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Eating disorders can destroy lives. Take it from me, I’ve actually struggled with one for the majority of my adult life. At first, in my very early teens when I started to become aware of boys and of my body and my “becoming a woman” and getting curves in places I didn’t understand, I began to diet.
At first, as with many other eating disorders, my dieting was healthy. I actually ate very healthfully and enjoyed a slimmer physique and much of my ‘baby fat’ falling off because of it. But then, as I began to cave to the pressures of eating things like pizza and just wanting to be a normal teen girl that could hang out with friends and eat junk food, I started to regurgitate my food when I felt I had eaten badly.
Thus began the cycle of bingeing and purging that made my life revolve around my food choices. It really is all-encompassing, and it pretty much rules out a lot of other productive activities in your life when your world revolves around what you eat, when you can go purge yourself of it, and unhealthy habits like taking diuretics and laxatives to rid yourself of the “bad food” you’ve just eaten.
I was often bathroom bound. It was not fun. And yet I kept doing it. It’s important to look for the signs of bulimia and anorexia in those you love so that you can reach out and lend them a helping hand if they need it. They may need encouraging to get help for their problems.
Believe me, being a former bulimic myself, I know that bulimic patients do not want to give this up. They feel it gives them power over their lives, when in fact it robs them of it. They feel “in control” and often have personalities that are perfectionist. They like to have the option to do it if they want to, and giving that up and outing yourself that you have the problem are a reallly big deal to people with this eating disorder.
Often times, bulimia patients have a shortage of the feel good brain chemical serotonin. There are some drugs that can help boost this chemical in the brain, but there are also some natural and dietary options as well, such as taking the supplement 5htp, which is a derivative of tryptophan and has been shown to elevate the levels of serotonin over time.
They often over eat carbs and under eat protein. This is thought to contribute even more to the lack of circulating serotonin. This also increases the appetite and leads to vicious cycles of bingeing and purging which tend to completely dominate one’s life.
The signs of bulimia are :
1.) Frequent trips to the bathroom
2.) Watery eyes after exiting the bathroom
3.) Gorging on fattening foods with seemingly no weight gain
4.) Noticeable change in mood after eating a large meal
See past posts :
Eating Disorders Affecting Younger and Younger?
Jersey Shore’s Snooki’s Past Eating Disorder and Weight Loss
I came across a curious product that I must admit, I had never heard of up until this point. It’s called “raspberry ketones” and it is a supplement that is used in dieting. It is supposed to reduce hunger and cravings while also helping to boost the loss of fat storage and therefore boost the effects of a normal healthy diet and exercise regimen.
Of course, this sounds like the same claims that most other supplements for fat loss make, so what is the product, and what’s this business about “ketones”, which are the by-product of your body burning off fat when it has gone through all the carbs – it is basically a side effect of low carb diets called ketosis, which results when your fat stores really start burning off.
Raspberry ketones first gained notoriety when they appeared on the very popular Dr. Oz show. Dr. Oz has been making quite the splash lately, with his news that apple juice may contain dangerous levels of arsenic and other highly controversial stories and coverage (which I like, bring it on!)
What are Raspberry Ketones?
Raspberry ketones are a natural part of the raspberry fruit. They are actually the phenolic (antioxidant) compounds that comprise the primary constituents behind the scent of the raspberry. The reason they are a hot weight loss and dieting item now is that taking them is supposed to have a certain effect on the body.
This effect though, sounds rather alarming personally. They are supposed to increase the amount of norepinephrine released by the body. This is the hormone that increases heart rate and other bodily functions in response to fear, startle, and other things that get your heart pumping. But, it also not uncoincidentally increases your metabolism because your body takes energy to get these functions going so quickly.
Raspberry ketones also are supposed to have a balancing effect on the blood sugar (blood glucose levels). This is a great way to control cravings and appetite, since the times when the bloos sugar is peaking and falling are the times when you are most apt to indulge in high carb, high fat or sweet items that add pounds to your waistline.
The supplement is a very popular one already, especially for its relatively short duration in the spotlight. But you know how these diet fads go. They rage until the next best weight loss thing comes along, then they fade with time. Diet fads like the vegan one pushed by Skinny Bitch still appear to be making headlines though, so who knows how long this one will stick around.
I might try them out just to see if they have any noticeable effect on me so I can report my experience back to you.
I just read an article about the obsession with LeAnn Rime’s “shocking” weight loss and how people are searching for her more than ever on the internet because of her huge weight loss. Admittedly, the photos of her on the beach in a bikini do make her look somewhat emaciated, but I don’t think she looks downright anorexic.
