Anorexia

Anorexia

There's an often-quoted adage that says "one can never be too rich or too thin." I can go along with the "too rich" part, but the fact is one really can be

"too thin." Anorexia is an eating disorder that generally affects those in higher socioeconomic brackets and those who are involved in activities or work where thinness is considered an asset — modeling, acting, dancing, gymnastics, etc.

Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder that most often affects women, but about 10 percent of those who suffer from it are men. Men most often affected are those who make their living in industries where weight is an issue — horse racing, modeling, dancing, distance running, and driving race cars.

However, anybody can suffer from anorexia nervosa, and it seems that the number of cases grows each year. A person who is suffering from the eating disorder is thin to the extreme but see themselves as fat — overweight. They don't consume enough food to stay alive, and many of those who suffer from anorexia die from starvation.

The methods anorexics choose to lose weight are: not eating, extreme exercise, self-induced vomiting, and the use of strong laxatives.

Anorexics can't see that they have a problem. They aren't likely to correct the situation. If you have a family member who has a body weight that is 15% below normal, refuses to eat in public, is anxious, is weak, has brittle skin, has shortness of breath, or who is obsessive about calorie consumption, you need to seek help for her (or him).

Overcoming anorexia is difficult, and it is a process that must be handled by a doctor who understands the problem and who knows how to deal with it. Quite frankly, all those who have anorexia cannot be helped — but you always need to try!

BONUS : Anti-Cellulite Diets

Cellulite is a term that describes body fat that has a cottage-cheese-like texture. But cellulite is still body fat, and it must be "lost" through diet and exercise. Cellulite gives the skin a dimpled appearance, but it is a perfectly natural way for the body to carry fat.

I don't want to "bust your bubble" here, but the truth is that you can't tell the body which fat to burn first when you diet. When a reduced-calorie diet and an exercise program are followed, the result will be weight loss — and some of that weight loss will likely be the stored fat known as cellulite.

Those of us who do daily battle with weight control are all eagerly awaiting the day when science announces that body fat has been conquered — that a little magic pill has been developed that will prevent body fat (including cellulite) to develop. We'll be able to simply swallow one of these little magic pills each morning and then eat like the proverbial horse all day and all night if we want to. The little magic pill will prevent any excess calories from being

stored as fat or cellulite. SNAP!

Let's get back to reality. There's no such magic pill, and no matter how badly that you'd like for it to be true, you cannot make your body burn certain fat first. Liposuction is an option that works to suck that cellulite right out. As a matter of fact, surgically removing fat cells is the only way to get rid of them.

When we diet and exercise, we shrink the fat cells in our bodies, but the fat cells are still there waiting to be filled up with excess calories again. Still, a good diet that is heavy on fresh fruit, fresh vegetables, and whole grains and light on everything else will eliminate cellulite and other body fat.