Eating Disorder Support & Recovery

Listen, Little Red Riding Hood, you can't pull this off all by yourself... sooner or later you're gonna hit a crisis point—trust me, you need support, both from pros and from people close to you who can actually be there when things get heavy.
And just be ready for the fact that getting better doesn't happen overnight.

I'm writing this hoping it might scare you just enough to make you look for some professional help. Bulimia is an actual illness that can—and should—be treated. It isn't something you need to feel ashamed about.
Just give it your best shot and try to take your life back.
Prognosis - complications from bulimia
Long-term outlook. People dealing with bulimia who maintain a normal weight and don't develop anorexia tend to run into several major health issues. I guess the prognosis is generally better for bulimia than for anorexia, though. Tooth decay, cavities, and gum issues are pretty common. Bingeing and purging cycles can also lead to water retention, bloating, and swelling. Occasionally, the cycle of overeating followed by forced purging can cause dehydration and low potassium levels, which leads to weakness or even near-paralysis; things usually improve once you get potassium back up. Dangerously low potassium levels can cause heart arrhythmias and death. Acute gastritis or even esophageal ruptures are also linked to frequent vomiting. In rare cases, the walls of the rectum can become so weak they protrude; that’s a serious issue requiring surgery. Self-destructive behavior. Women with bulimia are prone to depression and risky impulsive behaviors, like promiscuity or kleptomania, which have been noted in about half of all cases. Alcohol and drug abuse is more common among women with bulimia than in the general population or among those with anorexia. Also, a lot of teenage girls smoke because they think it helps prevent weight gain. Women with bulimia often overdo it with OTC meds like laxatives, appetite suppressants, diuretics, or emetics—usually Ipecac. Every one of those is risky. For instance, Ipecac poisoning has been recorded, and some people end up depending on laxatives just to keep their bowels moving normally. Diet pills, even herbal ones or non-prescription meds, can be dangerous, especially if misused.

I don't know how to post a link, sorry.😢

First off, hey there, Little Red Riding Hood. 🙂

Anthony Wood54 said:We got into a massive blowout over this. He made some comment about a woman in a bikini, calling her fat... honestly, I just hit my limit. I couldn't stay quiet anymore. I don't see people in those kinds of categories—fat or thin—it's just not how I view the world.

You really should have told him. Right then and there. Next time, just lay it out for him—ask him if he actually realizes how many girls and women are suffering through bulimia and anorexia because of societal pressure and those impossible standards being shoved down their throats. Talk to him about that. And then? Then you tell him your story.
Maybe you're terrified he’ll walk out if you put on a few pounds? Look, if that’s actually the case, then he doesn't love you—period. He doesn't deserve you. I personally don't believe that's what's happening here, but hey, talk to me. Tell me about yourself and how things are actually going between you two.

The guy? Honestly, I think he plays way too big a role in this whole mess. He’s 6'2" and barely hits 150 pounds... just skin and bones. It's brutal. And according to him, eating is just "stupid." Back when we were living together, I used to sit there staring at the kitchen counter, completely lost on what to cook because nothing ever hit the spot for him. So, of course, he’d just grab some junk food instead, and well—the scale just keeps climbing.

People aren't built the same way, and their nutritional needs follow suit. It’s like comparing engines; one guy runs fine on a little bit of fuel, while someone else has to pack a massive meal just to stay upright. Everyone's different.
Look, you should have just cooked what tastes good to you. If he wants to eat junk, let him. It’s his business. 😉

By the end of the month, I’m supposed to be moving in with him. That means I have to overhaul my entire diet, and his too... I might actually pull off the whole boiled vegetable thing since that's actually decent to me, but for him? Not a chance. We're talking about cooking two separate meals every single day. Total nightmare.

Dušo, seriously, what century are you living in? 😉
Why on earth would you—with everything you've got on your plate between internships and college—feel obligated to play chef for him too? If he’s not a fan of what you cook, fine. He can grab a spatula and handle it himself. You're the priority here. Just YOU. 🙂

Maybe if I just lay it all out for him—tell him exactly what's up—he might actually change. Maybe he’ll finally stop being so damn demanding and realize that if I want to stay healthy, I have to eat right. It's hard enough trying to stick to a plan without having someone constantly breathing down my neck about it.

