Intro:
     Hey everyone, I hope you all are doing good. I realize it has been a while since I have updated, but there are a few things I have struggled with. I will answer any question you come to me with, and I hope that my answer is the right one for you. Please dont hesitate to ask me about anything, remember I am going through the same things as most of you. So dont feel ashamed to ask, I wont judge, and that is my garentee to you. This is a JUDGEMENT FREE area.  
     I haven gotten too many questions, and the site really isnt as big as a hit as I thought it might be, but I am very thankful for every question I am asked! Please do not hesitate to ask me any questions, or just tell me you are going through hard times! I promise I can be a huge help, and that is all I am here for, to help YOU! Also if you would prefer not to comment me, but you would rather e- mail me, my e-mail adress is ChrryAngel10@aim.com just ask me your question and plese tell me to respond by e-mail or to your personal xanga! By e-mailing me though, you are garenteed a quick responce!!! By comment it may take a little longer!!!!!

Question Form:
     Okay to ask a question, so that it is easier for me to keep everything organized it would be greatly apperciated if you could ask you question in this manner:

1.) Type of Problem; (ex. Parent Problem;)
2.) Question (ex. I dont know how to tell my parents _______. Could you help me?)
3.) Eurgencey of response (ex. Please tell me your answer as soon as possible.)

     It would just be easier to answer the questions, but if you rather not use the question format that I have provided, just ask a question!

This Weeks Topic:
      Well it is the same as the last time, becase an eating disorder is what I have been struggling with... I suffer from anorexia, and I am on the road to recovery. Not many people know about my struggle with the devil, but I am going to be telling my youth pastor Wednesday so he will know then!!! So here is the shpill agiain!!!!!!!!

Eating Disorders

Hayley used to love going to the food court with her friends, but now just the thought of it fills her with dread. Besides, she doesn't really even have time to hang with her friends anymore — she needs more time for her running and cardio. It feels like every time she looks in the mirror she looks fat, although the scale says she's losing weight. Hayley doesn't feel like herself anymore. She's having a hard time concentrating in school and she's always so tired.

Hayley has an eating disorder. Eating disorders are common in America — between 5 and 10 million people have them, and experts estimate that 1% of American teens have an eating disorder. That means if your class has 400 students, probably about four of them have this condition.

Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa

The two most common types of eating disorders are anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, more commonly known as anorexia and bulimia. The two disorders can be difficult to distinguish from each other because they have similar characteristics: With both anorexia and bulimia, the person will have a distorted image of his or her body. That person will seem to be obsessed with what he or she eats.

Both anorexia and bulimia tend to affect girls more than guys, but 10% of the people with eating disorders are guys. And, because we typically think of eating disorders as only affecting girls, they often go unrecognized in guys. Guys with eating disorders also tend to focus more on athletic appearance or success than on just looking thin.

People with anorexia have an intense fear of being fat. When a person has anorexia, he or she hardly eats at all — and the small amount of food that is eaten becomes an obsession. A person with anorexia may weigh food before eating it or compulsively count the calories of everything. It is not unusual for a person with anorexia to also exercise excessively in an attempt to lose weight.

A unique feature of anorexia is not only the strong desire to be very thin, but also the altered body perception that goes with it. Even though they might be shedding pounds at a dangerous rate, people with anorexia don't see themselves as thin. A person with the condition can look in the mirror and actually see a fat person.

Bulimia is a bit different from anorexia because the person with bulimia doesn't avoid eating. Instead, he or she eats a large amount of food then gets rid of it quickly by vomiting or taking laxatives. This is commonly known as "binge and purge" behavior. Like anorexia, bulimia tends to affect girls and young women more than guys. Unlike anorexia, you can't always tell by looking whether a person has bulimia. In fact, someone with bulimia may appear average or even above average in weight.

Warning Signs

So how can you tell if a person has anorexia or bulimia? You can't only tell by looking, of course — someone who loses a lot of weight may have another health condition. But if you know of someone who fits the patterns described below, you may want to try to help your friend.

Anorexia:

• drops weight to about 20% below normal
• denies feeling hungry
• exercises excessively
• feels fat
• withdraws from social activities

Bulimia:

• makes excuses to go to the bathroom immediately after meals
• eats huge amounts of food, but doesn't gain weight
• uses laxatives or diuretics
• withdraws from social activities

What Causes Anorexia and Bulimia?

No one is really sure what causes eating disorders, although there are many theories as to why people develop them. Most people who develop an eating disorder are between the ages of 14 and 18 (although they can develop even earlier in some people). At this time in their lives, many teens don't feel as though they have much control over anything. The physical and emotional changes that go along with puberty can make it easy for even the most confident person to feel a bit out of control. By controlling their own bodies, people with eating disorders feel as though they can regain some control — even if it is done in an unhealthy way.

For girls, even though it's completely normal (and necessary) to gain some additional body fat during puberty, some respond to this change by becoming very fearful of their new weight and feel compelled to get rid of it any way they can. It's easy to see why people may develop a fear of any weight gain, even if it's healthy and temporary: We're overloaded by images of thin celebrities — people who often weigh far less than their healthy weight. When you combine the pressure to be like these role models with a changing body, it's not hard to see why some teens develop a distorted body image.

Some individuals who develop eating disorders can also be depressed or anxious. Experts also think that some people with eating disorders may have obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Their anorexia or bulimia gives them a way to handle the stresses and anxieties of being a teen and allows them to have control and impose order in their lives.

There is also evidence that eating disorders may run in families. Our parents influence our values and priorities, of course, including those toward food — which may be one reason eating disorders seem to run in families. But there also is a suggestion that there may be a genetic component to certain behaviors, and eating disorders could be one such behavior.

