Expert: Gerri Helms - 4/5/2009

Question
I've been anorexic for several months (****, to be exact)
and I have decided to finally seek help.
I've started going to a psychotherapist and a nutritionist,
both of whom have told me that I need to gain a lot of
weight and have given me a meal plan to follow, for i am
underweight.
My parents think I have been trying my hardest to follow it
(i haven't),
but i just can't seem to commit to it, because
I am extremely terrified of how the weight will be stored,
and how my body will cope with the weight gain.
(immediately turns into fats, bloating, and what if the
weight doesn't stop increasing after I hit my "ideal"?)
I want to maintain a toned, healthy, slim body in future,
but with the diet plan, I can't see that happening.
I really want to know, where does the weight go when I
first start re-feeding (how will it be stored?), will I
balloon/bloat up immediately (physically),
and just fatten till I become obese?
I know I need help, and the questions I ask are shallow
beyond belief, but please,
if it'll help me, I need to know it.

Answer
Dear Rachel,
I am glad that you are seeing both the psychotherapist and a nutritionist. I have seen first hand the effects of continued anorexia. I am working wtih a girl right now who cannot get her body weight over 77 lbs. She too, thinks she is convincing people that she is trying her hardest to follow the suggested food plan. I know, and she knows, that she is not. The scale tells the story.

Would you please check out the Anorexic-Bulimic Anonymous website? http://www.anorexicsandbulimicsanonymousaba.com/ They have meetings and can hook you up with other people who are anorexic, who are recovering and share the constant weight/food thoughts that you describe. They know about the terror you describe. It will help you a lot and will be extra support for you in addition to the therapist.

If you want to talk with me, I would be happy to give you a complimentary session. Just email me privately if that is of interest to you. lifecoachgerri@aol.com is my email. I'll keep you in my prayers.

Sincerely,
Life and Health Coach Gerri Helms