That’s actually a pretty solid way of looking at it. 🙂

Taylor Brown61 said:Do you honestly think you're invisible? You don't have burst capillaries around your eyes, bloodshot eyes from the strain, or those little cuts on your fingers. You aren't staying awake long after everyone else has crashed. And besides, don't you ever catch that scent in the bathroom or on your hands when you vomit up something milky?

A lot of people dealing with Bulimia don't show any of those signs. If someone is careful enough, it's impossible to tell. Not until things spiral into real trouble.

Anthony Harris14 said:Here is a link to an organization’s website that focuses on supporting people dealing with Eating Disorders and their families. You can reach out to them directly if you need to. I haven't spent a ton of time digging through their pages yet, but I plan to, so I can't give you a deep dive just yet—though I really hope you find some helpful resources there.

Little Red Riding Hood, take a look at this link; the people involved seem really solid 🙂. Maybe try reaching out to them first? They have a forum, so you might be able to find someone to talk to there...
While I was looking through links, I also stumbled upon this doctor's page. I haven't read everything she's published, but she seems like a decent person to me.

She has her email listed, so if you end up heading toward Washington, D.C., you could try to set up an appointment ahead of time... or even just reach out to ask for some advice.

Regardless, please know that none of this is your fault. People don't just wake up and choose to be sick.
Don't pay any mind to the people who clearly have no clue what they're talking about—the ones rolling their eyes, acting shocked, or accusing you of lying or being "proud" of it. Just ignore the noise and contact professionals who actually know how to help.
Hang in there, and good luck. 🙂 👋

Anthony Wood54 said:I've been trying to email Libelli, but they aren't receiving anything... I'll give them a call one of these days when I have some privacy at home. I've read through all their pages... they seem like a great organization...

Look, I'm a complete idiot 😁, I totally missed that you already mentioned reaching out to Libelli 😵. Were you having trouble registering or something? If you can get signed up, they actually have a forum, so you could just leave a message there if the email isn't working.
You can always try reaching out to this doctor too 🙂.
And hey, old-fashioned phone calls still work 😁.

Another little confession from me...
Mom sends me to Target to grab some toothpaste, and before I know it, I’m totally lost in the candy aisle.... I just wander around like a zombie, staring at all those damn chocolates, gummy snacks, candies and... honestly, I just turn around and head straight for the toy section instead, just to get away from them (it’s crazy how they design these stores... you've got the junk on one side and everything else on the other...) anyway, I eventually grab the toothpaste and leave...
No, I didn't buy anything!!!!
I didn't throw up yesterday.. okay.. I didn't really eat much either, but...
Okay... I felt like throwing up after having some popcorn, but I didn't... the pain was killing me, but it passed...
My boyfriend?? He's great. He loved me even when I was 180 pounds and he never complained, ever... I'll tell him when we start living together... maybe even sooner... I'll test the waters first...
It's going to be okay, he won't leave me, he'll help me.... I just need to talk to him..
Regarding that diagnosis (the long-term one)... I know... I've read all about it...
And it scares me....
And once again, THANK YOU ALL, YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW MUCH YOU HELP ME!!!
😉
KISSES!!!

Anthony Wood54 said:My boyfriend is great; he loved me back when I was 80 pounds and never once complained. He never... I'll tell him once we actually start living our lives... maybe even sooner... but first, I need to test the waters.

You also have to consider what might be too late... you can't ignore that part of the equation.

Just figured I’d jump in here for a second...

I have to disagree with goldenowl92 when she says "bulimia is an illness that can and must be treated, not something to be ashamed of," because people generally view bulimia as a psychological issue, which is where doctors usually focus their attention. As for you, Little Red Riding Hood, you seem incredibly level-headed; you’re self-aware, brave enough to speak openly about this, and you stay grounded, even if you haven't found that magic solution for maintaining weight while actually eating normally... 😢

Gregory Howard described the struggle perfectly:

"I was always on more or less successful diets, and whenever I didn't have the strength to stick to one until the end, I would intentionally purge."

