When you’re hungry, take a nap. Shower, drink tea, numb your taste buds with teething gel, give yourself a manicure. Do anything but eat. These are some of the tips that “pro-ana,” or pro-anorexia Web sites offer to those who choose to restrict their eating.[link]
I have no clue why I’ve never heard of this before. I went over to peruse commenter Dav’s site and found a post on “pro-ana”. Weird. So I started googling for pro-ana sites. I couldn’t believe what I was finding. I found the best information about it at this site, here is its definition:
A simple, concrete definition of what “pro-ana” is and what it means to the young women who identify themselves with it is difficult, if not completely impossible to pin down. Among the most common explanations is that it simply means that they refuse treatment for their eating disorder. What is problematic about this definition is that most anorectics resist recovery, pro-ana or not. Young women with eating disorders almost always lie to their friends, families, and therapists about their behaviors and are willing to go to great lengths to avoid eating without arousing suspicion, just as sufferers from these diseases always have since the first documented cases of anorexia and bulimia. This attitude alone is not enough to differentiate anorexia from pro-ana.
Resisting recovery, however, may be one of the few sentiments shared by the pro-anorexic community as a whole. Beyond this a great disparity exists in their conceptions of what exactly it means to be pro-ana. Some insist that their eating disorders are “lifestyles,” or conscious choices; others may admit that their ED is a disease but either refuse treatment or insist that they can stop before it goes too far. Many pro-anorexics are happy to “teach” others who are interested in developing eating disorders how to do so; others refuse. Some acknowledge that their weight loss goals are dangerous, but many cannot see this or simply do not care.
In short, pro-ana is comprised of girls who need help. Women who have eating disorders think that their disorder is natural, and perfectly fine, so of course they’re going to attempt a movement in which multiple people can come together and fight together saying that the disorder is completely alright to have. These women are not happy with their bodies - and they’re going to find any excuse to continue killing themselves in order to be what they consider to be the ideal weight.
On some sites I found records of girls eating 150 calories a day and calling this a “bad day”. On others I found criticism of people who are exposing the extremely dangerous social movement. Almost all of the sites are fully equip with Body mass indexes for people to go on and calculate their BMI. I think I’ve done the BMI rant one or two times - so I’ll just state two problems with that real quick…
a) It perpetuates the obsession with numbers
b) It gives a false representation of what a woman’s body “should” be. All women are biologically different. We can’t all fit into a chart and expect it to be accurate.
My big problem with these sites is that people keep calling them “support” sites. I don’t see them as support sites. I see them as sites that are normalizing dangerous behavior. Support sites wouldn’t be showing pictures of girls that they’re striving to be like. They wouldn’t be setting up BMI charts to drive in the obsession with numbers. A proper support site wouldn’t be cheering on girls who have been fasting for 10 days. They are not safe support groups for women and men, they are sites that encourage an anorexic lifestyle. There is absolutely no way in my mind that normalizing a disease that is perpetuated mostly by the media is in any way, shape, or form a positive thing.
What should pro-ana be? Help. These girls need help. They don’t need people telling them that what they’re doing is okay, because it’s not. It’s not okay to starve yourself. It’s not okay to drop out of university so that you can go to the gym more. It’s not okay to lose sleep at night over the thought “does an apple, or 6 spoonfuls of no fat yogurt have more calories?” And these pro-ana sites are simply saying that this is okay.
What I do like about the pro-ana sites is that they are making people come out of the closet. Women who have eating disorders really should be encouraged to tell people - but then after that, there should be help, not “yay! congratulation!” like when a homosexual comes out of the closet. Eating disorders are not a time for celebration. Women and men who have previously struggled with eating disorders but have survived should most definitely become part of these social circles, they can offer support groups, stories and encouragement that goes the opposite way that the pro-ana sites are going now.
I can’t believe that there are entire social groups of young girls and boys and older women and men publically out on the internet saying “i have a disorder, and proud of” and there isn’t more attention being given. Wake the eff up people. Seriously. These people are literally killing themselves. We can sit and bitch left, right and center about how messed up these sites are, about how the media is full of assholes who throw these body ideals on girls but that’s not going to stop these people from killing themselves.
I want to point out one last thing, amongst my searching and reading I came across Mamavision. A blog about eating disorders that has a ton of really great information, opinions and an even better mission. Amongst her post I found this one, Do you think I’m fat?, that literally had me in tears. It’s a pretty powerful video to be able to make me cry within 30 seconds.
I don’t even believe this! “freya829121″ says
I wonder if she knows just how incredibly dangerous it is to do that much activity with such a little intake of calories. It’s mind bending. I’ve been skipping lunch at work and I felt a little guilty — I don’t anymore!
On an almost unrelated note, I’ve been eating fast food every other day for two weeks and I’ve lost nearly 15 lbs. I can’t explain it.
These sites scared the heck out of me. I think Mary Kate and Ashley are the worst thing that ever could have happened to some girls.
Great post - do you mind if I include it in the next Carnival of the Feminists?
MissPrism - go right a head!
thanks.