Sports and Eating Disorders

Some girls might be more apt to develop an eating disorder depending on the sport they choose. Gymnasts, ice-skaters, and ballerinas often operate in a culture where weight loss is important, and even runners might be encouraged to go on a diet. But in an effort to make their bodies perfect and please those around them, these athletes can end up with eating disorders.

Though it's unusual for guys to have anorexia or bulimia, it can occur, especially with the demands of certain sports. A sport like wrestling, for example, has specific weight categories that can lead some guys to develop an eating disorder. In some cases, eating disorders in male athletes are even unintentionally encouraged; they are taught that winning is the most important thing.

But the truth is that an eating disorder does much more harm than good. Athletes with eating disorders, whether girls or boys, may find that because of a lack of energy and nutrients, their athletic performance deteriorates and they become injured more often.

Effects of Eating Disorders

Whatever the cause of an eating disorder, the effects can be damaging — if not downright devastating and life threatening. People who weigh at least 15% less than the normal weight for their height may not have enough body fat to keep their organs and other body parts healthy.

A person with anorexia can do damage to the heart, liver, and kidneys by not eating enough. The body slows everything down as if it were starving, causing a drop in blood pressure, pulse, and breathing rate. (For girls, this starvation mode may mean they stop getting their periods.) Lack of energy can lead people with anorexia to feel light-headed and unable to concentrate. Anemia (lack of red blood cells) and swollen joints are common in people with anorexia, as are brittle bones. Anorexia can cause a person's hair to fall out, fingernails to break off, and a soft hair called lanugo to grow all over the skin. In severe cases, eating disorders can lead to severe malnutrition and even death.

People with bulimia often have constant stomach pain. In fact, bulimia can actually damage a person's stomach and kidneys as a result of constant vomiting. Bulimia can also cause a person's teeth to decay because of the acids that come up into the mouth while vomiting. The person may also develop "chipmunk cheeks," which occur when the salivary glands permanently expand from throwing up so often. Like girls with anorexia, girls with bulimia may stop getting their periods. And, most dangerous of all, the constant purging can lead to a loss of the mineral potassium, which can contribute to heart problems and even death.

The emotional pain of an eating disorder can take its toll, too. When a person becomes obsessed with weight, it's hard to concentrate on much else. Many times people with eating disorders become withdrawn and less social. Teens with anorexia can't join in on snacks and meals with their friends or families, and they often don't want to break from their intense exercise routine to have fun. Individuals with bulimia often spend a lot of mental energy on planning their next binge, spend a lot of their money on food, and hide in the bathroom for a long time after meals.

Eating disorders are not fun. Both anorexia and bulimia can lead to feelings of guilt and depression. Some individuals with eating disorders begin using drugs or other substances to help mask their feelings, which only makes the situation worse.

Treatment for Eating Disorders

Fortunately, people with eating disorders can get well and gradually learn to eat normally again. Because anorexia and bulimia involve both the mind and body, medical doctors, mental health professionals, and dietitians will often be involved in a person's treatment and recovery.

Therapy or counseling is a critical part of treating eating disorders — in many cases, family therapy is one of the keys to eating healthily again. Parents and other family members are important in helping a person see that his or her normal body shape is perfectly fine and that being thin doesn't make anyone happy.

The most critical thing about treating eating disorders is to recognize and address the problem as soon as possible — like all bad habits, unhealthy eating patterns become harder to break the longer a person takes part in them. If you have an eating disorder, don't wait to get help — anorexia and bulimia can do a lot of damage to the body and mind if left untreated. At worst, eating disorders can kill, and at best, they leave a person feeling and looking terrible.

If you want to talk to someone about eating disorders and you don't feel as though you can approach a parent, try talking to a teacher, a neighbor, your doctor, or another trusted adult. Remember that eating disorders are common among teens, and more importantly, that treatment is out there.

How to Help

In our image-obsessed culture, lots of teens (and adults, for that matter) are critical of their bodies. Many diet or exercise to try to change how they look. But normal concerns about body image cross the line and become eating disorders when a person starts to do things that are physically and emotionally dangerous - things that could have long-term health consequences.

Some people go on starvation diets and become anorexic, and others go on eating binges and then purge their bodies of the food they've just eaten through forced vomiting, compulsive exercise, taking laxatives, or a combination of these.

Although eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia are far more common in girls, guys can get them, too. So how do you know if a friend has an eating disorder? It can be hard to tell - after all, someone who's lost a lot of weight or feels constantly tired may have another type of health condition. But some of the signs that a friend may have an eating disorder include:

• Your friend has an obsession with weight and food (more than general comments about how many calories he or she eats in a day). It might seem like your friend talks about food and nothing else.
• Your friend knows exactly how many calories and fat grams are in everything that he or she eats - and is constantly pointing this out.
• Your friend feels the need to exercise all the time, even when sick or exhausted.
• Your friend avoids hanging out with you and other friends during meals. For example, he or she avoids the school cafeteria at lunch or the restaurant where you usually meet on weekends.
• Your friend starts to wear big or baggy clothes. Lots of people wear baggy clothes, but someone who wears baggy clothes to conceal a body he or she doesn't like isn't following a fashion trend.
• Your friend goes on dramatic or very restrictive diets, cuts food into tiny pieces, moves food around on the plate instead of eating it, and is very precise about how food is arranged on the plate.
• Your friend goes to the bathroom a lot, especially right after meals, or you've heard your friend vomiting after eating.
• Despite losing a lot of weight, your friend always talks about how fat he or she is.
• Your friend appears to be gaining a lot of weight even though you never see him or her eat.
• Your friend frequently takes laxatives, steroids, or diet pills.
• Your friend has a tendency to faint, bruises easily, is very pale, or starts complaining of being cold more than usual (cold intolerance can be a symptom of being underweight).

