Overweight and anorexic?

sakuragreenlily

You can be overweight and have an eating disorder. But it doesn't sound like you are overweight. It isn't healthy to eat so few calories and it might not be affecting you now but it will do if you keep it up long term x

I am though...my weight is still at the very tip of healthy, BMI wise

Throw away BMI wise. What does your body fat % look close to?

Hmmm I'm not exactly sure. Do I need to go to clinic to get that measured?

Dexa Scan, Body pod, and hydrostatic testing. These are the three best accurate ways to do so. Google can help narrow down prices and locations in your area.

Oh okay. Thanks I'll try that.

Even if you don't go get your exact body fat percentage measured you should really try to work hard on changing your own mentality about "weight," "health," "normal," etc. Forget everything you ever thought you knew about BMI. Ignore what "most girls weigh" where you're from.

The simple fact is women (and people) can WEIGH the same, be the same height, and look completely different! This is mostly because of body composition and distribution. BMI only takes into account your weight not how much of that weight is made up of muscle, fat, bone, water, etc.

You'll see lots of women who post pictures of themselves and you'd never guess they weigh as much as they do because they have a flattering body composition. Some women on here have even posted pictures where they've GAINED weight but look smaller!

If one of your goals is to be strong then you have to fuel your body and lift weights accordingly. That means you have to eat ... The coolest thing is that the more muscle you gain the more you'll get to eat because your muscle will absolutely torch calories! It's one of the best parts of lifting!

It really sucks to feel like you don't fit in and to feel like you aren't "normal" but to be honest, you should probably just keep your weight to yourself around people like that because chances are they would probably guess that you weigh less than you actually do and it's only when you tell them otherwise that they begin to "judge" you.

kitkalyz

You can be overweight and have an eating disorder. But it doesn't sound like you are overweight. It isn't healthy to eat so few calories and it might not be affecting you now but it will do if you keep it up long term x

I am though...my weight is still at the very tip of healthy, BMI wise

Throw away BMI wise. What does your body fat % look close to?

Hmmm I'm not exactly sure. Do I need to go to clinic to get that measured?

Dexa Scan, Body pod, and hydrostatic testing. These are the three best accurate ways to do so. Google can help narrow down prices and locations in your area.

Oh okay. Thanks I'll try that.

Even if you don't go get your exact body fat percentage measured you should really try to work hard on changing your own mentality about "weight," "health," "normal," etc. Forget everything you ever thought you knew about BMI. Ignore what "most girls weigh" where you're from.

The simple fact is women (and people) can WEIGH the same, be the same height, and look completely different! This is mostly because of body composition and distribution. BMI only takes into account your weight not how much of that weight is made up of muscle, fat, bone, water, etc.

You'll see lots of women who post pictures of themselves and you'd never guess they weigh as much as they do because they have a flattering body composition. Some women on here have even posted pictures where they've GAINED weight but look smaller!

If one of your goals is to be strong then you have to fuel your body and lift weights accordingly. That means you have to eat ... The coolest thing is that the more muscle you gain the more you'll get to eat because your muscle will absolutely torch calories! It's one of the best parts of lifting!

It really sucks to feel like you don't fit in and to feel like you aren't "normal" but to be honest, you should probably just keep your weight to yourself around people like that because chances are they would probably guess that you weigh less than you actually do and it's only when you tell them otherwise that they begin to "judge" you.

It's not just my diet I have to change and improve, it's my mindset completely. I know what is right and what is wrong but old habits--my god! Everyday is a struggle here, for me at least. I'm taking it baby steps.

Thanks again. This is a load of encouragement. And yes! strength training is one of my favorites right now

ExRelaySprinter

Thanks! I live in the Philippines...in a place where an average woman weights around 45kg to 55kg hence I grew up in so much ridicule.