Wow this is amzing. I cant believe anyone would do this to themselves. I am doing a report onsome of this right now and you helped me thanks. Do you think there is a way we could go on those sites and try to become aa big support group?
[...] So instead we get girls with eating disorders, which I have talked about before. [...]
Yes, I do know that anyone can join. However, they are very particular about who they let in their “clicks”. You go thru a “probation” period, in which they watch your interaction with the other members. Upon regristration you are encouraged to post often and reply to other member’s posts as well. They watch to see how they react to you and how the conversations go. If you are too confrontational or the other girls don’t seem to like what you say then you will be booted from the site.
i kno u say u dont c these sites as support sites but they r. most pro-ana’s feel very alone in their struggle and these sites allow them the oportunity 2 connect w/ other suffrers from their ED. most sites support the person no matter wut their decision is, whether it 2 b 2 recover or 2 stay w/ their ED. they really r wonderful sites, but u probably cant understand unless u have been in their shoes, can u??
I must say that all of these posts are very sad, but only because I have been there my self. I am 19, and suffered am/was pro ana and mia since I was 17 (I say am/was because one never fully “recovers” I guess) and I knew I was doing it not purely because I felt “fat”. I was 5′3″ 110 lbs, with a BMI in a “normal” range of 19, but it on a muscular person like myself, with wide hips, I looked pretty gross. So, kudos on your BMI rants. I delt with abusive parents as a child, and my eating disorder was my fantasy world to escape from everything. I had no self esteem and all I wanted to do was be skinny, and flowing and beautiful. So, I started dieting, and turned to pro-ana sites. This started my eating disorder hell. I am “recovered” now, but still lured in by pro ana sites.
hey to those who hav never been in an ed’s persons shoes…..stop calling it a sickness!!!! its not- its simply a chosen life style of determination and willpower!! have you ever watched a fat person stuff their face- it makes me ill!!! if you dont like wat we do- keep ur mouth shut- the more u comment- the harder it is for peolpe like us to got the one dream and goal we have!!
Julie - I think that’s a problem…
Chris - I’m really happy to hear that you’ve got better. I think it’s important for people with your story to tell it - especially on pro ana sites, because as you can see from the comment directly below yours there are people who think this is entirely normal, and that they’re not killing themselves by doing this.
im just me - we’re simply trying to make it harder for you to continue to kill yourself.
look, who are we really tryin to impress, whether its a boy, our friends, or even ourselves, theres something we need to realise!, and that is what a waste of time all of this is! if the people we are trying to impress so much are not happy with who we are NOW, theyre not worth the bother!, we should spend our time happy and comfortable and if that means eating a few chineses, having a few galaxi chocolates here and there, who cares!! there are plenty of people in this world who will love u for who u are and believe it or not the way you look, so accept that you are not this airbrushed model on the front of a magazine, your an individual who lives in the real world, and are of great worth!
I don’t have an eating disorder. Pro ana websites help me out with tips on how to lose weight fast. If I eat 800 calories one day, the next day I will eat 300. I don’t starve myself completely. I allow myself one day out of the week to eat whatever I want: McD’s, Chick-fil-A, or a piece of chocolate cake. Pro Ana sites are really informative about what KILLS you and what is still OKAY to do. Drink lots of water, if hungry chew ice, brush your teeth so the food tastes bad, etc. It’s not killing me. I know not to get down to 75 pounds! Right now my goal is at 5′4 100 pounds. I’m almost there and reg diet and exercise is NOT working. I have a book of what I want to look like and then when I turn the page I have who I don’t want to look like: obese people. Why don’t you focus on obesity? Compare pro ana’s death rate to obese peoples. Obesity kills way more than being skinny. I love the compliment: you’re almost too skinny. I’m not average, I’m not fat, I strive to be better, to be perfect. Obesity is an epidemic in this country. People who do not have any self control, and most people accept being in this category. So they focus on people who have amazing self control. Nothing tastes as good as thin feels. That’s my motto. I know regular people don’t understand this. So we have a website that helps us feel a little more normal, that we aren’t alone. What’s wrong with that? Some girls do have a severe ed where it is life threating. But a fast here and a fast there isn’t gonna kill anyone. Its about self control.
i have been starving myself for a whole month now, i do 3 hours at the gym a day and just b4 i go to bed a do my weights.
i weigh now 7and a half stone and b4 i was dieting, i was jus over 8.
although i dont eat anything, i do drink water and i have these speacal drinks that have all the protein in that i need, but dnt have any calories or fat in, they are from the doctor and called ‘fortie sip’ they are amazing because they dont make yuo feel faint and they dont make you hungry…x
shanti-ok, no offense, but your comment just proved that you don’t have the first damn clue about ana.
