I'm having trouble losing in a HEALTHY way...

fatpanda96
fatpanda96 Posts: 77
in Health and Weight Loss
So, i used to be KIND OF (I say kind of because I was never diagnosed by a doctor or gotten any treatment but i knew what I was doing was wrong) bulimic. And I lost a whole bunch of weight at that point in my life, but as i slowly started to realize what i was doing was wrong and that I should change I gained all the weight back. So, right now I'm having a lot of trouble because whenever I overeat it would be so much easier to just run to the bathroom and get rid of it but I know I don't want to go back to relying on that. What I'm asking is simply: Do you have any tips that will help me get back on my feet and lose weight the right way?

Replies

  • rmaxlynn
    rmaxlynn Posts: 26 Member
    Girl, I understand. I was borderline anorexic at one point. I struggled against that but then gained a lot of weight to the point where I have high cholesterol and am overweight. So, I joined MFP to lose weight and be more healthy. However, I've found that just counting calories brings up that compulsion again to be extreme in calorie cutting and food deprivation. So now I'm struggling to stay in the healthy/moderate zone. I just do a day at a time. Sometimes I'm white knuckling it, and some days are ok.

    My only 'tip' would be to get support. I go to a therapist and we talk about this. I have tried a support group too. I also fill my pinterest boards with images of body acceptance, and strong women, not skinny ones. And if people around you are judgmental (either of your weight or of your eating disorder), coach them on how you need them to be--supportive and positive. If they insist on continuing to be negative and judgmental, get them out of your lives.

    And if you want to add me as a friend, do so. I can cheer you on. :)
  • tobielauren
    tobielauren Posts: 184 Member
    My biggest piece of advice would be to plan, plan, plan. Plan what you will eat for the day (with some wiggle room) and stick to it. This is all about control. You want to have control over food or yourself? You have already taken a step towards healthy because you understand it and you see it. We all have some sort of disordered eating habit (notice I did not say eating disorder). It is going to be a bit of disordered thinking for a while until it becomes habit. Until you do not have to tell yourself how much or when to stop, your body will soon be able to do it for you. Patience. Plan and patience.

    And rmaxlynn is also right. Get a support group. Surround yourself with people who will help you help yourself.

    You will get it :)
  • fatpanda96
    fatpanda96 Posts: 77
    Girl, I understand. I was borderline anorexic at one point. I struggled against that but then gained a lot of weight to the point where I have high cholesterol and am overweight. So, I joined MFP to lose weight and be more healthy. However, I've found that just counting calories brings up that compulsion again to be extreme in calorie cutting and food deprivation. So now I'm struggling to stay in the healthy/moderate zone. I just do a day at a time. Sometimes I'm white knuckling it, and some days are ok.

    My only 'tip' would be to get support. I go to a therapist and we talk about this. I have tried a support group too. I also fill my pinterest boards with images of body acceptance, and strong women, not skinny ones. And if people around you are judgmental (either of your weight or of your eating disorder), coach them on how you need them to be--supportive and positive. If they insist on continuing to be negative and judgmental, get them out of your lives.

    And if you want to add me as a friend, do so. I can cheer you on. :)

    Thank you. It's really comforting to know that I'm not the only one having trouble.
    Also, my insurance recently started covering psychiatric treatment and things closely related, and i've been thinking about giving it a try I've just been a little hesitant
    And of course i'll add you :)
  • fatpanda96
    fatpanda96 Posts: 77
    My biggest piece of advice would be to plan, plan, plan. Plan what you will eat for the day (with some wiggle room) and stick to it. This is all about control. You want to have control over food or yourself? You have already taken a step towards healthy because you understand it and you see it. We all have some sort of disordered eating habit (notice I did not say eating disorder). It is going to be a bit of disordered thinking for a while until it becomes habit. Until you do not have to tell yourself how much or when to stop, your body will soon be able to do it for you. Patience. Plan and patience.

    And rmaxlynn is also right. Get a support group. Surround yourself with people who will help you help yourself.