Oh,...now it makes more sense.
I don't know how much you weigh now, but weighing 45-55kg would probably be too low for you!
Maybe those other girls have smaller frames, so may look OK at that weight - whereas at the same weight you might look skinny and ill.
There are many women out there at my height that are 10kgs+ lighter than me, but i don't want to be that weight.
Concentrate on upping your calories and maybe take up a Sport (if the Gym isn't your thing).

sljohnson1207

I'd just like to say I'm really proud of you for admitting you have a not so good relationship with food, and possibly a distorted view of your own body. I also think your pose in your pics expresses confidence that I wasn't hearing in your original post or two.

I really do hope you take the advice you've been given here about eating healthy amount of calories every single day to fuel your body and your workouts, especially if you like to lift weights already. You are well on your way to feeling better about yourself if you do that, no matter what the number on the scale says.

In your pictures, you look great to me. I don't see a need to lose weight, much less 10kg (22lbs). You are 5'5" tall. Stop comparing yourself (weight, pants size, hair length, skin color, or whatever else you compare) to others. That is pointless and can be very damaging mentally. Also, stop telling people how much you weigh, and do your best to stop putting any stock in their opinions because your opinion is the most important.

Also, trying to lose weight just to prove you can sounds more like "I want to lose the weight so I can prove those people that say hurtful things wrong and get them to shut up". Well, chances are those people will just find something else to pick about or move on to a different target. Might be best to remove those folks from your life, or at least your proximity for a good, long while.

<<cyberhugs>>

dbmata

My mom recently called me anorexic. My first thoughts were, why? I’m 10 kilograms overweight. How can an overweight person be anorexic? Anorexic people are thing, almost dying looking people who never seem to eat. I binge on weekends yes, diet strictly on weekdays and kills the body to exercise but that doesn’t mean I’m anorexic.

Have you done any research on body dismorphia?

dbmata

You can be overweight and have an eating disorder. But it doesn't sound like you are overweight. It isn't healthy to eat so few calories and it might not be affecting you now but it will do if you keep it up long term x

I am though...my weight is still at the very tip of healthy, BMI wise

Throw away BMI wise. What does your body fat % look close to?

Hmmm I'm not exactly sure. Do I need to go to clinic to get that measured?

Dexa Scan, Body pod, and hydrostatic testing. These are the three best accurate ways to do so. Google can help narrow down prices and locations in your area.

Considering the rest of the commentary on the thread, I'd suggest a Dexa scan. It will also give you your bone density... which effed up eating habits will have a major effect on.

You're young enough to be able to address any bone deficiencies now, because they become something like osteoporosis later.

rogerOb1

Yes the picture was taken last week...why do I need to lose 10kg? to prove to myself I can...I was always, always overweight as a teen, am a bit overweight now and I wanted to reach my goal of 55kg for a 5"5" height. Dieting for 10 years now, yo-yoing too, so this resolutions is to prove that I can do it

Oh I see. But as most people here will tell you, aiming for an arbitrary weight target on the scale rarely leaves people with the physique they are looking for and 10kg seems like a lot for someone your size.


Perhaps a better goal would be to try and improve your health and fitness levels? That way you can move towards your goals while eating a healthy amount of food (so that you'd have energy to work out for example).

And yes! being physically strong is also one of my main goals I guess in my head the physique never really mattered, it was all about the number, it was always about numbers...but I do want to be stronger and I have begun adjusting my calorie in-take day by day. It's a struggle to find and plan food that are healthy and will hit that 1200 to 1300 cal count (I'm starting with this for now). I've just been used to this "punishment mode" and on top of that I will always be a fat girl at heart hehehe I will always love food and fear it at the same time. But thank you really...no one has ever told me that my size is "fine"...

Im glad to hear you have some fitness goals to focus on! I think that will make it easier to transition away from just worrying about how much you weigh (but should still leave you looking good and healthy). Good luck!

dbmata

It might be better for the OP to reframe expectation.

Instead of setting a "I must lose X kg," type of goal. Set a BF% target goal.

