Success... I gained weight and more - anyone else have a success story to share and motivate?

I have to say that I am so excited... I gained 2 lbs!!!  Although for some that may not seem like a lot but I'm truly excited about this!!  Based on the other posts that I've read on this forum, I know you can all understand how exciting this is as we are all in the same situation. 

Basically, I've been adding more food (i.e. increasing my PB from 1/2 Tbsp to 1 Tbsp, having more snacks, additional desserts, nuts, fruits, etc.) and not counting calories - I almost can't believe it as I type this! 

That being said, does anyone else have any success stories??  I thought it would be good to start something that we can motivate on another.

 

Good idea snoop to start this thread to motivate others! And way to go on your gain and success! I think you are doing so well and pushing with each new day! Keep that up.

Although I have gained tons during recovery I have not really kept a solid required (my nutritionist has it) and so I think from my experience, if you do continue to add little things through the day then that will all add up over time. I would say though that maybe handfuls of nuts and 2 tbsp of pb would be even more of a step!

I really want to say that this is an inspirational thread, and it gives so much support to other gainers out there! Good luck and keep pushing!

Well....I don't know if my weight gain has been exactly steady or done in the right way...but in terms of success, I would say that my mindset is changing day by day. At first I was willing to lay down and let this disorder walk all over me. I didn't really want to get better, I just didn't want to get worse...or die. ANd I wasn't really doing any of this for me. But in the last five weeks, despite serious slips with indulging in chocolatey snacks, etc., I have realized...I want so much more than to just be alive, i want to LIVE. There is a real difference. I want to experience the good, happy things in life. Yes, food is a big part of that, but it also gives us the energy to be able to wake up and smile, talk, walk, and just basically not feel like falling down and giving up every second. So no matter what I have to do, I'm going to do it now. I used to be scared of gaining "too fast", and i must say, i still don't want to gain too quickly. But...that's so relative. Just being able to feel good for one day makes me think..the faster I gain, the faster I can live.

My husband and I bought a new house and are in the process of moving in. When I was there on the weekend, i thought - this is my chance for a whole new life. I'm going to leave my old life behind in my downtown condo. I'm going to move into this house, shape it into what I want, and do the same for my life. I KNOW that I will continue to struggle. I KNOW there will be good and bad days. But the fact that I am not crying every second of every day is a good sign to me. The fact that i am thinking of going back to work shows me I can handle life. The fact that I am not willing to let this disorder get the best of me shows that while my body will continue to struggle with my mind, in the end, there are times where I know I can beat this. I just have to work harder at finding those times more often than not. ANd it will come. As long as I don't beat myself up for not being the "perfect recovery" patient.

A big part of this for me has been letting go of perfection. No one is perfect. I have NEVER expected others to be perfect. I have NEVER been as hard on others as I am on myself. I think it's time to give myself the same courtesy as I have extend to others. I think that, for me, is the only way to really recover from this. And the fact that I can admit that, to myself and on this forum, is a success. At least for today. ANd maybe success will only come in small doses. But it's ok. It's better than where I was 5 weeks ago. :Anything is better than where I was five weeks ago. :)

I went to the dining hall with friends and ate without obsessing over calories. Congrats on the weight gain!

I've gained a total so far of 4 pounds! (103 to 107) I don't count or worry about calories anymore. I just focus on eating the healthy and nutritious foods. I'm still in the gaining stage so I have a little bit to go!

CONGRATS ON THE WEIGHT GAIN!

Thanks all for sharing your stories... hopefully you will use this as a source of motivation as I am.  I, too, have a ways to go and appreciate the tips on how to keep going.

It's another day and another opportunity to keep moving!  I wish everyone the best... let's keep sharing.  Whether it's successes or minor setbacks (hey, we're only human) each day we should be celebrating something.  Sometimes I feel that it's the little things that we (at least I know I) take for granted.

Keep on going everyone... I know we can all make it! :)

xoxo

I haven't weighed myself for a few days, so it could be higher, but... I've gained 2 lbs.  It was terrible the first week because I lost a pound.  And after all I ate, felt bloated, etc. and I lose weight.  But I held fast and assumed that it was just from kick-starting my metabolism again, and now... 

I have tons more energy and feel better.  I'm not lathargic.  My moods are stablizing.  I had my first mensus post-pregnancy without flying off the handle at everyone/thing around me.  I have more confidence.  My clothes are starting to fit tighter, too... though not in the chest yet (darn).  I even find I have enough energy to workout again.  I'm really proud of myself!

Next goal... fill in that "B" cup sitting in my closet!

WOW this thread is so inspirational! i started recovery about 5-6 months ago and have gone from 97 to 110!!

