Pro Ana Myths

Myth: Pro-Ana prays to anorexia.

Reality: There is reference to a religion of sorts that exsists on pro-ana websites, with several referrals of the name "Ana" mentioned. But people, mainly the media and anti's get confused and spread the misinformation that Ana refers to anorexia. The name Ana in the religious conotation actually is the full name Anamadim, and not some goddess named anorexia. The orgin of Anamadim was the creation of a site by the name of Underground Grotto, where there is even a summoning spell to invoke Anamadim. However there is an extremely slim (no pun intended) minority of those on pro-ana sites that partake in this religious style activity. This also has nothing to do with the letters, creeds, commandments, ect. either (see below for that information). It has nothing to do with the huge majority of pro-ana.

Myth: The entire pro-ana religion.

Reality: The pro-ana religion seen on many pro-ana sites was never created by any pro-ana site at all. All the creeds, letters, comandments are all made by professional psychologists in an attempt to make the mindset of the anorexic views be seen through their eyes. This was seen as a powerful message, and to those who are anorexic and wanting to go further into it, seen these messages as motivation instead of the reverse that it was intended to be. It's funny how those that hate pro-ana unwittingly gave it a religion isn't it? Not too many want that be known, and no wonder. Big opps eh? Just so you know, that is their writings if you ever see and/or use it.


Myth: Tips and tricks

Reality: Yeah, you may be on the pro-ed sites looking for some new way to hide something, do it better or if there is something better than what your doing now. But if your parents, relatives, loved ones, co-workers or whoever you are trying to hide it from are thinking you have an eating disorder ... guess what? They are on the same sites you are on reading the same tips and tricks. They may help for a little while, but sooner or later (or already) the one you are hiding it from are going to find out. The sites are real easy to find, but it makes the "T's" that much more in-effective. As they say, you can run but you can't hide.


Myth: Pro-Ana is Pro Death

Reality: If you ever been on a pro-ana forum before, you will notice that alot of the long term members are of a normal to ever so slightly below normal weight range. There is very few long termers that are in the medical anorexic weight range. So true they are thin, but in reality terms, they are in fact normal. In fact many of the extreme thin don't frequent pro-ed forums at all, they are on support forums instead. Of those that get to an extreme level who post pics and weights, are replied back with messages of concern and pleas for them to take care of themselves and to not loose any more weight. Now you have to actually be ON the forums to know this, but those who cry out the evils do not do very good research into what they are talking about. You could say that pro-ana is alot more pro-support leaning than it lets on too.

Myth: Pro-Ana is teaching others to become anorexic

Reality: You cannot "become" anorexic, it is not something you choose like a diet, anorexia chooses you and in the lottery of anorexia winning is loosing more than you know. It's outside factors in your own enviornment that make one eating disordered, not text and pictures on a website. To those that think you can become "ana" ... it won't happen. You may skip a few meals, fast for a few days but that does not make you anorexic at all. Much like a drag queen, you can look act talk walk and sing every bit like Cher ... but you are not Cher. It's simple as that.

Myth: Pro-Ana encourages you to stay anorexic

Reality: This is the touchy one. We don't encourage you to stay anorexic, but this is the biggest way in which we differ from the professional and pro-recovery sites. Instead of treating a disorder itself, pro-ana treats the person. We get to know the individual, what makes them laugh, smile, cry and scared to see what their world is like through their eyes. See, like I said before, eating disorders are a deep rooted problem and there is no point trying to get rid of something that will just come back again instantly. To get rid of this, one must get to the main root and work from there. Once the root is gone, the consequense of eating disorders are that much easier to recover from ... and the process will be a lasting one. This is why the most important part of any ed forum is the journal area.

ED plateau

A plateau is a phase during weight-loss when you seem to maintain your weight even if your caloric intake/output haven't changed. your body is probably resisting weight loss because it's being pushed too far. Your metabolism could be slowing down because you're not eating enough, and variety is important to your body. You can affect your metabolism through eating habits

• Eat more negative calorie foods like fruits and vegetables. they'll keep your digestive system moving with fewer calories.
• Drink lots of water, as you already should be doing, this way your body will be well hydrated, and you will less likely become lethargic.
• If you're eating a few larger meals each day, try eating smaller bits of food more often, so if your eating 1 meal then make it two smaller one etc. Changing your caloric intake does not always mean decreasing! if your metabolism has slowed down, it may need some more calories to speed up a bit. Don't overdo this, just try to increase by 10%, and when you passed the plateau, you decrease 10%.
• You can also try a spike, this is when you eat regular meals for one day (should equal roughly 1500 cals) to jump start your metabolism, then simply return to your regular eating habits the next day.
• usually when you use a new shampoo, your hair will be so soft and shiny you'll keep using the shampoo...but after a few weeks it doesn't do anything special. same with exercising; your body will get the best out of a workout when it's being challenged. so the first time you run a mile you may feel exhausted, your muscles might be sore and all of that...but if you keep running one mile each day for a week or two, your body will build more muscle, use those same muscles over and over while neglecting others, and won't be as challenged. You should change either the length of time or intensity of your workout.

