anorexics at the Gym

[Anonymous]

Startling. Cant understand how the gym even allows it. Looks like these people could drop dead on the spot. Seems to me a major risk.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Startling. Cant understand how the gym even allows it. Looks like these people could drop dead on the spot. Seems to me a major risk.

since when are gyms in the business of accepting and rejecting customers who want to PAY THEM? there's no liability for them.

I understand where your comment is coming from but it really should be directed at the person with the eating disorder, not the gym. That would be no different than a person is 100 lbs overweight going to McDonalds and MCD's turning them away for being too fat! they could drop dead right there while eating a cheeseburger. come on op!

[Anonymous]

Your message sounds mean and is probably motivated by resentment toward people who are thinner than you. You should have compassion for people who have a serious disease. Anorexia is a horrible, life-destroying illness. Shut up and let them work through their illness, even if it means you have to look at their skinny asses. Why don't you just deal with your own problems?

[Anonymous]

Again? This gets posted every few months

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Startling. Cant understand how the gym even allows it. Looks like these people could drop dead on the spot. Seems to me a major risk.

since when are gyms in the business of accepting and rejecting customers who want to PAY THEM? there's no liability for them.

I understand where your comment is coming from but it really should be directed at the person with the eating disorder, not the gym. That would be no different than a person is 100 lbs overweight going to McDonalds and MCD's turning them away for being too fat! they could drop dead right there while eating a cheeseburger. come on op!

PP again. Just had to respond to this message. Directed at the person with the eating disorder? How stupid are you? Don't get mad at the gym, direct your anger at the person suffering?

Yeah, why doesn't everyone of a normal weight going to the gym just seethe with anger at all the fat and anorexic people around them! That's healthy!

[Anonymous]

Sorry OP. No matter how long you stay at the gym, you will never be thin and fit. Stop hating...you know they're not anorexic. That doesn't even make sense.

Keep your fat ass at home.

[Anonymous]

OP, they only look anorexic to you after you see yourself in the mirror after working out for 2 hours (and seeing no results).

[Anonymous]

I am completely on OP's side on this. There are gyms that will not allow compulsive exercises and people with obvious eating disorders. Thats not at all uncommon, so I'm always shocked when i see someone with an obvious eating disorder. They all claim to care about their members' health. They have trainers to make sure they lift with proper form and design their classes to keep people safe. Thats why they ask people to take their pulses. Thats why they advise you to stop if you feel dizzy. If someone is using their facilities to harm themselves, they can and should step in and many clubs do.

And for the record I have a BMI of 19 and am extremely fit. This is not jealousy. I think a lot of you just aren't aware of the fact that this is very much a topic of discussion in clubs around the country.

[Anonymous]

MarleySkye840 wrote:I agree with the person who said we rehash this at least every 2 months.

However, there are often people at the gym who do look scary skinny, but I know that I do not know their story. I don't want people judging me when I have a pack of oreos in my cart amongst fresh meat and produce, and I do not judge those who look like they are "too" thin.

I have a friend who runs a lot (not in 5ks but just for fun) she has a disorder where she cannot gain over about 110. She looks SUPER thin and of course to see her jogging through the park, you would think that she is starving herself and is an anorexic. In actuality she can out- eat her husband who is 6'5, 310. The fact is that you don't know that story and thin shaming is just as bad as fat shaming.

Fat person here. Could not agree more. If necessary, interventions should not be held by the gym, but rather by friends and family who know the real story. MYOB.

[Anonymous]

MarleySkye840 wrote:I agree with the person who said we rehash this at least every 2 months.

However, there are often people at the gym who do look scary skinny, but I know that I do not know their story. I don't want people judging me when I have a pack of oreos in my cart amongst fresh meat and produce, and I do not judge those who look like they are "too" thin.

I have a friend who runs a lot (not in 5ks but just for fun) she has a disorder where she cannot gain over about 110. She looks SUPER thin and of course to see her jogging through the park, you would think that she is starving herself and is an anorexic. In actuality she can out- eat her husband who is 6'5, 310. The fact is that you don't know that story and thin shaming is just as bad as fat shaming.

Who said anything about thin shaming? The fact is anorexia is a dangerous disease that will kill you much more quickly and directly than fatness. An anorexic is using the gym to harm themselves. It is not "shaming" to ask about this. Ps ifvyour friend persists in over exercising when she has a condition that makes her lose weight, she has a problem. It may not be anorexia, but it does not sound healthy.

