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Anorexia/Eating Disorders/upping calories but gaining weight

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Expert: Jeanne Rust, PhD - 12/6/2009


Question
Hi, i have been suffering from bulimia and anorexia for about a year. For the past 4 weeks i have managed to completely overcome my sickness, and start eating properly. the first week i ate 1000 calories a day, and burnt off 500 through excersise, steadly
maintaining 98.4lbs, (im 21 yrs old, female and 5ft 5). due to maintaining (which is all i am comfortable with right now,) i increased calories to 1300 a day, burning off 500 only 5 days of the week, and again maintained 98.4. but after this it went wrong week 3 i increased to 1500 on the days i burn off 500, and 1300 the other 2days of the week. By the end of the week weighed 98.8, so only a 4 ounce gain which i can just about deal with. week 4 i increased to 1600 on the days i burn off 500 and 1300 n the other 2 days, but have now gained to over 99lbs!, im affraid its going to keep going up. i dont understand why it has as bmr calculators estimate my maintenance at 1300, so with the excersise, im actually still at a deficit. I really just want to learn to maintain the weight frst, am i not eatng enough or am i eating too much? please help.
thankyou

Answer
Dear Ell,

I'm so glad that you wrote.  The thing I've found out over the years is that we can measure everything very accurately and  the body is going to do what the body is going to do!!  We can wonder about that happens in most cases -- and as soon as we do that, our body will do something completely different.  I'm sorry I can't give you the kind of answer you're looking for!

The best thing for you to do is to work with a nutritionist who can help you with the weight gain and maintenance.  The most important thing is to become a normal eater -- what about that??  Where you can eat a normal amount for you, not have to weigh, be healed from the eating disorder, and maintain a normal weight.

To do this professionals are needed -- a therapist who specializes in eating disorders, a good nutritionist, and a willingness to take risks.

Let me know how you do!

Warmly,
Jeannie Rust, PhD
CEO/Founder
Mirasol Recovery Centers
www.mirasol.net
www.edrecovery.com
888-520-1700

Anorexia/Eating Disorders

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Jeanne Rust, PhD

Expertise

I have been treating eating disorders for over 25 years and I have a doctorate in clinical psychology. I am an expert in anorexia, bulimia and binge eating disorders and in co-occurring disorders as well -- depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, etc. I was the official eating disorder therapist for the University of Arizona athletic department and love working with girls and women of all ages! 12 years ago I started my own treatment centers in Arizona where we treat adolescents and adults. I love working with people and have been helping people online since 1994. My hearts go out to the people out there who are unable to find help, who aren't sure whether they need help, and who don't have much of an understanding of the terrible consequences, emotionally and physically, that go hand in hand with the eating disorder. I view eating disorders as coping mechanisms that people use when they are under stress. I believe that eating disorders most times have many similarities whether it is anorexia, bulimia, or binge eating. The good news is that people can heal from an eating disorder and learn to create the lives they would like to live.

Experience

I have 25 years of experience in treating eating disorders of all kinds. I also do consultations for people who are starting treatment centers.

Education/Credentials
Northwestern University -- BA Masters in Counseling Doctorate in Clinical Psychology -- Saybrook institute

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