My eating disorder story & how I overcame it

Summary

Trace, known as Traces Oats, opens up about his personal struggle with an eating disorder, which began during his high school years. Deeply involved in wrestling and cross-country, he fell into unhealthy habits of extreme weight cutting, restrictive eating, and obsessive calorie counting. His health deteriorated to the point where his kidneys were failing, prompting a wake-up call. After taking a break from his obsessive routines, Trace found healing by letting go of control over his diet, embracing discomfort, and learning to enjoy food again. His journey of recovery was difficult but transformative, encouraging others to seek freedom and healing from similar struggles.

Takeaways

• 😀 Men with eating disorders often face societal stigma, with many perceiving it as a feminine issue.
• 😀 The speaker, Trace, shares his personal experience with an eating disorder during high school, initially fueled by wrestling and weight-cutting practices.
• 😀 Trace began skipping meals, eating only one meal a day, and restricting his diet to ‘healthy’ foods in an attempt to lose weight for better athletic performance.
• 😀 The restrictive diet and excessive exercise led to significant health issues, including weakened strength and mental exhaustion.
• 😀 The obsession with the scale became an unhealthy routine, with Trace checking his weight multiple times a day, which worsened his mental health.
• 😀 Trace’s kidneys started failing due to the extreme restriction, and a doctor’s appointment revealed that he didn’t have much longer to live if he continued on the same path.
• 😀 After receiving this news, Trace decided to take a break from his restrictive habits, including using fitness apps and obsessing over his food.
• 😀 The process of healing involved stepping out of his comfort zone, allowing himself to eat freely and breaking the need for rigid control over his food choices.
• 😀 Although difficult, this change brought a sense of food freedom, and Trace learned to appreciate eating with friends and enjoying food without guilt.
• 😀 Overcoming the eating disorder wasn’t linear; it involved daily challenges and setbacks, but small steps forward helped him gain more control over his mental and physical health.
• 😀 Trace’s advice for others dealing with similar struggles is to get comfortable with the uncomfortable, as it’s a crucial part of healing and moving towards a healthier relationship with food.

Q & A

Why does Trace believe eating disorders are often seen as a feminine problem?

Trace believes that society perceives eating disorders as a problem primarily affecting women, which is a misconception. He feels this stigma prevents men from seeking help for eating disorders, even though they also experience such struggles.

What role did wrestling play in the development of Trace's eating disorder?

Wrestling played a significant role in Trace's eating disorder by introducing the concept of cutting weight. This idea stuck with him, leading to unhealthy behaviors like restricting food intake to make weight for competitions, which negatively impacted his relationship with food.

How did cross-country training affect Trace's eating habits?

During cross-country training, Trace ran long distances daily, burning a lot of energy. However, he continued to restrict his food intake, skipping meals and eating only a single meal a day, believing that being lighter would make him faster.

What were some of the specific foods Trace avoided during his restrictive eating phase?

Trace avoided foods that he considered unhealthy, such as chips, desserts, butter, white rice, and anything with oil. He focused on eating only what he deemed 'healthy' foods, which contributed to his unhealthy relationship with food.

How did Trace's family react to his behavior around food and exercise?

Trace's family was deeply concerned about his health. They noticed his extreme behaviors, such as constantly checking the scale and severely restricting his food intake, which led them to seek medical help to ensure his body was functioning properly.

What was the turning point in Trace's recovery from his eating disorder?

The turning point came when Trace's doctor revealed that his kidneys were failing due to his restrictive behaviors. This health scare made him realize that he needed to change his habits to survive, marking the beginning of his recovery.

How did Trace cope with stepping away from his restrictive behaviors?

Trace found it difficult to let go of his controlling habits, such as tracking calories and obsessing over the scale. However, he started eating freely and enjoyed meals with friends, even though it was uncomfortable at first. Over time, he learned to embrace the discomfort and found it liberating.

What advice does Trace give to others who are struggling with similar issues?

Trace advises others to get comfortable with being uncomfortable. He emphasizes that recovery is not easy, but it’s important to take it one step at a time and trust the process. He also encourages people to ditch tools like fitness apps and scales to help rebuild a healthier relationship with food.

How does Trace describe his recovery process?

Trace describes his recovery process as non-linear. While there were difficult days when he wanted to return to his old habits, he focused on small steps toward food freedom. Over time, the discomfort of breaking old habits turned into a sense of empowerment and freedom.

Why does Trace believe it’s important for men to talk about eating disorders?

Trace believes that eating disorders in men are often overlooked because of societal stereotypes. He feels it's crucial to open up conversations about men's struggles with eating disorders so that others feel less isolated and more supported in their recovery journey.