Q and A: Keeping Healthy In Face of Stress
25 08 2009
OMG this is totally me
Hi Kelly,
I just recently started reading your blog and can really find myself relating to your love of exercise and your past struggles with food. Like yourself, my athletic ambitions were cut short by an eating disorder in my mid teens, and now in my early 20′s I still struggle despite extensive therapy and various medication, to foster a healthy relationship with my body. Although I am in a healthy weight range currently, I frequently yo-yo back and forth between dangerously restrictive eating and all out binges that leave me feeling exhausted and defeated. As a senior in college and an athlete in spite of my food issues, I’m considering a future career as a personal trainer, but know that I can’t possibly begin to help others until I’ve helped myself. I’m desperately afraid of returning to school in the fall because I know the stress of classes, team sports, and social activities will take their toll on my physical and mental health–leading to a potentially devastating relapse. Given my fitness goals and the current state of my health, I can’t afford to keep bingeing. Do you have any advice on maintaining a clean diet and an exercise regimen while away at school, without going over the deep end and triggering a relapse? Thank you so much for your time.
-Magdalena
The first thing is that if you are scared you may relapse, you need to go back to therapy. Therapy isnt a one time thing- its a process so short check ins when you feel your self slip is a must. Your therapist that knows your history will be able to give you more specific ideas on how to handle your personal triggers.
Changes are scary and usually the reason people with EDs isolate themselves. The fewer number of factors you have to deal with, the easier it is to focus on your ED- whether you are trying to get better or still in the midst of your disease. Recognizing that this is going to be a problem for you is a good sign- being scared of a relapse is healthier than knowing you can rely on one when things get tough.
The best thing you can do to keep control is take away as many of the unknown factors as possible: which means planning, planning, planning. Plan out your meals and stick to them no matter what. People will look at you funny when you whip out a meal you brought with you at a party but who cares. If you trust them, tell them the truth that this is what you need to do to keep yourself healthy or if you don’t think they would react well or don’t want them to know, lie.
Here are some of my personal favorites:
Something is going weird with my thyroid and I have to eat a special diet so my doctor can figure out what’s going on (I actually have to do this sometimes, so you can use it and know no one can call you out on it)
Im training for a race/event/competition, and need to eat strictly to be ready.
Im allergic to ______ and its easier to just plan ahead.
Im broke.
or tell people you are planning on becoming a personal trainer and want to start eating healthy, which isnt really a lie. try keeping a food journal so you are aware of what you are eating and can keep your calories consistent.
Set up your home with only healthy foods- don’t have anything you would binge on in the house.
The stress of life isnt going to go away with a binge, so deal with what is stressing you head on. keep a planner so you know what you need to do and when it needs to be done, and exercise is always a great stress reliever.
Binging is all about just making the decision not to, and planning ahead to make sure you aren’t triggered. With all the big life changes you are planning, though, I would seriously consider talking to therapist again. there’s nothing wrong in it- its just one more way you can plan ahead and head off the problem. Prevention is key.
LINKS!!!
Stupid Fitness Gadget: Ab Circle Pro
Kids and Coffee: a Grande Problem
Sonoma Giveaway ends tomorrow! Get those entries in!!
Kick Your Emotional Eating
I used to waitress at a breakfast/lunch place, and I was shocked at the number of kids (let’s say “kids” as being not in high school) who drank coffee! I guess the same goes with four year olds who requested soda. I didn’t drink coffee until I was a junior in college, and when I was little, I knew soda was a special treat…usually reserved for holidays. It’s crazy to me that kids drink it all the time now.
First of all, I’m in a VERY similar boat, so you are not alone in this.
Secondly, while I recognize the benefits of the “A” part of this Q&A, I just wanted to acknowledge that for me, my ED was often characterized by the constant planning and being “different” about food-i.e. bringing my own private food to a group event, etc.
I don’t mean to disagree with the advice given (I <3 Kelly big time) but rather to highlight how hard it is to really find one “solution” to this. I do definitely find that as Kelly also said, (as simple as it sounds) stocking your place with healthy stuff is the best antidote. If I don’t have it available, I think longer about it.
Sorry for the long comment-just wanted to show some solidarity and (if you’re anything like me) warn a bit *only based on my experience* about taking planning to the extreme.
Damn, E, you can disagree with me- you dont have to be all sweet about it. I dont bite!
Its very true that everyone’s experiences with EDs, and triggers, are different. Thats why i really recommend talking to your therapist- they already know your background and know what would be best to help you
No, in my opinion, your emailer can still help other people even if she is still struggling with her issues. Actually, it may help HER to do it. I don’t feel that people who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones, just change their underwear in the basement
DrJ- I agree that she can still help with issues, but only if she comfortable. if she is scared that going to school in order to be a PT is going to send her into a relapse, those issues need to be taken care of first- not before she works with people, but before she gets so far back into her eating disorder she cant get out. Her safety and health should be taken care of first, but i agree, once shes out of danger of a relapse, she doesnt need perfect body image (who has that anyway?)