Exercising while recovering from anorexia

Hi, this question has probably been asked a million times but...

I just got diagnosed with official anorexia yesterday, and I'm going to start seeing a nutritionist on tuesday. I have a bmi right now of about 16.5 or so, so obviously I know I need to gain some weight. But since I'm not DEATHLY skinny (say of a bmi of 14 or something) is it ok if I exercise some while trying to gain weight? I've often heard that you are not supposed to exercise at all, but I feel that mainly applies to people who are severely anorexic and underweight. Sorry if this post sounds stupid...I don't want to exercise so that I can burn away the extra calories I eat, I want to exercise to build muscle and be fit.

Any opinions and advice are very much appreciated. Thanks.

Original Post by cowcow44:

 

but I feel that mainly applies to people who are severely anorexic and underweight.

Any person who is anorexic is severly anorexic... this is a deathly disease, inspite of how much you weigh. Underweight is underweight... so don't let your eating disorder trick you into thinking you're not "that bad".

While I'm not a physician, I would advise holding off on physical activity until you've reached a minimum BMI of 18.5. Ofcourse, your doctor can provide you with more guidance. At your current weight, your body is likely functioning at a compromised level, just to get through a typical day. You need every ounce of energy to go toward internal healing (both physiologically and psycholically).

Health risks aside, exercise is often times adds "fuel to the fire" with recovering anorexics. Thus, it's important to learn how to develope a healthy relationship with exercise before you can resume it. Again, I'm not your doctor, but this is just my stance.

Best of luck in your recovery, and congratulations for deciding to take this step for YOU. You WILL be able to exercise again, you just need to cross the bridge of recovery first! So many things are on the "other side" (other side being life without ED), and I promise you, once you reach that side, everything will makes sense. Your journey to a healthier life is going to be the most worthwhile thing you will ever do. So stay strong! You CAN do this!

A BMI of 16.5 is far too low. It is generally recommended that you cease all exercise until you reach a BMI of AT LEAST 20. Exercising while underweight is very damaging. Any remaining muscle you still have is sure to whither away to nothing if you continue exercising. Plus, since you're still considered underweight, you're going to need those extra cals to gain weight. You can't gain on a deficit ;-) If you really want to gain muscle and get fit, the first step would be to up your cals to at least 2500 while sedentary! Believe it or not, for those who have been restricting and exercising for a long period of time, many of the calories will be used to rebuild the muscles lost despite the fact you're sedentary. You might see a rapid jump on the scale at first, but if you stay consistent, it will eventually even out and you can start exercising again. But until then, with your health in mind, I really think you should stop exercising.. I wish you the best of luck!!

Original Post by cowcow44:

 But since I'm not DEATHLY skinny

I think everyone with anorexia thinks this about themself - at least in my experience. And it's not true - it's just the disortion of the ED making you think you are ok. You are deathly skinny, and no you shouldn't exercise.

You will build muscle even while totally sedentary because your muscles will have atrophied. Part of the weight regained will be repairing the muscles - ie, muscle growth. Your body will also naturally grow more muscle to support your body at a higher weight. So don't stress about needing to build muscle - your body will do this anyway.

Oh ok thanks for the help everyone, that is really true goobyb that you can't gain muscle on a deficit, that would make sense why i haven't gained hardly any muscle or definition with exercise ha ha. I'll hold off on cardio at least until my appointment with a nutritionist on tuesday, then see what her advice is also. 

Since you all have gone through weight gain, did you notice that at first it was mostly all fat but then you were able to tone up afterwards? I'm just afraid of gaining "only fat" even though I know obviously some of the gain will go towards muscle. 

You can't really tell just from looking if you have gained fat or muscle. For one thing, when you're in recovery it's easy to look at your weight gain as pure fat - even though it isn't. For another, most fat gains will be above the muscle, making it easier to see the fat and harder to see muscle. So just bear in mind you do not have to look very hard, muscled or toned in order to have gained significant muscle.

I did notice, like most people, that my weight gain was not evenly distributed at first - I gained weight in my stomach and thighs/butt first and it took a while for the weight gain to even out into my legs and then arms. This is pretty normal, because your body's first priority is to protect your internal organs and babymaking gear - and then worry about filling out your arms and legs. Don't worry though, if you find this happens to you give it time and everything will settle back to normal.

What does your recovery team say about exercise?

If you haven't asked them you need to.

Oh I see about the weight gain and fat, thanks meryl! I am afraid of the probably initial gain in my tummy but I will just accept it and know that it will settle. Health is much more important than not having a temporary baby belly.  I don't necessarily have a recovery team I don't think (i'm not really sure what that is), I am going to start seeing a nutritionist and doctor who I will ask about the exercising questions, I just have not yet started doing this. But I am very shortly, don't worry. I just wanted other fellow ed sufferers and those who have recovered to give their opinions on exercising and their experiences with it.

The people in your real life who actually see you and advise you on what you need to do to recover and keep you on track as much as they can.  This is frequently a combination of a doctor, nutritionist, counselor and family and friends.

Online people, no matter how sympathetic or wishful of helping do not know what is really going on with you.  We only know the small portion of what you tell us which my or may not be accurate and may or may not be influenced by a distorted self perception.

A BMI of 16.5 is concerning.  Many people who have suffered from eating disorders have died with that high of a BMI.  Many others have survived.  Each individual has different medical needs and concerns depending on what they've done and how their body has reacted to it.  While some of what has worked for others might work for you it could also be hazardous to your health.  Getting ideas online isn't necessarily bad, but you need to run them by the medical professionals and invovled people in your real life.

meryl - hi - would be interested to know how long it took for your weight to redistribute? I know everyone is different and i have heard timeframes of 6-12 months... also - is this say 6-12 months once you get to your set point weight or will it be redistributing as soon as it starts going on? I have the same as you - am gaining in my thigs, bum and tummy area but my arms are still way to skinny...

I think within 6 months of having restored a healthy weight it was redistributed fairly naturally. For me it started happening gradually as I approached a healthy weight, but once I started maintaining the process seemed to speed up a bit.

thanks meryl - and that was before you started exercising again or not? good to know it does even out in the end! :)

i would not advise exersizing as a perso=ing who siffered from anoreixia, now an eating disorder, but i wouodl advise doing activities such as walking outside or walking outside. stretching. dont get your heart rae going to much though. just try to find some things you enjoy. i know it is hard to get away. exersizing is important. it is vital to recovery but right now some light walks should be good. get your weight up and soon neough youll be working for that athlete's high.:D

ignore the horrible spelling.