If your friend has these symptoms and you're concerned, the first thing to do might be to talk to your friend, privately, about what you have noticed. Tell your friend that you're worried. Be as gentle as possible, and try to really listen to and be supportive of your friend and what he or she is going through.

It's normal for a person with an eating disorder to be defensive and angry when confronted for the first time. Try not to get angry back at your friend; just remind him or her that you care. Trying to help someone who doesn't think he or she needs help can be hard - people with eating disorders often have trouble admitting, even to themselves, that they have a problem. Of course, it's not your job to diagnose your friend - that's the job of a doctor. But if your friend is willing to seek help, offer to go with him or her to see a counselor or a medical expert.

If your concerns increase and your friend still seems to be in denial, talk to your parents, the school guidance counselor or nurse, or your friend's parents. This isn't easy to do because it can feel like betraying a friend, but it's often necessary to get your friend the help he or she needs.

An eating disorder is a very difficult illness. You can support your friend by learning as much as you can about eating disorders. Your friend's body image and behavior may be a symptom of another underlying illness. There are lots of organizations, books, websites, hotlines, or other resources devoted to helping people who are battling eating disorders. Click on the Resources tab for some of these.

Being a supportive friend also means learning how to behave around someone with an eating disorder. Here are some things you can do to support a friend who is battling an eating problem:

• Avoid talking about food.
• Avoid being overly watchful of your friend's eating habits, food amounts, and choices.
• Avoid making statements like, "If you'd just eat or stop exercising, you'll get better."
• Avoid reinforcing the idea that this is all about your friend's physical appearance.

Most importantly, remind your friend that you care - no matter how he or she looks."

How to Lose weight safely!

Weight loss is a tricky topic. Lots of people are unhappy with their present weight, but most aren't sure how to change it - and many would be better off staying where they are. You may want to look like the models or actors in magazines and on TV, but those goals might not be healthy or realistic for you. Besides, no magical diet or pill will make you look like someone els

So what should you do about weight control?

Being healthy is really about being at a weight that is right for you. The best way to find out if you are at a healthy weight or if you need to lose or gain weight is to talk to a doctor or dietitian. He or she can compare your weight with healthy norms to help you set realistic goals. If it turns out that you can benefit from weight loss then you can follow a few of the simple suggestions listed below to get started.

Weight management is about long-term success. People who lose weight quickly by crash dieting or other extreme measures usually gain back all (and often more) of the pounds they lost because they haven't permanently changed their habits. Therefore, the best weight management strategies are those that you can maintain for a lifetime. That's a long time, so we'll try to keep these suggestions as easy as possible!

Make it a family affair. Ask your mom or dad to lend help and support and to make dietary or lifestyle changes that might benefit the whole family, if possible. Teens who have the support of their families tend to have better results with their weight management programs. But remember, you should all work together in a friendly and helpful way - making weight loss into a competition is a recipe for disaster!

Watch your drinks. It's amazing how many extra calories can be lurking in the sodas, juices, and other drinks that you take in every day. Simply cutting out a couple of cans of soda or switching to diet soda can save you 360 calories or more each day. Drink lots of water or other sugar-free drinks to quench your thirst and stay away from sugary juices and sodas. Switching from whole to nonfat or low-fat milk is also a good idea.

Start small. Small changes are a lot easier to stick with than drastic ones. Try reducing the size of the portions you eat and giving up regular soda for a week. Once you have that down, start gradually introducing healthier foods and exercise into your life.

Stop eating when you're full. Lots of people eat when they're bored, lonely, or stressed, or keep eating long after they're full out of habit. Try to pay attention as you eat and stop when you're full. Slowing down can help because it takes about 20 minutes for your brain to recognize how much is in your stomach. Sometimes taking a break before going for seconds can keep you from eating another serving.

Avoid eating when you feel upset or bored - try to find something else to do instead (a walk around the block or a trip to the gym are good alternatives). Many people find it's helpful to keep a diary of what they eat and when. Reviewing the diary later can help them identify the emotions they have when they overeat or whether they have unhealthy habits. A registered dietitian can give you pointers on how to do this.

Eat less more often. Many people find that eating a couple of small snacks throughout the day helps them to make healthy choices at meals. Stick a couple of healthy snacks (carrot sticks, a low-fat granola bar, pretzels, or a piece of fruit) in your backpack so that you can have one or two snacks during the day. Adding healthy snacks to your three squares and eating smaller portions when you sit down to dinner can help you to cut calories without feeling deprived.

Five a day keep the pounds away. Ditch the junk food and dig out the fruits and veggies! Five servings of fruits and veggies aren't just a good idea to help you lose weight - they'll help keep your heart and the rest of your body healthy. Other suggestions for eating well: replace white bread with whole wheat, trade your sugary sodas for lots of water and a few cups of low-fat milk, and make sure you eat a healthy breakfast. Having low-sugar, whole grain cereal and low-fat milk and a piece of fruit is a much better idea than inhaling a donut as you run to the bus stop or eating no breakfast at all! A registered dietitian can give you lots of other snack and menu ideas.

Avoid fad diets. It's never a good idea to trade meals for shakes or to give up a food group in the hope that you'll lose weight - we all need a variety of foods to stay healthy. Stay away from fad diets because you're still growing and need to make sure you get proper nutrients. Avoid diet pills (even the over-the-counter or herbal variety). They can be dangerous to your health; besides, there's no evidence that they help keep weight off over the long term.

