Eating Disorders - Page 2

twinnett · 08-01-2008, 06:10 PM

I think what some are saying is that sometimes someone says that they're "recovered", but they're really just using the bodybuilding lifestyle as a cover for another form of disordered eating...another way to control and obsess...I'm not saying that this is everyone, but there are so many women i see on this forum that have an unhealthy view towards food..I will admit that I still revert back to the old ways of thinking sometimes and we all have to support each other!

Maria316 · 08-01-2008, 08:08 PM

I definately agree with that. I was guilty of that in the beginning of my recovering and finally I just had to put the desire of bodybuilding and competing on hold until I knew I was healed. Its a much different experience now. I consider it something I do for myself not to myself, if that makes sense to people.

Tattoogirl4 · 08-13-2008, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WannaGetLean

If you have an eating disorder and are trying to compete.. that is going to be tough. You NEED every morsel of food for your body, and if you are going to throw it up your not going to be getting great results. Your body needs food. I hear you on the ED. I went through both and after about 2 years of starving myself on lettuce/coffe/salsa.. etc.. I said enough was enough and i quit one day cold turkey and have never looked back!

I think the person who is wanting to compete needs to settle their issues w/ the ED first before competing.. thats just my opinion though.

It was just a question. I more was wondering if competing causes eating disorders when anyone. I'm on my 4th show and have no problems with food.

Tattoogirl4 · 08-13-2008, 10:04 PM

I sure did start a topic! I posted this and then my computer friend. I haven't been online in a bit. I am looking foward to be able to eat yummy food soon! I'm getting obsessed with cravings and can't wait to compete in Dallas this weekend at the Europa and then take a little time off training and dieting to rest heal my bones!

filmchick · 08-15-2008, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trainwithrae

ED's are never behind you, it's something you will have to manage likely the rest of your life. With therapy though I think SOME can compete. Would I recommend it if I were the therapist? NO. Anything like competing in figure/bb that can easily trigger an ED again would be a big no no.
And to someone who said figure is less in terms of difficulty/strictness than bb think again. Take a look at the pro level figure and you'll see other than size that conditioning in many cases is very similar.

Kudos to you, Rae. Well said. I don't think one ever recovers from an ED -you always deal with it. In my experience, even if the eating disorder isn't a part of your daily life it's still there in the background. How else does one explain the rate of relapse? I think for some people, competing might be possible. That being said, I think for many, getting into bb/fitness/figure is simply a healthier method of dealing with eating and body image issues.

LionChick · 08-15-2008, 04:56 PM

I think everyone's cases are different... for some, they may just slip "too far" into dieting mode, to the point where it becomes obsessive and an eating disorder... others struggle with it for their whole lives...

I think in the first case, with a good trainer and honest communication, competing would be possible... after the issue has resided for some time. i think for the second group, myself included, competing really can't be an option. i know i won't even go back to competitive running (i'll run my long runs for fun, because you can't exactly "race" a 40 miler) but the thought of getting shreded to run a sub 33 10k on the track... the only way i could do it would be through starvation and overtraining, and as much as being fat sucks, that's way way worse!! you can still live life as a person who is out of shape (you can work and go to school, etc.) but you can't live life if you are too skinny to function.

at least this is where i currently stand.

Maria316 · 08-16-2008, 04:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by filmchick

Kudos to you, Rae. Well said. I don't think one ever recovers from an ED -you always deal with it. In my experience, even if the eating disorder isn't a part of your daily life it's still there in the background. How else does one explain the rate of relapse? I think for some people, competing might be possible. That being said, I think for many, getting into bb/fitness/figure is simply a healthier method of dealing with eating and body image issues.

My breakthrough moment was when a lady who specialized in ED, had seen tons of cases, knew all the ins and outs of the disorder, told me that I can overcome and I don't have to live with this the rest of my life. Before that I never really wanted to get better because of the fear that " it will never really go away". If you think that "it will never really go away" of course your chances of relapsing are going to be high. Its almost as if you expect to. I'll say it a hundred times if I have to, faith in God can work miracles.

Tattoogirl4 · 08-27-2008, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twinnett

I think what some are saying is that sometimes someone says that they're "recovered", but they're really just using the bodybuilding lifestyle as a cover for another form of disordered eating...another way to control and obsess...I'm not saying that this is everyone, but there are so many women i see on this forum that have an unhealthy view towards food..I will admit that I still revert back to the old ways of thinking sometimes and we all have to support each other!

