Under 1200 for weight-loss

singingflutelady · August 2019

That's crazy. I screwed up my stomach and intestines because of anorexia and especially laxative abuse but thankly my heart is strong. My roommate in inpatient ed treatment ended up in the ICU after her heart stopped for 5 minutes. Scary stuff. All the posts about VLCD people anger me especially the ones who say it's ok because they feel fine. I felt fine until I didn't. Now I have at least 2 chronic gastrointestinal diseases which may or may not be associated with former habits. I have had to have major surgery and now have a permanent ileostomy and a jejunostomy feeding tube. I hope people read your story and decide it's not worth it.

try2again · August 2019

try2again wrote: »

That woo button can't be gone fast enough.

I'm going to pretend that they did that just for me

Emmapatterson1729 · August 2019

try2again wrote: »

try2again wrote: »

That woo button can't be gone fast enough.

I'm going to pretend that they did that just for me

I knew something looked different, just realized the freaking woo button is gone!! Woohoo!!!

Emmapatterson1729 · August 2019

singingflutelady wrote: »

That's crazy. I screwed up my stomach and intestines because of anorexia and especially laxative abuse but thankly my heart is strong. My roommate in inpatient ed treatment ended up in the ICU after her heart stopped for 5 minutes. Scary stuff. All the posts about VLCD people anger me especially the ones who say it's ok because they feel fine. I felt fine until I didn't. Now I have at least 2 chronic gastrointestinal diseases which may or may not be associated with former habits. I have had to have major surgery and now have a permanent ileostomy and a jejunostomy feeding tube. I hope people read your story and decide it's not worth it.

@singingflutelady

Thanks for sharing!!!

I ended up with life long medical issues too. Gastro problems, hormonal issues. An adrenal disorder. Sucks...

It's literally so hard for some to grasp being young and thinking you're eating healthy and athletic (mindset of youthful invincibility shield) to literally almost dying, being obese, and not being able to move without suffocating.

Luckily my heart healed, I developed a healthy relationship with food and exercise. Still struggle with body image, but can love myself not dependent on what what I weigh!

Emmapatterson1729 · August 2019

cheryldumais wrote: »

Thank you so much for sharing your story! You probably saved some lives. Best of luck in your continuing journey.

@cheryldumais

Thanks,
And yes, I have already received messages from girls saying they are upping their calories after reading my story! That they were eating near 1000 or under, first time trying to diet and had no idea this was possible.

So, a positive update!!!

try2again · August 2019

Emmapatterson1729 wrote: »

singingflutelady wrote: »

That's crazy. I screwed up my stomach and intestines because of anorexia and especially laxative abuse but thankly my heart is strong. My roommate in inpatient ed treatment ended up in the ICU after her heart stopped for 5 minutes. Scary stuff. All the posts about VLCD people anger me especially the ones who say it's ok because they feel fine. I felt fine until I didn't. Now I have at least 2 chronic gastrointestinal diseases which may or may not be associated with former habits. I have had to have major surgery and now have a permanent ileostomy and a jejunostomy feeding tube. I hope people read your story and decide it's not worth it.

It's literally so hard for some to grasp being young and thinking you're eating healthy and athletic (mindset of youthful invincibility shield) to literally almost dying, being obese, and not being able to move without suffocating.

You keep using the term "obese", and it may be technically true, but I think most people would associate that word with an excess of body fat as opposed to water weight from a medical issue. Of course, that doesn't diminish the effects or your experience in any way.

Emmapatterson1729 · August 2019

try2again wrote: »

Emmapatterson1729 wrote: »

singingflutelady wrote: »

That's crazy. I screwed up my stomach and intestines because of anorexia and especially laxative abuse but thankly my heart is strong. My roommate in inpatient ed treatment ended up in the ICU after her heart stopped for 5 minutes. Scary stuff. All the posts about VLCD people anger me especially the ones who say it's ok because they feel fine. I felt fine until I didn't. Now I have at least 2 chronic gastrointestinal diseases which may or may not be associated with former habits. I have had to have major surgery and now have a permanent ileostomy and a jejunostomy feeding tube. I hope people read your story and decide it's not worth it.

It's literally so hard for some to grasp being young and thinking you're eating healthy and athletic (mindset of youthful invincibility shield) to literally almost dying, being obese, and not being able to move without suffocating.

You keep using the term "obese", and it may be technically true, but I think most people would associate that word with an excess of body fat as opposed to water weight from a medical issue. Of course, that doesn't diminish the effects or your experience in any way.