Don't banish certain foods. Don't tell yourself you'll never again eat your absolutely favorite peanut butter chocolate ice cream or a bag of chips from the vending machine at school. Making these foods forbidden is sure to make you want them even more. Also, don't go fat free: You need to have some fat in your diet to stay healthy, so giving up all fatty foods all the time isn't a good idea. The key to long-term success is making healthy choices most of the time. If you want a piece of cake at a party, go for it! But munch on the carrots rather than the chips to balance it out.

Get moving. You may find that you don't need to cut calories as much as you need to get off your behind. Don't get stuck in the rut of thinking you have to play a team sport or take an aerobics class to get exercise. Try a variety of activities from hiking to cycling to rowing until you find ones you like.

Not a jock? Find other ways to fit activity into your day: walk to school, jog up and down the stairs a couple of times before your morning shower, turn off the tube and help your parents in the garden, or take a stroll past your crush's house - anything that gets you moving. Your goal should be to work up to 60 minutes of exercise every day. But everyone has to begin somewhere. It's fine to start out by simply taking a few turns around the block before bed and building up your levels of fitness gradually.

Build muscle. Muscle burns more calories than fat. So adding strength training to your exercise routine can help you reach your weight loss goals as well as give you a toned bod. A good, well-balanced fitness routine includes aerobic workouts, strength training, and flexibility exercises.

Forgive yourself. So you were going to have one cracker with spray cheese on it and the next thing you know the can's pumping air and the box is empty? Drink some water, brush your teeth, and move on. Everyone who's ever tried to lose weight has found it challenging. When you slip up, the best idea is to get right back on track and don't look back. Avoid telling yourself that you'll get back on track tomorrow or next week or after New Year's. Start now.

Try to remember that losing weight isn't going to make you a better person - and it won't magically change your life. It's a good idea to maintain a healthy weight because it's just that: healthy.

Prayer Chain:
     If y'all would like to be part of my prayer chain then please comment me or e-mail me at ChrryAngel10@aim.com I have sent out over 37 copies, and this is only the 20th week that I have sent it out!!!!! So please if you believe in the power of prayer then join my prayer chain!

Good-Bye:
     Okay thats all y'all... Please ask me your questions, and I promise to respond to all of them... remember there is no such thing as a dumb question!

God Bless,

Cherry

Intro:
     Hey everyone, I hope you all are doing good. I will answer any question you come to me with, and I hope that my answer is the right one for you. Please dont hesitate to ask me about anything, remember I am going through the same things as most of you. So dont feel ashamed to ask, I wont judge, and that is my garentee to you. This is a JUDGEMENT FREE area.  
     I haven gotten too many questions, and the site really isnt as big as a hit as I thought it might be, but I am very thankful for every question I am asked! Please do not hesitate to ask me any questions, or just tell me you are going through hard times! I promise I can be a huge help, and that is all I am here for, to help YOU! Also if you would prefer not to comment me, but you would rather e- mail me, my e-mail adress is ChrryAngel10@aim.com just ask me your question and plese tell me to respond by e-mail or to your personal xanga!

Question Form:
     Okay to ask a question, so that it is easier for me to keep everything organized it would be greatly apperciated if you could ask you question in this manner:

1.) Type of Problem; (ex. Parent Problem;)
2.) Question (ex. I dont know how to tell my parents _______. Could you help me?)
3.) Eurgencey of response (ex. Please tell me your answer as soon as possible.)

     It would just be easier to answer the questions, but if you rather not use the question format that I have provided, just ask a question!

This Weeks Topic:

Eating Disorders

Hayley used to love going to the food court with her friends, but now just the thought of it fills her with dread. Besides, she doesn't really even have time to hang with her friends anymore — she needs more time for her running and cardio. It feels like every time she looks in the mirror she looks fat, although the scale says she's losing weight. Hayley doesn't feel like herself anymore. She's having a hard time concentrating in school and she's always so tired.

Hayley has an eating disorder. Eating disorders are common in America — between 5 and 10 million people have them, and experts estimate that 1% of American teens have an eating disorder. That means if your class has 400 students, probably about four of them have this condition.

Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa

The two most common types of eating disorders are anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, more commonly known as anorexia and bulimia. The two disorders can be difficult to distinguish from each other because they have similar characteristics: With both anorexia and bulimia, the person will have a distorted image of his or her body. That person will seem to be obsessed with what he or she eats.

Both anorexia and bulimia tend to affect girls more than guys, but 10% of the people with eating disorders are guys. And, because we typically think of eating disorders as only affecting girls, they often go unrecognized in guys. Guys with eating disorders also tend to focus more on athletic appearance or success than on just looking thin.

People with anorexia have an intense fear of being fat. When a person has anorexia, he or she hardly eats at all — and the small amount of food that is eaten becomes an obsession. A person with anorexia may weigh food before eating it or compulsively count the calories of everything. It is not unusual for a person with anorexia to also exercise excessively in an attempt to lose weight.

A unique feature of anorexia is not only the strong desire to be very thin, but also the altered body perception that goes with it. Even though they might be shedding pounds at a dangerous rate, people with anorexia don't see themselves as thin. A person with the condition can look in the mirror and actually see a fat person.

Bulimia is a bit different from anorexia because the person with bulimia doesn't avoid eating. Instead, he or she eats a large amount of food then gets rid of it quickly by vomiting or taking laxatives. This is commonly known as "binge and purge" behavior. Like anorexia, bulimia tends to affect girls and young women more than guys. Unlike anorexia, you can't always tell by looking whether a person has bulimia. In fact, someone with bulimia may appear average or even above average in weight.

Warning Signs

So how can you tell if a person has anorexia or bulimia? You can't only tell by looking, of course — someone who loses a lot of weight may have another health condition. But if you know of someone who fits the patterns described below, you may want to try to help your friend.

