Is there anyone out there who was bulimic yet massively overweight?

Just thought I'd ask. Or am I the only one? I seem to be in a unique position (I don't mean that in a 'good' way necessarily) in that for over 15yrs I threw up everything I ate, then in January this year I decided enough was enough- and stopped purging. And haven't since. I never binged, but every meal/snack that went in my mouth came back up. This eased up a bit during my 2 pregnancies, but I soon went back to it.

In all the time I was bulimic, the lightest weight I've been was 147lbs, down from 245lbs- but that was achieved through starvation (aka stupidity), and walking at least 6 miles a day for 4mths or so. Of course some of it went back on (esp. after the babies!) and I seemed to 'settle' at 160lbs or so. Even with all the purging. I did it to control my weight- I was terrified if I let that food get into my system that I'd get fatter. 

I started eating healthy and stayed away from the scales for a month. I lost about 12lbs in that month- while eating. I was amazed, and haven't purged since. I know people on here have said 'you can't turn off ed's', and 'you just don't recover overnight', but it appears I did? I'm not boasting, just trying to figure out if anyone else has done this?

Now of course I'm fighting a different battle- trying to fix my screwed up metabolism- screwed up from having spent most of my life in starvation mode. I can't find any online support for someone who's been in my situation, and haven't yet come across anyone on here that has been in the same situation? I'm currently 176lbs, trying to get down to 147lbs. I'm still eating healthy, and trying to incorporate some exercise into my day. I know it'll be a long slow process (no more fads/starvation for me!) but I'm determined to do it the 'right' way this time.

Irish! <3 I think it's a common misconception that bulimics are often in the normal weight range just as much it's a misconception that all anorexics have to be stick thin and ready to snap. I doubt you're alone. :] Either way, you have come a really long way, and should be proud of such. Just to give you a bit of a boost!

Hi irishmum! First off, my profile is blank and says I joined just today, but really I just created a new profile because Im still not 100% over my bulimia and none of my family knows and I want to keep it that way.

Anyway. My situation is very similar to yours. Except that Im not done fighting my battle. I have been bulimic on and off since I was 16. I am 21 now. My weight topped out at 240 lbs after a complicated twin pregnancy. Before which I was already a good 30 lbs overweight at 175. I went from 240 lbs down to 150 lbs through, as you said, starvation (aka stupidity).

Currently I am trying to recover.  I wish it was as easy for me as it was for you! 150 lbs is the lowest I got through bulimia. It basically maintained my weight after that. Now Im working on eating healthily mostly. I still dont eat enough, but the anxiety and urge to 'get rid of it' are too strong if I eat just a bite too much. I am now at 154 lbs and hoping that I stop gaining at some point.

Anyway...I just wanted to reply and let you know that you arent the only one out there! Feel free to ask any questions or personal message me any time. :o)

Hi there, thanks for replying. It helps that I wasn't/am not the only 'fat' person who had an ed. No-one ever knew about my ED, my ex-Boss confronted me one time and was very supportive, but I was simply mortified that someone had noticed, and felt that everyone was talking about me from then on- I left that company shortly after. My Hubby said to me drunkenly one night 'I don't know why we go out for meals, all you do is throw them up straight away'- again I was mortified, but it was never mentioned again, and I just got craftier about how I'd do it? I was afraid I'd get all these 'You're only fooling yourself that you're recovered', 'You never 'recover' from an ED-it's always there' kind of replies, but you've come through for me Ladies! Thanks.

Snickerdoodle7, I won't say it was easy at the start. What helped me was locking away the scales for a month, and eating very small meals at first. If I ate too much, the urge to purge would raise its head. When I saw that I could eat (& keep it down!) and not gain crazy amounts of weight, I relaxed a little, and after a while began to concentrate on getting myself better- then I could tackle losing the lbs the 'right' way?

For now I'm consistently eating between 1500-1550cals a day (my BMR is 1535) as recommended by my nutritionist/dietitian, and seeing where that takes me? Its a long hard battle, but I've learned the hard way that 'quick fixes' aren't the way to go?

Thanks again.

when i had my bulimic tendencies I was definetly at my higher weight ranges. 

Hi, eveyone, I was wondering if i could get some advice before i get out of control. Particularly from those who are recovering.

Up until a few years ago, i didn't have a problem with my weight per se. Yes, i was overweight, but i didn mind so much. However, a few things happened and i decided to take stock of my weight issue.

I am currently at 144pounds which is the lowest i've been for some time, but i'm more concerned about it these days than i used to be and as a result have kind of developed a "Bulimic* attitude towards my daily intake.

I started walking over 12 miles a day a little while back, originally because work is 6 miles from my home and i can't drive, but also because i thought it would help me trim and tone. However, you'd be amazed that while that sounds lots, it sheds very little weight.

A few weeks ago, in a fit of irritation and depression, i found myself binging on wine gums and juice (2 large bags and a whole carton of orange if that helps the advisors). However, once i'd calmed down a little, i realised how bloated and nauseous i felt and began to make myself sick. Thus has started my once a week ritual of the binge/purge cycle. At first i dismissed the idea that i had anything wrong with me as, like most people, i believed that to be classified as having a disorder you had to be stick thin and 15 years old. I'm nearly at the end of my 20's and as i say 144pounds. However, out of curiosity i looked it up and came across this thread.

Can anyone advise me about how to stop myself from heading down this road before it gets out of control. I don't want to have this kind of relationship with my food, but i am finding it very difficult to keep a proper head on about it. If i do eat, i end up binging, if i dont i end up starving and then i get out of control.

Please, does anyone have any advice as to how i can say stop once i've finished my meals, not think about it until the next one and not overcompensate or force myself to be ill, just to rid my body of what i have put in me.

I hate the misconception that you have to be thin to have an ED.

I've always been one of those annoying, naturally thin people my entire life until I got hit with bulimia.  I was then when I never ate real meals and puked up everything that I gained 25 pounds.  I seriously feel like people think I'm lying when I say I have an ED because I'm so heavy.

I'm also trying to recover and can usually go about 2 weeks binge free and lose a few pounds, but then I hit a snag for a few days and gain the weight back.  It's good to hear you're doing well; its good motivation!

First of all, way to go irishmum! That's great you could overcome it! I can't say that I've completely beaten mine. I was never massively overweight, but I've always been right on the borderline of average/overweight.

I don't purge everything, I don't purge when I overeat, but there is a fierce battle going on in my head in order to keep it that way sometimes. And my mind doesn't always win the battle. It's not that I want to purge, because I feel guilty afterward, but I get so anxious about it, I psyche myself out and I don't even have to make it come up, it just does. The last time was a salad. Yes, I psyched myself out over a salad. It was horrible and when it happens, I can't help but cry.

But most of the time, it's not like that. Do I have a problem eating? No. The fullness factor is what I can't stand. I've learned portion control and am able to say "No, I'm full". So, yay for me I suppose!