There are some days when I feel like I'm really getting past some of my "issues" with food and obsessive dieting. I will let myself eat what I want, when I want, which is a huge step. Then, it never fails that at the end of these days that someone will comment, "Wow, it's so great that you're finally EATING again! I'm so glad to see you EAT that! You ATE so well!" Or whatever, and of course that sends me into this angry rage with myself. I can't win. If I don't eat, I get yelled at and people are upset with me. If I do eat, so much attention is directed towards it that it makes me guilty and upset and makes me NOT want to eat.

Can anyone offer advice? I'm not at the stage where I think I have an eating disorder, but this has become a frustrating aspect of my life.

I know how you feel. It makes you feel so bad when people make those comments about how your eating so well or you ate good today. It drives me nuts when people saw that. Then you feel equaliy as bad when they get mad at you for undereating. Well I dont have any advice since Im in the same boat myself. I just wanted you to know I know how you feel.

Hey girls,
I know exactly how you feel. After a while, though, I really couldn't take it. It kept setting me back. So I explained this to my family and friends, and even though other people still do it sometimes, it doesn't affect me anymore. You should talk to your family and friends, because the thing is you *shouldn't* feel bad when you give your body the fuel it needs to survive and function! And they just want to support you, because I'm sure when they see you eat they feel relieved, you know? They're hurting too, it's important to remember that. So try telling them that in order for you to recover, you need to be treated like everyone else regarding food and eating. Hope it helps. Take care and God Bless.

yep, just backing up what sincerity said. You HAVE TO tell them. they don't understand and they think their comments are helpful and encouraging. but "Ed" morphs those comments into something terrible and we HATE when people comment on our food, weight, exercise, etc. So, really, the only option is to tell people what bothers you. Tell them you realize that it's irrational, but when they say "Great! You're looking *so* much healthier and more beautiful" (for example), we hear "Nice work, fat a$$. Not only have you failed, but you also look like a huge blubber butt and EVERYONE can see that. Ha ha, fatty!" Really, telling them works great! You feel a little embarrassed when you do it, but it's SO helpful for keeping your recovery moving forward.

(And trust me, as you get further along in recovery, you'll begin to LIKE and even agree with those comments. But first things first!)

Ha, no kidding Jonistyle. Thank you all for your support; it's nice to know that other people experience the same thing. I'm not sure my parents fully comprehend this whole mental illusion-- I feel that if I told them how it made me feel they would flip out and make me feel even worse about it.

no sweetie, i promise they wouldn't! what if you just said, "mom/dad, it makes me kind of uncomfortable when you talk about my weight, so can we just consider that topic "off limits" unless my weight seems dangerously low and you think i need help?" That's a very unobtrusive way to tell them and you don't have to worry about them freaking out about the mental stuff and just not understanding even more, you know? I think that's basically what I said to my mom way back when. Something like, "mom, i don't like when you talk about anything related to my body because it makes me self-conscious and uncomfortable, so can we just not talk about it?" and she was totally cool. please try it ... it'll make the day-to-day SO much easier!