Eating Disorders?

[maccygirly]

So obviously I'm brand new to this site cause I have abs no clue what I'm doing, so please bear with me. I've just started my sophomore year at college and got diagnosed with Celiac the day before I left (on my birthday...) I've been dealing with insane eating issues for a while now- eating nothing, then crazy bingeing, calorie counting EVERYTHING, and having to workout for hours every day regardless of how exhausted I am or how weak I feel (I don't believe in naps by the way- waste of time.).. Its extra difficult because most of my girlfriends have even worse eating issues. Its just super tricky because I cannot help my friends and they cannot help me and we are truly just making all of our own conditions worse. I have always been sort of a crazy vegetarian health nut, tried doing the vegan thing (loved dairy too much!), but it has become too much- especially now with the celiac disease. I feel crazy...well obviously I am and I know it. I really didn't gain or lose any weight since figuring out I have this...well I feel like I'm gaining now no matter how much I exercise (I'm saying atleast 2 hours at the gym everyday) and thats the problem. Especially since I am not filling up on the carbs anymore, I feel like I'm always hungry and the nighttime bingeing is killlllllling me. I need major help so anything anyone has to help would be greatly appreciated. I hate being so crazy and having to pay attention to everything I eat like this. Does anyone know if I am even properly absorbing all these calories anyway and I should not be stressing?

[CaraLouise]

I graduated last December, but I was the same way as you. I was diagnosed with Celiac right before my sophomore year. I lost a lot of weight after being considered obese and I did not want to gain it back, so I went on a little exercise and food obsession. I am doing better now and after getting celiac under control I feel better too. One way that I have to fill up is by adding a lot of low-calorie dense foods like vegetables and fruits. I still watch my calories because I tend to lose weight if I don't. If you want to message me that is fine, I would be more then willing to talk to you. By the way, where do you go to college??

[Arpita]

When I get little bits of gluten in my diet, I get a "hungry" feeling even if I just ate. I also had a similar problem as yours when I first going off gluten and didn't yet have a firm grasp that I might be getting gluten in my diet or getting foods contaminated with gluten (and before I went dairy free). It is hard without meat. I would try eating more nuts or nut bars (like Larabar), making quick sweet breads, eating chips, etc. Maybe add some iron and B-12 to your diet also, as many celiacs are low in those areas from gluten, and these are vitamins that are more difficult to get when are vegetarian. Hang in there. It's possible that the longer you are gluten free, the more your eating swings will calm down.

[maccygirly]

Yeah, I definately am still getting the gluten somehow... I have to be because I'm still getting sick. I'm pretty strict with everything too so I haven't a clue how I'm still getting it. The hardest thing with me is that crazy out-of-control carb craving I get oh every hour. I'm slowly getting the hang of it though so hopefully this will end up working out for me sooner rather than later. Its nice to know I'm not the only one going crazy here. Oh and CaraLouise, I'm at Miami University in Ohio.

[confusedks]

Maccygirly,

I can totally understand what you're going through. I have the carb cravings, sugar, etc. It is really hard because I feel like I'm starving myself and should be losing weight, but I don't lose an ounce. Then I end up eating everything in site because I was depriving myself. I have put on few pounds over this summer break and I'm so frustrated! I want to lost the weight, but it will take time. I am also on BC pills...hormones do WONDERS to the appetite!!!!

Kassandra

[kbtoyssni]

I'd suggest trying to eat plenty of protein to help you not get hungry. Planning out what you want to eat at night when you get hungry can be helpful, too. If you're studying until midnight or later, it is perfectly reasonable to eat a second dinner around 10 or 11pm if you ate your first dinner at 6pm, and you're probably better off making a dinner rather than snacking on junk food. Thinking can burn a lot of calories.

You could also check out what resources your campus offers. There might be a nutritionist, psychologist, and/or fitness trainer you could talk. I'd encourage you to discuss this with professionals rather than your girlfriends to avoid triggering each other into bad food and exercise habits.

[kevieb]

please see a counselor----this sounds like eating disorder behavior. my daughter spent 3 months in the hospital because of an eating disorder---and they couldn't keep her gluten free.

[ilikechaitea04]

Hey there! You're not alone. You sound just like me. I am a sophomore in college and I had felt sick for so long before I got tested for Celiac that once I was tested and figured out that was my problem I've been a maniac with excersizing and controlling whatever I put in my mouth.

I dropped 20 lbs. 112-95. The worst part was, I didn't even realize it. I thought I was just being careful.

Well I am now in the process of trying to gain weight, and trust me...it's not fun. Once your body hits such a low weight your metabolism slows down because it thinks you're starving in the desert (a natural survival instinct). Then when you start eating more again you feel bloated and tired because your body is trying to get used to processing so much again.

Something that would be helpful would be going to see a psychotherapist. I am currently seeing one and she has helped me greatly deal with all this and make a game plan for getting better.

There is a light at the end of the tunnel!

[spanish-road]

Simple, 3 meals balanced with starches, proteins, veggies. This will make you feel better and give you the energy you need. Its like a fire, if you load up a fire all at once it dies and burns poorly, but if you feed it the right amount it burns hot and long. Im no expert on whats going on inside so this is just an idea that i have.