Diagnosing Eating Disorders

Because consequences of eating disorders can be severe, early diagnosis is crucial. Between one and two of every 10 cases of anorexia leads to death from starvation, cardiac arrest, medical complications or suicide. Eating disorders in general can disrupt physical and emotional growth in teenagers and can lead to premature osteoporosis, a condition where bones are weakened and more susceptible to fracture; increase infertility; and raise the risk of miscarriages or low-birth-weight babies. Anorexia may be especially deadly for women with insulin dependent diabetes if they omit or under-use insulin to control their weight. Insulin therapy can, sometimes, cause weight gain but changing insulin dosages to lose weight can be very dangerous and life-threatening.

About Eating Disorders

Eating disorders are devastating mental illnesses that affect more than 7 million American women. Ninety percent of the people who suffer from the eating disorders anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa are women, according to the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders. Although they revolve around eating and body weight, eating disorders aren't about food, but about feelings and self-expression. Women with eating disorders use food and dieting as ways of coping with life's stresses. For some, food becomes a source of comfort and nurturing, or a way to control or release stress. For others, losing weight is a way to gain the approval of friends and family. Eating disorders are not diets, signs of personal weakness or problems that will go away without treatment.

Tame Emotional Eating

3 Ways to Get Back on Track

When weight loss professionals discuss emotional eating, you hear a lot of talk about stimulus control, stress management techniques, and cognitive reframing. This is all well and good (and you’ll be hearing some of that here), but it doesn’t quite capture the actual experience of being caught up in an episode of emotional eating. In a recent post on one of the Message Boards that I follow, a member got much closer to capturing the experience when she described it as “waking up the Slumbering Beast” we have inside us.

This really is what it feels like, at least in my experience. You’re doing OK, cruising along, when suddenly something happens that stirs up a bunch of feelings, and all of a sudden the Beast is awake and eating everything it can get its hands on. Or maybe it isn’t always that dramatic—maybe you just get bored, or start feeling a little anxious because there is nothing going on to distract you from that vague sense of impending doom that always seems to be lurking just under the surface. Even that little bit of free-floating anxiety can be enough to wake the Beast up and set it on the prowl for something to eat. Or it might be as simple as getting home from work or school, or finding yourself alone for a little while, after a hard day. Whatever the trigger might be, the Beast isn’t about to go back to sleep without doing some serious eating first. Or so the story normally goes.

Disappointed in Myself

I am so disappointed in myself this morning. Yesterday I cooked and made plenty of food for the week. The first item on the list was home made vegetarian spaghetti, with spinach and chickpeas. I cooked the noodles and packaged them in individual serving containers, and placed them in the freezer. That was no problem, but then I made vegetarian stuffed green peppers. There were 5 in total, and last night I ate 3. I should have froze the leftover peppers, but dammit I went on a binge. Even though they are filled with healthy ingredients, it's still over eating.

Yesterday before my binge I was 271lbs, and now after I'm 274lbs. I am very disappointed and feel disgusted with myself. I have changed my eating style to healthier, but now I have to focus on portion size and less snacking. I am so blessed that I'm even considered for the gastric bypass... I pray it all works out well. I've gone vegetarian and eating healthier, and already I feel better then before.

New Thinspiration

Untitled

Weird looks and stifled laughs.
Obvious whispers and earthquake jokes.
Whenever I walk out my door,
People act like they've never seen a fat girl before.

As if I'm some rare abomination.
I'm just an embarrassment,
To our self-absorbed nation.
People who look like me,
Should never go outside.

No one sees my beautiful eyes.
No one sees my curly brown hair.
No one sees my pretty smile.
They focus on my belly,
Not caring about the rest of me.

At times it bothers me.
It even makes me cry.
Yet I know,
That if people really feel the need,
To waste their time making fun of me,
They are the ones,
Who are really hurting inside.

