I found this one surprising. I have been on a horrible diet. I eat bunny food and some meat. I am drinking those horrible diet soft drinks. I am quickly losing weight, much to my surprise.
I was joking around at work. I said that I was going to research anorexia and see how those skinny girls did it. As I am busy complaining about my diet, I had a shocking number of young women advising me against anorexia. I wasn't serious. I was joking. They were serious.
I had many young women telling me what a terrible experience it was for them. They were concerned that I might actually look up anorexia and do this. There were quite a few that told me about their personal experience throwing up twice a day, laxitive use, and flat out starving themselves. All said they finally came to the conclusion it wasn't worth it. If people didn't like the way they looked, their problem.
Is anorexia really this large of a problem? ****************************************************************** 12-03-04, 12:20 PM DvdGStwrt Yes it is. Image is everything in the Consumer age, and with all of those perfect models of "beauty" to contend with it becomes real easy to see oneself as less than perfect.
I'm going to let you in on a little secret, our world, our 21st century fast car, information highway, advertising out the butt world is way too herky jerky for people. It does strange things to the minds of people. Self image is something that is imposed upon us from our early youth and we get the feeling that we must conform to uniformity which is the "beauty" part of being human. Unfortunately more and more people are finding that they don't conform and find ways to do so...
Like going on a bunny diet to quickly lose weight not knowing or understanding that quickly losing weight is very bad for the health. Not even guessing at the fact that they will lose lean body mass (muscle) and will set themselves up for impressive fat gain when they get off the diet. This is a form of anorexia, BTW and this is how anorexia gets a foot hold, it starts off as a simple diet and becomes a life or death food plan which continues on and on.
Its all self image and instant gratification.
I read somewhere recently that the statistics for anorexia and bulimia in girls and boys is rising at a phenomenal rate, it appears that being told that America is Obese is worrying the minds of too many non- or borderline obese people into curing their obesity.
David
12-03-04, 04:02 PM jusork I haven't noticed it as something that's widespread. It seems most kids in general have rather high levels of self-esteem. A lot of kids also don't seem like they're especially influenced by media or conformity. I notice more girls concerned about love handles and flabby legs, usually leading to working out, than overall weight. And most guys just seem concerned about improving overall strength slightly. Back in high school, a lot of girls were really into bringing bags of snacks to classes to tied them over until lunch. I suppose I have seen some people eating less overall, but I don't notice it going any further than a little bit. With self-conciousness/self-esteem and natural health being such emphasized topics in health class now (now being since I was in middle school, '96-'98, and learned it), it's been pretty common for most kids to know the problems of weight and loosing weight. Everyone I've heard discussing anorexia and bulimia are quick to point out that it's dangereous.
Perhaps for the person who grew up when anorexia and bulimia weren't much recognized, it would seem like a major increase. If that's what's considered a significant increase, than I'd agree I guess. We've all got a sense of improvement, and most people do want to not be fat, but I don't think most are so focused on thinness that they obsess over it until they can't see how far they're going. Most of the people who want to loose weight seem to do it by changing eating habits, not eating levels. I question how much influence media has on us, too. It seems more like just placing blame on something clearly defined and visible some more. I'd think obsessing over weight would be more of an unconcious obsession and mostly resulting from their perception of healthiness of fat. Perhaps they do it to try to improve to be healthy, not so much to improve by trying to look like someone else. Improvement is not the same as perfection. No resonable person wants to be perfect, only strive for it knowing that they'll never fully get there. Maybe they're more influenced by the idea of avoiding fat, than by a standard in the media. So maybe I would agree with David about obeesity worrying people. I know as a guy, I get my sense of wanting to be stronger just from a sense of improvement of myself, not because I want to get to some standard. I don't see why women can't have that same basic sense of improvement until obsession takes over. I never really saw why someone would be so influenced by how a famous person looks and not just as influenced by themselves. Men wanting meat on the bones is a common want and is a widely emphasized point. It's obvious that even chubby women aren't ignored in our society itself. So really, why some ladies want to rid their chubbiness in the first place seem silly. Not to mention that most of the really large people I know seem to have an equally large self-esteem. They seem to be pretty distanced from being outcasts.
