1. Constantly be moving
2. Always drink cold water
3. Take cold showers
4. *Drink 2tbsp of vinegar before the meal, so it well help suck out the fat out of it.
5. -Chew sugar free gum or mints constantly. This burns calories by chewing, peppermint flavors suppress appetites, and prevents bad breath
6. *Buy a pair of expensive jeans at least one size too small. Try them on right before you eat. You will either not want to
eat or will eat less. When you lose enough weight to fit into them properly, reward yourself by buying another pair, again
one or two sizes too small.
7.Give yourself permission before eating. Stop and think about it, consider if you really want to eat whatever-it-is. If your answer is yes, then say (or think) something like "I'm allowed to eat this" or "I have permission to eat this".
8.Plan your meals in advance, for the day or week or whatever. Decide what you are allowed to eat each day. If you know that you will be eating, it may help you avoid eating other things.
9. Sabotage your food. Make it with too much water, too little sugar, an ingredient you don't care for. Add too much salt or pepper before you eat. You will eat less of it if it tastes bad.

Keep in mind I am NOT ana/mia, and I AM overweight. What I meant to say is, I won't go under 800 calories a day, that's my lowest.

Also if anyone has any more tips I'd appreciate it xx

Post edited at 2:59 pm on Oct. 29, 2009 by Anonymous

So I wasn't sure if you wanted confirmation on the tips given, or if you wanted more ideas and all, so I'm just going to go with doing both, and hopefully it works. If not, feel free to correct me, and I'll try my best to fix it and help moar. :)

1. If you're constantly moving, you're going to continually burn calories, although the side effect would be of overworking yourself, and straining muscles. Depending on how much movement you're actually doing and at what rate you're doing it. So this does work as an effective way of losing weight.

2. Since it takes more calories to burn/digest cold water, it does make you lose weight faster, although it is bad for you, and suggested that instead you try to drink water at room temperature.

3. I've never actually head anything about this helping you lose weight and everything. But I do know they help raise blood circulation levels, so this could be a reason that would help lose weight.

4. I remember reading this on a pro-anorexia website, and I wouldn't recommend doing it. Vinegar is acidic, and in term drinking it could harm your throat, and cause future problems.

5. Not only does this burn calories through the method of chewing, it also serves as a good 'meal' type thing. At least for myself, it takes away the need for more food, and rids myself of an appetite. A lot of people do this for that sole reason alone. :)

6. This is definitely hitting the phase of being highly pro-ana. You're rewarding yourself by losing weight? Sure you "might" in theory be doing it healthily, but in the long run, it just sounds and looks somewhat sadistic. By buying pant sizes which are too small for you, you have the potential of cutting off your blood circulation. Not only that, but if you happen to not fit in the pants, you'll only become disappointed in yourself, and then feel the need to lose more weight, most likely unhealthily.

7. Why do you need permission to eat? Wouldn't it be best to eat when you feel necessary and you're hungry, rather than saying "eat when you're allowed too"? You're only telling yourself and your body that you're going to starve until you say you can eat. What happens when your brain starts never saying yes? Because in actuality, your brain can "take over" your actions and thoughts.

8. I agree entirely with this. It's best to try and plan in advance what you're going to eat, along with the caloric intake and nutrient facts of everything to assure that you're going to get the needed nutrients.

9. This is pretty much the most idiotic idea I've read thus far (in pretty much everywhere involving ana/mia ideas.) You're going to want to enjoy what you're eating, right? So that you won't feel the need to eat more, and you'll be satisfied with the tastes you're having. You won't feel the need to overeat or binge afterwards.

10. My only real contribution that I can think of right now: Cut out all the unnecessary sugars and caffeine that you can in your diet. This will help you lose weight, and it will actually make you lose some weight drastically at first. Just be prepared that if you start having the sugars again, you'll likely gain the weight yet again. There's also something that by drinking caffeine, you'll lose weight, but I don't think this is the best way, especially if you dislike your coffee black.

