help with weight loss and bulimia recovery

chocowalnut
chocowalnut Posts: 23 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Hello.. I'm relatively new here and am trying to get healthy, lose some weight and look and feel great. My story is that i used to be obese 218 lbs when i was 12. I lost 80 lbs by cutting calories and eventually taking up running. When i was 16 i developed bulimia after i got my first job at dairy queen. I'm 20 now and have been bulimic on and off for 4 years. I've also gained about 40 lbs back and am now 170. I can never stick to anything healthy. It's really hard to overcome the cravings for high calorie empty calorie foods and it feels like I'm giving up a freedom in a way- eating whatever i want whenever i want lol. I love to exercise bit i can't lose fat with exercise alone and no diet change. I'm not so overweight to where I hate my body either so sometimes i convince myself i don't even need to lose weight. but basically if there's anyone who could help me and be a support friend is appreciate it. =)

Replies

  • Firefox7275
    Firefox7275 Posts: 2,040 Member
    Have you had therapy for the bulimia? Really that needs addressing before you consider dieting. In the mean time you might start eat healthily - concentrating on getting enough servings from all the food groups.
  • foleyshirley
    foleyshirley Posts: 1,043 Member
    Have you had therapy for the bulimia? Really that needs addressing before you consider dieting. In the mean time you might start eat healthily - concentrating on getting enough servings from all the food groups.

    I agree with this. If you haven't had treatment for this (or if you don't have it under control), I would be afraid that dieting and logging might be a trigger. I don't know much about this, but that is the way it seems to me. Good luck with recovery.
  • anaboneana
    anaboneana Posts: 195 Member
    Have you had therapy for the bulimia? Really that needs addressing before you consider dieting. In the mean time you might start eat healthily - concentrating on getting enough servings from all the food groups.

    ^^This

    I'm also a recovering bulimic and I've gone to a psychologist, as well as a doctor and nutritionist. I recommend getting professional help. Don't try to lose weight until you can control yourself from binging. It's really a struggle against yourself if your body is craving food and you're trying to deprive it of substance. I know how gosh awful it is to feel like the weight you're at is too much.. I've struggled - looking into the mirror everyday and hating myself a little more ever time I would step on the scale. It sucks to hear that you need to maintain your weight for awhile - just to get ahold of yourself. But trust me, it's so much better to maintain the weight your at and learn to conquer your binges versus trying to lose weight by forcing yourself to eat less - leading to binging and gaining even MORE weight!
  • Emma_Problema
    Emma_Problema Posts: 422 Member
    I haven't had specific therapy for EDNOS (with bulimic tendencies) and I am doing quite well actually. I would suggest seeing a therapist, but I don't think it's necessary before logging on MFP. It's actually really helped me to feel in control of what I'm eating and I have a wonderful network of supportive friends that keep me sane.

    I'm a little off the beaten path as a person, but I'd be happy to be a supportive friend if you read my profile and decide you like me. I haven't purged in about 8 months. I honestly think this is a wonderful tool for ED support. I would suggest joining a group called "Disordered". You might meet some other people there who have things in common with you, although I've found some really great people just by posting on the boards. I wanted to purge so badly over winter break- fights with my boyfriend and being home with my parents.....but reading what I wrote on my MFP profile about getting healthy and looking at the progress I'd made and getting reassuring messages from my friends on here really kept me sane. I think you'll like it here if you make sure to find healthy friends with healthy goals. And mine are awesome for starters.
  • Emma_Problema
    Emma_Problema Posts: 422 Member
    Have you had therapy for the bulimia? Really that needs addressing before you consider dieting. In the mean time you might start eat healthily - concentrating on getting enough servings from all the food groups.

    ^^This

    I'm also a recovering bulimic and I've gone to a psychologist, as well as a doctor and nutritionist. I recommend getting professional help. Don't try to lose weight until you can control yourself from binging. It's really a struggle against yourself if your body is craving food and you're trying to deprive it of substance. I know how gosh awful it is to feel like the weight you're at is too much.. I've struggled - looking into the mirror everyday and hating myself a little more ever time I would step on the scale. It sucks to hear that you need to maintain your weight for awhile - just to get ahold of yourself. But trust me, it's so much better to maintain the weight your at and learn to conquer your binges versus trying to lose weight by forcing yourself to eat less - leading to binging and gaining even MORE weight!

    The way I've worked around that is by keeping my calorie goals up. I'm supposed to eat 1900 calories a day and lose weight because I'm working out and doing it the right way. Losing weight doesn't have to be about deprivation and it doesn't have to trigger binges. And even if you do decide to maintain for a while, MFP can be a great tool in doing that. I'm really just learning about healthy ways to look at food. I'm learning about getting stronger and I'm learning about loving my body and it's incredible abilities. I'm not really here to lose weight as much as I am here to be conscious of what I'm putting in my body and how I can make it awesome and powerful.
  • flutterbug123
    flutterbug123 Posts: 81 Member
    Hello there
    I was bulimic for 9 years and have just recently stop cold turkey. I thought i would never be able to stop, but I did. I feel soooooooo much better now.

    I was eating so unhealthy and because of that very reason I would feel the need to purge.
    I'm eating more healthy and don't feel the need to purge good food.

    I was seeing a therapist for over a year and she helped me.
    I just remember seeing a pic of myself and was disguised at what I looked like from bulimia and after that I said NO MORE!!! and just stopped. I really though I would never be able to over come being bulimic on my own but I did.
    I'm here to help any way I can
    If you'd like to chit chat more privately I would love to help
  • wcr433
    wcr433 Posts: 3 Member
    I am also a recovering bulimic. I didn't realize I had an underlying anxiety disorder. After a few relapses my psycologist asked me if I had ever been on medication for anxiety. She sent me to a psychiatrist and he placed me on a low dose ssri (serotonin reuptake inhibitor) It was seriously like flipping a switch for me! I haven't binged or purged for 13 years now!!! I feel like I can diet like a normal person and be a mother to my children without constantly obsessing over every bite that enters my mouth. I'm not advocating medication for everyone, but definately something to consider if counselling and support groups are not enough. Oh, and by the way, I was up 30 lbs and was able to slowly take it off without purging. You can do this! I have now had two children and have maintained my weight except for this irritating extra 10 lbs hanging on. I agree with the other post. It is frustrating to have the extra weight on while you are trying to get help, but it is worth it and so important! You are worth it!:smile:

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