Eating disorders among bodybuilders?

[Sibrek]

From a lot of the posts here, it seems like a lot of people are on the fast lane to eating disorders.

I just want to lay out a few points that could do some of you good:


1) Don't weigh food...Count calories? Fine, estimate SOMEWHAT, but don't go exact. You'll only drive yourself crazy.

2) "OMG my parents decided to go out for dinner tonight, what do i do!" First of all, you shouldn't be on that strict of a diet unless you're very overweight. Second, you can order whatever you want at a restaurant, but if you don't eat all of it, it wont be that bad for you. Finally, any diet has room for the occasional "cheat." Or what I like to call eating like a normal person. Yes, normal people overindulge once in a while. The more hardcore guys will probably refute this though.

3) Kind of tagging along with two...if you're an ectomorph/very skinny, just EAT. Don't listen to the self-professed hardcore bodybuilders who won't allow a diet of anything but plain chicken breast, natural peanut butter, canned tuna, and egg whites. Its your life, live a little...especially when your weight can afford it.. All the time I see the tiniest guys, asking if they are "allowed" to eat something.

4) And finally, don't compare yourself to the people on this board, picture-wise. 9/10 of the people who have the balls to put self-pictures up have this confidence for a reason. 99% of people do not look like that. Go to a beach, look around, and even thats an unfair sampling. Don't get down because you can't compare to certain people on here...



Other people feel free to add to this list, or disagree :P

[Sibrek]

I guess the title of this thread should be eating disorders among bodybuilding.com posters, but I'm sure the idea will get across

[heyzeus909]

I have an eating disorder, and I couldn't have made the gains I have without it.

Here's some tips:

1) Count every single calorie. Weigh and measure everything. Without knowing what you're taking in, you're making things harder than necessary to fix things when the need arises (e.g., you start to put on fat, or aren't seeing the muscle gains like you should). Whatever pain it is to weigh and measure things is less than the pain required to fix something without the proper information to do so.

2) Don't go out to eat, unless it's a special occassion...or you're going to a place that you know you can eat healthy. Overweight people eat out in regular restaurants...fit people eat at home. If you want evidence of this, look at the fat kids eating with their fat parents at the tables next to you in the restaurant.

3) If you're very skinny, consider yourself lucky. You don't have to worry about stripping off the fat, but that doesn't mean that you shouldn't worry about putting on fat either. It's time to add some lean mass. You'll have to eat clean to do this. This tags along with the first two tips.

4) Look at pictures of other people on the board that have the type of body that you're going for. Use it as inspiration (e.g.,"If they can do it, so can I"). It gives your goal a vision.


EDIT: I know there are people here that have had (or do have) eating disorders, and I'm in NO way trying to make fun of that. There's nothing funny about that. I'm referring to myself as having an eating disorder that can actually lead to health gains. Most people that follow this lifestyle are seen by the general public as having an eating disorder.

[Sibrek]

Lol. You have something called good genetics. 99% of people with perfect diets will not look like you.

And no offense buddy, but I don't think many people here want to turn out like you either, running around the message boards crying because people dont listen to what you say. LOL okay, maybe i did mean offense _

[CF10]

Originally Posted by heyzeus909

I have an eating disorder, and I couldn't have made the gains I have without it.

Here's some tips:

1) Count every single calorie. Weigh and measure everything. Without knowing what you're taking in, you're making things harder than necessary to fix things when the need arises (e.g., you start to put on fat, or aren't seeing the muscle gains like you should). Whatever pain it is to weigh and measure things is less than the pain required to fix something without the proper information to do so.

2) Don't go out to eat, unless it's a special occassion...or you're going to a place that you know you can eat healthy. Overweight people eat out in regular restaurants...fit people eat at home. If you want evidence of this, look at the fat kids eating with their fat parents at the tables next to you in the restaurant.

3) If you're very skinny, consider yourself lucky. You don't have to worry about stripping off the fat, but that doesn't mean that you shouldn't worry about putting on fat either. It's time to add some lean mass. You'll have to eat clean to do this. This tags along with the first two tips.

4) Look at pictures of other people on the board that have the type of body that you're going for. Use it as inspiration (e.g.,"If they can do it, so can I"). It gives your goal a vision.

VERY good post. People are quick to throw around the phrase "eating disorder" when they see someone doing something different from themselves. My friends think I'm weird because I wont stuff my face with pizza and beer. But do I have an eating disorder? (i.e. an eating habit that hinders my life in some way)...Hell no. The way I eat is absolutely necessary for my goals, and reaching my goals makes me happy, not eating pizza and beer. That makes me unhappy.