then again, most people don’t—even some anas don’t. weights not the real issue here; its only the trigger and disguise. its not rly about “oh, i want to look good for this boy or he won’t be impressed!” thats the problem with a lot of you people; you can only see the superficial of the disease, think about how crazy we are for wanting to be as lite as a feather, how ugly it is, why do we do it, can’t we see how unattractive it is? and actually yes, i agree with all those things–and therein lies the conundrum: i don’t think protuding bones are beautiful, i dont think kate moss is pretty, or even being a rail is for that matter! so yes ik, then why do i do it? i’m sure some of you have heard this before—about the “control”. well thats what its truly about. my emotions are so outta whack that my mindset has shifted to something i ultimately can control–what my body looks like.the hunger pains distract me from my mental agony, and a part of me also just subconsciously wants my body to portray the torture i feel inside. no words can describe the disgust i have for myself when i look in the mirror. my friends say, “but ur such a stick!” and i’m starting to think something’s wrong with their eyes, not mine. i look in the mirror after school and wonder if what they say is true, is what i see just a horrific illusion then? but it can’t be! that fat’s there! i can see it with my own two eyes! it haunts me day and nite; i dream about it, dream about food— just the othr nite i dreamt i’d eaten half a carton of sinfully divine cheesecake marble icecream, and it felt so real, tasted so real. i woke up believing itd actually happened, and my eyes were swollen from having cried in my sleep. if i’m supposedly so skinny, why then do i feel like such a monster, a monster that is unworthy of human eyes and deserves to be locked away for eternity in a cell? and getting to that goal of 85 lbs, when i get there, that will be proof to me that i do have some control in this life, that i’m stronger than i give myself credit for. hah, and even funnier, i honestly have told myself several times that i dont give a shit what i look like anymore, become who is it impressing? no one. and yet i cant “just eat some of those galaxi chocolates”, for i’ll feel as tho i’ve betrayed myself, that i’ve given in, that i’ve proven myself a weak, helpless failure.when it comes rite down to it, EVEN IF I WERE THE LAST PERSON ON THIS PLANET, WITH NO ONE TO HAVE TO PLEASE, WITH NO ONE JUDGING ME, I WOULD STILL BE ANA; IT WOULD STILL HAUNT ME.
and as far the pro-ana sites go, it would be the opposite of beneficial to those suffering. true pro-anas are not encouraging ppl to start an ED, and are not telling EDers that its “ok” (on the contrast many show more of the negative effects than the positives of an ed, in order to drive the wananorexias away)and not even saying “yay! congrats” to newbies. i’ve strongly considered suicide when coming to the dreadful realization one nite, that i was ALL ALONE. no one understood, they all thought it was ones choice to be this way, that i could talk to no one, and even from the friends that knew i could not draw any comfort, for tho they were sympathetic they didnt truly understand. and this was the thought that only continued to feed itself, that had no solution (and getting help was not an option, for doing so would not be just taking my control away from me, but the terrifying thought that OTHER PPL were going to be controlling me. thus pro-ana sites are great for meeting others that share the same pain and actually relate to the emotions i feel. taking them away from ppl will do nothing; it will not encourage them to stop “oh no more anas to talk to, guess thats my cue for help.”—nu uh. instead they will be shut off again, surrounded by “normal” ppl, resulting in only deeper depression—and most likely suicide for many.
my plan:
eat below 200 calories a day = 70 cal yogurt for lunch, an egg for dinner
water fast at least 10 days a month
run at least four miles a day, 9 on the weekends
HW: 113
LW: 92
CW: 104
G1: 100
G2: 97
G3: 93
G4: 90
FG: 85
…ya, i’m just that sick
Hi - First of all, yes my true given name is Ana
Anyway, I’m not going to get into the whole pro ana controversy except to say, I think obesity is a much bigger problem in this country - please look at the statistics people and get realistic. I wonder how many of you are a little jealous, deep down. Isn’t it nice to be able to “legitimately” criticize a thin beautiful woman and not sound like an envious bitch? And please, look at your own issues before you start casting stones - everyone has something - smoking, drinking, pills, overreating… don’t kid yourselves.
My main reason for writing is that I’m looking for a pro ana site for women in their late 20’s or early 30’s. I can’t relate to the teen websites. I’d like someone to chat with, so we could help and support each other. I’m an educated, professional 31 year old woman, I’m actively pro ana, and proud, for over 15 years, and I’m not interested in recovery at this time, so no lectures, please. Just want a friend for support and motivation. Thanks, Ana
oops - forgot my email address - it’s anac.rose@gmail.com or you can contact me at anac.rose@att.blackberry.net
I must say i find this highly ironic that you are here preaching about pro ana and pro mia and all of the sites and forums and communities, and how bad they are, and how much they damage our society, yet you obviously don’t care that much or you would be doing something about them. And besides who would listen to you anyway? you’re only repeating what we’ve all heard before. If we don’t want to recover don’t force it upon us, it’s only going to fail disastrously, and anyway, most sites do give warnings and disclaimers to people before they enter the sites. by the way, im 15 pro ana, and i feel healthier than i ever have before, so 2 fingers to your conclusion. above all, i feel sympathy for you. im sorry you don’t have the self control we do.
I’ve been reading pro-ana sites and participating in one. The main post I believe is a bit off. It takes a few extreme examples (max exercise, minimum intake) and also I believe misinterprets the points of pro-ana sites and why we’re there. I have an ED. Girls and women, boys, and men who have eating disorder and who know it lead lonely, difficult lives feeling fat and like failures just about every moment. That’s about the only universal truth I can find.