Everyone knows deep down that no diet is truly healthy—I could go on about that for hours—and most people just don't have the tools to overhaul their eating habits while still enjoying food without starving themselves...

"The first time I did it was when I was 14, and I still remember feeling this weird sense of achievement. My friends used to do it too; there were always two or three of us constantly dieting. None of us progressed to full-blown bulimia, though we came incredibly close.
Even though I feel fat, I know I look normal, even if I wish I were 10 pounds lighter. I'm always dieting, I can't even start my day without stepping on the scale. I often convince myself all my problems stem from my weight—that if I lost a few pounds, people would love me more, I'd land a better job, or be more successful. At 30, my brain knows that isn't true, but when I'm feeling down or lonely, I fall back into thinking it's the weight. Then I overeat and decide I have to go throw up so I don't gain weight. I'll get to the bathroom and tell myself, 'Don't do this, it's stupid. You know what bulimia is. It's ridiculous to be dealing with this at 30 with a normal family and life.' I try to talk myself out of it, but the thing is, it just pops into my head automatically.
The core issue is in the mind—it's a lack of self-confidence. For me, when my confidence is low, the thoughts spiral; when I'm feeling secure, I don't even think about it."

In my opinion, the biggest hurdle with bulimia is exactly that: self-esteem. That confidence should ideally come from actual knowledge—learning how to maintain a healthy weight and look your best without those mindless diets or the cycle of binging and purging. Anyone who is truly aware of their situation is likely ready to learn something new, and frankly, telling someone to "just see a psychiatrist" is useless, because no psychiatrist is going to hand you a perfect nutritional blueprint (and honestly, neither will any other doctor)... 😢

This is essentially what I do for work—weight management and nutritional education. I'm not here to pitch anything; I'm just trying to share some information that has proven to be life-changing in practice... :klap:

PS:
"Hi!
I've been following your posts closely, especially regarding nutrition. I just wanted to say keep going and don't let certain personalities get you down. People are who they are, and judging by your
responses, you understand that perfectly... but your writing has helped me so much. Thank goodness there are people like you out there. Best wishes from a former bulimic." 🙂)))))))))) " ... 👋 😘

I just wanted to reach out and let you know that I totally get where you're coming from, because I’m dealing with something very similar...
If you haven't lived through it, it's hard to truly grasp what you're going through. It isn't easy to admit to yourself that you need professional help, let alone actually go out and find it.
I know firsthand that I have an Eating Disorder (mine looks a bit different—I fluctuate by about 20 pounds throughout the year), and I know how terrifying it is when food starts calling all the shots in your life. It’s exhausting to weigh every single bite, setting these impossible rules for yourself, only to eventually snap and binge because it feels like it's always "all or nothing"...
Then comes the self-loathing and the guilt. You start asking yourself how it's possible to have so little willpower, or how you can keep doing this to yourself and essentially sabotaging your own life.
Unfortunately, it happens. But after doing some digging, I realized it's not our fault. It’s a perfect storm of different circumstances that leads us here, and once you're caught in that vicious cycle, you can't just wish your way out of it on your own.
That's the big thing to realize—there's this huge illusion that we can fix ourselves.
The truth is, we become both mentally and physically dependent on food, and without professional support, it's almost impossible to break free because it's simply stronger than our willpower.
I know a lot of people won't get that, but it's the reality.
I've come to terms with it, though I still haven't found the strength to officially admit there's a problem; only my best friend knows the truth. I just can't bear the thought of people looking at me as some emotional anorexic. I struggle to accept myself, and I feel so much shame about what I'm doing—it feels too embarrassing to speak up and ask for help. But I know sooner or later I'll have to, because living like this is pointless. After all, which is worse: feeling the shame, or wasting your entire life?
If you haven't checked it out yet, take a look at Dr. Tanja Škoro's website