    You will get it :)

    Thank you. That was a nice way to put it and reading that actually made me feel a little better about this whole thing :)
  • prettygirlhoward
    prettygirlhoward Posts: 338 Member
    bump for later
  • Leiki
    Leiki Posts: 526 Member
    If you are semi-bulimic, you should feel guilt when you eat something you feel you shouldn't have. My solution is control what goes into yourself, and remind yourself of how healthy it is, and limit your portions to healthy sizes. If you feel good about everything that goes into your mouth, you should not want to vomit it out. This is based on the logic of a non-bulimic, so I'm not sure how well it will work for you, but good luck.
  • tobielauren
    tobielauren Posts: 184 Member
    No prob :)
  • It_never_ends
    It_never_ends Posts: 105 Member
    Honestly the best thing you can do is talk to a doctor or nutritionist about it. I wish i could afford it. Dealing with purging for years now and ever really lost weight.

    Hinch my name.
  • fatpanda96
    fatpanda96 Posts: 77
    If you are semi-bulimic, you should feel guilt when you eat something you feel you shouldn't have. My solution is control what goes into yourself, and remind yourself of how healthy it is, and limit your portions to healthy sizes. If you feel good about everything that goes into your mouth, you should not want to vomit it out. This is based on the logic of a non-bulimic, so I'm not sure how well it will work for you, but good luck.

    That's another problem, even if I know the food I'm eating is healthy, it's just that fact that I ate at all that makes me feel like I shouldn't have.... Does that make sense? Sorry that was kind of a bad way to word it i guess xD
  • ninamariesanchez
    ninamariesanchez Posts: 33
    Hi I was anorexic went from 375 to 115 in months. Then I started eating and ended up bulimic for over 10 years. I have always had a issue with my weight. And I have always known how to get the weight off fast (unhealthy). So then I started MFP in Feb and really have loved the sight. I got on this not to lose weight but to learn how to eat moderately without bingeing and purging. So then I noticed I started losing weight and feeling good. And well now recently I stopped logging just started back up and I have gained the weight I have put off. Which made me sad in the begining but I had to remind myself why I got on here in the first place. I am still 247 pounds and I am learning to be patient with myself. Now my eating habits are sooooooooooooooo bad because being bulimic meant that I could eat anything I wanted and not gain. Well now those eating patterns are hard to break like eating out and eating snacks that was my favorite binge food. I am doing it slow and with Gods help I will change. Good luck I am here as a friend
  • delilah47
    delilah47 Posts: 1,658
    I think you should get professional help. Is semi-bulemic a diagnosis? I think that would be about the same as an alcoholic saying they were a semi-alcoholic because they didn't drink every day or that they knew they were doing wrong. The best thing to do, IMO, is face up and get help, because when the chips are down and you can't control your eating, you will most likely purge.
  • RobynMWilson
    RobynMWilson Posts: 1,540 Member
    My biggest piece of advice would be to plan, plan, plan. Plan what you will eat for the day (with some wiggle room) and stick to it. This is all about control. You want to have control over food or yourself? You have already taken a step towards healthy because you understand it and you see it. We all have some sort of disordered eating habit (notice I did not say eating disorder). It is going to be a bit of disordered thinking for a while until it becomes habit. Until you do not have to tell yourself how much or when to stop, your body will soon be able to do it for you. Patience. Plan and patience.

    And rmaxlynn is also right. Get a support group. Surround yourself with people who will help you help yourself.