[Anonymous]

Eating disorders -- including compulsive exercising -- have the highest death toll of any psychiatric illness. It is not the same as being over weight. A gym absolutely knows if someone is coming in for 6 hours a day or showing signs of compulsive exercising. And they have every right and responsibility to step in.

110 pounds may be super thin but I think with people with anorexia we're talking 80 pounds. Sure someone who is very thin could just be very thin and should be left alone but once someone gets down to emaciated -- and there is a big difference between 110 and 80 -- its another thing entirely. Gyms would step in when someone with a racing heart rate in aerobics class insisted on continuing, or if someone passed out and then got up and wanted to go on. These are private businesses and they have every right to do what they want including looking out for the health of their members.

I call BS on the whole concept of thin shaming and especially on comparing it to fat shaming. There is no way that in our culture thinness is considered shameful. And we're not talking about thinness anyway. I'm thin (and have suffered nothing because of it. Get real). Eating disorders are illnesses and are different.

And by the way, there are stories of gyms stepping in and saving lives. Gyms are particularly well placed to inquire and help someone with an eating disorder.

[Anonymous]

I posted this a few months ago - http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/381336.page

I have not seen that woman come back. That person was positively anorexic. Not skinny, and not lean like an elite runner, but truly skeletal. You don't have to be skeletal to be anorexic, but that person really was just skin and bones.

PP is right that gyms are in the business of making money, and they are not in the business of health. It's sad, but it seems like a lot of gyms have one of these people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Eating disorders -- including compulsive exercising -- have the highest death toll of any psychiatric illness. It is not the same as being over weight. A gym absolutely knows if someone is coming in for 6 hours a day or showing signs of compulsive exercising. And they have every right and responsibility to step in.

110 pounds may be super thin but I think with people with anorexia we're talking 80 pounds. Sure someone who is very thin could just be very thin and should be left alone but once someone gets down to emaciated -- and there is a big difference between 110 and 80 -- its another thing entirely. Gyms would step in when someone with a racing heart rate in aerobics class insisted on continuing, or if someone passed out and then got up and wanted to go on. These are private businesses and they have every right to do what they want including looking out for the health of their members.

I call BS on the whole concept of thin shaming and especially on comparing it to fat shaming. There is no way that in our culture thinness is considered shameful. And we're not talking about thinness anyway. I'm thin (and have suffered nothing because of it. Get real). Eating disorders are illnesses and are different.

And by the way, there are stories of gyms stepping in and saving lives. Gyms are particularly well placed to inquire and help someone with an eating disorder.

Are there that many 80 lb emaciated women at the gym (each and every random gym), fainting during every aerobics class? I figured OP was referring to 110 lb women, who must be more common.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I posted this a few months ago - http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/381336.page

I have not seen that woman come back. That person was positively anorexic. Not skinny, and not lean like an elite runner, but truly skeletal. You don't have to be skeletal to be anorexic, but that person really was just skin and bones.

PP is right that gyms are in the business of making money, and they are not in the business of health. It's sad, but it seems like a lot of gyms have one of these people.

So should gyms require a medical clearance to join? For every anorexic woman there are 10 people who are extremely overweight or smokers or have some other issue that puts them at a higher risk when working out. Should gyms also not allow a 300 pound person not to join because their weight puts them at a higher risk of having a heart attack on the treadmill?

It's tough and I see both sides. But I don't think it is as easy as "gyms are in the business of making money and should care more about health instead"

[Anonymous]

MarleySkye840 wrote:I agree with the person who said we rehash this at least every 2 months.

However, there are often people at the gym who do look scary skinny, but I know that I do not know their story. I don't want people judging me when I have a pack of oreos in my cart amongst fresh meat and produce, and I do not judge those who look like they are "too" thin.

I have a friend who runs a lot (not in 5ks but just for fun) she has a disorder where she cannot gain over about 110. She looks SUPER thin and of course to see her jogging through the park, you would think that she is starving herself and is an anorexic. In actuality she can out- eat her husband who is 6'5, 310. The fact is that you don't know that story and thin shaming is just as bad as fat shaming.

While I appreciate what you're saying, there's a huge difference between someone who weighs a health 110 lbs and an anorexic who weighs 80.

It's not about judging, it's about trying to save someone's life. I would never judge someone's struggles, but it would kill me to think I could have helped them and they died because I didn't even try.