It's time to finally post. Been a "fly" tooooo long.

Hello all. I have been a fly on the wall reading all of your posts for a couple of months now. It’s time to write in and get some advice/kick in the butt/motivation/encouragement! I truly enjoy the banter between you all, and WOW, what sages you have among you. I won't name names, but I have much respect for many of you.

I am much older than all of you (40), and that is a bit embarrassing since this has been going on for so long!

Here’s the deal: I’m 5’4 and 87 pounds. I am a successful person in all areas of my life but this one. Ex:  I’m a  teacher leader at an urban middle school, finishing my doctorate, and active in many things (teach at my church…)... I have lots of energy and generally feel pretty good. People say I’m like the energizer bunny. BUT my weight is low. My blood tests reveal that I’m healthy…all is normal (mineral levels/blood…) I don’t menstruate and haven’t for a while. It’s bad.

So, here’s my question. I need to be AT LEAST 100 pounds, and haven’t been that weight for at least 25 years. I’ve hovered around 95ish for a long time. I’m now quite low from just the stress of my schedule and my activity level. I eat healthy, but I know not enough, however, I eat 6 times a day, and never do I go hungry. I eat all day, but more snacking.

I am seeing a naturopath nutritionist and he wants me to increase to 1800 calories to start, and then we’ll go from there. I am currently eating about 1300-1400. My body doesn’t digest lactose or gluten, so I struggle with many foods.  I see many of you are at 2500 and that just freaks me out. I don’t think I have ever eaten that much and am nervous about what my body will do if I do eat that much, since I never really have!

So, talk to me. What’s going to happen to my body? Do I inch up or just blast it with food? And how?

Many questions.
Many fears. I admit it finally. Fear of the UNKNOWN for my body.

I understand why you just watched and never posted. sages...hmm did you mean savages? Lol.Kudos to you for getting the guts to write about this. And there is no need to feel ashamed, since you are obviously concerned about your health now and want some tips.

I think you should be more afraid of what not eating is doing, than you are of eating, but then again I am a former fatty, who is still 9 lbs overweight, so easy for me to say, right? But my point is, you will feel so much better when you hit that target, and get on the right path. I have heard many people say that the minimum to gain for a female is 2500...And while it might cause you too gain more than you'd like initially, that is OK cause your body needs it and your metabolism is obviously really slow as a result of the last 25ish years.

But I am no expert. So I will step aside now, and let a more knowledgeable person help you.

But good luck! and don't feel bad about yourself as long as you are looking ahead!

Hi. I am glad you posted. I am older one as well 31. Never too old to have a better and healthier life. A few thoughts first your goal weight is not healthy. The lowest possible for your height range is I think 111 abd even that may be too low. To free yourself you have to get to a healthy set point not a controlled number. I have had healthy bloodwork  but ended up in a cardiac unit so it is not always a sign. I have seen holistic doctors for other conditions but for ed recovery I really feel a person needs to see a specialist with ed's. People who don't deal with this don't know how much it takes for a body to recover from being malnurished. Like I said in the past you need calories to gain but repair. So the 2500 plus is for that. Trust me I understand the fears but you can do it. Will it be uncomfortable? Yes both mental and physical. It does get easier. Have you looked into seeing a therapist? Many people who have ed have success in their life. They are over achievers. Your body at first will hold to water and may gain quick from slow metabolsim and fluid. 1300-1400 is not enough at 87 pounds. With my nutrionist we increased every 2 days by 200 to 2500-3000. I did do a 500 jump too. There was and is so much anxiety but the fact is the goal is to gain and it will never be easy. I will say as someone who has had an ed since 16 and now 31 and have better and not good times as one gets older the body does not bounce back as easily. You don't want long term damage.