new to the forum! needs some support! :)

Hey everyone!,

I just stumbled across this forum while researching ways to gain weight. I'm a 20 year old female college student who currently is 5'7 and weighs about 95 pounds. I'm a former healthy marathon runner (normally about 120 lbs without dieting, so always a thinner girl) who developed anorexia/bulimia/over-exercising obsession and luckily just underwent a breakthrough and am just starting my recovery process (after my hair started falling out, ammenorhea, other awful things). Everytime I look in the mirror I get depressed, anorexia had somehow clouded my mind to think sunken cheeks and bony protrusions were 'sexy'. Anyway, I just wanted to introduce myself and wanted to ask if anyone knows of any good tips for a successful recovery. I have many stomach related issues (lactose intolerance, IBS, etc.) so I know this will not be a very fun process and I'm worried about my stomach becoming bloated everytime I eat (which it has been doing thus far). Just looking for some tips, thanks for any advice!

Well, I have the opposite problem... trying to lose weight.  But I can still congratulate you on identifying a problem and resolving to change. 

Way to go!! 

It will be hard, but you can do it.  If you hit a bump in the road, just log on here and ask for support.  We will give it.

Jenn

Thank you, and good luck to you as well!

First, congratulations.  It's a huge step for you to realize and acknowledge your ED.

If you scroll through the forum, you'll find lots of great tips to help with the weight gain.  Unfortunately, until your body adjusts itself to your new eating habits, you will likely have bloating.  Just keep pushing toward your goal. 

Soy products are a great substitute for lactose and will give you calories/calcium that you would normally get from lactose products.  You'll just have to play around with foods to find what works best for you.  (I also have IBS, so I can relate... not fun.)

Just keep at it!

I have found great support here on this forum in getting over my obsession with my weight and my body image. I hope you can too!

What helped me was that I just got sick of worrying all the time and I wanted my life back!! I hope you can find the same motivation. If you need any support, just ask!

Also, about the bloating thing. I totaly can relate! I hate bloating, but it happens. Just repeat to yourself "I'm not fat, I'm bloated" to yourself, over and over. It sounds super cheesy, but it helps!

Good luck!

Welcome! I am actually your same height and at my lowest I was your same weight...it was awful! I was so in denial and then my bf and family made me get help. I am so happy now! Don't give in to your ed....free your mind....it truely is amazing!

Anyway, welcome....feel free to message me anytime too if you need anything or you just want to chat. I am the moderator for this forum and also on the health and support one, so if you need anything don't hesitate!

Keep up with recovery...you are worth it!

hello toridl!  I can completely relate to your feelings/stomach issues.  I too am lactose intolerant and have a lot of GI problems, as well as a recovering anorexic.  Like you, I'm new to the forum and have found it so helpful!

I agree with the other comments above that you deserve a big pat on the back and congratulations for making the big step in recognizing your ED and focusing on getting better! :)

I remember when I started eating foods again and increasing my calorie intake, I cried for the first 2 weeks because it was so uncomfortable.  It WILL go away... I promise!  It just takes your body time to adjust.  I felt so good after being in treatment (in-patient facility for 5 mos) when I was at a good place, on a healthy high calorie meal plan.. but, I unfortunately have experienced a very minor relapse - but working through it and focusing on health.

One word of advice, from one suffer to another, don't let yourself use your intolerances serve as an excuse to not eat.  I only say that b/c I've been guilty of that and it only hinders your progress.  Soy milk is a great option as is yogurt (the lactose is already broken down so your body should be able to digest the dairy).  You may also try softer foods (i.e. softer vegetables with olive oil) vs. raw as they will increase your bloating feelings. 

Hang in there... :) 

Original Post by toridl:

Hey everyone!,

I just stumbled across this forum while researching ways to gain weight. I'm a 20 year old female college student who currently is 5'7 and weighs about 95 pounds. I'm a former healthy marathon runner (normally about 120 lbs without dieting, so always a thinner girl) who developed anorexia/bulimia/over-exercising obsession and luckily just underwent a breakthrough and am just starting my recovery process (after my hair started falling out, ammenorhea, other awful things). Everytime I look in the mirror I get depressed, anorexia had somehow clouded my mind to think sunken cheeks and bony protrusions were 'sexy'. Anyway, I just wanted to introduce myself and wanted to ask if anyone knows of any good tips for a successful recovery. I have many stomach related issues (lactose intolerance, IBS, etc.) so I know this will not be a very fun process and I'm worried about my stomach becoming bloated everytime I eat (which it has been doing thus far). Just looking for some tips, thanks for any advice!

Welcome to the forum, Tori! I'm Char, though I'm called Missmagill here.:P I'm thrilled to hear that you've begun your journey to recovery!

I too, had the illogical notion that bones were beautiful, but man was I wrong; they look awful and make you look weak. I'm a biker, and I HATE it when people call me weak. I want to be strong! I'm sure that you can relate.:] Reminding myself of my sport really helped me on those hard days during recovery (and I won't lie to you, there will be many!).

My profile tells my story in more depth, but I basically had a physical case of Anorexia caused by an bad gallbladder that inhibited the absorption of most nutrients. I was misdiagnosed with AN, however, and eventually my brain got so starved that I went loony. It took almost too long to finally get a doc to test me for GI problems, and even now I suffer the consequences. I am sensitive to wheat and greasy foods, I often get GI infections/bugs, and my stomach bloats ridiculously easily....I can relate a lot!;]

Firstly, try spreading out your meals to 6 times a day rather than 3. That way you can eat more without feeling so stuffed, not to mention the bloating won't be so bad! Be sure that you have something to nibble on if you are at a group gathering where you aren't sure what is be served. You cannot miss a meal because of your food intolerances! Believe me, it can trigger restriction, cause low blood sugar, and obviously inhibit recovery/overall good health.

Try eating dense foods (we have a good list going here: http://caloriecount.about.com/forums/post/850 39.html#)and avoid too much water at meals. Most veggies aren't very dense, but they are still important, so try frying them in oil or dipping them in dressing too boost the density. As for fruits, fried fruits are just about as good as fresh, but they aren't so huge! Once you've moved to maintenance it'll be easier to get used to the lower calories by simply eating more fresh vegs and fruits and decreasing the portions of dense foods to more moderate amounts. I know that I at one point had a fear of being too hungry to maintain my weight when the time came.

To help with the stomach pain, I do digestive yoga poses (http://www.wikihealth.com/Yoga_poses_for_indi gestion), napped/meditated, breathed, and drank mint tea or sucked on a mint after meals. Beano and Gas-X help, too, as do ginger supplements in the mornings.

To avoid bloating it is helpful to sit down for meals, eat at a moderate pace, avoid drinking from water bottles (swallowing air), avoid puffed foods such as popcorn (air) and avoid eating too fast (once again, air!). It's amazing how much air can be swallowed! xD

Oh, and for exercise, avoid doing to much cardio for right now. That doesn't often help bloat and it certainly doesn't help weight recovery. Enjoy cardio, if you'd like to, a few times a week. Otherwise, yoga, pilates, tai chi, and light weight lifting are best.

Of course, your doctor should confirm that exercise is okay before you do it. You may need to stop it right now due to the amenorrhea; I did for a while.

I know you can do it, Tori! You've already taken a great first step by seeking help! Be sure to try and get some real-life support if you haven't already, as the on-line community can't always be there (though we'd like to be).

Best of luck! :]

Thanks so much! I just printed off the yoga poses and the list of calorie dense foods is great too. And thanks for all the tips about bloating, etc. Also, your story is quite incredible and congrats on recovering! The support on this site has been so awesome.