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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Sonya on October 1, 2005, at 5:06:01
I've lost 14 lbs in 4 weeks. I've kept caloric intake under 500 cal/day. I walk fast 3 miles a day on my treadmill (1 hour). For the last week the scale's not budging. I'm so upset! I've been so good and I can't drop any more pounds! Amazingly I don't even get that hungry anymore. Is my metabolism all screwed up? What is really the danger in losing weight too quickly? People tell me I look good and not to lose more but I'm still fat. I already eat so little but I guess I have to eat even less. *Sigh* :-(
Posted by Racer on October 1, 2005, at 15:22:26
In reply to I don't get it, posted by Sonya on October 1, 2005, at 5:06:01
If you eat fewer than 1200 calories per day, your metabolism will slow waaaaaayyyy down. The only way to lose more at that point is to go into a state of semi-starvation, which puts you at risk of organ failure, among other things. Basically, even at this point, you're experiencing an eating disorder. You're probably also dealing with a distorted body image.
I know how seductive EDs can be, but it's well worth working on it NOW, rather than waiting for it to get worse. Do you have a T? Can you bring this up? If so, do. If you don't have a T, this might be a good time to get one. Support groups like those run by ANAD are another good resource for you.
Now for my question: in ED groups, one of the little 'mantras' is "use your voice!" It means that a lot of us are trying to communicate something through our bodies. Can you feel what you're trying to communicate through your restricted eating and self-starvation? Can you identify what being so thin means to you?
Just questions. I don't necessarily know all my answers to those questions, but it's worth asking them all the same...
Posted by Sonya on October 2, 2005, at 10:15:46
In reply to Re: I don't get it, posted by Racer on October 1, 2005, at 15:22:26
Thanks for the response, Racer.
I have no patience. When I need to lose weight, I need to lose it fast. If I try staying on 1,200 cal/day, I won't be able to stick to the diet and will sabotage myself.
Is it really possible I have an ED even though I'm not getting really thin? I was overweight for my age and height before. I'm 5'7", age 51. I went from 157 to 142 in 4 weeks. My goal (ideal weight) is 137. Even if I semi-starve myself to get there, I then plan on maintaining it by being diligent. I won't continue to try to lose weight. This seems practical to me. I'm just afraid now that I won't lose more because my metabolism is too slow, so I'm trying to exercise more. (Thankfully did lose another lb since yesterday morning.)
I do have a T but we haven't talked about the weight issue. But I've told my pdoc and he said the loss was due to depression.
There's a two-fold reason for me doing this. I want to be thinner so I look better and have more energy, and I want to feel in control of something (I know this one is the issue I need to work on).
I can completely understand how this kind of thing could get out of hand but I feel I'm in control. Must say though my hubby is getting upset that I hardly eat and can't stand socializing with friends because it usually revolves around food. Yet he compliments me on how I look (he didn't compliment me on my figure when I was overweight).
The thought of 1,200 cal/per day is way too scary right now and I just can't do it.
> If you eat fewer than 1200 calories per day, your metabolism will slow waaaaaayyyy down. The only way to lose more at that point is to go into a state of semi-starvation, which puts you at risk of organ failure, among other things. Basically, even at this point, you're experiencing an eating disorder. You're probably also dealing with a distorted body image.
>
> I know how seductive EDs can be, but it's well worth working on it NOW, rather than waiting for it to get worse. Do you have a T? Can you bring this up? If so, do. If you don't have a T, this might be a good time to get one. Support groups like those run by ANAD are another good resource for you.
>
> Now for my question: in ED groups, one of the little 'mantras' is "use your voice!" It means that a lot of us are trying to communicate something through our bodies. Can you feel what you're trying to communicate through your restricted eating and self-starvation? Can you identify what being so thin means to you?
>
> Just questions. I don't necessarily know all my answers to those questions, but it's worth asking them all the same...
Posted by Maxime on October 4, 2005, at 11:54:40
In reply to Re: I don't get it, posted by Sonya on October 2, 2005, at 10:15:46
You can most definately have an ED without being thin. I barely eat anything and I am not thin. My metabolism is screwed up and I have a thyroid problem. I use to be severely underweight. Now I have weight to lose based on my BMI.
Eating disorders give you a false sense of control.Truth is, they control you. Based on your fear of food, calories and weight you have all the thoughts of someone who has an eating disoder. You should check out www.somethingfishy.org for more information. There is also a discussion group on there that is really good. There isn't too much traffic on this one.
Do you really think you will be happy at 137 pounds? I thought I would be happy at 95 pounds but I ended up going into the low 70's and then into the hospital.
I'm sorry that your doctor isn't listening to you. It's hard to admit that you have an eating disorder and he pushed you away ... shame on him!
Trying talking your T.
Oh and listen to Racer because she is really smart. :-)
You can Babble Mail me anytime.
Take care,
Maxime
> Thanks for the response, Racer.
>
> I have no patience. When I need to lose weight, I need to lose it fast. If I try staying on 1,200 cal/day, I won't be able to stick to the diet and will sabotage myself.
>
> Is it really possible I have an ED even though I'm not getting really thin? I was overweight for my age and height before. I'm 5'7", age 51. I went from 157 to 142 in 4 weeks. My goal (ideal weight) is 137. Even if I semi-starve myself to get there, I then plan on maintaining it by being diligent. I won't continue to try to lose weight. This seems practical to me. I'm just afraid now that I won't lose more because my metabolism is too slow, so I'm trying to exercise more. (Thankfully did lose another lb since yesterday morning.)
