I feel CV is triggering Previous EDs/bulima

[Borisjohnsonshairbrush]

Just that really, I go to the gym everyday usually and eat a good nutritious diet at least 5 days a week. The roads have been so icey the past few days so running has been a no no and homework outs are difficult in my flat.

It's making me want to binge through stress and I feel like an utter fat slob. I've battled on and off with Bulima since 14 (34 now) and used it as a form of control.

Is anyone the same? Feeling like they are just on the verge of giving up?

I really don't think the government have a clue what lack of exercise does to people that rely on it.

I'm the same OP, frontline NHS so haven't gone to the gym since October due to crazy working hours. Massive binges to manage my stress. Extensive history of bulimia which had been resolved for over a year. I'm 35.

The GP has referred me to the ED team, and I'm having counselling. Its frustrating to feel back to square one with my ED, but I feel the reason it has reared its head again is because I never resolved the issues.

I feel for you OP as I know how difficult it is. Reach out for help if you can. Exercise for enjoyment rather than weigh maintenance/ loss (hard I know with ED background).

Wow you are frontline?.I'm ok a hospital in radiology so I've been fortunate to work through and keep busy from that aspect. I'm thinking of going back to my gp. I was doing so well too
On the plus side I declared this on my occupational health and they have always said if I ever feel I'm struggling I must talk....but that was pre-covid so unless they can provide me with the gym access in the physio department....

God what I'd do to pound the stairmaster and sprint away on the treadmill....or lift some weights and then have a rewarding good meal. Ffs.

T

I don't class myself has having an ED but I do comfort eat (some may think overeating is an ED, but I'm not here to discuss that) and I'm classed as obese.

When lockdown was first lifted, I lost a ton of weight without trying much because I felt much happier, since about October/November and my area went into tier 3 I've already put on at least a stone, and feel very very unhealthy. I just can't bring myself back to being healthy, I've got a massive 'whats the point' attitude I can't shake.

I feel sorry for people in worse scenarios who really struggle with an ED and how it may be affectecting them.

@Borisjohnsonshairbrush I have accessed Frontline 19 counselling which is free for NHS staff, its for anything covid related. The title of the thread suggests Covid has triggered this so worth a try.
Yes I'm a nurse on a Covid ward I've gone from Crossfit 4x a week to no exercise and binging most nights. I've put on 3 stone since first lockdown.
I'm trying not to be hard on myself, when I look back in 20 years I dont think my first thought of this time will be the weight I put on but how I am proud to have gotten through it.
Its natural stress will trigger this even in people without ED

[quote Nobble]@Borisjohnsonshairbrush I have accessed Frontline 19 counselling which is free for NHS staff, its for anything covid related. The title of the thread suggests Covid has triggered this so worth a try.
Yes I'm a nurse on a Covid ward I've gone from Crossfit 4x a week to no exercise and binging most nights. I've put on 3 stone since first lockdown.
I'm trying not to be hard on myself, when I look back in 20 years I dont think my first thought of this time will be the weight I put on but how I am proud to have gotten through it.
Its natural stress will trigger this even in people without ED[/quote]
You are not being good to yourself. Don't give yourself permission to put on so much weight. It's so hard to take off.

@Billie18 wow what a thing to say to a stressed frontline NHS worker with an ED. You clearly do not understand ED or the stress we are under.

@Chickenfingers & @Nobble it's so bad that covid is damaging by causing people to binge eat. People do not realise that when you lose all form of control you either give up or go the opposite way and find something you can...like eating or cleaning etc.

I'm not bothered about anything else that's closed. I just want to maintain my health.

Don't let the size of your flat get in the way if a good workout. You can do a lot in small spaces with basic moves like lunges, squats, push-ups (my nemesis) and planks. Plus a lot of yoga and Pilates.

There is a lot available online. Switch your focus from ice stopping play outdoors, and move it to what can be done in a small space.

Remember all those people who ran marathons on balconies in the first lockdown? Distance running might not be your thing, but it's an example of what is possible even in tiny spaces.

It's very easy to get stuck in one line of thinking and not see possible ways round set backs. You can find ways.

And on a completely different tack, have you ever learned to meditate?

I love a long distance run. Outside is very icy at the moment and working in radiology I'm petrified of slipping.

I'm going to move my kitchen round today to see if I can get some skipping in xx

And I use a meditation app on my Fitbit. I find it helps xx

@Billie18 what a dangerous and disgraceful thing to say to someone with an ED. Reported.

OP, I'm almost 50 and have swung between anorexia/bulimia/compulsive eating since my early teens. The past year has played havoc - I'd been doing pretty well for many years before. I've put on so much weight (I'm clearly in what I consider a compulsive eating 'cycle' which I often am when stressed). I can't exercise like I used to because I have rheumatoid arthritis which had been spectacularly bad lately. Last time I tried to go out for a run in the summer a very helpful man shouted 'fat cunt' out of his car window at me, so that was that.

I think that when the balance is quite delicate anyway, any change or upheaval can tip things in the wrong direction. DH is also a recovering anorexic and he's found the past year quite difficult. Any change to routine/worry/stress/feeling of losing control in other aspects of life seem to do this to me and to him.

I'm not sure what to advise but I just wanted to offer a hand hold and let you know you're not alone

I was bulimic from age 17-29 or so but it's long behind me now (in my 40s) and I have a great relationship with food and my body.

One thing I realised is that it's ok to binge sometimes, everyone does it. Sometimes I just want to eat a lot of shit, but most of the time I eat really well so it's fine. Sometimes I do no exercise for a while for some reason or other, but most of the time I do exercise regularly (but not too much!).

All of this is a normal ebb and flow. My body takes these natural ebb and flows in its stride and even though I feel a bit unfit for a bit I soon get it back. So if you can't exercise for a few days, or are eating badly, don't sweat it as the ice will thaw and you will be back out running soon.

If in doubt, twenty minutes of yoga helps reconnect the mind and body. I'm doing yoga with adriene on YouTube every day and it really helps me reset.

It's a stressful time out there right now so give yourself some slack.

Thank you guys . I'm not in work til 2pm and I can see the ice is thawing a bit so I can at least try a walk xx