Expert: Ginger - 9/15/2010

Question
Hi, I have stopped my binge and purge behavior which I was engaged in for several years now on and off. I still notice that I have bad circulation and turn blue easily on my fingers and my skin is dry and aged looking. I was wondering what I can do in recovery to get my body toward some sort of stability. Also in terms of getting a period and hormonal stability. I have been eating healthily and exercising only a little, but I seem to have actually dropped in weight despite not depriving myself, but then again I used to eat nonstop before.

Answer
Hi Grace,
Thank-you for your question, and congratulations on your recovery! Sorry for the delay in getting back to you.
You didn't mention how long you have been in recovery...? A lot of times, it takes a while for your body to adapt when you're in recovery after having suffered with an eating disorder, and the longer you suffered, the longer it takes. The most important thing you can do right now to get your body stable again is to get yourself on a healthy eating schedule, with good foods and the right number of calories- your body will eventually accept that you're not going to starve it/purge it, and you'll feel better. Are you seeing a dietician or a doctor or counsellor? I think it's important for you to have some guidance as you recover, so you know you're on the right track, and so your physical symptoms can be monitored. I'm not sure about the poor circulation- maybe this is something to ask your doctor about...? I do know, though, that when it comes to your hormones and getting your period back, this can often take a while. With quite a few girls I know, it took close to a year before they got their period back (this was the case with me, too). Your skin will be less dry and should get back to normal once it's re-nourished, too.

Do you know what your BMI (body mass index) is right now? It's possible that you've dropped some weight, even though you're not depriving yourself, because your body is getting to its natural set-point weight. Everybody has a a natural setpoint weight, which is the weight you are when you're not dieting, and not overeating- just eating healthily and exercising normally. If you were bingeing before, you may have been a little over your setpoint weight, and are getting back to it now. As long as you are eating well, you will be fine, and your weight will level off when it gets to where it's "supposed" to be.

I hope this helps a little! E-mail me any time you need support.

Good luck,
Ginger