If you look around, the OP is correct. Very few people have great physiques. But thats because of the dedication it takes to get those physiques. One thing I think EVERYONE should be aware of is this: Not everyone has the same goals as you do. It took me years of taking ****ty advice on this forum to realize this. You know how many times Ive heard, "Dont eat that on a cut, but hey if youre bulking go for it man, get all you can". Well after a few years of getting nowhere but fat on my bulks, I finally realized that this is not acceptable for me. Sure, maybe a lot of people on here dont mind putting on 20lbs of fat on a bulk, but I do. Word of advice/common sense: DO NOT TAKE ADVICE ON HERE AS GOSPEL. Listen to it, see if it makes sense for YOU and YOUR GOALS, and then make your decisions.

[IRON HORSE J]

Originally Posted by heyzeus909

I have an eating disorder, and I couldn't have made the gains I have without it.

Here's some tips:

1) Count every single calorie. Weigh and measure everything. Without knowing what you're taking in, you're making things harder than necessary to fix things when the need arises (e.g., you start to put on fat, or aren't seeing the muscle gains like you should). Whatever pain it is to weigh and measure things is less than the pain required to fix something without the proper information to do so.

2) Don't go out to eat, unless it's a special occassion...or you're going to a place that you know you can eat healthy. Overweight people eat out in regular restaurants...fit people eat at home. If you want evidence of this, look at the fat kids eating with their fat parents at the tables next to you in the restaurant.

3) If you're very skinny, consider yourself lucky. You don't have to worry about stripping off the fat, but that doesn't mean that you shouldn't worry about putting on fat either. It's time to add some lean mass. You'll have to eat clean to do this. This tags along with the first two tips.

4) Look at pictures of other people on the board that have the type of body that you're going for. Use it as inspiration (e.g.,"If they can do it, so can I"). It gives your goal a vision.

AWESOME POST..

[IRON HORSE J]

I just think its funny that people that eat healthy that count out carbs/protein/cals/etcc... have an eating disorder... thats why we're not fat asses that wonder why they are fat because of what they eat.

Just knowing what to eat and that we count out our food doesn't make us have an eating disorder.... Oh, and speaking of not having a pic up.. Hmmmm Nice OP

I'm going to go eat now

[Sibrek]

Originally Posted by CF10

VERY good post. People are quick to throw around the phrase "eating disorder" when they see someone doing something different from themselves. My friends think I'm weird because I wont stuff my face with pizza and beer. But do I have an eating disorder? (i.e. an eating habit that hinders my life in some way)...Hell no. The way I eat is absolutely necessary for my goals, and reaching my goals makes me happy, not eating pizza and beer. That makes me unhappy.

Eating disorder means just that, but I see your point.


How about the people that come on here after eating a slice of pizza, seriously upset about it, afraid that their gains will be hindered? That's when you have an eating disorder, and one thats dangerous.

[IRON HORSE J]

Originally Posted by Sibrek

Eating disorder means just that, but I see your point.


How about the people that come on here after eating a slice of pizza, seriously upset about it, afraid that their gains will be hindered? That's when you have an eating disorder, and one thats dangerous.

Nah, when I eat a slice of pizza (cheat food.. Yeah I have a disorder) I know that I'm going to the gym tomorrow and I'm busting my ass.. Just more motivation

[Sibrek]

Lol. Exercise bulemia?

You may be happy with yourself, healthy etc, but there's a fine line between eating healthy to reach your goals, and becoming addicted or obsessed

[Mr.Hombre]

I don't see how eating out is automatically unhealthy. The other day I went to Claim Jumper and had a New York Steak with a potatoe and charbroiled asparagus.

[heyzeus909]

Originally Posted by Sibrek

Lol. You have something called good genetics. 99% of people with perfect diets will not look like you.

And no offense buddy, but I don't think many people here want to turn out like you either, running around the message boards crying because people dont listen to what you say. LOL okay, maybe i did mean offense _

Negative. It's not genetics. When my transformation is complete (in about a month), I'll show some old pics that will dispell this genetics crap. I won't accept genetics as the reason I was 60 pounds overweight, and I won't accept genetics as the reason I'm reasonably fit today.


I don't cry if someone doesn't want to listen. I might get frustrated when they want to argue with me as though they know everything even though they're an 18 year old snot that can't even put up a pic for their avatar. When you walk the walk, you can talk the talk.

I'm wallking the walk.


Now please continue to enlighten us with your vast knowledge and experience. I'm all ears.

