From Erica, Age 15 - 01/17/10 - IP#: 71.225.67.xxx  Click here to reply  
Ht. 5'8", Start: 240 lb, Today: 240 lb (BMI %tile: 98), Goal: 170 lb - Hey, I'm Erica. So I completely forgot about this site for a couple years. I haven't been on in 2 or 3 years, and I realized from looking at my old posts that in that time I've gained at least 60 pounds. I've tried on and off to lose weight and it's just not working. I'm so addicted to food, I don't know what to do. In the past year or so I've also gotten into the terrible habit of ordering take out when no one else is home... secretly, of course, because I order a ton of unhealthy food. So because of this I've been gaining a lot of weight and spending so much money. I just don't know what to do anymore. I went to the gym with my mom for a few months but now probably haven't been in over a year. I'm barely exercising and eating a ton. I just don't know what to do anymore. Does anyone have any advice? I'm just feeling really stuck. Thanks.
Reply from Taylor, Age 16 - 01/17/10  - IP#: 75.66.56.xxx
The key is you know you're problem, you're ordering unhealthy food when no one is home. So to start, you have to stop. If it's something you can't do on your own, then confess to your family, so they know and won't let you do it. Put your money in a bank and save for something you really want instead of always spending it on junk food. If it's too tempting then have your parents hold your money for you until you have something you want to buy (that isn't food), or get a bank that you have to break to get the money out. (They're hard to find nowadays, but they do still make them. That way once you put it away to be saved you won't be able to get it out again for a while.) You know your issues, so really you SHOULD know what to do. It may not be easy to do, but it must be done. Once you get your eating habits under control, start adding in regular exercise. If you feel your binging habits are something you CANNOT control on your own, it's IMPERATIVE you see a doctor. You could very well suffer from an eating disorder, called binge eating disorder, which is of course extremely unhealthy, and you'll most likely need professional help to recover as eating disorders usually go A LOT deeper than just eating issues and body image issues etc. Good luck and best wishes to you. <3
 
Reply from Christine, Age 17 - 01/17/10  - IP#: 70.41.94.xxx
I used to eat secretly as well -- I'd go to the store and buy tons of junk food or else order fast food and chow down whenever people were gone. My solution: be around people more. Join some after-school clubs, join your family whenever they go out instead of staying alone at home, set up Skype or some other face-to-face IMing and talk to friends when you're at home.