Got a question here for all of you.
I work at a smoothie store at a gym. Every day we see a variety of the same crowd come through the gym doors. Although I have only just recently started working here, one member in particular raises many concerns.
The member im talking about is someone who is deathly anorexic.
Apparently the gym has attempted to have her membership revoked to no avail.
My question is, at what point would you say something to this person, if at all?
I would hate to have her pass out and die in front of me, but honestly I see no other end result possible.
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Thread: Gym Member causing concern.....
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04-08-2013, 04:26 AM #1
Gym Member causing concern.....
3 Year transformation: http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=143999931
Competition Log:http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=160279391
Current pics (05/14) http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=162012893&page=1
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04-08-2013, 04:45 AM #2
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04-08-2013, 04:47 AM #3
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04-08-2013, 05:05 AM #4
Ya I know exactly what you mean. I have already talked about it with everyone else who works at the gym and they all agree... Ill definitely send good vibes her way, but like I said, im seriously worried that she will just pass out and die.
She has literally been on the elliptical for 2+hours already today...3 Year transformation: http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=143999931
Competition Log:http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=160279391
Current pics (05/14) http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=162012893&page=1
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04-08-2013, 05:24 AM #5
- Join Date: Feb 2009
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My wife works with this lady who has an anorexic sister. She weights like 65 lbs and is in and out of the hospital, sneezes and breaks a rib. Took a minor mis-step on the stairs last year and winds up with a broken pelvis. Her bones are like match sticks.
So maybe this one you know is not anorexic and may have something else going on. Does she actually drink a smoothie while she's there?
We have this one guy who shows up at my gym once in a while.. someone needs to make him a plateful of sammiches... he looks like death warmed over. Has a real gray cast to his complexion too.
RobIn space, nobody can smell Uranus....
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04-08-2013, 05:35 AM #6
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04-08-2013, 05:50 AM #7
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04-08-2013, 05:54 AM #8
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04-08-2013, 05:59 AM #9
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04-08-2013, 06:20 AM #10
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04-08-2013, 06:23 AM #11
- Join Date: Jan 2013
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Painful though it might be not to say anything to help someone who is in apparent or even obvious danger, anorexia is a really serious mental condition that you are most unlikely to be able to help someone with. And worse, you might, albeit with the very best of intentions, say or do something that will exacerbate the problem.
I think x-trainer is just saying that anorexics are adept at manipulating highly skilled professionals (as well as their close family usually), and so you are unlikely to be in a position to do a better job of counselling/helping them through their issues, which is what that are likely to need.
Edit: ^ he beat me to it...
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04-08-2013, 06:29 AM #12
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04-08-2013, 06:38 AM #13
- Join Date: Dec 2011
- Location: Kentucky, United States
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If it is anorexia, its more of a mental illness than a physical one; unless you are a psychologist and she is seeking help, she won't pay any attention to what you say. If you say anything about her condition to her you will probably end up getting fired.
On the other hand, if she is able to do 2+ hours on an eliptical on a frequent basis then she is getting nutrition from somewhere in order to maintain that level. It may not be full blown anorexia but more of an addiction to cardio exercise. I would suggest casual conversation to see whats going on, but if the gym has been trying to get rid of her then she may just see it as another attack on her.
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04-08-2013, 06:44 AM #14
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04-08-2013, 06:47 AM #15
The level of thinness that im talking about here is enough to see her pelvic bone, in places ass should be.
3 Year transformation: http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=143999931
Competition Log:http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=160279391
Current pics (05/14) http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=162012893&page=1
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04-08-2013, 06:48 AM #16
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04-08-2013, 06:59 AM #17
- Join Date: Dec 2011
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well, if you want to try it..when she walks past the smoothie stand just say something like:
"Hey looks like you killed it today, great job!" How about a recovery shake..its got blah blah blah in it to help your body recover from strenuous exercise" If she accepts then you could continue with something like "You do a lot of cardio or use free weights? I can't do more than x amount of cardio..I get lightheaded and feel like passing out." If she mentions she gets that feeling too, then start talking about complex carbs and the importance of recovery shakes/meals and how they've helped you.
It doesn't get to the bottom of it, but could be a good starter conversation and if management asks you could just say you are trying to drum up sales.
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04-08-2013, 07:07 AM #18
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04-08-2013, 07:17 AM #19
offer her a cheeseburger, if she declines, you did your part.
𝓐𝓲𝓻 𝓕𝓸𝓻𝓬𝓮 𝓥𝓮𝓽𝓮𝓻𝓪𝓷 1976 - 1999 - 𝓒𝓪𝓷𝓷𝓪𝓫𝓲𝓼 𝓔𝓷𝓽𝓱𝓾𝓼𝓲𝓪𝓼𝓽 𝓼𝓲𝓷𝓬𝓮 𝓽𝓱𝓮 1960'𝓼
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ƚo| ɒ ꙅɿɘʞʞuꟻ bᴎɒ ɿɘʞʞuꟻ ꙅᴎuoᴎoɿq ɿɘbᴎɘǫ ɘʜƚ ɘꙅu I
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04-08-2013, 07:20 AM #20
^Yes, just slightly more muscle tone.
She probably has a anorexia athletica...
Basically a need to exercise, while still having all the classical traits of a regular anorexic.3 Year transformation: http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=143999931
Competition Log:http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=160279391
Current pics (05/14) http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=162012893&page=1
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04-08-2013, 07:30 AM #21
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04-08-2013, 07:48 AM #22
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04-08-2013, 07:49 AM #23
- Join Date: Sep 2011
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Let her live the way she wants to live. Far be it from me to judge what another person does. People have always sacrificed for vanity, we see it on these forums here everyday. The extent to what some people will do to their bodies for strength, power or even aesthetics is FAR from what I would consider healthy yet it is often encouraged here.
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04-08-2013, 07:50 AM #24
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04-08-2013, 08:17 AM #25
Personally, and hear me out, I don't think it is any of your business.
There are billions of people who are suffering on this planet. You would do far better worrying about someone who is anorexic due to lack of available food, than to worry about someone who does want your help. I realize anorexia is a mental disorder. However, there are millions of children who are malnourished right here in this country and would love for you to fix them a sandwich.
I don't think anorexics want unsolicited advice any more than obese people do. They are both killing themselves with poor nutrition.
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04-08-2013, 08:35 AM #26
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04-08-2013, 08:42 AM #27
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04-08-2013, 08:45 AM #28
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04-08-2013, 08:59 AM #29
First of all, it really speaks well of you that you've noticed the problem and are concerned about her situation. That shows a real compassion for your fellow human beings - the world would be a lot better if everyone was that altruistic! I do think it sounds like classic anorexia athletica, and agree that you are in a tough position given your job and the incredible difficulty in treating those conditions, even in a population that seeks out treatment. Hopefully those close to her are providing her support and encouragement to seek out medical and psychological treatment soon, living life that way must be unimaginably horrible. Thanks again though for taking the time to notice and care.
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04-08-2013, 09:11 AM #30
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