[IRON HORSE J]

Originally Posted by Mr.Hombre

I don't see how eating out is automatically unhealthy. The other day I went to Claim Jumper and had a New York Steak with a potatoe and charbroiled asparagus.

New york is what I had last night.. Hmmm So good

[IRON HORSE J]

Originally Posted by heyzeus909

Negative. It's not genetics. When my transformation is complete (in about a month), I'll show some old pics that will dispell this genetics crap. I won't accept genetics as the reason I was 60 pounds overweight, and I won't accept genetics as the reason I'm reasonably fit today.


I don't cry if someone doesn't want to listen. I might get frustrated when they want to argue with me as though they know everything even though they're an 18 year old snot that can't even put up a pic for their avatar. When you walk the walk, you can talk the talk.

I'm wallking the walk.


Now please continue to enlighten us with your vast knowledge and experience. I'm all ears.

Good Post!!!!!!!!!

[CF10]

Originally Posted by Sibrek

Eating disorder means just that, but I see your point.


How about the people that come on here after eating a slice of pizza, seriously upset about it, afraid that their gains will be hindered? That's when you have an eating disorder, and one thats dangerous.

I think if you want to do something but you cant do it because of something food related, you have a disorder of sorts. Example) Someone wants to eat pizza but cannot do it without being upset.

That is a problem. But that is not what I, or a lot of dedicated lifters, have. In my mind, I dont really want the pizza. I dont fight myself over whether to eat it or not. I simply go, "Hmm, pizza is good..but do I want it? No. Chicken is good and I want that "

If I did chose to eat the pizza one day, I would not be devastated either. I'd acknowledge that I broke my diet but if it wasnt a habit I'd be perfectly fine. Truth be told, I actually get depressed when I am not on a strict diet. I had knee surgery last yr and during my time off, I basically quit bbing altogether. I ate whatever, worked out when I felt like it, and got pretty out of shape. I was depressed during this time because of it. I dont like not having challenges in my life and I dont like feeling like **** having no energy because I'm out of shape. To me it's very uncomfortable to have my stomach fat roll over my waistline of my jeans when I sit in a chair. My point is, from my point of view, an eating disorder would be a lax diet where I ate whatever, because THAT is what depresses me and makes me have much less of a happy life.

[Mr.Hombre]

Now that I think about it, a lot of people have a problem with eating sugar, i.e., not putting a teaspoon of brown sugar into their oatmeal. Sugar does not make you fat. Simple sugar just shouldn't make up a substantial percentage of your carbohydrate intake, as it lacks micronutrients.

[Sibrek]

Originally Posted by heyzeus909

Negative. It's not genetics. When my transformation is complete (in about a month), I'll show some old pics that will dispell this genetics crap. I won't accept genetics as the reason I was 60 pounds overweight, and I won't accept genetics as the reason I'm reasonably fit today.


I don't cry if someone doesn't want to listen. I might get frustrated when they want to argue with me as though they know everything even though they're an 18 year old snot that can't even put up a pic for their avatar. When you walk the walk, you can talk the talk.

I'm wallking the walk.


Now please continue to enlighten us with your vast knowledge and experience. I'm all ears.

Lol.

I don't care what you'll accept. It is genetics.

Really? I literally meant you cried. You got me on that point!
Sorry I actually am worth something in this world--Go to a real university, and don't want to risk my future or anything relevant by putting up pictures on a stupid website.

I told you my knowledge. Whether you want to accept it or not, many people on this site have eating disorders. You have one. It helps you reach goals? Awesome. You still have one, and most people will end up with the same disorder, and because of GENETICS (), a body not as fit as yours.

[Sibrek]

Originally Posted by Mr.Hombre

Now that I think about it, a lot of people have a problem with eating sugar, i.e., not putting a teaspoon of brown sugar into their oatmeal. Sugar does not make you fat. Simple sugar just shouldn't make up a substantial percentage of your carbohydrate intake, as it lacks micronutrients.

One of the many examples...If the skinniest kid on here uses splenda in their oatmeal instead of sugar..they have a problem.

[Sibrek]

Originally Posted by jhicks3301

Good Post!!!!!!!!!

Lol...are you his groupie?

[abercrombie3f]

Great post--At one point, I stressed out WAY too much about what I was eating and hated going out to eat. Now, I have a totally different outlook. I engage in cheat meals, go out with friends more, LIVE MY LIFE. I still worry and try to maintain my WOE, but I am definitely a lot more lenient.

[IRON HORSE J]

Originally Posted by Sibrek

Sorry I actually am worth something in this world--Go to a real university, and don't want to risk my future or anything relevant by putting up pictures on a stupid website.