She is very fit looking, and maybe she just went on a really strict, healthy diet because her overall appearance is better. Her hair and skin look much better, which is a sign that you are eating healthier and exercising, so although she may be a bit obsessed with keeping the weight off as most of us are when we turn over a new leaf such as that, I don’t think she’s ill.
Nicole Richie is no longer really a source of tabloid speculation about her weight loss. Perhaps because she has maintained her painfully thin body for so long now, people forget that the once curvy reality star ever had any curves at all. But she is one that I think might have some unhealthy eating patterns – her weight loss is too undeniably shocking.
Next in line, I have Katherine Heigl. The former Grey’s Anatomy star and new mom recently showed up on the red carpet premier for her new film “One for the Money” looking a lot skinnier and having noticeably reduced her big boobs.
She looks healthy, but I have to say that I like Katherine with a little more weight on her personally .I thought her curvier, bigger busted appearance was much sexier, and it set her apart and made her not just another stick walking the red carpet.
She also has a big, outspoken personality, and I feel like her losing all this weight makes her just another face in the crowd. I continually ask myself why women, especially women in the spotlight, put this immense pressure on themselves to be this thin?
Kate Middleton and the Dukan diet, and her painfully thin appearance as time wears on is also disconcerting. Even the iconic Audrey Hepburn may have had an eating disorder, and she was popular when a curvier shape was in style!
It’s one thing if you are naturally thin and eat whatever you want at times and in moderation, but to constantly hold yourself up to these impossible standards of beauty seems not only exhausting but also immensely time consuming.
A friend of mine came over on Super Bowl Sunday with the most delicious crab dip. By tasting, I would have never known that she used all low fat ingredients (except of course for the hard boiled eggs, which in this case contribute very little fat to the overall recipe which makes a decent amount).
It’s a great recipe for those that love a good crab dip. This one is for a cold crab dip recipe, so it will need to either be on ice or somehow be kept cold while it is sitting out, especially since it contains both seafood and mayonnaise, which both require cold temperatures to stay good.
Here are the ingredients you will need for this low fat cold crab dip (it’s deee-lish, trust me!)
2 hard boiled, chopped eggs
1 large can blue crab meat
1 teaspoon dried mustard
1 teaspoon pepper
1/2 – 1 cup finely chopped onion
1 1/2 cups low fat cheddar cheese, finely shredded
1 cup low fat mayonnaise
1 cup (1 package) low fat cream cheese
Soften the cream cheese. This is important as you will need a softer, more pliable consistency to work with since you will need to blend all the ingredients together to make them creamier and smoother. You can put it in the microwave for thirty seconds or a minute, just until soft.
Using a mixer, blend the softened cream cheese with the mayonnaise until it is a uniform texture. Add the finely diced hard boiled eggs and onions followed by the pepper, dry mustard and the shredded cheese. Blend all until it looks uniform. Then you can shred the canned crab meat until it is fine enough to blend into the mixture without any problems.
Once shredded, add to the mixture and beat on low until all blended. This is a delicious way to enjoy a seafood dip without ridiculous calories. You’ll feel like you’re eating a higher fat dip because of the richness the egg adds to this recipe, and the body it adds to the flavor and texture.
You may add more dried mustard and pepper to taste if you’d like. You may also add a dash of sea salt for additional flavor, but you probably won’t need it. This dip is best served with variety crackers. I liked it best with buttery Ritz crackers, although you may also like it with sesame crackers or whole wheat crackers.
For a lower calorie, or lower carb treat, you can use sliced cucmbers instead of crackers. Another great, low fat dip idea – is hummus, rich in protein and low in fat.
There are a few foods, mostly veggies, that come with the title “negative calorie” food because the mythology is that they are so low in actual calories and high in fiber that the mere act of chewing them and digesting them uses more calories than the food itself, making them a “negative calorie” food.
Is there any truth to this? Well, celery is one of the foods that is considered negative calorie. I have actually been eating a lot of celery because I’m on a lower carb diet now (which is working for me thankfully) and I eat peanut butter with celery quite a bit now to tide me over mid day at work when I start to get hungry.
By the way, the peanut butter I’ve been using is Smart Balance, and it has flax seed oil added to it for extra health benefits, and it’s still pretty delicious.
I’ve noticed that the fiber in the celery helps to keep things moving along if you know what I mean, since on a low carb diet you risk not getting enough fiber. Eating things like cheese a lot doesn’t help since cheese binds you up easily. But eating a lot of celery and other high fiber foods like beans during the day helps to release that problem, so I do eat several pieces a day, without the peanut butter as well and I find it’s great for that.
