How do you stay in a healthy mindset while loosing weight as someone who struggles with anorexia?

junkemail336

I'm a man who struggles with anorexia but I'm attempting a healthy calorie deficit (1520) for a couple weeks or so. I workout along this but my eating disorder comes up randomly especially with working out. How do I stay in a healthy mindset while also continuing a calorie deficit so I don't spiral?

gunnsgirl91303

That is a tough one junkemail336. I understand because I almost died from Anorexia when I was 34 and continued to be eating disordered for many years after my "recovery." I occasionally get those thoughts of returning to starvation, but I really like feeling healthy and strong and I remember how weak I was, how thin my hair was, how just really unhealthy I was and that keeps me from relapsing. You might want to focus on all the positive aspects of eating good, healthy food, of being able to lift weights or accomplish whichever workout you enjoy. Think about gaining muscle rather than having that waif "too thin" look that zaps your strength. Have some images on hand of men who are healthy and fit who look how you want to look, healthy meals that feed your body good nutrition and fuel your tank as well as the activities you look forward to doing when you are healthy and strong. That has worked for me, but we are all different, so it is just a suggestion. I really hope you stick to eating enough and feeling good about yourself. Anorexia is no way to live! Are you in a support group?

Lietchi

Do you have some sort of treatment team helping you? Individual needs vary of course, but often calorie counting is discouraged for people with an eating disorder history. That's what I gathered from a friend who had an eating disorder herself and needed treatment in a mental hospital (specialised in this matter) for 6 months. Her issue was eating less and less, but most of all exercising excessively on top of that.

PAV8888

I asked an AI engine (neither copilot nor Gemini) the following question... and the answer was not unexpected.

A real doctor would be a better option...

"Doesn't anorexia as a disease have a neurotransmitter component that can be triggered or exacerbated by the act of eating at a caloric deficit?"

junkemail336

gunnsgirl91303 wrote: »

That is a tough one junkemail336. I understand because I almost died from Anorexia when I was 34 and continued to be eating disordered for many years after my "recovery." I occasionally get those thoughts of returning to starvation, but I really like feeling healthy and strong and I remember how weak I was, how thin my hair was, how just really unhealthy I was and that keeps me from relapsing. You might want to focus on all the positive aspects of eating good, healthy food, of being able to lift weights or accomplish whichever workout you enjoy. Think about gaining muscle rather than having that waif "too thin" look that zaps your strength. Have some images on hand of men who are healthy and fit who look how you want to look, healthy meals that feed your body good nutrition and fuel your tank as well as the activities you look forward to doing when you are healthy and strong. That has worked for me, but we are all different, so it is just a suggestion. I really hope you stick to eating enough and feeling good about yourself. Anorexia is no way to live! Are you in a support group?

Hi sorry I have no clue how to actually reply (very new to this app lol). Thank u for ur reply, and I'm not currently in a support group but my boyfriend has been a massive support for me during my eating disorder. I think I've gotten out of the "I need to be as thin as possible" stage but it's still not the easiest. I really appreciate your reply

yirara

No advice, but your calorie goal seems very low to be honest. You don't mention your weight, but 1520 calories is just shy of the 1500 a man should not eat below.

kshama2001

yirara wrote: »

No advice, but your calorie goal seems very low to be honest. You don't mention your weight, but 1520 calories is just shy of the 1500 a man should not eat below.

I was thinking the same thing.

Take a look at this, mentally substituting "1500 for "1200" and "man" for "woman:"

https://www.aworkoutroutine.com/1200-calorie-diet/

But really, get in touch with your treatment team or find a new one.

elainemingus

You have to figure out what anorexia serves in your like - you wouldn’t have it if it didn’t serve a purpose. You have to figure out what the purposes. Is it covering up fear? Get down to the root lie you believe…”I want to be thin because it means I’m in control, my dad always screamed in my face that I was out of control. I want my dad’s approval so I want to prove I can be in control and I do so with the number on the scale.” (That’s a little bit of my story) Once you can recognize the lie, then you can negate it with the truth and work backwards every time you face the feelings of being restricted. There might be a few lies you believe, so you’ll have to also figure out which lie is being whispered to your brain each time you are triggered. I hope that helps.

pridesabtch

I actually used this site to combat my tendency towards disordered eating. I set a range, I'm a small female so my range is low, but my minimum was the advised female "low" of 1200cal and my high was 1400 calories with a lightly active activity level. I didn't let myself eat less than that 1200 calories. Exercise days bumped my range up to 1400 - 1600. This kept me sane, and prevented the starve / binge cycle I lived with for so long.

Maybe is you set your "low" at 1500 about where you are now and your high at 1650 it will help you eat enough, but not binge. Just a thought.

j01150126

The best tool is really this app. Track your calories and macros to ensure you are hitting 1500 to 1600 calories including exercise. This will keep you mindful and in the zone. Try to think lightly and not too deeply about things as thinking about things you cannot control can put you in a negative mindset. We are here for only a short time, enjoy.