The pro-ana and pro-mia sites provide a safe haven away from the “do you know you’re killing yourself?” “do you know that’s not the recommended number of calories?” “have you considered treatment?”, etc. Like other difficulties that require long-term treatment, full-recovery requires not just medical intervention but full commitment and readiness for participation. In The Meantime - an ED is your life and obsession to control your life. In The Meantime.. until you are ready or until you die… it is what you do. So the pro-ana and pro-mia sites are a place to congregate to share whatever support.
And yes, many people with an ED would rather die than be fat. That is the way it is. Depression goes along with it.
I believe - not sure - that my take on “In The Meantime” is what people mean by lifestyle. Yes, they are disorders but since it is your life and you plan to keep going (for now at least), that’s your lifestyle.
I see plenty of information there about how to avoid the worst pitfalls of EDs. Getting plenty of water, vitamins, etc. How to avoid destroying your metabolism. Encouragement for healthier behaviors that will avoid a binge/purge cycle.
Most important, people are there to just be voices during a long, lonely, dark depressing time.
Well that’s my view from inside having lived with an ED and attempting recovery for many years….
Seriously Guys, No one can understand an eating disorder until you are there.. We don’t just choose it.. We look in the mirror and see nothing but fat no matter what weight we are.. These websites allow you to meet others who have the same disorder.. We aren’t there to kill each other.. We are there to help each other and befriend one another.. We don’t develop these disorders to impress anyone or for anyone else.. Others may say you look amazing or you are so thin but that is not what we see! I wish you understood that!! So get off your highhorse! It’s not something that we wake up and decide to do!
I am 32. I recovered a year and a half ago. Well, as much as one can, but really I am SO VERY much better. I feel great! But now I am in the middle to upper range for my normal weight. Once in a while that will scare me –a lot! I used to have a BMI of 18, and felt like I was a failure of an anorexic because I was not a 15, which means you are DEAD, but now I am a 22 or so…not sure, because I don’t obsess about it.
I became anorexic as an adult due to an abusive marriage & a cult religion that I was trapped in, and didn’t even know it was a cult, since I was raised that way! But now it is all different…
I am getting married next month, and I am going to Central America on my honeymoon, so sometimes I wish I was skinny, but IT IS NOT WORTH IT! I would lose my man if I tried that! He has made it clear that it would destroy our family, if I were to destroy myself. And he knows what a healthy & beautiful body needs, as he is a fitness trainer! So we eat healthfully, and ACT healthfully, namely, no more cutting wrists or throwing up. No more going into a hole & wanting to die. Truly the sun shines now, and we are both planning our baby as soon as we are married. i am eating well in prep for that, and taking my prenates! Too much joy in this world now! Why go back to death & dying & skeletons???
Regarding the comments about it not being about the weight, but about control…I understand!!! I had to flee my domestic & religious situations in order to even WANT to recover. I cry for you girls. I understand, truly I do.
I’d love to hear from you if you want to write for support:
CarolineAmico@gmail.com
this is discrasefull have you not seen people who are dead off what you are doing im sure you are all fine and skinny and have you not seen what it does to you and your family they will be falling apart why you lot are bieng stupid just to luk like a dying rat you will die and you are bieng rraly daft have you seen the clip of some people they are not beautiful there are very uggly when there are skinny what are you trying to acheve? please reply emma-x
and dont you crave for a pizza or anythink and what do you do to fight the feeling?
I recovered from anorexia and after hospitalization I can’t stop gaining weight. I take prozac but I am still craving food. I went from 92 to 140. Any suggestions?
emma- i can see you do not bother reading my response at all..
sorrry i diddnt not read i have bee really busy i will read everythik tonight
ok thanks emma-x
any of you ppl, anorexics and “normals” alike, can check out this insight as to why we are the way are; i could describe it no better..
http://content.cdlib.org/xtf/view?docId=ft3g500552&chunk.id=d0e332&toc.depth=1&toc.id=d0e90&brand=eschol
i want to loss 5lbs this week!!wat shouldi do????
It seems to me that many pro-ana advocates are under the impression that their critics are overweight individuals who are jealous. One commenter stated: “Isn’t it nice to be able to “legitimately” criticize a thin beautiful woman and not sound like an envious bitch?” Well, I am 5′8 and weigh 113…i consider myself to be beautiful, yet I am still not a fan of the pro-ana sites. I think that finding a support system of people who understand what you are going through is extremely important; however, if you look at the number of cases, how many people are actually able to ‘control’ their bodies? You are controling it to a point of destruction. A further comment was made that everyone has their vices: drinking, smoking, etc; however, when taken to an extreme level, doesn’t society also chastize them due to the overt self-destructive behavior? I understand that anorexia is about having control over body-image; however, this too often changes so that you DO NOT HAVE CONTROL over your mind. I keep on hearing about these girls who are pro-ana, but then talk about how they are afraid that they are going to go on a binge, etc. Is that truely control? Being afraid of food…is that really control? Letting a fear completely control and dictate your habits? I say to each his own…if you want to kill yourself-do it-no one but yourself is going to stop you. Just realize that when you make the concious decsion to become ana, you will ultimately hurt the ones you love and who love you. People may freak out about your ED, but it is not because they are jealous of your bones…its because they CARE and LOVE you enough to be concerned about your health and well-being. It is the same as when someone has depression-loved ones try to help to prevent a possible death! You never know when a condition can make a change for the worse…it can happen quite suddenly and have devastating effects. I have had my fair share of self-doubt and problems; however, if it were not for those people who love and care for me enough to talk me through those tough times…I don’t know where I would be today.
tvm Gina for taking the time to write a decent response; unlike most other anti-ana rebuttals in this thread, yours is actually intelligent, and tackles ana while understanding that it is a mental illness (which you excellently gave away while comparing it to depression.) instead of trashing us, telling us how disgusting we are, how stupid, you argue the psychological aspect: is this really what we call control? I’m sure it’ll make many anas on this site think when they read it; it made me think. the only thing i’ll object to— i should hope you don’t think we all make a conscious choice to go ana. I sure as hell did not purposefully start this. I’ve been severly depressed since july of 2006. In august i began studying french with a tutor, and in the duration of my studies of course learned about the french way of eating. Being obsessed with French culture, i decided to adopt the french attitude toward food, and began restricting myself to smaller portions, no snacks, walking 4 to 5 mi a day. Now when i started, i did not begin due to a desire to lose weight; sure i wasn’t happy with the way i looked, but i’d never once thought to myself “i’m too fat—i need to lose some pounds”—i had never lost weight before. Anyway in about two months or so i managed to drop from 109 to 95/94. I felt so happy, actually happy—that i was healthier, looked better, and thus i was content with that weight and didnt want to lose anymore. For a few more months i kept myself at that weight, finding my equilibrium. I’d have to say it was probably around november, yes thanksgiving; i remember distinctly letting it sink in, what my dad told me one day “it’s alright to indulge every once and a while.” After that all i can remember is havoc. I began overdulging on sweets, pies, turkey, larger portions than what i was used to. And then when i would weigh myself and see that 96/97 soar to a 100, i suddenly felt panicked, as though all that work done steadily over the last few months was crashing down. I felt a sudden need to bring those numbers on the scale down again, to feel that wonderful feeling of happiness and accomplishment back. But it seemed like the stronger the desire was to lose weight, the worse i was desiring food again. overindulgence became a habit, as did going down to the dark and gloomy basement to run 10 mi afterwards— all to see that 100 goes down a measly number.
And before I knew it, thus was rooted the vicious cycle of ana/mia, and as Ellen West stated: “I felt all inner development was ceasing, that all becoming and growing were being choked, because a single idea was filling my entire soul.”
thanks again, for being an adult and giving a mature reply—greatly appreciated. Peace.
o p.s i need to interveiw someone as soon as possible so please let me know!
sure u can interview me, i’d be happy to =]
My sister, at age 21, developed a serious case of anorexia and excerise bulimia. At the time, she thought she wasn’t hurting herself… she was just eating healthy and trying to lose weight. She stopped eating her favorite foods, she began to count her exact intake of calories daily, she worked out for a minimum of 4 hours a day, and was losing weight at an alarming rate. My family and I were terrified. Friends would confront her and us about it and she would get so upset, thinking that she was doing the right thing… it felt like a success. She didn’t see anything wrong with what she was doing. She ate and excerised just like any other person who wants to be “healthy” and “loose weight”. She is nine years older than me and she was almost too small to wear my clothes. Her hip bones jutted out, her collar bone was extremely defined… but then the serious things began to happen. Her hair began to thin. It fell out of her head in clumps! Her nails became brittle, her bones weakened, and her kidney was severely damaged. Only then was she very reluctantly able to admit that she was severely ill. At 5′4″ and weighing 83 lbs she finally went to see a therapist. It took months and months for us to see an improvement but she was slowly getting better. Now she weighs a healthy 115 lbs and looks and feels better than ever. She’s healthy and she has overcome her fear of food. So to all of you anorexics out there who think you’re doing the right thing and get a sick thrill out of killing yourslef… just think about this the next time you deprive yourself of the thing you need in order to live… food.
Ok i’m not for the whole “pro-ana” thing or anything but don’t you know they actually have websites where people are GETTING PAID to get fatter and fatter. they are literally eating themselves to death! i dont see anybody ranting about how these people are killing themselves. obesity is a much bigger problem than anorexia. nobody will tell a person who is overweight that they are getting too fat and need to stop eating. how come its exceptable to tell people to eat more and gain weight but not the other way around? people are so worried their children will become anorexic, what about all the health problems that come along with being over-weight? yes these people need help, but in the end i think all they want is to not be judged or critized for the way they feel about “themselves” so yes in a way the sites offer them support. maybe eating 200 calories a day and jogging 5 miles will in fact kill you, so will eating 3500 calories a day and sitting on a recliner watching tv for the entire day will too. they put people suffering from eating disorders in treatment all the time, to gain weight, to eat healthier, to work on their emotional problems that may have gotten them there in the first place. why dont we take the 350 pound neighbor or family member and say “hey, you need help, your going somewhere to work on your problems with food and FORCE you to loose some weight and be healthy” come on now, how many anerexics or underweight people do you know? probly know alot more overweight people.
