Bulimia?

nosugar · 03-12-2009, 02:30 PM

Could low carb be helping my bulimia? Did I admit that I am bulimic?! Well now that the word is out I have had this ed for 31 years. I would love to tell you that it was because my parents beat me or that I am missing something in my life but the truth is - I love to eat and as I am eating I am triggered into thinking what I could be eating next. The binge eating has consumed me lately and I am thinking a switch to a high raw diet - fruits and vegetables has something to do with it. Don't get me wrong - no one is shoving food down my throat - I am responsible for what goes in - but food has consumed my every thought lately. As well as depression and disgust in my eating habbits. I stopped the madness by going back to my 2 meals a day of grass fed beef and I feel like a $1000000000!! My food thoughts and fears have decreased and I don't feel like I wasted a whole day around driving store to store for food - I eat and then move on! Is this all in y head? I just gave away all of the fruit in my house as well as the condiments that can get me into trouble like mayo. I am down to ghee, meat, and a few cans of tuna for Fridays in lent. Thanks for any opinions!

suzanneyea · 03-12-2009, 02:33 PM

There are a whole bunch of us bulimics here, we post at the addiction forum.

zizi · 03-12-2009, 03:24 PM

Been there done that. Seek professional help.

I don't mean to sound insensitive. I've battled Eating Disorders for most of my life. Low carb is the only way I can eat in a sane fashion and lose weigt.

nosugar · 03-12-2009, 04:12 PM

Thanks guys - I appreciate it!

smudgepot · 03-12-2009, 04:30 PM

I am another one who can relate on the bulimia issue. I definitely find that low carb helps my cravings, blood sugar and eating disorder behaviours.

I am no where near perfect, yet. However, suddenly I see a light at the end of the tunnel which is a big change from the last 10 years of feeling hopeless and out of control.

I would suggest reading "The Diet Cure" by Julia Ross. She speaks about eating disorders (amongst other things) about how amino acid therapy can help. Her premise is that while there may be a psychological component to disordered eating, that there is also often an overwhelming physiological component too. I have certainly found that certain amino acids and supplements have assisted not only with my moods, but also my ED in a massive way.

The irony is that I posted on an eating disorder website speaking about low carb/amino acid therapy and how it was helping and the other members were incredibly disbelieving and critical.

Good luck. I hope we can help in any way shape or form. I know just how frustrating this battle is.

nosugar · 03-12-2009, 04:33 PM

thank you so much! Support is so important right now - I switch my diet like the weather and support to stay on plan is critical - thanks foe your understanding!

smudgepot · 03-12-2009, 04:57 PM

Stick with it! The question is how badly you want to give this behaviour up... If you are ready, I have no doubt that low carb can assist!

nosugar · 03-12-2009, 05:02 PM

I am sooo ready! I never thought this would be me- I had so much discipline - wth? It is so crazy to think that fruit and broccoli can set me off! But thank you - I do really want it!

Goldenrod · 03-13-2009, 09:17 PM

I second The Diet Cure. Even if you're not "academically minded," it's an easy read, and you might find something in there to help you. You might be surprised at how finding an appropriate balance of nutrients will help you gain some control.

Magicsmom · 03-13-2009, 09:44 PM

nosugar

KlingonBabe · 03-13-2009, 09:47 PM

I can attest to the fact that lowering your carbs will help control the urge to binge and purge. In my case, the lower the carbs, the less cravings and urges I get.

I'm eating nearly zero carb at present, and for the first time in my life, I have discovered genuine normal hunger (eat when hungry, stop when full, have no interest in food between meals).

Low carb (to whatever degree is beneficial for you) is a godsend when you're battling an ED.

nosugar · 03-14-2009, 07:15 PM

WTG!!! Keep up the great work and congrats on the running!

KittyCat101 · 03-14-2009, 07:54 PM

I was bulimic back in my teens. Carbs helped me a lot.

homestretch · 03-14-2009, 09:40 PM

I don't think any way of eating cures bulimia because bulimia is not really about the food at all. Most of the time bulimia is a coping mechanism. I spent 25 years thinking that some new diet was going to cure my addiction to binging and purging. For me I began my bulimia as a way to handle a trauma in my life and then it became a bad habitual way of dealing with a broad range of emotions. I went to OA and counseling all without any results. I had my breakthrough when a recovered bulimic offered to help me recover myself. She recommended a book that helped her called, Seat of the Soul. The author is Gary Zukav and he has a powerful section in the book on dealing with addiction and that section changed my life. I encourage anyone suffering with this problem to get help and not waste time thinking that it is about food. I read a quote from a recovered bulimic that touched my life. She said that every time she binged she lost a little piece of herself and her self esteem until finally she was left with no self esteem at all. That describes bulimia and the way that I used to feel better than anything I have ever read or heard. Good luck with this problem because it is such a hard way of life to let go of.

