Metabolism issue

Hi all. I joined CC about a year and a half ago trying to lose about 10 lbs. I was around 128-130, 5'5" and in recovery from an eating disorder. (anorexia and bulimia). I made very little progress, the thing is, I could easily lose 5 lbs in a week eating around 1400-1600 calories but that left me with intense hunger pangs and I would eat a lot more and so my weight never really went anywhere. I'm now at around 133 lbs and I decided recently to start maintaining because I was tired of constantly trying and failing to diet. I have lost a little fat recently from exercising, I think, but no weight, and things seem to have leveled off.

Initially I counted calories, but then started just eating whenever I was hungry. I did this for a couple weeks and then spot-checked a few days and I was around 2800-3000 calories. But my weight has stayed within a pound of the same either up or down. I don't know if maybe my metabolism was really fast, and that's why I could lose weight so fast and had a hard time sticking to reduced calories.

I guess I'm wondering if this is something I should be concerned about. Prior to anorexia at age 14 I suppose I did have a fast metabolism, and was able to eat whatever I wanted. For a few years after I regained the necessary amount, I struggled with my weight, and it has been roughly the same for a couple years now. I do see a nutritionist, and plan to ask her about this, but it just seems a little odd. I'm 25, so I'm not really at an age anymore where my metabolism should be really fast. I would like to add that I don't notice my heart racing, or have trouble sleeping, so it doesn't seem that there is anything medically wrong, I'm just a bit worried. Any advice/reassurance would be great. Thanks!

Metabolism comes down to a few basic things... your gender, how big you are, how old you are and how active you are.  25 is young, 5'5 and 133lbs makes you an average sized adult woman, and you could easily be more active than you think.   There are also variations for muscle tone .... people who are more muscular tend to need more energy.  2500 - 3000 isn't an unreasonable amount by any means and yes, 1400-1500 would have left you feeling horribly hungry in the past.

If you're happy with your food intake and your weight is stable then take the 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it' approach.  If you were to find that your weight started to rise steadily then trim your intake but gently.... 200 or so rather than crash-dieting.

Thank you GI Jane! You always have helpful advice. I guess I will just keep my intake where it is and try to make it balanced. I appreciate it!

Back in the day when I was at a really healthy weight, wasn't restricting or purging, I think I was about 20 or just 21 at this time... I was like that. I could lose 5 pounds if I cut calories but then my appetite would be all consuming. I think my metabolism was fast. I also think when you're at a healthy weight for your body, your metabolism functions well. I say keep your weight and exercise healthily to make sure you have a healthy distribution. It sounds like you're perfect to me!