Anorexia:

• drops weight to about 20% below normal
• denies feeling hungry
• exercises excessively
• feels fat
• withdraws from social activities

Bulimia:

• makes excuses to go to the bathroom immediately after meals
• eats huge amounts of food, but doesn't gain weight
• uses laxatives or diuretics
• withdraws from social activities

What Causes Anorexia and Bulimia?

No one is really sure what causes eating disorders, although there are many theories as to why people develop them. Most people who develop an eating disorder are between the ages of 14 and 18 (although they can develop even earlier in some people). At this time in their lives, many teens don't feel as though they have much control over anything. The physical and emotional changes that go along with puberty can make it easy for even the most confident person to feel a bit out of control. By controlling their own bodies, people with eating disorders feel as though they can regain some control — even if it is done in an unhealthy way.

For girls, even though it's completely normal (and necessary) to gain some additional body fat during puberty, some respond to this change by becoming very fearful of their new weight and feel compelled to get rid of it any way they can. It's easy to see why people may develop a fear of any weight gain, even if it's healthy and temporary: We're overloaded by images of thin celebrities — people who often weigh far less than their healthy weight. When you combine the pressure to be like these role models with a changing body, it's not hard to see why some teens develop a distorted body image.

Some individuals who develop eating disorders can also be depressed or anxious. Experts also think that some people with eating disorders may have obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Their anorexia or bulimia gives them a way to handle the stresses and anxieties of being a teen and allows them to have control and impose order in their lives.

There is also evidence that eating disorders may run in families. Our parents influence our values and priorities, of course, including those toward food — which may be one reason eating disorders seem to run in families. But there also is a suggestion that there may be a genetic component to certain behaviors, and eating disorders could be one such behavior.

Sports and Eating Disorders

Some girls might be more apt to develop an eating disorder depending on the sport they choose. Gymnasts, ice-skaters, and ballerinas often operate in a culture where weight loss is important, and even runners might be encouraged to go on a diet. But in an effort to make their bodies perfect and please those around them, these athletes can end up with eating disorders.

Though it's unusual for guys to have anorexia or bulimia, it can occur, especially with the demands of certain sports. A sport like wrestling, for example, has specific weight categories that can lead some guys to develop an eating disorder. In some cases, eating disorders in male athletes are even unintentionally encouraged; they are taught that winning is the most important thing.

But the truth is that an eating disorder does much more harm than good. Athletes with eating disorders, whether girls or boys, may find that because of a lack of energy and nutrients, their athletic performance deteriorates and they become injured more often.

Effects of Eating Disorders

Whatever the cause of an eating disorder, the effects can be damaging — if not downright devastating and life threatening. People who weigh at least 15% less than the normal weight for their height may not have enough body fat to keep their organs and other body parts healthy.

A person with anorexia can do damage to the heart, liver, and kidneys by not eating enough. The body slows everything down as if it were starving, causing a drop in blood pressure, pulse, and breathing rate. (For girls, this starvation mode may mean they stop getting their periods.) Lack of energy can lead people with anorexia to feel light-headed and unable to concentrate. Anemia (lack of red blood cells) and swollen joints are common in people with anorexia, as are brittle bones. Anorexia can cause a person's hair to fall out, fingernails to break off, and a soft hair called lanugo to grow all over the skin. In severe cases, eating disorders can lead to severe malnutrition and even death.

People with bulimia often have constant stomach pain. In fact, bulimia can actually damage a person's stomach and kidneys as a result of constant vomiting. Bulimia can also cause a person's teeth to decay because of the acids that come up into the mouth while vomiting. The person may also develop "chipmunk cheeks," which occur when the salivary glands permanently expand from throwing up so often. Like girls with anorexia, girls with bulimia may stop getting their periods. And, most dangerous of all, the constant purging can lead to a loss of the mineral potassium, which can contribute to heart problems and even death.

The emotional pain of an eating disorder can take its toll, too. When a person becomes obsessed with weight, it's hard to concentrate on much else. Many times people with eating disorders become withdrawn and less social. Teens with anorexia can't join in on snacks and meals with their friends or families, and they often don't want to break from their intense exercise routine to have fun. Individuals with bulimia often spend a lot of mental energy on planning their next binge, spend a lot of their money on food, and hide in the bathroom for a long time after meals.

Eating disorders are not fun. Both anorexia and bulimia can lead to feelings of guilt and depression. Some individuals with eating disorders begin using drugs or other substances to help mask their feelings, which only makes the situation worse.

Treatment for Eating Disorders

Fortunately, people with eating disorders can get well and gradually learn to eat normally again. Because anorexia and bulimia involve both the mind and body, medical doctors, mental health professionals, and dietitians will often be involved in a person's treatment and recovery.

Therapy or counseling is a critical part of treating eating disorders — in many cases, family therapy is one of the keys to eating healthily again. Parents and other family members are important in helping a person see that his or her normal body shape is perfectly fine and that being thin doesn't make anyone happy.

The most critical thing about treating eating disorders is to recognize and address the problem as soon as possible — like all bad habits, unhealthy eating patterns become harder to break the longer a person takes part in them. If you have an eating disorder, don't wait to get help — anorexia and bulimia can do a lot of damage to the body and mind if left untreated. At worst, eating disorders can kill, and at best, they leave a person feeling and looking terrible.

If you want to talk to someone about eating disorders and you don't feel as though you can approach a parent, try talking to a teacher, a neighbor, your doctor, or another trusted adult. Remember that eating disorders are common among teens, and more importantly, that treatment is out there.

