New Goal and... an Eating Disorder?

Posted on August 12, 2014

So I pretty much found out that I am going to go back home to the states for vacation at the end of October. Originally I wanted to lose 15lbs by my birthday, which is mid October, but considering how I lost 8lbs in July I want to knock the 15 and make it 20lbs. I hope that I can shock my Mom a bit, since she saw me September of last year. Thing is though, I have been slacking majorly in the Diet department. I've been eating almost everything I am craving if it is in front of me. Its time to get my butt back in gear and really hammer this diet/workout routine if I want to meet my goal in time.

Also, in regards to my diet, my friends have commented twice now that I have an eating disorder. I honestly don't think that is the case because I eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner and even have snacks in between. I eat cereal and a banana for breakfast, our school lunch (lots of fatty meats, or fried food, rice, and barely any veggies), and dinner is always some sort of protein with a crapload of veggies. My snacks are either some sort of veggies or almonds and raisins. I personally don't think I have an eating disorder because I am constantly eating. But I think my friends are saying that because I comment on how I shouldn't eat something like cake or whoppers when its provided at work. I do say that quite often but I shouldn't eat it because its all fatty foods. And I often end up having a little of it anyways. The only thing that I will accept for an eating disorder is I probably don't get all the calories I need because I tend to load up on veggies. But that's it and I don't think that warrants me having an eating disorder. What do you all think?

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Ceri

08/15/2014 11:29AM

I agree with what Maria, Kim and Lynda say. And I would like to add that making healthy choices is a good thing as long as it's not an obsessive thing. And maybe if you change your wording a bit (saying "I don't want to eat cake now." Why? "Because I don't feel like it" instead of "I shouldn't eat cake", because that sounds like you put restrictions on yourself, instead of making a choice), your friends won't bother you as much about the food thingy.

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Maria P.

08/13/2014 11:55AM

When someone we know is making changes, it can really mess with those around us. Why? It messes up the dynamic of a group...that's why even though on one hand be our biggest supporters, they can also be our biggest saboteurs (aka cake pushers lol).

One way to avoid the judgement may be to quiet your own outward statements. They may hear you say one thing and do another...ed is serious and if you are concerned visit a doctor :) Then you can tell the friends, I have been checked out and my doc has no concerns.

Okay, so unhealthy options are provided at the office...a few options: bring your own lunch, have a little, have a lot. If finances preclude the 'bring your own' option, then just do what you do...make the best choices you can with what is available. Want a hamburger? Maybe do without the cheese or bun (dear Lord my kids and hubs give me crap for ordering what they call 'burger salads' and I call 'bunless burgers' lol) or have half a sandwich or a bit of cake/pie.

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Kim

08/13/2014 4:50AM

I agree with everything Lynda said Elyse. There are different forms of it and such, but hopefully the comments your friends are making are simply in response to you always saying you shouldn't have the unhealthy things. Losing weight can consume us and get obsessive, but from what you mentioned you sounds as though you are eating eel and not going to any extremes, but if you are truly concerned like Lynda said, look it up on the internet and get some definitive answers. So happy for you to get to come back to visit in October for your Birthday. Be healthy and keep reaching for your goals!!

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Lynda H.

08/12/2014 5:41PM

An Ed is a pretty serious issue. I couldn't begin to comment on whether or not you have one. It's often connected to restricting (refusing to eat meals), binging, or purging as well as a distorted body image. If you have concerns, there are a number of websites that have quizzes that ask you ed related questions. Take care!

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Rebecca C.

If the unhealthy food is simply put out at work and not directly offered to you take it but just don't say anything. It's not necessary to justify not eating something to your friends. If they offer it directly to you then I agree with others that you can simply say "no thank you" without making a big deal of why you don't want it.

Rebecca C.

I know people with eating disorders. An ED is not simply not getting enough calories because you eat lots of vegetables (although you might be surprised how many calories are in veggies depending on how they are cooked). The three main ones are anorexia - having an unhealthy extremely low appetite or avoiding food altogether; bulimia - binging and purging through vomiting and binge eating - periods of extreme overeating whether or not one is hungry which leads to extreme periods of shame and guilt. My guess, as others have said, is that your friends are probably simply reacting to how much you talk about what you can't eat (based on what you said in the post) so if you calm down the talk they will likely calm down too.