Trying to gain

Hi...I have finally taken the plunge and plan to beat the ED that has consumed me in the last year or so. I am seeing a psych and waiting for a dietician referral. In the meantime I have followed my psychs recommendations and introduced a "pudding" or snack to my regular eating. On average this has increased my cals by around 250 or so per day and I have done this for the last week.

Stepped on the scales this morning and I have lost a 1lb !!!  Is this normal or expected as you start to increase calories ? ( I am exactly 5ft5.5  and this has put me at 100.5lbs ( and yes, I'm scared at that weight, my BMI is about 17.1 ).

On the bright side I guess it demonstrates that my metabolism is not "broken". I know now I need to make further adjustments next week.

Next week was always going to be about replacing "safe foods" and breaking the food routines I have developed....as a result of this weeks weight loss I now plan to up my cals further still ..maybe another 150 or so per day...is this an ok strategy ?

I know from having done hours of reading here and elsewhere that there are tow distinct schools of thought. One that you do what I am doing , make small gradual adjustments and tweak week by week, alternatively go for the "bungee jump" and immediately up your cals to a high level ( eg 3000 or so per day )...I have opted for the former option, I'll be honest, the latter is a little scary for me..it may prove easier when I have the support structure fully in place ( I have the psychiatrist, but await a psychologist and dietician referral ), my next psych appointment is about 10 days away.

I'd appreciate your opinions .

Meantime I am off to follow another of my psychs pieces of advice..he recommended I find some "me time" each day as I tend to let my life become too ordered, regulated and routine.  So given its not the sunniest of days I am off to do some "retail therapy" followed by a trip to see "Star Trek" at the cinema...I may even brave a hot-dog !! ..Live long and prosper

Hi! Something like that happened to me too.

Check if you are not cutting calories somewhere else. I, for instance, kept sizing down my servings so I could fit calorie dense foods once in a while, and in less than 2 weeks I lost 2 kg without noticing!

You also have to be really committed to weight gain and try to eat healthy foods (that's only my suggestion). It's easier for someone with psycological troubles about food (like myself!) to increase calorie intake by eating things they feel that are healthy, and that also helps avoiding cutting calories somewhere else (like on healthy meals!...). I also suggest you start increasing serving sizes - I had to do that and I'm kind of glad I did. Spot what you are eating too little of (for instance, I was eating so little meat and my potatoes/rice/pasta servings had become minimal!) and try to eat a little more ;)

Hope it helps!

Something that helped me a lot during my recovery was to get out with my friends. It will take your mind off of food and dieting. The downside is that you might be faced with situations that include food that makes you uncomfortable, but you can use that to get over those fears.

But congratulations on taking the step and good luck!

Thanks for the replies

nnizz, thats a good point..in all honesty I don't think I have reduced calories elsewhere to compensate..I ate my usual weekend calories ( weekends were never my problem ) and ate an extra snack during the week...and the snacks included ice cream, chocolate maltesers, crackers and cheese, wholemeal hot cross bun, nuts ( in fairness much of this was low fat food, but still at least an additional 250 cals or so per day.I was just surprised to drop again.

This week as I said I'll stick with the extra snacks, and challenge some of the safe foods..introducing potato and red meat back into my diet. I also have a meal booked in an Italian resteraunt for midweek...thsi is all routine and behavioral change that I feel is important to me.

mars..I couldn't agree more..I have got into the habit of declining social situations so I am in the process of breaking that habit. Apart from the Italian meal midweek I am meeting friends for a cinema trip later in the week too....I broke my routine today and had a realxing trip to the cinema. Tomorrow if the sun shines I plan after church to take a drive to the beach and have a leisurely walk that should really include a "full fat" ice cream with chocolate flake ( a "99" ) on the prom..and a fish supper ( fried haddock and chips with salt and vinegar eaten out of paper wrap for those non UK folks ) ..this is traditional sea-side activity but something I haven't done for soooooo long....Something that would have scared me but can now help me change routine , and get some serious calories in ( not the healthiest cals but the omega3's can come during the week ! )

Thanks for the advice, I appreciate it.