Need to gain weight but feeling happy as "underweight"

Hi everyone,

I'm 24 year old female, 5' 3" tall (160 cm) and my current weight is between 94- 95 lbs. Since February I've lost approx. 28 lbs in a healthy way eating 1000-1200 calories on most days. My problem is that I feel very comfortable at this weight (I know that technically I'm mildly underweight). I've booked an appointment with my family doctor because I've missed my periods for three months...she said that I have to gain approx. 10-12 lbs in order to get back my periods. My problem is that I'm extremely afraid of weight gain, I put a huge amount of energy in my weightloss progress and I feel healthy and happy at my current weight, and I also have energy to spare. My second issue is that, I'm afraid, if I let myself to eat more in order to gain some weight I'll gain back the WHOLE weight which I've lost, what I really don't want to. What if, I can stop myself and I will overeat even after when I've reached a healthy weight?:(((I'm very confused about what to do. I remember when I was at 105 lbs I still felt chubby...How many calories do I realistically need to be healthy? I am fairly sedentary. Please help me!

You may feel comfortable at that weight, but your body isn't, or you would be having periods.  Listen to your doctor, eat enough healthy foods to gain enough weight to be healthy.

Realistically - you were NEVER chubby. It sounds to me like you didn't lose weight as healthfully as you think. 1000-1200 calories a day is nearly a starvation diet. The average woman at your age needs at least 2,000 calories a day. maybe 1800 if sedentary. Try to get your calories up to 2500 and gain the ten pounds you need to gain to get a period. Thereafter, if you feel a bit soft, try doing strength training exercises to build up some muscle mass so you feel more toned. It DOES help give you a better body image, you will have a healthier, stronger body and everything will be working properly.

Original Post by szaffyka:

Since February I've lost approx. 28 lbs in a healthy way eating 1000-1200 calories on most days.

I'm sorry, but unless you were under the direct orders and supervision of a physician, eating 1000-1200 kcal/day is not losing weight in a healthy way.

Remember, "feeling chubby" has nothing to do with your health.  Your doctor presumably knows what s/he is talking about and you should take their recommendations more seriously rather than posting on a message board in the hopes (I assume) that someone will tell you that you don't need to eat more.

I agree with rebelchick that you should probably increase your intake to at least 2000.  2500 might actually be a little high, though, depending on how much damage you've done to your metabolism since February.  The 2000 kcal/per day average is for a woman slightly taller than you, so if your metabolism isn't trashed you might be able to gain (i.e. have about a 500 kcal surplus) at 2100-2300.  That said, if you don't gain at that intake you should definitely increase until you do.

You say you're fairly sedentary and "felt chubby" at only 105 when you're 5'3 so you should incorporate exercise into your weekly routine. Adding muscle tone and expending energy will help the numbers on the scale for you and help you "feel" like increasing your daily cal. intake. Plus you'll look and feel better.

I totally had your problem!

It is very difficult to accept that you need to gain. Try to look at healthy weight gain as a challenge, like it was losing weight. I still feel like I was better when I had less 3 kg, but my BMI hasn't yet reached 18!... I was like 16/17!

You won't feel like you're doing the right thing at first. But think about it... Your body really needs more. Not having your period is a serious issue... and being thin is also affecting your bones and overall health.

I suggest you do a lot of research on the issue (there's plenty of information on the internet! Beware: some of it is not very accurate...!) Do more toning/resistance exercise, less cardio, keep eating healthy (but more!) and don't feel afraid. You'll probably take a while to gain weight (I've been struggling to, but I also felt better when I had less 3 kg than I have now), you'll have to work hard.

Thanks so much for your outputs, I really think that is going to help me not to fall off the wagon and start dieting again. I hope I will be able to get my weight and my body under control before it will be too late.

Original Post by nnizz:

I totally had your problem!

 

It is very difficult to accept that you need to gain. Try to look at healthy weight gain as a challenge, like it was losing weight. I still feel like I was better when I had less 3 kg, but my BMI hasn't yet reached 18!... I was like 16/17!

You won't feel like you're doing the right thing at first. But think about it... Your body really needs more. Not having your period is a serious issue... and being thin is also affecting your bones and overall health.

I suggest you do a lot of research on the issue (there's plenty of information on the internet! Beware: some of it is not very accurate...!) Do more toning/resistance exercise, less cardio, keep eating healthy (but more!) and don't feel afraid. You'll probably take a while to gain weight (I've been struggling to, but I also felt better when I had less 3 kg than I have now), you'll have to work hard.

Thank you nnizz for sharing your thoughts it's really good to hear that I'm not alone with this issue. You guys are great!