Expert: Ryan Hale - 8/10/2009

Question
hi play at a very competitive level in football and really need a growth spurt in England, but when i easy 13 i became anorexic. I dropped to about 5 stone and was 5 foot 5. i got this during puberty. I lasted about 6 months in which for 6 weeks i was in hospital on a drip feed. Today i am 16,5 foot 6 and weigh 8 stone 8. I train 3 times a week and got to the gym twice a week. in order to gain a pound i have to eat about 4-500 calories. I think i am fully recovered as i eat a huge and variety of food. I was just wondering by going through it in puberty even though i am now eating huge amounts will i not be able to grow as i was?. As well as this due to the amount i have to eat i have to get up at 3.00 clock in the morning for a big breakfast as iam always hungry as well. Will this affect my growth. Thank you for reading Jon

Answer
Jon- by going through something like an eating disorder during puberty, you can affect your growth.  However, my advice for maximal fitness and muscular growth would be the same for most anyone:  You must support the muscle you have and the muscle you want to build with calories.  It's important to time your meals for your calorie needs.  After a workout, make sure you replace your carbohydrate stores and give your body the protein it needs for muscle repair.  A good carb drink or protein shake works fine but real food is even more important.  Also, make sure you are not skipping meals or going more than 3 hours without something to eat.  It's not uncommon for people training hard and looking for maximum muscle growth to wake up in the middle of the night to eat a meal so you're not strange by doing that.

Be careful to set goals and work hard to attain them but to not let the training and dieting run your life.  Remember, you are in control and have fun being fit.

Ryan