Anorexia/Eating Disorders/Boost metabolism

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Expert: Jeanne Rust, PhD - 9/10/2009


Question
I am currently in recovery from anorexia on an outpatient basis for the second time. I am 16, 5'2'' and 86lbs - my goal is at least 101 lbs.

I have read is varius places that by increasing my intake from 1800 (what I'm eating at the moment) to 2500 overnight that this will help me boost my metabolism and that it will be more healthy to gain on this amount than on 1800. Is this correct?

I am very eager to try this but am afraid that instead of my metabolism increasing I will just gain all the weight I need to in a metter of weeks. At the moment I am gaining quite quickly already on 1800.

Thank you
Emma

Answer

Jeannie Rust, PhD
Dear Emma,

I'm so glad that you wrote me!  You don't need to increase your calories unless your doctor, nutritionist, or therapist tells you to!  A slow weight gain is much better because you can keep up with the weight gain psychologically.  I don't believe that eating tons of calories is a good thing to do when you're trying to recover.

If you were only eating 1000 calories a day and nothing was happening, I would tell you to eat more so your metabolism would speed up. If you're getting some exercise now, your metabolism will catch up on its own -- the body just works that way.

It sounds like you're doing the right thing!

Let me know how you do!

Warmly,
Jeannie Rust, PhD
www.mirasol.net
www.edrecovery.com
    Questioner's Rating
    Rating(1-10)Knowledgeability = 8Clarity of Response = 10Politeness = 10
    CommentThank you so much for the advice. I think I am going to try the 2500 for a few weeks but if I cannot cope with the quick weight gain I will definatly follow your advice of gaining slowely. x


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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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