I remember being 18 and weighing 125 pounds. After this amazing diet—no sweets, no bread, just small meals and working out every single day—I dropped about 30 pounds, and it stayed off for a long, long time. Around that time, I met my current boyfriend. I was out on a trip with him and his mom, grabbed some food, and had one chicken thigh and half a slice of bread. I told them I was full. I wasn't faking it; I was genuinely done. And then she said something to me that I will literally never forget. Her exact words were: "Don't get fat, my guy doesn't like thick girls." It totally shut me down. So, I went off to college and ended up gaining 20 pounds. Honestly, I was shaped like a little keg, but you know what? At the time, I didn't care at all. She used to tell me I looked like I’d been stung by a swarm of bees. She'd ask why I wouldn't be careful while I was still so young. People kept asking if I was pregnant, too... and none of it bothered me back then. Going on a diet wasn't even on my radar. Then, one night, I found out my boyfriend had been lying to me. Just one lie after another, a whole web of them starting to unravel, and the pain... it destroyed me. I still remember that first lie—the moment I got the text that laid out the truth. I walked home to my parents looking white as a sheet. I started sobbing, shaking, feeling like the pain was actually going to kill me.
My only boyfriend at the time—we were actually engaged—lied to me. He was the one person who never lied, the guy who seemed perfect in my eyes. He trashed everything with one reckless move, and that was the beginning of it all.
I just told myself, "Fine. Let's see how he likes losing me."
I shut myself inside the house and started fading away more and more every day. It wasn't even that I was vomiting that much; I was just starving myself. The only thing I did was go to class. That worked out perfectly because I could lie to my parents and say I was eating on campus. Then, his sister-in-law invited me to a christening on December 6th. I showed up, and everyone was stunned. They couldn't believe it. Everyone asked how I lost the weight, and I just told them I hadn't even been fat to begin with. I hated them. Every single one of them.
I ate dinner and then went home in agony. My stomach hurt so bad I couldn't even sit down, even though I had eaten almost nothing—just some steamed vegetables that my stomach couldn't even process.
Then I started going out. Men, well, men being men... there was always someone around.
And my man???
He realized what he'd done. He cried, he begged...
And me??
I loved him more than I loved myself, but I refused to give in. I wanted him to suffer for everything he kept from me, and for not standing up to his mother when she insulted me. After seven months... I took him back. I knew deep down I would, but that selfish part of me really wanted him to feel a little bit of the sting too.
I was over there last night (it's been two weeks), and his mom commented on how thin I've gotten again. I just stayed quiet. They went to eat, but I didn't. I couldn't. It just wouldn't go down.
I also wanted to mention my teeth. Usually, when people see me, they notice my teeth—they're white, straight, with a little zircon on my front tooth... a beautiful smile.
"And if I'm afraid of anything in this whole mess, it's that my teeth might start cracking."
I realize what's happening, but I still haven't found the strength to admit I have a problem. Only my best friend knows. I just can't bear the thought of people looking at me as some emotional, starving wreck. I can't accept myself, and I'm too ashamed of what I'm doing to admit it and seek help. But I know I'll have to eventually, because this kind of life isn't worth living. What's worse: feeling the shame, or wasting your entire life?
The important thing is that someone knows. You have a friend. I have all of you. Don't lie to her... go see a doctor. And I will, too.
I couldn't bring myself to lie to you guys, which is why I haven't vomited in three days (I think today is the third day)...
And what about people staring??
Let them stare. Let them look. Besides, I don't plan on telling anyone who I know would judge me anyway.
I actually don't think I'll even tell my parents (I'm 99% sure I won't). I'll tell my boyfriend and one friend... and that's it. No one else needs to know.
Honestly, they don't really care anyway. All they care about is having something to gossip about. For my whole life, I've just been their "material," and I'm done being that. Enough is enough.
Self-acceptance vs. lack of confidence???
In her book "Kiss the Pot," Tanja wrote: "In real life, I act like someone who knows exactly what they want. I act like the person I wish I were, not who I actually am. And I play the part perfectly. Like I said, we know how to be as convincing as possible..."
And there it is. That's the whole issue. You're just playing a role, pretending to be someone else...
If you asked anyone in my circle what I'm really like, they’d all say the same thing: wonderful, sweet, always smiling, always ready to help, hardworking, blah blah blah...
But me? I'm just a mess spinning my wheels. Thank God I have college to distract me, since I've been at it for four years now... and nothing changes. Except for the number of exams I pass, everything else is exactly the same. People drift in and out of my life. I don't really break into theirs. Some people get me, some think they get me, and others just don't care. And? So what. That's just how it is nowadays. Everyone is just looking out for themselves...
mistybear4 said: "In my opinion, the biggest problem with illness is actually self-confidence, which should really come through knowledge—like knowing how to maintain a healthy weight and look better without stupid diets and starving yourself (or without bingeing and purging)..." I agree, but the thing is, I already know what I need to do to stop the weight from coming back and what I should be eating. The problem is that it feels impossible to force myself to eat boiled chard instead of croquettes... or pasta. Honestly, I'd trade my left hand for some pasta. Has anyone mentioned chocolate cookies? It's a total mirage. 😉
Ugh...
I think my stomach is acting up, or whatever is left of it...
The shocks it's going through are unreal! For days, this poor thing just cramps up from emptiness. Just when it finally settles, I go and eat (ugh, I can barely even write that) and then it has to stretch out and try to process it all. It's like... gross. I feel like I'm carrying rot inside me. Just yuck.
Alright... that's enough...
Lunch: boiled cauliflower and some meat (not sure what kind), thank goodness my dad is diabetic...
Kisses to everyone, hope you have a good meal and...
As the smart people say: Eat to live, don't live to eat!

