General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Binge Eating - a personal story (long) Rss Feed  
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2006-04-07 11:26 AM
in reply to: #384017

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Master
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Subject: RE: Binge Eating - a personal story (long)

Dana

Thank you so much for sharing your story.  I can't wait to watch you on Ironmanlive.com this sunday.  Have a great race.  I did my first IM last Sept.  let me offer you one bit of advice (i am sure people have given you a ton already)  Put on another pair of socks on at T2, also dry your feet off before you put them on, if you could use baby power that would be great.  This could help prevent blisters.  I did change my socks but didn't dry my feet and got HUGE blisters on my feet and had to walk 99% of the run.

Best of luck you will do great.  Racing is the easy part.  That comment will make sense on Monday!! Trust me it will.

What is your bib number??

 



Edited by kleinrider 2006-04-07 11:28 AM


2006-04-07 11:42 AM
in reply to: #384017

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Subject: RE: Binge Eating - a personal story (long)
great story dana...

I think that so many of us have fought a body image- weight issue. I fall in the category of going through years of starving, working out 3x a day, throwing up and back again...although my frame never showed more than a 25 pound difference (although I am under 5 ft so that is something)...the hard part was all that I felt about my appearance on the inside didn't match what others saw on the outside so for over 20 years it had been my silent hell....as I heard people say to me: "you don't have a problem'...

Starting marathon training a year and a half ago was the first time I actually looked in the mirror and saw a healthy person....but I realize it is a daily..yes daily effort. Some days I feel great. Some days I fall in the old trap and see all the tall skinny girls at the gym...but the one thing with this kind of training...it reminds you about the long haul and working thru the good and bad days!

I hope you have a great race!

2006-04-07 1:03 PM
in reply to: #390816

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Master
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Berkeley, CA
Subject: RE: Binge Eating - a personal story (long)
Hey! It's 318. Thanks for the advice. I was planning on changing socks, but hadn't thought much about drying my feet! I'm also prone to blisters, so... anything that will help!

Thanks for all your encouragement!

Dana
2006-04-09 10:15 PM
in reply to: #384017

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Subject: RE: Binge Eating - a personal story (long)

Dana,

I re-read this thread today while you are out there on the course...You are on the run now after having what looked like a great swim and bike.  By my numbers it looks like you have 8 or so hours to finish the marathon.  That means you are going to do it!!  Even if you don't, you made it this far and that is breathtaking in the level of courage that it must have taken and be taking!  You are an amazing, couragous and talented woman.  I hope you are out there slaying a few of your dragons today!! 

Sherri

2006-04-10 8:19 AM
in reply to: #384017

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Subject: RE: Binge Eating - a personal story (long)
You did it!

Congratulations! I can't wait for the race report - great times! nothing like swimming a sub 1:30 and averaging 21+ mph for the last 26 miles of an ironman ride to wow the crowd.

I hope you impressed yourself as much as you've impressed us.

Josh

So what's next?
2006-04-10 8:40 AM
in reply to: #384017

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Subject: RE: Binge Eating - a personal story (long)

Congratulations Dana!!!

checked out your times on ironmanlive.com.  Very impressive.  I can't wait to hear about it.  I hope you feel great about it and slept like a baby last night.  congrats.



2006-04-10 12:43 PM
in reply to: #384017

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Subject: RE: Binge Eating - a personal story (long)

Congrats Dana!!!

I was watching (well what I could) on ironmanlive.... That was great...

It gets me really thinking of Ironman wisconsin in 2007!!!

Again way to go, you are an ironman!!!

