Do I qualify here?

[EveryWoman]

I am still considered "obese". However I have lost over 110 pounds recently. I severely restrict my intake. At this point on I'm on day 27 without eating more than a few hundred calories a day. (300-400 tops). For 18 of those days I didn't eat anything at all. I have about 80 pounds until I'm in the BMI for my height/weight ratio.

So what do I have? I do purge on occasion, but it's a rareity. I just starve. Period.

[Patricia Pitts, PhD]

Dear EveryWoman,

I understand you are quite driven to lose your weight.  I am gravely concerned with the way in which you are losing it.

Starving oneself and rapid weight loss is extremely difficult and damaging to the body.  Starving also often leads to binges and purging behavior.  I would recommend that you seek medical and psychological support as you continue your weight loss.

For more information in eating disorders, visit the bella vita website.

Best,
Dr. Patricia Pitts
The Bella Vita
Los Angeles, CA

[EveryWoman]

I do exercise as well. It's just I can't seem to eat. I don't like the way food even feels moving/digesting through my stomach. I panic when I feel it. Starvation just feels right to me, going on 40 days of not eating feels right. Now that I've gotten this far I just don't want to start eating again. Even if I do eat again how am I going to transition from one to the other. Then throw into it the "freak out" over stomach digesting my food. Thanks for responding I appreciate it. I've had many blood tests recently (including fasting glucose and such) and all my metabolic panels looks normal. That just makes me think (irrationally I'm sure) that "wow, if I'm ok, then I should just keep on". It's such a vicious cycle.

[Encephalomalcia]

I am not a doctor, but can you try fruit and vegetables.  Organic green beans have hardly any calories.  My husband is starting a fruit and vegetable diet and I think it will be a healthy one for him as he has high cholesterol and blood pressure.  It is not good to not eat anything at all.  Think what it does to your blood sugar.  You don't want to increase chances for diabetes as articles have linked some forms of diabetes to eating too infrequently.  Actually, the articles recommended eating something every 2 hours.  Excerise is good for taking off weight and healthy to increase muscle strength.  Feels so good to be strong.