Eating Disorder

trippyrez

In the gym I use there is a girl with an obvious eating disorder. Every time I go she is there and she is really putting herself through her paces. She spends about an hour and a half in the gym and does all cardio stuff but she really pushes herself.

She has the body of a 12 year old and the face of a 40 year old and to be honest I find it really off putting. I mean I'm not exactly an adonis and I am carrying a few extra pounds but that's why I'm in the gym to lose that weight. But this girl is taking it too far. It is obvious she has an eating disorder. She has all the signs like the fluffy hair on her face etc. Everyone in the gym double takes when they see her also so I'm not the only one that finds it disturbing.

The thing is the gym don't do anything about it? Surely there is a moral obligation on their part to say "you know what - you're doing yourself harm and we can't condone your behaviour." If I was a roid freak then they'd have no problem giving me my marching orders!

It's not the gyms place to tell her to see a doctor or whatever, but at the other end of the scale it's morally wrong for them to watch her do this to herself and take her money!

Or am I wrong?

What do you all think?

G86

The sad reality of it is that most of the bigger gyms just don't give a sh!t. But to be honest, you don't know the whole situation either, they may have already discussed it with her or she may have another illness which affects her weight. I'd just leave it be and get on with your own workout. I mean if it was a 20 stone guy pounding the treadmill you'd hardly complain about him would you? I do understand the sentiment in what you're saying but at the same time it's really not your place to comment. If it's really bothering you then maybe mention it to a member of staff, but definitely do not say anything directly to the girl - it could cause more harm than good.

trippyrez

Oh god I'd never say it to her! No freaking way! I just find it morally reprehensible is all! I try to stay at the other end of the gym when she's there because it really does freak me out!

d'Oracle

I think you need to mind your own business.

Gyms are not there to be guardians of people's health, just to provide a facility for convenient exercise. There is nothing morally wrong about a gym allowing people to exercise there.

trippyrez

d'Oracle wrote: »

I think you need to mind your own business.

Gyms are not there to be guardians of people's health, just to provide a facility for convenient exercise. There is nothing morally wrong about a gym allowing people to exercise there.

They all say in their t&c that you should consult a physician before engaging in exercise. They obviously don't want you doing yourself an injury or causing yourself harm on the premises and while they may not be responsible for your health but the are morally responsible, like a barman for example, to make sure that what you do whilst on their premises isn't detrimental to your health.

There is nothing morally wrong about letting people exercise, but the morals kick in when you see someone who has an obvious eating disorder (and it's obvious with her) spending energy in the gym that her body obviously can't spare. It's the same as when people are in a gym using steroids or an obese person trying to do too much. I'd take issue with both of these as well.

MartMax

I'd leave it to her friends and family to talk about it with her.

d'Oracle

trippyrez wrote: »

They all say in their t&c that you should consult a physician before engaging in exercise. They obviously don't want you doing yourself an injury or causing yourself harm on the premises and while they may not be responsible for your health but the are morally responsible, like a barman for example, to make sure that what you do whilst on their premises isn't detrimental to your health.

There is nothing morally wrong about letting people exercise, but the morals kick in when you see someone who has an obvious eating disorder (and it's obvious with her) spending energy in the gym that her body obviously can't spare. It's the same as when people are in a gym using steroids or an obese person trying to do too much. I'd take issue with both of these as well.

I disagree.
But you seem to know a hell of a lot more than me about weight ratios, healthy exercise levels and steroids than I do. Not to mention morals.

trippyrez

What? I'm not saying I want to talk to her! It's obviously not my place.

I do think that it's morally irresponsible and reprehensible of the gym to allow her to continue to do this. If it was an alcoholic going into a bar and getting served by a bar man every day you'd think it was so why is it different for a gym? Because she is paying €500+ a year for the right?

trippyrez

d'Oracle wrote: »

I disagree.
But you seem to know a hell of a lot more than me about weight ratios, healthy exercise levels and steroids than I do. Not to mention morals.

But you seem to know alot more about sarcasm than anyone in the world. Ever.

d'Oracle

trippyrez wrote: »

What? I'm not saying I want to talk to her! It's obviously not my place.

I do think that it's morally irresponsible and reprehensible of the gym to allow her to continue to do this. If it was an alcoholic going into a bar and getting served by a bar man every day you'd think it was so why is it different for a gym? Because she is paying €500+ a year for the right?

I don't think either are morally wrong in any shape or form.
Adults are responsible for their own actions.

People should not have their actions dictated to them.
If this person has a problem and she does not recognise it, its the failing of her support network not the Gym.

But Joe Duffy might agree with you.

d'Oracle

trippyrez wrote: »

But you seem to know alot more about sarcasm than anyone in the world. Ever.

I just have little time for scandalising and moralising.


And sarcasm is cool.
Who ever told you it was the lowest form of wit is an idiot.

Canis Lupus

trippyrez wrote: »

They all say in their t&c that you should consult a physician before engaging in exercise. They obviously don't want you doing yourself an injury or causing yourself harm on the premises and while they may not be responsible for your health but the are morally responsible, like a barman for example, to make sure that what you do whilst on their premises isn't detrimental to your health.

There is nothing morally wrong about letting people exercise, but the morals kick in when you see someone who has an obvious eating disorder (and it's obvious with her) spending energy in the gym that her body obviously can't spare. It's the same as when people are in a gym using steroids or an obese person trying to do too much. I'd take issue with both of these as well.

I don't see the point in banning them. What would it achieve? They'd join another gym or just exercise outdoors. Having a bulemic flatmate I can safely state that these people will not help themselves until they WANT to help themselves. Banning my flatmate from puking in the toilet just makes him vomit in his bedroom or outside.

Anyway if nothing else should we ban shops from selling cigarettes? Ban fast food restaurants from selling to obese people?

trippyrez

d'Oracle wrote: »

I don't think either are morally wrong in any shape or form.
Adults are responsible for their own actions.

People should not have their actions dictated to them.
If this person has a problem and she does not recognise it, its the failing of her support network not the Gym.

But Joe Duffy might agree with you.

I'm sure Joe Duffy would agree that engine lubricant is nice on toast if he thought it would get more people to call his show.

trippyrez

Canis Lupus wrote: »

I don't see the point in banning them. What would it achieve? They'd join another gym or just exercise outdoors. Having a bulemic flatmate I can safely state that these people will not help themselves until they WANT to help themselves. Banning my flatmate from puking in the toilet just makes him vomit in his bedroom or outside.

Anyway if nothing else should we ban shops from selling cigarettes? Ban fast food restaurants from selling to obese people?

Yet the country all stood up and applauded yesterday as the Government band all the head shop products?

Canis Lupus

trippyrez wrote: »

Yet the country all stood up and applauded yesterday as the Government band all the head shop products?

No doubt applauded by people who smoke and drink and yet see alternative drugs as bad :rolleyes: Don't equate political moves to a government wanting to protect people.

trippyrez

Anyway the feeling I'm getting is that most people think it's not a big deal and none of the gym's business etc and that is what I asked so I guess I have my answer!

Cheers!

trippyrez

Canis Lupus wrote: »

No doubt applauded by people who smoke and drink and yet see alternative drugs as bad :rolleyes: Don't equate political moves to a government wanting to protect people.

To be fair I don't equate anything this particular govt does to wanting to protect anything or lead with any sense of cohesion or direction! But that's a debate for a different forum! :pac: