Does anyone REALLY want to be HEALTHY?

I am disturbed by the amount of posts that discuss eating disorders and almost everyone is showing symptoms of disordered eating. This should be a helathy supportive place but often I feel that this could be used as a pro anna or pro mia site. If you disagree, then I just think you are one of the many suffering with your weight and are in some stage of denial of what you are truly looking for. Health? or a quick "trick" or magic pill? As you can tell by my "name" I suffer greatly from a severe eating disorder. Does anyone know that Anorexia is kills the most people of all psych disorders? Does anyone know that 1 in 5 of us with eating disorders die? Does anyone realize IT IS NOT ABOUT THE FOOD? Many of us were abused, verbally, sexually etc. I was hoping to get healty information and support from this site but find that it caters to my eating disorder just as much.

Thoughts?

right now we are in an apparent upswing of ed posts and posters.  that happens sometimes-- its cyclical.

it would help if people didnt choose  ED names-- they can be triggering and really just make the boards look like they are overrun with disordered eaters.

that being said, its cyclical.  it will change. just like the week after new year we will get overrun with the new years resolution people. its just part of the way that forums like this are.

ED names identify those of us who are struggling so much that we are no longer ourselves but see ourselves as the disorder. I want to be truthful here. I want people to know and not hide behind some "proper" safe name. Please don't mis-understand. Often forums are the only place "we" admit it...maybe only through our names...I will keep trying to get better...I will continue to look for support and encouragement here. I will still long for kind words and hope...

Unfortunately, I think there is not really much one can do to change the course the forums have taken. It is up to each member to avoid bad influences and posters. You need to consciously avoid the members and threads that affect you negatively and seek out only the positive ones.

 

Eda (not going to use the whole name because you are far more than the sum of your ED),

I do post a lot about my recovery, mostly so those who are still in the active grip of anorexia can hear from a survivor. I've also made it pretty clear where my ED started and how hard it was to move toward sanity.

I'm not clear on why you think CC is pro-ana or pro any other ED. I myself have been very direct when someone has posted something I think is pro-ED.

Your statement that if I disagree then I must be suffering with my weight uses a pretty broad--and inaccurate--brush. I disagree because I believe I am most definitely a voice for sane and healthy eating, so we can be at sane and healthy weights.

Feel free to PM me if you care to discuss further. For now I need to go eat lunch because I'm hungry :-)

Nice third post. Also a lame attempt at trolling, if it is. Read the CC policy sometime. Read the bazillion posts from mods discouraging pro anna behavior. D'hoooooy.

"Does anyone really want to be healthy?" What an ignorant remark. 

Well, in my situation--losing too much weight and not menstruating--you get to appreciate the health aspect of weight loss veerrryyyy quickly.

I'm here for health.

Actually, I'm on the site for health... I'm on the boards occassionally because they're here and I get bored.  The boards have simply helped me to find some new foods I wouldn't have ordinarily tried.  And taught me that I really do get to eat quite a bit to get to my eventual goal.  And even more on days when I work out!

As far as seeing everyone as being pro-ED, I think it's probably like getting a new car.  You have a new (white/black/red/purple/whatever color)(insert model here) and all of the sudden, you see that same car *everywhere*.  It's not that they weren't there before or that they're out in greater numbers now, it's that you're just noticing more.  You suffer from an ED so you're way more sensitive to pro-** names and pro-** posts. 

And yes, there may seem to be a great many on these boards, but they may be the only ones brave enough to post here.  Many more suffering from an ED or here for health reasons are just here lurking.  Or simply don't do chat boards so have never been over in this neck of the woods.  I always hope that the people suffering that post are more reaching out for a helping hand from everyone as opposed to just wanting confirmation that what they're doing is great and wonderful.  (hope that made sense)

Personally, I am only moderately sensitive to them due to my mom's history -- and have this insane desire to help everyone suffering.  Though, having never had an ED myself (ignoring a short spurt of binging during a stupid diet phase which taught me a lesson as to what I can and can't do during a "diet") and knowing that I can't save everyone, I'm not going to notice them (the posts) as glaring as much as you will.

My heart goes out to you...

The majority of people here DO suffer from ED's and it is important to talk about them and get them out in the open. Recoving drug addicts and alcoholics start in NA / AA so why cant ED victims start their recovery here, in a safe community, with plenty of help and support to get them through their problem. I understand it can get annoying at times when you cant find any other posts except ED posts but like it was said above its a cycle. When one person comes out, everyone else with similar problems opens up to that community because they see there is help for them. This is not a bad thing. We should honor these people for trusting us as a community with their recovery. Some of these peoples parents or spouses are not even aware of their problems and yet they come to US, a group of people with collective knowledge who cares for them. Let them recover how they feel comfortable, and if it by flooding our forums then so be it. This forum also has its share of obesity posts, its no differant, think about it.

