Not a normal eating disorder

[atikin]

I'm 16 years old and for a short while, I've been eating a lot less than I should. I tell my friends at school "I'm not a lunchperson but eat loads when I get home." Then I get home and tell my mom "I ate loads at school so don't want much". She's slightly suspicious but when she says anything slightly accusative, I just act really defensive like she thinks I'm lying to her. And she stops straight away like she feels a bit guilty. I can't believe I'm doing this, my family and friends are the most important thing in my life and I'm lying to them :(

I don't have major problems with how I look. Well I obviously do, I realise that - it's just that I feel like I just want to do this for a little while. Then I'll keep on top of my weight, like if I eat a lot one day, I'l be healthy the next (not undereat, just be healthy) and do exercise to burn it off. It seems like just being healthy never seems to shed the pounds, so if I do it the complete wrong way for JUST a while, till I've dropped a dress size or two, maybe it won't be too harmful. I know it's wrong. I know it's stupid. And I don't cry about how I look or feel, it's just something I want to do then stop immediately. But the other part of me says "Stop! What is wrong with me?" What should I do? I'm not doing this for attention - I don't want anyone to have any idea I'm undereating at alll. I just want to do it for me. Also I want to be a singer when I'm older and I'm scared of damaging my voice / voicebox. That is a major concern too.

Does anyone relate to any of this or have advice? I would appreciate it. Thanks. :)

[ParamedFlorena]

Hi,

What I would like to say right away is that you have to be careful. Take care of your body. When you exercise, your body is in need of the right bricks to build and not a stricter diet.
You should really study the food pyramide and give your body 4 healthy meals a day. Start your day with a little bit of breakfast!!! PLEASE.

I too started where you were - I didn't eat lunch at school and when I came home, I told my parents I ate something with my friends just before I got home. It became a guilt-game that was hidden with more and more lies.
I knew too that it was a wrong way, but all I wanted was to find the right way. I'm so glad you're trying to seek it and if I could, I'd given you the correct way!
It is much more than food with eating disorders. It could be a chaotic home-situation, trying to fit in, only having one good friend, wanting to loose a little bit of weight. But the truth is: Sooner rather than later, you're stuck in this solution. To restrict your body from food is not helping at all. It's not stupid at all, but it is not healthy!

Your body is very smart. It conserves the energy it gets. If it learns that it doesn't get any food in 8 hours, it will learn to consume the energy slower. That way you GAIN weight as soon as you finally decide to eat something. You've seen a hungry lion throwing itself over a piece of meat when it's hungry. That's your body's response too.

Trust me, you don't want to make food the main-concern of your day. You need to focus on school, life and friends!



2.200 youths were included in this study in Minnesota. Everyone were just below 15 years at the start of the study. They were followed for 5 years.

The result shows that the ones who ate breakfast:
- Managed to eat sounder and better
- Were more physically active
- Had a lower BMI
- Gained less in weight than the ones who didn't eat breakfast
- Had a very much more aware view on food
- Didn't spent their recess time running to the store to buy a chocolate bar.

The more regularly they ate breakfast, the lower (and healthier) their BMI was. Compared to the parttakers who didn't eat brekfast, the difference was 2.3 kg.

__________
This means that a proper breakfast in the morning has an important effect on the rest of your general nutrition, and that a daily intake of this meal reduces the risk of obesity and fat.
__________

Giving yourself a good and safe breakfast routine, helps you control food intake throughout the day - and can prevent eating disorders.

Eating disorders starts with the delusion that breakfast makes you fat, that if only you manage to skip that meal, you'll loose weight. It is a horrible way to go. Self torture.


Please don't give up trying to change this!

Florena

[FreeSpirit4Life]

EVERYTHING  ParamedFlorena SAID IS SOOO TRUE IF U START THIS NOW UR WEIGHT WILL GO UP AND DOWN FOR EVER MINE HAS I HAVE TO WATCH EVERYTHING I EAT AND DO PORTIONS B/C MY METABOLISM IS SHOT ALONG WITH MY DIGESTIVE SYSTEM THIS IS JUST HOW IT START'S PRITTY SOON IT WILL BE HARD TO PULL BACK I HAVE BEEN AT IT FOR OVER 15 YEARS NOW IT WILL BE A LIFE LONG STRUGGLE PLEASE DON'T EVEN START

[mike242]

Listen, you are young! I'm 28 and have been there 2. Okay, I will cut 2 the chase STOP now b4 you it's so far out of your own control that you just . I've been anorexic and bilimic for 10yrs. Bulimic for the last 4. It's hard, true....try 2 eat a little. an apple, cereal bars, salad, V-8, milk. You will not get get fat. Trust me. YEAH, YEAH. I know do me a favor, try it, you'll see.
What do you want 2 do with your future in terms of a career.
Just eat something, anything. It will go to your head not 2 your hips. I PROMISE.
You will feel better and you will be able 2 focus and concentrate on your studies.
Not 2 mention the dates you will probably be asked on. Don't ask about that guys are way different than us women..
Guys really don't like girls that are that insecure. Got older brothers? Ask them and don't be afraid 2.
Have you considered going to the student guidance counsellor? If ya evenm like her, a friend. Just try to take my advice b4 you do end up with a full blown problem.