Relapsed.

Hey guys,

I haven't used this site for almost a year? Or so. But since then I have relapsed and have began eating <1200. I've been eating 800-1000 typically and if I reach 1200+ it's empty calories ie) candy, icecream & potato chips. 

And I have lost about 5kg/11lbs, however partially due to stress and going off the pill aswell as not eating properly.

I would like to begin again to eat 1200+ and eat normally. I am 5"7 and weigh 116.8lbs and I have a bmi of 18. I would like to start to work out again (I dont because I loved the gym and have no money as I am flat broke) but I can always jog around the block or go for a ride (it's no excuse)

I suppose my question is, will I gain weight? I know it sounds silly but I haven't been too far from the minimal intake so will I?And is there any advice anyone can offer me? I'm scared again of relapsing and getting back into the same stuff.

Thanks.

this is so sad but i'm really happy that you've finally made the decison to get better and healthier, love!!! dont forget that i've got your back 24/7 ♥

About the gaining weight... i think you might gain some in the beginning, since you haen't even been having 1200 calories average. but i strongly advise you not to get too worried, because once your metabolism has "sparked up" again, you will be able to eat more than before (though i dont think you were forcing urself to eat so little) and still lose weight.      &n bsp;      I should know, because that has happened with me too, when I first started eating normally after suffering from Anorexia Nervosa. *sigh*

I really, truly hope that you won't relapse too, my dear.... but I've been talkign with you for quite some time now, and it kills to know that you haven't been eating enough almost everyday (and i talk to you pretty much everyday, right?)

i love you && will support you!!

Although you say you haven't been too far from the minimal intake, you've still been under the minimal intake, no matter how great the reduction has been.

That said, you will initially gain weight again if you increase as your body will be holding onto what you're giving it for dear life.

Relapses are unfortunate but think about this: do you want to be stuck in this same vicious cycle for the rest of your life, unable to enjoy life and it's positives to the fullest because of this disorder that has a hold on you? Now is the time to think about yourself and most of all, your health. No matter how underweight you are you're putting yourself at risk of so much, from osteoporosis, to hair loss, loss of electrolytes and risk of infertility, if your period has been lost! I doubt you want all of that and more hindering you in your later life. I think you could stand to

As Sooji said, your metabolism will speed up eventually as your body begins to trust you again once you start feeding it consistently.

It's a hard process, I'm not gonna lie, but it will be well worth it in the end.

By the way, I think weight gain will be a good thing as a BMI of 18 is still underweight. Aiming for a BMI of 20 or so would be better since if you happen to experience a relapse again, you won't find yourself with such a low weight.

And if you do decide to gain (which I certainly hope you do), perhaps you can do some strength type exercises? I've been doing them three times a week and I found some of what I've gained has actually been muscle, which I've heard speeds your metabolism up.

Another piece of advice recently given to me was a weights program..if you do this, you will rightly gain muscle more than fat and you'll be able to eat even more since you'll be working out!

And eating normally should be eating spaced out, i.e breakfast snack lunch snack dinner snack. This helps to keep your energy levels up throughout the day and will prevent you feeling hungry, provided you meet the appropriate calorie intake..which for someone that needs to be gaining like you, should be 2500 a day..

I think you should gradually build up your intake day by day. But please don't leave it too long or else you may just find yourself in deeper than you were before!

There is no way that on so few calories you are fuelling your body with what it needs. The minimum intake for a sedentary female over 21 is 1200 calories per day. For a sedentary female under 21 or a man over 21 it is 1500 per day, and a sedentary male under 21 1800 per day. And believe it or not, that’s only the sedentary minimum. Unless you are very, very short and small, and/or if you are working out it is very likely you will need even more calories than those minimum guidelines.

As you are underweight, you need to gain weight. To do so you need to be eating at least 2500 calories sedentary to gain steadily and keep the weight on. If you begin to work out you will need to eat more. For more info on this read here: The Aim is to Gain: Advice on Weight Gain, Whatever Your Reason

Eating too low a calorie intake, or having a deficit from your BMR greater than 1000 results in something called "survival mode", where your body holds every last thing it can get in expectance of a famine. Water, food, calories. Explained:

• Dieting & Metabolism - This article explains starvation mode and why undereating is counter productive.
• The Body Neglected - This is what happens when you undereat for an extended period of time. 

Your BMI of 18 makes you underweight. The physical dangers that come with undereating and being underweight are numerous. You put yourself at risk of osteoporosis, of loss of fertility if you lose your period, hair loss, electrolyte problems, a weakening of the immune system, low blood pressure, blood disorders such as anemia, heart problems, and even death. The mental woes that come alongside can be just as devestating. Depression is common in undereaters, as well as distorted perceptions and problems like Body Dysmorphic Disorder.

You are describing a disordered eating pattern as you are aware of, and whilst relapse is a part of recovery you need to talk to your doctor about even if just to hear a professional opinion on top of CC.

If you want some online support try http://www.something-fishy.org, and take a look through CC's Eating Disorders Health, Resources and Info Thread. But your most immediate concern is your health - and for that that means you need to talk to your doctor and gaining weight to a healthy BMI of 20. But know this: Calorie Count's mission is to promote healthy and sustainable weight management and if you are not seeking to manage your weight healthily we cannot and will not help you.

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Slip-ups are common when you're trying to change your behaviour for the better.  With a BMI of 18 you're still well below a normal healthy weight and a BMI of 20 ..... so gaining weight is something that needs to happen.  Losing 5kgs by being sick means that you should expect to regain 5kgs now that you're better.   If you can't rationalise the idea of gaining then go and seek some help to get you over the hurdle.  Eating more is half the battle, accepting what is a healthy weight is equally important.

1200 would be the bare minimum that an adult female needs to keep functioning.  You need a lot more than that to fully recover, physically and mentally.  My suggestion is that you put some thought into your days going forward as to how you'll achieve the 2500 cals that you need.  You can eat ice-cream and potato chips as part of a healthy diet.  And make up the rest with the best food you can afford... plenty of dairy products, meat/fish, grains, oils and some fruit and vegetables.

Good luck

I would like to thank the 3 people who have replied to my post.

And then say that I am seeking help to ultimately get better and I am not promoting starvation diets etc, and I am aware that it's not healthy and I am trying to get healthy again- hence the topic.

I am going to continually up my intake, and start getting back to a fitness regime that fits in with my schooling and other nonsense.

Original Post by ashalee_88:

I would like to thank the 3 people who have replied to my post.

And then say that I am seeking help to ultimately get better and I am not promoting starvation diets etc, and I am aware that it's not healthy and I am trying to get healthy again- hence the topic.

I am going to continually up my intake, and start getting back to a fitness regime that fits in with my schooling and other nonsense.

THAT'S MY GIRL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

and please please please DO NOT give up in the middle of your recovery, no matter what. don't freak out about the weight-gain and dont start weighing yourself even more or anything like that!!