[stephiifaye92]

Im 16, I weigh about 125 lbs. Im maybe 5' 8". My eating habbits have changed a lot. I used to be able to eat three full meals a day. And now Im only eating supper. Its not even a full meal, its normally just a sandwich, or some ravioli, sometimes I dont finish the can.
And the reason for eating so little is because of my insecurities. My father always tells me lately that I need to start exercising, and that Im getting a bit of a stomach going on, when I really havent changed in weight for a long time. The other day I went to grab a piece of cake, it would have been my second, and he says "Bread is fattening, you might want to eat something else if you want a snack" And he always compares me to my friend, who weighs the same as I do, she just has a flat stomach. We're the same size in everything.
Anyways, I havent been eating breakfast for over a few months now, occasionally I have it once a weekend. And for the last week and a half I havent been eating lunch, but I hide the money I get for it and keep in in my drawer so that it looks like I spent it.

[dancerrox]

heyy, i have the same issue in my family except its my mom thats constantly nagging on me about my weight... perhaps taking a more healthy approach is better, its always best to take baby steps when changing diets. not to be lecturing, but breakfast is the most important meal of the day, even a yogurt will be okay. idk, thats just me but if you want to talk to someone i'll be there =)

[ScaredSad]

Well, by diagnostic criteria, you technically aren't anorexic until your behaviors have persisted to a point of low-weight of a certain percentage for a certain duration of time.

It sounds like you are starting to have some disordered eating patterns.

If you are aware, why are you still continuing down this road? Is it a compulsion or a choice?

If it's a choice, stop, immediately. You are harming your body tremendously. Estrogen is stored in fat so when you lose all your fat, you will not be able to store estrogen, testosterone will take over, and you will start to grow masculine hair. Your entire way of thinking will change.

Food is fuel. Food allows your body to produce the chemicals it needs for survival. Including good mental health... if you lack those chemicals, you will start to experience depression, anxiety, paranoia, and even fullblow hallucinations and psychosis.

Not to mention the fact that starving yourself is only going to ruin any chance you have of being able to stay naturally slim. Your metabolism will go out of whack and will never snap back making your weight yo yo.

If what you are experiecing is an uncontrollable compulsion, then get help, immediately. I have been there and I know that it can feel like a swirl of energy in your brain all at once. Taking a bite, spitting it out, cutting crusts off of bread, feeding extra scraps to animals, never eating alone and only in front of people and only then because you know they'll suspect. That's no way to go through life.

It sounds like you could use the counseling anyway to deal with the criticisms your family is dishing out. I don't know you guys, so I have place to judge the dynamic... but it will be helpful for you to have someone to process this stuff with over time.

Good luck. be well.

[stephiifaye92]

Its a compulsion. I cant help it, Im not hungry anymore. Such as today when I have only eaten a piece of pizza and a sandwich. Im not doing this to drag attention to myself, I know I need help, I just dont know how to ask. My dad denies anything is wrong with me, he says Im just a normal teenager going through changes in life, with racing hormones and trying to fit in.
Truth is, its the exact opposite.
This is why Im trying trying to get help on here, no one here judges me, at least not ina negative way, they see it as I have an understandable problem. And I just wish I had that with the people I live around.

[lifelesstraveled]

Originally Posted by stephiifaye92

Its a compulsion. I cant help it, Im not hungry anymore. Such as today when I have only eaten a piece of pizza and a sandwich. Im not doing this to drag attention to myself, I know I need help, I just dont know how to ask. My dad denies anything is wrong with me, he says Im just a normal teenager going through changes in life, with racing hormones and trying to fit in.
Truth is, its the exact opposite.
This is why Im trying trying to get help on here, no one here judges me, at least not ina negative way, they see it as I have an understandable problem. And I just wish I had that with the people I live around.

You are insightful that something is not right. I didn't even realize what I was doing until I was too far in it. I honestly dont know what sparked mine (I just started therapy so we will probably get to it) but I had gotten down to 100 pounds and my parents were THRILLED not concerned, about my discipline, but they didn't know that I was torturing myself and I didn't tell them because i was embarrassed.

