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Starvation Dieting
Can starvation dieting have a permanent affect on your
ability to lose weight? WLR's dietitian answers the question.
Starvation Dieting
By WLR Dietitian
Q: As a fat child I starved myself to be thin and went
from a size 16 to a size 8. I loved my new life but put on
some weight to see if it would make my boobs grow.
Unfortunately, it got out of control and I gained 2 stone.
Now, at the age of 19, I’m fat again and this time the weight
won’t come off. I run 30 miles a week, do loads of toning
exercises, go to the gym four times a week and have tried
eating less, but nothing works. I don’t like leaving the house
anymore and haven’t been out since Christmas. Has starving
myself in the past made it impossible for me to lose weight
now?
A: It sounds as though you’ve had problems getting to grips
with your size and shape since childhood. So before you do
anything else, I think you should deal with this, especially
as it’s got to the point where you’re feeling so miserable
you’ve stopped going out. I recommend you see your GP as soon
as possible and explain how unhappy your weight has made you
feel over the years, including the present time. Your GP will
then be able to refer you to someone who can help you deal
with your weight worries by talking things through. With help,
you can learn to feel comfortable with your body and find a
weight that’s not only healthy for your height, but one that
you’re also able to maintain.
As you’ve already discovered, starving yourself isn’t the
best way to get – and keep – a slim, toned and healthy body.
In contrast, a combination of sensible eating and exercising
will help you achieve this. Fortunately, starving yourself in
the past shouldn’t have made it impossible for you to get and
stay in great shape again.
You’ll find more information about the effects of starvation
dieting here. In the meantime, until you’ve seen your GP,
I suggest you stop thinking about dieting and losing weight
and instead concentrate on eating a healthy, balanced diet
that contains a wide range of foods. |
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