A Few Questions Regarding Weight Gain

Hi! As I continue this journey, I just have a few questions:

- What is the best percentage of protein/fat/carbohydrates to eat in order to restore amenorrhea? I had gone through a period of time without eating nearly enough fat, and so I was wondering if one needs to have MORE fat as you try to restore or if a general increase to 30% or so is enough. I have three more weeks before I stop running, does this make a difference?

- Is it okay not to weigh yourself, or is it necessary to weigh yourself all of the time? As I began this journey, I did so because I'd started gaining weight without eating as much as I should, and as I eat MORE, I don't like the idea of weighing myself. Is it important, even with my keeping my calories up?

- Do all people experience some type of refeeding? Is it just the "dangerously" underweight (I know all underweight is bad), or does my having exercised protect me from this?

Thank you! Yes I am gaining and yes I am being more consistent!

1. There is no "best" ratio. Its a myth, if you ask me. Aiming for the higher % of fats is always a good thing when you are in recovery from an ED - it forces you to face fears and eat more calorically dense foods, it helps you get enough calories in on a day-to-day basis and it does help ensure that you are eating enough fats to restore hormonal balance. The idea of a specific percentage to be the "best" though is a bit too rigid though. I have no idea what my %'s are anymore, and I am much better off. I used to monitor it, and keep it at strict numbers that I believed were "perfect". Meh. I generally have about 5TBS of nut butter a day, handful of nuts, some full fat yogurt/ice cream and cheese, some avocado, salad dressing/butter/oils in my dinner, Larabars or dark chocolate as desserts/snacks. I figure that's ample enough and I don't really need to specifically count it.  

If you are running/athletic in general, it is a good idea to eat a bit more fat because your body is going to burn through everything else pretty rapidly, and you need to be able to replace what you're using up when you run. That's why I tend to eat what I figure is a pretty good amount of fat. 

2. Weighing yourself every day is a horrible idea. Even every week isn't necessary once you are at a weight that you won't die at. I used to weigh myself every 5-7 days when I was at a BMI of 10-11, and did so up until I got to a BMI of 15. I know, 15 isn't great either (thus I am still gaining) but I was medically sound and no longer at a point where I had an imminent fear of dying in my sleep. I weigh myself eh, every two weeks or so. Some times less frequently. Its good to check in to see how you're doing, but its not 100% necessary.

3. Are you referring to refeeding syndrome? If so, no. I have only experienced pitting edema in IP actually, and briefly at home when I made a rather huge jump in calories. Exercise only helps when you are actively doing it, and even then its not a guarantee when you are dealing with a compromised body.  I was an avid over-exerciser and got horrific edema in IP (I was one of those bad patients who did everything they weren't supposed to do). Pitting edema is caused by fluid build up when your heart is too weak to pump it throughout your body. It also happens when you increase calories way too quickly and your body can't handle processing it all at once. In any case, its temporary. But it can be indicative of something else more dangerous, like heart problems. It generally only occurs early on in the process though, so at this point its really not something you need to worry about.

Edema in and of itself is common in people who are overweight, or have heart problems. For them, exercise does help alleviate it as it gets the blood and body fluids moving.

AWESOME! THANK YOU!

The whole issue with edema scares me because I had 27 pounds worth of fluid retention in 2 weeks when I was 7 months pregnant with #2. I'd been so sick and dehydrated that when they put me in the ER and gave me IV fluids, my body just held them. Never have I peed in my life like I did after she was born.

I'm going for good fats and milk fats because I want to eat my calcium in natural form and I know it is absorbed better with fat and vitamin C... for the bones;-)

That was awesome. Thank you.

Hi. Edema is usually is in the start of refeeding. Everyone retains water at times due to that time of the month,high sodium foods but the edema that is severe with refeeding is usually in the start. Trust me I have had refeeding issues and very severe edema in the hospital so I understand the fears but stay in the day and since you have been eating a higher calorie diet already you should be ok. Are you able to see a nutritionist? I ask cause I am on exchange meal plan and though I don't see one now it helps to create structure. Everyone eats a different ratios and it does not need to be rigid. Just as long as you get in all the nutrients and it is some what balanced. Like 20-30 percent fat for ex. As for weighing I think every 2 weeks just to check if at a more stable point or if still in transition every week. I just weight every week.  Like I have said in the past I think until you can give your activity level a rest your period is going to be hard to get back. It may take time after you do rest too just for your body to catch up.

If you stay consistent with the number of calories you're eating, then the edema will eventually subside. For me, it only took about 2 weeks. The time might vary depending on the person and the fact that you're a female.. Just try not to fall under the illusion that you're gaining weight fast, when in reality it's just water. Your ED will try to convince you that, and it's important that you don't start restricting because of it. If I did it, then you certainly can too! Good luck! B)

Abbi, you're absolutely right and I know I won't get my period back til I can stop running or cut back to 20mpw or less. I think I'll need to stop alltogether for a while, though, and maintain a weight for 3-6 months before there's a shot. BUT I wouldn't be very committed to this process if I said aw screw it, I'll wait til then to eat more;-)

Currently I'm only having belly swelling and only sometimes. I think I have to watch the sodium content more. Unfortunately this change of season has left me with a wild sweets craving.