Eating Disorder Community - How do you actually feel today?
I feel like I won't ever be happy with myself and how I look. I struggle with binge eating and it's really difficult to keep things under control. I feel like i have control of nothing
@Noctuary - I can relate to those feelings, but I also know that as impossible as it seems at times, you can get to a place where you feel happier with yourself and your body. It's hard not to want it all to be fixed immediately, but try to be gentle with yourself and take it a step at a time. What's something small you can do today to make a difference?
It' frustrating that the people I've known are so easy to judge. They didn't try to understand my disorder. I'm a binge eater, which is a result of a prior restrictive diet.. I'm completely aware I'm the one to blame. It' just that they whenever they tell me that I can't start over. They tell me "what have you done?" or "you looked so beautiful and thin before" those words really hurt. So I completely blocked them off my life. I think they are never helpful for my recovery.
@dreamycafelover I have the same issue. I think....eating disorder developed after being diagnosed with hashimotos. I got super thin, felt incredible. But all ended when I picked up my old habits again being frustrated with diet. Maybe we can help each other?
@pluckyPineapple7615 I can totally relate. It's like all the hard work.. just gone in an instant. It's sad, when you try to look back from the glorious "skinny" days because people always try to point that out.That would be great! Message me anytime. Oh and by the way, have you tried reading Brain over Binge by Kathryn Hansen? It really helped me. Right now, I'm still in the process. Although my binges are still recurring, I didn't binge as much as before.
@dreamycafelover thank you for the recommendation on the book. I'm buying it now. Since joining this app, I have found so much peace. It's really helping me get to/find out the root of the issue rather than it being just a fat vs skinny problem. I know it's deeper than that. The app reminds me that I have a place to go before binging, before eating too much and reminds me to make mindful decisions.
Question to those of you going through eating disorder recovery....(including weight restoring); how on earth do you deal with comments like "omg! You look so good! You have finally gained weight!" from people?
people seem to think that it's ok to comment on my body ALL the time. From family members to hair dressers.
it makes me EXTREMELY self conscious and makes it harder to keep up the recovery work.
I know people mean well but it makes me want to cry.
@AstaT strange I went through that (similar) when I lost [edited by Anomalia for weight specifics].
I was often offended when people would comment, for no apparent reason other than it made me feel ashamed for losing weight and getting my health in order. However, once I was able to recognize that the health issues were most important not the weight, I became less worried and felt accomplished that my brain and body were working together to make ME feel better as a whole.
@Anomalia @Laura @DancingAlong @KristenHR
Hey guys (well, okay gals, but you know what I mean) ... I don't feel hungry. I forget to eat and later realize it is late! and I haven't had (insert name of meal here). And then I just feel tired. And I debate, which is better: a nap or some food? I'm working through the 7cups "Self Help Guides" - "Eating Disorders." Some of it is hard to even read.
But my biggest question right now is: Does any body understand where I am, what I'm going through? Or am I alone in this, like it feels?
~ Sad Platy
@cyanPlatypus6370
You're definitely not alone in struggling with eating. You might even consider posting in the Eating DIsorders Support Section of this community, and asking there if anyone else can relate. Sometimes in sections where it's not mixed in with other issues too (like all the eating disorders), it's easier to find others who can relate But I know for a fact that others struggle with this... in addition there are listeners who their experience has been with eating issues, and they can relate as well to what you're going through. In the browse listeners, there is a topic drop down - select Eating Disorders as the topic search.
It definitely helps to talk with those who have been going through what youre going through. I'm glad you posted.
@cyanPlatypus6370 - Hey lovely, you're definitely not alone in this - I can relate a lot to what you've said here, but I also know that it's something that is possible to recovery from. The fact that you're reaching out, that you're reading through the help guide, and that you're being honest about how you're feeling means that you are getting to the place where you're ready for recovery, and that's powerful.
