Is this an eating disorder?

My friends tell me I have a borderline eating disorder but I always thought of that as anorexia or bulemia (which I don't have, I swear)

I'm constantly checking the amout of calories/fat/carbs etc. that are in my food and I portion out the serving sizes. I used to see how long I could go without eating but in the end I ate more cause I got myself so hungry, which was defeating the purpose. I also have a minor obsession with exercising. I go to the gym everyday for about 2 hours, and if I miss a day I feel like crap. I see how far I can push myself when I workout, and I'm a slave to those calorie counters on the cardio machines.

I'm 5'5, 120 pounds. I'll admit it, I'm not too happy with how I look. I have flat abs but wide hips which add a curve to my belly and make me look bigger from the front. I know it's not all about how I look, and it's not like I'm not eating. I'm Italian, I love food! But it's hard when the Hollister jeans look great on everyone but you.

Any advice?

Wow. I almost feel like I wrote this! I started obsessing after I took a nurition class at a college. My teacher even said she 'saw a red flag' in me. Just be careful. I obsessed so much that it became unhealthy. I'm 5'4" 120 now but got down to 112 and since everything was fat free, I eventually had promblems going to the bathroom and needed prescription medication at one point. I tend to be a perfectionist. THAT is what my problem was. Once my 'being healthy' began to take over my emotions and my moods, I realized I needed to change something. In order to feel normal again, I forced myself to only do 30 mins of cardio a day and start eating an occasional 'bad food'. I still have a minor obsession but I made the choice to not let it control me like it was by forcing myself to ENJOY a day off or 2 slices of pizza.

The mind is more powerful than you think. If you let it control you, it'll make you crazy. THAT is NOT being healthy.

Good luck.

your text is too long. Sorry!

It sounds more like obsessive-compulsive disorder and as long as you are being healthy, I wouldn't worry about it. Unless your friends are nutritionists, check their sources before believing them on these things. Remember to eat 5-6 smaller meals throughout the day and you will get better results from the gym. You want to maintain your metabolism throughout the day. Waiting until you are too hungry causes your metabolism to crash (so when you do eat, your body wants to store it as fat) and you tend to make less healthy eating choices.

Well I don't know if it is a eating disorder as much as it might be OCD. Also 5'5" and 120 you are plenty thin as for the wide hips those are just the genes your family gave you so learn to love yourself for who you are there is nothing wrong with you. I don't have big hips, I have no butt and I have no torso I am 5'2" and my inseam to my legs are 32" to put that into perspective my legs are as long as a 6 foot tall person. (that just made me sound like I look really weird, but I don't) I just can't find any pants that fit me right and when I do they cost a million dollars. Oh and thank god they came out with those low rise jeans cause they fit me like normal jeans fit most. Just love who you are and stop being so obsessive.

My advice to you would be to gain 60 pounds and then you'll realize how great you already look right now. No, I don't think you have an eating disorder just because you count calories and portion your meals or workout everyday...healthy people do that. But I think you should be happy with the way you are because millions of people would kill to have your body. But unfortunately, you'll never realize this until you've gained alot of weight and then you'll wish you were the size you are now. Don't stress over your body when there's nothing wrong with it in the first place. Guys love girls who are secure in their bodies and don't make a huge deal about weight and food. You have the perfect opportunity to take advantage of the way you look, don't blow it by wishing you were skinnier. 120 pounds is already skinny. Any skinnier than that and it's not cute anymore.

It sounds like you are very concerned about your weight and look, but only you can determine if you are obsessed/compulsive about it. My only suggestion is to eat 6 meals, breakfast, lunch and dinner and a snack about 1/2way in between each one. Make the snacks up of about 1 oz of protein (unless you are heading for the gym - then make it 2), a low glycemic fruit or vege, some nuts (almonds or peanuts) and a glass of water.

Don't go hungry - as you said, it defeats the purpose. Women, because of our gender and internal organs, will naturally have a bit of a tummy bulge, even with six-packs. Look at pictures of body builders, and you will see less definition on a woman, because of our natural extra layer of fat.

it's not bad to be active and eat healthy, but you're taking it a little too far. According to the BMI scale, your weight is just fine. Remind yourself that every day. As for your disapproval of your appearance, Think of it this way: I can bet that everyone else has felt like that, I know I have. Just look for clothes that accentuate everything that you love!

Yes, you have a problem

here what I would advise my clients....eat light but eat frequently..

so body is in constant burning mode...also it helps you not to pig out...

have your regular meals....during the meal times...if you feel hungry...eat light calorie snacks....

I think this will keep you in a good shape

it could lead to an eating disorder. you sound pretty obsessed with the amounts you eat and the amount you exercise. if you continue your life like this, will you be living a happy life? try and accept yourself for who you are. i have a flat tummy, but wider hips, but i have accepted that is why i am built. you can't change that. it's good to have curves. embrace who you are and be happy. enjoy some good food!! by the way, i'm 5'7 and 143 pounds. i look great in hollister jeans!! so i'm sure you do too.

i used to count all my calories and fat/carbs etc. and add in the time i worked out just like you. however, heres a little secret listen to your body and you will maintain your weight and give it the right ratio. heres why? you know how theres a bunch of obese people that crave fast-food. well healthy people like me and you and normal people also have cravings of food. if i eat no veggies or fruits throughout the day my body will naturally crave a lot of fruits and veggies for dinner. sometimes i crave carbs and i eat my oatmeals and good stuff because my body NEEDS it and when i crave protein i make my self a nice chicken breast. stay clean and feed your body what it craves and it will end up being the right macronutrients at the end of the day. you may be working out a little too much...if you don't work out 2 hrs. in one day you probably won't be as hungry anyways. as far as eating disorder...i would just say your really into it or maybe a little on the obsessive side and should tone it down a bit...but if thats ur thing i dunt see a problem just don't let it affect your life mentally.