BTW i am 5'8

its getting harder i think the breaking into teen numbers is hard

 

ive learned so far... PB IS GOOD... i love nuts and and obcessed with cheese... haha at least for now does anyone have like a transition of calories they are aiming for ?

 

i am supposed to gain 2 lbs a week says my counselor... what about everyone else??!

 

let's keep em rollin in guys!

I've gone from 83 lbs to wherever I am now!! I don't know because I refuse to weigh myself or look when I'm being weighed... But my nutritionist says I'm at a healthy weight so that's all that matters!! =) Congratulations!!

Keep it up, were all in this together!!

I've gone from being around 87lb for about a decade to about 93-94 lbs, and keeping it for the last few months.
Another 6 lbs or so and I'd be totally happy.

Keep up the good work everyone... this is definitely motivational, thank you for replying.  It's really helpful and keeps me going. 

malibu2008 - I think 2 lbs a week is what they say is healthy.  I am trying to get there (this week definitely! :)  This morning, I put on pants that hung on me, after they were taken in by a tailor, and now they are actually fitting really nicely.  Not bad... It feels good to have some shape again.  I just have to keep fighting the unhealthy Ed thoughts away - this time it will be a TKO!  :)

 

I put on some jeans that i bought when i was at 90 pounds. They hung off me then but they were the smallest size in the store...today they fit me a bit better. It actually felt good to not have them bunching up in the back or sagging in the thigh area!

That's great!  It's definitely feels good being able to get back to wearing "normal" sizes... unfortunately, I have been wearing some kids sizes... I'm way too old to be wearing kids sizes, anyone over 12 is really.  I want to be an adult - and look like one too! :)

Keep it up... I'm glad you're sharing, it definitely helps (at least I think so).

Yeah, people laugh at me for the kids sizes...sometimes it's been helpful because i'm only 5'2", and that way, i didn't have to hem the pants. But when i started wearing smaller kids sizes, it wasn't good. I'm working up to adult sizes...I'll get there in  just a few weeks, I'm sure - im simply ravenous these days!

I have gained a total of about 11 lbs (from 90 up to about 101 now), and as of last Saturday, I got my period back! :)

*Update*

I gained another 5 lbs. Now I'm at 112. My goal is still 115-120.

Misty1993: Congrats for the gain and getting ur period back. I can't wait until I get mine back. Anything in specific you did to get it back?

Wow, what a great update fefeluvsoatmeal (BTW- I love your screen name)!  Congrats on the weight gaining!

Misty1993 - yes, please share any tips for getting back the period?  I can't wait - I've been adding more fats in hopes that it will help. 

 

Well, I'm not sure exactly what did it.  I knew my body fat was to low, so I know gaining the weight helped (I'm only 5'1", so thats why my weight is still low).  I've really been trying to eat more fat too.  I switched from skim milk to 1% on cereal, eating pb for breakfast, olive oil dressing on salads, nuts, full fat cheese.  I also used to exercise compulsively (we're talking twice a day everyday!)  I have now scaled back to only once a day and even try to take one day off a week.  My husband kind of monitors me and won't let me do anything active twice a day anymore.  It was annoying at first, but now its a really good thing to have someone watching me.  I don't think I would have cut it down on my own.  Now I do weights 3x a week, and running/kickboxing/tennis on the other days. 

Thanks for sharing your tips misty1993.  I think increasing the fat and decreasing the exercise (I, too have/had the tendency to over-exercise).  My husband is also very supportive and is helping give me "tough love" to get back on track.  However, I do need to step it up.  I will try your suggestions... I think your approach of making the slight modifications to your diet will be the best bet. 

Also, I'm about 5'1 and last time I weighed myself was 87 lbs. (I have not weighed myself in about 2 weeks so I don't know right now).  At what point did you get your period - meaning, is 101 your goal weight or did it just happen along the way?  I'm desperately trying to get it back.  It's so funny that the one thing I always dreaded every month is something I want back so badly...

I am up at 100 pounds this week, after 7 weeks of recovery! I was a bit upset at first but then, when the nutritionist told me I could resume cardio at the gym, I realized....it's about being HEALTHY. I am happy that I am getting healthy. I'm sure that my chocolate cravings in the last two weeks has pushed my weight up, but who cares...at least I'm closer to my goal weight of 115!!!

 

Way to go etoile_rg!!!  That's fabulous news! 

I could not agree with you more... it's all about health!  Besides, chocolate is delicious... we only have one life to live, we may as well enjoy it.  I just made brownies tonight for my husband and me and had 2.  I have no guilt and enjoyed every bite.  It's so nice.

5 more lbs to go... keep it up!  I'll be weighing myself tomorrow - I have no weighed myself in 2 weeks.  Hopefully, I'll have another success story to post as well! ;)