ex anorexic?

[HayHay]

Re: ex anorexic?

I'm not trying to be superior or argue with anybody. Im absolutely lost. And people just told me to come ehre with questions regarding the diet and what i did to myself. Its not hostility i have, its pain.

[CATBLUE]

Re: ex anorexic?

Ok. I apologies for the misunderstanding...

You may not get an immediate answer from another anorexic... but you have gotten an answer from Brook who says she's heard of this happening.

So if you don't mind sharing... it would help us to be able to help you if you'll open up a little. We need to know where you are starting from and what you are eating.. You may be doing some small thing in your meal plan that will send up red flags for us...

Truly we'd like to help you... But we're all in this together.. we are all over weight so there's no shame. Only understanding and friendship.

P.S. .. Sorry it took me so long to reply.. My husband called from the office and said he is working through the night... so.. I'm going to fix him something and take him some dinner. I may need to drop a few... but he needs all he can get.. I'll check back in tomorrow.

[Hoping]

Re: ex anorexic?

Have you asked your doctor about it?
I think Carol makes a really good point. He/She would know your body best, as they know your complete medical history. Even Brook could have had a different experience than you did.
It is normal for you to gain weight at first, even if it is months later your body is still trying to adjust. The reason why Brook asked about your menus in detail was not because we don't trust that you're not eating, but because it's important to have the correct percentages of fat, protein, and carbs. You may be eating too much protein, or not enough calories, or maybe you've not quite figured out how much water you need.
I've never had an eating disorder, quite frankly I love food too much...a little too much obviously, but I have experienced pain in my day. You have to learn how to channel your pain in other ways. Exercise is a great way to do so, talking to your counselor, etc. I think it's great that you've taken accountability for your mistakes, it's a very good first step now you need to continue with baby steps.
Talk to your health care providers and see what they have to say about the situation.

[HayHay]

Re: ex anorexic?

Thanks so much for your post Hoping. I take full responsibility for any damage i did to myself. I dont blame outside influences or even the abusive relationship ive now come out of, i blame myself. Its me that stopped eating and now these are the breaks i guess. I was trying to get my body used to eating again by eating reguralrey and having a balance of foods, as you suggested. But to my horror it just seems to get bigger. I definately havnt eaten enough proteion which is probably the best thing for my body at the moment given that my body ate all its muscle!!
Thats why i thort that atkins might be a good idea to try because its high in protein and i know it has good success rates. I am a really intellent and articulate girl for just 22, thats why sometimes i wonder why i endured an eating disorder? I am only interested in getting my figure back (i was always a slim healthy girl) it a healthy way. Thanks for your support

[Brook]

Re: ex anorexic?

Atkins isn't a high protein diet. It's a high fat diet. There's a big difference.

HayHay- Over-achievers are typically the ones that suffer from ED's most, again, as you should know if you're in counseling. ED suffers are not unintelligent dolts. We're control freaks who feel out of control for whatever reason.

So we've gathered that you're 22. That's a start - and really, it's good news.

Now if you'd just be forthcoming with the rest we can start getting somewhere.

[CATBLUE]

Re: ex anorexic?

Hubby says he ate earlier and isn't hungry... so... I'm back

[Lizard099]

Re: ex anorexic?

HayHay,


I am sorry to hear of your troubles and body issues. Please don't take anything personal on this site. I believe it can be a challenge to communicate effectively through forums for you do not get a good read on the person writing the responses. Everyone here has your best intentions in mind.

About 2 and 1/2 years ago I lost a ton of weight due a colon disease that I battle. I lost all of my muscle and when I started to absorb food again I gained a ton of weight. You probably don't want to hear this but it took about 2 years for me to start losing some of that weight. I now exercise to build that muscle back up, muscle will burn a ton more calories. Since you lost so much weight, I am postive you also lost all of your muscle. Start doing some resistence training and make sure to get all of your veggies in to build up your nutrition. Don't worry about calories, just learn how to listen to your body and feed it good food when hungry.

I wish you the best of luck. YOU WILL GET THERE! You just have to stay positive. You body needs a great deal of time to heal. Your body has been through a great shock and needs food and nutrition to get comfortable again.

[fatty mcfatison]

Re: ex anorexic?

When I was in my teens I used to starve myself. My mother is obsessive with body size so natural so was I. I can tell you at 15-16, I weighed 90lbs (I am 5'3). I weighed 90 pounds when I got pregnant with my first child (i was 16). I starved myself and by my six weeks check up I went from 168 (weight the day I gave birth) to 92lbs. I stayed at 92lbs by not eating and constantly exercising until I was in my 20s and got pregnant again. At this point, I was never happy with myself. Even at my lowest weight of 89 pounds I knew I was fat. I looked in the mirror and that is what I saw. I tried on clothes and though my god I am huge. But having children and a great husband I relized I didn't have to be skinny. I had my last child 6 years ago and in that time I gained weight pretty quickly the first few years and then stabled out and maintaned until I felt good enough to lose weight. I know the damage I have done. I not only see it in my slow weight lose, but my mother still barely eats to this day. Honestly, until you can opening share your stats and talk about your issue I do not believe you are ready to move on. I am now 28 and I fight with myself everyday about my weight and my image. It never goes away you just learn to cope with it better. I hope that helps. There are alot of great supportive people here if you let them help you you will go further in your recovery.

[SugarFreeSheila]

Re: ex anorexic?

Hi Hayley, and welcome to the board. I understand today is your third day on Atkins. How are things going?

[HayHay]

Re: ex anorexic?

