eating disorders update

[hellosunshine]

ME again,gain 1 kg over the year-now 47.2kg after a bit of a drop.but am on the UP

as i havent posted for a while-its now imperative i get up to a healthy weight as my kidneys are shoeimg signs of disfunction and my creatine levels and white bood cell count is too too low,NOW IS THE TIME TO GET MY HEALTH BACK.over the year ive discovered a lot about my way of thinking and know how to tackle certain traits that will enable me to cope life without resorting to harmful things like anorexia.

SO!ALL IM ASKING,IN CASE WE HAVE ANY NEW MEMBERS IS LOTS OF POSITIVE EMPOWERING TESTIMONIALS FROM PEOPLE WHO HAVE GOT BETTER-ARE HEALTHY AND FEEL SO MUCH BETTER.I think we all know the hell of an eating disorder so im not asking for the negative side but the wellness side!i aim to do this alone now,ive found in the past it doesnt work to rely on professionals to cure you,its ultimately up to the individual with lots of positive influences chipping in..................

[crazycanuck]

Hey HS..Good to see you back again.

I've not much to add in terms of eating disorders but I do want to say good on ya for looking to make your body healthy!

How's racing?

Take care

C

[margo49]

Missed ya...

[alpinerabbit]

Take care Sunshine,

you are what matters.
Live the dance of life.

Best blessings

Rabbit

...
/|\

[velogirl]

HS, I hope you're getting help with this battle. Disordered eating is not something you can solve on your own. And don't be afraid to use this group for support as well.

Are you still training and/or racing while you go through this? You might consider taking a break. I've coached more than a few women (and men) with disordered eating. I think this sport encourages it -- the super-lean are the best climbers, thus the best athletes. Be very careful in this environment.

And get yourself healthy and whole again, okay?

Lorri

[solobiker]

sending positive vibes your way

[Flybye]

!i aim to do this alone now,ive found in the past it doesnt work to rely on professionals to cure you,its ultimately up to the individual with lots of positive influences chipping in..................

The mark of an excellent clinician is one who can help you find your own solution to your own goals and help you find ways to meet that goal through your own drive and power to do so. It is ultimately up to you, like you said! What you don't want in a clinician is someone who just gives lots of advice. It sounds like you haven't had much success with professionals - it is like finding a pair of shoes - you have to get a good one that is a good fit and that you can "wear" even on LONG days or long stretches - weeks. If you get the wrong shoes, throw em' out and look for more.
Statistically speaking, the best way to tackle this is through the helping process.
I like that you are looking for positive influences. Take control of this, own it, and the solution will be yours!

Here is a funny laugh for you.............
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYLMTvxOaeE

[LBTC]

So nice to see you again, sunshine!

You are wonderful and capable of being the you you need to be! We're here to listen and support you on this fabulous journey!

I'm sending you lots of butterflies of acceptance and guidance and love. Depend on them, depend on us, depend on yourself. We're all on this road together.

Big hugs,
~T~

[bmccasland]

Sunshine - Hope your hollydaze have been great and you continue to improve! We're here to support you.

So in my best, fake, Jewish mother accent - eat, eat! What, you don't like my cooking?

Seriously, you don't have to face eating issues alone, if cyberspace counts! Getting your health back will help your cycling. How's that for motivation?

OK, OK, I won't quit my day job and become a motivational speaker.

[hellosunshine]

oh YOU darlings-47.4kg on a "good day"

wow,i am loathe to trouble you all with it but i must say YOU lot are superb and so positive,the anorexic forums are very "poor me" and isnt life a nightmare etc etc,which i dont think is they way to switch into health tbh

HEALTH HEALTH -sodium levels are askew andcreatine levels nincompoop so this has been a real scare and drive to get up to a healthy weight-yes ya right this sport encourages thinness-but thats for the MEN not for us loveli women who need to succeed and be happy and vibrant!

tis a little harder maybe as i live alone and isolated apart from bunch riding with the lads and work interactions

i was given a happy book for christmas that ive printed off things posted on this thread and the weight thread,all the positive examples of wellness for motivation

the racing-well,believe it or not i did managed to do the BBAR comp this yr,best 25,50 and 100 mile timetrail comp-seemed to do better over longer distnace events rather than the shorter 10mile power timetrials,BUT today dropped on the hills so desperatly need leg muscle mass.


i value you all so so much,thanks!