If you've been exercising for 20 minutes every day, try doing 20 minutes one day and then 40 minutes the next day, so you're getting a variety. Weight training increases metabolism significantly. muscle burns more calories during the day than fat, even if you're just sitting still. you don't have to become a body builder. a few minutes of push-ups and simple weight-lifting or calisthenic exercises will make a difference. Don't put all of your trust in this, but i'm pretty sure i read that 10 minutes of weight lifting 3 times a week will increase muscle and metabolism within the first week. thats only 30 minutes out of the 10,080 minutes you have every week. also try switching to different types of exercise every other day, for example, run on monday, swim on tuesday, weight lift on wednesday, run on thursday, yoga on friday, swim on saturday, bike/hike on sunday. effects won't occur immediately. Patience and slower weight loss is good according to doctors. But if you don't want to increase your calorie intake, then you simply must exercise more and also throughout the day, do a couple of jumping jacks it will give your metabolism kick or fidgit a lot, I believe that I read that fidgiting can burn up to 800 calories a day, which equals roughly over 1.5 lbs burned a week on top of your diet and exercise.

Fact & Tips

Fact: You can only purge up to 80% of calories consumed. Tip: Avoid high caloric binges, instead eat things with a greater mass and less calories. Fruits and veggies are always a good choice. Fact: Carbohydrate digestion starts in your mouth. Our salivary glands secrete amylase, which is a digestive enzyme that begins the break down of carbs. Tip: Avoid eating carbohydrates at the beginning of the meal, because you'll absorb more calories. Save the carbs for desert. Fact: Fat is digested in the small intestines and therefore you feel fuller after eating a high-fat meal. Tip: Eat the fat first because it takes a long time to digest, therefore you'll absord less calories than eating carbs first. Beware, fat has twice as many kcals as carbs and proteins. Fact: Laxatives do not affect calorie absorbtion. Most food and calories are digested and absorbed in the small intestines and laxatives only affect the large intestines. Yes, you'll lose weight, but the weight lost is from water and fecal matter. Tip: Only use laxatives after a large meal that you did not purge afterwards, this way you'll see the real amount of weight gained instead of the fecal matter gained.

Activities calorie counter

30 minutes of these activities for a 120 lb person, will burn:
Gym Activities
Aerobics, low impact: 158
Aerobics, high impact: 202
Aerobics, Step low impact: 202
Aerobics, Step high impact: 288
Aerobics, water: 115
Bicycling, Stationery, moderate: 202
Bicycling, Stationery, vigorous: 302
Calisthenics, vigorous: 230
Calisthenics, moderate: 130
Circuit Training, general: 230
Elliptical Trainer, general: 259
Riders: general (ie., HealthRider): 144
Rowing, Stationery, moderate: 202
Rowing, Stationery, vigorous: 245
Ski Machine general: 274
Stair Step Machine general: 173
Stretching, Hatha Yoga: 115
Teaching aerobics: 173
Weight Lifting: general 86
Weight Lifting: vigorous 173

Training and Sport ActivitiesArchery:
non-hunting 101
Badminton general: 130
Basketball playing a game: 230
Basketball wheelchair: 187
Billiards: 72
Bicycling BMX or mountain: 245
Bicycling 12-13.9 mph: 230
Bicycling 14-15.9 mph: 288
Bicycling 16-19 mph: 346
Bicycling > 20 mph: 475
Bowling: 86Boxing sparring: 259
Curling: 115Dancing Fast, ballet, twist: 173
Dancing disco, ballroom, square: 158
Dancing slow, waltz, foxtrot: 86
Fencing: 173Football competitive: 259
Football touch, flag, general: 230
Frisbee: 86Golf carrying clubs: 158
Golf using cart: 101
Gymnastics general: 115
Handball general: 346
Hang Gliding: 101
Hiking cross-country: 173
Hockey field & ice: 230
Horseback Riding: general 115
Ice Skating general: 202
Kayaking: 144
Martial Arts judo, karate, kickbox: 288
Orienteering: 259
Race Walking: 187
Racquetball competitive: 288
Racquetball casual, general: 202
Rock Climbing ascending: 317
Rock Climbing rapelling: 230
Rollerblade Skating: 202
Rope Jumping: 288
Running 5 mph (12 min/mile): 230
Running 5.2 mph (11.5 min/mile): 259
Running 6 mph (10 min/mile): 288
Running 6.7 mph (9 min/mile): 317
Running 7.5 mph (8 min/mile): 360
Running 8.6 mph (7 min/mile): 418
Running 10 mph (6 min/mile): 475
Running pushing wheelchair, marathon wheeling: 230
Running cross-country: 259
Scuba or skin diving: 202
Skateboarding: 144
Skiing: cross-country: 230
Skiing: downhill: 173
Sledding, luge, toboggan: 202
Snorkeling: 144Snow Shoeing: 230
Soccer general: 202Softball general play: 144
Swimming general: 173
Swimming laps, vigorous: 288
Swimming backstroke: 230
Swimming breaststroke: 288
Swimming butterfly: 317Swimming crawl: 317
Swimming treading, vigorous: 288
Tai Chi: 115
Tennis general: 202
Volleyball non-competitive,general play: 86
Volleyball competitive, gymnasium play: 115
Volleyball beach: 230
Walk 3.5 mph (17 min/mi): 115
Walk 4 mph (15 min/mi): 130
Walk 4.5 mph (13 min/mi): 144
Walk/Jog (jog 10 min): 173
Water Skiing: 173
Water Polo: 288
Water Volleyball: 86
Whitewater (rafting, kayaking): 144
Wrestling 173

