What's the limit on how many calories you can safely eat in a day? Gaining troubles

Hi fine people,

As many of you know, I am in anorexia recovery.  I have been eating 3000 cals per day for the last couple of weeks--at the end of today it will have been two weeks.  I weighed myself this morning, and my weight was down 1 kg/2 lbs. 

I'd promised myself that I'd gain 3 kg/6 lbs by November 29--my first mini-goal, because my parents are visiting me then.  Now I have to gain 4 kg, and I guess I should up to 3500 cals.  I know weight changes from day to day with fluid loss/retention and other factors, but I feel disappointed.  I mean I'm doing the right things; my metabolism just doesn't want to cooperate, and I want to get the weight on so my mind will be better equipped to take on ED. 

What I'm wondering is how many calories can the human body safely process in a day?  Is there some kind of limit? 

Thanks in advance to everyone.  Any advice or thoughts are most welcome.

Best wishes to all,

Mel. xox

There is no upper limit in gaining. Take it up to 3500 if you're not gaining at the rate you desire.

Michael Phelps eats 8,000-10,000 calories a day.

There's no limit to what you can eat physically, but you'll find it less uncomfortable if you deliberately choose high-calorie, low-bulk foods than the reverse.  They're less filling.   It's also easier to get 3500-4000 cals into your day if you eat frequently.   Don't do any exercise will you?  Best of luck

Stef, I realise you are trying to be helpful, but that comment can be very upsetting and possibly triggering to someone who is trying to gain weight. It is somewhat insensitive.

Eh yeah I second lala, bit of a weird post :s

3500 cal/day should be okay as long as it doesn't make you sick. I second the high-calorie, low-bulk foods. You might want to avoid fried foods because while they are high in calories, they can make you sick, especially if you're not used to eating too many of them.

When I was trying to gain weight I made a big batch of cookie dough on the weekend and then treated myself to a dozen fresh-baked cookies each day. Peanut butter & cheese are also good. Fruit juices are a healthier way to get lots of calories.

Finally, try to relax about it. Really... your overall mood/stress level does affect how long food stays in your digestive tract and can affect your body's efficiency at processing food. Stress tends to make food run through "faster" and you don't always get all the calories you'll need.

Good luck gaining the weight!

Thanks everyone for the help!  I'll try to relax about it, and just enjoy the food. 

Although I'm no Michael Phelps, I think I can manage 3500 cals.  I'm going to have to, because I haven't gained, and after all the goal is to reach a healthy weight at which my mind and body will be happy.

Again, many, many thanks.

Hope everyone's own journeys towards health and happiness are going well.

Mel. xox

Most recommend 4,500 as the high upper limit, but I know someone on 11,000 calories!  It's extremely important that your get blood tests to monitor your medical safety.  Low electrolytes don't always present themselves with physical symptoms, but they can still be serious.