Expert: Ryan Hale - 7/23/2010

Question
Hi. I was an intense swimmer for all of my life and the past four years I have been in and out of treatment for anorexia and ocd. I have the same fear as another writer that talked about touching food and absorbing the calories. Because I love to cook but I do not want to touch something that I am not eating because i am afraid it will stay on my hands and when I go to make my food those calories will transfer and i will really be eating more than I need. Also, I have trouble sitting down. I always have to be standing or doing something because I am afraid that if I sit down I will get fat. People tell me that sitting and standing are the same thing but I think that standing burns more calories. Is that true or is it all just in my head?
Thanks

Answer
Cassi- it sounds like you are somewhere along the continuum of working on your condition.  Nobody is totally "normal" or ever "over" anything, we are just making our way through life doing the best we can.  With that said, it sounds like it would be important for you to either pick back up with therapy or continue it (I'm not sure if you are current;currently being treated).  Of course you know that we can't absorb food through our skin, but I understand that it doesn't make things easier.  I have worked with a lot of athletes who are concerned about their body position (sitting, standing, etc) and calories burned, so you are not alone with that situation either.  As an athlete, usually the concern is to rest and recover, so most of the athletes I know don't want to do anything other than their sport for fear of burning energy or developing muscles other than the one's they want to develop.  I think you are doing the best you can in your life, but that you could be doing better with therapy, or by continuing therapy.