How to Help

In our image-obsessed culture, lots of teens (and adults, for that matter) are critical of their bodies. Many diet or exercise to try to change how they look. But normal concerns about body image cross the line and become eating disorders when a person starts to do things that are physically and emotionally dangerous - things that could have long-term health consequences.

Some people go on starvation diets and become anorexic, and others go on eating binges and then purge their bodies of the food they've just eaten through forced vomiting, compulsive exercise, taking laxatives, or a combination of these.

Although eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia are far more common in girls, guys can get them, too. So how do you know if a friend has an eating disorder? It can be hard to tell - after all, someone who's lost a lot of weight or feels constantly tired may have another type of health condition. But some of the signs that a friend may have an eating disorder include:

• Your friend has an obsession with weight and food (more than general comments about how many calories he or she eats in a day). It might seem like your friend talks about food and nothing else.
• Your friend knows exactly how many calories and fat grams are in everything that he or she eats - and is constantly pointing this out.
• Your friend feels the need to exercise all the time, even when sick or exhausted.
• Your friend avoids hanging out with you and other friends during meals. For example, he or she avoids the school cafeteria at lunch or the restaurant where you usually meet on weekends.
• Your friend starts to wear big or baggy clothes. Lots of people wear baggy clothes, but someone who wears baggy clothes to conceal a body he or she doesn't like isn't following a fashion trend.
• Your friend goes on dramatic or very restrictive diets, cuts food into tiny pieces, moves food around on the plate instead of eating it, and is very precise about how food is arranged on the plate.
• Your friend goes to the bathroom a lot, especially right after meals, or you've heard your friend vomiting after eating.
• Despite losing a lot of weight, your friend always talks about how fat he or she is.
• Your friend appears to be gaining a lot of weight even though you never see him or her eat.
• Your friend frequently takes laxatives, steroids, or diet pills.
• Your friend has a tendency to faint, bruises easily, is very pale, or starts complaining of being cold more than usual (cold intolerance can be a symptom of being underweight).

If your friend has these symptoms and you're concerned, the first thing to do might be to talk to your friend, privately, about what you have noticed. Tell your friend that you're worried. Be as gentle as possible, and try to really listen to and be supportive of your friend and what he or she is going through.

It's normal for a person with an eating disorder to be defensive and angry when confronted for the first time. Try not to get angry back at your friend; just remind him or her that you care. Trying to help someone who doesn't think he or she needs help can be hard - people with eating disorders often have trouble admitting, even to themselves, that they have a problem. Of course, it's not your job to diagnose your friend - that's the job of a doctor. But if your friend is willing to seek help, offer to go with him or her to see a counselor or a medical expert.

If your concerns increase and your friend still seems to be in denial, talk to your parents, the school guidance counselor or nurse, or your friend's parents. This isn't easy to do because it can feel like betraying a friend, but it's often necessary to get your friend the help he or she needs.

An eating disorder is a very difficult illness. You can support your friend by learning as much as you can about eating disorders. Your friend's body image and behavior may be a symptom of another underlying illness. There are lots of organizations, books, websites, hotlines, or other resources devoted to helping people who are battling eating disorders. Click on the Resources tab for some of these.

Being a supportive friend also means learning how to behave around someone with an eating disorder. Here are some things you can do to support a friend who is battling an eating problem:

• Avoid talking about food.
• Avoid being overly watchful of your friend's eating habits, food amounts, and choices.
• Avoid making statements like, "If you'd just eat or stop exercising, you'll get better."
• Avoid reinforcing the idea that this is all about your friend's physical appearance.

Most importantly, remind your friend that you care - no matter how he or she looks."

How to Lose weight safely!

Weight loss is a tricky topic. Lots of people are unhappy with their present weight, but most aren't sure how to change it - and many would be better off staying where they are. You may want to look like the models or actors in magazines and on TV, but those goals might not be healthy or realistic for you. Besides, no magical diet or pill will make you look like someone els

So what should you do about weight control?

Being healthy is really about being at a weight that is right for you. The best way to find out if you are at a healthy weight or if you need to lose or gain weight is to talk to a doctor or dietitian. He or she can compare your weight with healthy norms to help you set realistic goals. If it turns out that you can benefit from weight loss then you can follow a few of the simple suggestions listed below to get started.

Weight management is about long-term success. People who lose weight quickly by crash dieting or other extreme measures usually gain back all (and often more) of the pounds they lost because they haven't permanently changed their habits. Therefore, the best weight management strategies are those that you can maintain for a lifetime. That's a long time, so we'll try to keep these suggestions as easy as possible!

Make it a family affair. Ask your mom or dad to lend help and support and to make dietary or lifestyle changes that might benefit the whole family, if possible. Teens who have the support of their families tend to have better results with their weight management programs. But remember, you should all work together in a friendly and helpful way - making weight loss into a competition is a recipe for disaster!

Watch your drinks. It's amazing how many extra calories can be lurking in the sodas, juices, and other drinks that you take in every day. Simply cutting out a couple of cans of soda or switching to diet soda can save you 360 calories or more each day. Drink lots of water or other sugar-free drinks to quench your thirst and stay away from sugary juices and sodas. Switching from whole to nonfat or low-fat milk is also a good idea.

Start small. Small changes are a lot easier to stick with than drastic ones. Try reducing the size of the portions you eat and giving up regular soda for a week. Once you have that down, start gradually introducing healthier foods and exercise into your life.

Stop eating when you're full. Lots of people eat when they're bored, lonely, or stressed, or keep eating long after they're full out of habit. Try to pay attention as you eat and stop when you're full. Slowing down can help because it takes about 20 minutes for your brain to recognize how much is in your stomach. Sometimes taking a break before going for seconds can keep you from eating another serving.