@try2again

What I'm talking about is weight, not fat. It didn't matter that it was water and a lot of loose skin. My cardiologist called me obese and my weight as an obese weight in my medical chart, after released from ICU. My reply was (while crying), I'm not obese, I've always been thin. His reply was, "You're obese now."

And society doesn't distinguish between water weight, loose skin, or fat. In a shallow, superficial society, pulling up in the handicap parking spot, and having people comment "Obese people getting handicapped spots for being lazy." Or "Being fat and lazy isn't a handicap." Yes, I heard these all of the time!

They're are plenty of stereotypes that go with any over weight issues, because people assume you're lazy and eat too much.

Pricklypineapple422 · August 2019

While scary, I think your post has been really good for me to read. I'm struggling, just trying to lose "the last couple lbs." I have a healthy BMI (19.9), but I still feel I need to lose more weight. I work out 5 or 6 days a week. I don't eat enough to be considered healthy. So many people have told me they are concerned about me, I have people asking if I am anorexic. I tell myself and others I am healthy and just trying to better myself, but when I think about it I truly don't have a healthy relationship with food right now. I've been waiting to see a counselor and have an appointment made, it is a 3 month wait. Losing weight can definitely be a slippery slope... I see my primary care next week and am going to try and get the courage to talk with her about some of these issues I'm facing. Thank you for posting, it has scared me enough to make me fight for help.

macchiatto · August 2019

Thank you for sharing your story. I'd seen your posts earlier but didn't know all you'd been through before. So glad you survived!

kshama2001 · August 2019

I'm bookmarking this to share in all the "VLCD but I feel fine" threads - thanks for sharing!

Emmapatterson1729 · August 2019

Pricklypineapple422 wrote: »

While scary, I think your post has been really good for me to read. I'm struggling, just trying to lose "the last couple lbs." I have a healthy BMI (19.9), but I still feel I need to lose more weight. I work out 5 or 6 days a week. I don't eat enough to be considered healthy. So many people have told me they are concerned about me, I have people asking if I am anorexic. I tell myself and others I am healthy and just trying to better myself, but when I think about it I truly don't have a healthy relationship with food right now. I've been waiting to see a counselor and have an appointment made, it is a 3 month wait. Losing weight can definitely be a slippery slope... I see my primary care next week and am going to try and get the courage to talk with her about some of these issues I'm facing. Thank you for posting, it has scared me enough to make me fight for help.

@Pricklypineapple422

It's a tough road, especially when dealing with distorted body image! I still to this day have to pictures in a mirror, because when looking in a mirror, I never see myself accurately.

I find silly things inspiring, like the comparison meme of Victoria Secret models to the Dove campaign on real beauty.

I look at things like that and can now honestly say I'd rather feel healthy and strong. Happy with myself, even if I'm not super skinny anymore.

Life and happiness are more important to me now than a number on my pants tag or a digit on the scale.

Emmapatterson1729 · August 2019

@Pricklypineapple422

I wouldn't wait too long to ask for help.

Even at a primary care office, they can run a simple quick blood panel and check your electrolytes and nutrition levels and organ enzyme levels.

If coming up with deficiencies, danger is a little more predominant.

Vitamin B deficiencies can lead to muscle mass loss... Heart failure.

Magnesium, Potassium, Sodium too low can lead to heart failure. Magnesium and Potassium deficiencies can first cause muscle cramps (charlie horse).

Iron too low, can lead to anemia which changes menstrual cycles, messes with heart and circulation the body quits making red blood cells, can cause brittle hair, brittle thin nails, can lead to cardiac arrest.

A simple blood draw at the doctor's office can check all of these.

Emmapatterson1729 · August 2019

macchiatto wrote: »

Thank you for sharing your story. I'd seen your posts earlier but didn't know all you'd been through before. So glad you survived!

Me too!

Yeah, most on my friend's list and in groups have seen some of my story again and again.

I hate feeling repetitive, and I don't post for sympathy or hugs. I just keep posting story over and over again trying to reach young girls doing exactly what I did, exactly where I was!

It's so sad to me now, to think how much time and energy I spent focusing on looks, that I literally destroyed my body!

Emmapatterson1729 · August 2019

kshama2001 wrote: »

I'm bookmarking this to share in all the "VLCD but I feel fine" threads - thanks for sharing!

