I have been gaining weight for just over three months and am now 105 lbs at 5 ft 6 1/2. I am really determined to keep going and reach my goal weight, however, I feel as though I can't stop eating. When I'm not working and am at home I keep going back and forth to the cupboard to get snacks and nibbles and feel like I could be doing that all day long, even after I've eaten my meals.
Obviously I know that the aim is to gain, but my fear is that I'm going to develop binge tendencies. I've read quite a lot on these forums about people who have once been anorexic developing binge eating disorders and I'm a bit worried that I could go down this road. The reason that I fear for this is that my stomach isn't necessarily telling me it's still empty, it's more my mind saying have something else. I also find I eat things in particular that I deprived myself of for a long time, such as biscuits and cake.
Just wondered if anyone else had experienced this and does it go away once you've reached a higher weight? Thank you! :)
PS I'd just like to add that since being in recovery I feel SO much better about myself and my life in general- despite all the little problems along the way I would HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend it!
A seriously underweight body will do everything possible to get its owner to keep eating because it wants to live and not die. Deprive yourself of cakes and you'll find cakes the most amazing foostuff on the planet for a while. So what you're experiencing is totally normal and very necessary into the bargain. Your stomach may not be empty but that's rather irrelevant at this stage.
You're a long, long way from being a binge-eater but to avoid developing too big a grazing habit try to get more structure into your food day. If you need 2500-3000 cals plan it out so that you're getting something every 2 or 3 hours.... a good-sized meal or some energy-dense snacks. Then your 'nibbles' are part of a more structured approach rather than just random cupboard-surfing. If you still feel hungry after all of that, listen to your body and of course eat something else.
I'm sure once you're in a healthier 130lbs area you'll find that you need plenty to eat just to stay the same weight... Cross that bridge when you come to it.
first of all well done on your progress . you are not alone ive been gaining for a few months now and ive been experiencing exactly the same thing , i also get scared i will burn into an overeater. after te support ive had off people on here i realise that it is normal . your body is starved and it will do everything it can to get you to gain weight . i also know that this is a phase and when the body restores its normal weight this will subsibe. i know its hard im constantly nibbling its like my body cant get enough but i trust my friends on here . also i have friends who have gone from anorexia to bulima and binge eating and these were the ones who didnt keep up the consistancy and went back to restriction. so habg on in there ride through it and your body will settle . remember food is a good thing and to be enjoyed h x
as someone who has recovered from an ED i would just like to simply state that putting on weight is the primary concern right now. the hunger dissipates as you get to a healthy weight. when you have an ED these irrational thoughts go through your head to stop you form making progress so dont let that happen. you will be okay i promise. just keep at it and dont worry about "what-ifs" because thoughts like these are immobilizing and keep you down. good job so far and if you need support feel free to PM me.
The same thing happened to me when I was underweight and recovering as well. I would eat CONSTANTLY. I would out-eat my 6'5" brothers and boyfriend and still could pack away more, haha. It's basically your body's way of trying to get to a healthy weight. Now that I'm weight restored this doesn't happen. (Though some days I am very hungry and others not as much. This is just how a body works though)
Thank you all for your advice and reassurance. It's funny how sometimes you can rationalise with yourself and other times you can be so irrational. This morning I am feeling much more positive about things and will just keep on plugging away. Thank u :)
You have no reserves being underweight. I recall a ed specialist saying to me thik of it like a dry plant. It needs a lot of water till it gets moist again cause at first the water just goes to the bottom not the surface. Your body is repairing now. Trust me I understand the fear of the future but you are not near a healthy bmi yet not taking away your progress. Also you may need more then 3000. What is your meal plan now? Ip I ate over 4000 and sometimes people feel they are eating a lot but it is no way near what they should be. Also I hope your activity level is low.
abbi333- My nutritionist doesn't offer meal plans, calorie targets or weight gain targets, she told me to just put on weight "until I feel well" which is a bit of a stupid thing to say really- I thought I felt well at six and a half stone!
At the minute I'm having breakfast, lunch and dinner with snacks in the morning, afternoon and evening, which amounts to about 2500. My activity level is quite high as I commute to London every day for work which is actually seriously taking it out of me and I feel like I'm dragging myself around a lot of the time but I'm hoping if I just keep eating and keep gaining this will improve. I would like to have a more structured 'plan' so that I can know what to have and when each day but at the minute I'm just trying to eat my three meals and snacks intuitively.
Original Post by lula22:
abbi333- My nutritionist doesn't offer meal plans, calorie targets or weight gain targets, she told me to just put on weight "until I feel well" which is a bit of a stupid thing to say really- I thought I felt well at six and a half stone!
At the minute I'm having breakfast, lunch and dinner with snacks in the morning, afternoon and evening, which amounts to about 2500. My activity level is quite high as I commute to London every day for work which is actually seriously taking it out of me and I feel like I'm dragging myself around a lot of the time but I'm hoping if I just keep eating and keep gaining this will improve. I would like to have a more structured 'plan' so that I can know what to have and when each day but at the minute I'm just trying to eat my three meals and snacks intuitively.
are you happy with this nutritionist ? i would be incline to find another . for a start you may feel well but it dosent mean you are. i think you may also need help with your meal plan it s not just about weight its about normal eating and habit h x
Deleted by user
Original Post by kenkenken:
Deleted by user
Every single post I've come across by you in several different threads has been deleted. Maybe either stop posting, or just leave your comments be. 
So you can keep track of what you eat - which enables you to analyze your foods and receive the following:
- Health Score of your overall diet
- Warning when you approach your daily calorie limit
- Overview of the good and bad nutrients