12-05-04, 02:27 PM kittypal Jusork, sorry I think you are wrong. Anorexia and bulemia are secret diseases, most people will not know you have it, even parents don't realize it for a long time. You also don't have to be rail thin to have an eating disorder. I have been anorexic and bulemic for most of my life and it is not fun, in fact when the thought of eating, not eating and constant exercising are on you mind always, it sucks...I had prayed for death because it would be better than living life only for that.
WF, I am sure you were not serious, but it is easy to fall into and don't think being thin leads to instant happiness, I used to thin if I had a great body I would be so happy..well when I was a teen who was 10-15 pounds overweight I was way happier, I lived my life normally....ate out with friends, went places, did all kinds of things and sure I would sometimes look in the mirror and wish I looked different, but everyone does that...now my self image is so distorted that I have no clue if I am fat or not....also I never have fun because when I am in the depths of an episode I am too busy working out and not eating or planning a binge and purge that I won't go out...of I am "recovering" I feel like a fat pig and am too humiliated to go out...so guess what??? Life was better before. I am 37 years old and have been on one date in 17 years. I am trying really hard to just like myself now and not care what others think.
03-03-05, 11:42 PM SeattleRon there are anorexia websites that actually promote it. Some of the pictures are very disturbing.
03-04-05, 06:26 AM MommyTimesTwo Anorexia is a huge problem, mainly because for a large portion of people who have it, they consider it a "lifestyle" and not a psychological problem. Here's an example of that kind of pro-mia philosophy.
However, in my opinion as someone who has also suffered eating disorders, if you are going to do it, you are going to do it whether you can look up the info or not, so the info being available is really a moot point. Girls were anorexic and bulemic long before there were pro-ana and pro-mia sites to look to. Goodness--I was.
This site is not anywhere near so graphic as some. I have seen some that have pictures of girls who starved themselves to death posted up as "thinspiration".
But anyway, psychological disorders aren't something to joke about. You can't usually tell by looking at someone who has suffered with one or who has a family member with one, and you're almost guaranteed to offend someone.
04-02-05, 03:59 PM greenize Just like most psychiatric diseases, anorexia occurs when a person with the genetic predisposition to it encounters the appropriate environmental triggers. The reason why anorexia (and other eating disorders) are currently a HUGE problem in our culture is that we are creating virtually an unlimited amount of and an unlimited exposure to the environmental triggers.
The triggers I'm talking about are the constant unconscious/subliminal/conscious/intentional messages sent to mainly women and girls (but lately men) in the media. Just make a conscious effort to keep track of (in a notebook, palm pilot, steno pad, tape recorder, etc.) for one day all the various messages sent on billboards, TV, radio, internet, directly from friends/co-workers/family/neighbors, etc. that emphasize the fact that thinness = beauty = success = love = money = TRUE HAPPINESS. These messages are constantly sent to us, whether we like it or not, from the time we wake up until the time we lay down to sleep. The (il)logical sequence I drew above (thinness = TRUE HAPPINESS) is obvious bunk, but, even as a man, I can't help but think that the incessant barrage of these messages MUST have an effect on even the most well-adjusted woman (or man).
The increased incidence of eating disorders has to do with strictly environmental factors. Human biology hasn't changed, so the number of people genetically predisposed to these disorders hasn't changed--so therefore, WE CAN DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.
We are not able to change the biological predisposition to eating disorders (biological changes of this type take on the order of thousands to tens of thousands of years), but we can change the environmental factors that are triggering a high percentage of women (and men) who have the genetic predisposition to develop these disorders. Proof of the fact that a change in environmental factors can have a profound impact on the development of diseases (such as bulimia/anorexia) can be found in the recent developments in autism.
