive story.
  • PriceK01
    PriceK01 Posts: 834 Member
    Good job, Sophie!
  • determinedbutlazy
    determinedbutlazy Posts: 1,941 Member
    You're very strong to tell your story here and fight this thing, I admire you.
  • thesophierose
    thesophierose Posts: 754 Member
    I felt like it was a good thing to do because I don't want people to struggle with this without knowing an outcome that's positive. I want to be able to give support in the best way I can to those struggling with ED because I know what it's like to battle that demon.
  • EvgeniZyntx
    EvgeniZyntx Posts: 24,208 Member
    Thanks for sharing. I know a few people struggling with EDs and it's great to see your inner dialogue. Good luck on your road to recovery and health.
  • Oishii
    Oishii Posts: 2,675 Member
    It's great to hear how you have turned things around. Are you seeing a dietician at all?
  • Sarauk2sf
    Sarauk2sf Posts: 28,072 Member
    You are very strong...good luck with your continued progress.
  • katz6910
    katz6910 Posts: 156 Member
    Good luck Sophie :smile:
  • weese17
    weese17 Posts: 236 Member
    What a fantastic post. Good luck with your recovery, Sophie. :)
  • delicious_cocktail
    delicious_cocktail Posts: 5,797 Member
    Oh my god. I saw this topic earlier, saw it dealt with ED, and thought "oh not again, I don't want to look, can't bear it".

    Someone else pointed my attention to it, and I actually read the darned thing and . . . wow. I can't believe it.

    I'm stunned and amazed and so happy for you, and somewhat in awe of you. Congratulations. You're inspirational.
  • miss_jessiejane
    miss_jessiejane Posts: 2,819 Member
    Eating disorders suck. Thanks for sharing, and good luck.
  • AllonsYtotheTardis
    AllonsYtotheTardis Posts: 16,947 Member
    Thank you for posting your story! So good to hear that you're winning the battle with that demon - I wish you much continued success!
  • JDHINAZ
    JDHINAZ Posts: 641 Member
    You're the best. Thank you for your honesty. This is a great testament to staying determined and focused on being healthy. You're such an inspiration! Thank you!
  • Raw_Bean
    Raw_Bean Posts: 293 Member
    Thank you for sharing your story and helping others out there with an ED.
  • thesophierose
    thesophierose Posts: 754 Member
    Thank you all for your kind words and support. <3
  • PetulantOne
    PetulantOne Posts: 2,131 Member
    Thank you for posting this. I don't know you, but I'm proud of you. :heart:
  • CrankMeUp
    CrankMeUp Posts: 2,860 Member
    Oh my god. I saw this topic earlier, saw it dealt with ED, and thought "oh not again, I don't want to look, can't bear it".

    Someone else pointed my attention to it, and I actually read the darned thing and . . . wow. I can't believe it.

    I'm stunned and amazed and so happy for you, and somewhat in awe of you. Congratulations. You're inspirational.

    This^^^

    Glad I took the time to read your story.

    I wish you the best.
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