My question to you: What do you normally eat in a day, to get your 800 calories? Because honestly, that's not healthy at all. There is absolutely no way you're getting all the needed nutrients to get by each and every day by eating that little calories. What do you think of your current weight? And what makes you feel like you're not anorexic, because by the sounds of it, you're quite close, especially if you're purposely restricting yourself that many calories in any given meal...
~Wayne

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Soulless is everywhere, destroy the spineless.

What do you normally eat in a day? Well, yesterday when I had eaten 885 (I did decide today though that I wouldn't go any lower than 800 calories) calories, I had cereal for breakfast, with milk, then I had soup for dinner with a side of broccoli and cheese. Later that night, because I knew I'd be starving, I hate some oatmeal.  

I set 10PM as my "Don't eat after this time" even if I'm going to bed way later, at say, 5am or something.  

I wasn't hungry yesterday, and I realize 885 is kind of low, but I didn't see a problem since I really wasn't hungry. But, I had eaten a lot of carbs yesterday, so I figured it was okay.

What do you think of your current weight? I think I'm unhealthy, and obese, which I am. My doctor has told me this, my BMI is 30.something, I honestly am obese, I'm not just saying it for attention.  

I haven't started exercising yet, to be honest, because I'm on my period (yeah, TMI I know, but it's a heavy flow and exercising right now would be insane), but I will start once I'm off. I'll most likely start biking for 30 minutes to an hour every day, switching the next week to tae bo probably. I eat decent. Not super-healthy, but not all junk food, either. I eat what I can, or rather, whatever my mum buys.  

4. I remember reading this on a pro-anorexia website, and I wouldn't recommend doing it. Vinegar is acidic, and in term drinking it could harm your throat, and cause future problems.  

Well, that's good then, because drinking vinegar seemed REALLY freaking gross.

7. Why do you need permission to eat?

Well, because I tend to eat when I'm bored. I want to eat when I'm sitting on the computer, or in front of the TV. I DO eat when I'm hungry, but I try to make it something small, and I try to have more carbs in the morning to sustain me throughout most of the day. By giving myself permission to eat, I'd be able to say, "yeah, okay, you know I didn't really eat a big lunch, I really am hungry, I'll get some water and then if I'm still hungry have a snack" rather than, "I'm just going to destroy this entire bag of chips, when originally  I only planned to have a handful."

I know that seems pathetic, but I literally CAN plow through a whole bag and not even realize it.

6. This is definitely hitting the phase of being highly pro-ana. You're rewarding yourself by losing weight? Sure you "might" in theory be doing it healthily, but in the long run, it just sounds and looks somewhat sadistic. By buying pant sizes which are too small for you, you have the potential of cutting off your blood circulation. Not only that, but if you happen to not fit in the pants, you'll only become disappointed in yourself, and then feel the need to lose more weight, most likely unhealthily.  

This, I actually thought was a good idea, but I guess not so I won't.

9. This is pretty much the most idiotic idea I've read thus far (in pretty much everywhere involving ana/mia ideas.) You're going to want to enjoy what you're eating, right? So that you won't feel the need to eat more, and you'll be satisfied with the tastes you're having. You won't feel the need to overeat or binge afterwards.  

I guess you're right. It sounded good at the time.

I'm really just looking for some of the tips like, distracting yourself. Because like I said, I DO eat when I'm bored, and people with ED really have self control.. Yeah it might be a sickness, and no I don't support it at all, but I just kind of want to borrow from them a little idk how to explain it.

My only real contribution that I can think of right now: Cut out all the unnecessary sugars and caffeine that you can in your diet. This will help you lose weight, and it will actually make you lose some weight drastically at first. Just be prepared that if you start having the sugars again, you'll likely gain the weight yet again. There's also something that by drinking caffeine, you'll lose weight, but I don't think this is the best way, especially if you dislike your coffee black.

I didn't see this, so I'll throw it in really fast. I don't drink soda or coffee, but we do have a lot of 'treats' around the house that are really tempting. I found these little candies, though, called Werthers Originalm, and 1 piece is only 20 calories so maybe I'll try to substitute that.