KlingonBabe · 03-14-2009, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by homestretch

I don't think any way of eating cures bulimia because bulimia is not really about the food at all. Most of the time bulimia is a coping mechanism.

In many cases, this is not true. I never lost the urge to binge and purge until I started reducing the carb content of my meals. For many of us, the mental issues arise as a reaction to the physical effects (constant hunger and cravings, and the subsequent weight gain) of carbohydrate consumption.

Nikouli · 03-14-2009, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KittyCat101

I was bulimic back in my teens. Carbs helped me a lot.

I'm not catching your drift, how so?

oobladee · 03-14-2009, 10:23 PM

I am a recovering binge/purger. It is a long road; I suffered form the age of roughly 12 to age 40.

So about 30 years myself of this clearly insane behavior. My 20's were my worst.

Don't stop til you find what will help you. For me, it was OA - I attended up to 4x weekly for about a 4 year period. I was told it was like group therapy if you will, and more effective than one on one that many among us had shelled out real money for.

I think for most, it will take more than reading a book or eating low carb. Those things may certainly help, but you are in crisis whether you know it or not if you are still active in this behavior. Until you can believe that, you aren't ready for help.

May God be with you as you find your way. I don't know you but I share this pain.

ETA: homestretch is exactly right: a true ED is not about the food; in fact all diet plans, including Atkins can aggravate a person with ED.

All others perhaps did merely have issues with certain foods, and I am happy that diet alone fixed it.

smudgepot · 03-18-2009, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by homestretch

I don't think any way of eating cures bulimia because bulimia is not really about the food at all. Most of the time bulimia is a coping mechanism.

Unfortunately I would disagree with this. I was violently bulimic for over ten years - to the extent that I would binge and purge twice a day. I tried EVERYTHING to stop the "need" to binge. SSRIs, appetite suppressants, therapy (for over three years)....

Reducing my carb count and utilising Amino Acid therapy helped me more than traditional psychotherapy ever helped me.

While I think there are people, like yourself, who use bulimia as an escape mechanism, there are others who resort to bulimia due to physiological issues that relate to carbohydrate addition, insulin resistance and general cravings. I will fully acknowledge that my bulimia has had psychological repercussions, but I do not believe my mental state was the sole cause.

gettingwell · 03-19-2009, 05:28 AM

I have had an ED for 30 or so of my 43 years...and I am coming to the same conclusion as you, Smudgepot. I go between restricting and overeating--binge eating. I'm trying VLC (working towards ZC) right now--I have always thought that my ED was physiologically based--sure, I have psychological issues surrounding food, but I think that the physiological issues caused the psychological issues....not the reverse. I'm starting to think that diet/nutrition CAN be the "cure" for this.

oobladee · 03-19-2009, 06:01 AM

gettingwell, all of the above! it certainly is - or perhaps became a "what we eat" issue above all.

Becoming fat changed our bodies - the way we handle insulin, which is directly related to our metabolisms - is very key here.

You are right...the food we choose is paramount as a basis to getting well. It just won't do it all b/c we have also ruined our brain patterns. At a point it is too hard to differentiate on which is more important; both factors matter.

03-12-2009, 02:30 PM	#1
nosugar Senior LCF Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 246 Gallery: nosugar Stats: 145/145/115 WOE: low carb non processed Start Date: 10/27/07	Bulimia? Could low carb be helping my bulimia? Did I admit that I am bulimic?! Well now that the word is out I have had this ed for 31 years. I would love to tell you that it was because my parents beat me or that I am missing something in my life but the truth is - I love to eat and as I am eating I am triggered into thinking what I could be eating next. The binge eating has consumed me lately and I am thinking a switch to a high raw diet - fruits and vegetables has something to do with it. Don't get me wrong - no one is shoving food down my throat - I am responsible for what goes in - but food has consumed my every thought lately. As well as depression and disgust in my eating habbits. I stopped the madness by going back to my 2 meals a day of grass fed beef and I feel like a $1000000000!! My food thoughts and fears have decreased and I don't feel like I wasted a whole day around driving store to store for food - I eat and then move on! Is this all in y head? I just gave away all of the fruit in my house as well as the condiments that can get me into trouble like mayo. I am down to ghee, meat, and a few cans of tuna for Fridays in lent. Thanks for any opinions!