So how does putting your pics up risk your future?? So I do I.. **** i need to take mine down cause ummmmmmm I really don't know why.> So why don't you tell me how having pics on this website affects my future at my university?

Oh yeah since it is stupid... Why the hell are you even on this?

[IRON HORSE J]

Originally Posted by Sibrek

Lol...are you his groupie?

He makes a lot more sense that you do

[Sibrek]

Originally Posted by jhicks3301

So how does putting your pics up risk your future?? So I do I.. **** i need to take mine down cause ummmmmmm I really don't know why.> So why don't you tell me how having pics on this website affects my future at my university?

Oh yeah since it is stupid... Why the hell are you even on this?

I'm not sure what any part of that first part meant, really, but I don't want people seeing me with my pics on a website. Not people I know now, not future employers, not future grad school admissions, etc.

I'm on this to read information. The idea of putting pics up is stupid to me.

[IRON HORSE J]

Originally Posted by Sibrek

I'm not sure what any part of that first part meant, really, but I don't want people seeing me with my pics on a website. Not people I know now, not future employers, not future grad school admissions, etc.

I'm on this to read information. The idea of putting pics up is stupid to me.

Thanks for the info... you are wise beyond your years

[CF10]

Originally Posted by Sibrek

The idea of putting pics up is stupid to me.

According to your logic regarding disorders, this means you have a form of social anxiety and should consider seeking help

Why cant you just understand the simple anecdote, "To each his own". If eating obsessively clean makes someone happier then eating dirty then I would call that person crazy if they ate dirty, would you not? Do what makes you happy for Christ's sake.

[Sibrek]

Originally Posted by jhicks3301

He makes a lot more sense that you do

do you mean than*?



To:
heyzeus909
Visit heyzeus909's BodySpace
From:
jhicks3301
Visit jhicks3301's BodySpace
Apr 12, 2007 5:46pm
Your ****ing shredded.. Good job bro






You wouldn't be siding with him if you weren't his groupie.

[Sibrek]

Originally Posted by CF10

According to your logic regarding disorders, this means you have a form of social anxiety and should consider seeking help

Why cant you just understand the simple anecdote, "To each his own". If eating obsessively clean makes someone happier then eating dirty than I would call that person crazy if they ate dirty, would you not? Do what makes you happy for Christ's sake.

That doesn't make sense.


Because some people end up feeling like they HAVE to eat obsessively. Stop being so selfish and accept the fact that not everyone thinks like you do.

[IRON HORSE J]

Originally Posted by Sibrek

do you mean than*?



To:
heyzeus909
Visit heyzeus909's BodySpace
From:
jhicks3301
Visit jhicks3301's BodySpace
Apr 12, 2007 5:46pm
Your ****ing shredded.. Good job bro






You wouldn't be siding with him if you weren't his groupie.

Whatever bro. I've got better stuff to do than to argue with you about being a ****ing groupie LOL

[Sibrek]

Originally Posted by jhicks3301

Whatever bro. I've got better stuff to do than to argue with you about being a ****ing groupie LOL

How about getting into a college that doesn't suck? =)

[Justin_itm]

Originally Posted by heyzeus909

I have an eating disorder, and I couldn't have made the gains I have without it.

Here's some tips:

1) Count every single calorie. Weigh and measure everything. Without knowing what you're taking in, you're making things harder than necessary to fix things when the need arises (e.g., you start to put on fat, or aren't seeing the muscle gains like you should). Whatever pain it is to weigh and measure things is less than the pain required to fix something without the proper information to do so.

2) Don't go out to eat, unless it's a special occassion...or you're going to a place that you know you can eat healthy. Overweight people eat out in regular restaurants...fit people eat at home. If you want evidence of this, look at the fat kids eating with their fat parents at the tables next to you in the restaurant.

3) If you're very skinny, consider yourself lucky. You don't have to worry about stripping off the fat, but that doesn't mean that you shouldn't worry about putting on fat either. It's time to add some lean mass. You'll have to eat clean to do this. This tags along with the first two tips.

4) Look at pictures of other people on the board that have the type of body that you're going for. Use it as inspiration (e.g.,"If they can do it, so can I"). It gives your goal a vision.


EDIT: I know there are people here that have had (or do have) eating disorders, and I'm in NO way trying to make fun of that. There's nothing funny about that. I'm referring to myself as having an eating disorder that can actually lead to health gains. Most people that follow this lifestyle are seen by the general public as having an eating disorder.

^^^^^this guy is smart, I like his advise.