Will I look normal in time??
So here's my problem: I'm a senior and of course one of the hallmarks of being one is the senior prom. Now I've been in recovery for only about two weeks (blind weigh in so I don't know how much I've gained). I started at about 90 pounds and I'm 5'6".
Does anyone know if I stick strictly to my gaining (which I'm determined to do so), will my body be 'back to normal' by mid - May? Our prom around the 20th I think and I'm terrified I not have the confidence to go if my weight has not redistributed and what not by then. For those who have undergone recovery successfully what can I expect my body to be like in about 2 - 3 months?
Please I'm very scared and all my friends buying their dresses and endlessly talking about prom, and dieting and losing weight is really depressing and triggering. I guess I'm just hoping for some reassurance that I'll be able to look healthy and beautiful in a dress by then...
Just keep at it, and while you may not be at you goal weight by prom, you'll probably look a hell of a lot healthier then you did before. :) Trust me, even a pound helps to start you back to looking healthier.
My suggestion is to wait a little while and allow your body to gain some weight before dress shopping. Actually, cut it as close as you can so that you may have a comfortably fitting dress for prom night. Just keep in mind that you will most likely outgrow it, which in the big scheme of things will be a GOOD thing.
Try not to stress too much, and try to tune out all of the diet talk. Tough, I know...but remember that you'll look gorgeous in your dress, totally weight restored or not.
P.S. - Take your time to find a dress that flatters your changing body! It will make you feel a lot better. And go shopping with someone who can be fully supportive and understands how tough it will be.
You're still young and youd be amazed what 30 pounds will do. you will look so much more vibrant and full of life. you might still have thin arms and legs but your face will look healthy, your hair will look great, and you MIGHT have more weight in your belly than youd like. a dress that is an empire waist and billows out would allow you to feel comfortable and beautiful. dont let fear stop you from getting healthy. i look back at photos from the anorexic me and im appalled, its so sad and pitiful looking. dont let that be you.
Thanks for the quick response and support! I'm trying my hardest to ignore all my friends talk - especially when they say things like "oh I'm not going to eat lunch until prom". They really have so little clue sometimes...(I never actually confided in my friends about my eating disorder although I'm sure they noticed the weight loss). Anyways I planned on buying a dress end of April or ordering one a few sizes up from what I am now and have it tailored a week or so before prom.
I'm just worried that I won't feel like going because I know it takes awhile to accept body changes although I know I need the weight to be healthy. And that's more important than looking like I wish I did at prom. This ED has already taken so much of my senior year and life away from me that I shouldn't let it ruin any other future memories to be made.
You're going to look STUNNING regardless, I have no idea what you look like, but I just KNOW:) I agree with the above poster, wait as long as possible to buy one. You DEFINATLY should start looking at dresses now though, pick out the color you want, the style you would like. that way when you are closer to your goal weight and close to prom, all you have to do is get the right size!! I was in EXACTLY the same situation as you for my prom. my grandma was buying me a dress. problem was that it was 3 months before prom and i was at my lowest weight. my solution? I got a dress with a corset bodice. Not only are they GORGEOUS (try to opt for the ones with a panel in the back if you arent into showing off all the skin on your back lol) but it makes the entire bodice of the dress adjustable!! at the time i had it fitted, i barely could wear a size 0. the dress was a 3. it fit when i was tiny, and still fit when i had gained a lot of weight. actually, i could still wear it today if i wanted!! you could definatly finda dress like that to allow yourself more leeway. best of luck to you on your goal, and i know you are going to have the night of your life at the prom:)
Original Post by pocono12:
I'm trying my hardest to ignore all my friends talk - especially when they say things like "oh I'm not going to eat lunch until prom". They really have so little clue sometimes...(I never actually confided in my friends about my eating disorder although I'm sure they noticed the weight loss).
So, with respect, why do you expect them to "have a clue"?