i want 2 write something back 2 mandi in particular
that firstly i obviosly dont realise the problem because im not going through it, when u mentioned control it struck a cord with me!, even though i dont control myself in terms of food, i do in other ways. i believe that this problem comes from a time wen u had no control, whether it b a fear, parents break up, a relationship, being bullied, or feeling that friends have control over u, aswell there are many other possibilities, it might even b something subconciously that u feel u have no control over., my advice would be, even if u r feeling, no, i dont want help, that u wud b failing, just try it anyway, reach out 4 help, a lot of us feel out of control at sone stages, and everyone copes differently., i dont actually agree with counselling all of the time, as i have seen it having an opposite effect. but even if u r not a spiritual person i would try sone holistic therapies its worth a go. just think if ur mind and body is so successful in doing something which is negative because of obsessing over, y dont u try get ur mind 2 b a success at somthing positive?
and i would just like 2 say that im sorry if i underestimated this problem, i do have respect 4 all these people in this position
aww, thank you sooo much for those kind words. and like i said, i fully understand that most people do not grasp the foreign concepts of this issue; it just really bothers me in particular when people attack me as though i am a selfish person and how stupid could i be for continuing something that i know could kill me?—how hard can it be , if you know something is killing you, to stop? and those people wonder why many people dont go to get help; they’re a big part of the problem! but thank you for your compassionate response, and wonderful advice; you seem like a very positive person, and open-minded =] and even though i can’t say i’m quite brave enough yet to reach out and expose my disorder, it’s encouraging words like yours that, when the time is ready, will bring me out of my isolated shell..
ever thought of being a psychologist? lol
y dont non of you people ancer me wen i say things i want to know wat its al about and what the big attraction is with DYING so friging young!!
u said u were gonna read my response. . .?
Hello..
My Mum told me i was putting on weight and ive lost all my confidence! =[ she didnt mean it in a bad way .. but now ive realised i really need to loose weight can people out ther who have good and fast tips on how to do it please mail me! ..Be very grateful! =D ..
danib_ragamuffin@hotmail.co.uk
actualy drop on comment on here i can read it then =]
THANKSSS! =D
Are you aware that this entry comes up 1st in a google search for “pro-anorexia how to give myself anorexia”?
And then it gives links to pro-ana sites?
Good job!
haha…how ironic
ok with all this, i agree that overly huge people will die alot faster and worse than any ana, they die even while livin, cuz they cant do anything a normal person can, ive gotten sooooo much help off pro-ana sites, and those of you against them dont have the first clue as to what youre talkin bout cuz, they do tell you things they do not aprove of that are dangerous… ive lost 23 pounds in the past month with falling horribly behind on my diet! im still very healthy thank you, and my doctors tell me i need to lose weight to keep from diebetes and to help my knee, but um, when youre at 200 pounds…look in the mirror and tell me if you really feel good about yourself or if your just making stupid excuses for youre fat hanging on you….
5′5
120/125-130 lbs?
I am emotionally drained. I hate my body with every inch of fat that surrounds my thighs, hips, and waist. Sick of the stupid dieting routine I have. Sick of not having any self control, whatsoever. All I want to be is skinny, but all I keep making my-self is fat and crazy. I need some help, motivation, … a plan! I want to loose 15 lbs - which is nothing but trust me, it’s fucking hard as hell. :’( hate this.
Big Mac
i think you should try distract yourself with somthing youre really interested in, even saying affirmations to yourself, once you start saying positive things to your body, it subconciously starts having a good effect. So once you get more confident with yourself and see what you are capable of you will then be able 2 say to yourslef and notice the difference, rather than the i cant… im way heavier than i used 2 b, and havent felt comfortable in anything i wear in such a long time. I used to have a really nice figure, flat stomach and everthing, but this past while ive gradually been putting on a lot of weight and it really gets me down, especially all the ugly stretch marks. I realise i will be a lot more comfortable wen i get my flat stomach back and loose th excess weight off my thighs, but in the meantime i feel it is important to build self esteem, it is important, even wen u do get the body you want, u have to imagine, is that the answer, the problem all solved? and sometimes the answer isnt always yes! i dont no if u can relate to any of this but its something to think about
may i just start by saying that if the main topic in your life is reaching an ideal body image and doing whatever it takes to get there, no matter what you say to prove me wrong, you are spiraling down, out of control into an eating disorder without even realizing it. For the most part you will still be in denial until you finally kill yourself. and before you die you will die realizing that you are still not satisfied with your body image. that is how an eating disorder starts. very inocent.
