Thinking a friend has an ED?

Hey guys,

So one of my running buddies was telling me that she runs 10 miles a day and eats 2000 calories a day. As someone recovering from an ED all these alarms in my brain started going off that this was some sort of disordered behavior, but I would like a second opinion. Is that enough calories for someone who runs so much? She's a slim girl, but pretty normal as far as weight is concerned. To me it just doesn't seem like enough, what do you guys think? Also, if its not, should I mention it to her? The problem is that I don't think anyone is going to take advice from me right now about calories and such. I'm just really worried that this could take her down a dangerous path. Any advice? Thanks, guys.

Does she exhibt any other signs of an ED? You're right to be at least slightly concerned, but I know a lot of runners who are just very slight. However, 10m a day on 2000 doesn't quite sound like enough, so you should possibly mention that to her - but if she doesn't show any other obvious signs I would not panic. I think it is very sweet you are concerned for her though. :D

Your right, ten miles a day is a lot, but 2000 calories per day is not restrictive behavior. I would think she would have to be eating like 1000 or so to call it restrictive. Now if she is purging or using the exercise to burn off the calories that she does eat, then yes this is called exercise bulemia. I am not sure if you are actually around her enough to notice whether she purges or uses exercise as a crutch. I do think that maybe she might not be taking in enough calories if she is running that much daily. Does she do this for a sport/track/cross country? Or is it just for 'fun'?

Another thing you have to think of is does she talk about weight loss or counting calories a lot? Does she go out with friends and pick at salads? Or go to the bathroom when she is finished with her meal?

I think I wouldn't say anything unless you really are positive because you might start causing tension. However, you could always mention that (make this up-->"your nutritionist says that someone running that much should be eating more like 3000 per day") maybe that would help!

I have to disagree with positivelinny.  2000 calories a day can absolutely be restrictive if she is not consuming enough calories to compensate for running ten miles.  I'm still in recovery from Anorexia Nervosa, and I have learned that there is no magic number of calories that a person intakes to qualify as suffering from the disease.  If a person is not eating enough to maintain a healthy weight, then there's a problem.  The one thing I can reccommend to you is look for behaviors in her you saw in yourself when you had your ED.  Remember all the sneaking around everyone to eat, the CONSTANT picking at what was on your plate and pacing around the dining hall to find something to eat?  If things start to look like that, then you should talk to her.

Considering that running 10 miles a day is the equivalent of burning off 1,000 calories in exercise, she's probably only leaving herself with 1,000-1,200 calories a day to survive on. If she is already thin, then this means she needs to eat more, or else her metabolism is going to suffer and she can be at risk of an ED and even osteoporosis from malnutrition.

I used to run ten miles a day when I was a teenage and had an eating disorder. Of course, I was only eating about 600 calories a day, but with that much exercise, any restriction can be dangerous on someone who is already thin.

Can you be sure that her estimate is accurate?

Most people under report their calorie intake. She may be eating as much as 500 calories a day here and there without adding it to her total for the day. We all know how easy it is to get the exact calorie count wrong.

Okay let me clarify since some people don't understand why 2000 isn't restrictive in some ways....in deed it can be if she is running off or burning through those calories, but what I was referencing too is the fact that exercise bulemics normally eat less than normal and then exercise as well. I am not saying that 2000 can't be restrictive, I am just saying that if she was eating like 600-1000 and then exercising, that would seem like a more green of a light for an eating disorder. However, she still could have one, the signs though would be more likely if she was restricting her calories as well.

For example, when I was at my worst I would eat around 500 and exercise double that, thus leaving me in the negative zone.

Maybe she honestly just isn't aware of what she is doing to her body with all of the added exercise??

Thanks for the advice guys. I think I will just look for any "signs" and if something really comes up might mention it. She seemed a little obsessive about it, which is what worries me the most right now. She does it for fun-like me- and I understand the high mileage because I did the same when I was hardcore into my marathon training (what she is currently doing) but I'm pretty sure I was eating more than 2000. But back then I didn't really ever think about calories so I'm not sure.

as a runner i think she is underfueling for her excercise regimen

check out runner world forums

 

http://forums.runnersworld.com/eve/forums/a/f rm/f/668106477/p/7

 

to give you insight on good nutrition for athletes and more

Original Post by positivelinny:

Okay let me clarify since some people don't understand why 2000 isn't restrictive in some ways....in deed it can be if she is running off or burning through those calories, but what I was referencing too is the fact that exercise bulemics normally eat less than normal and then exercise as well. I am not saying that 2000 can't be restrictive, I am just saying that if she was eating like 600-1000 and then exercising, that would seem like a more green of a light for an eating disorder. However, she still could have one, the signs though would be more likely if she was restricting her calories as well.

 I'm pretty sure that's not necessarily true.. I considered myself an "exercise bulimic" because I was eating enough, but exercising off most of it.. sometimes I'd eat up to 2000 calories but burn off 700, leaving me with 1300.. and I became very, very underweight this way and was diagnosed with anorexia after a 3-month period exhibiting this behavior.