Any brave mamas (eating disorder related)

KKM

I had an eating disorder in my early 20s.  While I had never felt that I was totally 'cured' I thought I had it pretty well under control.  With my first pregnancy I dont remember feeling so out of control as I do now.  I think the weight gain coupled with the m/s and not working out is the primary cause.  I am guessing this is pretty common, but I am just wondering if anyone else has delt with this, and what helped them. 

lpennie16

I never really had an ED. but based on what you've said its all about control. Is there a way for you to get better control of your life so you don't feel bad about your weight?  Can you make time to work out?

LaLaSweets

Maybe even going for a walk? I hope you feel better ; )

TMs1stBaby

I had an eating disorder also in my early 20s.  It was a long road and I felt that I had totally overcome it, but pregnancy has definitly changed things.  I feel like my ED has reversed and that now I have overeating issues, and then when I'm not pregnant - rare - I know, I yoyo diet and binge and restrict and am all over the place.  I have no advice for you but I wanted to comiserate as I totally know how you feel.  I am hoping that after this pregnancy, I can focus back on a healthy lifestyle and get my head together. 

swedish-fish

First of all,   I wish I had some good, rational advice for you, but (at least for me) that never helped me with my eating disorder.

I'm newly pregnant so I haven't gained weight yet, but I know with last time I started getting very anxious when I started tipping the scale past my "scary weight." 

It helped me to just try and take walks, get fresh air, feel like I was doing something even if my body wasn't up for really working out.  Also, buy some new maternity clothes that make you feel confident and pretty.  It seems like such a small thing, but it makes such a big impact on how you feel.  At least it does for me!

*KatieH*

I was never diagnosed with an eating disorder but I had/have food issues and for me it was/is all about control.   I eat on a schedule whether or not I am hungry if I don't then it starts the cycle where I won't eat.   So I just have to do what I know is right.   Getting pregnant for me was an eye opener I feared having a little girl and passing on my own issues to her.  

CrystalDaun

I had an eating disorder through out my teens & twice in my early 20's. It was hard to overcome. I wouldn't allow a scale in the house for YEARS because I would weigh myself at least two dozen times a day. After DD I was so sickened by how "big" I got. Even though I was in size 8 jeans. This time around I'm nervous too about how I'll see myself after I give birth BUT I have been fine w/ eating & not paying attention to the scale through my preg. w/ DD & this time around. Accepting that your body is just going to be different after giving birth is step #2. I also have a very supportive DH and that really helps. I wish I had better advice.

kelbrian

I actually was suffering pretty horribly when I found out I was pregnant in 2007. The BFP made me stop purging and restricting immediately. It was extremely hard to find a balance between eating too much and eating too little, but I knew that I had to do it. 

I walked a lot throughout that pregnancy. That helped immensely, getting fresh air and a little exercise. I allowed myself to have treats like ice cream. I tried not to stress over weight gain, even though that was really hard.

I know how hard it is, and I'm so sorry that you are struggling with this.  I wish that I had some real words of wisdom, but I don't. I only got through my pregnancy so well because of sheer determination and luck, I think.  

KKM

Thank you so much you guys.  Crappy so many of us have had to deal with this!  I need to start working out again, I know that will help.  I am just surprised at how much more this is bothering me this time than last time.  I think it is because I had a number in my head that I didnt want to gain more than (25lbs not unreasonable) and it looks like I will easily go over that.  I envy the people that can honestly detach themselves from all of the changes that happen during pregnancy and just be happy about them. 

nicoleRI

About 1/2 way through my pregnancy my midwife noticed that I had this fearful look on my face when she weighed me so she asked if I would prefer to turn around on the scale and not tell me the number.  That helped, a lot. She promised to tell me if I was gaining too much or not enough and she would always just tell me it was great.  I honestly don't know exactly what I weighed when DS was born but it did help me not worry about it so much because I was fixating on the number.  GL!

Buckets of Moonbeams

I was anorexic in my late teens.  I would say my disordered eating has been cured, but some of the other issues- a fear of gaining weight, and placing more importance on body image than most people do, are things that I think will follow me around for life.

I really, really hate gaining weight, even for pregnancy, and my weight gain with K was at the absolute minimum.  So far I haven't gained any yet (I'm not TRYING to not gain weight) and this makes me happy, which I know is asinine.

Amrice78

I had one in my teens and early 20s.  I haven't had any real issues with it in the last 5-7 years, but I do still have the control urges.  I still have eating "rules".  I'm sorry you're struggling while you're pregnant.    (((hugs))) honey.

GoodOman9206

I had an ED in my late teens, early 20s. It was very hard for me to deal with the weight gain associated with being PG. The one thing that helped me was talking to my OB. Even though it was hard to start the conversation, she listened and provided me with some helpful info such as what healthly foods would make me feel full without being overly fatty. Also, she keep reinforcing the need to gain weight for the health of my child. This information paired with talking 3 or 4 longer walks a week to help clear my head, I was able to keep my demons under control.....GL!

HisWifeHerMom

I was diagnosed with bulemia in 8th grade. I was never overweight, nor did I feel like I was, but I was a horrible over-eater and once I discovered that vomiting (sorry, TMI) made me feel better and not so full, I began to do it all the time. I never knew the damage it could really do to your body. Once I got older, the body image issues became worse but I have worked hard to keep it under control. I found trying to do light exercises during pregnancy, walking, and getting outside helped. And, sometimes I kept a food diary during pregnancy. I wasn't worried how much I ate because I knew I needed to eat when I was hungry, even if it was a lot! But I tried to make sure my food choices were healthy ones and then I could look back and see how well I was doing. It's hard and it really is all about control. Good luck! PM me if you need to talk.