Eating Disorder?

ChihakuZeal
ChihakuZeal Posts: 65
in Health and Weight Loss
Is it possible that I have one? I think I might because I eat breakfast at about 7:30am and I don't eat until 3:30pm. Reason why is because I am honestly not hungry. I know this slows down my metabolism and such, but is it better to just eat when you're hungry? That's what I do. My school serves terrible food that barely passes the nutrition qualifications. (Greasy tater tots and processed chicken sandwiches. That's what I ate for 3 years and I said no more of it, which is probably why I'm 20+lbs lighter.) I also freak out if I gain even a small bit of weight. I do eat about 1200 calories daily, which is actually difficult for me due to not eating much, but I do make it, and I also exercise by walking around school constantly. Could I have some kind of mild anorexia or some type of problem due to the symptoms of less eating during school hours and scared of any weight gain?

Replies

  • littlelily613
    littlelily613 Posts: 769 Member
    I doubt it. Anorexia is not about waiting until you are hungry to eat, it is completely about control. I've struggled with eating disorders my entire life, including anorexia that did not last long-term (anorexic tendancies, I call it). My EVERY thought was about avoiding eating, and I did. Not just until 3:30 pm when I got hungry, for days and sometimes weeks. I call THAT "mild" because I definitely wasn't as severe as many others are.

    I think it is natural for overweight people to fear gaining weight. I don't think it is necessarily a sign of anorexia, just anxiety about returning to the life we dreaded so much.

    I would only worry about an eating disorder if you are obsessed with not eating, coming up with tricks of starving yourself to fool other people, and other such things. That still doesn't mean that talking to a counsellor about weight issues wouldn't help, even if you don't have anorexia.

    Edit: I should also add that 1200 calories is healthy. When I was anorexic-like, I started at 1000, then my obsession took me down to 800, then 500, then 200, then on many days 0. If you are holding in at 1200 at least the majority of the time, you are not going to physically starve yourself.
  • Anomalia
    Anomalia Posts: 506 Member
    If you are concerned (which it sounds like you are), you should go see a health professional. While I'm sure your friends can provide support it is best to seek out someone who specializes in this area.
  • cygnetpro
    cygnetpro Posts: 419 Member
    Well, some of that does sound worthy of concern. You said school-- can you go to your health center there, and talk to the doctor or nurse practitioner there about it? It's really something that should only be explored by a doctor or a psychologist. Good luck!
  • rainbowbow
    rainbowbow Posts: 7,490 Member
    Firstly- when you eat has nothing to do with metabolism. Nothing. Hell there are people who do intermittent fasting and don't eat for 16-18 hours.

    If you believe you are obsessing about weight and feel bad about yourself when you eat then it is a possibility. In that case I suggest you speak with a mental professional. They will be able to give you a real understanding of what you're going through and provide you tools to help you.

    Best of luck!
  • hmrtym
    hmrtym Posts: 49 Member
    I think because you are asking, you should seek professional counsel. Everyone has their own quirks but someone who is trained in determining that would be able to help you better than a website. Good luck.
  • Krjordan22
    Krjordan22 Posts: 6
    I have an eating diorder that started out as a honest effort to be healthier. You need to talk to a psychologist. you are at the start of an eating disorder. Mine got really bad (6 hospitalizations). Don't let yours.
  • Stephyshoes
    Stephyshoes Posts: 45 Member
    I agree with the above posters. You're probably just experiencing normal anxiety as you try to make some healthy life changes, but it's always best to discuss these things with a qualified professional. Minor anxiety now could develop into something more serious in the future, and it sounds like you could use some help clarifying your thoughts and feelings related to your body and food. Best wishes!
  • LosingLizard
    LosingLizard Posts: 69
    An irrational fear of gaining even a little bit is a problem, and you might want to get to the root of that before it does grow out of control.

    Going from 7:30 - 3:30 is not an eating disorder. I realize it's not good, but I do it often when I get busy at work. My body rarely starts screaming for food between breakfast and dinner.
  • samf36
    samf36 Posts: 369 Member
    Maybe pack yourself a light lunch or snack just something simple like cheese and a few cracker or apple and peanut butter.
  • Helloitsdan
    Helloitsdan Posts: 5,564 Member
    Firstly- when you eat has nothing to do with metabolism. Nothing. Hell there are people who do intermittent fasting and don't eat for 16-18 hours.