Based on this, I'd suggest the OP get a BF% check, and shoot for the middle of the healthy range.

Per Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Body_fat_percentage

Average BF% for women would 25-31%. Shoot for 27%.

yopeeps025

It might be better for the OP to reframe expectation.

Instead of setting a "I must lose X kg," type of goal. Set a BF% target goal.

Based on this, I'd suggest the OP get a BF% check, and shoot for the middle of the healthy range.

Per Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Body_fat_percentage

Average BF% for women would 25-31%. Shoot for 27%.

True that is how I made my goal. I went in the bod pod first got my stats. Set a body fat % goal. Weight scale does not matter anymore.

dbmata

Right. It's why i've stopped weighing, basically. (Well, not actually... up 4#, clothes fitting looser except in the chest and shoulders. lol)

The BF% is what matters. However, for the OP the added data of bone density from the DEXA scan would probably be good info for her to have.

fogr

What a nice, clear factual answer

yopeeps025

Right. It's why i've stopped weighing, basically. (Well, not actually... up 4#, clothes fitting looser except in the chest and shoulders. lol)

The BF% is what matters. However, for the OP the added data of bone density from the DEXA scan would probably be good info for her to have.

I am with you 100% on that. I just gave some options so she can stop saying she is overweight due to scale.

mnricha927

DSM diagnostic criteria for anorexia are:

Refusal to maintain a body weight that is at or above the minimum normal weight for your age and height

Intense fear of gaining weight or becoming fat, even though you're underweight

Denying the seriousness of having a low body weight, or having a distorted image of your appearance or shape

In women who've started having periods, the absence of a period for at least three consecutive menstrual cycles (http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/anorexia/basics/tests-diagnosis/con-20033002)

At most, you'd be more likely to qualify for EDNOS :^) I wouldn't worry about anorexia.

solid first post: an internet non-diagnosis.
You have NO FRIGGING idea if she has anorexia or not. All you do know is you can find anorexia in the DSM.
THINK pls. A glance at your friends list and your profile suggests that you are pro-ana and your weight loss ticker looks like an advertisement for zombie thinspiration. Please don't share that philosophy here.

What a rude response to an educated post. If the OP does not fit the weight criterion for Anorexia Nervosa or still has her menses then she does not have the illness, bottom line. EDNOS is Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified. It means that she can fall under many other characteristics for Anorexia Nervosa, but doesn't totally meet the strict criteria. Those criteria are there for a reason; so someone can get the correct treatment and help he or she needs.
No, a random person cannot diagnose online, but it doesn't take a multiple degrees in the field to understand there may be an unhealthy relationship with food present. There was no actual diagnosis, just a likelier scenario. "I wouldn't worry about anorexia." should not have been stated, though. I will give you that part.

moraiwebird

What a rude response to an educated post. If the OP does not fit the weight criterion for Anorexia Nervosa or still has her menses then she does not have the illness, bottom line. EDNOS is Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified. It means that she can fall under many other characteristics for Anorexia Nervosa, but doesn't totally meet the strict criteria. Those criteria are there for a reason; so someone can get the correct treatment and help he or she needs.

A bazillion times this! I've been inpatient for both. There's a reason they are different diagnoses

For someone who is, say 20 pounds underweight, the brain is so compromised by starvation that the absolute number one priority is weight gain. Without gaining weight, someone with anorexia will not be able to participate in the psychological treatment because of their cognitive state. An EDNOS patient doesn't need to gain weight, so the number one priority is the psychological treatment. Group therapy with people who are emaciated revolves around food, weight, calories, food, calories, carbs, fat, weight, body fat percentage, food, calories. In the starved state, it's very hard to get deeper into treatment. When weight is put on, the fog clears a bit, and then you talk about more significant things. Typically weight leaving a residential facility is still only about 90% of a healthy range, but enough that you can continue outside therapy with depth.

EDNOS can turn into Anorexia, but until then it's not the same thing.

dbmata

nvm.

mnricha927

You're new here.

