What should I do?

Hi everyone.=)  Some of you may have read my post a month or so ago, "Worried about weigh gain."  If not and you need more information to answer this, here is the link:http://caloriecount.about.com/worried-weight- gain-ft136865

Since writing that, I started seeing a nutritionist a few weeks ago.  She started me off with a 1,500 calorie meal plan, which was then increased to 1,800 calories 4 or 5 days later.  I have been consistently following that since last Friday.  I'm still very nervous about this whole process and gaining weight, but I know this is something I must do. 

I had the third meeting with my nutritionist today, and she gave me two choices.  One, we either increase my calories by 300 and I cut my exercise in half and make it a walk rather than a run (I am currently running 5 mph for 30 minutes on a treadmill everyday), or two, I keep exercising but increase my calories by 500-600.  I told her that I would do the 300 increase, but after leaving her office, I thought about it and knew I wouldn't be able to limit my exercise and change it to walking.  At the same time, I am very nervous about making a 500-600 calorie leap.  I have been told and have also read on here many times that the quicker you can get to 2,500, the better.  If I do decide to do the 500 increase, I'm just afraid that it will cause a huge, never-ending weight gain.  Would that likely happen to me?

I know that this is ultimately my decision, but I just wanted to see what everyone else thought first.  If anyone has ever been in this position before, what did you do, or just anyone, what would your best recommendation for me be?  I have always been a very nervous person who worries about everything and no matter what the problem, I also always need a lot of reassurance.  Therefore, any advice and support would be greatly appreciated.  Thank you so much.=)

Take care,

Kerri

personally i find it bizarre that your calories are so low given that you run for 30 minutes every day, my doctor told me not to do ANY physical activity. you're not eating enough to gain in the first place, at 1800, so to exercise in addition to that is absurd. i'd seek a new doctor because she doesn't seem to have a very strong grasp on how to treat these conditions, especially if you have a large amount of weight to gain. you're not likely to gain a tremendous amount of weight by consuming 2500 calories a day, you are likely to gain, and you will gain faster than you are right now, but it will not be unmanageable. at the end of the day the rate of gain is less important than you consuming an appropriate number of calories, so if you gain quickly at first on 2500 don't stress too much, it will slow down and it's just getting you nearer to your goal that much faster. the sooner it's over the sooner you'll grow to accept it, that's my experience at least. just eat more, and honesty the compulsive exercising should stop. if you need support or have questions feel free to contact me :)

Hi i am a med student, and i also had anorexia for 3 years.

you are meant to Want to be in recovery. you should be making every effort possible to gain.

you should not be deliberating options or anxious by 600 extra calories; if you were in a hospital or inpatient treatment, there would be NO exercise, NO slow increases, and you would be on 3500 + a day.

perhaps your nutritionist is trying a gently gently approach, but it in my view is not working, your still over exercising, still eating FAR too little as you are, and still exercising choice over calories, which when you are only beginning recovery is an Extremely dangerous and stupid thing to offer a patient.

stop hindering your own recovery.

stop the treadmill-get rid of it and get better.

stop worrying because you will be a new person after this. 3 years ago i was physically carried by my mother into hospital and dripfed, monitered, weighed, followed to the bathroom.....now i am studying medicine, truly happy, no issues with my weight (thankfully) great friends, great future...

dont be another anorexia tragedy; this disease will only worry or have a hold on you for as long as you allow it!

you can expect bloating, stomach discomfort, fat accumulating on your stomach first and foremost (it will distribute around your body in time if you are consistent in not cutting cals), so do not be alarmed. this will be part of the process. but you know, the other option is you die.

good luck.

Yes, a lot of people gain weight in their middle first, but the fact that you will gain weight does not mean you will turn into some fat blob lol.

I am a certified trainer although I am studying/not working at the moment, and I have also recovered from anorexia several years ago.

I promise that if you educate yourself about reasonable/gentle toning exercises for your core/midsection as well as some squats and lunges to tighten your leg/butt etc, then you can have a nice shaped body without burning too many extra calories, that would hinder your weight gain.

While I tried to recover and gained weight, I did not exercise, but I learnt about toning exercises and once I started doing them my body changed completely, and I was able to reach a healthy weight without feeling like a “blob” lol.

My point is, that gaining weight does not mean you have to have to feel bad about your new body. Be proactive, do a little toning exercises, and you can significantly improve the appearance of your body, as well as FEELING much healthier/happier/more comfortable.

I found that when I got off my butt and actually moved my body and did things that tone it up, I felt much better then lying around complaining about gaining weight.