gaining weight after starvation mode

is anybody else here experiencing, or has anyone else here experienced, gaining weight after getting out of starvation mode? I really need advice . . because I'm trying to keep my mind fixed on eating right for health, for long life . . but seeing the inches and pounds come back one by one is really freaking me out. I sometimes get tempted to go back to my old ways. I'm seeing stomach flab that was never there before, and some of the fat I lost from my thighs are back.

On a side note, it's been 3 months and I still haven't gotten my period (since November). I went to the doctor and all they said was to observe for another month. I'm so darn worried.

If you've not got your period for 3 months it means your body is under stress.  It means you're either very anxious, over exercising, underweight (BMI <19) eating too little or you're malnourished.   'Starvation mode' is a temporary and minor problem experienced by dieters.    'Starvation' is a much more serious medical condition that is ultimately fatal.  Other posts you've made suggest you've been doing the latter....

To restore your periods and your health, therefore, you'll need to be sure that you're doing all of the following...

• You're a healthy weight (BMI between 20 and 25)
• You're eating the right amount for your age/size/acitivity level. (2500 cals a day minimum if you still need to gain weight.)
• Limit gentle exercise to half an hour a day, max
• A varied and nourishing diet where at least 30% of the calories come from fats and which contains plenty of iron-rich and vitamin-rich foods
• Relaxation

I'm right there with you.  During my ED I lost about 30lbs, and then gained all of it back due to binging.  I was 140lbs last May when I decided to finally eat right, but then only began eating 1500 and got up to 144lbs, and then when I decided to finally get up to 2000 calories I got up to 149lbs.  However, I tried dieting in December, and after not seeing the scales move (I could have SWORN my metabolism was right again), I got so frustrated that the ED thoughts slipped back in and I began restricting again in January.  But, within the past 3 weeks I've been eating 2000-2500 calories, and am now up to around 155-ish. 

My body's been on the ultimate roller-coaster within the past year, and I've decided to just suck it up and deal with it.  I hate it, but it's what I need to do.

During my ED I lost my period, too.  For six or seven months.  It wasn't until I began gaining extra weight after the binging that I got it back :/  Just try, try, TRY to hang in there.  Don't go back to your old ways.  I'm an example of how your body will turn on you in the worst of ways :/

Good luck!

I can totally relate to the ammenorhea side of things. It's extremely frustrating. I'm currently trying to maintain an "uncomfy" for my ED to try and see if it comes back, and work on my habits. It's pretty intense because it leaves you exposed to a lot emotions.

If you need to talk, I'm here.

Original Post by hannikate:

I'm right there with you.  During my ED I lost about 30lbs, and then gained all of it back due to binging.  I was 140lbs last May when I decided to finally eat right, but then only began eating 1500 and got up to 144lbs, and then when I decided to finally get up to 2000 calories I got up to 149lbs.  However, I tried dieting in December, and after not seeing the scales move (I could have SWORN my metabolism was right again), I got so frustrated that the ED thoughts slipped back in and I began restricting again in January.  But, within the past 3 weeks I've been eating 2000-2500 calories, and am now up to around 155-ish. 

My body's been on the ultimate roller-coaster within the past year, and I've decided to just suck it up and deal with it.  I hate it, but it's what I need to do.

During my ED I lost my period, too.  For six or seven months.  It wasn't until I began gaining extra weight after the binging that I got it back :/  Just try, try, TRY to hang in there.  Don't go back to your old ways.  I'm an example of how your body will turn on you in the worst of ways :/

Good luck!

when you started restricting again in January, how much were you eating when you raised it to 2000-2500 these past 3 weeks? also, how much did you weigh before getting to 155 [now]? i'm trying to gauge the time frame of your gain and how big of a jump the 2000 calories was from the number you were at while restricting. Thanks a ton!!