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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 2 of 2. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by LOOPS on March 16, 2006, at 12:06:01
Hi people -
I haven't visited here for awhile - hope you're all ok.
Just thought I would update on my progress regarding bulimia - I'm now at 7 months without a single purge which is a record for me.
So I know some of you might not agree with this, but I found a way out of the cycle eating a low-carbohydrate diet. That meant eating as much as I wanted of natural fats (especially animal fat), sufficient protein (again that one is self-limiting as I can't binge on protein), and low-carb vegetables. Cheese, cream and butter also allowed - unlimited amounts. I also eat nuts, but do limit these as it is easy to binge on them.
I know all the news says oh it's bad for your kidneys etc, but that is only if you eat high PROTEIN. I eat high fat and am doing very very very well.
The first few weeks are hard, because you have to give up eating carbs and switch to metabolism running off fat, but after this it is a doddle. I have NOT gained lots of weight - I have lost the weight I was gaining through bingeing before.
I do not restrict food now - just carbs. Initially I was eating quite a lot, and gained a couple of pounds, and then it all just came off after a couple weeks on the program.
Anyway, I'd suffered from bulimia for a very long time before this, and nothing ever seemed to work. And for me, it isn't just all psychological - it is a physical hunger as well. I can say that because now I'm not restricting calories and don't have that overwhelming need to binge. If I'm very hungry I eat a very fatty meal and then I am fine.
My weight before was slowly going up over time, despite not eating much (coupled with regular binge/purge sessions). It was absolutely impossible for me to eat 'normally' and not gain a ton of weight.
Anyway I hope that might be of use - I must add that I think if you are underweight to start with you probably will gain muscle weight on low-carb as your body refeeds. I was in the normal range when I began (I felt over though), but even I have lost around 8lbs very gradually.
Best thing is I no longer obsess about food - plus I get to eat as much as I want which has been a real blessing after years of panicking after every morsel went into my mouth.
Loops
Posted by LOOPS on April 29, 2006, at 19:10:29
In reply to A possible way out...my experiences, posted by LOOPS on March 16, 2006, at 12:06:01
I'm now going on 8/9 months without a single binge/purge, and without any effort these days. I'm not boasting - I am truly relieved to tell you the truth.
The other things that have been key for me are supplementing a multivitamin, plus lots of extra magnesium, some zinc and fish oil. The fish oil and magnesium have been very important in treating the depression and sleep disturbances that were plaguing me along with the bulimia.
I am presently the lightest weight I've been, but not underweight. I'm 5'6 and weigh 138lbs - a lot of that is muscle as I train everyday for tennis and also swim/run. I eat around 2300 Kcals a day. Sometimes more. Before I was around 150 lbs + and starving myself on about 1300 Kcals a day - also the bingeing and purging before.
Well anyway - I want to keep this updated in case it all goes to pot, but my guess is it won't.
I hope you're all well!
Loops
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