Hey my time is full of thinking about eating or exercising. And this is so boring for me. Sometimes i felt over controlled my self but sometimes I cant control my self. I eat a lot after eating , throwing up as i can. I have normal weight normal size but i dont feel healthy anyway. I begin throwing up for a week. Today there was cakes at home and i cant stop my self than i say to my self quick decide vomit or break the diet. and i go to bathroom. :/
@tabularassa - Hi there, I'm really glad you're reaching out, and I'm sorry you didn't get a response before now! It sounds like things are tough right now and that it's hard to find an equilibrium where you can eat a comfortable amount and be okay with it. I can definitely relate to that, and I know that it is possible to get there, but it's not easy.
I have found that one really useful first step is thinking about when this tends to be an issue and what those times have in common - are you more likely to feel the need to purge at certain times of day? around certain people? when feeling certain emotions? with certain food products? If there are themes in there, it becomes easier to find ways to deal with the specifics and help control some of those urges.
If you ever want to talk about it, don't hesitate to reach out!
I know food is important but I just ate a slice of pizza and don't want it in my body at all. I want to get rid of this feeling.
@starryNarwhal63 - I can relate so much to that feeling, and I know how hard it is when your mind knows how important food is, but your body is screaming back at you that it isn't okay. But I also know that even though it can provide some temporary relief to not have that feeling anymore, lasting comfort with your body comes through working towards recovery and most importantly, working through the feelings that are underlying the anxiety and discomfort with food.
What other things are you feeling when you feel uncomfortable with the food in your body? What do you think might be making a piece of pizza feel so much more overwhelming than it once did?
@Anomalia
Thank you for the response! <3
I think what made it so overwhelming in that moment was how I had all these feelings inside of me that had yet to be expressed, so I was bursting with them, and the pizza was floating around in there with them. I wanted so badly to talk to my friends about something that was going on, but I couldn't quite find the words.
@starryNarwhal63 - That makes a lot of sense...it's funny how food and feelings seem to end up stirring around together so often, but they do. If you do ever need to talk through it all, I know it's not the same with a stranger as with a friend, but you are more than welcome to PM me. Take care, lovely.
I was never actually diagnosed, but I was restricting for a while. I was never underweight and since I started eating three meals a day I've gained [edited by Anomalia for weight specifics / triggers] pounds and I'm feel awful. I feel like I shouldn't be eating this much and I'm so angry at myself.
@NebulousCoffee - I know it's hard to see yourself gaining weight, and one of the really unfair things about an eating disorder is that often you have to deal with the physical side (starting eating again, gaining some weight) before the emotional side starts to make any progress, which makes it feel that much worse as you do. But it sounds like you've been making some amazing progress towards recovery and as someone who has come to the other side of that, I can promise that once you're there, it's 1000% worth it, even with the weight gain.
If you are concerned about what rate you should be gaining at, would it be possible for you to meet with a nutritionist who specializes in eating disorders? They would be able to give you a better sense for what your body needs and help you set a plan that might feel more comfortable.
Good luck, stay strong, and if you ever need to chat, don't hesitate to reach out!
Hey everyone, I just hopped by and wanted to welcome you all to 7cups. Eating disorders are horrible and I know how it must feel. Everyone has different experiences and types of this condition. I hope we can listen and support you here in 7cups <3 Take care lovely people
@KristenHR @Anomalia @all the rest of you who care ....
I do not feel hungry today. I just finished a packet of oatmeal (it's nearly 4:00pm) because I know I'm supposed to eat something. :(
I feel pretty much the same as I did before I ate it, which is I'm not sure how I feel. I'm feeling alone and tired too. ~ Platy
@cyanPlatypus6370 - I know things are really hard right now and that you're feeling very alone, but I did see one really positive thing in this post - you weren't hungry, but you knew your body needed nourishment, so you took care of yourself and ate - that's a really important thing!
You are much stronger than you realize, and you are going to get through this. And I (and others) am here to support you through it. *hugs*
A bit hungry didn't eat since 12am today
@lisa1026 - I hope you were able to get yourself some nourishment - it can be hard sometimes to take care of our bodies the way they need, but it's so important. Take care, lovely.
@Anomalia
I did good today
@lisa1026 - Glad to hear it, way to go!
@lisa1026
Awesome! YES you can! :)