Gym Member causing concern.....

[p_gomez]

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.

[p_gomez]

bump

[drudixon]

You'll get fired if you say something. You're not a doctor and unless solicited, shouldn't say anything. Just pray or give good mojo to the member. I would be very nice though.

[p_gomez]

You'll get fired if you say something. You're not a doctor and unless solicited, shouldn't say anything. Just pray or give good mojo to the member. I would be very nice though.

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...

[beachguy498]

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.

Rob

[p_gomez]

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.

Rob

If I had to speculate what her weight was I would say close to 75-80lbs at about 5'8.

[x-trainer ben]

If I had to speculate what her weight was I would say close to 75-80lbs at about 5'8.

If you have ever seen an anorexic on a talk show with psychologists, they need a locked facility with trained experts and will blow you off.

[p_gomez]

If you have ever seen an anorexic on a talk show with psychologists, they need a locked facility with trained experts and will blow you off.

What?

I have seen anorexics before on those shows.... Thats how I know that this is a really serious/extreme case.

[beachguy498]

If I had to speculate what her weight was I would say close to 75-80lbs at about 5'8.

She probably has some sort of disorder. I see women like that at my gym, or damn close to it. They go from one piece of cardio equipment to another and do nothing else. Almost pure skin and bones, maybe a little toned though...

Rob

[x-trainer ben]

What?

I have seen anorexics before on those shows.... Thats how I know that this is a really serious/extreme case.

If you were to try and reason with them they will ignore you, i tried it once

[Flounderbout]

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...

[bodyhard]

Just because someone is thin doesn't mean they are anorexic, my sister is very thin, roughly 80lbs, but she is not anorexic.

[bmccurdy]

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.

[p_gomez]

Just because someone is thin doesn't mean they are anorexic, my sister is very thin, roughly 80lbs, but she is not anorexic.

Oh I hear ya. My friend Kayla is the same way. 89lbs or so... However, at barely 5ft tall it suits her frame and she doesnt look anorexic.

[p_gomez]

The level of thinness that im talking about here is enough to see her pelvic bone, in places ass should be.

[p_gomez]

I would suggest casual conversation to see whats going on

This is what I have been thinking, but dont have know the slightest idea how to go about doing it....

[bmccurdy]

This is what I have been thinking, but dont have know the slightest idea how to go about doing it....

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.

[bodyhard]

Does she look anything like this?

[mtpockets]

offer her a cheeseburger, if she declines, you did your part.

[p_gomez]

^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.

[bodyhard]

^Yes, just slightly more muscle tone.

Not sure if serious....

[p_gomez]

Not sure if serious....

What is NOT serious about any of what im posting?

Think this.


Instead of the video you posted.

[acrawlingchaos]

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.

[bodyhard]

What is NOT serious about any of what im posting?

Think this.


Instead of the video you posted.

Stating "Muscle Tone"

[GKC45]

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.

[magic15]

Act like your into her, try to take her out on a date and bring her to a buffet

[p_gomez]

Stating "Muscle Tone"

I see a little bicep action there.

She finally left at 10:15....

More than 5 hours later.

[acrawlingchaos]

I see a little bicep action there.

She finally left at 10:15....

More than 5 hours later.

Why are you paying that much attention to her?

[racedoc]

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.

[bodyhard]

I see a little bicep action there.

She finally left at 10:15....

More than 5 hours later.

Yeah but she didn't have a guitar, or a piano nor a violin.