In my opinion I feel like people with eating disorders don't realize what they are doing in the beginning (at least from my experience) and anorexics, from what I have read don't think they have a problem and are unwilling to seek treatment because of it. VS Bulimics who are embarrassed by what they do and feel guilty about it and are probably more likely to get treatment. But I could be wrong.

If you feel like you have a problem talk to a school councelor or psychologist, especially if you feel like your parents aren't listening to your concerns. The reasons for you not being hungry could be a number of things like anxiety or depression or stress as well. Please keep that in mind as well. I am not an expert on eating disorders.

[e_sort]

lots of times eating disorders start when someone like a parent or relative makes a comment like your dad's, or tries to control your weight by putting you on a diet or saying what you should or shouldn't eat. Most women do not naturally have totally flat stomachs, even if they are slender like you.

scaredsad is right that dieting will ruin your metabolism. Do not go hungry, do not deprive yourself of food no matter if you think it is bad food or good food or whatever. Eat what your body tells you to eat when you are hungry, and get a little exercise, and you will be fine for the rest of your life. Take it from me and probably everyone here that it will ruin your life if you go down this dieting road.

Believe me I know it is hard to speak up to your parents. Mine used to constantly make comments about their AND my body and weight (which is higher than I'd like but hardly noteworthy) until I told them I never wanted to hear another word about it, and yeah they were offended but I am much happier now. Of course I was in my 20s. It's much harder for you.

Nobody has a right to comment on your body and your weight, not even your dad. If you have the kind of relationship where you can tell him it's none of his business, that you are a healthy weight, and that you don't need to hear any further comments about it, that would be great. Otherwise... just keep it in mind that he is completely out of line, and come here for support. Or try to get it at school. Maybe someone else could talk to him about it.

[e_sort]

Originally Posted by lifelesstraveled

but I had gotten down to 100 pounds and my parents were THRILLED not concerned, about my discipline, but they didn't know that I was torturing myself and I didn't tell them because i was embarrassed.

I had the same experience, except they did know what I was doing to diet and being control freaks themselves thought it was a good thing. Parents are only human and they are WRONG sometimes.

[luckyyouxx]

Originally Posted by stephiifaye92

Im 16, I weigh about 125 lbs. Im maybe 5' 8". My eating habbits have changed a lot. I used to be able to eat three full meals a day. And now Im only eating supper. Its not even a full meal, its normally just a sandwich, or some ravioli, sometimes I dont finish the can.
And the reason for eating so little is because of my insecurities. My father always tells me lately that I need to start exercising, and that Im getting a bit of a stomach going on, when I really havent changed in weight for a long time. The other day I went to grab a piece of cake, it would have been my second, and he says "Bread is fattening, you might want to eat something else if you want a snack" And he always compares me to my friend, who weighs the same as I do, she just has a flat stomach. We're the same size in everything.
Anyways, I havent been eating breakfast for over a few months now, occasionally I have it once a weekend. And for the last week and a half I havent been eating lunch, but I hide the money I get for it and keep in in my drawer so that it looks like I spent it.

sweetie, no offense but your dad is being a prick, im sure he is a great guy but the way he is treating you is unacceptable. he is probably picking you apart because he feels bad about his own insecurities.
standing as tall as you are at 125, you are NOT fat, you are no where near being fat.
you are at the age where maybe excersizing would be a good idea, but you shouldnt be thinking about losing weight, just staying healthy. don't punish yourself, you have no reason to.
if you are not hungry, eat something anyway. it doesnt have to be big, like someone said, eat a yogurt or some carrots... grapes... granola bar, anything.
you do not want to have an eating disorder, it consumes you and takes over you and everything you are.
try talking to your dad and saying that he is hurting you by saying these things.

go check out the boards at somethingfishy.com there is a lot there about eating disorders and a ton of support there as well
good luck