>
> I do have a T but we haven't talked about the weight issue. But I've told my pdoc and he said the loss was due to depression.
>
> There's a two-fold reason for me doing this. I want to be thinner so I look better and have more energy, and I want to feel in control of something (I know this one is the issue I need to work on).
>
> I can completely understand how this kind of thing could get out of hand but I feel I'm in control. Must say though my hubby is getting upset that I hardly eat and can't stand socializing with friends because it usually revolves around food. Yet he compliments me on how I look (he didn't compliment me on my figure when I was overweight).
>
> The thought of 1,200 cal/per day is way too scary right now and I just can't do it.
>
>
> > If you eat fewer than 1200 calories per day, your metabolism will slow waaaaaayyyy down. The only way to lose more at that point is to go into a state of semi-starvation, which puts you at risk of organ failure, among other things. Basically, even at this point, you're experiencing an eating disorder. You're probably also dealing with a distorted body image.
> >
> > I know how seductive EDs can be, but it's well worth working on it NOW, rather than waiting for it to get worse. Do you have a T? Can you bring this up? If so, do. If you don't have a T, this might be a good time to get one. Support groups like those run by ANAD are another good resource for you.
> >
> > Now for my question: in ED groups, one of the little 'mantras' is "use your voice!" It means that a lot of us are trying to communicate something through our bodies. Can you feel what you're trying to communicate through your restricted eating and self-starvation? Can you identify what being so thin means to you?
> >
> > Just questions. I don't necessarily know all my answers to those questions, but it's worth asking them all the same...
>
>
Posted by Sonya on October 4, 2005, at 12:44:53
In reply to Re: I don't get it » Sonya, posted by Maxime on October 4, 2005, at 11:54:40
I really feel trapped now! I see my pdoc this Friday. Should I bring this up with him? I doubt there's anything he could do anyway (heaven forbid he might put me on fat drugs again). I'll talk to my T at my next session about it. I'm so afraid of gaining the weight back; I just won't do it, even if I have to eat less than I am now. I can't think about what will happen (if I'll be happy) when I get to 137 lbs. I'm trying not to think about that. Just taking one day at a time and controlling what I eat is all I can deal with right now. But I feel scared and trapped.
Posted by Maxime on October 4, 2005, at 15:41:52
In reply to Re: I don't get it, posted by Sonya on October 4, 2005, at 12:44:53
Talk to your T. Your pdoc doesn't seem to "get it". I mean you told him and he brushed you off. Eating disorders are complex beasts. It's going to take time to work on this.
I know that feeling of being trapped. I feel that way now. I wish I could tell you how to lose that feeling. You see, even though I was hospitalised for going down to such a low weight, "my issues" were never dealt with. I gained the weight in the hospital so they were happy and they let me go. Then I as soon as I left I started to lose the weight again. I went down to 80 pounds. (keep in mind that I am only 5 feet tall).
So I struggle every day and I have not received proper therapy. Part of that is because I have never been ready to recover and also because I could never afford a therapist. I still don't want to recover. I want to lose weight because I am fat. I really am. And I starve and starve and I don't lose the weight.
I think once you open up to your T that you are going to feel much better. I know she won't brush you off. Talk to your "T" and then see how you feel. Until then, just keep posting here. :-)
Don't try and change your eating right now ... it's your coping mechanism. I don't usually tell people to starve themselves, but until you see your "T" you need to feel like you are in control. Just do one thing ...DRINK AS MUCH WATER AS POSSIBLE. If you get dehydrated you are going to feel awful. Plus drinking a lot of water flushes you out. It's good for you and it won't make you gain weight. Okay?When is your next appt. with your T?
You are not alone.
Maxime
> I really feel trapped now! I see my pdoc this Friday. Should I bring this up with him? I doubt there's anything he could do anyway (heaven forbid he might put me on fat drugs again). I'll talk to my T at my next session about it. I'm so afraid of gaining the weight back; I just won't do it, even if I have to eat less than I am now. I can't think about what will happen (if I'll be happy) when I get to 137 lbs. I'm trying not to think about that. Just taking one day at a time and controlling what I eat is all I can deal with right now. But I feel scared and trapped.
Posted by Sonya on October 5, 2005, at 13:55:54
In reply to Re: I don't get it » Sonya, posted by Maxime on October 4, 2005, at 15:41:52
I see my T on Oct 19. She knows my issues and probably won't be all the surprised that now I'm having trouble with food.
For pete's sake, why won't the scale budge? I'm eating less than 500 cal/day and exercising an hour/day and haven't lost anything in a week. This is the pits.
Posted by Maxime on October 6, 2005, at 19:24:33
In reply to Re: I don't get it » Maxime, posted by Sonya on October 5, 2005, at 13:55:54
Sometime changing something in your routine helps. Like have a couple dayd where you eat more than usual to boost your metabolism and then go back to your routine. It's not a scam ... it works.
Maxime
> I see my T on Oct 19. She knows my issues and probably won't be all the surprised that now I'm having trouble with food.
>
> For pete's sake, why won't the scale budge? I'm eating less than 500 cal/day and exercising an hour/day and haven't lost anything in a week. This is the pits.
Posted by Sonya on October 7, 2005, at 7:24:09
In reply to Re: I don't get it » Sonya, posted by Maxime on October 6, 2005, at 19:24:33
Thanks for the suggestion, Maxime. I'll give it a try.
This is the end of the thread.
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