Pictures of a healthier me :)

Just like a lot of people on this board, I too am I recovering from an ED- anoerxia and bulimia. I've gained about 10 pounds over the past 3 months . . . which may not seem like a lot, but it was rough psychologically. Anyhow, now I'm trying to make peace with this weight. I'm 5'7" and 135 lbs., which I know is pretty much an ideal weight for me, but of course it always seems just a little too high . . .

I feel like there's some kind of stigma associated with being towards the middle of your bmi range as opposed to the low end. My roommate and one of my good friends is working with me now to be happy with this weight. I know its good for me, but dealing with the weight gain (and all the clothes that no longer fit . . . ) is hard.

Anyhow, I'll stop babbling. I've posted a few pics in my profile, let me know what you think.

I have certainly been (& sort of still am) in your boat but I try and just live my life with out the thought of weight in my mind. I focus on my studies, friends & other activities that make me happy. For me, food is not so much an issue anymore because I know what my body wants and what it does not want... For Instance, my body can handle a HECK OF A LOT OF protein but it cannot handle breads, sugars or starches... I am glad your roommate & good friends are helping you out! Sadly, when I went through my anorexic period I had no one on my side which made it even more difficult than it already is! My mother would just yell at me and tell me to eat, but then she wouldn't eat her self so I really had no one to emulate in terms of eating well... Luckily I got myself out of the funk and am relatively satisfied with everything that came with being healthy (weight included)... Anorexia can actually never be 100% cured sadly so you may have these issues with your weight being too high well into your 80s but if you adopt other activities into your life along with exercise I think you will be just fine!

That's fabulous! I'm so proud of you! I think the mental side of weight gaining/losing can be a lot more difficult to overcome than the food side.

As a side note, I went to your profile, but I don't see any gallery of pictures. Am I missing something?

Yeah, I've been struggling with the ED since I was 12 (I'm now 22). This is arguably the healthiest I've ever been, but I still have a long way to go psychologically. I can totally relate with the comment about your mom . . . except for me it was my dad. At least getting out of a toxic environment is one step in the right direction . . .

Umm, I'm totally inept on the technical front, but I think they should be up now . . .

You are so amazing for doing this and overcoming your ED. I have a friend who is struggling right now with one and your story brings me hope that she will someday over come it.

You look great !

You look wonderful, politica!  Congratulations.

You look beautiful and healthy and you absolutely DO NOT need to weigh any less than that.  I know it is hard to accept what others say when the voice inside your head says something different, but please listen to everyone here.  I've never met you, have no agenda, and I can honestly say I think you look perfect just as you are.

You look fabulous, healthy and just right to me!  Congratulations!

Politica, you look fabulous!!  I, too, can relate to your struggles - as a recovering anorexic I'm facing the same battles but have not been quite as successful as you have been so far (see my posting "Slow and steady wins the race... weight gain that is!" for more info on me).

Having also spent 10 years in recovery, the one thing I've learned is that this disease is HORRIBLE and likes to play tricks on your mind... you look fantastic on the outside and sounds like your working on the most important piece - your inside! :)  I know you can do it!  Keep it up.

Any suggestions for what helped you gain the weight?  I've hoping to gain at least 6lbs to start and work my way up.  At this point, I'm too thin and have not had my period since October - not good for someone that would really like to have a baby.  I'm desperate so any good tips to put the pounds on??  I've been working with my therapist and have been increasing my calorie intake but have problems keeping it on. 

Aww, wow you look great :)

I've been recovering from anorexia for about a year now, and regaining weight has been (mentally) such a powerful struggle for me.  At this point, though it has gotten easier,  I'm at about 108-109 lbs. with (about 13% body fat a fews weeks ago).  To be healthy, my dietician has suggested that I simply get up to about 115 lbs. with at least a body fat percentage of 16%.  Though I know that its only about a 7 lb. difference, (as I'm sure you can relate) I get this great fear and anxiety that I'll look a lot different (in a bad way) once I'm at that weight, and will go back to feeling uncomfortable and insecure about myself.  Maybe you could give me some advice to feeling "safer"?  If not, I definitely understand because this disorder affects each individual differently, and serves them more than one purpose as well.