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About Ryan Hale
Expertise
I can answer questions specifically geared towards athletes and their eating issues. I would be able to assist parents or coaches with questions or concerns about disordered eating practices often found in the exercise and sports settings.

Experience
I have a bachelor's degree in sports medicine and a master's degree in sport psychology. I am not a liscensed counselor but I am pursing my counseling education currently. I have also worked with athletes at every level for the last 15 years, particularly elite high school athletes and females.

Education/Credentials
bachelor's degree sports medicine master's degree sport psychology currently pursuing graduate degree in counseling psychology

Past/Present Clients
U.S. national team level female athletes High school athletes Semi-pro soccer

You are here: Experts > Health/Fitness > Eating Disorders > Anorexia/Eating Disorders > Help please!

Anorexia/Eating Disorders - Help please!

Expert: Ryan Hale - 10/24/2009

Question
Hi Ryan,

I am a college level gymnast and my freshman year I broke my foot. Afraid to gain any weight I went on an extremely restrictive diet, probably close to anorexia maybe even it. Part of the female triad thing. I was 5'7" and I weighed about 118 pounds. I lost all my muscle and was extremely thin. I went from a size 6 to a 2 close to 0. Now I am a junior and trying to still come back. I am now 5'7.5" and weigh about 135 pounds. All I do is binge on food and can't control myself. I am always thinking about food and thinking how good it will taste and then ten seconds later I am in the kitchen eating everything insight. I don't know how many calories I should be eating and I don't know what they should consist of. Please help me stop these episodes. I have gained a lot of my muslce back, I am not flabby.

Answer
Rachel- I am wondering if there is anything else that you haven't included. First, on athletic teams, it is quite common for more than one member to have an eating disorder. Sometimes there is a type of "support system" from the other girls who also engage in the behavior. If so, you need to remove yourself from any of the negative influences that have been "supporting" your behavior. This also goes for a coach who may be a negative influence as well.

Second, there are many medical consequences for bulimia. You most likely already know them, but they can be severe.

Third, I am wondering if there are any other issue you have also been dealing with: anxiety (either currently or in the past), depression, or mood disorders. If so, they are a part of the problem and any treatment should include identifying those issues and treating them as well.

Fourth, as you know, the behavior involved with bulimia is not very effective. I keep saying bulimia but I'm not sure if you are binge eating or if you are also purging. The most effective treatment for both of these behaviors is called cognitive behavior therapy. Hopefully you will seek counseling and you'll need to make sure the therapist practices this kind of therapy...research shows is is the most effective and works the fastest. It focuses on altering dysfunctional thoughts and behaviors as well as attitudes you have about eating. You will also learn coping strategies for resisting impulsive behavior and making small changes that will help you prevent falling back into old behaviors.

As an athlete you've learned to put up with discomfort and to set higher and higher standards. Those same characteristics can make for a tough eating disorder as well. You can talk to your team's athletic trainer or physician for diet help. You need to adjust your calories for your activity level. As a cyclist, I find this extremely difficult personally. Once my body gets used to burning a ton of calories, I tend to eat the same way, even when I'm off the bike. So, I understand it's not the easiest thing to do. But it will also include eating throughout the day every couple hours so you are never deprived or hungry. You also need to realize that it's not good to restrict any "bad" foods. If you are able to work them into your diet it will help you realize that eating "bad" food every once in awhile is not the end of the world.

Your team trainer is a good resource so talk to him/her. Your calorie needs may change from 1,500 one day to over 2,500 the next depending on training. So, there is no hard answer to that. I can tell you that the gymnastic team we had in Atlanta in '96 was the "heaviest" and "healthiest" team we had in a long time. They were working with a dietician that year and were eating the way they needed to rather than the common practice of starving themselves. They were also very successful. So, eating wisely can be your secret weapon as you "re-invent" yourself to be better and healthier than ever!

I think the key is to see a counselor who can go over these issues with you. If you are having difficulty with family, friends, romantic relationships, have a current situation or history of anxiety or depression, or are under pressure from competing as a gymnast, a counselor will help deal with each aspect. Each aspect influences your situation so each needs to be dealt with. Good luck!!

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