While science says that the “negative calorie” thing is really a myth – you still gain calories from any food, I believe celery is probably one of the closest foods to being negative that you can get. I’ve experienced weight loss while eating tons of the crunchy, satisfying veggie, so I’ve got only positive things to say about it.
The one drawback to celery is that it does contain a lot of sodium for a vegetable, however the high fiber content likely counteracts some of that since it can increase your elimination of the salt. It is great for lower carb diets though, in my opinion because it is so satisfying.
It’s funny that there is an idea out there that you gain weight when you hit college. I personally have seen both this happen, and the complete opposite happen, where some of my girlfriends really thinned down when they went away to college. The funny thing is, it was mostly guys that I knew that gained the famous “freshman fifteen” and then some, the girls seemed to actually lose the weight.
Unfortunately that whole “vaccine for weight loss” thing we reported on a while ago hasn’t materialized, otherwise this freshman weight gain wouldn’t be much of a concern 
At least that was my own experience with the people around me. It’s easy to either gain or lose weight when you leave the nest for the first time. There are so many nerves going on about being away from home, trying to succeed in school, and generally being nervous about never knowing where you’re going or how you’re going to eat that day half the time because you’re broke.
Of course, this is how it was for me, I can’t say that’s how it was for everyone else. I had a job in college too, and it was waiting tables, which kept me in great shape. Not only did the constant cardio of being a server shape me, but I also happened to work out at least five days a week back then. Yeah, I was single and I care way too much about what I looked like to the guys back then, but hey, that really kept me in shape, let me tell you!
I sometimes wonder if I should go back to waiting tables, just for the great shape it kept me in through college! And the tips were nice too, because I always had cash on hand of course!
If you go to college, just make sure you don’t only drink beer, and that your only meals are pizza and cheeseburgers. It’s easy to eat a lot of crap food when you’re in college because there are a ton of restaurants open late tha thave delicious food to cater to drunk college students.
Just staying away from eating late at night will save you a boatload of weight gain! Now if only I can get a handle on my Sunday football pigouts, I’ll be good to go.
It’s the big game today – the Super Bowl. Like the last Super Bowl, you’ll see two great teams battle it out, and you’ll be tempted with delicious foods. Eli Manning New York Giants vs. Tom Brady and the Patriots. Regardless of who you’re rooting for today (I’m for the NY Giants, Tom Brady bothers me on a personal level for some reason), we all know that today is one of the biggest pig out days of the year. Not counting Thanksgiving of course.
It is estimated that in one sitting for the game, people probably eat at least an entire day’s worth of calories. So what are you gonna do to make that ok? Are you going to fast all day so that when you finally eat you don’t eat a whole lot since your stomach is smaller? Are you going to just chalk it up ot a losing day on the diet scale?
Or you can plan your day out and make sure you eat nothing but fruits and veggies up unitl the fateful game where you know you’ll be stuffing greasy, salty fatty and maybe even some sugary foods down your throat? Or you could do neither and eat normally up until game time and just get right back on track on Monday.
I’m doing the latter. I’ve been really good for the month following the holiday season because I blew it out during the few weeks leading up to Christmas. I just started to fit back into all of my work pants by eating low carb for about one month and really limiting my caloric intake, so I’m not about to blow it by going on a couple day binge.
But one day? One day I’m pretty sure won’t kill me. And I’m not planning on stuffing myself silly. I want to still enjoy myself, and sitting there with a belly full of gurgling and brewing up a storm of problems doesn’t sound like fun to me.
The ticket to enjoying these one day pigouts is to tell yourself it is truly one day. The next day you MUST get back on the wagon and eat well or else you risk making these one day vacations something that you cannot indulge in because you can’t get back on track.
Food is fun, and it should stay that way. And guess what? It’s way more enjoyable if you get to do it for one day – it’s more like a treat if you know it’s a “once in a while” thing. Otherwise, you don’t even enjoy eating these sinful foods if you do it say once a week or twice a week. The whole key is to look at it as a temporary treat that you can savor and carry into your next few weeks.
If you need to the day after a “treat” day, you can always help suppress your hunger using a natural supplement to help you get through those initial cravings.
So I know I’m always behind the eight ball on pop culture stuff, but I just noticed that Snookie and JWOWW of Jersey Shore fame have both lost significant portions of their previous body weight lately. Actuall, JWOWW showed her major weight loss on last season of the Shore in Italy. Snookie was still in the process of taking it off at that point, but she definitely still lost some, you could tell.
