BeautifulSilence
December 9th, 2008, 04:44 PM
Are You Maintaining
a Healthy Weight?
By Abigail Natenshon
Author of When Your Child Has An Eating Disorder (http://www.treatingeatingdisorders.com/empoweredkidz/EKTips03.htm)
Some people have lost track of how to tell if they are a healthy weight. Some kids compare themselves to the skinniest people they know, to the actresses on television or to the models in the fashion magazines in an effort to know if they are at an acceptable weight.
A healthy weight is not simply a matter of pounds. Rather, it is a stable weight that you can maintain. A healthy weight is different for every person, depending on body type and bone size, age, overall health, and hereditary conditions in your family.
Have you ever heard of a “set point” weight. That is the weight that your body feels most comfortable at, where it is its healthiest and most fit. For adolescent girls, this weight will support a regular, monthly menstrual period. You will know when you are at your set point weight because though you may gain or lose a little weight, it will never be more than a few pounds in either direction.
Being active and eating well can help you reach and maintain a healthier weight.
If you feel that you must lose weight in order to be healthier, remember:
* Never diet. Dieting deprives your body of the nutrition it needs.
* Eat differently, not less.
* Eat foods that are nutritious, that you enjoy, and that satisfy your hunger.
* Keep a variety of nutritious foods on hand so you have a choice of what to eat when you are hungry.
* Add new foods to what you eat now, making your menus diverse.
* Eat slowly and enjoy every bite.
* Don’t ever skip a meal.
* Sit down to eat.
* Be sure to include healthy snacks in your day.
* Make sure that the fruits and vegetables you eat are fresh and delicious.
* Stay physically active.
* Eat protein, fats and carbohydrates at every meal.
Enjoying tasty foods is one of life’s greatest pleasures. Sharing a meal is also a great way to relax, communicate and enjoy time with family and friends.
Eating Disorder Treatment and Recovery (http://www.helpguide.[/COLOR]org/mental/eating_disorder_self_help.htm)
Help for Eating Disorders
The inner voices of any eating disorder will whisper that you’ll never be happy unless you gain complete control over what you eat or how you look. But the truth is that happiness and self-esteem come from loving yourself for who you truly are –and that’s only possible with recovery.
It may seem like there’s no escape from your eating disorder, but recovery is within your reach. With treatment, support from others, and smart self-help strategies, you can overcome your eating disorder and gain true self-confidence.
Eating disorder recovery
The road to eating disorder recovery starts with admitting you have a problem. This admission can be tough, especially if you’re still clinging to the belief –even in the back of your mind– that weight loss is the key to happiness, confidence, and success. Even when you finally understand that food, excercise and self harm aren't the only control you have, old habits are hard to break.
The good news is that the eating disorder behaviors you’ve learned can be unlearned. That doesn’t mean the process is smooth, quick, or easy, but you can do it if you’re motivated to change and willing to ask for help. However, eating disorder recovery is about more than giving up unhealthy eating behaviors. Overcoming an eating disorder is also about rediscovering who you are beyond your eating habits, weight, and body image.
True recovery from eating disorders involve:
* Learning to listen to your body
* Learning to listen to your feelings
* Learning to trust yourself
* Learning to accept yourself
* Learning to love yourself
This may seem like a lot to tackle, but just remember that you’re not alone. Help for eating disorders is out there; all you have to do is ask! [/COLOR]
Click here for Something-Fishy.org. It's a helpful site, containing lots of information, support and advice about eating disorders. It also has lots of links to other sites which can offer additional help for your specific eating disorders like anorexia or bulima. (http://www.something-fishy.org/sitemap.php)
BMI calculator:
http://apps.nccd.cdc.gov/dnpabmi/Calculator.aspx
BMI Weight Status
Below 18.5 Underweight
18.5 - 24.9 Normal
25.0 - 29.9 Overweight
30.0 and Above Obese
Note that these calculators are not entirely accurate. If your body is mostly muscle, you'll weight more and it may think you are obese when you are actually not (for example)
a Healthy Weight?
