Bulimia and other eating disorders?

[ubertannedchick]

How many of you have had trouble with falling into eating disorder territory? I did (bulimia) and it pretty much ended any chance I had of carrying on as a competitive bodybuilder. I think we tend to think of our bodies much as gymnasts do and maybe age matters a good bit too (I was 17). Any one have any insights or personal experience to share? I have a feeling this might be a problem that's pretty prevalent in our sport.

 

[Gymgurl]

I was around 19 or so when I first dieted.....had many other issues that were also related to my ED. I was molested for a yr or so around age 10 and then raped around age 12 and never told anyone. Until I ended up in treatment for being Bulimic and anorexic. So I have stayed away from competing after seeing the weight fluctations of the women. I knew that it could put me in relapse.....

 

[ubertannedchick]

Oh crap, that is so totally like what happened to me. I was abused as a young child (which I only confronted in therapy after dealing with the bulimia) and I was competing after leaving a fairly sheltered farm lifestyle with my mother. I went to USC and got into major iron pumping and totally into body culture and hardcore bodybuilding. I would hit the gym for like six hours at a time and I weighed about 100 Ibs. Pics from that time I look like a 12 year old with muscles.

 

[Gymgurl]

I think I was about 106 pounds...lol....which is hard to even imagine now...Yep many with ED'd have underlying issues....Im glad that you are taking care of yourself now! So many girls die from it....and we both know it is no way to live your life everyday

 

[ubertannedchick]

Did you compete at some point? I'm sorry to ask dumb questions because I'm brand new, but I did two shows and then quit because the ED was threatening my health. I have thought repeatedly about trying again but I know the same impulses would kick in. Although currently I am planning to do a triathlon in the spring and am flirting with maybe trying tri-fitness someday. That whole thing really intrigues me!

 

[Sassy69]

You both have dealt w/ & overcome so much! Hyuge props and sorry anyone should even have to endure something like that. People never see just how far-reaching those things really are.

Me.. .I'm afraid I had the self-esteem issues that seem to plague so many women, but food was usually my outlet and not the control point. Interestingly after all these years, it has been the rebounds from 2 of my competitions and the emotional rollercoaster I associated with food aspect of it that has pretty much killed food as a focus of anything anymore. If I'm stressed I do notice that I will go grab some junk food (lately its been more salt than sugar stuff which is sort of interesting) but nothing like it used to be.

Otherwise I'm sure I've just become a lot better at setting my expectations around things that used to get me worked up and now they just don't. Therefore, no need for a stress outlet.

 

[Gymgurl]

I have never competed....thought about it very seriously until I talked to Sassy about the fluctuation in weight and I just couldn't handle the extremes.

Otherwise I'm sure I've just become a lot better at setting my expectations around things that used to get me worked up and now they just don't. ......sassy You are so dead on with this one! Also the control point that you mentioned....yep felt so out of control with my life that I knew my body was one thing I had control over.....

Uber....that is my thing.....running, tris and Du's......and I love it!!!

 

[annieree]

That must be tough.

Never suffered with anything like that - but have been known to overeat.

Most of the time I'm pretty good, and now I'm back in training I think I'm more likely to stick to a decent diet.

 

[Gymgurl]

I missed you....Im glad you are back!!!! Yeah I can still over eat.....or I way undereat

 

[annieree]

I missed you....Im glad you are back!!!! Yeah I can still over eat.....or I way undereat

its good to be back - looking forward to a new year and a new me!