Anorexia and other disorders

I would express your concern to this person and if they get upset or delete you because of it, at least you know you've tried to do the right thing.

Ouch, that's a tough one. So sad that people do that to themselves.

it's harsh but it's darwinism, they won't listen until they are ready and if they never get there then they get weeded out by survival of the fittest and most intelligent............hopefully they wise up and get help but if not, well it takes all kinds in the world right.

I have a couple of these folks, but they are not advocating eating disorders, they are legitimately suffering with it. I, too, get so angry when people say "good job" and "wtg" blindly to people. Make sure you know what sort of behavior you are verbally rewarding and therefore reinforcing....if people don't have time to know if the person who lost .5 lbs has anorexia and say "fantastic," perhaps they have too many friends.

But I'm not going to defriend someone because they are ill. They are here for support just like everyone else, its just a little different than what most people fee comfortable with. Sometimes its too much for me. Somehow I feel like that is my problem, not theirs.

If it was someone I knew in IRL, I'd probably talk to them until they shunned me. With random internet people, I just quietly remove them from my list.

I've got friends on MFP with eating disorders that they're trying to overcome. I've been very public about the fact that I've overcome anorexia/bulimia, so if I can offer support in that regard I'll do it. If I see someone eating dangerously low calories, though, I'll say something to them. I figure they asked me to be friends with them to support THEM, not their eating disorder.

People with EDs still need support. Maybe not the support they want, but they still need support. Maybe cheer them for working out; that's always good for you no matter how much you eat. Maybe remind them that muscles recover best from a hard workout with a 100 calorie snack?

When I was a teenager, I suffered from anorexia. It wasn't until a coach refused to let me run until I gained weight. I began to eat and was allowed to compete. However, I never dealt with the root of the problem. I have been yo-yo dieting for the last 20 years -- either through starvation tactics or over exercising (an numerous other ways to cut my caloric intake). It was my 13 year old daughter who pointed out that I still suffer from anorexia. How sad is that? It was my daughter and partner who showed me concerns about my eating habits and pointed out that it was unhealthy. I was ready to hear it and respond. Would I have been a few years ago? I don't know.

20 years later, I finally acknowledged that I have an ED and have decided to join MFP in order to: 1) lose weight (seriously, but my goal weight is realistic for my height and in the normal range), and 2) to monitor my exercise and caloric intake. I have monitored elsewhere in the past, but the 500-700 calories I consumed a day were only fueling my desire to be thin (and frustration that I wasn't losing enough). Now I monitor to be certain that I eat enough calories while attempting to lose weight in a healthy manner (exercise and 1500+ calories a day). I exercise and watch my caloric intake so that I can be healthy. Of course, my metabolism is so messed up now.... and I struggle to get enough calories -- I am so used to eating very few calories a day that eating over 1000 calories is difficult. But I watch and continue to add meals.

There are some of us with ED that are here to be healthy (but sometimes slide into unhealthy habits or struggle to eat enough). I would voice concerns about the caloric intake -- maybe a seed will be planted.

I know this is kind of late.... but I am totally one of those 300 calorie a day eaters and there was a time when I was starting that I didnt exactly realize that what I was doing could harm myself. And when I did, I made my diary private. I didn't want people knowing how bad I actually ate--- meaning, how little I ate.... I am trying (like learning to accept my weight only as a number) to be more open about my behaviors and let people know that I do NOT advocate for actually eating how I do. I always told myself that I had the mindset of an anorexic even though I was overweight. I was already terrified of food. I was terrified of putting it into my mouth. I figured the moment I ate something I would gain weight. And then after a trainer of mine told me to cut calories to between 600-800 and I went even farther than that..... and started dropping so much. I don't know... it just escalated. However, I personally have been talking to another trainer about increasing my calorie intake.... and I am terrified of doing it.... but alas doing it even if it is slow. I mean there is part of me that cant WAIT to eat more. Like to go out to a restaurant get something healthy and Vegan/Vegetarian... and actually not be afraid to clean my plate..... or even go out to breakfast with my girlfriend and get more than a cup of oatmeal... or get a cup of oatmeal and still be able to eat the banana that I asked for with it. I long for those days. Anyway--- I think we are in a community of people who want to be supportive and to be supported that sometimes we dont look at the persons diary. Personally--- part of me is ashamed to have my diary available to my friends now.... but I know, just like when I started telling people my weight over and over..... that its the only way to get better and to get healthier.