Anorexia/Eating Disorders/weight

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Expert: Jeanne Rust, PhD - 11/13/2009


Question
hi, im a 17 year old girl. I just want to ask you about my weight , just if you can aswer it,,,cuz i know its got a lot to do with body fat etc. Well i'm 156m/5.1ft and weigh 44/97lbs. So i want to lose some weight, will it be okay?? cuz i used to be under weight, but that was i few years ago. Cuz i'm still thin , but i just wanna lose 2kg/4lbs. What do you think? will it be okay??
thanx
anna

Answer

Jeannie Rust, PhD
Dear Anna,

Thank you for writing!  Your weight, exactly where you are right now, is perfect for you.  If you lost 2kg, you'd be taking the chance of losing your menstrual cycle -- I don't think you'd be anorexic if you were 2kg lighter -- but for your health, etc., you're perfect where you are!  
This is how so many people begin eating disorders -- they think, oh, I want to lose 2 kg -- so they do.  Then they think they're still not thin enough, so they lose more and a horrible cycle begins!

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

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