Q and A: Upping My Calories Causes Me to Binge

12 11 2009

Hi Kelly,
I’m trying to recover from bulimia right now and am really struggling with reducing binging. I’m seeing an eating disorder therapist who says that I have to increase my calories to at least 2000 in order to
stop binging (I’ve already increased them to 1500, which is significantly more than before and I’m not underweight), but I’ve been finding that trying to increase over 1500 directly leads to binge/purges. I feel like it would be more beneficial to focus on reducing the binging first and then work on increasing caloriesslowly…how did you go about doing this? Did you try to stop the
binging first? My biggest underlying problem with eating is actually restricting/being rigid about food intake and I feel like tackling the two issues at once is too much.

I guess I don’t totally know what I’m asking…I guess how you went about the recovery process? I really like your blog and think you’ve accomplished so much already at 23! I’m 22. :) Thanks Kelly!! ~Rachel

Thanks for your kind words- that means a lot!

The first thing you have to realize is that your binging and purging episodes have nothing to do with the amount of calories you eat- it has to do with the anxiety- and your anxiety causes you to binge and purge. The calories themselves aren’t triggering you, its the fact you are scared to eat that many. You have to deal with why you are scared, and why you get anxious when you eat more, which is probably because its a disruption to your food routine, which sends you into a tail spin.

Messing with calories to stop binging and purging is like treating the symptom instead of the disease.

What my counselor and I did first was find the level of calories at which I was comfortable eating first, and then compromised to a point where I was at least at an amount we could both be comfortable with (me to not gain weight, he so that I wouldn’t die) made sure i ate that, and then moved onto the binges. He checked my intake for the first 10 minutes, told me to up it about 200 every other week or so, and as we tackled my issues, those increases weren;t a big deal. Sometimes they were, which meant I was having a bad week- so it soom became glaring obvious to me that my fear of calories had to do with control- when I felt out of control I was scared to up them, but when I was doing good it was no big deal.

Moving your calories up and down isnt going to cure you. Ill say this a million times- it has nothing to do with food. Once you figure out why you feel the need to torture and punish yourself, and why you think that is going to make your life better, even though it obviously isnt since I have never ever met a happily well adjusted anorexic or bulimic or binge eater and I defy you to find me one, you wont feel the need to do it anymore. shifting your calories up or down a few hundred calories isnt going to fix anything- it will keep you nurished and alive- but is not the key to recovery. You have to tackle your issues, not your diet, for the bulimia to fade.

You are giving classic eating disorder talk, “I feel like it would be more beneficial to focus on reducing the binging first and then work on increasing calories sowly…” Is that really your motivation, or are you scared to gain weight? Whats the difference between eating 2000 calories and 1500 calories in terms of cutting back on binging? You are going to have to figure out how to stop binging either way, and if not eating 500 calories was the key, you would be recovered, correct? Those 500 calories are to make sure you live- not to stop you from binging. The binging and purging from the 500 calories is because you are scared, and to ever kick this, you have to not be scared- you have to realize that calories don’t mean shit, your weight doesn’ mean shit, and if you stuff yourself full of food and then vomit, no one is going to love you more than they do now, you will not be any more successful, happy, accomplished, beautiful or smart. You will just be angry, depressed, unhealthy, emaciated, and eventually dead. Get mad. This thing is sucking the life from you, and you are accepting it. Don’t blame 500 calories for your binges- its a bigger issue, and if you keep putting the blame on calories you are never going to find a happy relationship with food, and will never be able to move past the place you are in now.