Autism is a developmental disease of childhood that very early in life leads to difficulty in forming bonds with parents/sibs/others, severe language deficiencies, self-damaging behavior, and withdrawal from the world (among a variety of other problems). Autism usually leads to a nearly non-functional life and a life of total dependency on others--hence its diagnosis (usually within the first 5 years of life) leads to a profound impact on the child and all those around him. Obviously, anything that could be done to decrease the incidence (def.-total number of new cases diagnosed in one year) would have a tremendously positive impact on our society. The incidence of autism cases began to suddenly increase in the late 70s and early 80s. Initially, this was felt to be due to better understanding of the disorder by practitioners, parents, ancillary medical staff (i.e.-PTs, OTs, nurses, etc.), and this led to diagnoses being made properly and earlier. Unfortunately, the incidence continued to rise through the 80s and 90s. After a long search, it was felt that a preservative in childhood immunizations was the culprit. Thimerosal is a mercury-based preservative used in vaccines. The combination of that, plus the recommendation of increasing the number of standard childhood immunizations (new vaccinations for Hepatitis-B, Haemophilis influenzae type B, and several others have been added compared to when I received my vaccinations in the early 70s) dramatically increased the exposure of children to mercury. What was done? Drug companies working in conjunction with the FDA voluntarily stopped using Thimerosal as a preservative, so now the environmental trigger has been removed and the incidence of autism is decreasing, thank God.
Why the long story? I feel it's a great example of the nature/nurture issue in science. For example, in the autism/mercury connection, prior to 18 mos. of age, we can see the connection between the development of autism and exposure levels of mercury (These numbers are not necessarily accurate, I'm using them for simplicity and to make a point): > >50 mcg before 18 mos.--0.3% develop autism >100mcg " --0.7% " >150mcg " --1.1% " >200mcg " --1.5% " If there was no exposure to mercury, we would still have autism, albeit at a much lower incidence than with mercury.
The same exact factors are at play with respect to eating disorders--just substitute in the above story "eating disorders" in place of "autism" and "cultural browbeating with constant messages via billboard/internet/tv/radio/mags-newspapers--books--etc./etc. that thin = Nirvana" for "mercury" and you get the picture.
04-02-05, 09:35 PM Wildflower63 I have to say that I am shocked at the magnitude of 'dying to be thin' eating disorders. I am 41 years old and desparately want to drop 30lbs.
My nursing assistants have parents my age. I wouldn't touch chocolate, given to us, by family members. I was joking when I said that I was on my 'annorexia diet'. Women at 40 gain weight, with no change in eating habits or lifestyle. I was attempting the Adkins Diet, which is very hard to stick to, but was trying.
This was no joke to quite a few young women. When they had me alone, they advised me that it isn't worth it. They really have dealt with eating disorders and were worried when I wouldn't touch tempting treats, at work, claiming I was on The Annorexia Diet, meaning Atkins. It's the same to me! Everything I like, I can't have.
At this point, I couldn't care less how unhealthy a diet is, just as long as I am 120lbs. That means dump 30lbs. The healthy stuff isn't working for me. What does?
My sister in-law used Adipex. She had a whole lot more than 30lbs to lose. She used this drug, which you can get via net, dumping about 100lbs very quickly. I can't get rid of 30lbs!
I tried it the healthy way. It doesn't work, for me. Maybe I should put down my diet pop spiked with vodka, but I wont. What is the easy way?
