healthy vs unhealthy weight gain?

Hi! I've been in recovery for anorexia for quite a while; it's been very up and down. I only have a little ways to go in terms of weight...my bmi is in the high 17s.  Im 5 2.5 and 97-98 pounds.  My parents finally started the Maudsley approach, so Im eating significantly more than I have been. about 1000 more per day :/ My question is: will this help my metabolism? and will eating more during the day and more high fat things change the way I look when I gain weight? Because I'm not extremely full, so my stomach feels OK, not great, but how will i notice the weight coming back on? For example, say I gain 5 lbs. how different will i look/feel?

5 pounds will not look very different at all...it might feel different because it's on your body and sometimes it's difficult to see yourself accurately when you're recovering. Eating high fat diet won't make you any more "fat" than eating carbs and protein will... in fact MUFAs are "flat belly foods" and the mediterranean diet is said to be one of the healthiest because of its high proportion of healthy fats.

eating more during the day will only speed up the process of you getting healthy, which is fanatastic because you deserve that. yes eating more will help your metabolism, in fact it's the only way to get it back where it should be.

It's good that your stomach feels okay since for many people they have severe bloating so consider yourself one of the lucky frew :) it sounds like you have a positive mindset about this whole thing. I hope you're consuming at least 2500...but more than that if you're now eating 1000 MORE than you were so i assume you're over 3000 now? Either way just rest assured that it will all balance out in the end and your body will be stronger, healthier, and MORE beautiful.

im not sure i can give anymore advice than chrissy but well done seems like youve come a long way  . you are doing all the right things to restore your health  h xx

thank you so much, this is one of the first times people have said ive come a long way and i have a positive mindset :)

what are MUFAs? pardon my ignorance :/

and im just scared that i'll get used to eating this much and be unable to stop, and/or I will gain weight too fast. i just want my period back

congrats on your recovery!!

MUFAs are monounsaturated fatty acids..you know, the kind of healthy fats found in nuts, avocados and vegetable oils. ;]

Original Post by sarahbear24:

thank you so much, this is one of the first times people have said ive come a long way and i have a positive mindset :)

what are MUFAs? pardon my ignorance :/

and im just scared that i'll get used to eating this much and be unable to stop, and/or I will gain weight too fast. i just want my period

 

most people have that fear. i certainly do,try not to worry about that you may feel like that now but you are still in a starved state . trust your body and it will trust you . if you eat consistantly and dont restrict its pretty likely you will be able to maintain a healthy bmi without the fear of over  eating h x

Hi Sarah, congratulations on your road to recovery. I have been struggling with losing and regaining lots of weight, and on my most recent "loss," I went from 150 to 109 lbs in 4 months. The dramatic weight loss caused me to lose my period for about four months, but as the weight came back on, I finally got it back.  Whatever your healthy body weight turns out to be, your body will tell you when you have reached the appropriate weight to support your own body and that of an unborn baby... and when it does, remember what an achievement that is! Best of luck!

Sincerely, Shannon