I'll let you in on something. By and large the community does not respond favorably to someone trying to make an eating disorder diagnosis on another online, particularly when they don't have a verified professional license and are practicing.

You have no basis to make a diagnosis, and frankly, adding the easily googled content from the DSM looks more a form of concern trolling, than actual concern.

Now you know.

If you're referring to me being new here, only on paper. I have lurked for almost a year and only just decided to join for reasons such as this.

yopeeps025

You're new here.

I'll let you in on something. By and large the community does not respond favorably to someone trying to make an eating disorder diagnosis on another online, particularly when they don't have a verified professional license and are practicing.

You have no basis to make a diagnosis, and frankly, adding the easily googled content from the DSM looks more a form of concern trolling, than actual concern.

Now you know.

If you're referring to me being new here, only on paper. I have lurked for almost a year and only just decided to join for reasons such as this.

He was referring to below

DSM diagnostic criteria for anorexia are:

Refusal to maintain a body weight that is at or above the minimum normal weight for your age and height

Intense fear of gaining weight or becoming fat, even though you're underweight

Denying the seriousness of having a low body weight, or having a distorted image of your appearance or shape

In women who've started having periods, the absence of a period for at least three consecutive menstrual cycles (http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/anorexia/basics/tests-diagnosis/con-20033002)

At most, you'd be more likely to qualify for EDNOS :^) I wouldn't worry about anorexia.

MKEgal

How can an overweight person be anorexic?

http://www.merriam-webster.com/medical/anorectic
lacking appetite

You can still have the mental disorder(s) related to unhealthy eating, lack of appetite, unrealistic body image, etc.

a 5-day 700cal intake and a weekend of 1600 cal intake will offset all the hard work of the weekdays. I mean, how seriously wrong is that? I have to maintain a 1200 at least, 7-day diet without the weekend glory of 1600 to lose weight. The body grabs all it can from the weekends as it gets ready to face another 5 days of 700cal. I never thought of it that way.

As for anorexia, I still don’t believe I have it. I pick at food and really portion control but I don’t think I’ve hit that mark and I don’t plan to. I need to keep my calorie intake as stable as possible and continue on this journey. I wanna lose that 10 kilograms the right way and I’m re-starting today.

Since you only have 20 lb to lose, if you are 250 cal below what you need for sustaining your current weight (10x weight in lb) you'll lose about 0.5 lb per week, which is appropriate & healthy.
Yes, starving yourself will make it much harder to lose weight, and especially to maintain that weight once you straighten out your unhealthy eating patterns.
Just do it right the first time, so you don't have to re-learn how to eat.

why do I need to lose 10kg? to prove to myself I can... I was always, always overweight as a teen, am a bit overweight now and I wanted to reach my goal of 55kg for a 5"5" height

At 5'5" you should be 115 - 145
http://www.shapeup.org/bmi/bmi6.pdf
You're currently toward the top end of a healthy range. (143)
You are _not_ "a bit overweight"!
121 would be toward the bottom end of a healthy range.
There's really no reason to lose the weight.
Try weightlifting, to tone what you have & lose inches, and I'll bet you'll feel & look great.

To get to 121, eat 1210 cal per day. (10x weight)
Or aim for closer to the middle of the healthy range & have 1300.

mnricha927

You're new here.

I'll let you in on something. By and large the community does not respond favorably to someone trying to make an eating disorder diagnosis on another online, particularly when they don't have a verified professional license and are practicing.

You have no basis to make a diagnosis, and frankly, adding the easily googled content from the DSM looks more a form of concern trolling, than actual concern.

Now you know.

If you're referring to me being new here, only on paper. I have lurked for almost a year and only just decided to join for reasons such as this.

