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| Health & Support | Distorted Body Image? | May 30 2009 04:36 (UTC) |
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Not to be argumentative, but when you're running a marathon, or even practising for one, you should not purposely try to lose weight. Restricting your calories could lead to dire consequences. Also, for a young woman who is 5'6" to be training (or even just leading a moderately active lifestyle) on 1500 calories...that's restriction in itself. I really REALLY recommend you seek out a registered dietitian to get some clarification on what is an appropriate amount for you to be eating, ESPECIALLY if you are going to be running in a marathon! Trust me, restricting your intake to lose weight ("love handles and excess fat on your thighs" or not!) while training for a marathon will not help your endurance, pace, or time in any way. Instead, you will find yourself getting more cramps, side stitches, and your running will suffer. Also, I read that you have 18% body fat- that is the lowest amount of body fat a NON-PROFESSIONAL female athlete should have. And guess what? Like I said before, 135 pounds at 5'6" is seriously the ideal weight-to-height ratio! If your goal is TRULY to be fit and healthy, not just thin, as you claim, you'd do best just to focus your efforts on getting enough nutrients (fat included, with no restriction). |
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| Fitness | low body fat | May 30 2009 00:01 (UTC) |
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Original Post by fitnessgirll: Uh, that is medically unsound- a lean (otherwise said, NECESSARY) body fat percentage for women is 12%. Anything less and you're looking at your body eating away at your organs. In order to save yourself from amenorrhea, doctors recommend at least 18% body fat. Most female ATHLETES (and I mean pro-athletes) are around 13-15%, and many of them do not get their menstrual cycle due to that. They are also prone to osteopenia and osteoporosis, as well as the Female Athlete Triad (google it). That being said, at my lowest, I was around 8-9% body fat, and nearly died from seizures (as well as other issues). My brain didn't get the glucose it needed, and my body was painfully low on short-term and long-term fuel stores (aka body fat). I don't recommend going below 18%, unless you plan on making working out and marathon running your life mission. |
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| Health & Support | Distorted Body Image? | May 29 2009 23:44 (UTC) |
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Note: Body image distortion is different from BDD (Body Dysmorphia Disorder). |
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| Health & Support | Distorted Body Image? | May 29 2009 23:41 (UTC) |
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Honestly, from what I can hear in your post, you've got some really disordered thoughts going on. Questions to ask yourself: Really, WHY do you need to lose weight (your weight and height ratio are ideal!)? Why would you restrict your calories when you are training for a marathon? Why exactly are you training for a marathon? Do YOU think you have distorted body image (that is, do you see yourself as larger or smaller than you are?)? Why did you feel angry when your therapist suggested this? Eating disorders are not solely caused/triggered by one thing. It's a common assumption that EDs are just about control; that's a typical generalisation pertetrated by ignorant medical professionals. Your therapist is the person who might just know you the most intimately (that is, if you are candid with her), so there is a reason she is suggesting disordered body image/eating/thinking. I recommend that you openly accept this theory, and explore it with her. You shouldn't feel ashamed to do this- in a recent survey, it was shown that 90% of American women have disordered eating/thinking. And wouldn't you want to get to the root of issues you have with yourself before things spiralled out of control, turning into a diagnosable eating disorder like anorexia/bulimia nervosa? Just my two cents. |
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| Health & Support | Remuda Ranch (for recovering from anorexia/bulimia) | May 26 2009 22:45 (UTC) |
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zsazsa90, are you still looking for reviews or info about RR? I was there from 2007-2008 (and also went to Remuda Life, the residential programme after RR). I'd be willing to answer any of your (or anybody's) questions... |
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| Health & Support | anorexia = infertility | May 07 2009 00:40 (UTC) |
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Original Post by merylwhite1:
Hi Meryl- although I am so very sorry that you cannot have children, I am also very glad that you have been brave enough to share this. May I ask: How did you find out that you were/are infertile? I have had disordered eating and eating disorders since I was around 8 years old, and I am now 23 years old. I have never had a regular period- I think there have been only a few times that I had two periods in a row. I still struggle with anorexia nervosa, and have not had a period since ~August 2008 (?); it is now 6 May 2009. So I know I am not fertile as of late (though admittedly, I do not have sex with my husband since I am too tired and have no libido). But if I were to try later, how would I find out about how fertile I am? Thanks again, Meryl. |
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| Health & Support | eating disorder therapist? | Apr 09 2009 08:01 (UTC) |
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Well, first of all, my dear, the choice you make right out of high school may or may not stick. You don't have to choose your major/career right after graduation. In my own experience, I have changed majors now three times! To become a therapist, it requires that you major in psychology, just like oxsunrisesunset said, and graduate from a university with a four-year degree. Secondly, while you are taking the required courses, also look into classes that would focus on different therapy methods for mental illness- this could be art therapy, CBT, DBT, etc. It really depends on what your college/university offers. Sometimes, they even have courses that specialise in eating disorders. Make sure to put your heart into each and every class, as you probably will want to go for a Master's Degree or even a PhD after you get your BA/BS in psychology. In order to do that, you have to have very good grades, and do a lot of research on your own. I get daily updates about eating disorder news via PsychCentral and am a regular subscriber to Psychology Today (you can get the hard copy magasine at regular supermarkets, depending on where you live). In order to specialise in EDs, apply for an internship at a treatment facility that deals exclusively with that subject, or volunteer for an organisation like NEDA. This will show potential employers that you understand and can work with eating disordered clients. My BIGGEST piece of advice, however, is not to rush into this. This sort of thing takes TIME, PATIENCE, and most of EXPERIENCE (in working with eating disordered individuals). I read on your profile, as well, that you have just started in the recovery process as of August 2008. In my humble opinion, I believe that right now, you need to focus on your own health and well-being. By throwing yourself into a potentially triggering mental health field, you open yourself up to slipping and even relapse. For now, work with your own therapist and dietitian (nutritionists have less education and experience!) so that you can stay healthy and one day help others. If you are looking into school, go to a community college and get all the general education stuff out of the way first (basic math, English, language, science, etc classes)- that will take around 2 to 3 years. Take care, |
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