By Abigail Natenshon
Author of When Your Child Has An Eating Disorder (http://www.treatingeatingdisorders.com/empoweredkidz/EKTips03.htm)
Some people have lost track of how to tell if they are a healthy weight. Some kids compare themselves to the skinniest people they know, to the actresses on television or to the models in the fashion magazines in an effort to know if they are at an acceptable weight.
A healthy weight is not simply a matter of pounds. Rather, it is a stable weight that you can maintain. A healthy weight is different for every person, depending on body type and bone size, age, overall health, and hereditary conditions in your family.
Have you ever heard of a “set point” weight. That is the weight that your body feels most comfortable at, where it is its healthiest and most fit. For adolescent girls, this weight will support a regular, monthly menstrual period. You will know when you are at your set point weight because though you may gain or lose a little weight, it will never be more than a few pounds in either direction.
Being active and eating well can help you reach and maintain a healthier weight.
If you feel that you must lose weight in order to be healthier, remember:
* Never diet. Dieting deprives your body of the nutrition it needs.
* Eat differently, not less.
* Eat foods that are nutritious, that you enjoy, and that satisfy your hunger.
* Keep a variety of nutritious foods on hand so you have a choice of what to eat when you are hungry.
* Add new foods to what you eat now, making your menus diverse.
* Eat slowly and enjoy every bite.
* Don’t ever skip a meal.
* Sit down to eat.
* Be sure to include healthy snacks in your day.
* Make sure that the fruits and vegetables you eat are fresh and delicious.
* Stay physically active.
* Eat protein, fats and carbohydrates at every meal.
Enjoying tasty foods is one of life’s greatest pleasures. Sharing a meal is also a great way to relax, communicate and enjoy time with family and friends.
Eating Disorder Treatment and Recovery (http://www.helpguide.[/COLOR]org/mental/eating_disorder_self_help.htm)
Help for Eating Disorders
The inner voices of any eating disorder will whisper that you’ll never be happy unless you gain complete control over what you eat or how you look. But the truth is that happiness and self-esteem come from loving yourself for who you truly are –and that’s only possible with recovery.
It may seem like there’s no escape from your eating disorder, but recovery is within your reach. With treatment, support from others, and smart self-help strategies, you can overcome your eating disorder and gain true self-confidence.
Eating disorder recovery
The road to eating disorder recovery starts with admitting you have a problem. This admission can be tough, especially if you’re still clinging to the belief –even in the back of your mind– that weight loss is the key to happiness, confidence, and success. Even when you finally understand that food, excercise and self harm aren't the only control you have, old habits are hard to break.
The good news is that the eating disorder behaviors you’ve learned can be unlearned. That doesn’t mean the process is smooth, quick, or easy, but you can do it if you’re motivated to change and willing to ask for help. However, eating disorder recovery is about more than giving up unhealthy eating behaviors. Overcoming an eating disorder is also about rediscovering who you are beyond your eating habits, weight, and body image.
True recovery from eating disorders involve:
* Learning to listen to your body
* Learning to listen to your feelings
* Learning to trust yourself
* Learning to accept yourself
* Learning to love yourself
This may seem like a lot to tackle, but just remember that you’re not alone. Help for eating disorders is out there; all you have to do is ask! [/COLOR]
Click here for Something-Fishy.org. It's a helpful site, containing lots of information, support and advice about eating disorders. It also has lots of links to other sites which can offer additional help for your specific eating disorders like anorexia or bulima. (http://www.something-fishy.org/sitemap.php)
BMI calculator:
http://apps.nccd.cdc.gov/dnpabmi/Calculator.aspx
BMI Weight Status
Below 18.5 Underweight
18.5 - 24.9 Normal
25.0 - 29.9 Overweight
30.0 and Above Obese
Note that these calculators are not entirely accurate. If your body is mostly muscle, you'll weight more and it may think you are obese when you are actually not (for example)