When it comes to our body, does size matter? Size and weigh do matter to us. We do not like to have a big tummy or wobbly arms. It matters when you put on your favorite shirt and you discover it doesn’t fit. These are times when we decide to diet and exercise. This decision may be accompanied by feelings of anguish, anxiety, etc. that could make us vulnerable to taking desperate measures,

Safe methods or desperate measures?

Patricia is a girl that would rather die than eat a hamburger. Even when she is starving, she feels that if she eats she will put on weight. As a consequence she will not be thin and grow, which will make her go totally out of control. She is terrified that this will happen. So instead of this, she rather eat, throw up so she can be thin.

Women with bulimia binge feel they cannot control life. They are taken over by the urge to eat. They cannot stop themselves. So they make themselves sick. If they didn’t, they’d get fat and they couldn’t bear that. Patricia has two intense and conflicting desires. Vomiting is the only way she can either protect her low weight, if she has anorexia nervosa, or avoid becoming really fat if she has bulimia nervosa. These are 2 common eating disorders. Eating disorders can involve: eating too much, eating too little or using harmful ways to get rid of calories.

Nowadays, we are exposed to various methods of weight loss and fitness training, some healthy, some unhealthy, Are we that desperate? Insanity workout, Dr. G pill, Green Coffee, etc… Although these may be effective in weight loss, make sure you do a thorough investigation of the pros and cons before involving yourself with these weight loss programs. It is best to consult your doctor or nutritionist.

Why do we go for these desperate measures?

Social pressure-Our social surroundings powerfully influence our behavior. Since our society values thinness a lot, eating disorders are more frequent.

Lack of an “off” switch- Most of us can only diet so much before our
body tells us that it is time to start eating again. Some people with anorexia may lack this body “switch”.

Control- Losing weight, even a couple of pounds, can be very satisfying and give a feeling of achievement. It can feel as if it is the only part of one’s life over which one feels really in control.

Puberty-Anorexia can reverse some of the physical changes of becoming an adult. Some may feel they want to help to put off the demands of getting older.

Family– Accepting food gives pleasure and refusing it will often upset someone. Saying “no” to food may be the only way you can express your feelings, or have any say in family affairs.

Depression-Most of us have eaten for comfort when we have been upset, or even just bored. People with bulimia are often depressed, and it may be that binges start off as a way of coping with feelings of unhappiness. Unfortunately, vomiting and using laxatives can leave you feeling just as bad.

Low self-esteem- Losing weight can be a way of trying to get a sense of respect and self-worth.

Emotional distress-It can be a reaction to bad things happening: difficulties, abuse, physical illness, upsetting events (a death or the break-up of a relationship), important events (marriage or leaving home).

The vicious circle- An eating disorder can continue even when the original stress or reason for it has passed. Once your stomach has shrunk, it can feel uncomfortable and frightening to eat.

Physical causes- Some doctors think that there may be a physical cause that we don’t yet understand.

What can I do now?

• Stick to regular mealtimes.
• Try to think of one small step you could take towards a healthier way of eating. If you can’t face eating breakfast, try sitting at the table for a few minutes at breakfast time and just drinking a glass of water. When you have got used to doing this, have just a little to eat, even half a slice of toast – but do it every day.
• Keep a diary of what you eat, when you eat it and what your thoughts and feelings have been every day. You can use this to see if there are connections between how you feel, what you are thinking about, and how you eat.
• Try to be honest about what you are or are not eating, both with yourself and with other people.
• Remind yourself not to get obsessed about achieving things.
• Remind yourself that, if you lose more weight, you will feel more anxious and depressed.
• Make two lists – one of what your eating disorder has given you, one of what you have lost through it. A self-help book can help you with this.
• Try to be kind to your body, don’t punish it.
• Make sure you know what a reasonable weight is for you, and that you understand why.
• Read stories of other people’s experiences of recovery. You can find these in self-help books or on the internet.
• Avoid websites that encourage you to lose weight and stay at a very low body weight. They encourage you to damage your health, but won’t do anything to help when you fall ill.