After Anorexia: Weight Redistribution in Hips and Bottom

I have been in recovery for around 7 weeks now and I'm not sure how much weight I've gained (I've banned myself from the scale) but I'm almost back to normal. The weird thing is that a lot of weight has gone to my hips and butt so I look ridiculously disproportionate (to me). I had looked kind of disproportionate before but that was because the weight was concentrated on my chest and I kind of liked it like that.

I've been reading other posts and most people end up with excess weight around the abdomen, so I was wondering if I'm abnormal, and when the fat in my butt will go away . Even though my butt was flat before and I used to groan and gripe about how tiny it was, right now I just want to be like how I was.  Anorexia f'ed me up to no end.

 

NB I'm black, 16 and 5'10.

Weird, the same thing happened to be. Pre-ED I was top heavy with very scrawny legs and no butt/hips. Now that I've regained weight I definitely have a bigger butt and hips then before, even at the same weight.

Give it time. Most people's weight gradually redistributes after they have been weight restored for a while. Where the weight goes on at first is not necessarily where it will stay.

Its funny you mention that. Since getting closer and closer to being WR, I've noticed a huge shift in where my weight is going. Initially, it felt like it was all sticking to my hips, but I'm now seeing the bits of padding I had developed there disappearing and shifting upwards. I actually called my mom at work the other day to tell her one of my bras no longer fit. I was a bit TOO excited haha. But I've never had boobs before (developed ED before development had a chance) so I was rather surprised. Goes to show the weight does shift around though.

I have heard it can take a year after weight restoration to fully redistribute. For me I look like I swallowed a basket ball. My stomach carries a lot. In general people carry weight in different areas. If you ever read a womens mag they say pear,apple shape etc. I think as you gain more it will look more proportioned too. Give it time and accept it as part of recovery. I say that to myself every day as it is uncomfortable I know.

Hello. I am recovering from anorexia. I am at an ideal weight now for 2 months but all my weight is on my stomach and it is so uncomfortable:( Will it ever redistribute?I don;t think it will ever. Im doing exercise and nothing is working. I don't want to get obsessive with exercising again but I really want to lose the weight on my stomach:(

I've also heard that it generally takes several months to a year for the weight to redistribute.  I think it usually goes to the stomach first, but I don't see why it couldn't go to another area first then redistribute - bodies vary so widely. I would just give it time.

boneill - yes, it absolutely will redistribute - you just have to give it time, and i don't think exercise will make much of a difference, unfortunately.  exercise don't chance fat distribution. it WILL redistribute with time, it always does, it's not worth a relapse.

The same thing has happened to me. Before my ED, my boobs were a large C cup, almost D and I hated them. I lost them however due to ED. But, when I gained weight back, my boobs never got back to the way they were before and my upper half is a good bit smaller and my hips and thighs got all the weight. I've been in recovery for a couple of years now and it's pretty much stayed the same. Although, it isn't proportional and my weight isn't the same as it was pre-ed. Like others have said, if it is not proportional, especially if it is all in your stomach, it will redistribute. The weight automatically goes there to protect our organs when you're first gaining weight. Just try to be patient and it will redistribute to the rest of your body.