is it metabolism?

Hi, so I have a question. my last weigh-in, i was 99 pounds.  I had gained 3 pounds in two weeks, but I had only been eating about 2200 calories.  I ate more in the days leading up to the weigh in. the following week, i was 98 pounds. I had been eating about 1900 calories.  I was very constipated. Why such a big difference in weight? it was the same time, i had eaten the same breakfast and lunch

There are a few reasons your weight can be so unreliable at the beginning of refeeding. Firstly, your body is probably still in starvartion mode. You should be eating at least 2500 calories a day to gain weight - scary I know but I am so glad I did it now.

Also, after you increase your calories, you body will hold onto water as it needs more to help digest the extra food. Therefore your weight may jump up quickly but will then settle down if you are consistent with your calories.

Some people need 3000+ to gain weight consistantly, you may lose weight after an increase.

My advice would be to be consistant with your calories. Start at 2500, eat this for a few weeks and see what happens to your weight.

Thank you! that makes a lot of sense emma. but i am not very underweight...i only have about 6 more pounds to gain to be healthy, and i havent been in "starvation mode" for many months. ive already been at points eating 3000 calories, just experiencing a lot of backsliding and resistance to gaining.  

I am scared of starvation mode because I was only eating 600 cals or less per day-barely any protein for many months. Let me know any tips to help me. I am 5'4" and 85 pounds. Sorry to butt in on anothers post.

zopta: The only way to get out of starvation mode is to shock your metabolism. I would advise you to start eating 2500 calories a day - increase by 200 calories per day perhaps. At first you will gain weight rapidly as your body adjusts but then it will slow down, you may even maintain your weight on these calories. Now, after eating 2500 for a month or so I am not even gaining a lb every week.

sarahbear: I also only have about 7 or 8lbs to gain and I am eating 2500 to gain weight. I only gained 0.7 of a pound last week. At first I gained quickly but now it's slown down. You can go into starvation mode after eating too low calories for even just a few weeks, so this is possible for you too.