Re: Super low cal diets

[Guest guest]

You know, Amy -- I never understood the low calorie thing either.

What a surprise to find myself doing it.

In a perverted sort of way, I am grateful for the experience.

Because now I *know* what it's like. No more foolish fantasies.

But you know, there's a really odd kind of safety in restricting

your food. Like the fat monster won't get you.

And I did *not* trust my body. I was sure it was out to get me. I'm

still not sure I am totally trusting, but I feel like I simply have

no other choice -- it's this or the looney bin.

There are just sooooo many messages out there saying " eat less - eat

less - eat less. " And so many tricks to pretend you're not hungry --

as if hunger is pathological!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So how do you help someone? I wish I had a good answer. Things go so

awry in your head when you're starving, it's hard to describe. I

have had to build up an immunity of sorts - because when I'm around

people like that, I tend to get " triggered. "

In fact, I have a sister who has struggled with eating disorders for

probably 25 years now. I have watched her behaviors intensify over

the last couple of years. But she is thrilled to be thin - so what

can I say? I fear for her, though.

The road back to wellness for people in that situation is rocky, and

very lonely -- so how do you tell someone they should take it?

I suppose it would depend how " deep " they are into the behavior. I

loved how you used the word " gently, " though. I'm sure that's part

of it. Well.... maybe you just have to let you intuition guide you,

eh? :-)

>

> Good point, . I really didn't think about this case.

>

> I've never really understood the super low calorie diet or why

> someone would follow that path. However, I see it is accepted by

so

> many...young women in particular. I come across individuals in

one

> of these programs, and I want to help them, but I don't know how.

> Do you have any recommendations? Is there anything that I can say

> that would help gently push them in the direction of IE?

>

> Amy

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the insight, . The lack of trust in one's body

does seem to be a common theme. Many of the people I encounter seem

to think they are unusual...that something is wrong with their body

such that good nutrition does not apply to them. I think I can sort

of relate,having that belief in my past. Hopefully, that will help

me choose the right words.

> >

> > Good point, . I really didn't think about this case.

> >

> > I've never really understood the super low calorie diet or why

> > someone would follow that path. However, I see it is accepted

by

> so

> > many...young women in particular. I come across individuals in

> one

> > of these programs, and I want to help them, but I don't know

how.

> > Do you have any recommendations? Is there anything that I can

say

> > that would help gently push them in the direction of IE?

> >

> > Amy

> >

>