Part of recovery is learning to accept that the problem is yours, not theirs and it helps to try and remember that it is also hard for overweight people when under weight people refer to themselves as fat and talk about dieting.
It's tough, but there are two side.
Original Post by fredajones:
Original Post by pocono12:
I'm trying my hardest to ignore all my friends talk - especially when they say things like "oh I'm not going to eat lunch until prom". They really have so little clue sometimes...(I never actually confided in my friends about my eating disorder although I'm sure they noticed the weight loss).
So, with respect, why do you expect them to "have a clue"?
Part of recovery is learning to accept that the problem is yours, not theirs and it helps to try and remember that it is also hard for overweight people when under weight people refer to themselves as fat and talk about dieting.
It's tough, but there are two side.
I meant that they have no idea what it would really mean to actually stop eating or restrict their calories for an extended period. They throw phrases like that out there like it's something they could just choose to do one day. They believe that they could just stop eating for a few days (such as, oh the week before prom I'll just eat vegetables and water) but they don't realize that it's not like that. And I know they're just throwing things out there and none of them actually would do it but it just angers me the ignorance people have. Because they then began on the topic of anorexia and how those people have it so easy when they want to lose weight cause all they have is 'just really good self control'. I'm sorry if that upsets me, but it does and I believe it has a right to. And yes I know overweight people struggled when those thinner than them complain of being fat but I don't think that applies in the way I was taking offense to my friends comments but I understand what you are saying. You do have a good point since I did not tell them about my disorder.
Myvalentinesquest:
Awe thanks hun. Yeah I had one ordered already but cancelled it since I ordered at my lowest weight and it was a form fitting dress (Still big on my unhealthy body) and didn't know how the weight gain would turn out. For now I'm just trying to make it through the month of March recovering successfully. It's hard because my nutritionalist, although a total sweetheart, isn't helping me in the way I feel I need right now. But my parents say she's the professional for we should trust her. My anxiety is just through the room right now, I still can't eat without shaking sometimes lol. But I know it's a long road and will be worth it in the end. Or that's what I'm telling myself.
worrying about what you will look like for prom... worrying what people will think of you... These thoughts are not healthy even though you're concerned with gaining weight and getting healthy (which is great!). But you must remember that the goal here is not to LOOK healthy. It is to BE healthy. Focus yourself on getting healthy at a healthy rate. Don't be hard on yourself. Don't judge yourself... Imagine if you had a little sister who was in your position... would you be worrying about how she was going to look for prom? Or would you be worrying about how worried she is about how she looks? Be kind and gentle with yourself. Be loving. (That's my two cents)
SAME ISSUE. i already bought a dress -- size 2 and its too big for me right now but I just started to eat with the intent to gain last week and my prom is may 7th. im 5'6 and 121 right now but I'm not built to be 121 i look like skelatore and you know its not right when I can't fit a size two. luckily I was thinking about this when I bought my dress and came up with the simple solution of find a dress that is corseted. The back is lace up so it allows some wiggle room with weight fluctuation. You should think about that. Finding a dress you love that is a lace up instead of zipper. It might ease your mind about it not worrying wether or not it will fit because it'll be adjustable!!
Also have the same problem. Need to go from 100 to 107 by May 3rd and prom is May 6th. I have no time it feels like. I'm also super nervous as to how I will look like in my dress, which I haven't even bought yet. My mom says if I don't gain the weight in time, I can't go to prom. I feel you on the weight distribution thing...face and stomach(super scared). :S
Yeah I recently purchased a dress and it looks alright, but my stomach clearly bulges out. When I was getting alterations the lady actually asked me if she needed to let it out around the stomach to account for "further growth". She thought I was pregnant...Needless to say I cried and that was so close to setting me back in recovery. I'm all the way up to 106 now with only 10 more pounds to gain and I've seen no re-distribustion.
Any gainers out there who are now maintaining want to let me know their personal stories about weight redistribution?? Feedback is much appreciated (:
