Diet Question

M0use

Hi I'm new. Presume a diet question can go in the fitness forum - can't find any other forum suitable?

I'm back in the gym and need to work on my diet. But I used to have eds of various kinds and find that when I regulate my own diet I start to go back to that way of eating. I seem to find the safest way is to pick a diet that tells me exactly what I can eat, when and on what days. That way there is no room for me to binge or starve. The South Beach Diet seems to be the healthiest in terms of not bieng a "mad fad" diet. I know it is prob considered a "fad" diet but the theory behind it seems to be sound. and it lays out exactly what to eat what days (with recipes), with a guide to maintaning the weight loss once you've reached your goal. Any opinions / ideas?

Blackhorse Slim

M0use wrote:

Hi I'm new. Presume a diet question can go in the fitness forum - can't find any other forum suitable?

I'm back in the gym and need to work on my diet. But I used to have eds of various kinds and find that when I regulate my own diet I start to go back to that way of eating. I seem to find the safest way is to pick a diet that tells me exactly what I can eat, when and on what days. That way there is no room for me to binge or starve. The South Beach Diet seems to be the healthiest in terms of not bieng a "mad fad" diet. I know it is prob considered a "fad" diet but the theory behind it seems to be sound. and it lays out exactly what to eat what days (with recipes), with a guide to maintaning the weight loss once you've reached your goal. Any opinions / ideas?

Seriously - don't do fad diets. In fact if you just want to get/stay in shape don't do any "diets" at all. Stick with the gym. Don't eat loads of crap. Eat mostly real/unprocessed food. Simple, really

If you really want specific advice, read the stickies - they're very good.

Scuba_Scoper

Easiest and cheapest advice you can get in realtion to diet:

Eat only what you could grow or hunt. (you can't grow a Big Mc, I tried)
Drink water. (2 litres a day)

Eat a balanced diet.

Physically challenge yourself each and every day.

Treat your insides like your outsides.

Read the stickies.

It really is that simple.

ot, Fads are a bad idea. What will you do when the next fad comes along ?

ali.c

Seems to me that the OP's problem is with regard to falling back into the negative ed cycle? The south beach diet isnt all that bad but they dont prescribe you with foods to eat where and when etc. My advice would be to have a good read through the stickies and come up with your own plan. You can post it here for feedback. The use fitday www.fitday.com to plan you meals for the week that way what you are going to eat has already been planned. Plus it will help you in developing good habits and maybe a better relationship with food

For a more prescribed approach other than the stickies check out the t-nation muscle with attiude site (stupid name i know), there are some good meal plans and diet info and a great recipe thread!!

Scuba_Scoper

ali.c wrote:

......negative ed cycle?

Pardon my ignorance, but what is "ed" ?

ali.c

Eating Disorder AFAIK

Scuba_Scoper

*Edited to point at much better advice.

sorry for the knee-jerk diet advice.


See below for good advice.

hunnymonster

I don't think you really need to follow a diet. Use the information in the stickies to find out how many calories you need to eat each day. Then divide this by either 5 or 6 and eat that many calories at each meal. Try to eat good quality food with minimum processing.

There are several people on here who will understand your prediciment. On the one hand you want to eat correctly on the other there is a fine line between eating correctly and obsessing over food and the control of food.

M0use

[QUOTE=there is a fine line between eating correctly and obsessing over food and the control of food.[/QUOTE]

Thats my problem - once I get close to that line I start to head back down the slippery slope. I'm not going to say that I've sorted myself in regards to eds but I'm on the way and don't want to end up back where I started. Maybe if I read the stickys and do all my calculations just once, I can come up with a daily menu and work off that without having to calculate and obsess every day. Thanks for the advice.

hunnymonster

Mouse, I suffered from Anorexia Nervosa for 10 years. Most of that time my weight was under 30 kgs, often as low as 25 kgs. No matter how unhealthy the non-gym-going,m chip gussling public is, their health is better than mine was back then. I was not strong enough for my neck to lift the weight of my own head. It took me a very long time to recover from AN and although my weight has been in the normal range for 6 years now I am still very much aware of food as a control issue. As a result of AN my metabolism is permanently depressed, I have osteoporosis even though I'm in my early 30's, Most of my teeth have had to be rebuilt, My hormones are disrupted with all the reproductive consequences that goes with this. ED's may be psychological in origin but they have nasty, long lasting physical effects.

When I came on to boards in March of this year it was only because I had finally reached a stage where I knew I could keep things normal while trying to clean up my eating. Whatever you do, make sure you are at that stage before taking "diet" steps.

Money Shot

hunnymonster wrote:

Mouse, I suffered from Anorexia Nervosa for 10 years. Most of that time my weight was under 30 kgs, often as low as 25 kgs. No matter how unhealthy the non-gym-going,m chip gussling public is, their health is better than mine was back then. I was not strong enough for my neck to lift the weight of my own head. It took me a very long time to recover from AN and although my weight has been in the normal range for 6 years now I am still very much aware of food as a control issue. As a result of AN my metabolism is permanently depressed, I have osteoporosis even though I'm in my early 30's, Most of my teeth have had to be rebuilt, My hormones are disrupted with all the reproductive consequences that goes with this. ED's may be psychological in origin but they have nasty, long lasting physical effects.

When I came on to boards in March of this year it was only because I had finally reached a stage where I knew I could keep things normal while trying to clean up my eating. Whatever you do, make sure you are at that stage before taking "diet" steps.

Jees Hunnymonster that is an incredible story. It's hard to imagine what it must have been like living like that, and what it must take to get yourself sorted again. I don't think a lot of people fully appreciate the long term effects that these disorders can have on your body. I suppose when your young you don't.

Fair play to you for finding the strenght to come out the other end - and I think a lot of people will see hope in your story. Hat's off to you.

ali.c

wow hunnymonster that is well, amazing is the only word i can find. I thought your training was impressive but on top of all that its astounding. Your one impressive lady

Brown_Eyed_Girl

Wow hunny ........................ fair play to you, you are one strong lady

MA

Unreal story Hunnymonster - your got through it and your experience can help others alot who may be in the same situation you were or heading that way. Fair play to you...



Dont diet, diets never last long term - most % of people end up failing at some poitn or putting the weight back on eventually, and maybe even more than pre diet.

Look at what your eating, dont eat carbs late at night. Dont eat processed food, try to avoid sugar- if you have a sweet tooth, substitute it- check out the health stores, there are good quality biscuits which can provide nutrition, there are protein bars, honeys natural (high in sugar all the same but not processed).
Watch the alcoholic drinks most are high in sugar.
Main guidlines:
1. No carbs after 6
2. No processed foods
3. Reduce sugar intake
4. EAT breakfast
5. Eat often, small meals often and fruit in the morning

I eat when im not hungry, snack - i tried eating just when i was hungry (3 meals per day) and i ended up putting on more weight. I started eating every couple of hours again and the weight fell off.
Your body goes into starvation mode when you dont eat often so when food enters the body your body stores as much fat as poss in fear that it wont be getting more food for awhile!