I am bulimic. My physician, my dentist, and my therapist are all aware. I know that for people with eating disorders, dieting isn't ideal. However, I really believe that the No S Diet saved my life. It sounds dramatic, I know. For the first time in over two years, I can honestly say that I am no longer controlled by food but I am in control of what I out into my mouth.
I will probably struggle with the feeling of "needing" to binge and purge for the rest of my life. But now I have a solid framework for dealing with it. It's one thing to "talk" about it, but it's a completely different thing to "do something" about it. I've been talking about bulimia for over a year now- with my doctor and therapist. This is first time I've actually taken action.
It's extremely difficult for me, even on a message board, to publicly "come out" as bulimic. It all started when I was 27, right after the birth of my 4th child. I was diagnosed with hyperemesis gravidarum (excessive nausea & vomiting during pregnancy). I lost over 40 lbs during the pregnancy (baby was fine). I was the thinnest I had been since starting to have children. Post babies- that's when weight became a "problem" for me, before then I ate whatever I wanted, had little exercise and I was between a size 10 & 12.
So, losing all this weight while pregnant was mind-blowing to me. Family and friends raved and gushed about how great I looked and how small I was getting. In my head, it was the vomiting that made it all possible so I decided to make that my "diet". I knew it was terrible and could eventually lead to serious health issues or even death, but I was hooked. I gained back over 20 pounds, but managed to keep the other 20 off. It's been a nightmare!
Then I found No S- I've been doing it for only just over a week, but I have not felt the need to binge or purge once. I know what I'm eating now- without having to write anything down because it's only three set meals per day. I don't have to worry about if I ate one too many cookies or pieces of cake, because I just don't. On my S days- I had one cookie on Sat and on Sun I had a cupcake. Otherwise, I still only ate three regular meals- just because it's easier to manage.
I know I'm not "cured". I know I have to keep my doc and therapist in the loop, here. I'm just saying that I've not felt this comfortable with food in a long time. I'm not going to weigh myself at all for a while. Maybe not even for a few months. I may creep up in pounds, I know that. So, it's just better that I learn the habits and actually enjoy food again. I've always been a fairly sensible eater (lean meats, veggies, whole grains), I just ate way too much of it all in addition to tons of sweets. I have a monstrous sweet tooth and it's way past time to tame this beast!
Sorry, I rambled. I just wanted to introduce myself and let everyone know I'm here
![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)