Expert: Jeanne Rust, PhD - 11/23/2010

Question
Hello,
I have been looking everywhere on the web as to where I can get some helpful insight to my developing eating disorder. For about a year now, I have been restricting my daily calorie intake to 980 or below. After having my first baby, I weighed 153. I am 4ft 8 ins. I lost weight as a result to my 980 calorie a day regime and I reached to 102. I quite dieting and gained weight to 117 lbs. This past month, I went back to restricting my calories to 980 and I am now 107 pounds. Thing is I seem to fall "off the wagon" and take cheat days off eating like a pig and consuming a large amount of calories for about a week usually. Then I go back to my diet restriction plan and keep a daily log of what I eat. I feel so guilty when I have my "off and cheat" days and eat so much. This forces me to go back to eating only 980 calories a day. I just brought a scale and really want to start a diet of alternating between 780 and 980 calories to reach my target weight at 87 pounds. Would this be too dangerous for me? I am a runner and try to aim for exercise 6-7 days per week for at least 60 minutes. I feel each day that I eat normally is making me look at "normal" food as "evil" food. I am even thinking of fasting before Thanksgiving.
Could you give me some insight to what you think I might be developing?
Thank you~ A stay-at-home mother.
Charlene

Answer
Dear Charlene,

It's wonderful that you wrote.  I can understand how frustrating this must be for you.

I will mention the importance of eating smaller meals, usually three meals a day and three snacks.  Regular eating will help your blood sugar stabilize.  Your blood sugar is all over the place with binges then very little food.  Yes, restricting your diet can be dangerous.

What will really help is for you to see a therapist who specializes in eating disorders and a good dietitian to help you bet stabilized.s

Please let me know how you do!

Warmly,
Jeanne Rust, PhD
CEO Owner
Www.mirasol.net
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888-520-1700