Comments on: To the Girl With an Eating Disorder at the Gym http://hellogiggles.com/to-the-girl-with-an-eating-disorder-at-the-gym HelloGiggles Fri, 24 May 2013 14:43:09 -0700 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5.1 By: Shannon Lagasse http://hellogiggles.com/to-the-girl-with-an-eating-disorder-at-the-gym/comment-page-1#comment-149793 Shannon Lagasse Sun, 23 Dec 2012 18:57:06 +0000 http://hellogiggles.com/?p=121347#comment-149793 I like this post in that it addresses exercise addiction, which can also be a form of bulimia. I, personally, suffered from exercise bulimia when I was anorexic. No one said anything, although I’m sure they noticed how often I showed up and how long I stayed.

Perhaps it begs the question of when is enough enough? Bartenders sometimes stop serving their patrons when they are clearly drunk. Would it be the same to ask gym members to leave after exercising for 2 hours?

I don’t believe it’s healthy for anyone to stay on an elliptical machine for two hours. It’s just not necessary for cardiovascular health.

The problem with eating disorders and addictions is that no one says anything. Everyone notices – friends, family, strangers, co-workers – but no one SAYS anything. It is NOT shameful to have an addiction. It is NOT shameful to have an eating disorder. It’s only shameful when you judge it to be bad.

I applaud you for noticing this other woman’s struggle, although I think the real key would’ve been to actually say something. Darkness can only heal when it’s brought to light. How are we helping others by keeping our mouths shut and our hearts closed off? By approaching others out of love and acceptance, we can help them to grow tremendously.

]]> By: Michelle Konstantinovsky http://hellogiggles.com/to-the-girl-with-an-eating-disorder-at-the-gym/comment-page-1#comment-149665 Michelle Konstantinovsky Thu, 20 Dec 2012 17:38:09 +0000 http://hellogiggles.com/?p=121347#comment-149665 Seriously, thank YOU.

]]> By: Rachel Hintz http://hellogiggles.com/to-the-girl-with-an-eating-disorder-at-the-gym/comment-page-1#comment-149636 Rachel Hintz Wed, 19 Dec 2012 23:08:08 +0000 http://hellogiggles.com/?p=121347#comment-149636 Michelle, thank you so much for this article. I have personally been struggling with this issue for a long time, and it really helps just to know that I’m not alone. It is hard to get control and balance, but it is comforting to know that I am understood and that I am not the only one who deals with this. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

]]> By: Michelle Konstantinovsky http://hellogiggles.com/to-the-girl-with-an-eating-disorder-at-the-gym/comment-page-1#comment-149600 Michelle Konstantinovsky Wed, 19 Dec 2012 06:00:18 +0000 http://hellogiggles.com/?p=121347#comment-149600 Thank YOU.

]]> By: Michelle Konstantinovsky http://hellogiggles.com/to-the-girl-with-an-eating-disorder-at-the-gym/comment-page-1#comment-149599 Michelle Konstantinovsky Wed, 19 Dec 2012 05:51:47 +0000 http://hellogiggles.com/?p=121347#comment-149599 This means so much to me, thank you. You should be so proud of your recovery. xo

]]> By: Addi Black http://hellogiggles.com/to-the-girl-with-an-eating-disorder-at-the-gym/comment-page-1#comment-149573 Addi Black Tue, 18 Dec 2012 18:54:44 +0000 http://hellogiggles.com/?p=121347#comment-149573 This article hits super close to home and I really appreciate it. I was that girl at the gym years ago and I’m so grateful to say that I no longer am. But it’s great to know people like me years ago who are sweating it out in the gym burning negative calories aren’t going unnoticed. Though there’s not always much you can do (especially as a stranger) it’s just good to know people notice and have concern. Whenever I see someone who is in the dark place I used to be, I say a little prayer for them that they would have the strength and motivation and courage to heal (beginning with admitting that they have a problem). I don’t think this article is judgmental or too assuming. If anything I think it just brings more awareness to the growing illness and expresses concern coming from someone who has been there. Well done Michelle!

]]> By: Cassie Zwart http://hellogiggles.com/to-the-girl-with-an-eating-disorder-at-the-gym/comment-page-1#comment-149528 Cassie Zwart Mon, 17 Dec 2012 16:07:32 +0000 http://hellogiggles.com/?p=121347#comment-149528 As someone who currently has an ED and admits it, I was drawn to this article. I know what’s it’s like to be that girl in the gym that everyone looks at and makes a judgment–good or bad. That said, if a stranger came up to me and started asking me personal questions about the thing that I am the most shameful about (my body), I would not want to talk to them. I guess my suggestion would be for those who are concerned like Michelle is to make a friend with that person first. Get to know them and then you can be a better judge of what’s going on in that person’s life. Maybe they are in treatment. Maybe they have an overactive thyroid. You don’t know. Since ED is an isolating disease, making an effort to connect with them on a personal level would be perhaps the most caring thing you could do.

]]> By: Elizabeth Dowbiggin http://hellogiggles.com/to-the-girl-with-an-eating-disorder-at-the-gym/comment-page-1#comment-149520 Elizabeth Dowbiggin Mon, 17 Dec 2012 09:34:23 +0000 http://hellogiggles.com/?p=121347#comment-149520 The hellish experience of dealing with an eating disorder is different for everybody; when addressing the issue, the best one can do is to speak from one’s own experience, because that’s all he or she has. And that is exactly what Michelle is doing in this (wonderfully poignant) article. To say that the article is somehow lacking because it doesn’t address all eating disorder-experiences is to miss the point.
Thank you for sharing this Michelle.

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