He was referring to below

DSM diagnostic criteria for anorexia are:

Refusal to maintain a body weight that is at or above the minimum normal weight for your age and height

Intense fear of gaining weight or becoming fat, even though you're underweight

Denying the seriousness of having a low body weight, or having a distorted image of your appearance or shape

In women who've started having periods, the absence of a period for at least three consecutive menstrual cycles (http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/anorexia/basics/tests-diagnosis/con-20033002)

At most, you'd be more likely to qualify for EDNOS :^) I wouldn't worry about anorexia.

Well, that makes much more sense

dbmata

Yeah, I misquoted, then said, IDGAF and deleted it.

Sorry.

rml_16

The average anorexic eats about 800 calories a day. It's an illness, and has nothing to do with size.

Plus most of them start out overweight or at a healthy weight. You don't get to 70 pounds overnight.

zombiexmama13

i was recently diagnosed ana.... im 311 lb.... i have all of the red lights.... im just fat. i starve my body and have a fear of eating .... my psychologist is making me seek help from a specialist. i kept this secret for 20 yrs. im devastated and relieved.

gothchiq

So bump it up to 1200 calories a day of good nutritious things, like lean meats, veggies, fruits, you know, good clean unprocessed foods. And make sure you do something like go walking, yoga, etc most days for your exercise. That should get you on the right track. Eating only 700 cals will waste your muscles and organs and take calcium out of your bones, which will mess you up permanently. It will be harder to tip yourself over *into* an eating disorder if you make sure to start taking care of yourself now.

amagus

I would like to start with, I am impressed that you are taking a hard look at your practices and are making changes to stay healthy. I big part of what your Mom is seeing is the fact that you are losing more weight to " to prove to myself I can". That is not a sustainable reason and what will happen when you get to that goal and decide you want to lose 1 or 2 more kgs. It is a slippery slope. You are doing a great job addressing the healthy eating and exercise. The only suggestion I have for you is to think about why you need to prove to yourself that you can hit an arbitrary target.

FeefWV

I know what you mean. I eat very healthy. I weigh everything and do not deviate. What I do realize now is that any type of exercise is crucial and as much as I hate it, I force myself to drink water.

FeefWV

I agree with your advice. Eating good food - from ALL food groups. Taking a daily supplement may be helpful too. I love Myfitnesspal. It's realistic and I love the feedback!

GrippMrs

In reality, because she is not underweight, she could not be diagnosed as anorexic, so the post was correct. If she does have an ED, it would be classified as EDNOS. Don't get on a high horse. Many people on here struggle with eating disorders and know a lot more about them than you would think.

WillLift4Tats

In reality, because she is not underweight, she could not be diagnosed as anorexic, so the post was correct. If she does have an ED, it would be classified as EDNOS. Don't get on a high horse. Many people on here struggle with eating disorders and know a lot more about them than you would think.

I don't know who you're referring to here, but no. There is no weight limit in the diagnostic criteria of anorexia nervosa.

OP, I'm really glad you're looking into strength training. It will do you a world of good for not only your body, but your mind. The confidence boost alone will take you far. Good luck and be good to yourself.

rml_16

In reality, because she is not underweight, she could not be diagnosed as anorexic, so the post was correct. If she does have an ED, it would be classified as EDNOS. Don't get on a high horse. Many people on here struggle with eating disorders and know a lot more about them than you would think.

I don't know who you're referring to here, but no. There is no weight limit in the diagnostic criteria of anorexia nervosa.

OP, I'm really glad you're looking into strength training. It will do you a world of good for not only your body, but your mind. The confidence boost alone will take you far. Good luck and be good to yourself.

She might be thinking of the diagnosis when it isn't an ED but just a diagnosis of being underweight, often due to another illness.

You can be diagnosed as anorexic without having anorexia nervosa. In that case, it makes sense what she said -- where it's a physical illness and not a mental illness.

dbmata

In reality, because she is not underweight, she could not be diagnosed as anorexic, so the post was correct. If she does have an ED, it would be classified as EDNOS. Don't get on a high horse. Many people on here struggle with eating disorders and know a lot more about them than you would think.

Where do you practice medicine?