my eating disorder went out of control when i was 15 yrs old. i am now 19. let me just say that i am paying the cosequences. I dont want to write a long story so ill just state what ive had to suffer for it. i lost a great amount of my hair. my back teeth had to be pulled out,my eyesight worsened a great deal, i was too weak to show off my “great” body. i couldnt think, read,or concentrate on anything. i couldnt walk, run or take a shower alone or use the bathroom alone. i was fed through a tube that ran through my nose down my throat to my stomach. i was confined to the four walls that i call my room because after i was fit to leave the hospital i was on bed rest.
and even in this state i realized i was not happy with my body. so all the effort would be for nothing. i realized i had been in denial and all that had gotten me close to was death. i went through a realization and had a rough road ahead of me . pain and regret is what i felt. and angry at the fact that i let something like body image take away my happiness. ive had a long road to recovery but im proud to say thati did it. it is the best thing i could have done.
so to all the people that think there is nothing wrong with pro ana sites and that it is a life style. one that you have control over, it wont be for long. it WILL take over your life eventually.
so i would advise that you meditate in a mature way what is most important in your life.
People, i nearly lost my life and it all started with wanting to loose a little extra weight.
there is nothing wrong with loosing weight . but do it in a healthy way. dont go to drastic measures. i was 5″5″ and my body alone in a coma state would need 1200 calories to survive and keep my organs going. i was only eating 300 then to nothing. so if you have or are moving towards an eating disorder stop and think of getting help if you have one or stopping your ed behaviors before its too late
I just want to say that im a dancer and that even tho that girl at the top said all of that stuff. Were not all like that. I dance 3 hours 4 days a week and I try my hardest to stay in shape but I eat a balanced diet and work hard to stay in my BMI area its really hard but I try. I dont want to be a rehab girl that no1 talks to. And I know that not all of us are like that girl. But if one of us does do that we confront each other and work through it. We dont want to be like that because it doesnt help you dancing it hurts it. I just wanted to say that.
i think people are stupid starvin there self whats the point u masewell just go on a diet and you wont be weak yeah nobody is happy with there self but it dosnt mean you have to starv your self i would love to be skinny but nobody gets what they want
there are two sides to this fight.
1) “pro-anas are stupid, killing themselves slowly. just eat.”
2) “normal people are stupid, they just don’t understand.”
well, yes, neither of the two sides understand. those who attempt to fight this battle between the two sides apparently can’t see the other.
eating disorders are extremely complicated and deep rooted mental issues that can be perceived as illness or lifestyle, but either way they are firmly planted in the sufferer’s head.
on the other hand, we have a world that has no idea what nutrition really is. in food abundant countries of wealth, such as the US, we (on average) consume far too many calories to be considered a “healthy” lifestyle, yet many of us cannot see that we are doing the same harm. i beg the question, if these ED sufferers are eating 800 calories below the recommended daily value, but the person at the mcdonald’s is eating 800 more calories than he/she is supposed to in a day, who is further at fault? you might be tempted to answer, “well, the mcdonald’s customer can just work those calories off later.” but why, then, can’t you see the possibility of improvement on the eating disordered side?
yes, i am well aware that those with EDs have a seriously hard time recovering. it’s an addiction. stronger than any other, in my opinion. but the fast food eater is also addicted. addicted to a lifestyle of convenience. in this day and age, we can get food and consume it in no time. and most of this quick meal business is high in calories and low in nutrients. an ultimately unhealthy choice. we have been brought up to believe that this food is just like a meal from home. it is food, it fills us, it kills the hunger, it has to be ok, right? i mean, as long as i don’t eat till i feel like bursting, i have to be fine. right?
WRONG. the lack of nutrients on either side is unhealthy. period.
now, the person who cooks at home and only occasionally indulges is in a healthier place. but even they usually aren’t quite aware of just what goes into their mouth. honestly, the lack of education about nutrition these days is appalling. we all hear about low-fat, low-cal, low-carb, diets, but in reality, the way to maintain health is moderation. and knowing your body. everyone is different. we all need different amounts of energy, provided by calories, but our nutrition needs are usually the same world round and should be fulfilled with nutrient balance. the basics of nutrition are easy to learn, and not much harder to put to use.
but i guess i’m just trying to say that no matter where you stand on this issue, it’s probably best to stand back and take a long hard objective look at this kind of thing. if the average joe goes about bashing ED sufferers they are not only furthering the self-confidence issues that are ever-present within the core of an ED, but they are instilling a bi-partisanship to this whole struggle. therefore, the ED sufferer feels the need to side up, and further endorses and supports his or her problem, in opposition, rather than expending that time and energy on getting healthy. meanwhile, the pro-ana sites that teach us all how to make our stomachs stop growling or how to eat less than 200 calories a day are a scary sight and parents (or anyone, really) have the right to be afraid for their loved ones. EDs lure subjects in with sweet promises and then keep them there, sometimes forever.
this fight shouldn’t be a fight. it should be a support system. we should promote health, but also realize that this is a free world we a born into and what makes us human is our ability to choose what we do and that includes what we eat or don’t.