Post edited at 3:00 pm on Oct. 29, 2009 by Anonymous

As for your don't eat after time, there is nothing wrong with eating after that time. Generally the only restriction which you should have is trying not to eat anymore than 3 hours before you go to bed. That way everything has time to digest and such in your stomach. Likewise, I'm a firm believer in not eating when you're not hungry, so I'm not going to badger you about that. :)

I'll give you that. A BMI of over 30 is considered obese in the society we live in, but luckily you're not too far above, and luckily you are having a mindset of trying to lose weight. Which is a lot less than can be said about anyone else with your BMI. There are four BMI categories, which are these:

BMI Categories:
• Underweight = <18.5
  
• Normal weight = 18.5-24.9
  
• Overweight = 25-29.9
  
• Obesity = BMI of 30 or greater

4- I agree entirely, the idea of just drinking vinegar makes me want to gag, which is probably its purpose in the long run, to make you have those reflexes which reflects over to when you eat (probably intended for bulimics, too.)

7- We all eat when we're bored, even I do it. It disgusts me as well, and I've tried hard to get around it, and it is hella hard, but giving us permission to do it won't do any good. We can say we'll give permission, but in the long run, it will just fade away from existence. We'll do it for a day or two, and then start giving into temptation, rather than what we feel.

9- Distracting yourself, well, it can be difficult, definitely when our mind is constantly lying to us and saying we're hungry, but in reality we're bored. Try to realize this, and try to understand that you're not hungry. Fill yourself up by drinking water. It works well for me, from time to time. (Sorry for saying I a lot :[.) Another thing you can do is, for instance, just find something that easily holds your attention, such as LiveWire. Try not to go into the kitchen, where you know food is easily accessible. Know your limits. When you're full, stop eating. Try your hardest, no matter what. :/

Those candies are a good idea, as well. Things like that and peppermints tend to take our cravings and appetite away, making our mind drift away from food. 20 calories per candy is a lot better than [for instance] several calories per bite of food which we'd be taking. Sort-of like a trade off. You're definitely a step in the right direction, and you should be proud of yourself, if you're not already. :) Hope this is helping.

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Soulless is everywhere, destroy the spineless.

First off, I think it's easier for me because I'm in charge of what I buy.  I don't get treats for the house, and therefore it's hard to turn towards them when I get hungry.  I would suggest possibly talking to your family and reconsidering what you're buying.  Even if the rest of your family isn't overweight, it doesn't mean treat and snacks are good for you.  My boyfriend is rather underweight... it's just his body type.  But he eats out, he doesn't have a balanced diet, etc.  So my point is, everyone inf your family can benefit from taking away these "treats" or at least substituting them for somethign that might be a little healthier.

Alright, so a few things.  I don't count calories, because I think that's too close to being to paranoid.  I do look at calories of things that I'm going to buy, but I don't go about adding them together.  I'm conscious about how much I'm consuming, and let that help me decide what I can "afford" to eat later.

And in general, I buy things that are healthier.  My salad dressings are all lower fat/low call.  Jam is always bought lower sugar (not no sugar, because then they put in sugar substitute).  My milk is all fat free.  I always buy lower call wheat/fiber bread.  Cheese will always be a more reduced fat type of cheese.  Yogurt is always lower fat. . You get the point.  So I cut where I can, almost always... it's a start, but it'll make things just a little better.

In terms of snacking... it's hard to overcome this, and I would be wary of really asking yourself "permission" to eat things.  You have to be careful, because if you put TOO many restrictions on yourself, then suddenly, you may drop everything all together.  I've come to learn that by denying myself something that I'm craving ALL the time, makes me more likely to suddenly just give up and fall into a bad habit.  But when I think, "wow, I'm really craving this", and I get it... then that's that.  My craving is cured, and I feel better.  Mind you, it's hard to reach the point where you can only do that occassionally, but you can work up to it.  If you're really willing to do it, you can make it there.

In terms of the trying on skinnier clothes?  I don't suggest this either.  In some sense ,I think this might demotivate you.  Losing weight healthily can be a very slow process, and if you continually find you're not fitting, or some days you feel bigger than others, then you may put yourself into the thought that you're not going anywhere.  It was SO much easier to continue eating healthily when I finally saw a difference on the scale!  Until then, it was almost like I was never getting anywhere, so it was always, "well, one more thing won't matter". But everyone is different.  In this process, more than anything, you need to understand YOU.  If I put restrictions on myself, I'm more likely to break them.  If I keep demotivating myself, then I'm more likely to think that one bad thing won't hurt me.  Maybe you're different.

