New and question

Hello,

I've been lurking and learning here for about five weeks.  I'm older than most everyone here (51) and been thin or underweight my whole life  (no ED, just naturally small-boned and thin).  I'm 5'6", and usually hold steady at about BMI 19, that is until I returned from three wonderful weeks in Europe, and discovered that I was down to about 106 pounds without a good reason ( a loss of more than 10%).  I saw my doctor, who ran tests, but predicted that they would be normal, based on his knowing me and my build for about 20 years.  He was right and recommended eating more.  So I did and am now at BMI 18.6, I think.  Want to gain about seven more pounds.  So here is my question:  did you feel tired during your times of eating 5 or six times a day? 

 I feel stressed, somewhat and on weekends I don't want to be out and about in a city that is about 75% obese (USA).   My body wants to sleep after eating. Eat and sleep like an infant.  That is a good portion of my recent weekends.  I think maybe that it has been a good thing, as I have put on the weight quite fast.  I don't exercise other than mild walk or hop in the pool.  Can anyone relate to this?

Oh, BTW, this board has been so helpful.  Reading the tips and feeling the support.  Not easy being a low-weight woman in US over age 50, or even 35.  No one to talk to about needing to eat 2700 cals/day.

Thanks.

hello sparkleskirt. to answer your question. Yes I feel overly exhausted from the constant meals. Not including the preparation, just the eating part seems like a full time chore. It seems that I just finished eating my last meal when the next one has to be taken (of course this may be more literal in my case since I seem to be a slow eater).  Also, the stress seems to be part of the entire new habit you have to get used to. I think that not eating what you want when you want, but rather have to force more in before your actually desiring to eat gets you just as cranky as when you have gone a very long period without eating anything and not being able to endulge in that. And yes.. the not wanting to go out bit... in my case, is that when I go out and have to eat out or at friends houses, this would almost certainly include some sort of alcohol and without the slightest doubt.. the friendly cigarrette. So in trying to quit smoking, I really cant drink because I cannot have one without the other... but soon. But I think the most reasonable answer to that and probably the one which you may also be experiencing is simply because eating triggers serotonin to be produced in your brain which makes you feel sleepy. This is caused more by sweets, bakery products and in general all flour based products such as pasta.

Hope its of some use. Good luck on obtaining those seven pounds :)

Bombacho,

Thanks for listening.  Slow eater--that's me, too.  Yes, stress from the new habit of eating with the goal of forcing more food in and often.  Serotonin must really kick in with me on weekends.  Stressful week so far, so it will be good for my food-eating body to rest and eat, eat.

BTW, Vina del Mar is pretty.  Food in Chile was great when I visited--very large lunches.  Maybe not the best place for a vegetarian, though. :)  Good luck with your weight gain, too.

S.S.

Sparkleskirt,

I am a recovering anorexic and I am also 5'6 and am at about 107 pounds right now. I totally relate to being sleepy after you eat. I feel tired after I eat a lot, especially right after dinner! I think it's our body's way of telling us it is satisfied and ready to relax! I just try to enjoy the sleepy feeling, although it is annoying when I have things I need to get done!

Good luck gaining your weight and know that you aren't the only one trying to gain. Even though I had an eating disorder, I was always pretty thin before and got made fun of in school for being a beanpole. So I definitely know the feeling!

Happy gaining!

-Coco

Coco,

Thanks!  That is a really positive way to think of the sleepy feeling; that the body is saying "I am satisified and ready to relax!".  That feels very comforting; better than thinking my body is stressed out.  I think I was especially tired from being down to 106-107, trying to adjust to returning from a great vacation, and then moving into the daily routine of eat, eat, eat and gain, gain, gain.

I really appreciate the support.  Time for little picnic lunch alone if it doesn't start to rain any minute.  Good luck with your weight goals!

S.Skirt