GJ

2006-04-12 7:03 AM
in reply to: #384017

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Master
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Subject: RE: Binge Eating - a personal story (long)
Yay Dana! You did it...what a great day!!!
2006-04-12 9:34 AM
in reply to: #384017

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Subject: RE: Binge Eating - a personal story (long)
Dana,

Way to go for your race, but an even bigger way to go for speaking about your struggles. This is the most important thing you can do in your recovery. I am a therapist for women with eating disorders, and I see that verbalizing your struggle, feelings and thoughts is the most important part of the battle. It is NOT about the food. Sure, a balanced meal plan that allows for realistic eating (including desserts or "junk" food) truly helps, but that is only a behavioral component. It sounds like you have found something in triathlon training that alleviates the build of stress and emotional reactions that you may have used bingeing to treat.

***For everybody*****
We binge, restrict, over-exercise, purge, what-have-you because we are experiencing problems/pain in our life, and have successfully used these methods to get rid of the pain. In essence "the drug" works. It works really well and may be the first time ever that we felt disconnected from fear or shame or anger. So we use it again and again and again until we HAVE to use it to be able to function. It becomes the only thing we can retreat to as well as the the biggest thing that causes us pain. Interrupting this cycle by inserting another coping mechanism and speaking about our pain is exactly how to recover (be careful about over-exercising). Dana has a great instinct.

Your post tells me that you have a strong intuition (trust it, trust it, trust it) and a desire for life. That is so awesome. I hope you have found a community who understands your struggle, whether it is treatment, support group or the internet.

You are welcome to email me at any time with questions. While I cannot ethically do therapy over the internet, I can be a friend and a support.

Regards,

mammabon
2006-04-12 10:44 AM
in reply to: #384017

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Crystal Lake, IL
Subject: RE: Binge Eating - a personal story (long)

Geez, for all the time I waste spend on this site you would think I would have found this thread sooner.  What a story!  You are an inspiration.  I bet the RR isn't out yet because you are still going over the book/movie deal.  Congratulations. 

I know enough about weight loss to know (as with other things) that there will still be tough times ahead.  I hope that this AMAZING ACCOMPLISHMENT and your triumphs in the journey to get to this point will help you through those times.  It's not just about what you have accomplished.  It's about the strength you found INSIDE YOURSELF that made you able to do this.  Never forget that. 

Congrats again, and we're all looking forward to the RR.

2006-04-12 1:37 PM
in reply to: #384017

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Master
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Subject: RE: Binge Eating - a personal story (long)
Woohoo, Everyone!!

Time?: 14:46:00!!!!!!

Race report to follow, as soon as I come low enough to the ground to type! Actually... I just got back late last night, and am at work with piles of paper before me. But i wanted to say thanks to all!!

What a day!! What a year!!! What a future!

Dana


2006-04-12 2:27 PM
in reply to: #384017

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Subject: RE: Binge Eating - a personal story (long)
Wow - what a story!! I can't wait to read the RR!
2006-04-12 2:46 PM
in reply to: #384017

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Subject: RE: Binge Eating - a personal story (long)
I am awestruck. Considering that I still evaluate the IM as an inhuman race, your journey is one that I can hardly bring myself to believe!

A million congratulations!
2006-04-12 3:29 PM
in reply to: #384017

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Subject: RE: Binge Eating - a personal story (long)

Wow, what a difference a year makes, Dana! Way to turn things around. Your story is inspirational on many levels. Congratulations on your totally *awesome* race last weekend
2006-04-12 5:46 PM
in reply to: #384017

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Master
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Subject: RE: Binge Eating - a personal story (long)
Ok, I posted my race report for those who were harassing, I mean encouraging me to do so!!

Dana L.
2006-04-17 1:10 PM
in reply to: #384017

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Subject: RE: Binge Eating - a personal story (long)
Wow Dana.  Thanks for sharing your story.  I can relate to everything you said.  With your wonderful example, maybe, someday, I will achieve my weight loss and fitness goals too, just as you have.  


2006-04-18 6:36 AM
in reply to: #384017

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Master
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Subject: RE: Binge Eating - a personal story (long)
you owe us the finish line picture!
2006-04-18 6:50 PM
in reply to: #398729

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Master
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Berkeley, CA
Subject: RE: Binge Eating - a personal story (long)
Oh, Greg! You won't believe this, but there is no finish line picture!! Isn't that sad???!? They have it set up so that the only people who can do the photos for the finishing line is their photographers, and they didn't get the shot!

