I've restricted my calorie intake too much? What can I do?

Okay, first off please don't tell me how stupid I am or something else like most people would, because I don't know what to do. Anyways, I'm 14, 5'2", at the beginning of the year I weighed 167 lbs., I started losing weight, limiting calories and taking walks. I was eating about 600-800, and I felt fine, I was watching what I ate, but I wasn't going hungry. Actually, I felt better than I had in a long time. Within a few months, I got down to 145, but I stopped losing. I didn't know what to do really, after 4 months, I tried a few different things, but eventually lowered my calorie intake more. I was eating 400-600 a day. I lost a bit more, and now I'm at 129. But, nearly without realizing it, I've been taking in about 300 calories for the past few weeks, some days even as low as 200 or 250.

A few weeks ago I started feeling a little light headed every now and then, but I thought 'no big deal, just low blood sugar or something.' Anyway, last night I went to bed kind of hungry and woke up at about 10 a.m. (I went to sleep at 7 a.m., usually get up at 1:30p.m.) and I felt, just, strange. I get really worried about possible health problems anyhow, but my heart beat was a little fainter and slower than it usually was and I just felt kind of out of it, and I still do, it's about 1 pm now. I ate a bowl of cereal and I feel better, but still a little, just out of it.

I know I need to up my calorie intake. But can I do this without gaining all my weight back? I have depression problems and that would just be horrible for me. If anyone needs to know, I've been doing about 30 minutes of elliptical daily, but nothing else other than that. I really wanted to lose 15-20 more pounds, but my health is more important, which I really really realize now. Also, you may say, go to a doctor or tell a parent, but I most likely won't, I know, I know, but I just, I don't know. What can I do?

go tell a parent or a doctor. increase your cals to at least 1500 more if you are exercising. expect to gain some weight with the introduction of additional calories

Everything fidget (who I beleive is a doctor) said is spot on.  You need medical attention, you need 2000 calories a day, and you probably will gain some weight initially.

Your body is holding on to everything right now trying to get you through your self-inflicted famine.  When you increase the calories, it will take it a while to realize it is getting fed again, so it will keep on holding on to everything.  Once it relaxes, you will stop gaining.

You really need to talk to a doctor or a nutritionist about this.  They can give you advice and support that we cannot.

Please go to a doctor. You've been starving yourself for over 6 months, and the damage you're doing to your body could literally kill you. Start eating AT LEAST 1500 calories a day right away, and go to the doctor. Your light-headedness and "strange feeling" and faint heart beat could mean you're about to have a heart attack. Take this seriously. Essentially, you are killing yourself. Go to the doctor.

it will be ok. gradually i would add protein to your diet and increase calorie intake. i like egg whites with salsa for breakfast. there is protein and nutrients from veggies. for meals, try salad with low cal dressing. you can eat this without feeling guilty so you can immediately (like TODAY) start increasing calories intake. you need to progress from egg whites and salad, that's is not a balanced diet, but i feel like that is somewhere you could start now.also, see a friend/someone you trust and talk to them about this immediatly. talk to your parents. lastly, go to the doctor- they will not judge you and ask him/her to keep your conversation private. i will get better, but only if you start eating more and get help. do you realize YOU ARE HURTING YOURSELF. your friends and fam want what's best for you---talk to them

Original Post by hender_michu:

What can I do?

 Eat more food.

Everything everyone said above is true! Most likely you will gain a little weight, but it wont be a lot. Worry first about your health. Your body is trying to tell you that something is wrong.

You mentioned you have depression. Are you being medicated for it? Sometimes medications side effects can trick you into thinking you are bigger than you really are. No one understands how that feels unless they have experienced it. I know this to be true with depression medications like wellbutrin or it's generic name bupropion. You really should discuss this with your Doctor, its a very common problem. Even if it's not a side effect of your meds you need to talk to your Dr. Things can only get worse if you keep this lifestyle up :( You need to take action to do something to change, the very best thing would to be a phone call to your Dr., if your Dr. is not available ask to talk to the nurse, just tell them what you told us.

Be well :)

Go to your doctor, you need to get yourself checked out so you make sure you don't end up with more serious problems and your doctor will refer you to a nutrionist who can work with you on what to do professionally.