I've gained weight...now what?

I have this problem...where I don't FEEL like eating food, at all. I get REALLY hungry sometimes, and I can feel how empty my stomach is, but as soon as the food touches my mouth, I can't swallow it. I'm not in the mood to eat anymore....All of a sudden, the 'feeling' of eating is gone, which is what got me into this mess in the first place. Its like my appitite is missing. Its gotten so bad, that sometimes when I'm eating the simplest things, I feel sick to my stomach because my appitite can't take any more food...and I have to throw it out. Its making me depressed...

Either way, if I do gain the weight and finally make it to my goal-weight....then what? Am I supposed to be counting callories and over stuffing myself for the rest of my life? Then I'll be miserable and depressed for the rest of my life...but I don't want to stay this skinny either...I'm 5'9 and only weight about 110 lbs. Every time I gain weight I loose it almost instantly. At the present moment, I'm still loosing weight because now I'm stressing so much over my weight gain.

I'm miserable stuffing my face with so much food, Its not about the fear of getting fat, because I want to! I just don't have a strong appitite and I don't know how much more of this I can take mentally....When I do reach my weight...am I going to be stuck in this circle of over eating to maintain my ideal body mass for the rest of my life??

Can you try to stay in the day rather then worry about what if's when you get to a healthy weight? Who knows you may train your body to feel hungry and overall will feel strong and nurished. Have you had a physical to rule out health problems that may be causing you to feel ill? If not I would call your gp. Other wise I know for myself I often feel ill but it is because my body is confused and also eating a weight gain diet can cause a lot of discomfort in the short run but in the long run makes life more comfortable. Does that make sense? I would encourage you to pre plan your meals and snacks for every few hours and work on easily digestable foods. Give yourself time to adjust but if you go back and start to restrict your body will never so you have to be consistent through.

Don't wait until you're 'REALLY hungry' before you eat.  Many people find that if they get too hungry the desire to eat passes...   Start early, eat regularly and a) you'll be able to fit in all the calories you need and b) your appetite will develop and strengthen as your body comes to expect a certain amount.  Don't worry about what to do after you've gained weight.  Cross that bridge when you come to it.  For what it's worth, as you gain weight you'll naturally need more food.... heavier people need more than lighter people.... so you will find you have a stronger appetite.

Other ideas

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  • Make your food choices colourful, appetising and stimulating.  Try new flavours and new textures.  Bland, boring food doesn't make the mouth water
  • Cook & prepare your food... the process of preparation can heighten the anticipation and that improves the appetite
  • Make the environment where you eat relaxing so that it removes the anxiety
  • Eat with others if you can...  again removing the anxiety and making mealtimes less stressful.