In terms of exercise, I say one thing.  Do not think, "well, I'm too tired today, so I'll make an exception for today only".  Every time I've given myself one day because I was "Too tired" or "just didn't feel like it", it's fallen apart.  You said you were on your period so you didn't start exercising.  Once you start exercising, being on your period should NOT be an excuse.  I know it sucks, and it's uncomfortable, I hate it too... but if you can use that as an excuse once you start your "plan", then you may possibly drop the ball later as well.  So try and keep these ideas in mind.

And more than anything, what's helped me?  Being forced to exercise.  I don't know if you can do this to your schedule, but I have to bike to get to the train station every day.  I also have to walk to work and walk around school.  Because of this, five days a week I'm biking 4 miles, and if I don't, then I can't get to school or get home.  I can't get lazy, I can't save it for a later time... and this has helped me ALOT.  Look at the things you do on a regular basis and see if you can try to use some form of physical transportation at some point in the day.  It may not be possible for you, but it's somethign to consider.

And the planning out your meals thing is a great idea to me.  Personally since I'm in school all day, I can only take what I can carry in my lunch box.  For that reason, my snacks, lunch, dinner are all already set.  I don't have access to more food.  So being out of the house and away things can help too.  So as silly as it sounds, get yourself out of the house.  Maybe study at a library instead (if that's an option for you).  Consider getting a job to get you out of the house more, or just find other activities that can get you away frmo the temptation of food.  I don't know about you, but I eat more when I'm bored... but when I'm busy, it doesn't come to mind.

And.. I would strongly recommend snacks throughout the day.  This could be carrot sticks, apples, oranges, celery sticks, a low cal snack (like 100 calorie packs, or granola bars, but make sure to look at the fat as well!).  It can help take off the dependence on your major meals later in the day.

And... if you want to be unhealthy, take the healthiest route there.  Say you want to eat at a fast food place, for example.  Get a small burger, do NOT get mayo, get small fries, and a small drink.  Even better if you can choose some kind of grilled chicken option, or something.  If you want something sweet, consider frozen yogurt... tastes mostly like icecream, but no fat.  I do the werther's things too!  It helps so much when I'm craving something sweet, and since it's a hard candy, it lasts a while :).  Just remember... that they do have sugars in them, so that's something to consider as well.  Also, you can bake cakes at home with those basic cake mixes, right?  Use applesauce as a substitute for oil.  It doesn't taste as good, but it cuts out ALOT of fat.  If you want chips, buy yourself a small bag, and get the baked variety.  Like I said, cut where you can.  These little things add up, and if you can take them out along the way, it makes a big difference.

So I don't know, just a few things to put out there.  It's the type of "diet" that is very easily held by me.  I don't feel like I'm restricting myself, I'm happy with my choices, and I see results.  Oh, and I always have quick meals on hand.  I really don't like the idea of eating frozen/ready made food, but some days, I'm not in to cooking... and so having a meal that's ready on hand keeps me from making then, "well, I'll just eat this" or "I'll go to this place and get food".  It's like a last resort if you will...

So yeah, I don't know how much of this will apply to you, but take what you will and forget what doesn't apply.  More than anything, keep your goal in mind.  Every time you make a decision against eating something bad for you, just remind yourself of why you're doing it.  And, instead of just denying yourself food, try to find alternatives.  You're really craving food?  Eat some vegetables or fruits instead.  If you want something sweet, maybe you can try a yogurt of some kind instead (still has fat, but better than other options).  And be happy.  You're trying to be healthy and be happier with yourself... if you make yourself miserable in the process, it'll be harder to maintain.  Find exercise you enjoy, get people to join you into clubs like your tae bo or something, join a sport, etc.  And have fun and be happy... if you're HAPPY with your choices, then you'll find it much easier to maintain this path.