Posts by mel_ynda

Original Post by personaltrainer87:

Mel_Ynda

Congratulations on reaching a healthy weight, you always sound so positive and you sound like you have handled everything so well, despite the inevitable bad days we all have to deal with.

I am not in the process of gaining weight but I read this thread occasionally!

I am curious about weather you need to maintain on a high level (3000) calories once you reach a healthy weight?

I am guessing that before the ED, you didn’t need 3000 to maintain a healthy weight?

Are you still hoping to gain a little, or does your body just need 3000 calories to maintain even a healthy weight?

Also, if you keep gaining will you lower your calorie intake or are you planning to be able to maintain whatever weight on 3000?

I am just very curious about the whole weight gain process as I didn’t pay much attention to it when I went through it.

Thanks!

 Hi personal trainer

Sorry I haven't replied in so long.  Haven't been coming on to the forums as often, because I've been so darn busy.

I'm still maintaining on between 2500 to 3000 cals per day.  Staying the weight I am is the plan, but I figure at the moment it's better to eat more and possibly gain than eat less and lose. 

There's no definite formula.  You have to keep an eye on yourself, and learn to take it easy.  I don't constantly check my weight any more, and am far more relaxed about food and eating now. 

Ellie, you should be so  proud of yourself.  Well done.  Take a break from CC by all means, if that's what you need to help you get through this.  You definitely deserve some me time, so go and enjoy yourself.

Mel. xox

Hope life's treating everyone well.

It's been a while since I last posted, but I'm still maintaining a healthy weight.  I've actually gained a bit since my last  update, and am now about 59 kg.  Huzzah.

Keep up the fab work, all! 

Mel. xox

Hello, fine people,

Still maintaining at 58 kg.  Hurrah.  I just started a fulltime job this week, which is why I've not been on CC as often.  I'm going to finish my Honours degree in writing part time, once I get settled in my job.

Keep up the great work, all.

Mel. xox

Original Post by hotsauceismypoison:

Congrats Mel_ynda on continuing to maintain a healthy weight, you're an inspiration!

Well done on the good choice made to have both lunch AND dessert.

Nandos is my one true love, I am in love with their grilled chicken wraps and Peri-Peri hot sauce xD

Today, I have not measured, counted, logged any of my foods.

And I added in an extra sultana to my Weetbix.

I know it's one measly sultana but up until today I've been extremely particular about the number of sultanas that I add to my Weetbix and to add one more, which will actually even bring up the calorie value of my breakfast is a small, yet big step at the same time. =)

I aim to go through the rest of today without counting or adding.

 I never would have guessed you'd like Nando's hot sauce, erm, hotsauceismypoison ;-).

Congrats on your own achievement.  You have come forward in leaps and bounds from where you started, and should be proud of yourself.

Crazy247, I have to ask.  Is a chocolate turtle a chocolate shaped like a turtle, or is there a dessert I've been missing out on all this time?

All the best to all,

Mel.

Ellie, you're going to make a great journalist.  Not only can you write, but you empathise with people, and you even have the tough, make-or-break attit ude of the classic reporter.  ;-)  Tough love is good.

Maintaining's not too tricky as yet.  I'm maintaining on about 3000 cals or a bit over--I've had to up a few times because my weight dropped a pound or two.  And I feel really good.  My mind feels so much better now.  My body does too, of course, but I'm thinking for myself again, and not just blindly following ED's beck and call. 

Be sure to show off your film here when you've completed it.  I enjoy writing scripts, but have never produced a film.  A very big job, but I know you're up to the challenge. 

Mel. xox

Ellie, you deserve only the best, and I'm so glad life is starting to treat you accordingly.

Such a brave and inspirational person I have rarely met, and thank you for being so incredibly supportive.  Without your help, I might have reached the healthy weight I am now, but I can't imagine how. 

May I also say that if your parents have been a rock for you, you have more than returned the favour.  And, what's more, you have inspired them to change for the better.  Amazing.