03-12-2009, 04:30 PM	#5
smudgepot Senior LCF Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: South Africa Posts: 337 Gallery: smudgepot Stats: 130/120/110 WOE: Low Carb/Healthy Choices Start Date: September 2008	I am another one who can relate on the bulimia issue. I definitely find that low carb helps my cravings, blood sugar and eating disorder behaviours. I am no where near perfect, yet. However, suddenly I see a light at the end of the tunnel which is a big change from the last 10 years of feeling hopeless and out of control. I would suggest reading "The Diet Cure" by Julia Ross. She speaks about eating disorders (amongst other things) about how amino acid therapy can help. Her premise is that while there may be a psychological component to disordered eating, that there is also often an overwhelming physiological component too. I have certainly found that certain amino acids and supplements have assisted not only with my moods, but also my ED in a massive way. The irony is that I posted on an eating disorder website speaking about low carb/amino acid therapy and how it was helping and the other members were incredibly disbelieving and critical. Good luck. I hope we can help in any way shape or form. I know just how frustrating this battle is. __________________ [COLOR="Blue"]Do one thing every day that scares you" - Eleanor Roosevelt[/COLOR]

03-14-2009, 09:40 PM	#14
homestretch MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 2,179 Gallery: homestretch Stats: 206.5/155 WOE: Low Carb Start Date: 5/26/06	I don't think any way of eating cures bulimia because bulimia is not really about the food at all. Most of the time bulimia is a coping mechanism. I spent 25 years thinking that some new diet was going to cure my addiction to binging and purging. For me I began my bulimia as a way to handle a trauma in my life and then it became a bad habitual way of dealing with a broad range of emotions. I went to OA and counseling all without any results. I had my breakthrough when a recovered bulimic offered to help me recover myself. She recommended a book that helped her called, Seat of the Soul. The author is Gary Zukav and he has a powerful section in the book on dealing with addiction and that section changed my life. I encourage anyone suffering with this problem to get help and not waste time thinking that it is about food. I read a quote from a recovered bulimic that touched my life. She said that every time she binged she lost a little piece of herself and her self esteem until finally she was left with no self esteem at all. That describes bulimia and the way that I used to feel better than anything I have ever read or heard. Good luck with this problem because it is such a hard way of life to let go of. __________________ Start 206.5 5/26/2006.......Goal of 155 Met Nov. 1, 2007 "Be careful the environment you choose for it will shape you; be careful the friends you choose for you will become like them." ~ W. Clement Stone BELIEVE IN THE POWER WITHIN YOURSELF! Last edited by homestretch; 03-14-2009 at 09:42 PM..

03-14-2009, 10:23 PM	#17
oobladee Senior LCF Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Far North, Cali Posts: 644 Gallery: oobladee Stats: Top BMI: 37; Currently: 30-31 WOE: Moderate fat & cals/hi protein/low carb Start Date: March 2006	I am a recovering binge/purger. It is a long road; I suffered form the age of roughly 12 to age 40. So about 30 years myself of this clearly insane behavior. My 20's were my worst. Don't stop til you find what will help you. For me, it was OA - I attended up to 4x weekly for about a 4 year period. I was told it was like group therapy if you will, and more effective than one on one that many among us had shelled out real money for. I think for most, it will take more than reading a book or eating low carb. Those things may certainly help, but you are in crisis whether you know it or not if you are still active in this behavior. Until you can believe that, you aren't ready for help. May God be with you as you find your way. I don't know you but I share this pain. ETA: homestretch is exactly right: a true ED is not about the food; in fact all diet plans, including Atkins can aggravate a person with ED. All others perhaps did merely have issues with certain foods, and I am happy that diet alone fixed it. Last edited by oobladee; 03-14-2009 at 10:28 PM..

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03-12-2009, 02:33 PM	#2
suzanneyea Very Gabby LCF Member!!! Join Date: May 2008 Location: Montreal, QC Posts: 3,247 Blog Entries: 2 Gallery: suzanneyea Stats: 110 WOE: zero carb	There are a whole bunch of us bulimics here, we post at the addiction forum.