By: Kimberly, 2009

My Disorder

There is a monster living deep inside of me.
He eats my insides making me feel hungry.
I try to fill the void that he leaves inside.
No matter how much I bury him,
He just wont die.

I know the problem,
So why cant I stop?
I eat and eat until I feel my insides rot.
I beat myself with guilt,
Every time I let that monster win.
But when I'm done feeling sorry for myself,
The cycle begins all over again.

I get called so many vile names because I'm fat.
You'd think I'd want to stop just because of that.
But the pain people cause just makes me crave more.
I find myself hiding behind the refrigerator door.

I can't go on living this lie.
I am tired of drowning the pain,
That I try to hide.
My secret is tearing me apart.
Because no amount of food in the world,
Will satisfy my starving heart.

By: Kimberly, 2009

Abs Thinspiration

Thinspiration Foods... Stay Skinny

Negative Calorie Foods:
are foods that require more calories to digest than are in the actual food. Cool, huh? You can eat the following foods in (almost) unlimited quantities and still not gain weight!

apples
apricots
artichokes
asparagus
beets
blackberries
blueberries
brocoli
brussel sprouts
buffalo fish
cabbage
cantaloupe
carrots
cauliflower
celeraic
celery
cherries
chervil
chicory
Chinese cabbage
chives
clams
cod
corn
crabs
cranberries
cucumbers
currants
damson
dandelion
eggplant
endive
flounder
frog legs
garlic
grapefruit
grapes
green beans
honeydew melon
huckleberries
kale
kiwi
kohlrabi
kumquats
leeks
lemons
lettuce
limes
lobster
loganberries
mangoes
mushrooms
muskmelons
mussels
mustard greens
nectarine
okra
onions
orange
oysters
papaya
parley leaves
parsnips
peach

pear
peas
peppers
pineapple
plum
pomegranates
prunes
pumpkin
quince
radishes
raspberries
red cabbage
rhubarb
rutabagas
salsify
sauerkraut
scallions
sea bass
shrimp
sorrel
spinach
squash
strawberries
string beans
tangerine
terrapin
tomato
turnips
watercress
watermelon
zucchini







The following are foods that I consider to be "safe," or at least not all that bad.

Pria Powerbars (all flavors) - 110 cals, lots of vitamins and minerals, plus they give you energy.
Diet Sodas - NO CALORIES!!!
Good Humor Lowfat Fudgecicles - 45 cals! Great for releaving chocolate cravings.
Sugar-Free Jell-O - I love this stuff. Only 10 cals per serving.
Green Tea - No speakable calories, but it helps boost metabolism and flush out toxins.
Everlasting Gobstoppers - 9 of these have only 50 calories. Since they last so long, you can spread them out over an entire day!
Chicken bullion instant soup cubes - Only 5 cals per cube, which makes one cup of soup to keep you full.
Puffed Rice Cereal - Kashi makes a good one with 70 cals per cup. Tasty and high-fiber, too.
Nonfat Soy Milk - 70 cals, 0 grams of fat per serving. Compare to 90 cals per serving of nonfat / skim cow's milk.

Breaking The Habits!

For all those who missed out on an opportunity to have quit smoking as their New Year resolution, here’s good news for all of you. Be it your own addictive personality or someone else's, here are some steps that can be taken to battle it.

