Hi! New and Need Help!

[Rora]

WISHers:
Hi! My name is Rory and I am one of those "junk food stress eaters" who tries to make it to the gym but when I find the time to go I realize just how tired I am (I know--excuses, excuses ).

Just a little background on me: I was a competitive dancer from the age of 4-18. Of course, I was really fit yet like many dancers, I suffered from anorexia. My dance teachers would call us fat if we weighed over 130lbs so I never weighed more than that. During college, I stopped dancing and got serious medical help.

Right now, I am 5'9" and weigh anywhere from 145-150. I know I am not overweight but I do feel flabby and untoned. Eating disorders play mind games with you- after 18 years of weighing no more than 130lbs it kills me to see 150 on the scale.

I'm an elementary school teacher who finds myself up at 5:30 every morning and asleep by 9:30 at night. I don't leave work typically until 6 and between finding the time to make dinner and relax, I never make it to the gym.

I should also add that I have trouble just doing machines at the gym-- I need classes like Zumba, and kickboxing, etc. Thankfully my gym provides that!

I guess what I am trying to ask is "where do I start?!. I know I need to cut the bad junk food out of my diet and not eat just because it's in front of me.. But, that's tough! I'd like to know HOW to diet (the question sounds silly but I've been doing it the wrong way for a good many years ). Any suggestions? Tips? Support?

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

Since your weight is not the issue, I would recommend toning with Pilates and you might work in some Yoga. You will be amazed how the Pilates will tone up the core muscles and give back some of the tone you've lost. You might be able to get DVDs to try out from the library. Many here have been steered to Pilates for Dummies by one of our WISH Team members quite a while ago as a great way to get things under control. I use Windsor Pilates (20 minutes). Whatever you can find will be a good start for you.

You know how to eat well, since I'm guessing part of your rehab included teachings on making healthy eating choices. Get back to that and work on the core strengthening for now. I think you'll be pleased with the results. After, you can change to other things as your time allows.

As you said, don't worry about 130, get toned and the rest will be fine. You'll look and feel great I'm thinking.

 

[FireDancer]

I have no experience really in eating disorders other than what I read here and there but I can give an opinion on the gym and not eating junk food.

As far as the gym is concerned put it in your calendar as if it was an appointment. For me the best option is to bring my gym bag with me and stop on the way home because it is too easy to get home and put it off until it is too late. This isn't for everyone but find a time that is. Once it is on the calendar and treated like an appointment I think you'll find it easier to stick to it.

For the junk food I find the best way not to eat it is to not have it as an option. I know if I had stuff like cookies here I would be tempted to eat them so I just don't buy them. I make sure to only buy things I should eat. I also never shop hungry because that leads to bad purchases.

Good luck

 

[ohMom]

i second the pilates/yoga suggestion -- especially yoga for mental stress relief as well. we all need that right? my dr. has told me that he believes in exercising 3 x week minimum for the mental health benefits. not that i'm saying you sound like you have a problem, I know with a full-time schedule like you have, i..myself..would need good stress mgmt to survive! i admire anyone who is working FT and balances a family and exercising

i'm in no expertise on eating disorders like PP, but I would like to encourage you to take steps to accept your weight/body. much easier said than done, and for me it's a continuous process.....sounds like you do 'know' you are at a healthy weight but struggle with accepting the number. don't give the number any more power! would you consider not stepping on a scale as often? your clothes will give you a daily update on how you are doing tell yourself every day positives about your body image, don't compare yourself to your 'younger self' or anyone else, listen for your negative self-talk and make the decision to override it by replacing it with a positive one! you deserve to hear compliments!!

like others here on WISH, i don't like to use 'diet' and i'm sure you know it's about lifestyle changes. try to make small changes, one at a time, until it becomse routine. then make another small changes, and on and on

most of all to WISH!! feel free to jump in and join any of the 'friendly challenges' support threads, etc. it's a really friendly bunch here!

 

[Rora]

Thank you all so much