[okiedokie]

Hi Everyone,
I don't usually post here because I haven't suffered from an ED for 25 years. It's true, it is always somewhere there in the back of your mind, but haven't been anorexic for 25 years!

Now, I hear at work they are starting the Biggest Loser contest (after the TV show of the same name.) They will be forming teams, having weigh-ins and all that crap.

The problem is this: The anorexic in me is rising to the top. I want to win the contest. People are already running around recruiting others to be on their team. Four people have asked that I be on their team. I want to win! They are even going to offer prizes, although I don't know what they are. My whole point would be to lose the most weight. Period. Partly because I know I could.

Is this just absurd or what? Any guidance would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Okie

[drunksunflower]

To me that is setting yourself up for a DISASTER.

I thought you worked in the health industry?

i didn't think they'd be promoting what is often pretty much crash dieting (IMO from watching the programmes, it's a huge change in a short space of time).

Although a lot of Americans are obese ... perhaps it is a good thing ...?

is the notion that there are a lot of people at work who are very overweight? maybe the idea is... for them to participate so they bring their weight into normal range?

i was concerned about the US biggest loser because it did seem to me that they were doing very restrictive eating (along with dehydration before weigh-ins).

the australian biggest loser made a bit deal about how one of the guys who wasn't eating his reccomended calorie intake was pooping out during training. part of his process was learning to appreciate that he needed to input the calories in order to expend the energy in exercise.

that may well happen with the US one too but they didn't show us that side of it.

[lil_bit]

I agree with drunkensunflower here OK. I see how such a competition could be a fun way for some people to drop their weight from the obese to the normal range. But...to me it spells disaster.

Maybe just remember that it's not all on you to win, so you can put in your two cents without letting the weight loss craze completely take over you?

gl,
lil

[drunksunflower]

I obviously have NO idea of your BMI or anything ... but if you want to participate and REALLY REALLY REALLY want to - can you work out the maximum you can safely lose to stay well within the 'healthy' range?

I would even go so far as suggesting that there needs to be some control over this in the competition?

Like people need to work out the max they can safely lose - you know?

What concerns me is that this may affect people in their JOB if they try and do it unsafely - who wants dazed, faint workers? I am sure it is all cool but still - that kinda concerns me ...

Lil bit's advice is good ...

[okiedokie]

Hi,
I do work in the health industry and have gone on record that this type of contest is a bad idea. But, everyone wants to do it so I'm outnumbered.

I don't even have that much weight I can lose. Probably 20 pounds give or take. I have a couple of colleagues already taking diet pills, diuretics, etc. gearing up for this darn contest! Eating disorders don't really care what industry you work in, that's for sure!

You're right, the fact that I'm even posting about this is that it probably would be a disaster for me....

Thanks for responding!
Okie

[drunksunflower]

I think you are being very sensible ...

[Raindrizzle]

I know what your talking about! I too, was in that same boat. The biggest loser show has come out with work out videos and such. They really do give you a work out, i like them alot. unfortunately all my family is over weight exept me. So typically they wanted to go on the biggest loser diet and see who out of our family could lose the most weight.

It was horrible. I used my ED to win of course. But remember, on the Biggest Loser, they didnt do how much weight, they did fat percentage. So be careful because you are just doing unnessecary damage to your body and not reaching the diets core goal.

[drunksunflower]

Fat percentage being BMI?

[Direction]

I think it would be clear that you would win - give someone else a chance

In all seriousness - it will suck you into old habits...stay as far as you can from this contest.

[itspeaks]

I think it would be a bad idea for you to participate in the contest.

drunksunflower-
BMI stands for Body Mass Index, it's different than the fat percentage.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Body_mass_index

Ohhhhhhhhhhh..... I can "feel" the challenge myself... and I am not even there...

my very humble opinion (person with an ED here)

you win by not participating .... so you've already won...