AMEN!

Tattoogirl4 · 08-27-2008, 11:51 AM

I find that people who have never had any disordered eating even struggle to regulate thier eating after a competition....

ToraAdams · 08-27-2008, 01:00 PM

I have been battleing an eating diorder for many years. It has been difficult and scarry but something changed for me this year . Not that this year was really any different other than I was sick and tired of being sick and GOD DAM TIRED .

When I got the opportunity to click on this BB.com I have been hooked ever since

I have learned so much about myself but the most exciting thing is not so much I'm curred because I'm not!! What changed me and my transformation was when I saw the ladies with MUSCLES YEA!!!!

My whole image about my body what I'm trying to control about it just started falling away an I have awhole new out look about just about everything.

Its when I saw the body builders and fitness competitors their honesty, their fear and their accomplishment was so exilerating and postive that I just had to try . I decided my way didnt work and I decided to do something different.
I understood I wanted to win this THING so I had to get into the game.

I was so insecure and frightened and shy about going to the gym as I had no idea how to do many weight exercises I felt very fat and unhealthly and depressed .All Ive ever done is crazy Cardio sessions

The first time I did a weight routine (i got from one of you on here) there was nothing like it. I couldnt wait to do it again.

as a food control freak I thought being 10lbs underweight was healthy
well not anymore.

Most importantly I have learned from people I really admire
you are what you eat
listening to kick ass spirtual music makes me pump harder
building muscle make you strong in more ways than one
an athletic figure is trully more attractive

I have to eat in order to form muscle
Even the smallest purging episode takes away so much that 5 steps forward 10 steps back is not acceptable EVER,but if I do I screw up I have to focus forward not backwards.
Winners don't quit right?
In order to win this I have to be accountable for what I do and beleive I can do it. I have to see it in my mind.
. Muscle building has given me more than muscles
I'm learning to be kinder to myself and ask for support insead of isolating.
I'm having fun

I would like to say thank you for posting this question. I think I'm going to start journally my progess as a form of inspiration to myself and maybe others who are going through the same thing.

I wish you a great day

jenbella83 · 08-27-2008, 04:06 PM

Nothing is black and white - it is all a spectrum...

I have been in recovery from anorexia for 5 years. I completed a 3 month residential treatment program and I STILL know that part of my love of bodybuilding and fitness is because it gives me an opportunity to control my body again.

That being said, now I know when to take a night off, or let myself have pizza and ice cream. Before I was so rigid, now I'm flexible and it has made all the difference in my sanity!

I think, in regards to the original question, that no, competing cannot cause an ED. It might trigger it, but something underlying has to already be there.

Tattoogirl4 · 09-04-2008, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ToraAdams

I have been battleing an eating diorder for many years. It has been difficult and scarry but something changed for me this year . Not that this year was really any different other than I was sick and tired of being sick and GOD DAM TIRED .

When I got the opportunity to click on this BB.com I have been hooked ever since

I have learned so much about myself but the most exciting thing is not so much I'm curred because I'm not!! What changed me and my transformation was when I saw the ladies with MUSCLES YEA!!!!

My whole image about my body what I'm trying to control about it just started falling away an I have awhole new out look about just about everything.

Its when I saw the body builders and fitness competitors their honesty, their fear and their accomplishment was so exilerating and postive that I just had to try . I decided my way didnt work and I decided to do something different.
I understood I wanted to win this THING so I had to get into the game.

I was so insecure and frightened and shy about going to the gym as I had no idea how to do many weight exercises I felt very fat and unhealthly and depressed .All Ive ever done is crazy Cardio sessions

The first time I did a weight routine (i got from one of you on here) there was nothing like it. I couldnt wait to do it again.

as a food control freak I thought being 10lbs underweight was healthy
well not anymore.

