Hi, new to forum ! Food issues !

[Estella B]

Hi, I'm new to this forum, I have issues with alcohol but also have food issues. I have yo-yo-ed since I was fifteen years old and though I do not consider myself to have a disorder I know I do have a bit of an obsession with dieting. I have tried every diet under the sun but lately have found myself really cutting down quite drastically, my weight loss is still fairly slow but I worry that I will sudenly crave everything I've missed and binge. I have studied psychology and have always had an interest in eating disorders however after reading a book by Marya Hornbacher - Wasted, I realise that I have more than I would like in common with her. I have a fairly extensive knowledge of nutrition and dietetics so do follow a reasonably 'healthy' diet by controlling carbs by eating only those with a low glycemic load and monitoring the amount of fat and fibre I eat. I am genuinely interested in how other people cope with food obsessions. Estella

[Nina Kay]

Hi Estella,
Welcome to the SR Forum. I am truly glad that you are here to listen and to share. You could sure be a help here with ideas on how to eat healthy and smart. I have also done constant yo-yoing with my weight, diet and exercise since I was a young teen. I have tried lots of ways to diet throughout my life, but was never one for fad diets. I don't think that I ever had enough will power to even try to stick to one. There is also a new site to add to this one, that pedagogue has started with lots of information about EDs. I hope that you keep coming back and sharing. I just take my problem one day at a time and am right now just trying to choose a healthy food over an unhealthy one, stay away from obvious sweets, trying to work up slowly with exercise, and trying to cut down on my caffienne. I come here for support and information and to keep myself accountable. Hope to see you here often.

[pedagogue]

Estella B,

I have a few books I can recommend if you are interested in reading more about EDs. (my area of interest) I think one of the best books written on Anorexia is The Golden Cage , by Hilda Bruch. It was one of the first books that took a deeper look at Anorexia, and is the basis of our current understanding of Anorexia. Bruch has dug deep into the root causes of Anorexia in many of today's women, and she has helped bring some meaning to the feelings that they are struggling with every day. It isn't the easiest read because it gets technical at times, but it will give you a much better understanding of the complexity of anorexia.

-p

[Estella B]

Thankyou both so much. I'll look out for the Golden cage ! I am finding Wasted by Marya Hornbacher absolutely fascinating and very distressing too. NK you sound like me in that you do not have a 'full blown disorder' but food and diet is a constant part of your life. Every day I wake up and think 'what am I going to eat/not eat today'. I know I could probably lose 7 pounds or more before Christmas and that I'd put another 10 pounds on by January !

[Estella B]

Just to add, I am by no means an expert but if I can share my experience and nutritional knowledge at all I am more than willing. I have done some of the fad diets and know now that they are at best a quick fix and at worst dangerous. I am currently following a low GI plan which I find suits me very well as it concentrates on good carbs rather than dismissing carbs as 'bad'. It also acknowledges the differnce between good and bad fats.
Regards, Estella.

[Pony]

None of us are experts. We're just all here sharing what we learn, what works for us, and supporting those around us in what works for them. So welcome aboard....glad to have ya.

[Estella B]

Thanks !