Lizard and Fatty McFatson thanks so much for sharing your stories about the aftermath of you drastic weight loss. Sounds similar to what happened to me! The reason i havent posted my exact weight on here is that i dont like jumping on the scales all the time (although i realise i will have to start once i get into atkins a lil more) so i have been using my clothes as a guide - and they just keep egttin tighter!! I do resistance training and cardio and always eat regularely so i feel like im doing what i can. I know im overweight as my doctor told me my BMI. Lizard and Fatty McFatson did you have success following atkins?

[HayHay]

Re: ex anorexic?

Hi Shiela i have been going ok...my problem is i want to see results too quick! And im hopeing i get results like other people due to me suffering from anorexia a while back. Since then my body has ballooned despite me being kind to it and doing everything right, it has continued to happen for about 8 monthes. Anything light you can shed on the subject? x

[Butterfly73]

Re: ex anorexic?

Hi Shiela i have been going ok...my problem is i want to see results too quick! And im hopeing i get results like other people due to me suffering from anorexia a while back. Since then my body has ballooned despite me being kind to it and doing everything right, it has continued to happen for about 8 monthes. Anything light you can shed on the subject? x

Hi sweetie, obviously I am not Sheila but I am sorry for your struggle and know exactly how it feels to want it all off now. I'm new to Atkins myself, but am very familiar with low carb in general and was thinking I might comment on some of your concerns.

It does appear your body is going through an adjustment stage after being deprived for an extended time. I won't say "oh don't worry, its normal", because I would hate to have someone answer me that way. Not that I think people who say it are uncaring, but it does feel like a brush off. Realistically speaking, though, if you spent a long time as an anorexic, you may be spending an equal or even longer amount of time repairing damage before your body is healthy enough to go through a normal weight loss to acheive a healthy weight for your height.

I spent a couple of years in my late teens cycling with borderline anorexia/bingeing in order to get and maintain an 'appropriate' weight for my age and height. My weightBMI appeared normal, but I had very little lean body mass. Fortunately, I came to my senses after a couple of years, but after I started eating normally, I went up from about 120 pounds to around 140 and stuck there. That is about 15 pounds more than what charts say I should weigh for my build and height and I can tell without fancy equipment that it is mainly extra fat. My body developed a fat storage place it liked as a response to my abuse, and 15 years later, I still struggle to overcome that set point.

Some things you might consider: BMI is basically just a ballpark estimate on whether you are a healthy weight for your height. It does not take into account your body fat percentage or bone density (which may have suffered with lack of adequate minerals). It is possible for a person to have a 'perfect' weight and BMI number and yet be carrying 15 or more pounds of excess fat.

Conversely, it is possible for a person with very little body fat to have a very high BMI for their height and yet have only 15% body fat. Scale weight and BMI are helpful, but not always numbers to panic over.

Have you considered food allergy/intolerance as a possibility for your tight clothing? Personally, I can bloat as much as 2" in ONE day if I eat too much salt or a food that doesn't seem to like me. Water retention can account for a 5 pound jump on my home scale. A lot of people don't do well on gluten, MSG or dairy, and those are both very common foods. Food intolerance has also been linked to weight gain/inability to lose weight. Interestingly, I understand Atkins induction to eliminate most allergenic foods (with the exception of eggs and cheese) so you can guage your reaction to various foods as you add them back in.

I don't know your workout pattern, but overtraining can also cause people to gain weight-usually in water as their muscles try to repair themselves. Probably your trainer has mentioned this, but I figured it might be worth mentioning as a lot of people seem surprised by that.

One thing many people misunderstand about low carb eating is that after the first week or two most people's weight loss slows to around 1 or 2 pounds (average) per week. After the initial quick water weight loss, I can go 2 weeks without the scale moving at all and then see a one pound loss, then maybe a .5 pound loss and then not lose again for a week. Atkins and other low carb programs are not magic formulas for mega-fast loss and many people get discouraged when they settle into a normal (healthy) weight loss pattern.

BTW, I know I talk as though I have been 'on' and 'off' low carb repeatedly, and, in a way, I have, as several pregnancies have resulted in weight gain which I have had to take off--each time has been a little different, some quicker than others, but so far, the low carb approach has never failed me when I am patient and diligent to eat only wholesome foods. It helps a lot to look at it as a lifestyle change rather than a temporary quick fix.

I have to also say I do not claim to be any sort of expert on this subject, just someone who likes to share information in case others can benefit.

I wish you well as you heal.

[Lizard099]

Re: ex anorexic?

Hello HAYHAY,


One word of advise for you: Never step on a scale again! I haven't I cannot face it. It's too depressing, especially with that time of the month. I do what you do, judge by how my clothes are fitting. I am having great success with atkins. I feel it helps me control my eating, makes me feel great too. My weight loss is very slow, but it finally starting happening after about 2 months on the plan. It's slow, but it's coming off and that's all that matters. I recommend not counting calories too, only count carbs. Never eat until you are full, only satisfied. I wish you all the luck and remember to just be patient. You are doing a great thing for your body by giving it what it needs. It will make you feel and look better too. But I highly recommend never stepping on the scale again, they are just so inaccurate. Also, please do some kind of weight lifting, you will not get bulky. My weight loss is increasing since I have been lifting more, lean muscle, look at heather locklear!

Good luck to you and I'm proud of you for taking steps to get healthy. You should be proud of you too!

[HayHay]

Re: ex anorexic?

Oh thank you so much butterfly for your story! You give me hope that perhaps low carb may be the way to go for me. Yes i actually had a hair test done a few monthes ago which determined my food allergies - amongst the worst were wheat and MSG. So this is another reason i thort atkins may be a good option, because as you mentioned it eliminates a lot of these foods. If you had progress on atkins, fingers crossed i have a lil success too x

[SugarFreeSheila]

Re: ex anorexic?

Haley, I thought of something else: maybe you could submit a typical day's Induction menu for our critique, just to make sure you are doing everything on target? It couldn't hurt!