Stuck and frustrated

Hi all. First, I love reading all your posts. Thank you for all you do for people!

Here's my background
.

Underweight for over 20 years

5’4”: 87pounds, BMI 15.3, Bodyfat 12%

Gluten Intolerant, Lactose Intolerant..
Take digestive enzymes when eating dairy or vegetables or fruit..
I get upset stomachs very easily.

Here’s the deal. I am tired of being this way. I know that I need to eat more, but honestly, I eat all day and eat to capacity. Like most of you, I know calories/fat/protein..in practically everything, but just still eat the same darn thing everyday. I don’t even crave junk food since I’ve eaten the same things forever! I like the way I feel when I don’t eat many carbs. My doc things I have Celiac. My body doesn’t respond well to dairy or carbs. It really likes meat and fat. However, I am not gaining.

I read.."just eat 2500!" It is hard with what I eat. Here is a typical day.

1/2 cup cottage cheese
gluten free pumpkin muffin
1tsp whipped butter
200

Gluten free granola bar
150

6 egg whites or turkey/protein thing
cabbage wraps
tomatoes
ranch dressing
200

protein shake
1/2 protein bar
350

some protein like lunch
cabbage wraps again
veggies
sour cream or ranch
gluten free tortilla
1/2 cup cott cheese
300


protein shake
1 T almond butter
350


1550 total

Question:
I have been at this level for so long, and I “feel” satisfied and full.
I don’t know what my body will do with 1000 more. It scares me as to how it will react.
Can you give me some encouragement as well as some steps to take to inch my way up there? If you have been at this point, what happened to your body and the feelings in your tummy? Did you gain SUPER Fast? or slowly and proportionally.
I’m not coming from total starvation, but I do need to gain.

Would love your thoughts.
Thank you so much

I you have so many medical issues and dietary restrictions you really need to talk to your doctor and get referred to a dietician for help in setting out suitable menus.  And they should also be monitoring how your body reacts because, with your medical notes, what other people experience won't necessarily apply to you.

Other than that, it really shouldn't be a big leap to get from 1500 to 2000 and then on to 2500.  You'd have to swap some of your low-cal options for higher cal ones.  For example, rather than cottage cheese, eat proper full-fat cheese.  Rather than egg whites eat whole eggs.  If you like meat and fat... throw in some big juicy steaks and pork chops rather than protein shakes.  Olive oils, avocados...  And then there's the portion-sizes.  Rather than a teaspoon of butter have 2 tablespoons. Rather than one pumpkin muffin, eat two.

 

I'd like to second what gi-jane has said but also ask if just maybe are you claiming intolerances to justify your weight?

Eat pÓtatoes Less cabbage More corn More peas Soy beans Garbanzo beans Eat rice and other carbs that aren't wheat--you need carbs!!

Eat nuts and lots of them...I didn't notice much fat in your diet

Dried fruit is excellent

Eat granola with your cottage cheese

Have banana and peanut butter sandwiches

Drink soy milk, fruit juices, veggie juices instead of water with meals

You have to WANT to do this and TRY to incorporate the things that you have cut out to see how your body responds. A quick increase is best. Just don't add more ¡ulkÝ items. Add 2 tvsp of olive oil, 1 banana, 2 tbsp honey, and 1 oz nuts and you've added over 700 calories effortlessly.

Thank you.
I do want it. I'm scared about the feeling in my tummy and it's paralyzing me. I'm seeing a naturopath nutritionist and he's monitoring me.

He wants me to be at 1800 by this week, then 2000. I can do that, I just don't know what to expect. I love hearing your stories about the "feelings" in your body and the fact that it all evens out later. I have never allowed myself to just do this!

I have been diagnosed from blood and urine tests and it stems from years of abuse of my stomach, hence the enzymes. SOOOOOOOO all that to say, I am just paralyzed with stomach fears. And...I guess what will I look like at a heavier weight since it has never happened!

Keep up all of your hard work. I'm in the trenches, digging and WILL get there. Your posts keep me going.

 

If you're in a trench, don't dig.... get a ladder....

Oy I am not big on natural doctors and recovery fom an ed or major condition. I saw one for my nerve condition and who touched on my ed. At the time I was 30 plus under and he called me skinny fat and had negative view towards carbs etc. I really feel one needs to see a specialist who deals with ed and celiecs. Your body and mind is different right now. If I said here is a million dollars now eat 2500 you would do it correct? Well why is your full health any less important? You are going to feel full and uncomfortable. This is the process. I understand physical barriers. For my other condition I am on meds where I have spent 2 weeks almost at night in the bathroom from the nausea not throwing up but feeling like it but ate the plan. I had to work with what I could eat and get it in that way. Any food tolerable is better then lack. Being underweight does not help your stomach or celiec condition. To fight other health issues you need to have as healthy of a body as possible.

You say 'carbs' but do you mean gluten... because there really are many many other ways to eat your carbs, and you do need them to gain weight.

Also how about nuts? They are fat and protein based and a 100g a day adds an easy 6-700 calories.

You could put pine nuts or almonds on most of your meals, or just have 100g as a snack. It doesn't come out to that many at all, so would not feel like loads of food.

Also you just don't seem to eat alot volume wise either. You feel satisfied on that amount because your stomach is used to that amount as you said, that's all you've been able to eat for years! But it doesn't mean that's enough for your body.

How about this menu:

B: 1 cup cottage cheese, 1/2 cup gluten free granola, some dried apricots or figs, and some pumpkin seeds (600)

S: Usual granola bar, plus a banana (250)

L: 4 whole eggs, and turkey, some stir fried cabbage, tomatoes, and 1 cup of rice (600)

S: Your usual protein shake and bar, with some flaxseed oil added to the shake (450)

D: Something different to lunch - experiment! E.G. A grilled salmon steak, some steamed new potatoes with butter, steamed veg with butter or dressing. (600)

S: 50g of nuts, another protein shake or some cottage cheese and fresh fruit. (400)

2900

The above is not all that different to what you're already having, just a bit more volume wise and with a little bit more fat added. You could work your way up to that amount in a few days and you would get used to it quite fast. I really hope that helps and that you manage to start eating more and gaining. XXX

Inspired. Thank you!
Smash: Wow: this is so helpful. I love the advice

Abbi: I just called a local person to see. I cancelled my Naturopath. You are right. I need a person SPECIALIZING in this!

OK: so, still wondering the "body" issues. HOw will it react? The unknown! IEEEEK!

GI: You are brilliant. I need a ladder and lots of prayer.

 

 

abuse of your stomach... just from starvation or did you also take medication?

I have never starved self...just eaten around 1500 at the LEAST.
I abused eating by restricting fats and overexercised in my 20s and 30s. So....if I am going to gain, I am supposedly supposed to be eating 2200 according to the site with my activity level.

I just have NEVER done this and a bit scard as to how my body will react? Just wanted some stories of others as to when they made the big jump from 1500-2200/2500 ...

No, don't take medication. Just enzymes to help digestion.