    You will get it :)

    Thank you. That was a nice way to put it and reading that actually made me feel a little better about this whole thing :)

    I agree! Plan! And when the craving to overindulge hits while you're eating your pre-planned portion, walk away from it for 5-10 minutes. With addictions like booze and cigs it takes 7 minutes for a craving to pass so if you keep busy for that 7 minutes...come on the puter and put it out on MFP if you have to, see if that compulsive urge to overeat passes! And as far as for not purging? I'll share what AA tells us to do with not drinking...ONE DAY AT A TIME (ODAT) and if at first you have to break it down to one hour at a time or one minute at a time, do that. You will get thru this and it will get easier over time! If you believe in a higher power and believe that higher power can help you, then ask each morning for that higher power to help you. I've been sober 12 yrs and I still ask God(my higher power) to keep me sober every morning. It works! Feel free to add me too...I believe in STRONG, not skinny and have quite a healthy appetite and over time have redefined my relationship with food...
  • fatpanda96
    fatpanda96 Posts: 77
    Hi I was anorexic went from 375 to 115 in months. Then I started eating and ended up bulimic for over 10 years. I have always had a issue with my weight. And I have always known how to get the weight off fast (unhealthy). So then I started MFP in Feb and really have loved the sight. I got on this not to lose weight but to learn how to eat moderately without bingeing and purging. So then I noticed I started losing weight and feeling good. And well now recently I stopped logging just started back up and I have gained the weight I have put off. Which made me sad in the begining but I had to remind myself why I got on here in the first place. I am still 247 pounds and I am learning to be patient with myself. Now my eating habits are sooooooooooooooo bad because being bulimic meant that I could eat anything I wanted and not gain. Well now those eating patterns are hard to break like eating out and eating snacks that was my favorite binge food. I am doing it slow and with Gods help I will change. Good luck I am here as a friend

    Good luck to you too. God bless you :)
  • rmaxlynn
    rmaxlynn Posts: 26 Member
    Counseling is worth a try. It has helped me. And rule number one is to care for yourself and be good to yourself. Give yourself positive feedback-fight that criticism and negative self talk always bumping around in our heads. You're a beautiful girl! and you can do this.
  • Bernadette60614
    Bernadette60614 Posts: 707 Member
    I think one of the reasons why this is so tough to break is that bingeing brings kind of a narcotic effect..it just helps to stuff down any kind of feelings that may be unpleasant. And, then purging brings a sense of relief..but then the loatheing cause you purged, and then more bingeing to help with those awful feelings.

    So, what helped me: Find substitutes to deal with the feelings when they become overwhelming. I listen to relaxation tapes (Alpha Relaxation System 2.0 is my favorite), take a walk if you can, get some awesome bath products and look forward to taking a bath.

    What also helped: Every time you resist the unhealthy urge and make a better choice, give yourself a pat on the back. Maybe a check mark on that day on your planner. Just reinforce every small success as much as you can.:smile:

    Also, I found it helpful to become really a semi-expert on nutrition. Once I started focusing on the nutrient content of what I ate, I could ease up on feeling guilty about eating cause I knew that typically 80% of my food intake was healthy stuff.

    And, I'd agree with previous posters: Take it one day at a time. Don't look back.
  • fatpanda96
    fatpanda96 Posts: 77
    My biggest piece of advice would be to plan, plan, plan. Plan what you will eat for the day (with some wiggle room) and stick to it. This is all about control. You want to have control over food or yourself? You have already taken a step towards healthy because you understand it and you see it. We all have some sort of disordered eating habit (notice I did not say eating disorder). It is going to be a bit of disordered thinking for a while until it becomes habit. Until you do not have to tell yourself how much or when to stop, your body will soon be able to do it for you. Patience. Plan and patience.

    And rmaxlynn is also right. Get a support group. Surround yourself with people who will help you help yourself.

    You will get it :)

    Thank you. That was a nice way to put it and reading that actually made me feel a little better about this whole thing :)

    I agree! Plan! And when the craving to overindulge hits while you're eating your pre-planned portion, walk away from it for 5-10 minutes. With addictions like booze and cigs it takes 7 minutes for a craving to pass so if you keep busy for that 7 minutes...come on the puter and put it out on MFP if you have to, see if that compulsive urge to overeat passes! And as far as for not purging? I'll share what AA tells us to do with not drinking...ONE DAY AT A TIME (ODAT) and if at first you have to break it down to one hour at a time or one minute at a time, do that. You will get thru this and it will get easier over time! If you believe in a higher power and believe that higher power can help you, then ask each morning for that higher power to help you. I've been sober 12 yrs and I still ask God(my higher power) to keep me sober every morning. It works! Feel free to add me too...I believe in STRONG, not skinny and have quite a healthy appetite and over time have redefined my relationship with food...

