Anorexia/Eating Disorders/my diet

Advertisement

Expert: Jeanne Rust, PhD - 11/15/2009


Question
i used to weigh 168 pds. i lost weight. i went down to 150 pds. now i am 154. i was drinking diet soda. how bad is that for you? i cant eat breakfast i throw up bc my stomach cant handle food in the am. i eat small lunch and dinner. im not loosing weight. i participate in gym. i am only 16. im 5'4 what should i weigh? i dont eat much fast food,. once in a blue moon. and i sont drink soda at all, i drink gatorade, juice and tea. i run all the time, i take walks. i cant loose more weight at all. i want to be skinny for the swim suit season. what should i do?

Answer

jeannie Rust, PhD
Hi, Stephanie,

I'm so glad that you wrote!!  Diet soda is not good at all -- the aspartame is really an unsafe substance no matter what the FDA says.  You're better off drinking juices, tea, gatorade is good -- you're physically active.  The answer has to be in your metabolism -- Remember weight loss for many people is a slow process -- maybe 1-2 pounds a week.

What you CAN do that would be really helpful is to go to a nutritionist.  She/he'll help you develop a meal plan that is just for you.  Then you'll know exactly what you should be doing and eating!

Please let me know how you do!

Warmly,
Jeannie Rust, PhD
CEO/Founder
Mirasol Recovery Centers
www.mirasol.net
www.edrecovery.com
888-520-1700

Jeanne Rust, PhD

Expertise

I have been treating eating disorders for over 25 years and I have a doctorate in clinical psychology. I am an expert in anorexia, bulimia and binge eating disorders and in co-occurring disorders as well -- depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, etc. I was the official eating disorder therapist for the University of Arizona athletic department and love working with girls and women of all ages! 12 years ago I started my own treatment centers in Arizona where we treat adolescents and adults. I love working with people and have been helping people online since 1994. My hearts go out to the people out there who are unable to find help, who aren't sure whether they need help, and who don't have much of an understanding of the terrible consequences, emotionally and physically, that go hand in hand with the eating disorder. I view eating disorders as coping mechanisms that people use when they are under stress. I believe that eating disorders most times have many similarities whether it is anorexia, bulimia, or binge eating. The good news is that people can heal from an eating disorder and learn to create the lives they would like to live.

Experience

I have 25 years of experience in treating eating disorders of all kinds. I also do consultations for people who are starting treatment centers.

Education/Credentials
Northwestern University -- BA Masters in Counseling Doctorate in Clinical Psychology -- Saybrook institute

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.