Do I actually have a problem?

[shellylee92 0]

Tom (boyfriend) is a little worried about me. he thinks i have a problem with eating. i admit that i do not eat as much as most people do or maybe even as much as i should. i eat maybe once a day and if i do eat it is not alot. i can have five grapes throughout the day and think im full. i can sit here and tell you i dont eat because im not hungry not cuz i want to lose weight but honestly idk if i am saying that to you or myself. i know i have low self esteem and very very very low confidence in my physical appearance. i step on the scale and if i dont like the weight then i dont eat or it changes what i eat. i eat very little because i dont want people to think "o she ate all her food cuz shes fat". im not sure what i am trying to do here but i guess im just trying to see if this is just normal. i dont want to act like im trying to get attention or something like that....and tom is worried and wants to change my diet plan to "help" me but i dont think i need help. im losing weight by this and being on weight watchers and i dont want that to stop....what do you think? i know you may not have an answer but i guess i jsut wanted to talk to someone about it rather than reading almost every article on the internet about it

[Gilly 1086]

Hi shelly. I guess it all depends on what you weigh and if you are getting enough nourishment, and how long this has been going on. If your dieting is impacting your health then yes its becoming a problem. It sounds like your boyfriend is worried you are dieting too extremely, and I think he's right. A few grapes isn't enough nourishment for your body. It sounds like you have an obsession with your weight, which a lot of people do but when you diet, because you have such low low self esteem the risks of developing an eating disorder are higher, so be careful.

Let your boyfriend help you, you don't have to stop dieting, just do it sensibly. Make sure your body gets sufficient nutrients, even if you feel full. You will still lose weight on a balanced diet. It might be a good idea to see your doctor, get some advice, have some blood work done to check you aren't becoming anaemic or anything. Ask about why you feel full all the time. The main thing, don't be scared, don't be embarrassed, IF you have an eating disorder or could be developing one it is the wise, smart and sensible thing to do. People would be proud of you.

Good luck and welcome to AC

[Wolfsbane 0]

I think if you are wanting permanent weight loss, you should do it in a healthy way. The only way to keep it off is a healthy diet and exercise. Your body will suffer negative affects from not getting enough nutrition. It will pull the calcium from your bones, and your organs may be affected as well. I used to struggle with starving myself, and as much as I want to sometimes I know it's so horrible for your body.

The reason you don't feel hungry is because your body is in survival mode. Your metabolism has probably slowed down to a crawl. Even if you are trying to lose weight, your body still needs enough calories just to function. Do you feel weak and tired a lot? Or light headed?

I used to worry about people thinking I'm fat because I finished all of my food too. I never feel fat when I'm eating something healthy. I'm sure people see me and think, "Wow, I wish I could eat healthy food like her!"

On my weight loss journey, the one thing that has helped me the most is realizing that the number on the scale is irrelevant. The only thing that you should worry about is how you look in the mirror. Your weight fluctuates naturally throughout the day, depending on water level and food in your stomach. By the end of the day I'm 2-4 pounds heavier. The next morning I'm back down to my real weight.

[help 0]

I need help. I have body dismorphia and I can't tell if I have an eating disorder or not. I often skip meals, I go through periods where I don't eat at all, I'll also binge, but no purging. I have tried and nothing works. I also go through periods where I will count every single little calorie that enters my body. Everyday when I take a shower, I get out and immediately look at myself. I pick at my body, suck in my stomach, pick at my face. And I also became vegetarian so I could eat less. I've lost 20 pounds since last year, and I love when I drop weight. It makes me feel so amazing. I don't eat very much food, and if I eat too much I will get the worst stomach aches so I tend not to eat much but I'm completely okay with that. I dropped soda and any other non healthy substance. I still get taunted about eating a lot by my family.

[jonathan123 2368]

Hi help. Welcome to AC. .

Binge eating, Bulimia and such problems are often related to anxiety. You don't mention if you have seen your doctor. It is always advisable, initially, to get some medical advice. If you're eating is erratic then that is a problem in itself. Our stomachs need regular food at certain intervals so that good digestion is possible. If you eat erratically then the stomach and digestive system are all over the place. If you eat little over a period of time than your stomach shrinks so that when you do eat a full meal it objects. That's why it is not advisable to give someone who is starving a big meal. They have to be given food slowly.

Looking at your body and worrying about every little bump and fault is typical of health anxiety. You are not alone. If you look up the info on the site you will find many who have had the same problem. Don't worry about the taunting. This goes on a lot by those who have no understanding of the problem. As I said earlier, get some medical advice and don't be afraid to do so. Doctors are so used to anxiety related problems these days.   Best wishes.   Jon.