Understanding ANOREXIA Eating Disorder: More Than Just Food, But Also Mental Health!

Is it  bad to be overweight? Why are more people concerned about their weight than anything else? 

Physical appearance means a lot to some people. Most people believed that being overweight means to be heavy or too fat, and they put a lot of emphasis on it. Though it is true that we all have one thing we would like to change about ourselves if we could, however, it is very wrong to have a bad perception of yourself. There's a good chance that others don't see you as negatively as you see yourself. In one poll, it was revealed that 58% of women who claimed to be overweight, only 17%, in fact, were. In another study, 45% of women who were actually underweight thought that they were too heavy!!!. 

Most women especially, believed that being attractive means being lean, and social media seems to propagate this. One study conducted revealed that young womenare often more afraid of putting on weight than they are of cancer, war, divorce or even losing their love ones. We shouldn't allow what we see on TV, internet and magazines worried us. Most young women are usually forced to be like that against their own will. And they keep themselves in a state of near starvation to maintain their figure!!!. The most important growth in life involves not your height, nor shape or facial features, but your development as a person - mentally, emotionally and above all - spiritually. 

One thing is for sure:- There's no way to either speed up or delay the process of physical growth, but we can surely determine how it affects us. If you are genuinely unhappy about how you weight, it is normal. There's no doubt that how we look can affect how we view ourselves - and how we are treated be others. However, thinking too much about it can result to depression, resentment, self hatred and suicide. 

We shouldn't blame ourselves for being too overweight. There are things in life we cannot change or choose. Genes can actually play an important role. Some people that are thin are programmed to be so. It is law of nature. If your genes have designated you to have a large figure, you were simply not programmed to be thin. Even if you were  to shed few pounds, you will realize that you properly look heavier than before. Exercise and diet can help, yet for the most part,  you are stuck with your inherited body shape. However, some experts warn that if you starve yourself to lose weight, your body might shift to "crisis mode", slow down your metabolism and quickly cause you to regain any weight you have lost. 

Studies have also shown that self starvation can lead to an eating disorder called ANOREXIA. 

So, what does ANOREXIA means and how does it affect your health. 

Why going on a diet to lose weight can be a wrong choice for you 

In their quest to lose weight, some young women have fallen victim to a life threatening eating disorder that really amounts to self-starvation. Anorexia can be put as an emotional disorder especially affecting young women, in which there is an abnormal fear of being fat, causing the person to stop eating, leading to dangerous weight-loss. A person who is suffering from Anorexia is called Anorexic. 

Anorexia can develop unknowingly. A young woman might want to embark on a seemingly harmless diet, perhaps to lose just a few pounds, when she reaches her goal, however, she isn't content. "I'm still too fat!" she declares as she stares disapprovingly at herself in the mirror. So she decides to lose just a few more pounds. Then just a few more. And a little more pounds. Then the pattern is set and the seeds of anorexia are sown.

Anorexia is often overlooked and not properly taken care of until it becomes a serious health issue. If you have symptoms of anorexia or any other eating disorder, you need to get help. You can confide in your parent, a trusted adult or a physiologist. 

A balance approach to lose weight 

The best approach to lose weight is through eating healthy food (with nutritional value) and exercising. Don't skip meals or go extremes in dieting, cuz if you do, the resulting hunger may actually make you eat more than you would. 

There's no need to resort to a fed diet. For example, diet pills may curb your appetite for a while, but your body quickly adjust to them and your appetite returns, which can result to a "beast mode".

Taking diet pills might help you, but not in a long run. Think of the side effects that you might experience such as dizziness, tiredness, short breath,  low blood circulation and perhaps even addiction. In a short word, a reasonable eating plan, balance with moderate but regular exercise will help you look and feel at your best. 

Eating healthy food is very important. The wrong kind of food can make you gain more weight. It is said that there are things that we have no control over, however, your health is a different story. The way you look is often determine by the lifestyle you choose. It is very possible to lose 35% of your body fat within 3 month by just making a few adjustments in your lifestyle. It has been done before and it is possible for you also.

Jordin Sparks 50 pounds. The “Tattoo” singer radiated confidence while showing off her 50-pound weight loss at the 2012 Teen Choice Awards.

Chris Pratt, 37, dropped 60 pounds in six months, 

For a proper balance, here are some steps you need to reach or achieve a better healthy lifestyle. 

*Eat right

A healthy lifestyle require that you put moderation in everything that you do. "Don't stuff yourself with food. Don't eat on food that have not yet being digested. Know when to stop. Know your stomach limit.

That advice isn't always easy to follow, however, this will help you prevent issues like tiredness, heartburn and stomach ache. Eating to your limit doesn't mean you will be hungry within a shorter time, but it will help you to be active and alert at always. The main point is "Just stop eating when you are full".

*Avoid foods that have no nutritional value

Most food can actually do a lot of damage to your health. You should cut down on fats and sugary substances. Try to reduce fats and sugar in your diet. Instead, go for fruits or vegetables. Studies have shown that by cutting out soda and sugar in diet, it is possible to lose 10 pounds in just a month.

*Exercise more
Exercise helps boost the immune system. Scientists revealed that physical exercise triggers the release of Endorphins - a chemical in the brain that helps relieve pain, stress and heighten sense of well-being.

Exercising regularly gives you great confidence boost and you will discover that you feel more good and relax each time you do it. But unfortunately, the very word "Exercise " tired most people out. However, you don't have to do extreme or outrageous exercise. You can go for simple one's like swimming, jogging, cycling, running, hiking snowboarding or other indoor exercises.

Exercising won't take up your time, 30 minutes of regular exercise is enough to keep your body active and alert.


Set a weight-loss goal

Set a reasonable goal in your diet and exercise areas. However, don't go beyond what you can't handle. Note that people that lose weight go through it, bit by bit. You need to have a strong determination. A realistic goals. Know how many pounds you would like to lose every single month and don't get discouraged. Don't give up. You will eventually make that lifestyle change you desire.

If you want to encourage yourself to stick to your weight-loss goals, you can get a partner to exercise with. This will help you more. You won't want to disappoint the other person.


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