http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/ Eating Disorders http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/ http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/body_image_learning_to_love_your_body.php Twenty-four percent of women and 17 percent of men say they would give up more than three years of life to be thinner. That’s according to a poll conducted by Psychology Today magazine. At the same time, studies show that half of American women overestimate the size of their bodies. Sociologists who study the western-world phenomenon of poor body image attribute the problem to a variety of factors, including media and cultural influences, as well as parental and peer messages. The advertising industry ties the already complex issue of body image with materialism. A slender body is associated with wealth, health, and attractiveness. A heavier body is associated with... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/breakthroughs_in_treating_social_anxiety_disorder.php People with social anxiety disorder (SAD) display a range of secondary symptoms. Some people cannot participate in any type of group discussion for fear that they will become shaky and their voice tremulous, even mute. Others have such anticipatory anxiety about being in groups that they can’t even hold a job. It is common for these individuals to avoid crowds and large gatherings, although an even more threatening scenario is presented where there will be real human interaction required of the sufferer. Another aspect of social anxiety is the physiological distress that those afflicted often feel. For some, social anxiety and panic disorder go hand in hand and certain social situations,... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/practices_in_mental_health.php What are the practices in mental health? Most people believe that mental health experts merely sit and discuss problems with patients. The fact is these experts have more to contend with than merely discussing problems. The experts are responsible to keep notes, evaluate the patient's problems carefully, and find a solution for what is causing the problem. Mental health is never easy since counselors' everyday evaluate patients with all types of disorders, diseases and so forth. Experts commonly study diagnosis such as schizophrenia, posttraumatic stress disorder, histrionic, antisocial, psychopathic, and so forth every day. Since mental health has many areas of study, it is... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/partial_training_for_massive_results.php You have been struggling in the gym day after day, week after week and you still look the same now as you did last year. You read all the muscle magazines, surfed the Net and read forums to get the absolute best training advice. Why are you not gaining muscle at the rate you desire? Many people venture onto resistant training in hopes to build some good solid and dense muscle, but many go to the gym everyday, unsure of what they are doing and even unclear of what they really want the outcome to be. If you want muscle, you have to build it. It's as simple as that. Building muscle takes time and effort. One problem many encounter when trying to gain muscle size and strength is training... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/understand_the_science_of_obesity_and_you_re_on_your_way.php Many people think obesity means that a person is overweight, but that's not exactly true. An overweight person has a surplus amount of weight that includes muscle, bone, fat and water. An obese person has a surplus of body fat. Body Mass Index (BMI) is commonly used to determine if a person is obese or not. A person with a BMI over 30 is considered to be obese, and a BMI over 40 is considered to be severely obese. Factors such as poor diet, lack of physical activity, genetics and certain medical disorders cause obesity, but it can be conquered. Eating Disorder Obesity itself is not an eating disorder, but people who are obese or who fear becoming obese may develop one. There are three... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/the_bulimia_recovery_process.php People with bulimia often feel like they are keeping a secret. No one knows how terrified they are about how they look and how fat they feel. No one knows they are so afraid of gaining weight that after eating they will quietly go the bathroom and throw up their food. No one knows how hungry get and how they sneak out at night to binge eat, only to purge soon afterwards. Without treatment, about 10 percent of people with bulimia will die from dehydration. Malnourishment and constant vomiting wrecks havoc on the body and can cause serious, lasting complications. Many people with bulimia will not admit that they have an eating disorder, but this understanding is crucial to their bulimia... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/how_i_lost_20_pounds_without_really_trying.php I grew up yearning to be my Barbie doll. Had my wish been granted, I'd measure 36-18-33. With a foot-long neck. As a budding teen, the only curves I possessed were my eyeballs. Few foods met my taste standards and my poor mother had a wicked time feeding me. Gradually, though, my menu expanded and my weight rose steadily. Too steadily. It didn't help that my Junior High friend made Twiggy look fat. Sharon had a tall, willowy body that no amount of fasting could imitate. That didn't stop me from trying though. I launched my first real diet at 13 - old age compared to the newest wave of weight watchers. Though I don't recall the details of the "plan," I realize now... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/prisoner_of_carbohydrates.php I more than understand the carbohydrate roller coaster that many of you may be experiencing. You hear that in order to achieve successful weight loss you should cut carbohydrates. Also, some readings suggest limiting carbohydrates while others say to eat more carbohydrates! Does the carbohydrate mystery have you completely confused? You will be amazed to learn that you can eat carbohydrates and still achieve desired weight loss. Before you can convince carbohydrates to work in your favor, you need to understand their position, so I will recap lightly on their functioning role. Function of Carbohydrates All carbohydrates are broken down into sugar and are directed to the bloodstream as... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/weight_loss_10_tips_to_avoid_the_holiday_bulge.php Do you find it almost impossible to stay conscious and contentious about weight and nutrition during the holidays? Of course you do. More than half of all Americans are overweight. All American's are in this together. You can take heart from a new government study which shows most Americans gain about a pound over the holiday. You're not alone. The study shows that during the holiday period, for the people in the study, two main things influenced the holiday weight gain: level of hunger and level of activity. Those who reported being less active or more hungry had the greatest weight gain. If you can stay focused on dealing with just those two things, you'll probably... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/when_weight_loss_surgery_releases_other_addictions.php What would it be like, to be able to control an obsession for chocolate? Take it up a notch and think about people seeking to control full-scale eating disorders, drug addiction, gambling, smoking, drinking...even compulsive shopping! When "food becomes my comfort" and someone crushes the bathroom scales at morbidly obese levels, body image goals and eating disorders can easily morph into a full flowering of addictive compulsions. This person is psychologically armed and dangerous to themselves. The question is what can they do to regain control over these impulse disorders? Filling an inner void typically involves the steady build-up of an obsessive compulsive drive. Self worth,... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/does_someone_you_care_about_have_anorexia.php Anorexia is an eating disorder that develops when someone stops eating enough food for adequate nutrition. It can happen slowly, over several months or even years, as when some people grow older or develop an underlying disease like cancer. As their appetite dwindles, they may stop eating altogether or gradually eat less and less. Without taking in enough calories or nutrients, a person can get sick or become weak. Any other health condition that develops during this time can then further compromise that person's health. Another type of anorexia is based on personal self-image. People who are trying to lose weight sometimes take extreme measures by reducing the amount of... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/can_t_sleep_toss_the_sleep_aids_and_organize_your_bedroom_for_the_best_sleep_of_your_life.php When you have trouble sleeping, do you reach for sleep aids to cure your insomnia? You are not alone. But the consequences of chronic sleep aid use can be devastating to your health. Not only can sleep aids cause depression, new research has shown that some sleep aid users can develop an eating disorder from taking sleeping pills! "One woman gained 100 pounds before finally realizing that Ambien was at fault...Sleep-eating can occur spontaneously or in association with other drugs, so Ambien may not be the only culprit. But the researchers think that there's something about Ambien that leads to sleep-eating in some people. Presumably only a very small percentage of users are... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/my_divorce_letter_to_my_eating_disorder.php Dear Eating Disorder: It has been a tough couple weeks. I am tired, exhausted actually. I feel as though my strength is gone. I have been thinking about how long we have been together. When I think about it, I get frustrated, angry, discouraged and empty. I met you when I was in the sixth grade. You wanted to be my friend when no one else would. You helped me with math and spelling. Anorexia, Bulimia and Compulsive Overeating. You said #1 Don’t trust anyone because they will end up hurting or leaving me. #2 Don’t tell anyone anything because they really don’t care anyway. #3 Feelings are to be kept to myself. You have saved me from conflict, kept me focus, helped me become independent... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/the_silent_villain.php After a restful sleeps night, do you wake up feeling completely drained before you even put a foot on the floor? Even though you are a very focused individual, are your thoughts often foggy? You actively exercise and eat right, but are you still at least 15 pounds or more overweight? Despite your dietary limitations, is your stomach swollen? Even though you are relatively young, do you feel 20 years older than you are? If these are very familiar symptoms that seem completely out of your control, relax. There could be an underlying condition in your system taking over and leaving you helplessly behind. That condition could be Candidia albican. What is Candida? Candida albican is a yeast... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/how_your_initial_programming_sabotages_your_diet_weight_loss_fitness_goals.php During the first part of your life you had no control: your parents did the majority of your thinking for you and in doing so created the greatest part of your subconscious programming. This is especially true in your eating behavior programming. Your parents meant well but unfortunately they lacked the knowledge and the skills to instruct you on how to eat properly. They simply followed what their parents had taught them. Does this sound familiar to you: “You are not going to leave the table until you finished everything on your plate.” or “Do you realize there are children in the world who are starving and would give anything for your meal?” or “If you do not finish everything on your... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/eating_disorders_anorexia_nervosa_signs.php In our continuing series on eating disorders, this article will focus on Anorexia Nervosa. Anorexia Nervosa is a very serious eating disorder which can be potentially life threatening. It's main characteristic is self starvation and excessive weight loss. Anorexia Nervosa has four main symptoms and they are as follows: 1. A strong resistance to maintaining a person's body weight at or above what would be considered a normal minimum body weight for that person's age, weight and height. 2. A very strong and intense fear of getting fat or being overweight even though to all appearances the person is at a normal or even below normal weight. 3. A strong disturbance by the shape of the... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/ten_things_to_do_instead_of_binge_eating.php While we all reach for food for many different reasons, there are big consequences associated with binge eating. Various health problems and obesity are just a few bad things that can happen to a person that binges regularly. Below are some suggestions of what you can do the next time you want to binge eat. Try some of these to get your mind off of food. 1. Go for a walk. If you have a dog, take him/her with you. Try to really take in everything beautiful outside and shift your focus from food to the pretty flowers you see, the nice houses you see, or the nature that surrounds you. 2. Arts and Crafts. Sew, paint, draw, and create your own masterpiece. You can capture how you are feeling... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/dealing_with_anorexia_and_eating_disorders.php If you or a close of friend of yours is suffering from anorexia you already know how this medical condition can affect your life. You'll need to know as much as you can about anorexia since the more informed you are about what's happening to your mind and body the better chance you have of succeeding at treatment. Anorexia describes a condition where a person decides that they are too fat and therefore they decide that they won't maintain what should be a normal body weight for their body type and height. Anorexia usually affects females but there have been many cases where young males have been affected as well. Most people suffering from anorexia will weigh... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/the_effects_of_bulimia.php People with bulimia have an eating disorder that causes them to binge on food and then, usually, throw up the food during binge-and-purge cycles. Some people may exercise excessively or abuse diuretics or laxatives. Although there is no known cause of bulimia, people who suffer from the disorder tend to be perfectionists who strive to make others happy, and they may also be stressed or depressed. Genetics and social messages also contribute to bulimia's development. One of the most marked effects of bulimia is on the teeth and mouth. Frequent vomiting brings up stomach acid into the mouth, eroding teeth's enamel. Cavities and gum infections are common in people with bulimia. The stomach... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/what_is_obesity_and_how_can_you_beat_it.php Obesity is more than just an excess in body fat. Being overweight can cause problems, but if your doctor has told you that you are obese, that is a cause for alarm – and action! Obesity can be deadly, but with some simple lifestyle changes and a little common sense, beating obesity is possible! Most obese people have one thing in common – for whatever reason, their minds are not adept at telling when their bodies are too full. There are many reasons for this, but the most important step in beating obesity is reducing the number of calories you ingest each day. When your body and your mind are not communicating, this can be a challenge. Portion control is one way to overcome the fact... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/permanent_weight_loss_your_subconscious_pictures.php Copyright 2005 Burris MIND/FITNESS The second component of Burris MIND/FITNESS is your subconscious pictures. I will explain how to replace your negative subconscious images into positive images through the practice of controlled visualization. According to the New England Journal of Medicine, visualizing is the fourth most frequently used form of alternative healing. You are now about to learn how to change your existing subconscious pictures that keep you anchored to your poor eating behavior. Several studies have shown that the body makes little distinction between a vivid mental experience and an actual physical one. Your subconscious images are simply corresponding pictures of... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/binge_eating_and_self_esteem_are_you_a_victim_or_a_victor.php It’s one of those days when Murphy’s Law is in full effect. You walk in the door and check your mail: more bills. Instinctively, you make your way to the refrigerator, open the door and search for “a little something” to eat. You spy a box of your favorite cookies, grab one and take a bite. The sweetness of the cookie evokes feelings of calmer, happier times. You savor the cookie, swallow it, then reach for another and before you know it, you’ve finished the entire box. “Well, now I’ve done it.” you tell yourself, “I’ve ruined my diet and the day is now a complete waste”. Your eye shifts to the leftover chocolate cake sitting pretty on the kitchen counter and you help yourself to a... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/anorexia_nervosa_an_eating_disorder.php Anorexia can be termed or also mean as person who has lost his/her appetite. It can be seen as a form of disease which is very harmful posing a threat to your life. This is a voluntary starving process wherein people kill their desire to eat and end up starving oneself. There are many components which makes this disease complex such as psychological, sociological and physiological. The weight loss doesn’t happen very rapidly but it is a very slow process and looks like any other weight reducing programme in the beginning. But it is after some months you realize the effect it has taken upon your health. This affects the personality of the person drastically and the outgoing and extrovert... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/in_bulimia_recovery_do_you_want_to_beat_bulimia.php Are you ready to stop binging & purging and experience bulimia recovery? About half of us give up on our goals during the first week; so if you set a goal to beat bulimia, leave binging and purging in the past and experience bulimia recovery just read on to learn how to stay motivated. Let's say, "stop binge eating" is your desired goal. However, if this is how you describe your goal, then you will find it hard to achieve because it does not focus on the positive or anything tangible. Focusing on the positive is the way to bulimia recovery. Reframe your goal by answering these questions: - What would you like to accomplish today? - Who can assist you in dealing with... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/muscle_stimulation_or_exaggeration.php I'd like to discuss an issue with a certain question I receive concerning training and angle variation. Can you add more muscle size by adding more angels to exercises for each muscle group? Not necessarily. Many lifters are under the notion that adding more angles, sets, and repetitions can enhance their physique by recruiting all the muscle fibers. While this may sound logical, it can do more damage then good in the bodybuilding world. The fact is, you either stimulate the muscle, or you don't. Those individuals seeking muscle hypertrophy (muscle growth) should stick to the basics for the core of the workout, and not over train. The basics include the flat press, shoulder press,... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/hollywood_weight_loss_secrets_movie_star_personal_trainer_tells_all.php In the early nineties I had the opportunity to work with some of the most famous movie stars in the world. As a manager and personal trainer of Kathy Smith’s health club I experienced first hand the secrets to the stars. Here are a few things they did to look like they do: 1. They never ate: One out of every four I would say had some sort of eating disorder. If they ate they thought they would get fat, or worse yet, NOT get the job! 2. They would only workout when they needed a job: They only thing that motivated them to exercise was how much the next job would pay them. 3. They had great plastic surgeons: If the weight didn’t come off naturally, they had a backup plan. 4. They... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/understanding_bulimia.php When a girl enters puberty, her body changes. It begins to look like a woman’s body, rather than a girl’s. Fat begins to appear. Breasts develop and hips widen as the girl grows. For some young woman, these changes are greeted with excitement. For other young women, these changes may cause sadness and spark self-doubt. A young woman feeling uncomfortable in her body may wish for a girl’s body without curves. She may project her fear onto food. Now, when she eats, she eats too much food. She binges. This may fill her with guilt and shame and vomit up the food. She purges. This is the story of a young woman has bulimia. Bulimia is not exclusively caused by the changes of puberty, nor is it... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/people_with_anorexia_and_anorexia_nervosa.php <a href="http://anorexia.christianet.com/">Anorexia Nervosa is a severe and often life-threatening eating disorder defined by a rejection to sustain minimal body weight of an individual's normal weight. People with anorexia nervosa are said to be in relentless pursuit of thinness. This disorder includes an intense fear of gaining weight with a distorted body image. Anorexia nervosa should not be confused with Bulimia nervosa, another eating disorder, often referred to as the diet-binge-purge disorder. Like anorexia nervosa, bulimia can kill if not addressed. Symptoms to watch for in people with anorexia nervosa include withdrawal, an emaciated appearance, obsessive-compulsiveness and... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/mainstream_flows_downhill.php When the low-fat era hit back in the 1980s, everyone accepted it as holy. It was believed that you needed little to no fat in your diet and that you should consume large quantities of carbohydrates in order to be fit and healthy. It didn't take long for food companies to start producing highly processed goods, everything from low-fat ice cream to fat-free cookies. It seemed the less fat we ate, the fatter we became. With the new eating standard, many people became tired and developed illnesses and chronic conditions. Aches and pains increased and we were told just to accept them, that it's a normal part of life and aging. Being tired, sick and diseased, and aching from head to toe is not... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/lose_weight_gain_back_your_life_2.php Losing weight has nothing to do with will power or lack of. Fanatical Dieting, Emotional Eating and Conditioning are the 3 most common patterns for obesity. I have mentioned in past articles of a highly successful technique that I use with clients and in my workshops. Remembering that all you need do is to DO IT! It often works where nothing else will, usually rapid, long lasting and gentle, no drugs or equipment involved, easily learned by anyone and can be self applied. As Emotional Eating is the second most proven reason for obesity, I think this should be the first place to start, and it may well then work on fanatical dieting and conditioning. The method is EMOTIONAL FREEDOM... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/getting_unstuck_moving_forward_to_success.php Ever find yourself stuck in that awful loop of inactivity? You circle around and around between wanting to move forward and then apathy? Covering the same ground and never moving forward? It could be that you are stuck in the web of your own comfort zone. It’s a place we hang out at that’s routine, predicable and safe. We’ve stopped growing, taking risks, and seeking. We can get stuck eating certain foods for comfort, not taking the risk to lose weight, not choosing the next step to overcome an eating disorder, or not getting started at that creative project you already know you would succeed at. The comfort zone offers a safe shelter, a familiar beaten path for us to follow. As... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/eating_disorder_compulsive_overeaters.php Compulsive overeaters are another type of eating disorders. Compulsive overeaters are caught in a cycle of depression and binge eating. Food is often used as a coping method to help handle uncomfortable feelings. Some suffers say that their overeating episodes are used to numb all that is going on around them. Some even describe it as an addiction to food, in turn using it to hide from their emotions. People that suffer from compulsive eating disorders usually are overweight. They are also usually aware that their eating habits are not normal. For many sufferers binges may not be broken into specific episodes but into days where they eat more than normal throughout the day. There... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/women_and_weights.php So ladies, what can weight training do for you? Weight training will give you near-perfect symmetry and put curves and definition in all the right places. Muscle is firm and toned, not soft and mushy. It gives you strength, health, vitality and a beautiful body. Also, weight training will decrease your chance of injuries in everyday life and recreational activities. Weight training improves work, sleep, endurance, sex and many other areas of your life. Ladies Training Training for ladies shouldn't differ that much from men's training. We have the same number of muscles and they contact in the same fashion. The only difference between men and women are hormones. Men naturally have... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/the_differences_between_anorexia_and_bulimia.php The distinctions between eating disorders can be confusing. While anorexia and bulimia may have some issues in common, other factors make them distinct. For parents, understanding the differences can be crucial, as early detection and proper treatment significantly improve the chances a child will recover. Following is information to help distinguish between the two. Definition: Anorexia is more common in teenagers, while bulimia is more often seen in women in their 20’s. However, don’t make the mistake of thinking there is a set age for either of these diseases. Here are differences between anorexia and bulimia based on the American Psychiatric Association’s definition: Bulimia Nervosa... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/anorexia_nervosa_causes_symptoms_and_treatment_of_anorexia_nervosa.php Take the case of 17 year old Kerry, whose boyfriend casually mentioned to her that he is upset over her being overweight and that all his friends make fun of her. Kerry, who in reality was only chubby, was pretty hurt and started losing her self-esteem. She soon went into guilt pangs for being over-weight and went on a crash diet, skipping breakfast, having only a fruit or two for lunch and slice of bread for dinner. She was petrified of gaining weight and losing her boy friend. Slowly and gradually she became a victim of a disorder called anorexia nervosa. The ideal image of a woman's body has changed radically in the past years. Like Kerry, most teenage girls struggle to feel good... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/body_image_and_creative_expression.php It isn’t just about “looking good” or eating disorders; body image relates to our identity, and how we think about and accept ourselves, which directly or indirectly affects how we access the awareness and emotional energy we need for creating. Body image issues can be particularly visible in entertainment, which provides most of our icons and role models.. Some highly talented actors such as Emma Thompson seem to revel in roles with unusual looks, such as her character in "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" and as a governess with frightening features in "Nanny McPhee.” In her film Carrington (1995), she appears with rather short hair, dressed “mannishly” and Thompson said she... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/the_psychology_of_diet_preparation.php We decide to lose weight because of any number of reasons: we don't like the way we look, our clothes don't fit, our health is in danger, our significant other is wandering, our job is at risk, or our kids are embarrassed. We tend to think of weight loss as something that involves only our body; surely no one ever decided to lose weight because of a fat brain or a bloated mind. Yet "we decide" is a mental function. When and why we make such a decision depends on our mind, not our body. We may make the decision when we are five pounds heavier than we would like, or after passing the two hundred pound mark and entering true medical obesity. The actual size of the body does not... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/recovering_your_mental_health.php Taking a Look at Yourself Have you been told that you have a psychiatric or mental illness like depression, bipolar disorder or manic depression, schizophrenia, borderline personality disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, dissociative disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, an eating disorder or an anxiety disorder? Do any of the following feelings or experiences make you feel miserable or get in the way of doing the things you want to do most or all of the time? * feeling like your life is hopeless and you are worthless * wanting to end your life * thinking you are so great that you are world famous, or that you can do supernatural things * feeling anxious... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/six_bodybuilding_dieting_mistakes.php You have probably noticed that muscle doesn't miraculously appear overnight. Building muscle takes time, patience, and accuracy in training and nutrition. Let's fact it, bodybuilding is a science, and with all the information available to us, it's that much easier to make costly mistakes that can hamper muscle gains. We have all made the same bodybuilding mistakes, but many fail to acknowledge, or even realize they are even making them. Bodybuilding errors can slow muscle gains and decrease fat loss. It can also be the leading cause of plateaus. To prevent you from being a statistic, let's go over a few bodybuilding errors. Mistake #1 - Being Impatient The most common mistake... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/bulimia_not_fatal_anymore.php Bulimia is a severe eating disorder related with weight loss psychology. During bulimia your body will lose potassium, sodium and other important minerals, which will surely lead you to cardiac hazards. As ladies are weight conscious, more than 75% bulimia patients are female. Weight loss programs, which offer you an easy way to control weight, are often the psychological starter of this serious eating disorder. Unfortunately, their claim is true. There are other triggers. For example, a well-known Swedish swimmer, with several championships titles, told that the reason she started to get into this was the words a trainer gave her. You got to watch your weight he told her when she was 14... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/battling_an_eating_disorder_when_bulimia_becomes_a_true_american_idol_sized_problem.php In a People Magazine article, American Idol contestant, Katherine McPhee disclosed that she has secretly suffered from bulimia for the past five years. It was her success in television’s American Idol competition that inspired her to come forward and get help to recover from her life-threatening eating disorder. Katherine, a vocalist who at her worst point was self-inducing vomiting up to seven times a day, claimed that she realized her bulimic behaviors were “equivalent to taking a sledgehammer to her throat” and brought herself to treatment. Glamorizing Eating Disorder Illnesses? Or Becoming an Invaluable Role Model? Some may think when celebrities like Katherine come forward with such... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/do_your_emotions_control_your_weight.php There are those who eat because they are hungry. However, there are those who eat because, to them, food is like a pacifier. They eat when they are frustrated, angry, sad, depressed or bored. This is can lead into a major eating disorder. There's a reason why many of us eat this way. When we were young, we were brainwashed as it were to believe that many of the foods we ate were "comfort foods," that to eat food meant we were feeling good. Ever so often our families would come over for dinner or an outdoor barbecue, stuffing ourselves while engaging in fun and frolicking. If you think about it we celebrate our birthdays, graduations, weddings, and any other social gathering with food. So... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/what_are_the_symptoms_of_bulimia.php Bulimia is an eating disorder. People with bulimia usually have a normal weight, but perceive themselves to be fat. Or they may feel intense guilt or self-disgust when they eat. These feelings are so strong that people with bulimia throw up much of the food they eat. Though men and women both can develop bulimia, 90 percent of people with bulimia are women. For most, bulimia begins in the teens, a few years after puberty begins. Many people with bulimia are perfectionists or overachievers. Bulimia is identified by two characteristic behaviors: bingeing and purging. In a binge, a person eats more than 1,000 calories, which is close to half the number of calories a typical person needs in... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/cardio_queen_syndrome.php By now you are well aware that increased activity burns calories and fat. Exercise is essential to your health and well being, but could you be taking part in too much of a good thing? The old adage, more is not always better, is a good rule to live by. When it comes to fat loss, you need to be in tune with your body and learn how to listen to it. The idea behind fat loss is to manipulate the body often. As long as you are a step ahead of your body's actions, you will be on top of the fat loss game. What exactly does that mean? How do you stay a step ahead of your body? Let's explore this concept a little further. Megan is an e-client of mine. When she began her fat loss endeavor she... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/weight_loss_products_and_services_do_they_really_work.php The weight loss industry is worth billions. Millions of people worldwide buy into it because they want to lose weight and feel great, yet many of these people are still overweight and feel bad about themselves. It is something of a paradox; weight loss products and services rake in the cash, yet the people who use them are still overweight. This very concept is what keeps them on the shelves. Suppose for example someone has played their latest fitness dvd so many times they are sick of it and decide to go and buy another one; there are so few recipes in their diet books they actually like that they have to add another book to their collection; they are bored silly slugging it out on their... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/the_symptoms_of_anorexia_and_bulimia_nervosa.php One of the most notable symptoms of anorexia and bulimia is the fast and excessive loss of weight. The also wear large clothing to hide their skinny build caused by dramatic weight loss. Complaining about being overweight as food becomes central to there life, often finding an excuse not to eat and when they do there obsession with counting calories and choice of what to eat is fed by their obsession to lose weight. They become uncharacteristically uncomfortable around food and often display bizarre behaviour when eating such as playing with their food in an attempt to either prevent eating it, or trying to minimize caloric intake by restricting eating to diet foods only. They also cut the... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/a_rapid_weight_loss_diet_is_it_good_for_you.php The so called rapid weight loss diet is one of the closest things to a crash diet. One description of a rapid weight loss diet is this - A crash diet is a diet which is extreme in its deprivations - typically severely restricting calorie intake. Meant to achieve rapid weight loss, a crash diet differs from outright starvation only slightly. Crash diets are typically unhealthy and are rarely - if ever - recommended by doctors or dietitians. Crash diets may lead to malnutrition. When someone discontinues a crash diet, the "rebound-effect" is often experienced. This causes a person to eat far more than normal, causing them to regain both the weight that was recently lost due to the diet as... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/side_effects_with_hoodia_gordonii.php Health foods are the entire craze now. Exercising and having a healthy body is a top priority for many people these days. With this comes a plethora of different forms of exercises and diets. One of the fast up and coming health food lifestyle is the Hoodia Gordonii. The benefits of using Hoodia Gordonii are by far more striking than what has been available in the past. Compared to health foods right now it has more health benefits and is more understood. With this method, you have no diets to stick to, it decreases appetite so you don't feel starved, gives a great feeling of general good health and energy, completely natural and safe to use, won't keep you awake at night, no... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/unlocking_the_bonds_of_shame.php Shame is one of the most insidious and destructive emotions that we experience on a regular basis. It tends to be a corrosive thread that can eat away at our personal power and consume us in its fire over a period of years. For many, it is so embedded in our psyche that we are not even aware of the influence it plays. If you find yourself cringing, blushing, becoming easily flustered or embarrassed, then shame likely plays a major role in your life. It can be debilitating to the point that we withdraw from all optional social contact and even refuse to engage with others unless absolutely forced to. While extreme examples, there are many who suffer in just this manner. A more subtle... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/how_i_cured_the_temptation_to_binge.php I decided to tackle this subject because until quite recently, it was one of my biggest downfalls. I suspect that it might, and I do repeat the word might, be a problem which affects women more than men. After all, we do tend to deprive ourselves more than men, and being totally realistic, although men nowadays are much more concerned about their weight and health, they do not take it to extremes as a general rule. Women are much more susceptible to mood swings, caused by hormone imbalances, and are much much more sensitive in terms of what people think of them. There are many more pressures on them to look good, or to measure up to the latest fashion trend and so on. ... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/obesity_it_s_relationship_to_anoraxia_bulimia_and_other_eating_disorders.php Obesity is a disease that affects approximately 60 million people in the United States, and women are especially affected. Over o­ne-third of women between the ages of 20 and 74 are obese, the majority of them being African American or Mexican American. With more and more pre-packaged food and less and less activity, the number of obese people in America has steadily increased since the 1960’s. But what is obesity? Many people think obesity means that a person is overweight, but that’s not exactly true. An overweight person has a surplus amount of weight that includes muscle, bone, fat, and water. An obese person has a surplus of body fat. Most health professionals concur that a man is... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/mindfulness_and_eating_divine_desk_dining.php Are you stuck eating lunch at your desk again? Lucky you. You see, staying put can be surprisingly soothing compared to making a mad dash to the cafe for a sandwich and running back to your office, all the while worried that you’ll miss an important call. If you feel chained to your desk, try viewing it instead as a powerful anchor that keeps you from drifting mindlessly. Desk dining can be the epitome of mindlessness—or a remarkable opportunity to slow down, reconnect, and enjoy a delicious moment or two. You can choose a chug-and-chew cubicle lunch or settle in for a session of mindful mastication. Mom always told us to slow down and chew our food properly. She was more worried... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/binge_eating_is_not_black_and_white.php It’s the little things that you will need to notice and congratulate yourself on when beginning the recovery process of Binge Eating Disorder. These little things will be the stepping stones to gaining full control over yourself when food is involved. These tiny stepping stones will prove to you that you are in control, at least somewhat control, of your actions. It’s time for you to rejoice in them, instead of beating yourself up about why you aren’t fully recovered yet. Are you someone that binges twice a day for about five days out of the week? What are your trigger foods that you binge on? Let’s say that an example day of binging for you includes three bags of chips, one whole... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/bulimia_nervosa.php Eating disorders can be classified into three types - anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and obesity. The first two deals with women who are extremely conscious with the way they look, hence trying to maintain a very light weight bordering on malnutrition. The last one is an uncontrollable compulsion for eating thus leading to a weight that is way above their ideal weight. On one hand, anorexia nervosa is a condition wherein the person suffering from it is constantly afraid of gaining weight. On the other hand, one afflicted with bulimia nervosa has the tendency to go on a binge or consuming lots of food over a short period of time, then later on tries to purge herself so as to prevent... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/the_person_in_the_mirror.php Who is the person in the mirror? I am a person of faith who believes without seeing, yet lives in a world where people seem to believe what they see; in a mirror, on a scale, sizes on clothes. I am an athlete who strives for perfection in practice and the only thing that matters is the perfect score. I am a student. A student of life, who must be perfect in everything I do, I apologize for every little mistake, and cringe when I don’t catch on as quickly as everyone else. I am a child that wants to be loved, to belong, to be heard and know that I am perfect just as I am. This is what I want and yet I am so afraid to ask for it. Instead, I am a child that stands in front of my mirror,... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/how_your_initial_programming_effects_your_permanent_weight_loss.php Copyright 2005 Burris MIND/FITNESS During the first part of your life you had no control: your parents did the majority of your thinking for you and in doing so created the greatest part of your subconscious programming. This is especially true in your eating behavior programming. Your parents meant well but unfortunately they lacked the knowledge and the skills to instruct you on how to eat properly. They simply followed what their parents had taught them. Does this sound familiar to you: “You are not going to leave the table until you finished everything on your plate.” or “Do you realize there are children in the world who are starving and would give anything for your meal?” or “If... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/fighting_obesity_an_ayurvedic_way.php Definition of Obesity Excess amount of body fat is Obesity. Excess weight of muscles, bone, fat and water in the body (like body builders and athletes) is Overweight. Over weighted persons are at increased health risk than normal persons. They are more prone to chronic diseases like heart diseases, type-2 diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, and few types of cancers. Is fat necessary to our body? Certain amount of body fat does the following function 1. Heat insulation. 2. Absorption of shock. 3. Storage of energy. Etc. Ayurveda describes the functions of body fat as "Medaha sneha swedaudhrudatwam pushtim asthyancha" This means in normal conditions the... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/six_steps_to_a_positive_body_image.php A positive body image is one that we should all strive for. This is when you know yourself and who you are. You have a very true perception of your size, shape, and weight. You see yourself as you are in the present. You accept yourself, even though you may be overweight. You believe in yourself and love yourself while still striving for something better. When you have a positive body image, no time is spent obsessing about food, weight, calories, exercise, etc. You are proud of who you are and feel comfortable in your own body. Many people that suffer from binge eating disorder do not have positive body images. Instead, they have very distorted images of how they see themselves. ... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/understanding_gastric_bypass_surgery.php Gastric Bypass Surgery is growing in popularity. It is important that anyone who is considering this type of surgery to insure that they are ready for both the physical stresses of it as well as the mental challenge it presents. Gastric bypass surgery is a way for doctors to help treat morbid obesity. For those individuals who have serious health problems that are brought on or made worse by their weight, this surgery can be the difference in life and death. Here are some details and things to keep in mind when considering gastric bypass surgery. First of all, it isn’t for everyone. In fact, you must be above 40 BMI in order to qualify. Some doctors will go as low as 35, though. BMI stands... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/a_victim_no_more_freeing_yourself_to_live_a_fulfilled_life.php The self-help psychology movement has provided hundreds of thousands - if not millions - of people with the tools they need for healing their body, mind, and spirit. On the whole, these tools are wonderful and bring those who implement them a sense of purpose and fulfillment. There are some aspects of the personal-growth movement, however, that can lead down a path of disempowerment. The most notable aspect is the label of "victim." Once a person assumes that label and identifies herself or himself as a victim, it's virtually assured that she or he will not experience their full human potential. Indeed, it's only by making the decision that you will be a victim no more that you can truly... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/binge_eating_hiding_behind_food.php Binge eating, also called compulsive overeating, is considered the most common eating disorder. Most of the affected people are obese or mildly obese. Unlike anorexia and bulimia, it affects men and women at almost the same rate, with women being slightly more vulnerable. It's hard to define when a person is a binge eater. All of us tend to overeat at some point and just because we had 3 helpings of turkey during Thanksgiving, it doesn't make us binge eaters. Even though binge eating is in some ways like bulimia, the difference is that binge eaters don't purge themselves of the ingested food. What he does share with bulimics is the need or desire to find comfort in eating and the... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/can_online_counseling_for_drug_and_alcohol_addiction_problems_be_effective.php The answer to the question in the title of this article is: “Yes, but with the need to understand the limits of online help.” Definitions The words "alcohol dependence" or "addiction" are often used without definition. So, let's first define some terms. As used in this article, alcohol or drug addiction means that a person's alcohol or other drug use has reached the point that the person cannot use without loss of control over use of the substance and/or cannot use without producing adverse consequences in significant life areas. The addicted person has developed a psychological and/or physical dependence upon the substance. An addicted person will continue to use the substance in the... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/did_you_inherit_fat_genes_the_truth_about_biology_and_body_fat.php "Battle Your Biology? Fat Chance," proclaimed a headline recently in the health section of the New York Post newspaper. Quoting new research and citing psychologists, dietitians and physicians, the article says that more and more evidence proves that your weight is genetically determined, and if you're fat, "it's not your fault." "We've known for a while that genes - more than environment and behavior - explain obesity" argues Dr. James Rosen, an eating disorder specialist and professor at the University of Vermont. While genetics are definitely a factor, believing you are destined to be overweight for life because you've inherited "fat genes" is the most disempowering and self-defeating... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/i_exist_as_i_am_and_that_is_enough.php I exist as I am and that is enough -Walt Whitman I don't think Walt Whitman met someone with an Eating Disorder I am 12 - I got braces - I started gymnastics and I am going to compete next year. Why can't I be like everybody else? I need to go on a diet.I got on the scale this morning,Big mistake, I didn’t see my number, Now my day is ruined - I have to get there, Then my life will be perfect, I will be perfect, Small, thin and beautiful. I hate school, I am stupid, no one likes me. If I say anything, it sounds dumb;in school, at home, anywhere. It is safer not to say anything,than risk sounding dumb.God -I need to be beautiful, I need to be 100 lbs. I start to cry, I don’t want to be... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/eating_disorders_bulimia_nervosa_signs.php This is probably a very timely article with famous actress and singer Lindsay Lohan having just revealed that she suffers from the terrible eating disorder, Bulimia Nervosa. In this article we're doing to cover the basic characteristics of the disease. Bulimia Nervosa is a serious and possibly life threatening disease. It is characterized by binge eating and behaviors to compensate for the binges such as induced vomiting. Bulimia Nervosa has three primary symptoms. 1. Regular eating of food in large quantities which is accompanied by a sense of loss of control over one's eating behavior. 2. Regular use of compensating behavior such as induced vomiting, or use of laxatives, diuretic... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/killer_quads_part_i.php A nice set of legs is what really makes a bodybuilder outstanding! Leg training is very popular, and knowing how to effectively train your legs will bring you to greater heights. While many people focus on quality leg training, all too many are either over training, under training, or keeping their leg training stagnant, and in turn, halting their potential development. Building a nice pair of legs takes work, from the mind and the body, as well as adequate rest. While minimal sets and repetitions will build muscular legs, many are stuck in a rut and need a shock. Note: This newsletter is not about "ripping up" the legs. You have to have a foundation built before you can sculpt the... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/bodybuilding_the_symmetrical_side.php Symmetry is how the body parts fit together to form your structure and how your upper and lower body are balanced, as well as your left and right side. Flex Wheeler and Lenda Murray have to have some of the best symmetry I have ever witnessed in the sport of bodybuilding. They both possess cannon ball deltoids, wide lats, extremely small waists, large quads with flaring sweeps, well-developed calves, and full muscle bellies. Every body part is in balance with the other. Symmetry is genetic, but there is a lot you can do with what you are given. If you want great symmetry like the pros, then you have to start thinking like a pro and not train harder per se, but train smarter. Obviously,... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/gene_based_nutrition_in_recovery.php If you went to AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) meetings to get sober, you remember the overabundance of coffee and cookies available (not to mention smoke). At OA (Overeaters Anonymous) meetings you find a number of people who are coming from other 12-step meetings, people who originally treated their alcohol or drug addiction and now find that their eating has become compulsive. I hear OA people say that they were aware of having a food problem before having an alcohol problem. Overweight people with binge-eating disorder are more likely to have a family history of substance abuse than the general population. So, what's going on here, and what needs to be done? Is it emotionally-based?... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/the_powerful_quot_virtue_quot_of_patience.php One dictionary lists as its first definition of patience this one: the power of suffering with fortitude; uncomplaining endurance of evils or wrongs, as toil, pain, poverty, insult, oppression, calamity, etc. However, I prefer these: the act or power of calmly or contentedly waiting for something due or hoped for; forbearance; and constancy in labor or application; perseverance. These speak more to the application of patience as an attribute of personal power. No doubt patience is not held in the high regard it once was in our fast-paced goal-oriented culture. As Charlotte Gilman said, "There was a time when Patience ceased to be a virtue. It was long ago". We may have lost a sense of what... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/what_is_anorexia.php Self induced emotional eating disorder characterized by persistent loss of appetite is called anorexia. Excessive consciousness toward weight loss, counting calories and excessive exercises can lead to a severe emotional eating disorder called anorexia. Some diagnosing signs and symptoms of anorexia are: - Excessive consideration to become thinner and thinner. - Misperception of body shape and weight. - Fear of body weight gain and fat. Persons suffering from anorexia do not feel the danger of denying food. Calories, food, weight, fat grams and weight management are the most important factors of a person’s life with anorexia. What are the signs and symptoms of anorexia? People who have... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/self_empowerment_strategies_to_overcome_social_isolation.php Social isolation and disengagement are becoming epidemic in our society and there seems to be little hope of this trend abating in the near future. The reasons for this are mixed and somewhat complex, however, the outcome is clearer: people who are isolated are not fully enjoying the fruits of living in this "land of plenty” and are denied one of the most fundamental needs for survival - the opportunity to have fellowship and belonging with others. Some writers differentiate between being isolated and choosing disengagement, the former being a result of forces beyond one's control and the latter a choice. Whatever the distinctions between the sources of isolation, it is just as potent,... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/how_to_overcome_emotional_eating.php I was stuck in a self-defeating cycle! I felt out-of-control with food! I was either overeating or dieting. In either mode, I felt I was never good enough. I had willpower and stick-to-itiveness in many other areas in my life. So why couldn’t I apply that same resolve to my eating habits? I wasted so much time, energy, and money. I was obsessed with my weight. Living like that was miserable. Today, I understand that weight was not the real problem. It was actually a symptom. The real problem was that I was an “emotional eater”. Emotional Eaters use food to manage feelings. We use food to self-soothe. People who have struggled with it, and the professionals who treat it, call it by many... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/sex_love_and_poly_behavioral_addiction.php Proposing a New Diagnosis and Theory for Patients with Multiple Addictions By James Slobodzien, Psy.D., CSAC Experts in the field of addictions are presently purporting that between 3 and 6 percent of the world’s population (193 to 386 million people) are presently affected by a sexual dependency or compulsivity (Carnes, 2005). Sexual dependency is a diagnosable and treatable disease, which today is generally, regarded in about the same way that alcoholism and drug addiction (chemical dependency) was regarded 40 years ago. Even so, there still exists a wide range of understandable misunderstandings about compulsive sexual acting out, created out of ignorance about the nature of... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/how_to_master_your_own_intelligent_power_plant.php Want to get in shape for the summer huh? Understanding your body will get you the results you need. No matter what your goal is, by understanding your body you can change the way you look forever. Bulk up good weight or simply loose the plump. Thousands of people keep asking questions and finding different answers about health and fitness. Why is that? People are different. Every one of us has a unique type of body; therefore what may work just fine for me might not work for you and vice-versa. Our inherited characteristics (genetics) make us exceptional. Many people are concerned about their physical appearance especially in summer because of the sudden increase in the exposure of... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/dream_boards_visual_pictures_of_the_dreams_of_your_life.php If you have been reading my newsletter for awhile, you know that I embody and teach the ‘how to’ principles behind successfully achieving our goals and dreams. Nothing happens, no forward steps are taken until we first have a dream. But even when we have a dream, we can’t begin manifesting it until some important first steps are taken to lay the groundwork. To make a dream come true, what’s interesting is that we don’t have to initially know HOW we are going to do it. Instead, the first critical steps to achieving a dream are: A clear and precise vision of the dream. Sort of the big picture or overview of what you want. First we conceive, then we believe.” Being able to articulate... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/the_battle_on_anorexia_what_to_do_to_win.php With "being thin or sexy no matter what the cost", a very popular battle cry of most women of all age groups today. It's no wonder anorexia or anorexia nervosa, which is its proper term, has taken a stranglehold on peoples health today. Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by voluntary starvation, exercise stress and decreased sensation of appetite of an individual. Anorexia is a very complex disease, involving physiological, physiological and sociological components. An individual who is suffering from anorexia is referred to as 'anorexic'. The term is frequently but incorrectly shortened to anorexia, which has stuck and is now become a very common,... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/can_affirmations_end_binge_eating_disorder.php It is proven that affirmations help to reprogram one’s mind. When one repeats an affirmation over and over, the subconscious picks up on it as the present reality. Does this mean that people have the ability to completely turn around their life as they know it? In one word: yes. You can co-create your world to your own specifications. You want a better relationship? Start telling yourself that you deserve it. Once you have heard this for so long, your mind will not settle for anything else. You want a better job? Learn to say affirmations about your passions and watch how many doors open in your direction. Now, what if you want to end your binge eating habit? Although this may... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/causes_of_failure_to_menstruate.php Question : I HAVE had no menstruation for two years since I came to Melbourne to further my studies. In the first year, I was homesick, coping with studies, stress and a new environment. In the second year, I went on a diet. Answer : THE absence of menstruation in a woman during the usual menstruating years for more than six months is called amenorrhea. This can be the symptom of another condition. You should consult a specialist. Most cases of primary amenorrhea can be traced to a hormonal imbalance or malnutrition. Less commonly, the failure to menstruate is due to genetic or structural abnormalities, such as the absence of a uterus. Secondary amenorrhea often develops during... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/common_bulimia_nervosa.php Bulimia nervosa, is an eating disorder, which is often times confused with Anorexia Nervosa. Although the two "Nervos's" are similar, Bulimia involves binge eating before intentionally starving the body by excessive excercise, laxatives, and more commonly vomiting. Due to the fact that Bing eating, and excessive excercise for example can be on a broad spectrum, there is a set of criteria that has been set out as a guideline for a patient to be diagnosed with bulimia. The criteria is listed below: - The patient is of normal weight or overweight. - The patient does not meet the diagnostic criteria for anorexia nervosa. - The patient feels incapable of controlling the urge to binge, even... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/liposuction_costs_basics.php A cosmetic surgery done to remove fat from different parts of the body is known liposuction. The other names for liposuction are lipoclastic and suction lipectomy. Canola and aspirator are the instruments used to remove the fat. Liposuction is usually done on the abdomen, thighs, breasts or buttocks. We all know that regular exercise can help in reducing weight. But in certain cases even regular exercise and workouts may not be effective to shed those last extra pounds. Therefore, in these situations, using liposuction techniques is an ideal option. However you must note the fact that liposuction isn’t a weight loss technique, it is a process of body contouring. The standard amount of... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/14_signs_that_you_need_to_improve_your_body_image.php Whether it's making promises to lose weight or to exercise more, resolutions have long been a traditional aspect of ringing in the New Year. For most, health and appearance can be at the top of the list in a relentless pursuit of thinness - a quest that all too often results in low self-esteem, body-image disturbances or an eating disorder. "Many women obsess over body size and weight and develop distorted body images partly as a reflection of low self-esteem," says Adrienne Ressler, national training director for The Renfrew Centers. Body-image problems range from mild dissatisfaction to severe body-hatred. Some of the common warning signs that indicate that a person may be... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/building_motivation_is_a_daily_exercise.php Being in the counseling field, I often get asked, “How can I motivate myself?” Getting ourselves motivated is a lot like exercising. You have to work out on a regular basis in order to keep from getting flabby. Your attitude is the same way; you have to work on it routinely. Here are some suggestions to build motivation and a positive mental attitude: Read positive material and/or listen to motivational tapes on a daily basis. Spend at least 15 minutes a day either reading or listening to something that is going to help you be your best self. Use the drive to work to listen to self improvement programs. You can turn your car into a sort of University on Wheels. I tell people that... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/non_nicotine_based_tools_to_quit_smoking.php If one is using nicotine replacements like Nicotine Gums or Inhalers, then it may not be enough. You may require other medications to get rid of the habit. These medications, along with the nicotine replacements, will enhance your chances of quitting smoking successfully. Zyban Zyban (Bupropion) is a popular medication used my smokers. The reduction in Nicotine intake or its partial withdrawal from body often causes one depression. In this depressed mind, he/she is likely to again go for a cigarette. Zyban helps one fight this depression. It is an antidepressant drug that helps brain fight those nicotine-craving chemicals in the body. Some studies show that Zyban used along... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/cap_those_delts.php The shoulders, also known as the Deltoids or "delts", add shape and width to the upper body. The shoulder is divided into three parts, anterior, acrominal (lateral), and posterior. The shoulders are an important factor in training, as well as bodybuilding presentation, because they present the total package. Properly developed shoulders bring out the "V" shape, giving a smaller appearance to your waist and it provides beautiful symmetry. Strong shoulders are important for training since they are involved in most of your upper body movements. Each of the shoulders' three sections contains fibers that run in different directions. Shifting resistance to the different sections depends on... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/10_steps_on_improving_your_metabolism.php Feeling sluggish and low on energy? Do you feel like you work and work toward your weight loss goal and never seem to make any dramatic improvement? You could be suffering from a slow metabolism. This does not have to destroy your weight loss efforts. You can dramatically improve your metabolism and boost energy without taking supplements. Your metabolism simply refers to the conversion of food to usable energy by the body. It is the biological process by which energy is extracted from food or how fast or slowly the body burns calories. A few steps you can take to improve your metabolism naturally are: 1. Drink Cold Water – Water is great to drink and you should be drinking a minimum... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/10_tips_to_avoid_the_holiday_bulge_and_inner_thoughts_about_them.php Do you find it almost impossible to stay conscious and contentious about weight and nutrition during the holidays? Of course you do. More than half of all Americans are overweight. All American's are in this together. You can take heart from a new government study which shows most Americans gain about a pound over the holiday. You're not alone. The study shows that during the holiday period, for the people in the study, two main things influenced the holiday weight gain: level of hunger and level of activity. Those who reported being less active or more hungry had the greatest weight gain. If you can stay focused on dealing with just those two things, you'll probably win.... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/hoodia_side_effects_the_good_and_the_bad_news_about_hoodia.php Anyone who is seriously considering a new diet pill or alternative weight loss product should for good practice become fully informed about its short and long term side effects, and in combination with other drugs. Most weight conscious people today are aware of hoodia gordonii and its incredible appetite suppressing ability. But unfortunately most people are not fully aware of hoodia’s potential long term side effects. The Good News The good news about hoodia gordonii is that so far it has demonstrated no short-term harmful side effects. There have been no reports of dangerous side effects from consumers in the West who have taken hoodia. Volunteers who have participated in small group... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/ultimate_calf_training.php You have been pounding away at the iron game for years, set after set and repetition after repetition. You have literally put blood, sweat, and tears into your calf training routine. You step back to look at the view in the mirror only to notice that you are still lacking lower leg development. How can that be? You have trained calves a million and one ways, you have eaten properly, received adequate rest and still fail to see any distinct results. Do you suffer from small calf syndrome? Are you tired of putting in 100% effort and receiving only 10% results? Does any of this sound familiar? Have you ever seen someone who doesn’t workout at all or exercises very little, yet they... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/bulimia_treatment_advice_and_options.php Bulimia is an eating disorder compels people to binge on food and then purge through self-induced vomiting, diuretics or laxative abuse, or excessive exercise. People with bulimia tend to feel guilty and disgusted about food and fat. Even though most people with bulimia begin at normal weights, they think of themselves as fat. Roughly 90 percent of the people with bulimia are women, and the disorder usually begins a few years after puberty. Genetics, social pressures, and emotional problems like depression, low self-esteem, and extreme perfectionism contribute to bulimia's development. Without bulimia treatment, people with bulimia become dehydrated and malnourished. This... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/dieting_is_not_easy.php Dieting is not easy. It is not fun and can be extremely frustrating. Then why are more than 45 percent of women effectively dieting all the time? For me, dieting has always been a “phase.” One day, I’ll wake up and be really motivated to lose weight. I’ll proceed to join the latest fad diet bandwagon and workout five times a week. That will last for about a month, maybe two, and then I’m back to eating fast food and lying on the sofa watching Oprah. Unfortunately, that seems to be all too similar for other women wanting to be super-model slim. The media pushes an unnatural body type, making it difficult for us to accept our natural beauty. Did you know that the average... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/five_simple_steps_to_stopping_a_binge.php When you have a negative feeling, the thought of comforting and drowning yourself in food sounds like a wonderful idea. Your mind will be taken off of dealing with your emotions and food will heal all. This is the truth for about the first five minutes of binge eating. After that, you will continue to eat, but not because you are hungry. You will start to notice that your original feelings of sadness or other reasons will come back, along with new feelings of guilt because you just consumed so much food. Is there a way out of this crazy cycle? Of course there is! Here are five steps that you can start implementing into your daily life to conquer a binge. The first step is to feel deserving... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/stress_management_principles.php We live in a very busy world, characterized by incessant problems and activities which place a great demand on our time and energy. The demand and desire for perfectionalism in career, the pressure of measuring up in a competitive world and being the best at home could constitute an appreciable force, which if not properly managed could lead to stress. Stress is a resisting force set up in a body as a result of an externally applied force. It is the “wear and tear” our bodies experience as we adjust to our continually changing environment. Stress is also a state or physical or psychological stimulus that can produce mental tension or psychological reactions that may lead to illness. In... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/how_a_person_becomes_bulimic.php Generally, there is no easy answer why people become bulimic. Reality is that every individual is unique so are the reasons why they become bulimic and the paths they have to take to overcome it. Bulimia is generally considered to be a psychological and emotional disorder which sometimes coexists with other psychiatric disorders such as depression or obsessive compulsive disorder. Some studies show that it is related to major affective disorder and therefore influenced by heredity and chemical imbalances in the body of the individual. The underlying reasons that most bulimic people give for their eating disorder are however a complex mix of low self-esteem, childhood conflict and cultural... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/a_cut_above_the_rest.php Getting into contest shape is a challenge. Some find it difficult, and many find it impossible. Those who find it completely impossible are going about it the wrong way. Too many people try to drop body fat in an all-or-nothing approach. You can't carry all your eggs in one basket because if you stumble, you will crack them all. You should always have something to fall back on for the times you do encounter speed bumps. Nutrition The first step to getting lean and hard is quality nutrition. This does not mean your basic pasta, wheat bread, and skim milk. These products may be okay for general weight loss, but they won't get you "cut". Quality nutrition is eating real food, such as... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/how_to_recover_from_anorexia_and_bulimia_nervosa.php Eating disorders are very serious problems. There are two types: anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa and both of them are very dangerous and can have mortal result. Anorexia is an <a href="http://www.nodependence.com/addictions/eating-disorders.htm l"> eating disorder when people starve themselves. Usually, anorexia begins around onset puberty. On this age young girls are very vulnerable and concerned about their body shape. Simple careless word "you look fat!" may be the reason why girls stop eating. More to say, individuals, suffering from anorexia become very skinny, but think that they are overweight. Bulimia is an eating disorder, when person eats too much... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/the_real_challenge_of_weight_loss.php Weight loss is never easy. Although this is stating the obvious, it is nevertheless very true. People who need to lose weight are not in their overweight condition out of choice. Many people falsely believe that if individuals were to stop eating so much they would lose weight. It is time for not only those who need to lose weight to wake up, but for those that do not understand the weight loss troubles of individuals to wake up as well. Here, we will touch on why people are overweight. And, we will talk about getting to the root of the problem, the challenge of weight loss. First of all, those who are overweight must find a way of finding out their true trauma or reason that they over eat... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/raising_a_healthy_vegetarian_teen.php Jessica is a competitive runner. She watches what she eats and tries to keep her weight down to help her speed. One night at dinner, when her mother passes the chicken, Jessica says, “No thanks, I’ve decided to become a vegetarian.” Her mother isn’t quite sure how to respond and wonders whether Jessica is only trying to legitimize the exclusion of additional foods from her diet. Since Paul started middle school, he has been withdrawing from his family in different ways. His family is largely meat and potato eaters; thus, his parents are not pleased when Paul decides to become a vegetarian. His father believes Paul is rejecting their family’s way of eating. Paul’s mother is concerned about... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/a_look_at_obesity.php If you thought being obese is being the target of fun, it only tells the part of the story about dangers and predicaments obesity exposes you to. Obesity is no more a simple result of overeating-lead-to-overweight case. To quote the American Obesity Association’s words, “It is now recognized that obesity is a serious, chronic disease. No human condition — not race, religion, gender, ethnicity or disease state — compares to obesity in prevalence and prejudice, mortality and morbidity, sickness and stigma.” Obesity is a trojan horse. It brings a battalion of ailments, which are most detrimental to our health. To name a few, following are the complications that could arise out being obese. ... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/the_causes_of_obesity.php With daily focus in America on weight, health and obesity, there is one question that gets ignored: what causes obesity? There is no simple answer. Basically, a person becomes obese when more calories are consumed than he or she can burn. This is called “calorie imbalance.” Beyond this simple definition, the factors that cause obesity are varied and many. Calorie imbalance has many things that affect it. What causes this imbalance varies from one person to another. We also know obesity is more than just over-eating. Genetic, environmental, psychological, and other factors seem to play big roles in causing obesity. Here are some factors that have been attributed to obesity: 1. Weight... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/what_if_we_pursued_goals_the_way_anorexics_do.php Anorexia: An eating disorder that makes people look better and better. Okay, you might have your own opinion, but there are millions of people around the globe who want more than anything else to not cast a shadow, to be thin as twigs. And if you visit their web sites, or watch their videos on YOU TUBE, you’ll see they are a very interesting breed. Before you dismiss them as crazy, which they still may be, consider how committed they are to their goals. Many of them will literally DIE to be thin. People like football great Vince Lombardi said “Winning isn’t everything—It’s the only thing.” Pretty gritty tough stuff, am I right? But compared to a 96 pound, 5 feet 10 inch girl who... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/the_truth_about_anorexia.php Being fit and sexy is one of the priorities of women nowadays. Women are very careful especially about the food they eat but sometimes they get too intense in their desire to be thin thus resulting to eating disorders. One of this eating disorder is called Anorexia or Anorexia nervosa. Statistics show that in the US alone, 1% of teenage girls may develop anorexia nervosa and up to 10% of them might die as a result of the development of Anorexia. This statistics is disturbing because teenagers and young women are the ones usually affected by Anorexia. Their desire to be thin and sexy leads to the downfall of their self-esteem and being anorexic that could also be the path... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/understand_the_science_of_obesity_and_you_re_on_your_way_to_conquer_it.php Many people think obesity means that a person is overweight, but that's not exactly true. An overweight person has a surplus amount of weight that includes muscle, bone, fat and water. An obese person has a surplus of body fat. Body Mass Index (BMI) is commonly used to determine if a person is obese or not. A person with a BMI over 30 is considered to be obese, and a BMI over 40 is considered to be severely obese. Factors such as poor diet, lack of physical activity, genetics and certain medical disorders cause obesity, but it can be conquered. Eating Disorder Obesity itself is not an eating disorder, but people who are obese or who fear becoming obese may develop one. There are... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/young_wrestlers_fast_sweat_to_make_weight.php You have permission to publish this article electronically or in print, free of charge, as long as the bylines are included. A courtesy copy of your publication would be appreciated. Original URL ------------ <a href="http://www.ageforcehgh.com/wrestlers.html">http://www.ageforcehgh.com/wrestlers.html Title ------------ Young Wrestlers Fast, Sweat to Make Weight Weight Loss Their Greatest Opponent --------------------------------- Before high school and college wrestlers can face their opponents in the ring, they must first vanquish one in the locker room, the scales that determine whether they're eligible to compete in a given weight class. In order to make... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/yoga_and_losing_weight.php When we talk about yoga, it might not be the first thing anyone thinks of when they're trying to find an activity to help them lose weight. But again - though the results may not be as fast as with other types of exercise, the long term benefits of yoga - when we talk about losing weight and overall benefits are great. Yoga is a system which is thousands of years old, conceived in India, but now practised worldwide. Some athletes are, wondering how something as gentle as yoga can cause you to lose weight or increase your fitness level. The fact is that it can, and at the same time, it can increase your concentration and sense of well being. There is really no reason not to take up... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/troubled_teen_signs_and_symptoms.php Young adults who experience or suffer from any of the following (as stated below) maybe a troubled teen; > Alcohol or drug abuse > Depression > ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) > Disrespect > Poor academic performance > Bad Attitude > Display of negativity (physically or mentally) > Teen pregnancy > Suicide attempt > Eating Disorder There are 3 of the many theories about what causes kids to turn into troubled teens. The most likely of all ideas is that there is no one reason - it's a combination of reasons. These reasons are probably as varied as the kids experiencing problems. It's necessary to figure out what these... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/life_is_one_damn_diet_after_another.php A common expression is that we're "going on a diet." The phrase suggests that, like a vacation trip, there is a beginning and an end. We dream of the day we will reach our weight goal and how wonderful it will be when we don't have to lead a life of painful deprivation. In the back of our minds, there is a comforting little tape playing, promising us that when our weight loss campaign is over, we'll be able to stop counting calories, carbohydrates, or fats. We long for the day when we no longer have to clench our teeth as we refuse a favorite dish that always causes us to salivate in our sleep. We reach for the carrot and celery sticks without anticipation or enthusiasm... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/pathological_eating_disorders_and_poly_behavioral_addiction.php Proposing a New Diagnosis and Theory for Patients with Multiple Addictions By James Slobodzien, Psy.D., CSAC When considering that pathological eating disorders and their related diseases now afflict more people globally than malnutrition, some experts in the medical field are presently purporting that the world’s number one health problem is no longer heart disease or cancer, but obesity. According to the World Health Organization (June, 2005), “obesity has reached epidemic proportions globally, with more than 1 billion adults overweight - at least 300 million of them clinically obese - and is a major contributor to the global burden of chronic disease and disability. Often... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/weight_loss_long_term_success_starts_in_your_mind.php Making the Decision: Whether you are interested losing ten pounds that you put on in the last 3 months, or the 50 extra pounds you’ve had with you since college, the first step is making the decision to change. This step is often the most difficult and may take the longest time. Your mind will constantly bounce back and forth, weighing the pros and cons of making that change. It isn’t until you have clearly determined that the pros outweigh the cons that you will be ready to commit to change. This isn’t to say that there won’t be moments of ambivalence, but if you consciously go through this process, you can be ready to counteract your momentary lapses by reviewing the factors that... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/the_disturbing_trend_of_bulimia.php You leaf through the pages of glossy magazines, and you’re treated to images of women who are just plain thin. The latest trends in fashion revolve around ladies with what we describe to have the “perfect figure”. Teenagers, still developing and growing, pore over these magazines, wanting to emulate the celebrities. For a young girl with a less than ideal figure, the quest for fast weight loss is a one that sometimes takes a dangerous turn. In a world where fad diets are abundant, the idea of fast weight loss isn’t a novel one. Lately, more and more people are turning to more drastic measures to accomplish their fast weight loss goals. Bulimia is one example of this, a tragic disorder... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/when_fast_weight_loss_becomes_unhealthy.php You've made the decision to lose weight as quickly as possible. You have your diet in place and you expect to follow it religiously. At this point, you may be wondering how much weight you can lose in a given week and whether fast weight loss can be dangerous for your body. There are a number of things that can affect your weight loss. For instance, family history, or genetics, can play a significant role. Also, your weight loss may depend upon how much exercise you're engaging in, as well as how much stress you are under. Your metabolism, or how quickly you burn calories, can also have a major effect. Theoretically, you could lose as much as 20 pounds a week. However,... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/eating_disorder_bulmia.php Bulimia, or bulimia nervosa, is an eating disorder. It begins as a psychological problem. Over time bulimia can lead to serious physical medical problems and may even be fatal. People who are bulimic have episodes of binge eating. After binge eating they will often use an inappropriate method of weight loss control called purging. Purging can be done by forced vomiting. It can also be achieved by fasting, using enemas. Some bulimics use large quantities of laxatives and diuretics. Bulimics often exercise compulsively. A bingeing episode is when a bulimic eats a large amount of food than most would eat in a single sitting. Bulimics do not binge because of hunger, they eat to help... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/what_causes_poly_behavioral_addiction.php The reasons for initially trying different socially acceptable legal drugs (e.g. alcohol, cigarettes, etc.), and/ or illegal drugs, or for that matter any addictive behavior involvement (e.g. gambling, binge-eating, etc.) are multi-factored (e.g. peer-pressure, boredom, etc.). In the twentieth century approximately 65% (Helzer et al., 1990) of healthy American individuals (born in a family--free from a history of substance abuse for example, and raised in a positive environment with positive values and conditioning) experiment with underage drinking and possibly smoking cigarettes at least once as adolescents or during a “college dorm - binge drinking” - phase of life. Because human... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/feel_good_when_you_look_in_the_mirror.php The image of beauty is projected on women through advertisements on TV, magazines, newspapers, billboards and the internet, and why shouldn’t it be? Beauty products produce hundreds of billions of dollars in revenue each year. The diet industry alone yields $33 billion dollars a year. Advertisers emphasize the importance of physical attractiveness in order to sell products ranging from beer to a piece of cloth that picks up dirt like magic. The constant exposure to the perfect women portrayed in ads influences women to be image conscious and obsess over physical appearance. The average woman sees 400 to 600 advertisements per day and over half of those advertisements use beauty as an... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/eating_disorders_explained.php Unhealthy eating patterns lead to an eating disorder. This is very common among teenage girls who are obsessed about becoming thin, and start harming their body by not eating. Poor nutrition harms their body organs. This is a very serious problem as it affects them mentally as well, and leads to depression and anxiety. An eating disorder can be overeating as well. When a person finds refuge in food to cover their mental disturbance, then they are suffering from an eating disorder. The three most common types of eating disorder are: Anorexia Bulimia Compulsive eating Anorexia: This is a psychological disorder, mostly seen in teenage girls, as a result of low self esteem or... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/sexually_abused_children_there_is_hope.php PART 1: Warning - This article may be inappropriate for younger readers. Please seek the permission of a parent or guardian before reading further. Lately, I'm hearing a lot about suicide or suicide attempts. It's becoming increasingly clear to me, however, that what I'm hearing about even more often is childhood sexual abuse. It's everywhere. Some might say this epidemic of childhood sexual abuse is another "sign of the Apocalypse." After all, the Scriptures declare: "...in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers,... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/to_heal_emotional_eating_feel_safe_in_your_body.php If you have an eating disorder, whether it is bulimia, anorexia, or other form of "emotional eating," ask yourself this: Do I feel safe in my body? I have worked for over twenty years with women with all sorts of emotional eating problems including severe eating disorders. I am fully recovered from bulimia, myself. One of the most deeply entrenched experiences that women with eating disorders carry throughout life, if they don't seek healing, is the feeling of being unsafe in their own bodies. I believe that the suffering we cause ourselves (dis-eases, eating disorders and addictions, violence, and other dysfunctional behavior) originates with our disconnection from the Self. A result of... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/pathological_gambling_and_poly_behavioral_addiction.php What Happens in Vegas (losing) – Stays in Vegas (your money) Recently, I visited Atlantic City for a family reunion and while driving on the Atlantic City Express Way I noticed a flashing – neon road sign that read, “You drive – you speed – you lose.” After spending a week there, I told my relatives that the sign should read, “You drive - to Atlantic City – You lose,” as speeding is optional. Whether it is in Las Vegas, Atlantic City, or even at home on your own computer – with some online gambling website, what eventually happens is that approximately 20 million Americans develop gambling problems wagering and eventually losing approximately $0.5 trillion dollars annually (Feigelman,... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/calcium_deficiency_and_osteoporosis_will_consuming_dairy_products_protect_you_from_these.php As part of their sales pitch for milk and other dairy products, the dairy industry flaunted the fact that milk contains high levels of calcium. This worked very successfully, because when asked to name a good source of calcium, most people answer with 'milk and other dairy products'. It appears to be a common view in the Western world that an adult diet devoid of dairy is unhealthy and will lead to weak bones and teeth. Unfortunately this means that other foods also high in calcium are not recognised as such, and many people have no idea that a wide variety of vegetables, fruits, nuts, pulses and fish contain it. This is good news for people who are lactose intolerant, allergic to milk,... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/does_eating_food_after_8_00_p_m_induce_more_weight_gain.php Marjet Heitzer, Ph.D. The Plateau-proof Diet Foundation. Http://www.plateauproofdiet.com The short answer to this question is- NO. Although this myth has been perpetuated for many years, it is a myth nonetheless. Because individuals are more likely to be sedentary (less active) later in the day, the myth states that you won't burn off the food eaten late at night. Hence because late night meals and snacks aren't immediately burned off, it is stored, hence weight gain. In this article, we will find out that consuming a meal or snack late in the evening has no additional consequences as eating a meal or snack in the morning in reference to weight gain.... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/how_to_choose_a_competent_therapist.php Publishing Guidelines: You have permission to publish this article electronically or in print, free of charge, as long as the resource box is included. A courtesy copy of your publication would be appreciated. *********************************************************** Title: HOW TO CHOOSE A COMPETENT THERAPIST Author: Dave Turo-Shields, ACSW, LCSW E-mail: mailto:editor@overcoming-depression.com Copyright: by Dave Turo-Shields, ACSW, LCSW Web Address: http://www.Overcoming-Depression.com Word Count: 960 Category: Mental Health HOW TO CHOOSE A COMPETENT THERAPIST I received a disturbing email this week. It's one of many on the same theme which I have received over time, so I knew it was... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/women_hold_up_half_the_sky.php Mental illnesses affect women and men differently. Some disorders are more common in women, and some express themselves with different symptoms. Scientists are only now beginning to tease apart the contribution of various biological and psychosocial factors to mental health and mental illness in both women and men. In addition, researchers are currently studying the special problems of treatment for serious mental illness during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Research on women's health has grown substantially in the last 20 years. Today's studies are helping to clarify the risk and protective factors for mental disorders in women and to improve women's mental health... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/you_may_have_an_eating_disorder_without_noticing_it.php Thousands of women and increasing number of men look in the mirror everyday and hate what they see. The image that stares back at you in that mirror is not real as fairy tales are not real. You see in that mirror what your eating disorders want you to see as you are not seeing the true picture. Millions of people are made miserable by eating disorders while thousands will die from them yearly. The good news is that eating disorders can be beaten and be a prisoner no more to this. You have the power to beat such disorders and you will for sure. Although recovery may take lots of time and hard work, it is all worth doing. Finally, you will be free and you will love yourself. After... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/before_amp_after_a_new_look_at_new_year_s_resolutions.php Have you seen the ditty below that's roaming the Internet these days? Before you read it and fall for its 'humor,' consider this. Each year, thousands, even millions, of people engage in an after-the-holidays ritual of self-denigration and punishment – to make up for the pleasurable indulgence of a very special time of year. It's 'funny' to most of us to read about it, as in the poem below, but if we take a closer look, we can see how the 'humor' perpetuates an approach to living that's not really about taking care of yourself. So a word from body positive expert Deb Burgard, PhD, "Be kind to your body this year, and give it nourishment, pleasure, movement, sex, medical help, comfortable... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/becoming_anorexic_learning_to_starve_on_the_internet.php Young women with anorexia are gathering on what are called pro ana or pro anorexia websites. Girls who often have nothing in common except the desire to be thin visit sites that feature message boards where women can bond and share tips on how to lose weight. These sites have become a way for women to bond and encourage each other to keep losing weight. Perhaps the most disturbing messages on these boards are ones by young girls new to anorexia who ask, "How can I learn to hide my anorexia from my parents?" The sites become virtual how-to manuals for girls who aspire to the heights of anorexia, without taking into consideration the depths into which they are doomed to fall if they stay... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/dieting_to_death.php It has been 15 years since I was diagnosed with Bulimia Nervosa and I have been recovered for 12 years. To this day if I head for the washroom after a meal my mother feels the panic start to well up inside of her. Her first reaction to the news that her daughter was bulimic, like so many other mothers, was shock. This had been going on for 7 years and she never knew and she just couldn’t understand why. Bulimia and Anorexia are eating disorders that affect girls primarily in their teens (but can start as young as 10 years old) to their early twenties. Although it is mostly girls that are affected approximately 10% are boys and this number continues to increase. Bulimia is the... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/lose_weight_diet_tips_for_fast_weight_loss.php Looking to lose weight quickly? The good news is that it's possible. The bad news is that fad diets and quick fixes have a tendency to not last. The best way to lose weight and keep it off is to make a life-long change in the way you eat, the way you exercise, and the way you approach your relationship with food. Supplements and weight loss products get a bad rap, but they're not all bad. Taking a daily supplement like a complex B-vitamin or a one-a-day weight management can definitely help maintain a productive metabolism, and as long as you stay away from things with ephedra, diet aids can be a good tool for maintaining a healthy weight management program. If you're problem is obesity,... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/bulimia_nervosa_an_eating_disorder.php Bulimia Nervosa commonly known as Bulimia is an eating disorder affecting men as well as women. It is a combination of binge eating followed by vomiting. When a person suffers from bulimia he or she eats large amount of food within a short period of time and vomit the same by using purgatives to avoid weight gain. It is a psychological problem due to issues with their weight, emotional baggage, depression, stress or self-esteem problems. It becomes very hard to find out if a person is suffering from bulimia. People who suffer from bulimia look normal as well as have normal weight, some may happen to be overweight. Many of the eating disorder problems are done behind closed door adding to... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/anorexia_a_game_of_control.php This article will help you see what lies behind the eating disorder called Anorexia Nervosa, giving Anorexia tips. Low self-esteem produces a game of control. It causes a person to suffer in silence – suffering that can lead to anorexia. Do you struggle with painful feelings about yourself, as a person? We can have so much in our western world, but lack the one thing we most desire – acceptance and a feeling of self worth! Tania was a beautiful teenage girl. She was given compliments, but felt unable to accept them. Her distorted image of her body led her to become anorexic. This article is not primarily about the signs and symptoms of anorexia. It's purpose is to help the reader... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/yoga_and_losing_weight_an_introduction.php Can you believe by practicing yoga in long terms can actually help you to lose weight? However, the result is not fast like other types of exercise. In fact, the long term benefits of yoga can help you to stay in shape and make you perfectly fit. Yoga: Yoga is an ancient system which is thousands of years old and was developed in India. It is now exercised worldwide. Yoga teaches meditation that can increase your concentration and sense of well being. Therefore, if you like this idea of weight lose enroll yourself in a yoga beginner's class and go bit by bit. Initially, you may find it hard but with the time you will feel results very effective. The basic phenomenon of Yoga is putting... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/do_you_think_you_are_anorexic_as_others.php There are many ways of which to obtain weight loss and some of these techniques are excessive exercise, intake of laxatives and not eating. Some people submit themselves to starving – this is what you call anorexia. These are the people who believe that they would be happier and most successful if they were thin. Anorexia is an eating disorder that usually begins in young people around the onset of puberty, mostly for teenage girls, but it can also appear to teenage boys and adult men and women. Typically, anorexic have extreme weight loss which is usually 15% below the person’s normal body weight. People suffering from anorexia are very skinny but are convinced that they are overweight. ... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/positive_self_esteem_for_binge_eaters.php When you feel at your lowest point, food becomes your best friend. Food makes you feel better from the hurtful comment that you heard a stranger say about your weight. Food comforts you when no one else can. Food numbs any pain that you don’t want to feel. But, food is actually the enemy in your life. In this case, food is the enemy because it is what you binge on. Food is what creates sadness within you. Food is what makes you unhealthy. Ultimately, food is what keeps lowering your self-esteem. You want to have a high self-esteem. You want to be one of those people that smiles throughout the day from a true happiness found within. But you aren’t right now. You are under the... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/eating_disorder_seeking_treatment.php If someone you care about is suffering from an eating disorder, it can be scary to watch them get skinnier and skinnier. Our society today equates being thin with being beautiful. This sets people, women especially, up for failure. It is not possible for the average person to attain the weight of the super-skinny models and stars while remaining healthy. Unfortunately, some people turn to extreme measures to try to attain the unattainable. This includes two specific eating disorders: anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. In a nutshell, anorexia is deliberately starving yourself and bulimia is the binging/purging cycle. Each disorder is treated differently. For both disorders, the... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/are_you_anorexic.php How many times do you hear someone say, "Hey look at that girl, she must be anorexic." Some people would love to be called anorexic and sometimes it seems as if that word is a compliment. However, anorexia is a disease that can be life threatening, and a person suffering from this illness should get help right away. This article is going to explain what anorexia is, signs and symptoms of anorexia, and treatment options available to those suffering from it. Anorexia is an eating disorder where people simply starve themselves. It usually begins at the beginning of puberty but can happen at an time during one`s lifetime. Poeple who are suffering from anorexia are very skinny people but feel... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/weight_loss_the_first_steps_to_curing_obesity.php Obesity has become an epidemic, especially in The United States. An average of 300,000 Americans die each year and nearly $177 billion is spent on illnesses related to obesity. Obesity can affect your legs and back. It can raise your blood pressure and even cause diabetes. We are becoming fat and lazy, but before we can conquer the problem, we have to start accepting responsibility for our own actions. What you are about to read may offend some people, but it needs to be said. Many people suffer from being overweight. It may result from a stocky build, slow metabolism, or some other physical reason, but it is a fact of life for many people. They will probably ... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/the_psychology_behind_anorexia_nervosa.php With more an more people turning to healthy eating there is always going to be those that go to extremes. Women desperately trying to look good by losing weight are always at risk of developing Anorexia Nervosa through excessive dieting. Women aren't the only sex at risk as more and more men are developing Anorexia Nervosa too. Anorexics see themselves as obese no matter how much they weigh or how thin they look in the mirror. Sadly, they can't see themselves as anything other and refuse to seek help or accept it when offered, and simply diet until, for 10 to 20 percent of Anorexia Nervosa suffers they eventually die from related complications. Most sufferers are often perfectionists that... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/eating_disorders_101_an_introduction.php Research reports that two out of four young people have unhealthy ideas about eating, dieting and weight. With the alarming increase of eating disorders, dieting, and obesity among children as young as 5 and 6, it's crucial these days for parents to proactively work to promote healthy eating and body image in their children. It has been found that in households where mom talks about feeling fat, 81% of their teenage daughters said they felt fat too. Our girls, especially, are being easily confused and influenced when it comes to body image development. In a culture where young people are bombarded with skinny, glossy, and superficial images, parents can be a mirror reflecting... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/your_subconscious_plays_a_huge_part_in_ending_binge_eating.php If you had the ability to design your life the exact way that you wanted to, would you? If you could create every detail of your life, how would that be? What if I told you that you have this incredible power within you? What if I told you that you could co-create your life to your exact specifications? Would you want to? Whether you realize it or not, your subconscious mind picks up on all of your positive or negative statements that you say or think about yourself. Think of your subconscious as a sponge. It soaks up tons and tons of information, some of which you are not even aware of. Everything that you come into contact with in your daily life gets absorbed into your subconscious and... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/gay_addiction_treatment_vs_heterosexual_addiction_treatment.php Gay Addiction Treatment Program: It’s about Time As addiction treatment programs have sprung up across the country, there has been a focus on many different substance abuse populations. We have numerous eating disorder programs for women, countless drug rehab programs for men, sex addiction and sexual trauma programs for both men and women, but what about the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender population? Where do they seek drug/alcohol treatment? Why are they continually expected to fit into the same “addiction treatment model” (heterosexual) that resembles the life model which created so much shame for them. Some would suggest they fit into a same-sex addiction treatment center,... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/ready_to_eat_salads_chlorine_washing_and_modified_atmosphere_packaging_anyone.php In the vegetable aisle of my local supermarket I am greeted with row upon row of ready washed, ready-to-eat salads in plastic bags full of air (sort of like pillows). They all look good, the leaves are green and fresh and there is no sign of discolouration or wilting. In fact, the word 'exotic' springs to mind. What's even better is that all I have to do is split open a bag and stick the contents on a plate, perfect for when I'm too busy to bother with sorting, washing and chopping vegetables. So I get a nice, tasty, nutritious salad with minimal effort. Or do I? Chlorine Washes It turns out that much of this fresh, ready-to-eat salad has more in common with my local swimming pool... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/what_you_need_to_cure_obesity.php First, let's define our terms. Dictionaries agree: obesity is excess body fat. It is not defined as a behavior. However, many people use the term obesity as short-hand for overeating or lack of exercise. But that is not its definition. Consider this: most people can distinguish between smoking and lung cancer. One is a behavior and one is a disease. Or problem drinking of alcohol and liver disease. One is a behavior and one is a disease. Sunbathing without protection is a behavior; skin cancer is a disease. Second, obesity - the excess accumulation of body fat - fits all the definitions of "disease." How is "disease" defined? Most dictionaries, general as well as medical,... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/shredded_quads_part_ii.php If you are taking part in my previous newsletter, Killer Quads, this is the second part I promised you, Shredded Quads. Killer Quads was a 6 week building program, so you have a couple more weeks to go before you can put this program to use, but it is here and ready when you are. As discussed in Killer Quads, far too many people are either over training or under training their legs. An ultimate pair of legs is first formed in the mind, then through training and nutrition. Focus and intensity are two important factors when engaging in quality leg training. You learned that stimulation, not exaggeration, builds a nice set of legs. Heavy weight, minimal sets, and low repetitions build mass,... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/body_image_shame_and_personal_power.php Body image issues are an element of one's overall somatic perception, an important domain of personal power. The way we perceive and relate to our body colors many aspects of our daily lives including our interactions with others. If we maintain a primarily negative view of ourselves, we give up much personal power in our relationships and other human encounters. Many people think body image is primarily an issue for people who aren't stereotypically thin, or who have an eating disorder. In actuality, body image is more about how you see yourself, what you tell yourself about your body, how you describe your body and how you think, feel & behave toward your body. There are many classically... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/should_i_consult_a_therapist.php Most of us experience times when we need help to deal with problems and issues that cause us emotional distress. When you are having a problem or dilemma that is making you feel overwhelmed, you may benefit from the assistance of an experienced, trained professional. Professional counselors and therapists offer the caring, expert assistance that people need during stressful times. There are many types of mental health providers to choose from. The most important thing is to select a licensed professional who has the appropriate training and qualifications to help a person with your specific issues. You should also choose someone with whom you can feel comfortable enough to speak freely... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/mindfulness_the_key_to_avoiding_overeating.php I made myself a sandwich today and thought I’d be efficient and do some work over lunch. I was brainstorming some ideas for my next article. Deep in though, the ideas came easy to me. By the middle of page two, I looked down and noticed that I was on my last bite. It was weird, like when you fall asleep and wake up feeling like you just blinked and the alarm went off. I didn’t taste my sandwich at all. After cleaning up my plate, I thought, I could go for a little something sweet, maybe I’ll have a piece of fruit. My body just ate lunch, but my mind missed out on the whole experience. So there’s my article topic! Most of you have had an experience like this. In our hurried world,... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/lose_weight_with_yoga.php Yoga might not be the first thing anyone thinks of when they think of an exercise to help them lose weight. Think again – though the results may not be as fast as with other types of exercise, the long term benefits of yoga (in terms of weight loss and overall health) are great. Yoga is a system of exercise that is thousands of years old. Conceived in India, it is now practiced world wide. The type of yoga that is most often practiced in the west is known as ‘hatha’ yoga – however, this is by no means the only type of yoga. Others include kundalini, which involves breathe work and is quite a bit different from other types of yoga. Some athletes are rather disparaging of yoga, wondering... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/taking_control_of_your_subconscious_for_permanent_weight_loss.php Copyright 2005 Burris MIND/FITNESS From the moment of birth your first emotional experiences establish your subconscious perceptions of the world. There is not a moment of the day or night that you are not affected by your emotions. More often than not it is your programmed emotional states, not logic that control your behavior. Therefore in order to apply the process of Burris MIND/FITNESS you must first understand how your subconscious mind works. Your subconscious mind flawlessly records everything you have ever seen, felt, smelled, heard, or tasted. Unfortunately it is not capable of interpreting the true meaning of the information it records. It simply takes the information it... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/children_of_gastric_bypass_patients_at_risk_for_eating_disorders.php As parents who’ve had gastric bypass we face many challenges raising a family. Perhaps an unexpected challenge is when a child develops an eating disorder that may be exacerbated by the parents dieting habits. It turns out as our children observe us diet and fail (repeatedly) before having gastric bypass, then they watch us lose weight in an almost obsessive excitement after weight loss surgery (WLS), some panic and vow “this will not happen to me.” A descent into an eating disorder may follow. According to AnorexiaBulimaHelp “Dieting or restriction of certain foods, or excessive dieting from parents” is a contributing factor in teen and pre-teen eating disorders. In addition “The... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/night_eating_syndrome_and_sleep_walking.php Eating while sleeping? It’s probably a disorder. Has this happened to you? You woke up one morning, and you found that there were wrappers of candy bar all over your kitchen. Incidentally, your stomach aches and you see that you had chocolate smudges all over your hands and face. Your parents or your husband tells you that you are up all night long eating, but surprisingly, you don’t recall that you did so. Your parents or your husband seemed serious telling you that you actually ate all those chocolates. Is there an inside joke? Probably not, In fact, the symptoms show that you probably have a night eating syndrome. Night eating syndrome, also known as sleep-related eating, is... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/eating_disorders_a_teenager_needs_advice.php Dear Dr. Sowle I am 16 years old and I think I think I have an eating disorder. My mom loves me very much and she's always supported me in my dream to be a model. Ever since I can remember, my mom has tried to help me find the right clothes, talk right, and get exercise and eat in a healthy way. Up until this year, I really thought I wanted to be a model, but now I'm in my junior year of high school and I think I want to go to college to be a teacher or maybe join the Peace Corps. I've never had a boyfriend before and now I'm going with Tim who thinks I'm beautiful whether I wear makeup or not. In fact, he says he likes the "natural look". I've stopped wearing so much... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/websites_promoting_pro_anorexia_lifestyle_dangerous.php Anorexia nervosa is a complex eating disorder that is characterized by a poor self-image, which ultimately leads to self-starvation and extreme weight-loss. About one percent of all adolescent females have anorexia, while only 10 percent of total anorexia cases are men. The reason why females are more susceptible to anorexia probably stems from the demands that society places on young women to be thin. A new trend among young adults has been sweeping the nation: pro-anorexia websites. Also known as pro-ana, these sites glorify anorexia nervosa and offer "thinspiration" on maintaining a starvation lifestyle. All pro-anorexia websites have one thing in common - they promote... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/teens_your_body_image.php If we were to do a survey about how many of us feel happy with our bodies, what percent do you think would answer 'Yes'? Current research on body image shows that women are much more critical of their appearance than men. Up to 8 out of 10 women are dissatisfied with their bodies. Again, I keep coming back to the media and it's influence on our thinking; the beliefs we create because of it. Every day we watch TV shows with their perfect looking actors, or read fashion magazines picturing top models. How can we not end up feeling inadequate in comparison? We compare our looks to those of actors and models, and then feel awful because we aren't as skinny, or don't have the same... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/alternatives_to_liposuction.php In today’s society, everyone is struggling to be perfect. The perfect smile, the perfect skin, and the perfect body. Liposuction is a medical procedure that can sculpt the body into a more aesthetic shape. However, it is an extremely expensive procedure and can have a number of side effects. There are alternatives to liposuction for those who cannot afford liposuction or are hesitant to go under anesthesia. One such alternative to liposuction that all doctors recommend is diet and exercise. Doctors stress the importance of diet and exercise as it gives the body’s metabolism a natural boost. Another alternative to liposuction is called Mesotherapy. There is no surgery involved. The... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/liposuction_what_you_need_to_know.php In today’s world, our culture dictates a very unrealistic body shape to be considered fit and beautiful, many people find this a problem and suffer from many different psychological complications because of the fact that they feel they do not fit the body requirements to make them attractive enough to be happy, healthy and attract partners. While most of us understand that this is not normal and that no one should be judged upon his looks alone, we have to agree, in all honesty, that looks does make up a lot of what people think about others and that looks also have, to some degree, an effect on ones success in society. The development of the liposuction industry has created a situation... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/unchaining_yourself_from_an_unhealthy_food_addiction.php The cry of “I have no willpower!” often emerges from the consumers who jokingly surrender to their lack of will when it comes to eating something clearly unhealthy. However, scientific nutritional research has identified that something much more serious – much more dangerous – is often at work here. For many people, what they perceive as a harmless lack of willpower is actually an addiction an addiction to chemicals that the brain secretes in response to stimulation by certain foods, such as chocolate or cheese[i]. As dangerous as this addiction is, however, recent studies suggest that it is actually much more frightening than it first seems. According to one notable study, the human brain... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/fitness_motivation_weight_loss_your_subconscious_pictures.php The second component of Burris MIND/FITNESS is your subconscious pictures. I will explain how to replace your negative subconscious images into positive images through the practice of controlled visualization. According to the New England Journal of Medicine, visualizing is the fourth most frequently used form of alternative healing. You are now about to learn how to change your existing subconscious pictures that keep you anchored to your poor eating behavior. Several studies have shown that the body makes little distinction between a vivid mental experience and an actual physical one. Your subconscious images are simply corresponding pictures of your self talk. Choosing to think in... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/home_remedies_acne_anxiety_and_anorexia.php The use of these simple remedies can help relieve some of the annoyances that plague us every day and provide a holistic alternative solution to our little health problems. Acne Acne is a chronic skin condition wherein blackheads and pustules appear on the skin surface of the face and other parts of the body such as the back and chest. It is a malfunction of the sebaceous glands. These glands normally produce sebum that keeps the skin soft, supple and elastic. When the exit of the sebum is blocked, the dead cells that form the blockage become black resulting in the blackheads. If the base of the blocked gland becomes infected, a reddening and inflammation of the spot may develop. ... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/body_and_mind.php According to latest survey, ignoring minor mental ailments, like consistent stress, undue anxiety and serve panic and apprehension, can cause serious mental disorders like chronic depression. Which play havoc later with ones life? Psychiatric problem are not taken seriously, rather they are considered as ones personality weakness. In this way there affect on ones body are ignored. As a result of this attitude these problems are dealt very late. Doctors say we have to give more emphasis’s on body mind relationship. Three types of mental disorders are increasing rapidly. 1) Stress related disorder- These disorders have physical manifestations, even though there is no physical cause for it.... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/excessive_exercise_and_eating_disorders.php In our society, the perceived perfect image of women falls right in line with the slenderness of girls 10 to 12 years old. This unrealistic perception spawned by the supermodels seen today in ads for popular clothing and undergarment makers such as Victoria's secret has caused many women to become obsessed with their own images. In our society, women are ten times more likely to develop eating disorders and compulsive exercise habits that can be life threatening and often do prove to be fatal. Here are the most commonly developed eating disorders: "Anorexia nervosa" is a life threatening disorder that occurs when you eat very little food and become obsessed about your weight even when you... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/weight_loss_organizations.php Losing and maintaining weight is a difficult and intimately personal struggle, but it's not one that anyone needs to go through alone. There are literally millions of people forging their own paths to their better selves, and together, they offer support, advice, and inspiration to one another. The Twelve Steps Most recovery programs, including many for food and weight-loss related support, are based on the Twelve Steps. Despite inherent religious references, Twelve Step groups welcome members of all faiths, or even none at all. Roughly, these steps are, following the tradition of Compulsive Eaters Anonymous (described more below) : 1. We admitted we were powerless over food-that our... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/why_binges_take_place.php Being a former victim of an eating disorder I understand the fear of eating, the sudden binges and the feeling of being completely out of control and lonely. Anyone actively suffering from binges must realize that it is not your fault, but rather due to a biochemical disturbance caused by a low caloric diet. While willpower is what will kill a binge, you must realize that the willpower begins in eating. Most people interesting in losing weight will drastically drop their calories. For some, 1500 calories a day is a decent number, for others this is extremely low. However, many fad diets and dieting clinics will dip far below the maintenance caloric level, in turn, putting the body in... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/are_you_a_binge_eater.php Ever wonder if you have a serious problem with binge eating? In the Harvard Mental Health Letter, I read a feature article about the treatment of bulimia and binge eating. Bulimia is defined as 2 or more episodes of binge eating (consuming a large amount of food in 2 hours or less) at least twice a week for 3 months. These episodes may be followed by vomiting or purging (with laxatives or diuretics) and may alternate with fasting and compulsive exercising. People who suffer from bulimia often view this behavior as a shameful secret. Binge Eating Disorder (binging that is not followed by vomiting, fasting or exercise) has gotten more attention recently since it is being considered for... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/solving_the_fat_loss_equation.php Playing the numbers game when trying to lose weight can get quite tricky if you don't pay attention to all the signs. When you venture on a fat loss program, results can come in many forms and you can be blindsided if you don't take all factors into account. Scale Weight While scale weight is a clue as to whether the program is working in your favor or not, you have to keep in mind that the scale is a measuring device. It is unable to distinguish between fat, muscle, bone, and water. Your weight can very from day to day due to the amount of carbohydrates you eat, the amount of water you drink, how much you sweat, and so forth. Changes on the scale don’t mean you are gaining or losing... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/when_emotional_eating_becomes_an_eating_disorder.php More and more people are starting to recognize that they eat in response to emotions and moods. It makes perfect sense! We are subconsciously conditioned that food makes us feel good. From the time we put our favorite foods in our mouth we get an immediate feel good endorphin release and then to top it off we also can get a feel good serotonin surge. There is no doubt about it, food feels good. However, there is a fine line between those casual emotional eaters and a full blown eating disorder. This specific kind of eating disorder has been called a “binge eating disorder” or “compulsive overeating”. This type of eating goes beyond your basic emotional eaters. So, how can you tell if you... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/what_is_binge_eating_disorder.php Binge Eating Disorder is a disorder in which people use food to satisfy a variety of emotions in order to cope with them. People may binge when they experience any negative emotion, such as anger, sadness, or depression. Another reason a person may binge is shear boredom. People have used food as a coping mechanism for so long that now that it is a habit to turn and use food to make them feel better. People do not know how to deal with their “life” anymore without food. Binge Eating Disorder is the most common of all eating disorders. It affects about 25 million people. When a person binges, they usually experience some, if not all, of the following: eating an usually large amount of food,... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/understanding_and_combatting_anorexia.php What Is Anorexia? Anorexia is the decreased sense of appetite. It is frequently referred to with one of its subtypes, which is anorexia nervosa. There are many possible causes for a decreased appetite, some of which may be harmless while others pose significant risk for the person. Common disorders that cause anorexia include dementia, severe depression, anorexia nervosa, dementia and acquired immune deficiency syndrome. Some medications, antidepressants for example, can have anorexia as a side effect. First of all it is necessary to know why you eat so little and have chosen to starve. Think about how you feel nowadays and how you would feel if you ate more. You will then notice that... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/tips_for_dealing_with_your_own_or_someone_else_s_eating_disorder.php A recent survey provided the alarming fact that a remarkable 70% of us are unhappy with our bodies, and body image problems are being seen in younger and younger children. In fact, eating disorders have been seen in girls well before their teens, and a growing number of boys are experiencing eating disorders as well. That is why it is important for every parent to constantly be on the lookout for signs of common eating disorders. Whether it is bulimia, anorexia or one of the many other eating disorders, it is important for parents and loved ones to be ever vigilant. It is of course not at all unusual for young girls and even boys to be concerned with their looks and to be unhappy with... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/the_trap_of_an_eating_disorder.php There are many serious health and mental health issues that people deal with everyday in every part of the world. Many sicknesses and diseases are well known and understood by people while others remain mostly undiscussed and misunderstood. Having an eating disorder is one of the conditions that is rarely understood by most people. Struggling with an eating disorder is hard because it is a sickness that is not often recognized until it is fairly serious. People begin showing signs of having an eating disorder for many reasons. Some people are unhappy with their current weight or with the way their body looks. Others suffer the verbal abuse of a spouse or friend that makes hurtful remarks... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/the_link_between_anorexia_and_bulimia.php Young women and men sometimes starve themselves. It doesn’t matter how thin they may be— in their internal mirror, they are fat. Or they may so afraid of gaining weight, yet so desperately hungry, that they eat and eat until they feel so guilty that they must vomit up all the food. These people suffer from eating disorders. Eating disorders have nothing to do with the digestive tract of the person. Rather, the illness resides in the mind. Anorexia and bulimia are the two most common eating disorders. They tend to appear most commonly in women. In fact, 90 percent of all cases are in women. Most eating disorders begin in the teenage years: anorexia most often occurs around puberty, and... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/the_harmful_emergence_of_pro_bulimia_attitudes.php Though bulimia is classified as an eating disorder, not everyone with bulimia feels like they have a disorder. Some view bulimia and anorexia as lifestyles—chosen lifestyles. People with bulimia and anorexia are terrified or shamed by the thought of getting fat or even eating. They have an unhealthy body image and feel that, no matter how they actually look, they are overweight. People with bulimia may binge on food, but then they either vomit after meals, abuse laxatives, or exercise excessively. People with anorexia starve themselves. Ninety percent of eating disorders are in women, many in their teens. Pro-bulimia and pro-anorexia groups reside on the Internet. Web sites and... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/the_battle_of_bulimia.php Copyright 2006 Anne Wolski In a world where a person's worth tends to be measured by appearance, it is little wonder that we have so many young women falling into the trap of eating disorders. This obsession with achieving the perfect figure has led to one of the most dangerous and life-threatening epidemics of our time. Bulimia is but one of a growing number of eating disorders recognized in our modern society. It is a serious disorder characterized by binge eating followed by forced vomiting or by purging using laxatives. People with bulimia go through this ritual in order to avoid the weight gain which would normally accompany an eating binge. Why people get this... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/signs_of_an_eating_disorder.php If you have a teenage child or loved one, chances are you have wondered what the warning signs of an eating disorder may be. Because of the high emphasis our society places on being thin, many teens and adults struggle with having the right body image. Stick thin celebrities do not help with this problem. Parents and other family and friends need to be aware of what to look for and how to help if they have a child they think might have an eating disorder. There are three main types of eating disorders. Anorexia is the inability or lack of desire to eat. Bulimia nervosa is compulsive over eating and then purging the system through throwing up. Compulsive overeating is exactly what it... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/recognizing_and_treating_anorexia_and_bulimia.php Anorexia nervosa and bulimia are not the same illnesses but they can be very similar in both cause and effect. Treatment for each disorder also overlaps. Anorexia is a growing eating disorder among young women where they starve themselves to become thin. Bulimia is also a popular eating disorder that commonly affects women who have an extreme fear of gaining weight. Instead of starving, they choose to stuff themselves with food and then purge it by forcing themselves to vomit. Both disorders have risen dramatically in the last few years, with one in three women below the age of 20 suffering from either one. Anorexics and bulimics grow to become very good at hiding their conduct. ... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/psychotherapy_as_bulimia_treatment.php In a world obsessed with thinness, it is very hard not to succumb to the temptations of easy weight loss even if these methods are not healthy at all. Bulimia is the most common unhealthy method of weight loss. Unfortunately, people, especially women, are easily drawn to this because they are conditioned to be attractive - thin is beautiful. Images of rail-thin models and actors emblazoned on billboards, television, and runway shows encourage the notion of thinness as beauty. But those afflicted with the disorder still have hope. Bulimia treatment is available as psychological therapy to guide patients to recovery and a healthy lifestyle. Psychotherapy is the commonly prescribed treatment... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/pro_anorexia_websites_surge_in_popularity.php Given all the education and warnings on the subject, it's surprising that so many women still suffer from anorexia nervosa, a disorder that leads people to starve themselves. If left unchecked, anorexia can lead to serious longterm health consequences and can even be fatal. Knowing all of this, why do so many young women succumb to this dreaded disease? Has the Internet played a role in fanning the fires of what its sufferers often affectionately refer to as "ana"? Young women are gathering on what are called pro ana or pro anorexia websites. These sites feature message boards where women can bond and share tips on how to lose weight. Whereas anorexia often used to be a lonely and... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/main_causes_of_bulimia.php Some people may feel that they are fat, no matter how thin they actually are. Or they may feel guilty when they eat too much food. The guilt and shame from eating makes the person vomit up all their food. These people have bulimia nervosa, or bulimia, an eating disorder. The disorder has nothing to do with the digestive system, but rather with the mind. And though people with bulimia may share the same guilt and shame about food, and the same patterns of bingeing and purging, bulimia has many causes. Doctors have not identified any one cause of bulimia, but do know of several factors that may contribute to developing bulimia. Bulimia may be caused by a genetic component. Certain genes may... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/learn_to_love_and_accept_yourself.php How many people can actually say that they love and accept themselves just as they are? Learning to love yourself is quite possibly one of the hardest things to accomplish in your life. And that is when there is nothing wrong with you. Imagine having an eating disorder. It is even harder for people to love and accept their own bodies when they have an eating disorder. One can find hatred for our bodies everywhere. On the street, you can hear a total stranger complaining about the size of her thighs to a friend. In the grocery store, you see the man looking at the nutrition facts with a puzzled look on his face. In magazines, almost everyone is airbrushed. So, it’s no wonder why we... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/is_binge_eating_making_you_feel_alone.php If you have Binge Eating Disorder, you understand the feelings of loneliness. You know what it is like to live in a secret world that no one knows about. You have a big secret, but no one is allowed to see that side of you. At restaurants with friends, you order just the right amount of food and can’t finish it all because you are so full. Little do your friends know that you had already eaten enough food for three people just two hours before meeting them for another dinner. You talk to your friends about why you are overweight. You don’t know why, you say. They are just as stumped as you are. They see what you eat and it is small portions. Not even unhealthy foods most of the... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/information_on_eating_disorders.php Psychologists qualify an eating disorder as something of a mental illness that affects a person’s eating habits in such a way that drastically disturbs the physical health of that person. An in-depth analysis by psychologists and psychiatrists list the types of eating disorders as Anorexia Nervosa, Beriberi, Bulimia Nervosa, Hyperphagia, Kleine-Levin Syndrome, Rumination, Binge Eating Disorder, Orthorexia, and Pica. Among these, Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa rank as the most common eating disorder. When a person is affected by eating disorders, normal consumption of food is obstructed. When this becomes the case, grave health problems occur. Individuals who are afflicted with... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/i_think_i_have_an_eating_disorder_and_want_to_stop.php An eating disorder is a life threatening condition that often requires professional assistance and support to overcome. If you think you have an eating disorder it is critical that you seek out the help and support you need to overcome your condition. Beating an ea ting disorder can prove very rewarding and open new avenues of opportunity you never dreamed of. You will no longer be tied down by food and your emotional as well as physical health and well being will improve substantially. HOW DO I KNOW I HAVE AN EATING DISORDER? There are many signs and symptoms that are indicative of an eating disorder. Consider asking yourself the following questions: ... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/hypnosis_for_eating_disorders.php Today, eating disorders such as Anorexia and Bulimia are running rapid. If a person intentionally starves him or herself yet believes they are overweight, they could very well be suffering from Anorexia Nervosa, which is a severe emotional disorder that needs serious intervention. With this, the diet is drastically restricted, coupled by excessive exercise. The result is dangerous weight loss that can cause serious damage to the body to include death. Bulimia is a form of Anorexia, which is characterized by misuse of laxatives, diuretics, enemas, and/or vomiting to rid the body of food consumed during binge eating. In both cases, the body is put at great medical risk. The problem is that... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/how_we_rescued_our_child_from_anorexia_effecting_a_complete_recovery_in_just_six_months.php In March 2003 our then 13 year old daughter, Helen, was diagnosed with anorexia nervosa, at which point she was on the verge of being emaciated. Her BMI was approximately 15. My initial reluctance to accept this diagnosis was dispelled towards the end of the month when Helen became severely dehydrated and suffered a complete nervous breakdown as the anorexia finally took total control of both her mind and body. It may sound melodramatic, but it was as if she had become possessed. Helen’s reaction, when encouraged to drink a glass water in order to ease the stomach cramps caused by the dehydration, was uncharacteristically aggressive and resulted in an hysterical screaming fit which... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/eating_disorders_what_are_they.php Eating disorders are the diseases caused due to the abnormal eating behavior of an individual. Many people suffer from such eating disorders. They indulge in eating more and more food, which is considered abnormal. A normal person cannot have the amount of food, a person suffering from an eating disorder can have. Such abnormal patterns of food are not a result of increased hunger. Person having eating disorders have other problems. These problems are related to their lifestyle. Eating disorders are a sign of a problematic time in a person’s life. People eat more food to suppress extreme emotions and depression. There are also different types of eating disorders. Some types of... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/eating_disorders_how_to_prevent_them.php In this article in our continuing series on eating disorders we're going to concentrate on how to prevent an eating disorder from ever starting in the first place. There are a number of things someone can do to see that they never fall into the trap of dealing with an eating disorder. The most important thing a person can do is get educated. Learn everything there is to know about Anorexia, Bulimia, and binge eating disorders. Awareness of these diseases will help you make informed decisions about what constitutes proper food intake and what your body should look like for your height and bone structure. Get the idea out of your head that diet and the way your body will ultimate look... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/eating_disorders_do_not_discriminate.php Who suffers from Eating Disorders? Eating Disorder sufferers are male and female alike. We are of all ethnicity's, religions,and economic backgrounds. We are of all ages,with very different body structures. We can look normal on the outside and yet be suffering terribly on the inside. Genetics, Psychology, and Media all influence the onset of an eating disorder. Once we get caught in the cycle, some days it seems as though we will never break free. We constantly beat ourselves up, every moment of every hour of every day. If we could just be perfect in some way then we would be ok. It is easier to stand alone, free from the rejection, and disappointment of others. In our loneliness we... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/eating_disorders_bulimia_nervosa_treatment.php In this article we're going to cover treatments for Bulimia Nervosa. These treatments actually apply to most eating disorders as they are more or less caused by the same emotional problems. While eating disorders stem from emotional issues in a person's life they are nevertheless still serious health conditions that can do great physical harm to the person as well as the emotional harm that has come before it and will continue long after. Early diagnosis gives a person suffering from an eating disorder a better chance for recovery. Eating disorders can become chronic, debilitating, and even life-threatening. Early treatment is critical. The only really effective and long lasting... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/eating_disorders_bulimia_nervosa_effects.php In this second article on Bulimia Nervosa we're going to go over the effects the disease can have on the body and how to treat it. Bulimia nervosa can have devastating effects on a person's body if the disease goes unchecked for a long period of time. The most serious of these is electrolyte imbalances which are caused by the constant bingeing and purging. These imbalances can lead to irregular heartbeat. If the problem goes on long enough this can lead to heart failure and death. The actual cause of the electrolyte imbalance is because of loss of potassium and sodium from the body and dehydration because of the constant purging. Another serious problem is caused by the frequent... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/eating_disorders_anorexia_nervosa_effects.php In this next article in our continuing series we're going to discuss the effects of Anorexia Nervosa on a person, as well as going over some facts and figures. The main assault of this disease is that it focuses on self starvation. Since the body needs food as a basic means for survival, the effects of this disease are numerous to say the least. Because the body is not getting enough nutrition, it is forced to slow down in order to compensate for this. This slowing down can have serious consequences on a person's body. There are a number of health consequences from Anorexia Nervosa. The main ones are as follows: 1. People suffering from this disease, after an extended period of... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/eating_disorders_and_the_narcissist.php Patients suffering from eating disorders binge on food and sometimes are both anorectic and bulimic. This is an impulsive behaviour as defined by the DSM (particularly in the case of BPD and to a lesser extent of Cluster B disorders in general). Some patients develop these disorders as a way to self-mutilate. It is a convergence of two pathological behaviours: self-mutilation and an impulsive (rather, compulsive or ritualistic) behaviour. The key to improving the mental state of patients with dual diagnosis (a personality disorder plus an eating disorder) lies in concentrating upon their eating and sleeping disorders. By controlling their eating disorders, patients assert control over... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/eating_disorders_and_how_to_treat_them.php Many people are having problems with their weight. These weight problems are the results of a person’s eating habits. In the United States, there are about 50 million of Americans are enroll weight loss programs. However, there are also people who wishes that they would have a lesser weight and resulted to suffering from eating disorders. Eating disorders may be categorized as a psychiatric problem. Although many experts say that obesity is not truly a psychiatric problem, they consider that the state of being obese is also a form of eating disorders. Some people who are trying to lose weight may lead to the improper obsession of thinking of a person that his dieting becomes abnormal. ... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/eating_disorder_treatment_options.php Eating disorder is an abnormal eating pattern that eventually deteriorates a person’s health and increases the risk of other diseases. In this disorder, people overeat, or eat just to satisfy a psychic need and not physical need. Eating disorder is life threatening illness if left untreated. Eating disorder which includes anorexia, bulimia and compulsive overeating are some of the serious forms of mental illness. Living a life with this illness imparts a feeling of insecurity, shame, anxiety. Mostly, the individual is left to struggle alone because of the complicated combination of physical and mental symptoms, but with proper medication, this illness can be cured. People with eating... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/eating_disorder_causes_manifestations_consequences.php The human body functions using a set of inter-connected activities and processes all of which combine together to create the natural rhythms of our day-to-day existence. When this innate balance is disturbed, we experience conditions that are medically described as 'disorders'. When the physiological equations are disturbed, the common manifestations of the imbalance are in the areas of sleep and food intake. The most widely accepted signs of physical wellness are normal appetite and sound sleep; conversely, when a person has an irregular appetite or sleeps badly, he is generally diagnosed as 'unwell'. Eating disorders affect millions of people in today's world and are a by-product of... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/eating_disorder_bulimia.php Bulimia Nervosa is an eating disorder caused by a person's feelings of low self-esteem, worthlessness and depression. They view themselves as being fat and overweight, which causes them to resort to bizarre eating habits in order to lose weight. The bulimic will binge eat and then purge. This habit after awhile becomes addictive and they fall into a pattern of bingeing as a way to cope with their negative feelings about themselves. The bulimic binge consists of a large amount of food intake with a high calorie count, usually eaten in private away from other people. They will eat sweets and foods high in fat. Although some binges are planned, most are spur-of-the-moment, being... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/drug_addiction_or_eating_disorder_which_came_first.php When a person enters drug rehab or an addiction treatment facility and is diagnosed with a drug addiction and eating disorder, the question arises which addiction developed first and how do you treat two addictions? First, let us define an eating disorder as the quality of one’s thinking as it relates to food and weight and not how much someone weighs. Then, we may take a look at various behaviors and address other criteria. In most cases, one’s thinking regarding food and weight became distorted way before they ever began using drugs or alcohol. It is not uncommon that after a period of time of trying to achieve certain self determined goals through binging, purging or restricting and... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/detecting_the_signs_of_anorexia.php Anorexia Nervosa is a serious condition that affects quite a number of people and if it is not discovered and treated in time its consequences may be fatal to those suffering from it. It is important to understand that this so-called disease is not a normal physical disease, that can be diagnosed by a doctor, it is a mental condition of the person suffering from it, so detecting and treating it may not be that easy, mostly due to the fact that the person involved will not cooperate with you, because it is a known fact that those suffering from anorexia nervosa do not admit that they have a problem. The causes of anorexia nervosa are psychological, it may be caused by something that... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/change_is_vital_to_end_binge_eating_disorder.php So, you are at the point where you realize that you have Binge Eating Disorder and you want to make a change in your life for the better… But what do you do next? If you are like how I was, a mixture of emotions used to begin to fill my head about what my new self would be like. I was excited about getting on with my life and making Binge Eating Disorder a thing of the past. But I was also a little nervous about letting Binge Eating Disorder go. Why? Not because I wanted to eat myself to death, but because I didn’t know any other way. I had turned to food for about nine years of my life and that was all I knew. I didn’t know how to deal with anything that was going on in my life. I didn’t... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/bulimia_symptoms.php People affected by Bulimia nervosa, usually intake excessive quantity of food; and then try to shed off the extra calories by vomiting, taking enemas, using laxatives or diuretics and other improper means. HOW WILL I KNOW THAT I HAVE BULIMIA?- Binge eating, is the main cause and symptom of Bulimia. This takes place at least twice a month, for a maximum of three months. The other such symptoms of Bulimia are- Eating at irregular periods. The amount of consumption of the food is also quite high, compared to normal eating. Such an abnormality indicates the arrival of Bulimia. People, affected by Bulimia, lose control over themselves. No matter how hard they try, they are unable to... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/bulimia_eating_disorder.php What are the most frequent causes for bulimia? Clinical depression can often lead to anorexia bulimia, and vice versa. It seems that the importance of a chemical known as Seratonin is quite high, but exact causes and effects have not been determined yet. Bulimia might also appear frequently in relatives of people already suffering from this disorder. Genetics may play a role here, but the family environment is also important. A good bulimia treatment should focus on finding out these facts and narrowing the list down to the triggering factor. Long-term effects of bulimia Chaotic eating habits and secret feasts give the bulimic temporary satisfaction. After a short while, however, he... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/bulimia_dying_for_the_love_of_food.php The German translation for bulimia is "Fresssucht", literally meaning "addiction to eating". Like all addictions, it has a devastating effect on the mind and body and needs to be managed through proper treatment. Though experts disagree on the statistics, it estimated that between 8% and 10% of the US population suffers from bulimia. 90% to 95% of these are women of all ages. 10% of the affected will die. It's not always easy to recognize if a person has bulimia. Unlike anorexics, bulimics are not always extremely thin. They don't avoid food, but rather enjoy it. It's the part of getting rid of a meal that makes this a devastating and possibly fatal disease. The most commonly... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/bulimia_control_is_within_reach.php Did people of the past have any of the disorders that exist in the present? It seems like every activity comes with a disclaimer. Even food has a negative side. For some people food isn't a joy, but a disaster. Some people have had their lives taken over by eating disorders and one of those disorders is known as bulimia. Bulimia occurs when people go through periods of overeating, which are then followed by periods of self-induced vomiting, misuse of laxatives and diuretics and excessive exercising. Bulimia may start because other attempts at dieting have failed. People who are bulimics are also susceptible to other types of compulsions and addictions. Bulimics may have major... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/body_image_what_is_it.php Body image is what you see yourself to be when you look into a mirror. Depending on your psychological state, you will see something very specific to your mental picture. Things like, your beliefs about your appearance, how you personally feel about your body and also how you feel in your body are all characteristics of general body image. People who "see" a distorted image of themselves will be prone to developing an eating disorder of some sort and this is problematical. This will be related to negative body image and some characteristics of this image include: 1. Distorted body image 2. A mental state that only other people are attractive and that your own body image is a failure... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/binge_eating_men_also_at_risk.php Binge Eating Disorder affects just about as many men as it does women, even though the stereotype is that eating disorders are thought to be a women’s disorder. This stereotype is incorrect. There are 25 million people that struggle daily with Binge Eating Disorder. Out of that 25 million, you may be surprised to know that 40% are men. According to Wikipedia.com, this means that three women for every two men suffer from Binge Eating Disorder. There are different reasons as to why men develop Binge Eating Disorder. One cause is if they play or played sports sometime in their life that required them to be thin or to lose a lot of weight for a particular competition, such as a wrestling... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/binge_eating_impacting_kids_adults_athletes.php &quot;Looking good&quot; and &quot;being how you look&quot; are two of the more dangerous ideas that modern culture serves up. Face it. Not every one can look either super model reed thin or flex that muscled &quot;cut&quot; look of the super athlete. Getting there sometimes drives people to resort to life threatening binge eating and purging behavior. Athletes At Risk - Intense Body Image Perfectionists Gone Awry. Imagine that over 70% of all gymnasts are advised to &quot;drop some weight&quot; or they'll never get the highest marks. People pleasing, competitive and performance perfectionists by nature, athletes are especially vulnerable to binge eating disorders when these... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/binge_eating_disorder_what_is_it_and_what_do_we_need_to_know_about_it.php Binge-eating disorder is also known as compulsive overeating. A person with binge-eating disorder frequently eats abnormally large amounts of food (usually junk food) quickly at one sitting, even when they are not hungry. They feel a loss of control over how much they are eating and will continue to eat until they are uncomfortably full – even in pain. This eating behaviour is likely to take place in secret due to the feelings of shame and disgust that follow a binge-eating episode. Although binge eating is an element of the eating disorder bulimia, binge-eating disorder is different from bulimia because it does not involve the purging of calories after a binge by vomiting or the use of... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/binge_eating_disorder.php Binge Eating Disorder is a type of eating disorder characterized by sustained binge eating to excess followed by periods of guilt and disgust. Unlike bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder does not include periods of purging. The disease is supposedly prevalent among 1-5% of the population. This disease affects women slightly more than men (60%-40%). Additionally, people with binge eating disorder can be of normal or over weight. Other characteristics include: 1. Feeling out of control with eating behavior 2. Eating when not hungry 3. Eating in secret 4. Depression is prevalent among people with this eating disorder 5. Feeling of shame and distress after the binge eating... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/anorexia_what_are_the_dangers_of_the_anorexia_disease.php What is anorexia and what are some of the dangers? Anorexia is simply one of several eating disorders that is plaguing many of our young men and women. Over 7 million women and 1 million men struggle with anorexia nervosa within the United States alone. It is a disease that is truly indiscriminate, both men and women, rich and poor, young and old, and all minorities are affected by the disease. When anorexia is reported, 86% of those reports are given by people 20 years old and younger. Since anorexia and other eating disorders are so widespread, the best way to combat their spread is to promote public awareness. So, what are some of the signs someone is struggling with an eating disorder?... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/anorexia_nervosa_dying_for_perfection.php One of the most common and potentially fatal of the eating disorders is anorexia nervosa. This disorder affects a huge number of young women for a variety of reasons. It has also been established that around twenty percent of sufferers of this disorder are young males. It can also affect both males and females in the older age bracket. Obviously, one of the most visible signs of this disorder is the excessive weight loss that comes with self starvation. The sufferers of this illness severely restrict their intake of food and suffer great anxiety at the thought of losing control of their weight. The thought of becoming fat creates incredible stress for them. Health professionals believe... http://www.e-eatingdisorder.com/10_ways_my_eating_disorder_has_blessed_my_life.php 1.I get a second chance to love. 2.I am able to truly enjoy and appreciate every day. 3.My life is NEVER boring. 4.If I missed a lesson the first time around I know I'll get another chance. 5.My life has become true experiential education -learn by doing. 6.I have learned that my body is absolutely amazing. 7.I have met and continue to meet amazing individuals that change my perspective on how I see the world. 8.I am alive and able to impact the lives of others by sharing my own experiences. 9.I have been able to strengthen my spirituality. 10.I have learned each human being is beautiful in their own way. Mary Pat finds blessings in every day to help her stay in the present...