I dont mean to sound harsh, but someone has to be- and Im talking about me and you towards this, not me being harsh to you. The tone comes from knowing exactly what you are going through and the attitude I had to get for me to be able to beat this. You arent to blame, chances are there are some situations, whether you are aware of them yet or not, that have affected the way you feel about yourself that probably werent under your control. Don’t let anyone ever dictate the way you feel- especially food. Psh- what is food? Its fuel for your body. What is weight? It is not a sign of how strong you are, or how much people admire you, or an indicator of how successful you will be. Its the amount of space you take up- who cares? You need to work on your relationship with you, and how you feel about yourself. Eat your 1500 calories, or 2000 calories, and you are going to be triggered to binge and purge no matter what (thats why he/she raised the calories, yes?) so focus on what is really causing you to binge and purge. Each time you get the urge try and figure out why- its not the calories. It might be the way the calories make you feel, the anxiety you get, you had a rough day, you are pissed and dont want to fight anymore- whatever it may be it has nothing to do with those 500 calories.

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Q and A: Busy Schedule and Pushy Parents

11 11 2009

Hi, Kelly!

I’ve been following your blog for about a month now and I absolutely love it!

I’m in a huge rut right now and really need some help. About a year and a half ago, I made a conscious decision to get healthy and I went from my highest weight of 218 to my current weight of 180. Thus far, I’ve managed to do it all on my own and, while I still have a bit to go (my goal is 130; I’m 5′3 btw), I can honestly say that I’m very proud of myself. For the past year and a half, I’ve been able to find time to exercise for almost every day of the week. But things changed when Fall semester started in August(I’m a college sophomore). For the first time, I’m working while in school and my schedule is jam packed. I’m busy from the crack of dawn to nearly midnight on most days. I didn’t want to my schedule to be an excuse to not be active, so I’ve been trying to find ways to get “mini-workouts” through my day. I use my breaks in between classes to go walking. I usually take the stairs when going to class or my dorm room. When going from Point A to Point B, I try to take the longest route possible. While all of this has prevented me from gaining weight, I’m not losing weight either. I know I could lower my calorie intake (I’m currently eating anywhere between 1400 to 1600 calories), but I really don’t want to eat less to lose weight. How can I get more exercise into my day?

My problem doesn’t stop there (I told you I was in a HUGE rut). On weekends, I go home to spend time with family, do my laundry, and buy groceries for my dorm room. When I go home, my eating habits change completely. When I’m staying in my dorm, I eat plenty of fresh fruits and veggies and make sure I’m eating enough complex carbs, protein, and good fats. I’m even started to dabble with organic foods. But when I get home, I’m practically binging on nearly every over-processed food known to man. Cookies, bread, pastries. You name it and I’ve probably had about 20 servings of it in one seating. My parents know that I’m losing weight and they seem to support it. I’m not sure if it’s because of cultural differences (My parents are from Haiti and I’m their only US-born and raised child), but I’m having an incredibly hard time trying to convince them to change their eating habits. Food is a big deal in Haitian culture and, at least in my family, it’s a little disrespectful to not eat the food that is cooked in the house. My mom, in particular, is having a hard time understanding why I eat what I eat. Often times, she finds my preferences of food to be bland (which they are NOT) and dismisses them because they don’t taste as good as “Haitian food”. And when she tries to convince me to eating something that I know is unhealthy, like fried fish, she’d say things like “But it has protein!” It’s so frustrating because I’ve had a problem with binging my whole life and the things are in my family’s kitchen are the very things that I used to spend hours eating when I was little. How can I convince my parents to, at least, change their habits a little?

Sorry for the long-ish email!!

Marsha

Part One: Schedule

This one is hard. Most of the time, when people say they don;t have time to work out, its an excuse because they can make time to workout. I’m going to assume you aren’t exaggerating and that you really truly are that busy- for which, holy cow girl, you poor thing. first of DO NOT CUT DOWN ON YOUR CALORIES you aren’t eating very much as it is, and anything less will halt your progress even more.

So the first thing you need to do is see if there is anyway you can consolidate any of your activites- work and school you obviously have no control over, but are there random errands you do throughout the day that can all be done in one trip at the end of the week? Things you can put off until the weekend? Then, see if there is anything you can do while you workout. Study your textbook on the treadmill? Listen to lectures on your iPod while you walk or lift weights? I find I actually remember material better when I read it while working out- and its harder to get distracted. Next- since your weekend activites aren;t time sensitive, this is when you should be getting in your killer workouts. What you lack in frequency has to be made up with intensity, so find a gym, take some cardio and strength training classes, hire a personal trainer, something that will garantee you get your ass kicked.