Ive not closely followed the ED threads in the H&S forum but I do know there are ED recovery threads that have been uplifting to read as an outsider to the disease.  You sound like you have the mindset to start another great one and encouragement from peers dealing with simliar complexities of the disease is an excellent way to support each other towards a healthy life. 

Forums have a life of their own and while threads can be moderated to prevent the promotion of unhealthy behavoir, mindsets can not be contolled but the can sometimes be influenced.  Patience and empathy can help in not becoming frustrated plus you certainly seem health minded and knowledgeable enough to be part of the solution. 

Does anyone REALLY want to be HEALTHY?

I do.

 

=^..^= MOLLY

Original Post by jasontarin:

The majority of people here DO suffer from ED's and it is important to talk about them and get them out in the open. Recoving drug addicts and alcoholics start in NA / AA so why cant ED victims start their recovery here, in a safe community, with plenty of help and support to get them through their problem. I understand it can get annoying at times when you cant find any other posts except ED posts but like it was said above its a cycle. When one person comes out, everyone else with similar problems opens up to that community because they see there is help for them. This is not a bad thing. We should honor these people for trusting us as a community with their recovery. Some of these peoples parents or spouses are not even aware of their problems and yet they come to US, a group of people with collective knowledge who cares for them. Let them recover how they feel comfortable, and if it by flooding our forums then so be it. This forum also has its share of obesity posts, its no differant, think about it.

If you find that the majority of posts are about EDs, then you aren't looking very hard.  The vast majority of CC members are here to lose weight.  Some have lost amazing amounts of weight and are keeping it off.  Some have taken off 10 or so stubborn pounds and are also keeping it off.  Another large group is here to become more fit and healthier. We have members who have improved their cardiac health, and fought off diabetes.  A very small group is here for help in recovering from an eating disorder. An even smaller group is here looking for encouragement for their disordered eating.

We all need to remember that anorexia and bulimia are psychiatric disorders, and that we are not qualified to make judgements about diagnosis.  We can offer advice and comfort, and guide people to appropriate resources that can really help.

I'm glad you are willing to lend support for recovery, but hope you also will lend support to those who are fighting overweight and obesity.

If you see a post that is promoting an eating disorder, please click on the "Report Violation" link.  That will bring it to the attention of the moderating team for evaluation. 

I want to be healthy.
Through calorie count I've improved my overall health and fitness, and with the help of the supporting people I've found here, beat ana-athletica and not looked back for months now.
I'm sorry you've seen a worse side of CC, I'd avoid forums like "Health and Support" and "Motivation" if I were you, because there's an equal amount of good as there is bad there.

Not to be rude but it is a diet site focused on wt loss more than health.

Personally I dont think its healthy to be going to any diet sites if you want to be healthy after having a disorder.

Its like an alcoholic going to a bar. Not the best of ideas.

Original Post by edannamia:

I feel that this could be used as a pro anna or pro mia site. If you disagree, then I just think you are one of the many suffering with your weight and are in some stage of denial of what you are truly looking for.

If you feel that way, fine, but I DO disagree with you, and it is because I am NOT in denial and I don't have any ED, and I do know what I'm truly looking for.  I am looking for a healthy relationship with food and with my body that will extend my life and let me get more quality out of it ... more time with my kids, more adventures with my husband ... 

I'm sure you didn't mean to come across this way, but it is rather uppity for a self-admitted ED sufferer to even BEGIN to tell others that if they don't agree with her screwed-up relationship with food, that THEY'RE the ones with a problem.  Pah. Good luck to you but you don't know me and you couldn't be more wrong about what is going on in my life.

and to chop_chop and jasontarin:

Chop_Chop  

Dec 24 2007 21:42
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#13   Not to be rude but it is a diet site focused on wt loss more than health.

Original Post by jasontarin:

The majority of people here DO suffer from ED's

This is not a diet site.  It is a service offered by about.com's health "division", for lack of a better word.  And anyone who is only seeing EDs and dieting and unhealthy food attitudes on this site is obviously actively seeking that, and just ignoring the MAJORITY of the posts on this site, and the majority of posters, who genuinely want to have healthy bodies, minds, and lives.  So, in my opinion, the "problems" those people are finding with this site aren't REALLY about the site.  They are about themselves.

Merry Christmas everyone!

I do agree that it is easy to get too into it when you start to count calories and have a place to record it for you... and I speak from experience as I am recovering from anorexia. But I have enough willpower and desire to be healthy that I can use this site as a place of support rather than as fuel for my perfectionistic, competitive nature.

