"Maintenance"

Okay, so before "starvation mode", I got down to around 110 eating 1600 cal a day (I'm 5'7"). Then I cut to 1000 and got down to 103. Now I am back to 1600 on non excersise days and I've gained to 125. Will I start losing again once my metabolism "starts" again?

Why would you want to lose weight if you're already underweight at 125lbs? Also, if you're only eating 1600 calories a day, you're probably still in "starvation mode" because you aren't eating enough calories (I'm pretty sure that 1600 is below your BMR).

Based on your height/weight your maintenance without exercise is about 1600.  However as a growing teenager, you probably need more (2100?). 

You are already at a healthy weight (assuming a healthy body fat percentage).  You should focus on eating healthy foods and maintaining the weight you are.  1600 or more is how much you should be eating.  It is not overeating.  You are not fat.  Your ED is trying to take you over.

Calm down, eat normal food, and stop stressing about your weight.  If this seems like unreasonable advice, then you are developing a disorder and should seek help from your doctor and your parents.

Just to make it clear, I'm not trying to lose weight, I'm just wondering if I will and if I should up my calories. Technically, I can be as low as 110 at my age. I don't really want to stay at 125-130. I know it's not fat, but I want to just be back at around 115. Is that all that bad?

Don't focus on getting down to 115. Yes, technically as a teen that is an okay weight, but that's only if you're at that weight naturally, without dieting!  Plus, you're getting older, so you won't be able to maintain it and me healthy and grow the right way!  Eventually, your metabolism will catch up, and maybe you will start to lose on 1600, but you should increase from there when that happens.  I know you say that you only want to get to 115 now, but when you're there how do you know you won't say, "oh well 5 more pounds won't hurt" and then another 5 and then you're back where you started.  Don't focus on the number, just eat healthy foods and enough of them. 

I know that I'm a "growing teenager", but I've been at 5'7" for like a year and a half! Does that mean I still need to eat 2100 calories just to maintain?

Just because you aren't getting taller doesn't mean you aren't still growing. Bones, organs, muscles and especially your brain need those calories to fully develop.

so, yes, you should probably est 2100 calories to maintain.

Original Post by ponee11:

I know that I'm a "growing teenager", but I've been at 5'7" for like a year and a half! Does that mean I still need to eat 2100 calories just to maintain?

 Well then if this was true and you weren't growing, then the teenage healthy weights wouldn't apply to you  and 115 would be underweight. 

Growing is much more that just getting taller.  It is maturing physically into adulthood.  Most men and women grow well into their twenties.

Ponee, you don't need to lower your weight. Your organs are likely to be redeveloping still, which is causing a lot of weight gain. I'm still gaining myself, even though my BMI is nearly 21 and my doctor cleared me for maintenance. Youknow what? It's okay. I'm not a fat pig, and people are still flooding me with compliments and calling me skinny minny...even those that I've just met! Don't worry about your weight...it's just a number. It's perfectly normal and healthy for teens to gain 20 lbs over puberty. Weight gain often comes before heigth gain. I haven't grown in TWO WHOLE YEARS and I still have a good chance of getting another few upward inches added on. Just because your body took a break for visible growth doesn't mean it's not growing; it's working on building organs and adding womanly functions to it's routine. Check with your doctor about this stuff; the online community is a not a safe place to go for these types of questions, as we don't know you in person.

Best of luck!

Thanks for the advice, guys. I just feel so aweful when I eat soooo much. My stomach feels tight and I sometimes feel sick to my stomach. Bleh. 

It's hard.

Original Post by ponee11:

Thanks for the advice, guys. I just feel so aweful when I eat soooo much. My stomach feels tight and I sometimes feel sick to my stomach. Bleh. 

It's hard.

 I feel like that often, myself. DO you "save" calories for the end of the day, by any chance? Eating a ton in one sitting can really worsen bloating and nausea. It's extremely beneficial to balance your intake throughout the day.

Wow, you hit it on the button. I do "save" calories. I didn't know this was bad. Thanks for the advice. That's why I love it so much here on CC! :)