[Pedal Wench]

One thing I've realized is how much better I feel when my body is properly fueled. I really like thinking about what I put in is going to make me stronger, or healthier. Purpose-driven nutrition -- I'm eating this cereal because the carbs will make me faster. I'm putting soymilk on it because the protein helps my muscles rebuild after a ride. I'm eating this fruit because the vitamins prevent illness that will keep me off my bike.

[christina_9w9]

You might consider taking a break. I've coached more than a few women (and men) with disordered eating. I think this sport encourages it

[Triskeliongirl]

Nice to hear you have gained some weight and are feeling healthier.

I'll start by saying that while I don't know a lot about eating disorders, I do know that sometimes our mental pictures of ourselves don't match our real images. I had the opposite problem of you. When I was overweight, I would look in the mirror and see a thin person (i.e. myself at my ideal weight) but when I would see a picture of myself, I would see how I really looked (overweight). I wonder if that might help you. That is if you see yourself as 'grotesque' in the mirror, have someone take a picture, and see if that helps you see that you really look fine. Its taken me a lot of time, but now that I am at a healthy body weight, my internal and external images seem to match.

Also, hang around and share. We'd all love to help as best as we can (i.e. in a non-professional support function)! I also hope that I misunderstood the self-harm remark, but if this is a growing problem I hope you are getting good professional help.

I also don't think that stopping cycling is the answer, but maybe changing your goals would help. Is it possible to switch from hard core racing to a more recreational style of riding, perhaps by joining a club with a more pleasure oriented focus.

[papaver]

Hi, I've just read your story and it makes me think of Leontien Van Moorsel. She was a Dutch pro cyclist who had anorexia during her racing career. You should google her and read her story. Maybe it can be a kind of moral support. In the mean time, keep up the good work!


Here's one article about her.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/oly...274092435_afp/

[cylegoddess]

In very happy to hear of your progress!! I have struggled with a eating disorder for about 15 years and honey, cyling is good for it I think!
Remember, its lean, long , STRONG and muscles. Without the strong,long and muscles the lean isnt going to cut it. And yes, unless we are riding the Tour de France, 12 % body fat isnt really what we need( and they dont stay that way! Plus yes,, are men.)
Its hard, but life is hard. I have some oesto, chronic fatigue, glandular fever, plus some other serious exposures to toxic yuckkies to add. But Once I got a bike and really, saw the beauty of riding, things changed. I dont feel sorry for myself, except that I cant make it on long rides( Ive been riding a year and do at most, I think 35 km.) It makes it lonely not having ride buddies but someday will have em! Anorexia is a lonely disease, so do stay in touch. Puppy are good.
And the whole Lance Armstrong thing, helped.I pretend Im him when its hurts on days to be me, riding. I wish sometimes I was healthier( every day) and I think, if he can - so can I.
Also, here in Canberra, there is a wonderful man with one leg, Michael Milton who had bone cancer, as a child, then had it re-occuring- and rides as a paralympian. He is a real inspiration.
Im so proud of you. You are on your bike and getting strong. And riding far!
I will post some more alt things you can do to help you oesteo.
And I do understand about feeling odd in bike clothes. I like to short circuit this, look at myself and think - future race winner . Need MORE muscles, bigger legs,larger calves and strength. I say to myself, lean ,long and strong! Thats me! Im getting good at it, since Ive rode, I wear my cycling gear in shops and stuff and with a few exceptions, usually am proud.
As someone said, you are on your bike, Thats what counts.
Anorexia is often a way to try to control your life. Today's world can be overwhelming. Ive got ADD, so that was one way I tried to control it.
Now, riding makes endorphins, that are better than fasting ones( which is why many women do this, for the feeling).The more GOOD endorphins you have the better, right? Just make sure you eat enough to stay on target weight,so you can ride faster!
And yes, obsessing about food, if your over weight is another hard one. You can start thinking about how to eat better, and how to eat healthier. As I got better, I thought about food all the time. So I used this obsessiveness to learn ALL about healthy eating and now tell others, everywhere for free! AND I am becoming a personal trainer, in time too,So I can help everyone.
I really am well versed on eating, more than most doctors Ive gone to, except my new ones( who do alt practices too, as well as GP, naturpathy etc.) You can use your 'demons' to be your 'angels' too. Whatever drives you comes from the same source. use it wisely and well and you can conquer mountains - literally!!
Meet you on that mountain someday, sister and race you to the top - deal?