M&F Hers article - Defining Eating Disorder

Short n sweet, but a thought that I have had for a number of years; that I just swapped one eating disorder for another, but as M&F touch on it's a much healthier 'disorder'. 
Thanx  to Sandra Mounsey for posting on FB this am:
http://www.muscleandfitnesshers.com/blogs/pauline-nordin/defining-%E2%80%98eating-disorder%E2%80%99
xx

Interesting.
 
I think more than one person has pointed out that most bodybuilders are obsessive/addictive types. I had bulimia in my late teens, which competing in distance running didn't help, then I switched to alcohol - but in the same pattern. As a bodybuilder my eating is healthier, but I obsess less because I have been given a diet of simple foods to stick to, and I think about what I am putting into my body more as fuel. Yes I have a distorted view of how my body is - because I look at images of athletes every day, and that figure is my goal.
 
In nature and prior to the C20th, our bodies probably took care of themselves - people were more active and much stronger (although health suffered through lack of understanding, and technology). These days to be fit you have to be focussed and break out of the crisps, chips, pizza mould - and that is viewed as disorderly!
 
 

a lot of women channel eating disorders into bodybuilding as a 'healthier' focus - and i believe this is a very positive thing
 
unfortunately for me it was a double edged sword, as i have posted about before, bodybuilding, which actually CURED my bulimia eventually caused it again, as the rigidness of a contest diet  can push anyone into developing an eating disorder, most of all if you had one previously.
 
Now i dont obsess over what i put in my mouth, but my partner does, as he's still a bodybuilder.  For example only this weekend he came back from training and we were due to go out for a meal in an hour. So i reminded him not to have too much PWO. We got out to the pub and I was keen to order  and he said 'You eat, Im not hungry  I just had my PWO'  
 
Times like that it does feel like im living with someone with an eating disorder.
 
 

Yeh, that's exactly how I feel I still have a 'disorder' and I think it makes my mum uncomfortable/nervous. Luckily my bulimia hasn't returned but I have turned to over eating in the absence of the regime that a comp diet gives, still figuring that one out!
But have noticed very much since I've gone off the rails too, that I have total portion control innability. I just don't see it, I have to measure it. Whilst I overeat, it's not a binge/free for all, I count everything, there is some method/OCD in the madness!
I declined a chinese buffett for lunch out today, which Mark loves, cos I knew I was hungry and that faced with such a massive choice coupled with being asked to implement my own portion control would stress me out and the situation would have been compunded by my already being really hungry. But I voiced that and instead we went to Ikea cafe where they counted my 15 meatballs for me and I just got to concentrate on eating. Metalist! 
xx

I think it's a close line always.
 
I know someone who had to step right off a few weeks before the finals because they resorted to binging then attempting to purge/use laxatives to try to combat this.
 
I know at least one competitor that I actually really admire and the reason is because I read her journal and she said she steps off the moment she starts to border on the 'wrong path'.  She's come in looking not as good and I say fair play, her health is more important.
 
Anyone who says they're a bodybuilder and not obsessive is a liar IMO. I can handle that I'm obsessive, I believe it takes that to win.
Great article, thanks Fi

hififi


Yeh, that's exactly how I feel I still have a 'disorder' and I think it makes my mum uncomfortable/nervous. Luckily my bulimia hasn't returned but I have turned to over eating in the absence of the regime that a comp diet gives, still figuring that one out!
But have noticed very much since I've gone off the rails too, that I have total portion control innability. I just don't see it, I have to measure it. Whilst I overeat, it's not a binge/free for all, I count everything, there is some method/OCD in the madness!
I declined a chinese buffett for lunch out today, which Mark loves, cos I knew I was hungry and that faced with such a massive choice coupled with being asked to implement my own portion control would stress me out and the situation would have been compunded by my already being really hungry. But I voiced that and instead we went to Ikea cafe where they counted my 15 meatballs for me and I just got to concentrate on eating. Metalist! 
xx

 
Thanks for posting this, what you have written could very easily be something I could write about me. I've not completely recovered from bulimia, but getting close. Bodybuilding has definitely played a huge part in my recovery, giving me focus and routine. I am aware  that I will have to be cautious during prep and after comp, taking day by day. The article was an interesting read, thank you!

This is an interesting topic to discuss.
Most sports attract obsessive characteristics in people but this sport is one of the few where your dictated by what you eat or don't eat.
I truly believe that bodybuilding should be a part of your life not all of it. You can achieve your goals by being diligent on preparing before hand. This I believe is key to success.

is this article anywhere else, i just keep getting page not found when i click on the link?

Was orginally a FB post I got thru, mayb check their page there?
xx

Hi All, glad you found it of interest as I did.
Way to go karryann!  
Like giving up smoking, one day at a time, and for me I would always be able to find a stress in life to crutch my bulimia/smoking on. But life's always gonna chuck something at you, and I find taking it out on the iron and measuring portions of food a much healthier release by comparison. 
xx