scared - out of control weight gain :( please answer my questions!!

I'm 16 years old and currently 144 pounds.

2 years ago around this same time, I gained weight (went up to 160) from being on the school water polo team and having unhealthy eating habits (lots of fat on top of muscle).

I went on an extreme diet where I consistently ate 1300 calories for an entire summer. Between the months of June and October of the same year, I went from 160 to 122 pounds.

I know now how unhealthy my choice was -- although I was able to maintain my weight (fluctuating from 124-127) until September of this year, I found I could not eat more than 1300 without gaining weight.

I started doing just that -- eating more, that is. But not unhealthily more, just so I could BE healthy again. Recently, to be healthier, I've been trying to eat 1500 calories instead, 200 up from what I used to. I've been gaining weight like crazy. From the months of September 2008 - February 2009 I ate 1400 calories a day instead and gained 10 pounds, going up to 135. Now, after eating 1500 a day for two and a half weeks, I'm up to 144.

I feel so depressed, I could cry. I have been crying, a lot. Body image means a lot to me, and the fact that I can't eat a healthy amount without gaining makes me feel so helpless. What happened? I joined a gym and am hoping the exercise helps. If it doesn't, I don't know what to do anymore :(

This doctor woman told me that after eating 1300, an amount too low for a teenager, for so long, my metabolism slowed way down and learned to ONLY burn 1300. She said I taught my body that 1300 was the threshold, so now anything over that leads to weight gain. Is that true? Has my metabolism been totally screwed up? Can it ever be fixed? Will exercise fix it??

I'm sorry for this long post, but I just need some support or answers to my questions. I'm so afraid I'm in some spiral that will never end and I'll keep getting fatter and fatter!!!!!!!!!!! 

Your metabolism should recover with time but you do need to keep eating a healthy amount, and healthy foods. In the meantime, be patient.

I don't know your height so I'm not sure if you're overweight now or by how much, but as you're so young it's really best not to diet. Just try to make healthy choices and get some activity. Your body is still growing and changing.

I know it's hard to see yourself look different, our culture is impossibly hard on young women, but try to put it out of your mind and focus on the long term. Once your metabolism has returned to normal and you've stopped growing you can consider dieting if you need to, but not now.

See your doctor if you're really concerned, and good luck. :)

I'm 5'7. So my weight is still "normal," but the fat is weirdly dispersed, so I look bigger than "normal."

They always say that crash diets lead to weight gain, and then some.

I suggest finding out what your maintenance calorie intake should be, and eat at that level until you find yourself maintaining. It may be frustrating, but it'll be worth having your metabolism back.

By the way, don't use the calculators on this site because they are designed for adults. You need one specifically designed for people under 21.

Original Post by mars_0112:

They always say that crash diets lead to weight gain, and then some.

I suggest finding out what your maintenance calorie intake should be, and eat at that level until you find yourself maintaining. It may be frustrating, but it'll be worth having your metabolism back.

By the way, don't use the calculators on this site because they are designed for adults. You need one specifically designed for people under 21.

 do you know a website that has a calorie calculator for people under 21. Im 18, and it says I need to eat about 1400 calories per day, at a moderately active lifestyle. I dont want a rapid weight loss, then weight gain...How can I make sure this doesnt happen, I want to get to my goal weight then maintain

You'll be okay. = )

Exercise is great, and since you still don't weigh very much, you can start to see changes in how the weight is dispersed in your body when you do strength/resistance training in addition to a bit of cardio.

But, if you're going to exercise a lot, you can't be afraid to eat, okay?

You're not going to turn into a fat blob, and your body will recover and get onto an even keel once you're nice and consistent with a program that is healthy for you.

You're young, so your body is still changing, and your weight is naturally going to vary a bit no matter what you do.

Just aim for healthy foods, and try to stick to the calorie range the calculators for someone your age give you.

Your needs are different than an older person's.

Call your doctor and go get your thyroid checked.  While other people's comments are correct about how you can gain weight as your body adjusts to finally getting enough calories, unexplained weight gain can be a symptom of hypothyroidism.  Other symptoms include feeling cold a lot, being tired all of the time (although all 16 year olds are always tired, so don't get too freaked out), and depression.  Crying a lot doesn't automatically mean you are depressed, but an imbalance of thyroid hormone can really mess with your emotions.  Speaking of hormones, are you on birth control or any new medications?  Hope you get this figured out and good luck!

Original Post by bosox024:

 do you know a website that has a calorie calculator for people under 21.

 http://www.kidsnutrition.org/bodycomp/bmiz2.h tml

This site is very good for young people.  If you enter your stats and read off the number of calories recommended for an activity level that matches what you do, then that's not a bad place to start. 

This website... http://www.eatwell.gov.uk/agesandstages/teens /   has some great information for teens on how to achieve a healthy diet and work more activity into their lives.  It doesn't focus on calories and I think you might find it helpful as a result.

Try not to worry too much.  You've made the mistake a lot of us made when we first tried to lose weight so you're not alone by any means.  If you increase your intake now to a reasonable amount you'll gain a little in the short-term but it will level off as your metabolism catches up ....  Some ways to keep your metabolism boosted

• Always have breakfast... this gets your body using energy nice and early in the day
• Exercise daily... doesn't have to be 'working out' but be as active as you can as often as you can
• Eat regularly.... regular meals and snacks in between keep your energy levels high
• Drink plenty of clear, non-carbonated fluids.... being well-hydrated helps the body process food more efficiently

Good luck