I can't figure out how to bookmark or copy/paste link on the mobile app. I wish I could link an old post by a tinkerbell about the dangers of low calorie diets on posts about vlcd. The only thing it was missing is the organ failures, it list organ damage, but not failure. It also doesn't mention that the organs can fail with no warning or other symptoms. I felt fine and healthy until I couldn't breathe and swelled up.

wmweeza · August 2019

I do eat close to 1200 calories, but I use a wheelchair and sit at my desk most days. 3 days a week I go to the gym and eat closer to 1450 on those days so I think I'm taking care of myself, and even with the upped calories I am still losing.
Thank you for the stark yet important reminder!

Emmapatterson1729 · August 2019

wmweeza wrote: »

I do eat close to 1200 calories, but I use a wheelchair and sit at my desk most days. 3 days a week I go to the gym and eat closer to 1450 on those days so I think I'm taking care of myself, and even with the upped calories I am still losing.
Thank you for the stark yet important reminder!

Yeah, I see people on here eating at 1200 calorie mark, but not very active or very short, not in danger! I think you're definitely safe!

I'm warning against more extreme. I don't think most have to worry about these circumstances. But I am seeing more and more lately, and even men eating very low with very high calorie burning exercises (something society's never really seen too much of).

Good luck on your weight loss journey!!

Diatonic12 · August 2019

Thanks for sharing. One of the most meaningful cautionary testimonies I've ever read here. I'll remember it long, long after all of the dust has settled. You're making an impact. Powerful.

Pamela_Sue · August 2019

Pricklypineapple422 wrote: »

While scary, I think your post has been really good for me to read. I'm struggling, just trying to lose "the last couple lbs." I have a healthy BMI (19.9), but I still feel I need to lose more weight. I work out 5 or 6 days a week. I don't eat enough to be considered healthy. So many people have told me they are concerned about me, I have people asking if I am anorexic. I tell myself and others I am healthy and just trying to better myself, but when I think about it I truly don't have a healthy relationship with food right now. I've been waiting to see a counselor and have an appointment made, it is a 3 month wait. Losing weight can definitely be a slippery slope... I see my primary care next week and am going to try and get the courage to talk with her about some of these issues I'm facing. Thank you for posting, it has scared me enough to make me fight for help.

Sometimes I also struggle with bringing up things with my doctor. Either embarrassed, don't want to waste their time, I plan to mention but forget, etc. I finally learned to make a list and bring it to my doctor appointment. List of concerns and current issues, and/or a list of questions. And if I can't bring myself to vocalize my concerns I just hand them my typewritten concerns and let them start the conversation. Best to you on your health journey!

Emmapatterson1729 · August 2019

Diatonic12 wrote: »

Thanks for sharing. One of the most meaningful cautionary testimonies I've ever read here. I'll remember it long, long after all of the dust has settled. You're making an impact. Powerful.

Thanks!!!

It's tough to talk about, I still have almost like ptsd from it. I'm always scared heart will fail again. If I eat too much sodium, I still end up with edema and panic.

Emmapatterson1729 · August 2019

singingflutelady wrote: »

That's crazy. I screwed up my stomach and intestines because of anorexia and especially laxative abuse but thankly my heart is strong. My roommate in inpatient ed treatment ended up in the ICU after her heart stopped for 5 minutes. Scary stuff. All the posts about VLCD people anger me especially the ones who say it's ok because they feel fine. I felt fine until I didn't. Now I have at least 2 chronic gastrointestinal diseases which may or may not be associated with former habits. I have had to have major surgery and now have a permanent ileostomy and a jejunostomy feeding tube. I hope people read your story and decide it's not worth it.

@singingflutelady

I meant to mention, one of my sisters (who is my best friend) had bulimia nervosa. She lived on sweets and would binge like crazy (always on sweets--like several boxes of Little Debbie's or Hostess cakes in one sitting) then exercise, she was athletic (track runner, tennis, soft ball, and swimming) and always skinny. She was told due to her diet of living on all sweets she was malnourished, lost some of her toenails (they never grew back). She later abused laxatives, and it messed her stomach up pretty bad and her hormones. Now maintains a healthy weight, eats balanced... Still has to have sweets, but controls portions.

And my baby sister (much younger than myself) is still really messed up, makes herself throw up. She had recently started developing sores in her mouth from the vomiting and just had surgery due to gastro problems. We don't talk, so I don't know all the details.

Yes, a note: Three sisters, all three developed eating disorders. In our house, receiving love was based on how thin, how athletic, and how beautiful you were! Sick, I know!

My mother was a yo yo dieter, always eating fad diets. Obsessed with weight and looks. Would constantly tell us we were looking chubby, even though all three daughters were really thin.

It was crazy!!

Under 1200 for weight-loss

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