Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Binge Eating Disorder (BED)

Today on Instagram I decided to post a very personal photo. 
the top pictures are from two months ago after a few weeks of binging 
and not taking care of myself.
I didn't realize I had "BED" (binge eating disorder) until about a year ago.

This is what I said on my photo caption today:

I am TERRIFIED about posting this... But here goes nothing...
When I created this account I promised myself I would be honest with myself and those who follow me. Little did I know in less than eight weeks I would have more than 5000 people following me but nonetheless I remain committed to being completely honest on this page. As some of you know, and some of you don't, I suffer from binge eating disorder. I can go through phases where I just eat my feelings and that's exactly what happened two months ago. I went through a rough patch and decided to just eat instead of take care of myself like I usually do. I gained almost 20 pounds in a few weeks by simply letting myself eat whatever I wanted and not taking into consideration my health and wellness. I have worked my butt off for the last Six weeks to get my body back to where  it should be. It is a work in progress and I am nowhere near where I want to be or what anyone thinks is perfect but for me, my progress is perfect and I'm so proud of myself. I so badly wanted to give up two months ago And just accept the weight gain and live with it. I let my emotions get the best of me, but I am proud that I took my life back and remembered how far I have come since 210 pounds. It is so important to remember not only your own health and wellness but also your happiness. I am happier and healthier today Because I didn't let my binge eating take the best of me. I am working every day to be better than I was yesterday.


According to the Mayo Clinic: 

Binge-eating disorder is a serious eating disorder in which you frequently consume unusually large amounts of food. Almost everyone overeats on occasion, such as having seconds or thirds of a holiday meal. But for some people, overeating crosses the line to binge-eating disorder and it becomes a regular occurrence, usually done in secret.
When you have binge-eating disorder, you may be deeply embarrassed about gorging and vow to stop. But you feel such a compulsion that you can't resist the urges and continue binge eating. If you have binge-eating disorder, treatment can help.
When I go through a binge, a fog comes over me and I will stop at nothing to 
obtain and consume the food I want at that very moment.
And yes, it was always done in private when I knew no one would disturb me. 

Every day is a battle with food, but I am two months binge free and I am SO proud of that.


Monday, April 29, 2013

what is with all the sunflowers....?

Whether you follow me on Instagram, now on my blog or know me in real life,
one thing is very apparent.
I LOVE sunflowers.

Why is this?
Quite simply, they make me happy.
My fresh sunflowers I get every week at the farmers market that sit on my
coffee table make me HAPPY.
My sunflower leather keychain from Italy makes me HAPPY.

Why do sunflowers make me so happy?
I can sum it up in just two words: My Mom.

My mom IS a "sunflower".
She is radiant, and beautiful, happy
and she brings me joy.
My mom is also a painter and lover of all things beautiful and happy.
(Our dining room in my home growing up was YELLOW)
Not the muted buttercream yellow in a massage therapist's office,
but I mean BRIGHT HAPPY YELLOW.
On those yellow walls, my mom had hand painted framed
pictures of flowers that SHE painted.

Among these was a Sunflower.
When I close my eyes I can be sitting at our farm bench dining room table
and see the bright yellow room and sunflower painting, and I am HOME.

and that... makes me HAPPY.

Who is weightloss_pcos?!


A little about me...
My name is Carly, I am a 23 year old girl born & raised in Southern California.
I am a recent graduate of UCLA (Go Bruins!)
I studied constitutional law & American history... thought I wanted to be an attorney.
(I was wrong!)

My passion is people, helping others, and creating relationships.
I am a lover, not a fighter.
I have an extremely loyal soul, like that of a 14 year old golden retriever, 
and I am proud of that.

To date, I have lost 58 pounds.
I strive to be the best I can be each day, and in no way expect perfection from my body.

I have battled PCOS since I was 17 years old.
(polycystic ovarian syndrome)
My goal is to help as many people as I can with simply telling my story.
I am now a Beach Body Coach and love sharing my story
& encouraging others while they pursue their
health and fitness goals.