Avoid eating when you feel upset or bored - try to find something else to do instead (a walk around the block or a trip to the gym are good alternatives). Many people find it's helpful to keep a diary of what they eat and when. Reviewing the diary later can help them identify the emotions they have when they overeat or whether they have unhealthy habits. A registered dietitian can give you pointers on how to do this.

Eat less more often. Many people find that eating a couple of small snacks throughout the day helps them to make healthy choices at meals. Stick a couple of healthy snacks (carrot sticks, a low-fat granola bar, pretzels, or a piece of fruit) in your backpack so that you can have one or two snacks during the day. Adding healthy snacks to your three squares and eating smaller portions when you sit down to dinner can help you to cut calories without feeling deprived.

Five a day keep the pounds away. Ditch the junk food and dig out the fruits and veggies! Five servings of fruits and veggies aren't just a good idea to help you lose weight - they'll help keep your heart and the rest of your body healthy. Other suggestions for eating well: replace white bread with whole wheat, trade your sugary sodas for lots of water and a few cups of low-fat milk, and make sure you eat a healthy breakfast. Having low-sugar, whole grain cereal and low-fat milk and a piece of fruit is a much better idea than inhaling a donut as you run to the bus stop or eating no breakfast at all! A registered dietitian can give you lots of other snack and menu ideas.

Avoid fad diets. It's never a good idea to trade meals for shakes or to give up a food group in the hope that you'll lose weight - we all need a variety of foods to stay healthy. Stay away from fad diets because you're still growing and need to make sure you get proper nutrients. Avoid diet pills (even the over-the-counter or herbal variety). They can be dangerous to your health; besides, there's no evidence that they help keep weight off over the long term.

Don't banish certain foods. Don't tell yourself you'll never again eat your absolutely favorite peanut butter chocolate ice cream or a bag of chips from the vending machine at school. Making these foods forbidden is sure to make you want them even more. Also, don't go fat free: You need to have some fat in your diet to stay healthy, so giving up all fatty foods all the time isn't a good idea. The key to long-term success is making healthy choices most of the time. If you want a piece of cake at a party, go for it! But munch on the carrots rather than the chips to balance it out.

Get moving. You may find that you don't need to cut calories as much as you need to get off your behind. Don't get stuck in the rut of thinking you have to play a team sport or take an aerobics class to get exercise. Try a variety of activities from hiking to cycling to rowing until you find ones you like.

Not a jock? Find other ways to fit activity into your day: walk to school, jog up and down the stairs a couple of times before your morning shower, turn off the tube and help your parents in the garden, or take a stroll past your crush's house - anything that gets you moving. Your goal should be to work up to 60 minutes of exercise every day. But everyone has to begin somewhere. It's fine to start out by simply taking a few turns around the block before bed and building up your levels of fitness gradually.

Build muscle. Muscle burns more calories than fat. So adding strength training to your exercise routine can help you reach your weight loss goals as well as give you a toned bod. A good, well-balanced fitness routine includes aerobic workouts, strength training, and flexibility exercises.

Forgive yourself. So you were going to have one cracker with spray cheese on it and the next thing you know the can's pumping air and the box is empty? Drink some water, brush your teeth, and move on. Everyone who's ever tried to lose weight has found it challenging. When you slip up, the best idea is to get right back on track and don't look back. Avoid telling yourself that you'll get back on track tomorrow or next week or after New Year's. Start now.

Try to remember that losing weight isn't going to make you a better person - and it won't magically change your life. It's a good idea to maintain a healthy weight because it's just that: healthy.

Prayer Chain:
     If y'all would like to be part of my prayer chain then please comment me or e-mail me at ChrryAngel10@aim.com I have sent out over 17 copies, and this is only the first week that I have sent it out!!!!! So please if you believe in the power of prayer then join my prayer chain!

Good-Bye:
     Okay thats all y'all... Please ask me your questions, and I promise to respond to all of them... remember there is no such thing as a dumb question!

God Bless,

Cherry

Intro:
     Hey everyone, I hope you all are doing good. I will answer any question you come to me with, and I hope that my answer is the right one for you. Please dont hesitate to ask me about anything, remember I am going through the same things as most of you. So dont feel ashamed to ask, I wont judge, and that is my garentee to you. This is a JUDGEMENT FREE area.  
     I haven gotten too many questions, and the site really isnt as big as a hit as I thought it might be, but I am very thankful for every question I am asked! Please do not hesitate to ask me any questions, or just tell me you are going through hard times! I promise I can be a huge help, and that is all I am here for, to help YOU! Also if you would prefer not to comment me, but you would rather e- mail me, my e-mail adress is ChrryAngel10@aim.com just ask me your question and plese tell me to respond by e-mail or to your personal xanga!

Question Form:
     Okay to ask a question, so that it is easier for me to keep everything organized it would be greatly apperciated if you could ask you question in this manner:

1.) Type of Problem; (ex. Parent Problem;)
2.) Question (ex. I dont know how to tell my parents _______. Could you help me?)
3.) Eurgencey of response (ex. Please tell me your answer as soon as possible.)

     It would just be easier to answer the questions, but if you rather not use the question format that I have provided, just ask a question!

This Weeks Topic:
   

Teen Suicide!!!!! 

     Teen suicide is becoming more common every year in the United States. It is a leading cause of death in teens and youths ages 10 to 19 years old.