03-12-2009, 03:24 PM	#3
zizi MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Earth Posts: 2,458 Gallery: zizi WOE: Low Carb Eclectic Start Date: one day at a time...	Been there done that. Seek professional help. I don't mean to sound insensitive. I've battled Eating Disorders for most of my life. Low carb is the only way I can eat in a sane fashion and lose weigt.

03-12-2009, 04:12 PM	#4
nosugar Senior LCF Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 246 Gallery: nosugar Stats: 145/145/115 WOE: low carb non processed Start Date: 10/27/07	Thanks guys - I appreciate it!

03-12-2009, 04:33 PM	#6
nosugar Senior LCF Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 246 Gallery: nosugar Stats: 145/145/115 WOE: low carb non processed Start Date: 10/27/07	thank you so much! Support is so important right now - I switch my diet like the weather and support to stay on plan is critical - thanks foe your understanding!

03-12-2009, 04:57 PM	#7
smudgepot Senior LCF Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: South Africa Posts: 337 Gallery: smudgepot Stats: 130/120/110 WOE: Low Carb/Healthy Choices Start Date: September 2008	Stick with it! The question is how badly you want to give this behaviour up... If you are ready, I have no doubt that low carb can assist!

03-12-2009, 05:02 PM	#8
nosugar Senior LCF Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 246 Gallery: nosugar Stats: 145/145/115 WOE: low carb non processed Start Date: 10/27/07	I am sooo ready! I never thought this would be me- I had so much discipline - wth? It is so crazy to think that fruit and broccoli can set me off! But thank you - I do really want it!

03-13-2009, 09:17 PM	#9
Goldenrod MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Staten Island, NY Posts: 1,779 Gallery: Goldenrod Stats: 152/135/130 5'2" WOE: LC, mostly whole foods, and no fear of FAT! Start Date: Nov 1, 2006	I second The Diet Cure. Even if you're not "academically minded," it's an easy read, and you might find something in there to help you. You might be surprised at how finding an appropriate balance of nutrients will help you gain some control.

03-13-2009, 09:44 PM	#10
Magicsmom Committed to Succeed Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Washington state Posts: 23,803 Gallery: Magicsmom Stats: 282/203.5/140 WOE: Atkins Start Date: January 2004	nosugar

03-13-2009, 09:47 PM	#11
KlingonBabe MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Wandering around the Delta Quadrant Posts: 2,331 Gallery: KlingonBabe Stats: Miserable/Sane/FABULOUS	I can attest to the fact that lowering your carbs will help control the urge to binge and purge. In my case, the lower the carbs, the less cravings and urges I get. I'm eating nearly zero carb at present, and for the first time in my life, I have discovered genuine normal hunger (eat when hungry, stop when full, have no interest in food between meals). Low carb (to whatever degree is beneficial for you) is a godsend when you're battling an ED.

03-14-2009, 07:15 PM	#12
nosugar Senior LCF Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 246 Gallery: nosugar Stats: 145/145/115 WOE: low carb non processed Start Date: 10/27/07	WTG!!! Keep up the great work and congrats on the running!

03-14-2009, 07:54 PM	#13
KittyCat101 Senior LCF Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: MO Posts: 74 Gallery: KittyCat101	I was bulimic back in my teens. Carbs helped me a lot.

03-19-2009, 05:28 AM	#19
gettingwell Senior LCF Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 325 Gallery: gettingwell	I have had an ED for 30 or so of my 43 years...and I am coming to the same conclusion as you, Smudgepot. I go between restricting and overeating--binge eating. I'm trying VLC (working towards ZC) right now--I have always thought that my ED was physiologically based--sure, I have psychological issues surrounding food, but I think that the physiological issues caused the psychological issues....not the reverse. I'm starting to think that diet/nutrition CAN be the "cure" for this.

03-19-2009, 06:01 AM	#20
oobladee Senior LCF Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Far North, Cali Posts: 644 Gallery: oobladee Stats: Top BMI: 37; Currently: 30-31 WOE: Moderate fat & cals/hi protein/low carb Start Date: March 2006	gettingwell, all of the above! it certainly is - or perhaps became a "what we eat" issue above all. Becoming fat changed our bodies - the way we handle insulin, which is directly related to our metabolisms - is very key here. You are right...the food we choose is paramount as a basis to getting well. It just won't do it all b/c we have also ruined our brain patterns. At a point it is too hard to differentiate on which is more important; both factors matter.