Little Red Riding Hood, I hear what you're saying, but the whole idea behind this cellular nutrition approach I'm talking about is that there's no constant policing of what you eat; you can actually enjoy your favorite foods while still managing your weight without any hassle... and honestly, the most vital part of the entire thing is being able to take care of your health at the same time. 🙂

So, what actually goes into this diet plan?

Anthony Wood54 said:How many of you watched that documentary yesterday about the girl struggling with anorexia?
How many of you thought, "What an idiot, she needs a slap to snap her out of this nonsense..."?
I believe quite a few did; at least that’s what the girls in my college cohort were saying...
Not one of them mentioned she was actually ill... except for me.
I guess I'm sick too...
By simply admitting it... I’ve finally broken out of my own vicious cycle...
Anyone who has read the book "Kiss the Pot" knows exactly what I mean...
"… most of all, I want to help myself. Just myself. For too long, the words inside me have been screaming, begging to be let out, into the light. I was ashamed of myself. I loathed myself, but now I have neither the strength nor the will left, and I just want to find myself again. I am writing this for myself and for all of you."
That's almost at the very beginning of that book...
And what should I write?
It all started when I was 22... after all those diets—unsuccessful ones, because I wasn't persistent enough, wasn't strong enough to hold on... and then it began...
On November 30th, I weighed 176 lbs. By December 6th, I was down to 132 lbs. I think you get the picture...
I broke up with my boyfriend, failed an exam, ended up alone, and locked myself in my room... when I finally stepped out into the city a month later, people didn't even recognize me...
My excuse was... nerves. I told them I broke up with my boyfriend, and that was it...
Everyone "believed" me... though it doesn't really matter if they did... my weight doesn't mean anything to them... my 44-pound loss, the lost periods, the headaches, the irritability...
My entire life changed fundamentally. Suddenly, from being invisible, I became visible to everyone...
The part that hurt most was: "Where have you been hiding all these years?"...
I stayed the same; it was my body that changed... and then everything else started shifting... my behavior... everything...
Now, for a year and four months, I am still a slave to my body... the bathroom... eating... bingeing and lying...
I don't want to live like this anymore...
Most of you won't understand me, and you won't have any clue what I'm talking about... only those who "live" the life of bulimia, those who purge five, six, or seven times a day... know how I feel... and what I need...
Just as I couldn't stick to a single diet because I wasn't strong enough... I can't stop this now...
If you have the time, read the book...

You're right. I don't fully grasp what you're going through, but I still want to congratulate you for being the first to face the truth and admit to yourself that you are ill...
I'm rooting for you to do the right thing, whatever you decide that may be...

Anthony Wood54 said:So, what exactly goes into this way of eating?