Which leads to Part 2: Family

I don;t mean to sound critical, but you are an adult now and your parents have no control over you. This is something that it took me a LONG time to figure out, and actually had to have a counselor scream it in my face because I was always wracked with so much guilt over EVERYTHING when it came to them- even though, at the time, they were toxic for me (which is basically the stem of my past eating disorder and sounds like could be the root of your issues with binging.) Your parents actually sound quite nice, which trust me, even though they can seem overbearing, it could be WAY worse.

You parents raised you and from what I can tell they did a good job. You are responsible, hardworking and can take care of yourself. You do not need to change their habits in order to uphold your healthy ones. They actually sound pretty nice, and not too pressuring, although I know when they are your parents, its harder to stand up to them. Be polite, and just say no thank you. You are going to run into plenty of fituations where people are going to push food on you, and if you cant stand up to the people that love you and support you no matter what, you are going to have a tough time with the people that make fun of you, or roll their eyes.

Just say no. Politely. Say, “thanks mom, and I appreciate you making this food for me, but I’ve told you I am trying to take care of myself and eat better, so I am going to eat what I have prepared for myself.” Make it clear you arent trying to change them, so they shouldnt try and change you.

I’ve been through this. Not so much with unhealthy foods, but with life in general. If your parents are not healthy for you, and they do not help you make wise deicisons for yourself, or make you feel guilty- whether directly or indirectly, don’t see them as often. It didnt even occur to me that I could do that before, but my couselor taught me that you have to look out for number one, which is you, and if anyone, ANYONE, be it family friend or aquaintence, does anything that brings you down, or triggers you to make bad decisions you know you cant afford to make, remove yourself. And trust me, they learn quick. There were many times I would have to stop one of my parents mid sentyence during a visit and say “this situation is not good for me or my health right now and I need to leave. When you can remember to respect that, I’ll come back.” Do that a few times and those critical remarks, backhanded compliments and food pushes will stop quickly.

You need to take care of yourself. You are an adult and no one has control over your life but you. You need to make a change- both in your schedule if its running you ragged, and how you choose to spend your free time if its making you make bad decisions. That doesnt mean you cant see your family, but you may need to teach them that you are an adult and can control how you are treated.

Who’s Coming to Costa Rica With Me???



Q and A: Hunger and Maintenance

10 11 2009

Hi Kelly-
This is kind of a two part question, and I’m not sure if that’s allowed, but here goes!
I am 5′6″ and recently hit my maintenance weight of 128 pounds by eating an average of 1,700 calories per day. When I started my maintenance eating routine, I increased my calories to 1,800 per day and immediately gained weight. What gives? I work out every day (I run an average of 25 miles per week and do at least one day each of yoga and weight lifting per week), and according to my nutritionist I should be eating about 2,300 calories per day to maintain my weight. The other part is that when I eat intuitively (I’ve been trying to get rid of the calorie counting mindset), I eat only about 1,400 calories per day and feel satisfied, but then one or two days per week I feel absolutely famished and end up binging (e.g., eating about 5,000 calories per day). Why am I not so hungry some days and, despite eating to my satisfaction, famished others?
Thanks!
Justine

Food is weird. and the way our bodies respond to food is weird.

Your maintenance weight isn’t really the weight you decide you are happy at, and stop actively trying to lose. Your body has its own maintenance weight, usually referred to in magazines as “happy weight”, so your true maintenance weight is going to be a compromise of those two. 128 might not be the weight your body is naturally happy at.

That doesn’t mean that you have to weight more than that, because this is still a healthy weight, it just means you are going to have to work at it- guessing and checking and upping and lowering your intake- not drastically, but you are going to have to keep an eye on it to make sure you dont gain or lose weight.

