Often people want to lose weight, but find it incredibly difficult. Eating less and exercising is hard, and often times, people will binge or purge. In fact, over 40% of people in the US binge and purge at least once a month. This affects your overall health. Bingeing and purging can lead to obesity and other health issues. If you are one of these people, don’t worry, there is hope.
What is Purging?
Anorexia is a psychological disorder, where an individual experiences a persistent fear of gaining weight, and seeks to lose weight regardless of what they eat. Individuals with anorexia are obsessed with thinness and death. They often believe that their body is not attractive and that other people are not attracted to them. This can result in a weight loss of more than 20 percent of their body weight in a very short period of time. Other symptoms of anorexia include a distaste for food, lack of appetite, fear of gaining weight, constant worry about being “fat” or “too thin,” and obsessive preoccupation with body shape and weight. It’s normal to experience “stress eating” during periods of negative emotions, such as boredom or loneliness. However, when the individual feels unable to stop even when the urge to eat is overwhelming, they are having an eating disorder.
What is Bulimia?
Bulimia is an eating disorder where an individual feels the need to binge on food before purging it. Purging involves self-induced vomiting or the use of other means to induce vomiting, such as exercising excessively, taking laxatives, or abusing diuretics. Bingeing involves consuming an excessive amount of food, with the individual feeling the need to immediately purge. Bulimia often begins with dieting or restricting food intake in an effort to lose weight. An individual may also make an attempt to cut calories by using calorie counting or over-exercising in an attempt to burn more calories than they consume. Bulimia can also be associated with anorexia, where individuals will have a low body weight.
How Do I Treat Bulimia?
So, if you’ve ever struggled with bulimia, you know how awful this feels. It can be extremely difficult to stop eating when you are not in control of your own food intake. Your body may crave food so much that it doesn’t have a say in whether you eat or not. But there are some things that can help you manage your bulimia, and help you learn to control your eating habits. Some of the things you can do to help you with bulimia are:
1. If you are feeling stressed or anxious, try taking a deep breath, and think about calming yourself.
2. It can be helpful to schedule meals. But remember, food should be the last thing you eat before you go to sleep.
3. Learn to listen to your body and recognize the signs that you are hungry or full.
4. Eat at regular times each day, and try to stop eating too soon.
5. Don’t skip meals.
6. If you are feeling extreme hunger or craving, you can try eating something high in protein. A bowl of low-fat cottage cheese, or a piece of string cheese can be very satisfying.
7. Drinking lots of water can help you stay full, and avoid over-eating.
8. If you notice yourself bingeing, be sure to stay away from your favorite foods, and stick to healthier alternatives.
9. If you have problems with bingeing
What Causes Bulimia?
Bulimia is an eating disorder that affects a lot of young girls and women. Those who suffer from bulimia tend to feel out of control when it comes to food and eating. They feel that they have no choice in what they eat. Additionally, they may feel that they aren’t eating enough or that they don’t have enough control over what they eat. Bulimics often purge after eating. They may also throw up, use laxatives, or even take medications in an attempt to make themselves feel better. Bulimia is a serious problem, and it can cause a lot of damage. Fortunately, there are many treatments that can help treat bulimia and get you back on track.
What Are the Effects of Bulimia?
Bulimia is a psychological condition that usually results in an eating disorder. Bulimia is a disease in which a person eats excessive amounts of food and then purges to rid themselves of the food. Bulimia can result in a variety of health problems. One of the most commonly-seen effects of bulimia is abnormal weight gain. If you’re bulimic, you may notice that your weight goes up and down. But when you eat again, you may feel a need to purge. This may result in excessive weight loss, or you may feel very hungry when you eat. If you have a bulimic disorder, your body will develop compensatory habits to try to stop the episodes of purging. These habits can include fasting, skipping meals, and eating only very small amounts of food. Most people who experience bulimia feel embarrassed about the disorder. There’s also the possibility of social isolation and even a loss of career and family life.