They did get some truly heinous ones of me on the swim bike and run, however!!

Anywho. I was bummed, but I'm trying to get over it.

Dana L.
2006-04-18 7:17 PM
in reply to: #384017

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Subject: RE: Binge Eating - a personal story (long)
You are my inspiration. After reading your story I feal like a slacker.
2006-04-20 5:39 PM
in reply to: #384017

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Irvine
Subject: RE: Binge Eating - a personal story (long)
I am new to the sport of triathlons and I have been reading several of these responses. I was wondering what my ideal weight is in order to compete in this sport? My height is 5' 8" and I weigh 175 lbs.
2006-04-20 5:50 PM
in reply to: #401981

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Master
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Subject: RE: Binge Eating - a personal story (long)
Hi!

This is the kind of question that can only be fully answered by a doctor, I imagine, but here's a good stab at it!!

It depends alot on your age, but I think that the recommended body weight for a person who is 30 is 125-164 lbs. So you, technically, are slightly over.

I think that most triathletes perform best at the higher end of their range, but I'm a big-boned person, so it is unlikely with my build that I would ever see 125, unless I chose to lose a limb. But I'm 5 foot 7, age 35, and I'm pretty sure that my ideal would be about 155. So, I have about 20 lbs. to lose. I can imagine that with how I feel right now, that the loss of those 20 lbs. would feel perfect athletically speaking, but any more than that, I think I'd be in trouble. I also feel able to compete well at the weight I'm at, so I'm not jumping down my throat to lose it fast. I'm gonna take these last 20 slowly. I think that's what I need to make these ones count!

In any case, only you can know what kind of bone structure you have and your lean body mass. Who knows?? You could be perfect as you are. But if Body Mass Indicators mean anything to you, another 10 puts you into optimal health.

How's that?

Dana (o:


2006-04-21 11:26 AM
in reply to: #384017

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Elite
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Subject: RE: Binge Eating - a personal story (long)
Dana, Just saw this thread and wanted to say that you have come so far and I am so proud of you.  I definitely understand about the feeling ashamed stuff that you talked about (in the first post) and I think the first big step is to bring that out in the open, and go "public" - you are awesome and you've come so far - keep it up!
2006-04-21 6:32 PM
in reply to: #384017

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Irvine
Subject: RE: Binge Eating - a personal story (long)
Based on your response, my goal should be around 140-145 lbs in order to complete the triathlon. I will set my goals steadily for several months to achieve the 140-145 lbs range.
2006-04-21 7:00 PM
in reply to: #403274

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Master
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Subject: RE: Binge Eating - a personal story (long)
No!!! Not at all, actually!! I'm just throwing out there what the professionals say. I too am in that same range and just finished an Ironman at 175 lbs. Don't wait until you think you fit the prototype to engage!! Jump in!! Sure, set a weight goal to achieve, but don't let that be a barrier to beginning. I'm very fit right now. I could be faster, but I'm very strong. When I finished the IMAZ, I watched several people finish the race after me, and I kept thinking, "Oh gosh, how could I possibly finished before they did??? They're so fit/thin/athletic/whatever."

(o:

In any case, I hope you won't wait to start doing triathlons. Many people don't lose a lot when they train, because you build up so much muscle. You will probably only lose grossly overweight weight, and then tone up a bunch.

In any case, enjoy the journey!

Dana
2006-04-27 1:30 PM
in reply to: #384017

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Subject: RE: Binge Eating - a personal story (long)
Dana,

Sorry for being late for the party, but I just came across this thread. That was one of the most inspirational stories I have read in a long time.

I'm just starting back and almost everything you said rings true with me, I'm up over 70 lbs to an all time high of 290. But I'm back on the wagon at least for now and plugging along taking it one day at a time.

Thanks again for sharing something so personal,

Scott
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