Acknowledge yourself: The first step to recovery is to admit for a fact that you are an addict. Be supportive and understanding towards yourself or a friend and on a very positive note accept your/his shortcomings. Take responsibility of your own actions and feelings and face the world positively.
Stop avoiding: With everything else in between, you can figure out how to handle it. Wean yourself off cigarettes by cutting down. If quitting sounds too thorny, consider a delayed fulfillment. Promise yourself pizza on Saturday if you can curb your caloric intake all week. Or put off that smoke break for 20 minutes and perhaps your burning desire will drop.
Obtain information: Keep yourself updated with information. When you know you are not dealing with a fear of the unknown, your attempt to overcome an addiction becomes easier. You'll able to help a friend or conquer his demons if you've done some research and have relevant, helpful advice to offer. You can even try it on yourself if necessary.
Meet like-minded people: There are a huge number of 12-step programs and other support groups available. You or your friend might find it helpful to get together with other people who have similar problem. Talking about the addiction reconfirms the fact that you're not the only one living with enslavement.
Stage an intervention: Consider yourself walking into a room one evening; visualize your girlfriend, boss, brother, and best friend. All of a sudden gather your thoughts and think someone is locking the door behind you, don't panic. It's called an intrusion and they want to tell you how your habit is wreaking havoc in their lives. Getting angry and defensive will not make it any easier. Try listening. If you have to take this type of stand with a friend, read up on it well in advance. It's a highly emotional but potentially life-changing event.
Seek professional help: There's no embarrassment in obtaining medical help or psychological counseling. Whether you suffer from one addiction or several, you can find different ways to combat the compulsion and reclaim your mental and physical health. Speak with your doctor or call a counseling referral line.
If there is such a thing as an addictive personality and you are inclined to potentially harmful time-consuming habitual actions, being aware of it allows you to regain your determination.


Get Inspired: Live A Full Life


YESTERDAY IS PAST, TOMORROW IS YET TO COME, WHAT WE HAVE IS THE ‘PRESENT’ WHICH TRULY IS A ‘GIFT’.
All that we have been bestowed with today is what makes us a complete being, for you never know what the future has in store. So are we making the optimal use of our numerous blessings today to make our lives seem even slightly better than those less fortunate?

If we make the effort to notice the small details around us, we can actually learn the true meaning of life. Here’s how you can notice the finer details in life…
• Enjoy and live every moment to the fullest and try to gain/ learn something out of each.
• Notice the changes by asking questions and finding their solutions.
• Stop complaining about and judging other people, and accept them with their short-comings. Master the art of forgiveness.
• Empathize with other people’s feelings and learn from their experiences in life.
• Stand for yourself and develop a sense of self-reliance and security.

Remember: Everyone cannot be there for you always, same way as you cannot be there for them every time.
• Shed your prejudices and be open to fresh ideas.
• Take time to relax and enjoy, without ignoring your needs.
• Live your life to achieve what you believe in and what you think you deserve.
• Work to your best capability towards anything you feel is worth achieving.

Remember: If you wish for something to happen, try to make it happen with sincerity and perseverance.
• Be thankful and content with what you have. Derive pleasure from small things in life, which you otherwise take for granted and many others are deprived of.


Kindle The Fire Within YOU!


What is the common trait that links most successful and happy people? They have a tremendous amount of persistence, backed by a positive mental attitude.
• Yes folks optimism is the key to a successful and 'inspired' life.
• The positive energy in winners allows them to rise above the mundane, cut through red tape and display occasional, brilliant flashes of excellence.
• Just like fire in the fireplace which must be started with small bits and twigs, so too the fire in life can be kindled with generous and constant boosts of positive mental energy.

Remember -- mental energy is the stepping stone to success.


Unravel The Secrets Of Mastering Life


Mastering life and control over destiny are synonyms in the true sense. A select few actually are successful in doing either of them.
Many a time we feel the urge to act without thinking, to spontaneously do or say things for which we are sorry later. There is always a part of you that says it is right in its actions. But don’t let your passion do the talking instead listen to your mind.

The key to mastering your life is identifying your inner strengths and weakness and dictating your actions. Rash actions are in actual resistance to your thoughts. Free your thoughts from the shackles by changing your thoughts that create opposition.

Success lies in believing that you can and transforming these thoughts to actions. As the saying goes "You are a king if you are ruled by your mind, a slave if ruled by your body."

Pep Quote
"It's lack of faith that makes people afraid of meeting challenges, and I believe in myself."
--Muhammad Ali

Skinny Tips... Thinspirational Info

The Best Tips:

Everyone knows the keys to losing weight: Eat less and exercise more. Sounds simple enough, but in the context of real life and its demands, it can be anything but simple. So how do successful losers do it? To find out, WebMD asked experts across the country for their best diet tips.

