bad day - Eating Disorder Recovery Message Board

LilyElise · 05-12-2001, 11:06 PM

Just a warning i'm about to whine!! I had one of the worst days ever today!! The only thing I ate today was water and I feel really light headed and just generally bad. My gymnastics is looking rank and my coach is mad. I passed out in practice and my hair is coming out and feels really dry. I love college, but right now the stress from my classes is piling up. There just aren't enough hours in the day for studying and at least 7-8 hours of gymnastics and running. I feel like i'm at the end of my rope and I really don't know what to do about it. If I gain weight my coach will kill me and my parents agree with anything he says. I can't give up gymnastics b/c it defines me i've been doing it for 17 years(since I was 3). That's just too much to give up!!! Have you ever felt like this before? Sorry for whining so much I just had to get this off my chest.
Lily

Persophone · 05-13-2001, 04:23 AM

Lily Elise,

I'm sorry you are having such a rough time :-( It sounds to me though like if you gained even just a little that that added strength would most likely improve your gymnastics... It's sad your parents and coach can't see that... There is no point in striving to be the best if you are to weak to compete

I can understand your commitment to the sport...I know what that is like I was very competitive in show jumping (equestrian events) but when it gets to the point that your hair is falling out you cannot deny that you are not malnourished... your health has to come first.

Rachel

Persophone · 05-13-2001, 04:32 AM

I am not sure if this is appropriate but I mean this to be helpful and if it isn't I apologize...

This is a low calorie high protein breakfast omelette I created so that I can get more protein without anymore calories...

Pam
9 Tablespoons liquid eggwhites (called "Allwhites" comes in a carton like eggbeaters)
1/4 green pepper chopped tiny
1/4 tomato chopped tiny
1/4 cup Kraft Fat Free shredded chedder cheese
salt and pepper to taste

this omelette has 140 calories and 34grams of protein...

For comparison 1 serving of Post Bran flakes with 1/2 cup skim milk(which I was eating for breakfast) also has 140 calories but only has 10grams of protein (that includes the milk)

and I find this omelette as filling if not more so...

obviously this is still not enough protein alone but a big improvement (I think we are suppossed to get a minimum of 50gms a day)

Rachel

LilyElise · 05-13-2001, 11:25 AM

Rachel,
Thankx for the recipe. That many calories scares me but i'll try it when i'm having a good day. I know in my head that if I gain weight it would be a good thing but then I look in the mirror and all I see is fat.
My coach is really getting down on me lately which in a way is a good thing b/c that means he thinks i'm worth wasting his time on. For example today he pulled me into his office and told me I wasn't putting in enough hours and that I was eating too much. One of the ways he tells if his "girls" are getting enough practice time in is if they get their periods which if you're putting in enough hours at the gym you shouldn't so he was questioning me about that too. If I can make it 3 more years(when I graduate from pre-med) i'll be too old to compete and then I can afford to gain weight. I can't deny that I need more nutrition but I can't afford to eat more right now.
You ride!!? Me too!! My family breeds and races horses as a hobby. I love jumping also!! Thankyou for listening and for your advice.
Lily

Emilia · 05-17-2001, 11:43 PM

Hi I used to do gymnastics before too, but that was when I was younger, way before my ED. Anyway, even then, I can understand the pressure you felt from your coaches. Gymnastics is a highly competetive sport, one that focuses a lot on the body. If your hair is falling out and you are passing out, your body is screaming that it is malnutitioned and overworked. Health should be a priority over everything else, because without your life, you would not even be able to do gymnastics! You can still do gymnastics, but maybe not at such a competetive level? Also a tip about hair falling out, they say that protein and fat are good for healthy hair. Good luck with everything
Emilia

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Emilia