    You're inspiring. 12 years sober is absolutely amazing! I'm glad things turned around for you.
  • jtakingcareofherself
    jtakingcareofherself Posts: 144 Member
    You should congratulate yourself of reaching out and asking for help! You can do this the healthy way!
  • trblmakr23
    trblmakr23 Posts: 44
    I don't know if you have this in your area, but you can try overeaters anomynous meetings, You most likely will meet others with eating disorders in your area who aren't officially diagnosed, who are further along in their recovery to help you with the planning of food, and offer you tips and support. So you'll have the local support also, along with MFP You could always check that out and see if that would work for you too. I've been down that road myself also, you're not alone in this. Feel free to add me if you like.
  • devil_in_a_blue_dress
    devil_in_a_blue_dress Posts: 5,214 Member
    For a lot of people disordered eating is about control -- so I think you have to be VERY careful. Planning can be great, but if your ED is based around needing to feel control, it could be VERY easy to spiral out of control.

    I honestly think you have to do a lot of positive reinforcement with yourself -- really love yourself and learn how to forgive yourself if you do over eat because it is going to happen. I'm not sure if you binge or just eat more than you think you should - but making sure you can recognize correct portion size and learning your triggers.

    If you have access to a counselor who specializes in eating disorders, I think you would greatly benefit.
  • TrailRunner61
    TrailRunner61 Posts: 2,505 Member
    I've been there too. I was 95lbs at my lowest and 179 at my highest when I joined MFP. I also was not 'diagnosed' but could have easily died from abusing my body.
    Log in daily, keep track of those calories, search the forums for any problems you're having and know that YOU ARE STRONG and you can do this!
    One step at a time! If you are nervous and want to eat, research what others do to avoid that situation or how to have a healthier snack. If you binge, research it. Make yourself accountable! Add friends who will support you and help keep you on track, encourage you, etc.
    Learn WHY you had an eating disorder and deal with that first and foremost or you will probably relapse once you start seeing results. If you have to, get help before you start losing.
    I'm down 41lbs and have 13 to go. I'll admit I'm a little nervous about reaching goal because I'm not sure if I'll be able to 'stop'. I do however recognize that fear and will get help if I need it.
    Add me as a friend if you'd like. I think we have a lot in common!
  • masked_habit
    masked_habit Posts: 41
    If you are semi-bulimic, you should feel guilt when you eat something you feel you shouldn't have. My solution is control what goes into yourself, and remind yourself of how healthy it is, and limit your portions to healthy sizes. If you feel good about everything that goes into your mouth, you should not want to vomit it out. This is based on the logic of a non-bulimic, so I'm not sure how well it will work for you, but good luck.

    It doesn't quite work like that...it's not exactly that easy. It doesn't always have to do with what you are eating or for me even how much. It doesn't even always have to do with actually gaining weight sometimes it's just comforting to get rid of food. This is coming from someone who has been I guess you could say actively bulimic and still living with ednos.
  • RuthSweetTooth
    RuthSweetTooth Posts: 461 Member
    Someone else had a very good suggestion. You must read a book on nutrition so that you learn to feel good about what you eat and understand that it has to stay in you in order to make you a healthy person. I can heartily recommend the book I read for my 2 credit nutrition class. Probably under 20 bucks on Amazon. Here is the ISBN: 978 0 323 05199 6.

    If you want some ideas, send me a friend request. Look at my diary. It can give you some ideas!

    You should also see a nutritionist for professional assistance.
  • Kalynx
    Kalynx Posts: 707 Member
    to original poster - how very brave and smart of you to ask for help and see that what you were doing before was so unhealthy long term and just not right. you should be very proud of yourself even when you stumble...best of luck!!

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