Your “immediately gained” comment kinds of signals me that you went up a pound or two- anytime you change your routine, your body is going to react, and if you kept at the 1800, you would probably have gone right back down a day or two later. Rationally, adding a measly 100 calories can’t possibly cause you to gain fat, since one pound of fat equals 3500 calories.

If you are binging, I would be more likely to point the finger at that for any weight gain.

Binges dont have anything to do with hunger. Being hungry might spark one, but no one is truly hungry for 5000 calories worth of food (Im thinking this issue might be why you have a nutritionist?) I naturally eat a lower amount of food when I go by hunger instead of numbers, which is why I always have to do mental checks to see if I ate enough (and honestly, I think its fun when I haven’t had enough and get to have an extra intentional snack.) I think this is pretty much true for everyone. If you binge, its for a reason, and part of that reason is probably because you get hungry. When you allow yourself to get hungry, you are compelled to eat, like a normal person. But people with binging issues cant stop and continue to eat. You are hungry because you arent eating enough, but the reason you binge is something else entirely and to find the answer to that you are going to have to look at a lot of other factors besides food.

It sounds to me, and of course I can be wrong because I never get the full picture from these questions, like you have issues with food which is why you are so preoccupied with calories one day, but then can binge on over 5000 calories the next. My focus wouldnt be so much on maintaining your weight, it would be getting your eating under control, and coming to healthy place where it isn’t a constant struggle for you, and then you can safely manipulate your calories to worry about keeping a specific goal weight.


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Q and A: Belly Pooch

21 10 2009

Good Morning Kelly! I have a question for you :) I’m 30 (omg I can’t believe I said that out loud!) and have three children. I am in pretty good shape, run 5 or 6 mornings, along with some ab workouts, light yoga..and so on. But, I can’t seem to get rid of the “pouch” on my stomach. I am sure you have heard this before..the little belly from having three kids kind of pouch! Do you have any suggestions or workouts that I can try!

Thanks!
Donna

Here’s the deal: if you are talking about loose SKIN, you can’t really do anything about it. Its a skin elasticity issue, and its part of being a mommy and making 3 beautiful kids (i’be never seen them, but Im assuming.) Some extra muscle tone underneath can help tighten the appearance, but won’t bring the spring back. Its a sucky fact of life.

If it is excess fat, you simply need to burn the fat. The only thing that blasts belly fat, or any fat really, is cardio. You need to be doing at least 30 minutes of moderate intensity cardio exercise (elliptical, walking at a fast pace, jogging, bike, spin class, etc) 5-6 days a week. That will get rid of the fat around your middle, and everywhere else. There really isnt a specific workout that will help more than another- you need to up the intensity of your workouts. If you do the 5-6 days of cardio consistently for a few months and still don’t notice a change, then I would look to your diet. Diets high in saturated fat cause people to gain weight around their middle more than anywhere else, so you should be conscious of that as well. Ab and core exercises are of course important, but you can;t show off your muscle tone if you have residual fat covering it up, so cardio, cardio, cardio.

Here is a good list of exercises to try to target your abs.Ab Stuff. ‘Nuff Said.

Don’t miss my first post on my P90X Challenge.

There is also a new giveawaygoing on my other sites:
Ez Rider Radio Flyer Scooter Giveaway!



Q and A: Stubborn Fat

21 09 2009

I have question about my girlfriend. She has been having problems losing some stubborn fat around her belly, thighs and butt. She weighs around 154Lbs and stands around 5′9”.

We both go the gym around 5 days a week and work hard. When i say we work hard, we do. I know some people say that thinking they do but really they don’t. We sometimes work out with our personal trainer and he has said many times that she works harder than any of his other clients and she is as strong as some of the other female personal trainers.

Since starting the gym i have noticed some pretty big changes with my body but her body just seems to be stubborn and doesn’t want to lose those extra pounds. At the gym we usually do a fairly intense weight workout then she does cardio for 45 mins. She also does body pump most weeks too.
Our diets are usually very good as our personal trainer is also a dietician so he has tried many different approaches but he too is baffled at how her body has barely changed over the last 3 years considering all the hard work she has put in.

