Expert: Ryan Hale - 1/27/2010

Question
QUESTION: so i am 16, 5'5" and weigh 110ish lbs. i am super athletic, i play soccer all year round and work out alot. everyone i know tells me I'm too skinny and often says "eat a large pizza" i don't take it offensive because they are my family and friends, but sometimes i wonder if i sub consciously take offence, because i eat pretty healthy, i am obsessed about knowing what is going in my body, and i barely ever eat high fat foods, like fast food. However, when i do indulge a little and eat, say a piece of chocolate, or a candybar, i freak out!! i love sweets, but i have such a fear of being over weight, that i make my self work out like crazy if i eat candy, or junk. my main focus is my stomach, I'm always hiding it under hoodies and stuff, but I'm always told how flat it is, but if i see one thing i don't like about it i will go do a bunch of sit ups and core exersices. i have about a 6-pack, but i always still feel i am fat. so can you tell me what is wrong with me that i am so obsessed with working out after eating something.?? I'm a little scared i might develop an eating disorder. i mean i don't know why my obsession is my stomach, because my arms aren't strong, but my legs are because of soccer, but i always freak out over my abs. this cant be healthy..

ANSWER: Ashley- for someone who is constantly active, especially if you are doing soccer year-round or in multiple leagues, it is hard to develop muscle mass or put on weight.   This is simply because you are constantly in what's called a "catabolic state."  That means, you are always burning calories, even at rest, and that your body is always being torn down by your activity without the time needed to build back up. Any time you can see someone's six-pack, they are at the bottom of what a healthy weight would be.  

If you look at Jacob (from the Twilight movies), the body he had for the movie isn't the body he has all year long.  Even if he looks good months after shooting the film, he is still a few pounds heavier, with a little higher percentage of body fat, and without the real sever muscle definition he had then.  The promotional pictures and advertisements and the appearances were all done at a time when he was at his "peak" condition.  That is, at his lowest body fat that he would be at.  The same goes for body builders or models shooting advertisements and stuff.  Their body fat level is at a really low point but it's not a level that they maintain all the time.  It's like hitting your peak fitness in soccer or any other sport.  There is the off season when people just work out to be fit, there is the preseason when athletes work on gaining strength, there is the season where you perform with the fitness you have and there are the points in the year in which you want to be at peak fitness... it's impossible and unhealthy to try to maintain peak fitness all the time.

With that said, your predisposition with food, what is good food or bad food, having to exercise any and all calories off, and your need to maintain a particular body image are all signs of someone who has or is on their way to an eating disorder.

For athletes, they are often used to never being satisfied and setting their goals higher and higher.  They also don't mind being uncomfortable in an effort to get better.  These characteristics are similar to what going through an eating disorder is like.  But, you have to remember, that food is your fuel, that your activity needs fuel and that means a need for calories.

Aspects that also add to the possibility or existence of an eating disorder, are things like lots of pressure from yourself or others to perform or be successful (in all areas of your life), people in your life who are perfectionistic and have those expectations of you too, wanting to be close to someone in your life who is emotionally unavailable (often a distant parent), troubles with friends or romantic relationships, and feeling out of control with many aspects of your life.  Think about how many of those may be you, and then think about how many of those are really, really you.  If it seems like this might be the case then it's time to talk to someone.

It may sound corny, but the school counselor or psychologist is a great place to start.  In most states they can see you a few times before they have to tell your parents that you are seeing them.  If your parents have anything to do with what I described above, then that isn't such a bad thing.  Because when it comes to treating an eating disorder, it's impossible to address some of the issues and not all of the issue, that's because all of the issues play into the problem.  Make some time to go by their office and schedule an appointment so you'll have time to talk.  Those people in your school are so underutilized and really want to help.  Also, if you really don't connect with someone in counseling, it's ok to say so and ask how it could go better or if there is anyone else to talk to who may be a better fit.  Think about it.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: thank you so much. i also think that my eating habits change with my mood. when im sad or not in a good mood i dont look at my self the same as when i am happy. like during soccer season in fall, i feel amazing and never have this issue. but in the winter before pre season, during just indoor i just feel like im wasting away, maybe that will change as i get out of the house more because i just got my lisence, but i just always have that thought in the back of my head that maybe i do have a problem. i dont like to think that im like that though, its kind of demeaning. i dont know. i just know i feel os good after a work out or when i eat good. and its not like i work out to the extremes, i probally go on a 30min jog, then do some core and strength training, then kick the ball around then finish up with a little more cardio. but im just so self concious.

Answer
Ashley-  It's good to be concerned since your thoughts and actions could lead you down the path of a full-fledged problem.  But it's great that you have so much self-awareness too!  I've worked with a ton of soccer players who seem to go from one season into the next or play in leagues simultaneously.  You have to remember that you run 3-6 miles in a game or practice, if you go to another league's practice in the same day or on the weekends you could be putting more miles in than most people training for distance running!  If you pile even more cardio on because you feel like you've had too many calories that day, you are piling even more miles on!!  

I like to tell people about the Olympic gymnastic team in 1996.  They began a program that made sure they were getting enough rest and calories (rather than making them work harder and restrict food).  They were the healthiest and most successful team we've ever had.  It's vital to take some time off between leagues or seasons and to not over do it with all the cardio and other training.

So, if you find that you simply can't stop with the preoccupation with food and calories and body image, then that's a sign you really need help with it.  If you are able to understand the need for rest, to plan your training to match your goals for soccer and make your training match your goals (instead of trying to be 100% at your peak all the time) then you are being a smart athlete and will be healthier and more fit when it matters during your season.