Help :(

I have posted here previously about anorexia recovery & you guys helped me a lot. You all really helped give me the push I needed!

 I have been doing much better with my intake and even put my scales in the bin! however I did take a sneaky peak at my weight while I was home recently & I have gained 2-3 pounds. Could this just be water weight?

Anyway I upped my intake to 1300-1400 but I was still swimming and walking a fair amount. Until yesterday when I got severe chest pains & couldn't breath. I went to my doctor & she has told me to rest up for the next few days as I have been over exercising and to just give myself a break.

I am finding all of this really hard as I am so used to being active but I feel ill. I am scared that while I am not doing my exercise I will end up gaining (which still scares me A LOT) I know I need to gain but I have been taking small steps so I don't relapse.

I feel so guilty and just need to some reassurance. Also has anyone else bad side effects like this? I'm really scared..

Dont fret!  My weight has fluctuated as much as 6-7lbs from day to day depending on time of day, what I ate, how much I worked out (read water loss via sweat), etc.  You will be fine!

You still need to eat more calories.  1200F/1500M + 300teen +activity.  All of the activity that you've been doing is burning off the few resources that your body has and you need to build those reserves back.

You definitely need more calories and get some rest and take care of yourself. The side effects you are experiencing is your body's way of slowing you down since you are over-exercising beyond your intake of calories.

Are you getting help for the anorexia? You weigh 80 pounds now, right? A few pounds of fluctuation per day is normal in just about everyone, but you must forget the weight completely (good move chucking the scales, but don't cheat again!) so you can be truly healthy. Trust me, I understand what you are going through (unfortunately). The fear that you are experiencing is much deeper than the fear of gaining a few pounds. That's why you feel guilty, too. This guilt will never truly go away, but once you are fully recovered, you will be able to exercise without fear of your body shutting down.

Please take care of yourself. Big hugs to you! 

little_butterfly.. are you really only 80 pounds, dear???  Is your doctor helping you with your recovery?  I'm concerned about your chest pains as heart problems are a common side-effect of anorexia. I just read a story of a woman younger than you who had a heart attack due to severe anorexia, so please -- if your doctor isn't well-informed about ED recovery, find a doctor who is to advise you about getting healthy.

Maybe you should take it easy with the exercise and concentrate on getting well... you need to be gentle and kind to yourself, as I'm sure you would be with a friend or a sister who described the feelings you're having. 

That lying scale is not your friend.  A friend would tell you to treat yourself with generosity and compassion, to nourish your fragile body back to vibrant health. Throw your scale away and seek some good support.

This ANRED group is all about ED recovery, and on this site, the ED recovery club is full of supportive people who know what it's like to be where you are.

Take care! 

taranimator, very nicely said. You are absolutely right and I hope little_butterfly keeps spreading her wings and reaching out. Take care!

Your body is used to eating little low density iteams of food like veggies e.g so when you up your food intake and the amount of it you WILL gain water remember though it takes 3500 calories to gain now 1400

=] chin up and continue to do great! email me if you need any help.

Thank you so much :)

I really appreciate all of your support. This forum has really pushed me in the right direction & I know that these anorexia posts must become tedious but it has been such a struggle. 

I am still trying to up the calories but just taking it little bits at a time as I have tried to rush things & ended up taking 3 steps back.

 Also I didn't swim for a week & have not gained weight. I was so frightened that if I took some time out then I would pile the pounds on. It appears that this is the ED voice talking (I feel a little loopy saying that) and rationally I can eat more and exercise less it doesn't mean I am a failure. 

You're trying to gain weight right?  So you should be celebrating those couple of pounds and trying to add more.

I'm so glad you went to the doctor.  Now take his advice and rest up, eat plenty and try for 2 or 3 more pounds this month.

Good Luck!