Do you have any ideas? Anything she can try? I saw on another blog of yours that some people tried even increasing the daily calorie intake which actually worked in losing weight. At this stage she would not be eating anywhere near 2000 calories per day i wouldn’t think.
If you could get back to me it would be greatly appreciated.

Regards,
Nathan

I trust your workouts are intense, so given that there can be a number of things going on-

FOOD: You are right in that some people lose weight when they increase their intake. People often think they have to eat around 1600 calories to lose weight, but thats because its an average number most TV shows and magazines tell us- but think how differently we all workout/eat/are shaped and we all have different metabolisms, and for most people this is too low. If you eat too few calories, your body won’t let you burn them because it thinks your are starving it- and your body’s whole purpose is to keep you alive. Eating to little lowers your metabolism, so even if you are kicking ass in the gym, you won’t burn much, if at all. To truly figure out how many calories you need for your body type, and activity level, see this post. You’d be suprised how many people people need 2000 calories and up. (I need 2300 to maintain my weight and I weight 123.)

BODY TYPE: 154 isn’t an unhealthy weight, and shouldn’t be treated as such. If she can get through her workouts and is in good health, her weight isn’t holding her back from anything- she just doesn’t like how it looks. Some women are shaped differently than others, and even for 2 women that are the same height, one may be able to weight significantly less than the other without effort, and for the other it may not be a safe or realistic weight. Some women just need more fat. Fat is where estrogen is stored, so, as opposed to guys who can can have very low body fat and still be relatively healthy, we need a lot more to keep menstrating, etc. I know that doesn’t mean much to the person who is unhappy with their weight, but people are built differently, and have different shapes and happy weights.

ETC: Something medical may be going on (thyroid, metabolism issue, etc.) so if its a huge concern I would get some blood work done. If you are working out 5 days a week, there might be a possibility she is overtraining. When you push your body too hard for too long, it will rebel and shut down. You’ll still be able to get through your exercises, no problem, but your body just won’t respond to them to protect itself from getting burnt out. Sometimes you need to cut back, or cross train, which is something to talk to your trainer about.

Also, be careful how you talk to her about this. Even if she seems ok with you discussing her “extra fat” she may not be, and even if she is, discussing it at length like it is something wrong with her may make it seem like a bigger deal to her than it is.

Anyone else have any ideas?

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Links:
Is Viagra the Cure for Cellulite?
[me] & goji cereal review



EGN Current Event Discussion

15 09 2009

www.superpoop.com
www.superpoop.com

I am currently sitting on my bed, rolling the arch of my foot over a rolling pin on the ground. Its actually working pretty well to alleviate the pain. I walked on the treadmill for an hour today and it started tightening up again on me towards to end, so I figured I should try and work out the kinks so I can get another run in.

I’m really enjoying it. Maybe because it hurts so much. I may be a sick individual.

I can’t explain it, and I don’t know want to jinx it, but hopefully it sticks around for a while. Im kind of infamous for getting jazzed about a new mode of exercise, and then losing steam in favor of something else. At least I don’t lose my interest in exercise all together.

Let’s discuss some current events, shall we?

Teri Hatcher Crosses Triathlon Off of Her Bucket List. This makes me feel as though I need a bucket list, but the only thing I can think of is to retire before I’m 60. Watch me die before I’m 60 now. What’s on yours?

Another Stupid Fitness Gadget hits the market. Im curious: if you hadn’t read my review of it first (assuming your read it) would you have bought into it?

Get Out of Bed and Literally Make more Time. This is full of tons of awesome tips, but since I get up at 3:45am for work anyway, I can’t use any of them so I thought I’d pass them along to you. Any more to add?

Serena Williams Flips Her Shit. Did you see this video? I just wrote this article about her kick ass muscle and then she threatens to use her muscles to kick some ass. I would have burst into tears if I was that woman. I get where the anger comes from, but holy cow, woman. I would had crapped myself if she came at me like that.

