Eating Disorders Support Group

Eating disorders are marked by an obsessive need to control the intake and/or purging of food. This community is dedicated to those struggling on the road to recovery. Join to discuss your experience with others and find support. Get advice, ask questions, and meet others who are going through similar struggles.

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Upset about a scale #

mandiiozzanif123
mandiiozzanif123

I've been struggling with an ED for almost 10 years now and I am utterly sick of it. I was in pretty good recovery for about 5 years until recently. I stepped on a scale at the gym at work and the numbers each day were crawling up. At home, first thing in the morning, naked I had stepped on the scale before my boyfreind took it away and it was always around 115-116.5 lbs. At work it was even higher 117-120. Then I fell back into my obsession with calorie counting and reducing a little bit of intake. I restarted seeing my RD and her scale also said 117, but she weighed me later in the day. I am probably freaking out because of a minor fluctuation from water/food, and not making a bowel movement. I read an article in Women's magazine about a dietitian who weighed herself 15 times in one day - and the scale said she gained like almost 10 lbs. all day. It's hard to believe for our own bodies that this is true. I just need to regain some stregnth and stop restricting myself again and be so NUMBER FOCUSED!!!! My RD gave me a range between 115-120 lbs. It's just hard to accept.


Any thoughts or recomendations?? 

oliver87
oliver87
Ban the scale. That's what i did and it helps a lot. I just go by my clothes size and if i'm happy with that or not. I find when scales are involved i start obsessing even more and doing things to make the numbers go down. They are just very bad news for me personally. Only problem is when my anorexia becomes bad now i am terrified of stepping on them now because of the awful memories i had of them from before and without a weight trail they refuse to treat you. It's a bit crazy to be honest as i know for me that fear is a major a part of my anorexia and i almost think they should help me with that rather than refusing to treat me you know.
mandiiozzanif123
mandiiozzanif123
Yeah. Idk what state you’re from but I’m in NJ and they do treat you no matter what. The only thing is you need to get initial blood work done if you’re restricting heavily..
in regards to the scale you’re right it’s best not to know. Because of all the fluctuations it will make us insane even though it may be just water or lack of bowel movement. The sad part is I actually have my degree in nutrition and practiced as a clinical DTR for like 3 years.
Are you looking for a dietitian or a counselor?
oliver87
oliver87
Not from the states actually. I live in the UK. Here you have to be below a certain weight to get accepted into most treatment programs. If you agree to be weighed every time you come then they will offer you some help but hardly any really. Not enough to treat the problem you know. Just not enough funding for them i guess so unless you get really really ill with as in nearly starving to death then you can't get proper help. Ridiculous really!
sonnycamehome
sonnycamehome
Weight definitely fluctuates quite a bit throughout the day and the scale can torture you. I got rid of my scale, and now only get weighed once a month when I go see my psychiatrist. This works much better for me. I hope that you can find the help and support that you need. In the meantime, try not to be so hard on yourself. It doesn't sound like you're gaining weight. Sounds more like normal fluctuations that occur naturally throughout the day.
mandiiozzanif123
mandiiozzanif123
Does your phychiatrist tell you the number ? I told me RD to just tell me a range that I’m in ... the number hurts me and can throw me into depression .
my4boys
my4boys
The scale is EVIL!!!! Dont even look at it. Even Jesus said to not care as much for your body as you would learning about Gods Kingdom. Not a Christian? Ok, then, remember that all scales are different...they are not calibrated - so there numbers are not true. On the first hand, pay attention to how you feel and look....If you feel good and like how you look then GREAT - Forget the scale - it cant measure your health or attractiveness. On the other hand, if you physically feel uncomfortable and see areas of your body that you believe need some EXERCISE to firm and shape, then GO FOR IT (exercise) ! A scale doesnt help you to fix your body... It was a device that weight watchers used to tell thousands of women that they needed to buy their services and food..... God made you perfect. Trust your own opinion of yourself. Your opinion counts!
mandiiozzanif123
mandiiozzanif123
I am a Christian and yes I could use some toning but I get obsessed with exercise so I walk now and than... I don’t wanna become compulsive because I don’t eat enough to exercise. Yes I know all scales are different and I feel like I really haven’t gained any weight it’s just fluctuations.. I eat healthy and my RD just tells me to focus on health. I hate thinking about it so much and getting upset over nothing. And than I have been restricting like 100 calories a day to lose what I think I gained —2 pounds that can’t even be possible. :(
mandiiozzanif123
mandiiozzanif123
I have been eating more foods that I enjoy lately in moderation and I think that’s what’s getting me. Even though I’m not over eating.
APOR2017
APOR2017
I have been there and I can relate with how you are feeling. It is very hard when you are so fixed on the numbers. Maybe take a break from the scale - I know that can be terrifying and the thought of losing control comes to mind, but it is the most freeing decision you can commit to. Trust your doctor and trust your body. Our bodies were made to fluctuate that way for health and survival purposes. I noticed the more restrictive I was with my calories, the more my weight fluctuated when I did feed it. Now that I practice balance, my body has sorted itself out and regulates weight more effectively. If I do gain a few pounds and my clothes feel tighter, it is much easier and quicker to lose the weight because my metabolism is where it needs to be. I truly pray the best for you. I know you can conquer this! I believe in you.
mandiiozzanif123
mandiiozzanif123
thank you. :) I am at a healthy weight and i do not believe it is actually fat gain, because I eat a normal amount of calories.
I am going to try not to be fixated on the numbers because like you said we always fluctuate. And my clothes feel perfectly fine. This is so silly -- thank you for the prayers <3