Two general questions/observations

I have a few questions or maybe more observations in going through recovery.

Firstly has anyone found that eating more makes them more sleepy not just at night but
during the day? I just feel quite lethargic all the time now I am eating more and that actually
helps me reducing the desire to exercise as I just feel too tired!

Secondly I have noticed changes in my body shape, I am becoming less vieny and less bony
and I can feel the flesh on my body now which is great! I have lost some muscle tone as I've
cut out exercise but that's fine. I just question why, if my body shape seems to be filling out,
why isn't it showing as a gain on the scales?

ninafish - what i meant by my comment is that I understand that some people (not ED specific - just people in general) may only need 1800 calories to gain weight whereas others may need 3000, however this would be in 'normal living' situations and I am very aware that as I am recovery my goal is to eat 2500 per day and so that is why I am making an effort to understand that my meal plan is 2500.

Original Post by eringo2:

ninafish - what i meant by my comment is that I understand that some people (not ED specific - just people in general) may only need 1800 calories to gain weight whereas others may need 3000, however this would be in 'normal living' situations and I am very aware that as I am recovery my goal is to eat 2500 per day and so that is why I am making an effort to understand that my meal plan is 2500.

 That's exactly the way I see it too!! It seems to be a very common belief that everyone's metabolism is exactly the same..

Ok to put some perspective on the calorie needs and recovery. I have been inpatient many times and done this outpatient with a team like nutritionist etc. Anyhow for ex ip you start on a low amount usually 1600 day 1 and they start to increase to sometimes for me over 4000 a day. Now it did not matter if I gained on 1600,2000,2500,3000 my calories were still increased. Do you know why? Because it is about repairing your body and tissues and also not taking for ever to get to a healthy weight. The weight once you get there will become stable but you have let it reach your set point not a low bmi that is better. The longer you drag this out and of course I know this is hard not to do but anyhow the more damage one does to their body.When you take antibiotics for an infection do you stop just at feeling "better" or take only part? No because the infection will return or not heal properly. This is the same for recovery

thats an exellent way of looking at it abbie that really helped me thanks h x

I agree Tessa - Abbi you have phrased this perfectly and this is the view that I am taking - I want to make sure I am hitting at least that 2500 so my body is getting what it needs so I can get through recovery asap (from a physical perspective at least).

Appreciate everyones thoughts on this - thanks.