'One remark made me bulimic'
Living with bulimia
My bulimia was partly triggered by something a teacher said to me when I was 14. She told me I'd never be a gymnast, because I "wasn't the right shape." After that, I tried every wacky diet going; the boiled egg diet, the cabbage soup diet, you name it. Then one day, I hit on the idea of making myself sick. That way, I thought, I could keep eating and lose weight. Back then, I didn't even know it had a name!
I carried on making myself sick for years. Food was something to feel guilty about. I starved myself, then I binged, then I made myself sick.
By the age of 31, I had a serious eating disorder and I weighed six stone. My blood sugar levels were terrible, I had heart murmurs and I was really weak. I even had to give up my job and move back in with my parents.
So when I was offered hospital treatment for my bulimia, I took it. While I was in there, a lovely nurse said to me, 'I don't think you really want to be like this, do you?' She was right, I didn't. After that, I accepted psychiatric help and saw a nutritionist. They helped me see food as a fuel, to make my body healthy and beautiful. I also learned to eat when I was hungry, and stop when I was full.
On bad days, I still got the urge to make myself sick. But I stuck at it, and now I can honestly say I'm cured of my bulimia. I haven't weighed myself in years, I'm happy with how I look, and I enjoy going out for meals.
I'd advise anyone suffering from bulimia, or any eating disorder, to seek help immediately, and to lean on your family and friends for support. Life really is too short and precious to spend it obsessing about food.
Karen Phair, 36, Surrey
More help and advice
- This Morning's Dr Chris' expert advice on bulimia
- Tips on living with bulimia
- Advice on how to battle anorexia
- In-depth info on bulimia
- For more information and advice on eating disorders, visit Beat
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amandaaaaaa ! (:, about 1 year
i feeeel reallly bad for you but just wondering does it hurt you when you through up ? like how does it feeell when you through but just wonderinngg
Report this commentASHLEY, about 1 year
AM 18 YEAR OLD AND I AM BULIMAC AND HAVE BEEN FOR YEARS MY WEIGH GOS UP AND DOWN I MAKE MYSELF SICK UP TO 9 TIME A DAY AFTER BINGE EATING I HAVENT TOLD ANY ONE UNTIL LAST WK WHEN I WAS TALKIN INTO HOSPITAL AS I HAD PAIN NOW I WANT TO GET BETTER AND HOPE I CAN SOON AS I AM A SIZE 10 BUT PPL SAY U SHOULD GROW UP BUT NOONE KNW HOW HAD IT IS AND HOW MUCH U WANT HELP I CRY EVERY NIGHT N START TO HATE LIFE AND BY DROWNIN ALL MY PROBLEM OUT I GO OUT AT THE WKEND N TRY FORGET BUT IF U DONT GET HELP UL NEVER BE HAPPYYYYYYYYYYYY XX
Report this commentmelia, about 1 year
Im 18 years old and have had bulimia for about 2 years. I have never thought about the future befor but your story made me think. I dont want to be like this for the rest of my life and never realy thought of the consequences to my health. But now i realise that i must seek help befor i realy suffer. thankyou.
Report this commentHeidi Easterby, over 2 years
Thankyou. I have been Bulimic for about 18 years, never talked to anyone about it and until today i never thought I could do anything about it.
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zack, about 1 year
i am sorry and i hope u feel better
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