Jessica Simpson’s New Reality Show: Will it help or hurt? It sounds good in theory, but the whole premise of “the amazing lengths women will go to around the world to be beautiful” seems a little more about shock value and shallowness, than teaching us to accept ourselves.


Pole Dancing Doll
: heinous or hilarious? I vote hilarious.



8/26 Workout and Body Image as a Personal Trainer

27 08 2009

My knee has been killing me lately, I think because I have been doing the bike so much so I can read, and knees have a tendency to lean inward, which is no good. It was a leg day today, but since it was so bad, I turned it into a cardio day.

I did 35 minutes on the bike, and did two walks: one to the bank, 1.6 miles, and then one to Blockbuster to return I Love You, Man, which was suprisingly hilarious.

Yesterday, I did upper body, and I can barely lift my arms

8/26 Workout

Upper Body:
Seated Shoulder Press- 15 lb dumbbells, 15 reps, 2 sets
EZ Curl Bar Bicep Curls- 25 pounds, 10 reps, 2 sets
Overhead Cable Tricep Extensions with Rope- 27.5 pounds, 15 reps, 2 sets
Cable Tricep Pulldowns to failure (after each set of overhead extensions)- 27.5 pounds, around 5-7 reps
Explosive Pushups with Barbell (around knee height)- 15 reps, 2 sets
Barbell Body Rows (around bellybutton height)- 15 reps, 2 sets
Uneven Bosu Pushups- about 8 reps, 2 sets. These were the last things I did and I was pretty lucky to not skin my nose off the ground when my arms gave out

Abs: (I did these in this order, twice through w/o resting)
Crunches w/ plate, arms extended towards ceiling, range of motion- up to sitting: 25 lb weight plate, 10 reps
Regular crunches- 15 reps
Opposite Elbow Opposite Knee crunches- (kind of like Bicycle crunches) 10 reps to each side
Oblique crunches- 10 reps to each side

Lani asked me this question:

I wanted to know how you deal with body image issues as a PT who has a history with eating disorders? Its been something I have had concerns about as other women who are PT’s in my life constantly talk about how image is everything and how their clients expect them to be super skinny (also when did super skinny start to equal fit? I never quite understood how that came to be).

I was a little worried when I started training that image would be everything, and that clients would judge my appearance and use that as a reason to work with me/ not work with me/not trust me, etc. Turns out, it really doesn’t matter. Honestly, if you know your shit, no one is going to care what you look like. I am thin, and I have muscle tone in my arms (I wear pants so they cant see much else), so people know I practice what I preach. No one expects me to be thin, they expect me to lead by example. Most often, people are impressed to know how much I work out, because it shows that I do it too, and that I work just as hard, if not harder than they do for the way that I look.

I don’t ever feel like people are judging my as a trainer based on my appearance because the only people I deal with are my clients, and the first thing I do is drill into them that health is what is important, not looks. Weight loss is a side effect of exercise, not the focus. Increasing energy,

We’ve had all kinds of trainers at my work: short and skinny girls, tall and buff guys, tall and curvy girls, squat and “softer” guys, etc. and there has never been an issue. I have a feeling big gym trainers are judged a bit more, because we weed out the unmotivated. People are more focused on whether or not they can get results, not what their trainers look like.

The only time I feel judged is when people tell me I don’t know what it’s like to be overweight- like I couldn’t possibly understand what they are going through, and am there for judging them as being weak/lazy/making excuses. I don;t share my past with all my clients, because most of the time I don;t feel it is relevant, but in these situations, where I can tell it isn’t just a comment made in jest, its an actual trust issue I will share my past with them. I will tell them that even though I have not ever been technically overweight, I know what it is like to be out of control with food and be embarrassed of my body. I know what it is like to feel out of control and have people stare at you for your size. After that, they are usually embarrassed and apologize, which is not my goal, but they gain a little understanding that things are not always as they appear, and most importantly, they start to trust me.

