I hope someone can help

[lara]

Any help would be greatly appreciated. I am grasping at straws right now and feel very alone in this.

I was hospitalized twice for anorexia 7 years ago. At my lowest I was 5'4 and 73 lbs., my discharge weight was 96 lbs. I maintained that for years, at most I was 98, but I did so by eating 1000-1050 calories a day. I know my metabolism is shot, but I am hoping that there is something I can do to raise it. I want to be strong, thin, and fit. Truly I want to live a more healthy and normal life. I have recently increased my calories to 1350. This was really hard for me because I have gained weight doing so. I did so slowly, mainly by adding 3 protein bars a day to my diet. At the same time I started weight training and upped my cardio. I have put on just about 10 lbs. I am now 107-108 lbs., and I think that my weight has still not stabilized. I know some of the weight is muscle, but not all of it. I really didn't need to gain this weight. I want to lose about 5 lbs. I don't think I should cut my calories, I know intellectually that doing so is not the answer, it will just fuck my metabolism up even more. But what can I do? Do you think my weight will stabilize if I remain consistent, keep eating 1350? When it does what can I do to lose fat, more cardio and keep my cals the same?


Thanks,
lara

 

[Marky]

how many meals are u currently eatting?

Now, i dont know anything about what eatting disorders does to your matabalism, so these are only my opinion.
most in the board (i think) would recommend eatting at least 6 meals a day. the idea is to keep your matabalism running throughout the day. you can keep your current calorie intake (i would try to up it some more cause its not a lot of food per meal) but just seperate them into six meals. You should try to read the book the abs diet. its very informative. all the best.

 

[lara]

thanks

My meals are well, disordered. Little bits here and there. I normally don't eat much until about 11 or noon. I read about splitting meals up, and I am a bit skeptical that it would really make a difference. I guess I am willing to try it. What about exercise, if I do cardio or circuit training in the morning is it better to workout on an empty stomach or should I eat something first?

 

[Marky]

i recommend doing some weight training. the more muscle you put on the more calories you burn, even at rest. their's a misconception that doing lots of cardio would lean you up. the fact is that doing endless cardio can break down lean body mass. doing cardio and circuit training in the morning would help you lose some fat but make sure to eat right after. dont go overboard on the cardio. i recommend around 20mins.

 

[Marky]

one more thing dont count your calories. just guestimate but make sure its its a decent amount. remember, lean meat, good fats(almonds, natural peanut butter, fish oils, flaxseeds, etc...) , and good carbs like veggies,fruits, and whole grains.

 

[lara]

thanks. I will give splitting my meals up a try. I also started weigth training when I started eating more. I need to try to eat some "real food," as you suggest, it's just that I have been using protein bars as a crutch for a good 3 years now. I know that they are no substitute. But getting calories in has been hard. I am just hoping that I won't keep gaining weight on 1350. I also don't eat meat, but I will try to add more seafood into my diet. My metabolism should pick up, right? Soon?

 

[Marky]

from what I've experienced, its pretty quick. I've notice a difference in little as a week. just stick to the diet see what happens. More calories doesnt mean u'll gain more weight. One more thing, read the labels on the protein bars. choose ones with less refine sugars and transfatty acids. personally, i would rather mix whey with skim or 1% milk than to eat a protein bar. I got a lot of dieting tips from gregg avedon's site. check it out, he has very useful info. you can actually emial him and hell get back to you pretty quickly.

 

[lara]

your great. thank you.

 

[Marky]

no problem and all the best to you!

 

[luke77]

Hi lara,
As someone who has gone through an eating disorder I understand how alone and helpless you probably feel. You are correct that your metabolism is probably shot right now. Although this seems counterintuitive, the only way to "speed it back up" is to drastically increase your caloric intake. Although I don't have firsthand experience, I know of people who were gaining weight on 1300 cals a day and then when they upped it to 1800-1900 a day they actually lost weight. It doesn't seem logical (and I can't say for sure that this would happen for you) but it's something to consider. Also, are you seeing a doctor/nutritionist/therapist currently? Are you still having your period? Why don't you post your typical daily diet and maybe we can help out based on that. Best of luck to you.

Luke

 

[HotMom23]

Hi Lara,
I'm sorry you feel alone. Try if all possible to think positive and key word "grow". Just hear me out. Being 5'4 at 107-108 lbs. You don't need to lose 5lbs. If anything you need to gain 5lbs of muscle or more. Also, remember it's not healthy to be cut/lean all year round. I'm 5'3 at 116lbs and 10.5%. The lowest I've ever been at. This is because I'm doing a show in like a week in a half. I started at 124lbs the most I've ever weighed (besides when I was pregnant). I know I didn't really answer your questions. I just find it that you should eat, sleep, and train. Muscle weighs more than fat as well. So, if anything you will lose muscle if you try to lose more weight. I would also say cardio is not that important right now. Before I started cutting I only did weights no cardio at all. Check out my gallery and tell me what you think. Also, you need to eat breakfast... The more you eat your metabolism will speed up. Good luck to you and hope you heard me out.

 

[baonilon]

eating many smaller meals really helped, I have never gained any lbs for couple years and I've gained about 13 lbs in the last 2 months ..... good luck with your goals

 

[cpush]

lara, have you read this? http://ironmagazineforums.com/showthread.php?t=21113

 

[aggies1ut]

I think you should focus more on gaining lean body mass and body recomposition. It's easy to say that the number on the scale doesn't mean anything, but I know that it's really easy to freak out about your weight. However, in your situation and looking at your goal to lose fat, you shouldn't try to lose weight. This may lead to a restriction of food and trigger a relapse with your anorexia.

 

[taniea19]

I just recovered from a eating disorder last year i'm 5'6 and was down to 100 lbs, My metabolisim was shot and I ballooned up to about 140 after I almost died! anywho! I can tell you eat often like 8 mini meals I know its hard and it sounds like alot but do and hit the weights, Gain some muscle amd that will rev you'r metabolisim later down the road but if you are going to gain its best it be lean body mass.I started my recovery in january and after gaining weight i'm now down to 129 I still want to get lean but that will come later! I need to heal me first. Do hiit in the morning on a empty stomach and hit the weights in the evening. remeber lots of mini meals and make em count lean protein and good carbs, lots of fruit and veg. I know it may sound crazy but good fat too! Natty peanut butter and almonds are my freinds!

If you need anyone to talk to just email me. And please get better soon!!

Best of luck hope this helps!
Tanya

 

[ReelBigFish]

hey taniea, im about in the same boat as you. I am 5' 8 and got down to 95lbs. Its been a long bumpy road over the past year and a 1/2 but slowy and surely I'm getting there. i'm up to 142. was at 152 but I put on a lil more fat that I prefered. But I'm back to a slow bulk again. I pm'd lara and told her she could talk to me as well, I didn't realize that there were as many people on here who have gone through the same thing. Luke too. i'm one of the few males(along with luke, since I think luke's a guy) that goes through this. It's just so hard mentally you know? I'm glad to see there are so many here tho, that really know.