I think I might have an eating problem.
In the past few years of my life, I've struggled with a few eating problems but I'm not completely sure if these habits are related to anorexia or not. My problem is I either eat too much or too little. I've been struggling with weight loss for a little less than half of my life, due to insecurities and bullying. It's been my dream and need to be skinny. I workout a lot but it upsets me that I don't see a big difference. And along with this, I tend to binge eat a lot, like I can't control how much I eat. No matter how much I try to limit myself I can't. And if I'm not binge eating like crazy, I'm barely eating or not at all. Along with trying to lose weight to get my dream body, I can tend to starve myself to help the weight loss process, but then I eat again and it drives me crazy, and makes me feel hopeless about my body. No matter how much people tell me, I can't love my body and my eating problems are big factors of this. I can't control how much I eat, and I don't know how to. As of now I am trying to eat less along with working out a lot to lose weight, but then I eat again and feel the need to exercise more. I don't know how to control my unhealthy eating habits or to lose weight, and I desperately want and need to.
@maleiaiaia
Hey there! I'm really sorry to hear that you're dealing with self-esteem and body image issues, along with struggles with food. It sounds like you've been going through this for a while and that people around you might not fully get what you're experiencing—they just tell you to love your body. Mentioning anorexia and binge eating shows you're dealing with serious stuff. It's great that you're here, reaching out for help. It shows you want to get better and are taking steps to do so. We're here for you, and you might find some helpful advice by checking out old posts in this community.
I get that you want to take control of your eating habits and weight. Being a teenager can make it tougher to do some things that adults can do more easily. How possible is it for you to seek support from a trusted adult in your life?
@Remina
I dont know who I'm supposed to go to with this problem. My parents have noticed my eating habits and made me feel worse about it. They like to say Im anorexic as a joke and its annoying. I think telling them this would just make them make more jokes or be strict with me with my eating, like watching my every move and make me feel bad about it. And I find it embarrassing to talk about it with my friends, I hate eating in front of people or eating too much so I don't, and talking about food in general makes me feel insecure, so I wouldnt talk about my body or food with them. Im scared of what they would say and think. Im not sure what my problem is, but I do know I need to control it and eat less. I do need to lose weight and Im about to exercise again. thank you:)
@maleiaiaia
It sounds like you’re really self-conscious about your weight and eating habits. I’m really sorry that your parents made you feel invalidated by joking about something that’s clearly serious to you. It's understandable that you’d have a hard time trusting them to support you after that. Opening up to friends can be tough, and I’m sorry you feel embarrassed talking about it. What specifically makes you feel that way?
You mentioned needing to control your eating and eat less, but it’s really about learning healthy eating habits. It's okay to enjoy your food and to want to be at a healthy weight. Sometimes it helps to imagine what advice you’d give to a friend in your situation. What would you say to them?
Hey so i have a same problem so u’re not alone.same goes with me and my family memebers.sometimes i eat till im full sometimes i dont want to eat at all.also i work out.and its really hard as a teenager to control eating,because sometimes when u are with ur friends u want to have snacks or at family gatherings… and so on.we always gave excuses and thats okay!we deserve treats too.but if this snacks makes u feel guilty,that is a problem.i almost have this guilt and im trying to recover fron it but it doesn’t work like that,that aint easy,so i feel you.but the best advice i could give u is calorie deficit. Calorie deficit doesnt mean eating less,it just means controling what u eat.you can eat whole bowl of something that i s low in calories and half of a kitkat.that howl will have lower calories.you could just try for two weeks,even for one,and try eating whatever you want but not added sugar.i mean i get u its atill hsrd but there are delicious snacks that is low in calories.its a habit to eat them but after a while you will see a rssult.But also u might be delusional.u probaBly think that ur not skinny enough,but thats just your thoughts,u just want to be perfect.but no one is.you think those people who post online or those who u see on the street ar enot insecure about some things?trust me they are.even if they find themselves pretty,they might have bigger porblmes in life other than being pretty or being in your “ideal” shape.You can research that everywhere.haven’t u heard that people loose weight while eating more?that bc of calories,but u should became robot of checking everytime productions calorie intake.just live ur life.walk walk and walk. Walking is the best for weight loss.distract youself.and u can tell when ur actually hungry and when u are bored.if u will be able to get that then u should tell ur brain that its just a bad habit that i shouldstop.everyone will tell u that ur body looks good but if u dont feel that way and if u feel guilty after eating,then thats a disorder.if u cant overcome that then this advice might help you
Hey so i have a same problem so u’re not alone.same goes with me and my family memebers.sometimes i eat till im full sometimes i dont want to eat at all.also i work out.and its really hard as a teenager to control eating,because sometimes when u are with ur friends u want to have snacks or at family gatherings… and so on.we always gave excuses and thats okay!we deserve treats too.but if this snacks makes u feel guilty,that is a problem.i almost have this guilt and im trying to recover fron it but it doesn’t work like that,that aint easy,so i feel you.but the best advice i could give u is calorie deficit. Calorie deficit doesnt mean eating less,it just means controling what u eat.you can eat whole bowl of something that i s low in calories and half of a kitkat.that howl will have lower calories.you could just try for two weeks,even for one,and try eating whatever you want but not added sugar.i mean i get u its atill hsrd but there are delicious snacks that is low in calories.its a habit to eat them but after a while you will see a rssult.But also u might be delusional.u probaBly think that ur not skinny enough,but thats just your thoughts,u just want to be perfect.but no one is.you think those people who post online or those who u see on the street ar enot insecure about some things?trust me they are.even if they find themselves pretty,they might have bigger porblmes in life other than being pretty or being in your “ideal” shape.You can research that everywhere.haven’t u heard that people loose weight while eating more?that bc of calories,but u should became robot of checking everytime productions calorie intake.just live ur life.walk walk and walk. Walking is the best for weight loss.distract youself.and u can tell when ur actually hungry and when u are bored.if u will be able to get that then u should tell ur brain that its just a bad habit that i shouldstop.everyone will tell u that ur body looks good but if u dont feel that way and if u feel guilty after eating,then thats a disorder.if u cant overcome that then this advice might help you
Sorry i meant you should NOT became a robot lol.i type fast so i have a lot of mistakes mb
@maleiaiaia
Hey, I don't know how I missed this message but I am sorry to hear that your parents made you feel worst about your eating habits. Your problems are not a joke and should be taken seriously. I can get how it can be embarrassing to breach this topic with your friends. I am sorry you struggle so much. I know December was a while ago, so let's check in, how have things been?
@maleiaiaia same
Hi @maleiaiaia, it really sounds like you’re going through a really tough time, feeling stuck in this cycle of trying to control your eating and body, only to end up feeling frustrated when things don’t go as planned. That constant battle must be so exhausting and stressful. I want you to know that you deserve kindness and patience with yourself, especially on the days when it feels overwhelming. I am here to listen if you ever need a space to talk.
@maleiaiaia
what about the idea of consulting a nutritionist for advice?
@maleiaiaia Hi, there! I'm sorry to hear about this cycle that you are in. It seems exhausting and must be a heavy weight on shoulders. I understand the feeling of being stuck in a pattern while trying to gain control, but never fully getting it because you don't see the results you want, and it's really tough. I hope that through all of this you try to be gentle with yourself and know that there is a community of people here who are wishing you the best and always have an open ear to listen!