Here's what they said:
Best Diet Tip No. 1: Drink plenty of water or other calorie-free beverages.

People sometimes confuse thirst with hunger. So you can end up eating extra calories when an ice-cold glass of water is really what you need.

"If you don’t like plain water, try adding citrus or a splash of juice, or brew infused teas like mango or peach, which have lots of flavor but no calories," says Cynthia Sass, RD, a spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association.
Best Diet Tip No. 2: Think about what you can add to your diet, not what you should take away.

Start by focusing on getting the recommended 5-9 servings of fruits and vegetables each day.

"It sounds like a lot, but it is well worth it, because at the same time you are meeting your fiber goals and feeling more satisfied from the volume of food," says chef Laura Pansiero, RD.

You're also less likely to overeat because fruits and vegetables displace fat in the diet. And that's not to mention the health benefits of fruits and vegetables. More than 200 studies have documented the disease-preventing qualities of phytochemicals found in produce, says Pansiero.

Her suggestion for getting more: Work vegetables into meals instead of just serving them as sides on a plate.

"I love to take seasonal vegetables and make stir-fries, frittatas, risotto, pilafs, soups, or layer on sandwiches," Pansiero says. "It is so easy to buy a variety of vegetables and incorporate them into dishes."
Best Diet Tip No. 3: Consider whether you're really hungry.

Whenever you feel like eating, look for physical signs of hunger, suggests Michelle May, MD, author of Am I Hungry?

"Hunger is your body’s way of telling you that you need fuel, so when a craving doesn’t come from hunger, eating will never satisfy it," she says.

When you're done eating, you should feel better -- not stuffed, bloated, or tired.

"Your stomach is only the size of your fist, so it takes just a handful of food to fill it comfortably," says May.

Keeping your portions reasonable will help you get more in touch with your feelings of hunger and fullness.
Best Diet Tip No. 4: Be choosy about nighttime snacks.

Mindless eating occurs most frequently after dinner, when you finally sit down and relax.

"Sitting down with a bag of chips or cookies in front of the television is an example of eating amnesia, where you mindlessly eat without being hungry, but out of habit," says American Dietetic Association spokesperson Malena Perdomo, RD.

Either close down the kitchen after a certain hour, or allow yourself a low-calorie snack, like a 100-calorie pack of cookies or a half-cup scoop of low-fat ice cream. Once you find that you're usually satisfied with the low-cal snack, try a cup of zero-calorie tea, suggests Perdomo.
Best Diet Tip No. 5: Enjoy your favorite foods.

"I think putting your favorite foods off limits leads to weight gain because it triggers 'rebound' overeating," says Sass.

Instead of cutting out your favorite foods altogether, be a slim shopper. Buy one fresh bakery cookie instead of a box, or a small portion of candy from the bulk bins instead of a whole bag.

"You can enjoy your favorite foods, but you must do so in moderation," says Sass.

Best Diet Tip No. 6: Enjoy your treats away from home.

When you need a treat, Ellie Krieger, RD, host of Food Network’s Healthy Appetite, suggests taking a walk to your local ice cream parlor or planning a family outing.

"By making it into an adventure, you don’t have to worry about the temptation of having treats in the house, and it is a fun and pleasurable way to make it work when you are trying to lose weight," says Krieger.

And for those times you just can't get out? Krieger stocks her kitchen with fresh fruit, which she thinks can be every bit as delicious as any other dessert.
Best Diet Tip No. 7: Eat several mini-meals during the day.

If you eat fewer calories than you burn, you will lose weight. But when you're hungry all the time, eating fewer calories can be challenging.

"Studies show people who eat 4-5 meals or snacks per day are better able to control their appetite and weight," says obesity researcher Rebecca Reeves, DrPH, RD.