LINKS:

Celebrity Gossip Blogs Fuel Body Image Fire
How to Pick a Personal Trainer
Exercise for Glowing Skin
The Rise of Green Gyms
Backpack Giveaway
Do You Weigh Too Much?



Q and A: Cellulite w/ Weight Fluctuations

24 08 2009

www.nataliedee.com
www.nataliedee.com

It’s about cellulite. A.k.a. the enemy of women everywhere. Some context: I used to be a serious dancer, stopped dancing rather traumatically and developed an ED. At 5′7.5″, I got down to about 110 pounds. After therapy+going to college, hit my heaviest just under 140.

I went through a summer of emotional binging, during which I discovered the joys of cellulite. I’m currently stuck around 135, and trying to exercise regularly. I eat well, occasionally overeat, but I
feel that I have a much healthier lifestyle than others my age who don’t seem to be plagued with cellulite. The thing is-it just doesn’t seem to go away no matter what I do. I have very fair skin, which
doesn’t help. I feel like I’m being ‘punished’ for that summer of weight gain, and can’t get rid of it.

My question is-I know there’s no miracle cure, but is there any particular type of exercise you can recommend to banish or at least reduce cellulite - do I just need to do crazy cardio to burn the fat?
Build more muscle in those areas? I am at a loss here, and it is increasingly depressing and unmotivating.

-E

Cellulite is one of those things that the more fat you have on your body, the more likely you are to have it- but it doesn’t mean you will. Conversely, the lower the amount of body fat you have on your body, the less likely you are to have cellulite but it doesn’t mean you won’t.

Cellulite is that super attractive dimply look women gets on their thighs and butt and sometimes belly. That look is caused when fatty tissue pushes against the connective tissue right underneath the skin. The stuff that squeezes through are the dimples.

The thing with cellulite is some people have it and some people don’t. You can decrease the amount of body fat you have so there simply isnt as much fatty tissue pressing against your connective tissue but there are other factors too: the thickness of your skin, your genes, your age, etc. From your stats you gave me, you are of a healthy weight, so what’s going to get you the best results is strength training. The more muscle you build underneath, the smoother the appearance of your legs and butt. Plus, with that strength training, you will burn calories and fat, which will take care of both factors, instead of just focusing on cardio.

You have to remember that this might not work. It can lessen the appearance, but might not make it go away completely. Most women have celluilite- you just don’t always notice it cause you are too worried about your own (which is how most womenly flaws work.)

i have celluilite. Its on my under butt . I’ve always had it. And even with my weight fluctutations (when I was sick) I always had it. The only thing that lessens it is strength training, specifically, lunges and squats. working those places and building solid, smooth muscle underneath is the best bet. Other than that, don’t let it getya down. I did an unscientific poll and guys never notice it/had no idea what I was talking about, and other women only notice theirs. Its not like you gave yourself cellulite- you are either meant to have it or your dont. You can change how pronounced it is, but it just now that you are at a healthy weight, it is noticable to you. Its part of finally being at a healthy weight, not a punishment for gaining any. Its a down side if you want to think of it that way, but there are so many more upsides to being healthy. Look at it as a badge of health.

and if that doesnt make you feel better, search celebrities and cellulite and you’ll realize you aren’t alone- and you are lucky you don’t have people plastering pictures of it all over the internet to make fun of.



Q and A: Where Do You Get Your Self Confidence?

27 03 2009

Natalie Dee
www.nataliedee.com

Hi Kelly

I’ve struggled with various forms of eating disorders since I began college. The girls here always look airbrushed….and it scares me because they are not in a magazine. They are in front of my face–reality. I’ve been to a therapist and am considered “recovered.” But I don’t think anyone really fully recovers. I was hoping you could give me a few suggestions on how to go about improving my body image without having to talk to a therapist about it! Any good books or websites that have worked for you or others? Thanks.