04-03-05, 08:04 AM vansrme Exercise would be good, aerobics, treadmill walking, walking around the neighborhood,going to a gym, or at a walking track. I'm trying to lose some weight myself, and am doing it gradually by reducing the amount of fatty foods I eat, and using our treadmill about 3-4 times a week, walking at 3 mph for 20 minutes each time. As my legs get used to this, I will gradually increase the walking time. Its taking a heck of a lot of effort, after all, we're talking about a guy here,(yes a guy), that is a chocoholic, and loves his soda, (Sprite and Sierra Mist mostly), and doesnt want to stop, or slow down on them at all, LOL. I have though, I was drinking several sodas a day, and eating a half gallon of ice cream every two days for a long time. I just bought a half gallon of fat-free and reduced sugar ice cream last night, and had just one bowl, (normally I'd have two), which is a big improvement for me. The old kind of ice cream I'd eat was about 23% saturated fat in a half cup serving, the kind I bought last night was 5%. I plan on reducing the amount I eat again on that. That was the first ice cream I'd had in several weeks. I need to lose about 20 pounds, (I weigh about 225 now), and even though I'm tall, and it doesnt show much while standing, I DONT LIKE IT! I'm tired of this gut, and I'm determined to do something about it. Of course, after just turning 40 in December, its a little harder than it used to be, (of course, it used to be that I couldnt gain weight no matter what I ate). I want to stick around for the end of the party, so to speak, (life being the party), and see any possible grandkids I might have. I started late at having kids, and wasnt planning to have to have any at all, especially with my son's mother, who was my second wife. He shows alot of her traits and attitudes that I cant stand, but anyway, I'm straying from the subject here. Join a local gym, set yourself up a strict exercise program and eating schedule. It could make all the difference.
chris
04-03-05, 09:54 AM aminator2002 Try weight watchers. They give you the tools to understand weight loss and exercise. You might not want to stay on it long term but being on the diet helps you learn about your eating habits and control your eating.
South Beach diet is also good. It isn't as rigid as Atkins although you still have to do a 14 day low carb phase. The good thing is that it teaches you about nutrition and you might start eating better.
My opinion is that there is no way to lose weight easy. You have to make a serious committment, examine your lifestyle and make changes to lose weight and keep it off. If you think that there is a magic pill or that you can lose 30 pounds quickly then you are mistaken. If you lose it fast with an unrealistic diet then you are likely to gain it back quickly. The word diet does not necessarily mean a restrictive weight loss plan, it is what you eat. Your diet is what you eat and if you don't change it to be based on nutrition and health then you will continue to look exactly as you do. If you make changes towards good healthy food then you will see results in the way you feel and how you look.
I think step one to healthy weight loss is deciding that you don't hate your body but love it and want to take better care of it.
And WF... I think calling your diet "the Anorexia diet" is probably the worst joke you could make about your eating plan. It's not funny in so many ways and it certainly isn't an attitude that is likely to help you achieve your goals. You might also want to check if your weight loss goals are healthy. 120 is a healthy weight for someone who is about 5'-4". I can just imagine the awkward smiles that people give you when you are talking about the "Anorexia Diet"... they likely don't think it's funny either.
04-03-05, 02:45 PM clarebear Wildflower
Anorexia is a huge problem and is really becoming common among teenagers. I think the type of clothes they sell in stores only adds to the problem. Junior clothes are now super super low. Girls and women that are already thin are trying to lose weight to look good in those jeans. I am fairly small and look horrible in those new styles. I leave after trying on clothes and feeling horrible about myself. Happens everytime. Frown
I think 120 would be WAY too small for you. You don't need to drop as much weight as you think you do. I think you would look sick at 120 - really. (Based on your bone structure and your height)
I am 5'2, built small and I look horrible at 120. Don't go by those charts because they are not right. The chart says I could weigh 108-121. I would be dead at 110. I got to 113 once and kept passing out. (it was not cute)
The way to lose weight is to just eat less and exercise more. I think 135 would be a perfect weight for you. At 135 you could work on toning up and you would look great. Be realistic and keep your goals realistic and you will succeed. Smile
04-04-05, 08:44 PM samantha I am i don't believe anorexic but i have a huge weight problem. I am five seven and am just under 90lbs now. I started having weight problems a few years ago. I don't know why but i had some really tramatic family problems and this resulted. So now as a result i don't seem to have an appetite anymore and its hard to eat much at a time. I dont think im anorexic because i don't look in the mirror and have a problem with my weight or make myself get sick or anything. I feel for all the ones who have this problem with anorexia.
04-05-05, 08:39 PM Georgia85 "I dont think im anorexic because i don't look in the mirror and have a problem with my weight"
If you don't have a problem with the lack your weight you are showing classic signs of body dysmorphic behavior.