She recommends dividing your daily calories into smaller meals or snacks and enjoying as many of them as you can early in the day -- dinner should be the last time you eat.
Best Diet Tip No. 8: Eat protein at every meal.

Protein is more satisfying than carbohydrates or fats, and thus may be the new secret weapon in weight control.

"Diets higher in protein [and] moderate in carbs, along with a lifestyle of regular exercise, have an excellent potential to help weight loss," says University of Illinois protein researcher Donald Layman, PhD.

Getting enough protein helps preserve muscle mass and encourages fat burning while keeping you feeling full. So be sure to include healthy protein sources, like yogurt, cheese, nuts, or beans, at meals and snacks.
Best Diet Tip No. 9: Spice it up.

Add spices or chiles to your food for a flavor boost that can help you feel satisfied.

"Food that is loaded with flavor will stimulate your taste buds and be more satisfying so you won’t eat as much," says Perdomo.

When you need something sweet, suck on a red-hot fireball candy for a long-lasting burst of sweetness with just a few calories.
Best Diet Tip No. 10: Stock your kitchen with healthy convenience foods.

Having ready-to-eat snacks and meals-in-minutes staples on hand sets you up for success. You'll be less likely to hit the drive-through or call in a pizza order if you can make a healthy meal in 5 or 10 minutes.

Sass stocks her kitchen with:

* 94% fat-free microwave popcorn (20-25 calories per cup, and you can make it in two minutes or less)
* Frozen vegetables
* Bags of pre-washed greens
* Canned diced tomatoes
* Canned beans
* Whole-grain wraps or pitas
* Pre-cooked grilled chicken breasts
* A few containers of pre-cooked brown rice

Within minutes, she can toss together a healthy medley.
Best Diet Tip No. 11: Order children’s portions at restaurants.

"When you are eating out, order a child’s pizza or a small sandwich as an easy way to trim calories and get your portions under control," suggest Perdomo.

Another trick is to use smaller plates. This helps the portions look like more, and if your mind is satisfied, your stomach likely will be, too.
Best Diet Tip No. 12: Eat foods in season.

"If you don’t love certain fruits or vegetables, it could be because you ate them out of season when they have little taste or flavor," says Pensiero. "When you eat seasonally, fruits and vegetables are more flavorful, at their best, and I promise you won’t be disappointed."

At GiGi’s Trattoria, her restaurant in Rhinebeck, N.Y., she serves simple fruit desserts, like naturally sweet strawberries topped with aged balsamic vinegar, or low-fat yogurt or fresh berries in a compote.
Best Diet Tip No. 13: Swap a cup of pasta for a cup of vegetables.

Simply by eating less pasta or bread and more veggies, you could lose a dress or pants size in a year.

"You can save from 100-200 calories if you reduce the portion of starch on your plate and increase the amount of vegetables," says Sass.

Best Diet Tip No. 14: Use non-food alternatives to cope with stress.

Sooner or later, you're going to be faced with a stressful situation. Instead of turning to food for comfort, be prepared with some non-food tactics that work for you.

Sass suggests reading a few chapters in a novel, listening to music, writing in a journal, practicing meditative deep breathing, or looking at a photo album of loved ones.
Best Diet Tip No. 15: Be physically active.

Although it may seem counterintuitive, don’t use exercise either to punish yourself for eating or to "earn"