    If you believe you are obsessing about weight and feel bad about yourself when you eat then it is a possibility. In that case I suggest you speak with a mental professional. They will be able to give you a real understanding of what you're going through and provide you tools to help you.

    Best of luck!


    ^^^This.

    You may have hormonal issues.
    Get checked out now!
  • chowderkat
    chowderkat Posts: 6 Member
    Just because you are not hungry from 7:30-3:30 doesn't mean you necessarily suffer from an eating disorder. An eating disorder is a mental disorder that is usually more complicated than that.
  • richelle67
    richelle67 Posts: 73
    I am very familar with anorexia and to someone who has battled it for 13yrs(started in 4th grade).. my advice to you, is go speak to a health professional. I think they could help you determine what you want to know. You have nothing to lose by going to see someone about it, but much to gain. You could save yourself a future of battling a illness that can consume you and control you! Good luck!
  • rainbowbow
    rainbowbow Posts: 7,490 Member
    Also, as someone who had an ED when I was on Hugh school I completely agree about the control issue. I would feel good about myself when I was so hungry it was painful. I felt like a fat peice of *kitten* when I ate 5 carrot sticks. I looked down on others in some sick way as if I was better than them because "atleast Im not a disgusting fat pig and have self control". I wanted people to see how thin I was. I wanted them to be concerned. And then when they told me they were concerned I wanted to make them feel terrible about themselves.

    This was just my stupid version of it~ but I can say it was 100% psychological. It wasn't that I even cared about being fat- it was that I had complete control.

    Again, if you have some sort of psychological negative thoughts about yourself I suggest you talk to someone. Don't let it get bad.

    Best of luck!


    (also, I am not like this AT ALL in any way shape or form. This was 8 or so years ago.)
    I doubt it. Anorexia is not about waiting until you are hungry to eat, it is completely about control. I've struggled with eating disorders my entire life, including anorexia that did not last long-term (anorexic tendancies, I call it). My EVERY thought was about avoiding eating, and I did. Not just until 3:30 pm when I got hungry, for days and sometimes weeks. I call THAT "mild" because I definitely wasn't as severe as many others are.

    I think it is natural for overweight people to fear gaining weight. I don't think it is necessarily a sign of anorexia, just anxiety about returning to the life we dreaded so much.

    I would only worry about an eating disorder if you are obsessed with not eating, coming up with tricks of starving yourself to fool other people, and other such things. That still doesn't mean that talking to a counsellor about weight issues wouldn't help, even if you don't have anorexia.

    Edit: I should also add that 1200 calories is healthy. When I was anorexic-like, I started at 1000, then my obsession took me down to 800, then 500, then 200, then on many days 0. If you are holding in at 1200 at least the majority of the time, you are not going to physically starve yourself.
  • ChihakuZeal
    ChihakuZeal Posts: 65
    Well thank you everyone who has posted. I thought I was having some kind of eating scare due to a period of not eating any food for majority of my day. I normally eat only when I'm hungry, so honestly I think my body is able to live through it.

    I might bring something small with me so that I can continue to eat during school, but I might just make it light enough for it to fill me up.
  • nikkiolie
    nikkiolie Posts: 7
    The one thing that concerns me is that you have 1000 calorie deficit on top of what ever deficit you have set (if you lose one pound a week then its 500, if its two pounds then 1000). Your body needs those calories in order to stay healthy and recover after your workout. If your body doesn't get the proper nuturition it will shut down and not work properly. The way this system works is that it already caculates how many calories you need to eat each day in order to lose weight. Its alright to be a little under the goal but I see your food diary and you are close to 1000 clories under your goal each day. I agree with what everyone else says. You should see a doctor, they will help you plan everything out and get an idea of healthy foods you can eat. I don't think you have a full blown eating disorder but I think you are starting to get close to one (though this is just my opinon)

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