Outdoor ActivitiesCarrying &
stacking wood: 144
Chopping & splitting wood: 173
Digging, spading dirt: 144
Gardening (general): 130
Gardening (weeding): 133
Laying sod / crushed rock:144
Mowing Lawn (push, hand): 158
Mowing Lawn (push, power): 130
Operate Snow Blower (walking): 130
Planting seedlings, shrubs: 115
Plant trees: 130
Raking Lawn: 115
Sacking grass or leaves: 115
Shoveling Snow (by hand): 173


Home and Daily Life Activities
Child-care (bathing, feeding, etc.): 101
Child games (hop-scotch, jacks,etc.): 144
Cooking: 72
Food Shopping (with cart): 101
Heavy Cleaning (wash car, windows): 130
Moving (household furniture): 173
Moving (carrying boxes): 202
Moving (unpacking): 101
Playing w/kids (moderate effort): 115
Playing w/kids (vigorous effort): 144
Reading: sitting: 32
Standing in line: 36
Sleeping: 18
Watching TV: 22
Home RepairAuto Repair: 86
Carpentry: (outside) 173
Carpentry: (refinish furniture) 130
Cleaning rain gutters: 144
Hanging storm windows: 144
Lay or remove carpet/tile: 130
Paint house: (outside) 144
Paint, paper, remodel: (inside) 130
Roofing: 173
Wiring and Plumbing: 86

Occupational Activities
Bartending/Server: 72
Carpentry Work: 101
Coaching Sports: 115
Coal Mining: 173
Computer Work: 40
Construction, general: 158
Desk Work: 50
Firefighting: 346
Forestry, general: 230
Heavy Equip. Operator: 72
Heavy Tools, not power: 230
Horse Grooming: 173
Light Office Work: 43
Masonry: 202
Masseur, standing: 115
Police Officer: 72
Sitting in Class: 50
Sitting in Meetings: 47
Steel Mill: (general) 230
Theater Work: 86
Truck Driving: sitting 58Welding: 86

Health risks

Sure we all know this.. ED's are big health risks, and there is a real possibility of dying from ED. So far, it doesn't mather if you're Ana or Mia. But ED's can kill. Ana

• Fatigue and lack of energy
• Amenorrhea(loss of menstruation)
• Skin problems
• Dizziness and headaches
• Dehydration
• Shortness of breath
• Irregular heartbeats
• Cold hands and feet
• Bloating
• Constipation
• Hair loss
• Stomach pains
• Decreased metabolic rate
• Edema (water retention)
• Lanugo(fine downy hair)
• Loss of bone mass
• Kidney and liver damage
• Electrolyte imbalances
• Osteoporosis
• Insomnia
• Anemias
• Infertility
• Depression
• Cathartic colon(caused from laxative abuse)
• Low potassium (most common cause of nocturnal cardiac arrest)
• Cardiac arrest and death

Mia

• Fatigue and lack of energy
• Amenorrhea(loss of menstruation) and irregular menstruation
• Dizziness
• Headaches
• Dehydration
• Constipation and diarrhea
• Shortness of breath
• Irregular heartbeats
• Depression
• Tears of esophagus
• Hair loss
• Stomach pain and bloating
• Erosion of teeth enamel
• Chronic sore throat
• Kidney and liver damage
• Parotid gland enlargement
• Electrolyte imbalances
• Cathartic colon (caused from laxative abuse)
• Edema (swelling of hands and feet)
• Low blood pressure
• Chest pains
• Development of peptic ulcers and pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
• Gastric dilation and rupture
• Abrasions on back of hands and knuckles
• Anemias
• Cardiac arrest and death

Bracelet Project

Die hard Ana's already know what this means.. off course! But, maybe some newbies don't, soo.... The bracelet project exists so other pro ed girls can recognize each other. Ana girls are wearing a red beaded bracelet around the left wrist. Mia girls are wearing a blue beaded bracelet around the right wrist. The bracelet has to be beaded, and in the right colour, those are the only things that mather. The size/length/shape of the beads can be all kinds. You can buy the bracelet, or you can make it yourself. A lot of girls are waiting to wear this bracelet until they think they're worth it...Don't do it! It's made to show you're an Ana girl, not to show you're underweight already. If we all wear our bracelets, we can recognize each other, and so we can help each other! So please, don't wait!

**Thinspiration - Gemma Ward