So glad you're off to uni; you'll love it, I'm sure.  What are you studying?

All the best, and two words that will never mean enough, but I hope you understand what I'm trying to express--thank you,

Mel. xox

I have to disagree.  Eating disorders are much more about how you are mentally as opposed to physically.  Being at a healthy weight does not necessarily mean someone does not have an eating disorder.

If you feel concerned that you have issues with food and eating, I would suggest speaking to someone.

All the best.

Mel.

Woohoo, go team!  You're more than a match for ED.  And the crowd goes wild.

Every time I get on the scale, I keep expecting the needle to be touching a higher number.  Still maintaining at 58 kg on 3000 to 3250 cals per day.  Being at a healthy weight feels good.

ED's a sore loser; rub it in.

Mel. xox

Thank you, Mashed.

You're absolutely right.  It is very important.  Also you've pointed out how selfish this disease can make a person.  Think of your loved ones, everyone; please think of your loved ones.

And think of what you want to do with your life.  Don't let ED keep you from living, and not just existing or staying alive, but truly living and doing what you want to, and being who you want to be.

Mel. xox

Keep up the great work, all!

I upped cals from 3250 to 3500 over the weekend because I dropped half a kg.  I'm back at maintaining a healthy weight. 

Also I have been out and about over the weekend, so have been eating in crowded public places, which I still am a little edgy about--people watching me etc. 

I feel good, though.  It does get better; it truly does. 

Mel. xox

Original Post by lalabanana:

Former. Made them up. Though I think I HAVE seen one about a haunted toilet...

There you are, then.  That career's begging for your attention.  ;-)

Also if you are underweight binges arise from the body's survival mechanism kicking in.

I never binged until I had anorexia. Now that I'm at a healthy weight, I still occasionally have urges to binge, which is my body's way of saying it's still a little wary of me and doesn't quite trust that I won't starve it again. It's doing what it thinks is necessary and best, to get in as much food as possible when the opportunity presents itself.

But the urges are definitely not as strong, and I do not feel as compelled to, nor do I, give in to them. With time, and with my body's trust in me restored after remaining at a healthy weight for a while, the urges will pass.

Glad to hear you've had the courage to get support.  Just remember though, overexercising is another form of purging, so you should speak to your doctor and support team about it. 

All the best.

Mel.

Original Post by lalabanana:

Mel! If you maintained on 3250, why are you lowering it?!

 Again, you come up with the goods, Ellie!

Ah, so I should be staying at the same level unless I start gaining, at which stage I then decrease?

D'oh!  In that case, I'll have to use the rest of the week to make it up.

Did you speak to your doctor about your progress?  Hope all is going well with your good self.

Mel. xox

No problems, eskimo82.  Hope it was helpful.  I wouldn't stress too much about weight distribution. 

Thanks for the advice, gi_jane.  I maintained last week at 3250 cals, so I'm going with 3000 this week.  I might gain some weight in the process of working out my maintenance level anyway, so I'll see how I go.

Again, many thanks and best wishes to everyone.

Melynda. xox

More than welcome, Ellie. 

Yeah, GPs are a bit hit and miss.  When my GP diagnosed me, he seemed a bit vague.  Don't get me wrong; he's nice and all, but I guess eating disorders aren't the most common ailments, nor is there much reliable information about them out there.  Sadly, as he said, they're becoming more common, though. 

I think he's definitely right.  I seem to be seeing more and more ED-affected folks around.  Many of them look at me too, even now that I'm a healthy weight.  ED people sense one another, even when it's not as visually obvious.

The thing about GPs is they can only tell you so much, and they seem to focus a lot more on the physical rather than the mental aspects of ED.   I hope you're progressing well; you've certainly put in the hard yards.  Not only do you deserve to be healthy and happy because of your heroic efforts, but because you're a terrific person as well.

All the best,

Mel. xox