Most brilliant things in this life are actually quite simple, though sometimes you need a mountain of words to explain them or even wrap your head around them. If you want to drop me your email in a private message, I can send over some detailed breakdowns since trying to condense this all here is a bit much... but if I had to boil the whole philosophy down into a few lines, it would look like this:

"It’s common knowledge that good, natural, healthy food is what keeps us alive and well. We know our bodies crave proteins, carbs, fats, essential acids, vitamins, and minerals. But the real breakthrough is realizing that food is only one part of the equation. There is a massive difference between mere dieting and true station nutrition. Food is just what we put in our mouths; station nutrition is what actually reaches your cells.

The confusing part for most people is that you can never be entirely sure if the food you eat is actually making it to your cells to nourish them. If your body is constantly battling stress, sickness, exhaustion, chemicals, medications, or even just the effects of alcohol, coffee, or nicotine, your cells are likely starving. It sounds surreal, but you can eat plenty, gain weight, and still have starving cells. It’s wild that despite having more food than ever before in history, we’re seeing more disease than ever. Why? Because there's a huge gap between feeding your stomach and nourishing your cells.

Until your cells are healthy, you won't be either. The secret to real health lies in ensuring that your cellular structures—your muscle cells, brain cells, heart cells—are getting exactly what they need.

It isn't just about what you eat; it’s about whether your body can actually digest, absorb, and, most importantly, assimilate that nutrition at a cellular level. The trick to this 'miracle' is that this food is specifically designed and formulated to FEED YOUR CELLS! Once your cells finally get the right fuel, you start feeling these incredible shifts in your wellbeing.

Losing weight or maintaining it isn't the main hurdle; the real magic is the transformation in how you feel. What kind of changes? People using station nutrition find they stop running to the doctor, stop relying on pills, stop needing afternoon naps, and lose those headaches and that constant cloud of gloom. That’s the result of proper station nutrition, not some other therapy.

We’re facing actual epidemics today—accounting for 70% of all illnesses—where the only real solution is proper nutrition. Not drugs, not surgery.

Modern medicine looks for drugs to fix problems. Notice how doctors always talk about a “treatment.” They “diagnose” you and then “treat” you. We’re talking about HEALING. Healing means becoming whole again. It means returning to your original state—vibrant and healthy. What do you actually want? To be treated, or to be healed? The body’s innate ability to mend itself when given the right tools, like station nutrition, looks like a miracle. But it’s not a miracle. Your body is the miracle. You just have to feed it. Ultimately, it's up to you if you want to heal." 🙂

"We are what we eat; our strength, our health, and our very lives depend on it." (Hippocrates) 🤔

:claps: :claps: :claps: 🙂

mistybear4 said:blah blah blah

The girl is dealing with Eating Disorders, and you're out here trying to hawk Herbalife to her? That's just low.

Terry Hernandez6 said:The girl is struggling with bulimia, and you're actually trying to pitch her Herbalife? That's just low.

Write this down and save it; if you wake up in a few years and realize how much you messed up, I might just let you come back here and apologize publicly... 😕 🙏 😁

mistybear4 said:Write this sentence down and save it. If you realize what you've just figured out in a few years, I'll let you come back here and tell us all publicly... 😕 🙏 😁

Herbalife!!! Now all your posts finally make sense!😁 Let's all just clap for each other and hold hands while we're at it!!! 🙂

mistybear4 said:Modern medicine is constantly hunting for new drugs to fix every little ailment. Pay attention to how doctors always use the word “treatment.” They "diagnose" you first, and then they "treat" you. But let’s be real—we should be talking about HEALING! To heal means to become whole again. It means returning to your true self—feeling young, vibrant, and healthy! What more could you possibly ask for? Do you want to be just another patient getting "treated," or do you actually want to be healed? And look, it's not some magical miracle either! Your own body is the miracle. But the catch is, you have to feed it right. Whether you get healed or not is entirely up to what you put in your mouth! 🙂

"We are what we eat; our strength, our health, and our very lives depend on our food." (Hippocrates) 🤔

Honestly, it’s like a demon possessed Little Red Riding Hood—thank goodness there are still kind souls out there!

🆙

Frank Alvarez8 said:Herbalife!!! Now all your posts finally make sense!😁 Why don't we all just hold hands and give each other a big round of applause while we're at it? 🙂

The stuff that actually matters isn't something you can just spot with your eyes; you need a little bit of brainpower and heart to see it.. 🙂