Do I have an eating disorder?

[Anonymous]

Almost every day, I don't eat until 8 pm. I might have a little snack during the day if I'm hungry, but (mostly unconsciously) make sure it doesn't exceed 100 kcal. I never really thought that I have an eating disorder or something, but yesterday I've been thinking that maybe I really am ill. When I get home at 8 pm, I eat normally. I also eat chocolate. It's just that I don't eat during the day. I have to admit that I feel great when I weigh myself and notice that I've lost weight. I don't look ill. I'm neither too fat nor too skinny (5'6" about 130 pounds, 36-years-old). I haven't lost a lot of weight since I stopped eating during the day, which has started probably about two years ago. I eat normally on the weekends, although no breakfast because I don't like food in the mornings.

Do you people think I might have a problem, or is this perfectly normal?

Updates

+1 y

This is what I look like. I don't think I'm too fat, nor do I find myself too skinny. I think I look OK, I'm content with the way I look for a 36-year-old, ha: link


Also, I should add that I do watch what I eat. I eat plenty of healthy food as I'm vegetarian and eat tons of vegetables, and yes, I also eat protein.

[PhilaPenn]

First, if you really want to be healthy you really shouldn't eat after 6pm. Your doesn't digest as well a night, esp when sleeping. Second, I know plenty of women who really only eat once a day because they just forget or aren't hungry. You don't have an eating disorder. If you did you'd have some psychotic symptions (voices tell you that you are fat, ugly, worthless etc.) You'd also be going to extremes with you diet and working out. If the only thin you ate all day was an apple and a few carrot sticks with water, then yeah you'd probably be aneorexic. If you were making yourself throw up after binging, then you'd probably be bolemic. You've got a nice figure, I think you're good.

[martyfellow]

Skipping meals, especially breakfast,isn't good, and probably toomany calories come from the cocolate, not enough from everything else. You can get away with this for a while since you are young, but it will catch up with you. You could develop a series of medical problems from an unbalanced diet.

[justme20]

skipping meals, not eating and restricting calories keeps you fat and doesn't help weight loss. your body thinks it is starving so it holds on to as much body fat as possible. if you want to lose weight you need to excellerate your metabolism by eating 5-6 meals per day at the same time every day and stay hydrated and work out. For your health you need to eat every 3-4 hours and have a complete, healthy meal

[Asker]

"keeps you fat": I am not fat?

[justme20]

no you look fine I mean doing all those things isn't good for weight loss. You will hold on to your weight I mean

[furbyswife]

It might not necessarily classify as an eating disorder, but it sure is a messed up schedule to eat. When your body needs energy you don't eat, and when your body doesn't need energy you eat. How much calories do you eat in a day? Does it exceed 1200kcal?

[Asker]

No, I don't think so. I haven't counted in a while but I probably eat around 900-1000 on an average weekday.

[furbyswife]

You're supposed to eat at least 1200 kcal. Maybe you do have anorexia. Do you know your baseline metabolic requirement? (like how much kcal your body needs to maintain your body)

[Asker]

I know about the 1200 kcal. I actually need more than that because I do HIIT and weight training, a friend of mine (personal trainer) once calculated my exact baseline but I'm not sure what it was. I think about 1700 kcal. I shall start eating more (regularly) because I don't want to ruin my health.

[furbyswife]

yup, you know your answer.

1200 would be for someone who doesn't want to work out and still want to lose the weight

[furbyswife]

Your body looks good. (it looks fit) So far as it doesn't affect your body functions, have you seen any of these signs:

loss of hair/brittle hair

amenorrhea

mood swings

inability to concentrate

affects your ability to socialize

affects your lifestyle in any way

tooth decay, bad breath

Feel bloated/constipated

feel cold easily

feeling dizzy/light headed

stomach ache

If you checked any of these, then your eating habits are interfering your bodily functions or lifestyle.

[kheserthorpe]

It's not normal. I suppose it is a type of eating disorder because you have hang ups and arbitrary rules around eating.

So then the follow up question is are your rules in the way of you being healthy and enjoying life. I would guess maybe.

[hotxos]

thats normal