Calories and period?

Okay, I have been an obsessive calorie counter for a long time and yesterday, I decided i couldn't do it anymore because I was going crazy. Now I am just eating what I would like to eat but I am concerned that maybe I won't be consuming enough calories to gain? Was this a bad move? I am just so exhausted of letting my ED obessively count every calorie, I just want the ED to go away and I think trying to stop my obsession will help but I dont want to stop my weight gain, because I need to gain.

Also, I have been experiencing cramps and lower back pain, and they feel like period cramps... but I am still really underweight. Is it even possible for me to be getting my period? My BMI is at 16.8 and that seems a bit low to be getting my period again.

Thanks for any help! <3

Hey Karina.

You should try having your mom count your calories or someone who is around while you eat since I know you told me you have good support from your mom. Also plan out meals with your nutritionist to make sure your getting enough in. As for the period many girls get theirs while they are still underweight but you could just be having other problems. Check it out with the doctor.

Keep going with the weight gain  (:

Pretty excellent advice above. Ask your mum to help you do it instead and talk to a nutritionist if you can to figure out an exchange system which'd equate the right calorie needs for you but focuses on servings, not numbers. As for your period, some people do get it while underweight but it does not mean you're wholly healthy. And it's not very likely to stick around either. Amenorrhoea does also depend on how long it was gone previously, somewhat. Ah, and I should add, I got phantom symptoms at a lower weight and my period didn't come back.

i stopped counting calories as soon as I decided to gain weight, and I have already gained about 12-13 pounds since late April. Just focus on learning how to listen to your body, and feed it when it's hungry! I just try to eat a big breakfast, hearty lunch with lots of protein, a big dinner, and at least a few snacks throughout the day.  I'm also a night snacker--always have been, always will be! I replace low-fat things with full or part-fat, spread peanut butter on everythinggg and just try not to think about food and weight too much, to be honest! And so far, it's worked! However, if you're worried about not getting the calories you need, I agree with the others about getting someone else to keep track for you. But honestly, from my experience, your body will tell you when it's hungry. You just have to remember how to listen and feed it well!

P.S. the period thing differs from person to person. I got my period (granted, it was super light) even when I was at a BMI of about 15! It really just depends on the person I think though b/c I've always been on the smaller side in terms of BMI, even before anorexia.

yeah i got a period at that bmi - super light and maybe 2 days.  (the nutritionist said you need a period for 3 days to be a real period, who knows?)

good luck to you!

with regards to the period query - i got mine for the first time in a while last month. it lasted about 3-4 days (mine never were very long pre-ED), was about medium flow, and my bmi was about 17.2/17.3. i dont know if it was a fluke (am reallllyyy hoping to get it again in a few weeks!!), but i too got symptoms similar to yours about 10 or so days before. maybe its your body giving you signs that its ready to get back to normal in that department? i got the symptoms more than a month after i got realyl serious about recovery. :]

good luck x

Thanks everyone! I really think I am going to be getting my period... my hormones have been crazy like they used to be when I was healthy! In other words, I have an interest in the opposite sex again! I'm so excited to be getting back to the old me :)

karina, i also have had similar symptons and have recently gotten my "period" for a day or so at a time. my bmi is around 17. hormones are a good sign though!

i think it is probably a good idea to have someone monitering your calories even if you are not. at a subconcious level you may still carry out some restrictive tendencies, and i wouldn't risk any more loss at your weight.

i got my period today! :O

That's great!! :)

Original Post by zigggystarduust:

i got my period today! :O

 That was quick!  I hope you keep getting it regularly.