     Most teens interviewed after making a suicide attempt say that they did it because they were trying to escape from a situation that seemed impossible to deal with or to get relief from really bad thoughts or feelings. Like Ethan, they didn’t want to die as much as they wanted to escape from what was going on. And at that particular moment dying seemed like the only way out.
     Some people who end their lives or attempt suicide might be trying to escape feelings of rejection, hurt, or loss. Others might be angry, ashamed, or guilty about something. Some people may be worried about disappointing friends or family members. And some may feel unwanted, unloved, victimized, or like they’re a burden to others.
     We all feel overwhelmed by difficult emotions or situations sometimes. But most people get through it or can put their problems in perspective and find a way to carry on with determination and hope. So why does one person try suicide when another person in the same tough situation does not? What makes some people more resilient (better able to deal with life’s setbacks and difficulties) than others? What makes a person unable to see another way out of a bad situation besides ending his or her life?
     The answer to those questions lies in the fact that most people who commit suicide have depression.

(Yall, let me tell you something... this problem happens to a lot of people... I have even considered it! and after reading this, I know that it helps, to talk about it... talk to a friend... do as this article says, because it truly works!!!!!!)

Prayer Chain:
     If y'all would like to be part of my prayer chain then please comment me or e-mail me at ChrryAngel10@aim.com I have sent out over 17 copies, and this is only the first week that I have sent it out!!!!! So please if you believe in the power of prayer then join my prayer chain!

Good-Bye:
     Okay thats all y'all... Please ask me your questions, and I promise to respond to all of them... remember there is no such thing as a dumb question!

God Bless,

Cherry

Intro:
     Hey everyone, I hope you all are doing good. I will answer any question you come to me with, and I hope that my answer is the right one for you. Please dont hesitate to ask me about anything, remember I am going through the same things as most of you. So dont feel ashamed to ask, I wont judge, and that is my garentee to you. This is a JUDGEMENT FREE area.  
     I haven gotten too many questions, and the site really isnt as big as a hit as I thought it might be, but I am very thankful for every question I am asked! Please do not hesitate to ask me any questions, or just tell me you are going through hard times! I promise I can be a huge help, and that is all I am here for, to help YOU! Also if you would prefer not to comment me, but you would rather e- mail me, my e-mail adress is ChrryAngel10@aim.com just ask me your question and plese tell me to respond by e-mail or to your personal xanga!

Question Form:
     Okay to ask a question, so that it is easier for me to keep everything organized it would be greatly apperciated if you could ask you question in this manner:

1.) Type of Problem; (ex. Parent Problem;)
2.) Question (ex. I dont know how to tell my parents _______. Could you help me?)
3.) Eurgencey of response (ex. Please tell me your answer as soon as possible.)

     It would just be easier to answer the questions, but if you rather not use the question format that I have provided, just ask a question!

This Weeks Topic:
     Abuse! Many children, teenagers, and adults are abused by their loved ones.  Are you one of thoes????

These statistics are from the year 2003, and it is pretty amazing how many of use are abused!

Neglect- 61% of U.S Children
Physical Abuse-19% of U.S Children
Sexual Abuse-10% of U.S Children
Emotional Maltreatment-5% of U.S Children
Medical Neglect-2.3% of U.S Children
Other Types of Abuse-18% of U.S Children

     And these statistics are getting worse every year! More and more of children between the ages of 4 and 12 are getting abused! 
     Each week, child protective services (CPS) agencies throughout the United States receive more than 50,000 reports of suspected child abuse or neglect. In 2002, 2.6 million reports concerning the welfare of approximately 4.5 million children were made. Thats horrible guys!

     If you have been put through any kind of abuse please talk to me, your not alone! I too am a teenager of parental abuse! Believe me its not fun! Even if I cant help you completely, its always better when you have someone to talk to about it!

Prayer Chain:
     If y'all would like to be part of my prayer chain then please comment me or e-mail me at ChrryAngel10@aim.com I will be starting this paryer chain as soon as possible, but first I need some ppl who would like to be apart of this prayer chain! So please if you believe in the power of prayer then join my prayer chain!

Good-Bye:
     Okay thats all y'all... Please ask me your questions, and I promise to respond to all of them... remember there is no such thing as a dumb question!

God Bless,
Cherry

Intro:
     Hey everyone, I hope you all are doing good. My purpose in this xanga is to help out others in anyway I can. I will answer any question you come to me with, and I hope that my answer is the right one for you. Please dont hesitate to ask me about anything, remember I am going through the same things as most of you. So dont feel ashamed to ask, I wont judge, and that is my garentee to you. This is a JUDGEMENT FREE area.  
     I haven gotten too many questions, and the site really isnt as big as a hit as I thought it might be, but I am very thankful for every question I am asked! Please do not hesitate to ask me any questions, or just tell me you are going through hard times! I promise I can be a huge help, and that is all I am here for, to help YOU! Also if you would prefer not to comment me, but you would rather e- mail me, my e-mail adress is ChrryAngel10@aim.com just ask me your question and plese tell me to respond by e-mail or to your personal xanga!

Question Form:
     Okay to ask a question, so that it is easier for me to keep everything organized it would be greatly apperciated if you could ask you question in this manner:

1.) Type of Problem; (ex. Parent Problem;)
2.) Question (ex. I dont know how to tell my parents _______. Could you help me?)
3.) Eurgencey of response (ex. Please tell me your answer as soon as possible.)

     It would just be easier to answer the questions, but if you rather not use the question format that I have provided, just ask a question!

This Weeks Topic:
     This feature will be coming soon. Check back later for more details.

Prayer Chain:
     If y'all would like to be part of my prayer chain then please comment me or e-mail me at ChrryAngel10@aim.com I will be starting this paryer chain as soon as possible, but first I need some ppl who would like to be apart of this prayer chain! So please if you believe in the power of prayer then join my prayer chain!

Good-Bye:
     Okay thats all y'all... Please ask me your questions, and I promise to respond to all of them... remember there is no such thing as a dumb question!

God Bless,
Cherry