Most importantly I have learned from people I really admire
you are what you eat
listening to kick ass spirtual music makes me pump harder
building muscle make you strong in more ways than one
an athletic figure is trully more attractive

I have to eat in order to form muscle
Even the smallest purging episode takes away so much that 5 steps forward 10 steps back is not acceptable EVER,but if I do I screw up I have to focus forward not backwards.
Winners don't quit right?
In order to win this I have to be accountable for what I do and beleive I can do it. I have to see it in my mind.
. Muscle building has given me more than muscles
I'm learning to be kinder to myself and ask for support insead of isolating.
I'm having fun

I would like to say thank you for posting this question. I think I'm going to start journally my progess as a form of inspiration to myself and maybe others who are going through the same thing.

I wish you a great day

I'm happy your getting better. It is SO vital to have good nutrition to weight train. Unlike cardio...the meals before and after weight training can make or break your workout. Eat balanced smalls meals about 5 times a days and you'll start to notice less and less urges to restrict and or binge because you will see how awsome proper nutrition is for muscles to for fuel during weight training and for healing after..

Tattoogirl4 · 09-04-2008, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jenbella83

Nothing is black and white - it is all a spectrum...

I have been in recovery from anorexia for 5 years. I completed a 3 month residential treatment program and I STILL know that part of my love of bodybuilding and fitness is because it gives me an opportunity to control my body again.

That being said, now I know when to take a night off, or let myself have pizza and ice cream. Before I was so rigid, now I'm flexible and it has made all the difference in my sanity!

I think, in regards to the original question, that no, competing cannot cause an ED. It might trigger it, but something underlying has to already be there.

I agree that competing doesn't cause ED's but it sure does trigger one. During the prep restriction takes over, yet post contest is when major binging and bulimia can be triggered...it's so hard to go from pre contest to off season...it's best just not to compete and work on recovery.

Sarsulli · 09-04-2008, 07:30 PM

I am 27 and just coming to terms with my obsessive eating/binging problems that I have been struggling with for years. Finally admitting it has really helped me move forward (although aside from my husband, I haven't really 'admitted' it to anyone else). I used to run, run, run, and that was the only way I justified the 20 cookies I would eat in one sitting (usually sweets). The breaking point was this past winter when I realized I just needed to take control of my life. I cut back on my running and took up lifting and it has been the best thing I could have done. Now I keep an online journal at www.fitday.com and have started posting and keeping a profile here, and I get a tremendous amout of help from the posts and finding people who are going through the same thing.

For me, it has always been about control, and while there are times when I slip up (see Cheat Meals thread), I find that these sites are helping me get back my life.

I think the first thing to do is to come to terms with whatever issue it is you have, because until you can do that, you won't be able to fully recover. But I'm glad that it's working out for most people on this thread, because that makes me believe that it will ultimately work out for me.

Whether or not any other posters realize it, you are helping others at the same time you are helping yourselves.

Tattoogirl4 · 09-08-2008, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sarsulli

I am 27 and just coming to terms with my obsessive eating/binging problems that I have been struggling with for years. Finally admitting it has really helped me move forward (although aside from my husband, I haven't really 'admitted' it to anyone else). I used to run, run, run, and that was the only way I justified the 20 cookies I would eat in one sitting (usually sweets). The breaking point was this past winter when I realized I just needed to take control of my life. I cut back on my running and took up lifting and it has been the best thing I could have done. Now I keep an online journal at www.fitday.com and have started posting and keeping a profile here, and I get a tremendous amout of help from the posts and finding people who are going through the same thing.

For me, it has always been about control, and while there are times when I slip up (see Cheat Meals thread), I find that these sites are helping me get back my life.

I think the first thing to do is to come to terms with whatever issue it is you have, because until you can do that, you won't be able to fully recover. But I'm glad that it's working out for most people on this thread, because that makes me believe that it will ultimately work out for me.

Whether or not any other posters realize it, you are helping others at the same time you are helping yourselves.

I'm so happy you are reaching out. ED are all about keeping it a secret.

cupcakez · 09-24-2008, 09:43 PM

I have had an ED, and was hospitalized and treated for it. Have since gained about 30lbs. Just wanted to point out that participation and competition and the fitness industry are so similar to the types of thinking and control with EDs that it is often hard to separate them out.

While working out is ideally healthier than starving/bping, the obsessive thinking regarding body image and diet is similar to that of an ED.

everyone is different, but my personal recommendation to anyone who has had an ED and wants to compete or seriously pursue fitness is to be in some sort of therapy throughout the process, just to be safe and have professional judgement/opinion.

just my two cents.