PS: i don’t mean to offend with sweep generalizations. i realize that there are all types, but i think these profiles are somewhat fitting of the majority of groups out there today. my opinions are just that.
i am an ED sufferer of 7 years now, and i am not currently seeking treatment. i don’t believe in tipping anyone off as to how they can be like me. but i am also not shy to share my feelings.
memi, THANK YOU for your comment; i think we all can learn from you. indeed this should be a support system not a fite. i think this really shows that you probably have one of the oldest souls among us on this site.
im 5feet tall and i wiegh about 96 is tht alot?
nah i dont think so. i’m the same height and i feel great when i’m that weight. rite now i’m struggling with about 106/107 and am trying to get down to 90/87, tho thats just me. if you don’t already have a problem, please don’t think your weight is fat; its perfect where it is =]
I’ve been facing this ed for a couple months now. i hate the way ed makese me feel and i’ve been trying to stop. i didnt start off having ed-i weighed 150 and i’m 5′7″ and started eating less and running more. it felt great to lose weight and thought hey, why not eat even less and excersize ever more. i ate maybe 500cal a day and started running about 500cal a day. i tried burning the same cal i was consuming. just recently i’ve started to not eat at all and excersize more and after losing 20lbs i’ve started to gain weight because i havent eaten. i drink tea and water most days and comsume little calories as possible. i’ve gained about 10lbs from not eating. Now i’m afreaid when i do start to eat again i’ll gain more weight faster. I dont like the way i feel; how i can’t feel normal or smile. i wish i never stopped eating and had done this the right way… any suggestions on how to start eating again but not gaining weight? I could really use the help…
hii everyone,, my names jess and i really need some help
!!.. im soo fat and horrible and i need some helpp to gett thin again
can anyone help me?
i hope you can plz add me on xmiss-jess-wuhx@hotmail.co.uk!
thanks and i hope your all ok
love yah jess.xxx
I’m an italian girl 31 years old, and I’ve been concerned with my weight since I was 9 or 10. Now my height is 5′7, but Im not sure how much is my weight in pounds, because here in Italy, we use kilos and I’m 42,5 kilos. could someone help me to understand how fat I am? Thank you to all of you!!!
Sylvia,
You’re not fat. On the contrary, your body is sick and starving at such a low weight, and you are in danger. You need to seek help immediately. Eating disorders have the highest death rate of any mental disease - even higher than depression and bipolar disorder. Please, for your own sake, don’t look at those horrible magazines and contact a mental health professional right now.
Hi,
It is ideed a verry dangerous obsession.
My Gf is in to Pro-ana. And she lied about it to me. Multiple times.
Also about skipping dinners, the ammount of calorees(400-500 was pretty much for her), and throwing up… etc…
This is verry hard for me, a feeling of trust is now gone…
I am stil with her, and every day I try to support her. Support her tó eat.
And abbout these sites… It’s quite shocking.
But knowing my Gf is/was active at one of these site’s, I ‘infiltrated’ the site, and forums(, she doesn’t know I did that). A world opend, a world of depressed, suicidal, boys and girls. (not all of them, thank god!) All of them have a low ’self esteem’(?)(i’m sorry, English is not my mother-language. Most likeley there will be some grammar/spelling misakes in this post. Sorry!). Well, a lot of these, young, people have a history of abuse and more horrible things.
Everybody who is trying to lose weight with annorexia, or finds him-/herself pro-ana, should go to a professional caretaker. And you should know there are other ways to control your life! You will get control back after leting ‘Ana’ go. You’ll get control back over you own life.
Good luck!
I pose an interesting point of view:
Q: What is the difference between Weight Watchers and anorexia nervosa?
A: About 1000 calories.
In looking at a few “tips” from the pro-ana sites, I found something that you might find quite interesting: the exact same tips you would find on any “normal” weight loss program, ie drink water instead of snacking, journal your food intake, exercise regularly, and lists of “safe” foods because of their high water, high fiber, low calorie content. In addition, WW teaches the same obsession with every bite that enters the mouth. Especially those of us with addictive personalities can relate, because the new addiction is food tracking and weight loss.
I bring this up because I have struggled with OCD for as long as I can remember, but did not realize it because I only manifest the obsession. I cannot personally think of a single compulsion that I struggle with because my OCD is almost all in the thought process. In the same manner, I have obsessed over my weight for as long as I can remember, but I have no compulsion to starve. I have always had an interest in nutrition, and food is a central part of my family, both in my home as I grew up and now in my own home with my own family. I love to cook, and I love to eat, and so I haven’t the willpower nor the compulsion to actually commit the act of starvation or purging.
However.
I understand the obsession that drives EDs. I feel it. I looked in the mirror at 115 and thought I was fat. I look at my 155 post baby body and think I am fat. I thought I was fat at 135 in between babies. I have always thought I was fat. I will probably always think I am fat. I thought I would be happy when I reached my goal weight for the first time, but I wasn’t. I wanted to be thinner. I know that I will always struggle with this image of myself.
I shared this because if you do ever decide that you want to change your approach to your weight loss goals, or if you decide that you have had enough of the ED lifestyle, that you could examine the actual obsession / compulsion behavior instead of just the end results of that mindset, which are the starvation and the purging.
u dont know wut ur talking abou pro ana is support for ppl who want to be better and look better