Snookie has said that she now works out religiously and tries to not drink sugary drinks and eat junk all the time like she did on the first two seasons of the show. She also has opened up about struggling with anorexia and bulimia (possibly bulimia, definitely anorexia) in high school and getting down to a dangerously low weight.
This could be worrisome, since women who have previously struggled with eating disorders would probably cave in to the immense pressure when they are in the spotlight constantly on a show that got so big like this one did, so I hope she’s keeping the weight off in a healthful way.
My husband and I have only watched the first two episodes of the Italy Jersey Shore, but we can already tell that their eating habits have changed. You don’t see Snookie or JWOWW eating pizza and other fattening things, instead you see a lot of salads and the like. They made chicken cutlets, but they were very lightly breaded, so it looks like so far they may be doing things the low carb way.
JWOWW has recently come out and said that her face looks so different because she lost a ton of weight, but there is speculation that she has had something done to her face, such as lip injection or Botox. I agree it does look a bit suspicious, but I also do know that losing a lot of weight can radically change the way your face looks for many people, so the weight loss definitely has at least something to do with it.
The two have not come out and endorsed any weight loss supplements or programs that I know of – but I’m sure that deal is in the works somewhere!
Aromatherapy is truly a wonderful gift for many people. Some people really do think that inhaling various aromas from real essential oils (oils that are pressed from various plants or flowers) has real effects on their mood or state of mind. This may also include appetite as some studies have suggested.
Any why would that really be all that surprising? We know that certain aromas definitely cause stirrings of sexual desire, or make us feel relaxed, or happy, or maybe even sad. So hunger is definitely many times connected to some of these emotions. It’s not really much of a stretch that aromatherapy could help us to lose weight by potentially reducing our appetite, or at least putting our mind on something other than hunger, which is what aromatherapy can often do.
Cinnamon is one of the oils that can be used to help curb appetite. Just as it curbs appetite when taken (ingested) orally – just a teaspoon is supposed to not only regulate the appetite internally but also balance the blood sugar and stave of cravings – cinnamon also is a scent that makes us not want to eat as much when we inhale it.
Curiously, another herb that has a strong fragrance to it which also works as an appetite suppressant internally has the same effect when inhaled. That is mint. Mint tea is a great way to help reduce the appetite and give one a feeling of satiety without eating much of anything.
Combining the two scents may be even better to help reduce hunger and cravings. What I would do is buy the essential oils since they are pretty reasonable. Be careful as cinnamon oil should not be applied to the skin as it can produce a burning sensation, so be careful when letting it come out of the container.
These two essential oils will last you a very long time because a little goes a long way. Heck, you can even try to just inhale right from the jar every time you feel the urge to eat nonsensically. That won’t even cost you much at all since you can use and re-use the jar.
Appetite control patches are quite popular right now because so many people are looking to regain that willpower and control they once had before the holidays seemed to magically rip every ounce of self control out from underneath them. Oh, oops sorry I’m talking more about myself than anyone else!
So is anyone else feeling the serious pain that I am after the holidays putting on their work pants and getting back into the swing of things, only to find that their work pants -even the “bigger” ones aren’t fitting quite right? Well, that was me. I was in for a very rude awakening after I allowed myself to indulge, indulge again, and then again this holiday season.
Even when I wasn’t hitting a holiday function or having food sitting in front of me at work or taunting me at other gatherings, I seemed to still make poor food choices. I think it’s because in our minds, we often figure why even bother during times when it seems like resistence is futile and we’re going to be tempted at every turn anyway.
It does seem like your body becomes so accustomed to eating fat and sugar and all that stuff that you’re not supposed to be eating that it almost becomes like withdrawing from a drug when you do get back on track and cut this stuff out of your diet. So in order to get back on track, one of the most popular ways now is to use what is called an appetite control patch.
These little patches are great because you don’t have to remember to take a pill every couple hours, and you can affix the patch in a very well hidden area of your choice. It literally works all day long by slowly time releasing the hunger control ingredients in to the blood stream, effectively reducing your appetite and cravings for things like sugar, carbs and fats.
I like them because they seem to work pretty quickly after you attach them to your skin. I also think that they are more effective than a lot of orally taken supplements because they are more effectively delivered right to their source rather than having to pass through the digestive tract and be digested before they have any effect.
They also work better as an all day controller of the appetite and cravings. If you want to see a couple reviews of some of the more popular brands then see our special page on appetite control patches.
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