General tips
Apple cider vinegar improves digestion, suppresses appetite and raises the metabolism. Can be taken in water or juice.
When you’re hungry have Metamucil or benefibre. You just have it with water, juice, tea or coffee and it makes you feel full. It also gets food that you may have eaten through your system faster!
Almonds stop bad fats from entering your system
There are some great dieters teas on the market, check them out!
juice fasts work really well
change your exercise routine so you don’t get bored
take a multi vitamin to give you the nutrients you need
Chew sugar free gum. It burns calories and makes your body think you’re eating!
keep checking up on pro ana sites they keep you motivated
Drink ice water. It burns calories, contains none and keeps you hydrated which will prevent you from fainting
Eat off a black plate, the colour black makes you less hungry
Eat off a small plate, you won’t eat as much
The smell of coffee makes you feel full
eat lots of celery it contains negative calories
Spin around in circles. It curbs your appetite
chew food then spit it out when no one is watching
Green tea helps you lose weight
Interval training helps your burn fat
fidget. You’d be surprised how many calories it burns
hot peppers boost your metabolism
caffeine increases heart rate and metabolism
lie on your left side, it aids digestion
cleaning burns heaps of calories
making your website distracts you and motivates at the same time
dance, its great for fat loss
Do your nails. You won’t want to get food on them!
don’t keep bad food in the cupboard
have a diet buddy
sex burns calories
Distraction tips
Take a shower/have a bath
Brush your teeth
Exercise
make a face mask that goes hard as it dries
buy a fashion magazine - walk to buy it
clean something discusting
sew or knit
read
watch a movie
get a job
do homework/housework
go shopping
go to a friends house
look at yourself in the mirror
see how much water you can drink
Feel Full
Drink more fluids during a small meal. For every time you lift a fork, take a sip of water. This way, the people at the dinner table will feel like you're eating, and you aren't consuming as much food.

Drink a tall glass of ice cold water to burn more calories. You're body burns calories because it needs to adjust with the cold temperature. Besides, water provides volume but not calories.

Drink a steaming cup of hot tea/water to feel fuller. Green tea is especially recommended; it might not taste as great as other teas but one of the most beneficial.

Drink a steaming cup of coffee. It'll curb your appetite, give you a wake up call (ie. caffeine) and make you feel full. This is good for mornings. Drink it with an apple or small portion of food to jump start your metabolism.

Eat food with lots of fiber in it. It helps because your system takes longer to digest fiber, which helps you feel fuller, longer. Research even shows that eating an additional 14 grams of fiber per day is associated with a 10 percent decrease in calorie intake and a loss of body weight of a four pounds in four months.

When you feel the hunger pangs really kicking in, sample food, than spit it out. Pretend you're allowed to eat, when you're really not.

If you can't resist anymore and you need to eat, eat greens! Consume as much salad as you'd like, since it doesn't hold much calories anyway. Besides, it's good for you!

Eat more protein. A number of studies indicate that calories-for-calorie, protein makes a person feel more full than carbohydrates or fats.

Eat more water-rich fruits, vegetables, and soups

Choose broth-based soups as a meal. Fewer in calories, but warm and filling.
Anorexia Tips
Anorexia Tips

Only fun going out to eat? Go to a farmer's market and buy fresh fruit! It's always fun, and gets rid of many excuses. for not eating right.

Instead of buying food, buy yourself flowers! Food is depressing, but flowers make you happy!

Exchange a bad habit for a good one - f.i., my boyfriend exchanged smoking for jogging every morning. This may be hard, but VERY rewarding if you can do it! Exchange eating for yoga, or meditation, or reading more.

Make yourself nauseas! You won't eat!

Think higher or yourself! You're too good to put THAT in your body!

Plan you goal out to the letter, then write out your plan for the day you reach your goal. What will you do first What will you buy???

Save the money you would have spent on that meal in a jar. Lunch cost $6.74? Save it in a bottle instead and watch it grow!

Subscribe to magazines! $10/ year for great thinspiration delivered to your door every month! I suggest Vogue, InStyle, and Cosmo.

Buy thin clothes, Keep them hanging in your closet next to your regular clothes & torture over the fact you can't get into them!

Eat vicariously. Watch other people eat, and feel superior!!! You don't need that food. They are feeding their fat bodies and they're getting fatter!!! You can see then growing!!! How repulsive.

Hot water: makes you feel warm and full inside.

Make a notebook of thinspiration - notes, letters, thoughts and especially PICTURES of your goal!


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