Samantha, you know I think the world of you but you have been underweight for years. At the very least you should weigh 121 and that is if you have a tiny bone structure. If this continues you will be headed for an early death. I don't want to lose another internet friend.
Please talk to a counselor certified in diet and nutrition as well as one qualified in human relations. PLEASE!
04-05-05, 11:52 PM jusork Is she saying that she thinks she's underweight or overweight? At first I thought she thought she was overweight, but then I read more carefully and saw that she seemed to realize that she's underweight.
04-06-05, 11:13 AM aminator2002 jusork, sammy is saying in her post that she has a weight problem. She understands that her particular problem is that she is underweight for her height.
04-06-05, 07:54 PM samantha Yes i KNOW im underweight i used to weigh i think about 127 and felt good there. BTW Georgia I have seen all those people for a few years now and i go to see drs and counslers and all the things you can think of but, im still skinny! I just can NOT eat much ...they have had me on all sorts of drinks and things to eat to help gain the weight i need to but, nothing works it seems..I dont know what to do.
Georgia i meant that when i look in the mirror i dont think im fat or anything i know i need to gain but, anorxic people make there self sick and all of this kind of things and always think they are heavy i dont i Know i am skinny.
04-06-05, 08:41 PM Georgia85 Alright Sam - as long as you see yourself as underweight and realize that you are not at a healthy weight - that's the important thing. Keep working with the doctors. Ok?
04-20-05, 05:33 PM Lucy ANorexia is an emotional problem that is manifested by the person not wanting to eat, vomiting what they ate and/or overexercising.
If you are underweight but have no "food phobia" you are not an anorexic.
The criteria are A. refusal to maintain a healthy weight. (It´s willingly) B. Intense fear of gainning weight. C. denial of the seriousness of the current low body weight D. Amenorrhea
Samantha: YOu have a weight problem, but according to what you are sayin, you are far from being anorexic. You should go with a doctor bc that sudden weight loss is not normal.
04-21-05, 08:07 PM Wildflower63 The part I left out is the high magnitude of stress. I get blasted at work and look forward to my day off, just to get blasted by my 14 year old daughter. I have bills, which I can't pay, and rented a room out to make ends meet.
This healthy lifestyle requires a healthy mind, not someone ready to crack, from stress overload. I don't mean to dog anyone for very valid thoughts. I know the right way to lose weight. It isn't right for someone on the edge.
The healthy way isn't working for me at all. No point in trying. I do not overeat, ever. My daughter even expresses concern to my parents, "Mom never eats." My parents worry.
There are times that I am so overloaded that I drink enough vodka to run my car and overload my body, at 41. I have a lot of problems with stress in my personal life and work. It never seems to end.
I need an easy, quick fix to drop some weight. My blood pressure is too high. No doctor will ever script me Adipex because they think 120lbs is unjustified to prescribe this drug. You have to be, in medical opinion, obese. In my opinion, my real weight should be less than 110, as it was, for years, to be healty, not 150.
I did a look up of all popular diets. The only one that makes the fat cut is Adkins. I read about the S. Beach diet. It is far from healthy and drops muscle mass, not fat, as most all popular quick loss diets do.
Adkins is the only one that will force your body to drop fat, by no carbs. This makes your body have no choice for energy but to break down fats, which is exactly what everyone overweight wants. Try not drinking a drop, under high stress, then going for bunny food and lean meat, as the only thing to eat. You would call it The Anorexia Diet too!
I get it that I shouldn't go for vodka when I am completely stressed out. The alternative is calling in sick for work because you are too stressed out to even get a shower. I need my job to pay the bills. I have to dump this weight to be reasonably healthy. I need the easy way out, like Adipex, if it really works.
04-21-05, 10:22 PM jusork Wild, what if you work on managing your stress first? Then you can easily work on the weight.
04-21-05, 10:40 PM Wildflower63 There is no working on stress. It is a fact that I have to live with. Would someone hand me a magic wand or strong drink!
04-21-05, 11:03 PM jusork Stress is just as much a fact of life as weight is.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: DorianGreyed,