Original Post by edannamia:

I am disturbed by the amount of posts that discuss eating disorders and almost everyone is showing symptoms of disordered eating. This should be a helathy supportive place but often I feel that this could be used as a pro anna or pro mia site. If you disagree, then I just think you are one of the many suffering with your weight and are in some stage of denial of what you are truly looking for. Health? or a quick "trick" or magic pill? As you can tell by my "name" I suffer greatly from a severe eating disorder. Does anyone know that Anorexia is kills the most people of all psych disorders? Does anyone know that 1 in 5 of us with eating disorders die? Does anyone realize IT IS NOT ABOUT THE FOOD? Many of us were abused, verbally, sexually etc. I was hoping to get healty information and support from this site but find that it caters to my eating disorder just as much.

Thoughts?

Here are my thoughts:

I am disturbed by the amount of posts that discuss eating disorders and almost everyone is showing symptoms of disordered eating.  I'm sure plenty of people find some people's profiles or posts disturbing. If you do: You have a few options: 1. Do what I do if you see something disturbing on TV that you don't want to watch, change the channel, or turn it off. 2. Reach out and say something to help.

"If you disagree, then I just think you are one of the many suffering with your weight and are in some stage of denial of what you are truly looking for." - Thanks for letting us know what you think about someone's potential argument before hearing what they may have to say in response to your post. What you may have wanted to say at the end is, "Thoughts (oh- only if you agree with me though, otherwise, be advised I consider you one of "those" people)?"

Health? or a quick "trick" or magic pill? - I'm not sure what this has to do with your discomfort of the ability of this site to be used as a pro ED tool. ??? I'm not sure how you are correlating "trick" or "magic pill" to the rest of your argument. Why do you want to know? You should be here more for yourself and to give or accept support rather than being obsessed with whether you think others want tricks or magic pills.  People who are regulars here here and use the information given are made well aware (which is why there are here) that magic pills don't exist. I don't know anyone here who doesn't think they are here for health (even those that have ED).

Does anyone know that Anorexia is kills the most people of all psych disorders? Does anyone know that 1 in 5 of us with eating disorders die? Does anyone realize IT IS NOT ABOUT THE FOOD? Many of us were abused, verbally, sexually etc.  - A lot of people do know about the statistics you stated. A lot of people don't.

Your posting is confusing in that it is: 1. Exacerbating/Provoking 2. Sounds "upset" at a tool meant to help you but you admit could trigger your own lack of control. 3. Informative, but I'm not sure in what manner you are trying to "help" or what the "point" of your information is. This information would be great to send to those suffering from ED (if you intend on staying with us). If your point was the "enabling" part, well:

I was hoping to get healty information and support from this site but find that it caters to my eating disorder just as much.You feel that this site could be used as pro anna or mia? Yep. Did you know the inventor of dynamite (Alfred Nobel), originally intended it's use for construction and not for mass killings? Does this make it bad? Should he never have invented it? I dunno. What exactly do you propose be done about it? Maybe all addictive medical prescriptions should be destroyed never to be dispensed again because people can abuse them. You know what most responsible people do? They take it responsibly and use moderation.  The same good/bad arguments concerning intention and use/abuse can be made for a variety of other things.

If you feel this site is enabling, and you just CANT control yourself.. then maybe it's not for you. Save yourself and don't use it, rather than implying guilt upon the makers of this tool, and those trying to get help because you are disturbed at the others that are abusing it and not using it for it's intent (which is unfair of you).

Those are my thoughts.

Thanks for asking.

~X

" Diet Forums : Weight Loss"

did i read that wrong?

lol

its on the top of the page

Original Post by chop_chop:

" Diet Forums : Weight Loss"

did i read that wrong?

lol

its on the top of the page

I don't know.  I'm on cc Plus and minr just says "Weight Loss".  The word "Diet" is not on the header for this forum.  And anyway, you said the site, not just this individual forum.

Look at the VERY top of the page.  On mine, it says "About.com:Health"

"At Calorie-Count.com, we provide completely free weight loss tools, nutritional information, and a vibrant and supportive community to help you lose or maintain weight, safely and effectively! " (from main page)

GET REAL its geared towards wt loss. AND no matter what any page says anywhere I dont think its a good idea to be puttering around in diet boards if you had an eating disorder. Especially in the wt loss section if you are geared towards getting better.

Original Post by chop_chop:

GET REAL its geared towards wt loss. AND no matter what any page says anywhere I dont think its a good idea to be puttering around in diet boards if you had an eating disorder. Especially in the wt loss section if you are geared towards getting better.

 

One of the forums are specifically titled "help and support", which applies to both weight loss and other issues.  There are people who specifically come for advice on how to gain weight and get better and healthier. 

And, yes, while it's not a good idea for a person with an ED to be "puttering around" to look for weight loss tips, what would you have the sight owners do?  Put every user through a screening process to make sure only non ED people are in the appropriate forum? 

The moderators are here for a reason.  If there are unreasonable posts by people with EDs, they can easily be reported.