Expert: Ginger - 8/22/2010

Question
Hi!
I am recovering from about nine years of having an eating disorder that
manifested in restricting, over-exercise, and anorexia. I sought out a center
for recovery and have gained enough weight to be in a healthy place.
However, even though I'm at a healthy weight, I still have phases of extreme
hunger - basically, I never don't feel hungry (I liken it to a growing teenage
boy), which is terrifying to me. I'm am now in one of those phases and my
weight is continuing to go up. I am really concerned. Does this sound normal?
Will my weight even off? Will it go down once my body is sure that I won't
deprive it anymore? Will my hunger return to a normal place?
Thanks for your insight and help.
Gracie

Answer
Hi Gracie,
Thanks so much for your question, and I apologize for not getting back to you sooner!
First of all, congratulations on your recovery from anorexia! I'm very glad to hear you're in a healthy place.
I can't say that I've ever heard of your situation before, however, I know it's very common for people who are recovering from anorexia to slip into bulimic behaviours, and this could be part of what you're going through. What kinds of foods are you eating, and in what quantities? Are you purging at all? If you're not bingeing and purging, it could be your body's way of reacting to a normal quantity of food, after having been deprived for so long, and I'd be inclined to think this would level off. I think it's important, though, that you see a nutritionist with experience in working with people with eating disorders, just so you can make sure you're on track with what you're eating. I know from experience how hard it is to judge what's a normal/healthy amount of food (and even what a normal level of hunger is), after eating so unhealthily for so many years.
I hope this is of a little help to you!
E-mail me anytime.
Good luck,
Ginger