-Clare

I only answer for me, but its a simple answer: workout! Anyone can be skinny if they are born with it or diet obsessively, but no one is naturally muscular- it takes work! Hard work! and its rewarding. Even if i dont have the skinniest legs in the world, or some junk on my trunk, I work hard for the body I have and I know that it is going to last me a very long time. It makes me feel good that I can run around and not get winded, beat my guy friends at arm wrestling (some of them), or carry 5 bags of groceries and not get tired.

I’m proud of my body because I work so hard for it and it does so many things for me.

Another thing, which is kind of catty of me, but it works, so who the hell cares, is I talk to the boy about it- but not in a way he knows. except now he knows. But anytime i need affermation that guys DONT LIKE FAKE GIRLS WITH BLEACHED HAIR AND ORANGE SKIN AND ZERO BODY FAT I bring it up, and he agrees. Guys dont like sticks. and they don’t like tons of makeup. I think girls glam up like that either because they think guys like it, or they do it more for other girls. Im not sure- Ive never been like that, but Im glad that I can put my hair in a knot, wear workout clothes all day long, and my boy still loves me.

Alright peeps- I need your input! What do you do to boost your body image?



Tabitha Rowland is Every Gym’s Nightmare

11 03 2009

I’m starting a new segment here at Every Gym’s Nightmare called “I AM Every Gym’s Nightmare” where you readers have the opportunity to share with everyone, here at EGN, just what truely makes you every gym’s nightmare.

This week, we have Tabitha Rowland, from The Rowland’s Rowland.

I got married when I was 21. I had been told for years that I wouldn’t be able to conceive. Long story short…we did and Dawson was born June 2000!! I was 100 pounds when I got pregnant. I was 198 when he was born!!! I know right? I was put on bed rest and the pounds starting packing on. I had always been active and watched my weight. All I wanted was my baby. I would have gained 500 pounds as long as it was good for my baby! Within the first 6 months I lost ALL of my baby weight. I swear it! I walked and did the Atkins diet. Coming off the Atkins diet was VERY hard. I just wouldn’t eat. I had to make myself eat healthy as I had once before. I continued working out as I always had. Fast forward almost 9 years. I am now a fitness model for my gym, local fashion shows, and the students that I teach! I am concerned with the number (I’m not gonna lie, I’m human). BUT I love how strong my short (I’m 5′4) legs are and how far they have carried me in this life. I thrive by sharing my lifestyle with my family. When I go home (the Outer Banks, NC) I would always go rollerblading or walking. My Aunt/best friend, Jackie, began going with me and has now started running and lifting weights on her own. I am SO proud of her! I have several students that are 50 pounds or more overweight. I am in the process of teaching them how to exercise at home and on the playground without it seeming like work.

My workouts vary. I hate change…unless it is my workout! When the weather is not HOT I will run for all of my cardio. Once it is too hot or I get bored I’ll do the bike or starimaster at the gym. I have an elliptical at home that I do regularly. As I said earlier I love to rollerblade. I roller blade everytime I go home or walk/run with Jackie. When I lift weights I prefer to use free weights. I get Shape, Fitness, and Self magazine and use workouts that I find in them. I have a bridal fashion show tomorrow so I hired a personal trainer 2 months ago. She gave me 2 workouts. One that I can do anywhere and one for at the gym.

Here’s a sample weeK:

Monday: run 5k
Tuesday: Pilates 1hr & 15-30min cardio
Wednesday: 20 min cardio 1hr weights
Thursday: 5 or 8k
Friday:30min cardio home workout w/ ball
Saturday: Family day (bike riding, walking, basketball, ice skating, rollerblading) varies according to the weather; if raing hit the gym for 30 min cardio and 30 min weights
Sunday: 10k
Sunday:

For me fitness is life. It’s how I live my life. I have been very blessed with good health and an active family. My husband and I have always enjoyed getting outside and now we have out son to enjoy it with as well. -Tabitha

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If you would like to share why you are every gym’s nightmare, email me your story at kelly@everygymsnightmare.com, and I will post your “I Am Every Gym’s Nightmare” here on the site.

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