Expert: Ryan Hale - 11/30/2011

Question
Hi. I've been battling anorexia for almost 6 months, but I realized what am doing to my body and wish to go back to normal when I saw I no longer have the strength I once had, and is now in fact the weakest among my friends...(I used to be the strongest in the gym).

I was never really overweight, but I began to skip meals when I noticed that it gave me the six pack I've always wanted. But now it has gotten way out of hand, and I've became bony instead of toned...

I wouldn't say my anorexia is TOO severe yet. I'm a 17 year old guy, 5 feet 7, and I weigh about 110 pounds right now.

I'm beginning to eat normal, but I'm still tired and hungry all the time, and I don't notice any improvements in my strength. I'm still super weak in the gym...

I really want to get better, but how long will it take? I'm afraid all I'm doing is gaining fat...
How long will it be until I get my strength back? And while I'm recovering, should I slowly increase my food in take or just go back to before right away?

And should I wait until my weight is back to normal to go to the gym again? I feel like if I do that it's just an excuse for being lazy...

Also, I feel like my appetite is abnormally high, and I'm scared that I'll over eat and become fatter than before... Do you think this is because I starved my self for too long? Will my appetite go back to normal?

Please help me! Thank you in advance.

Answer
Jack- the whole idea of a six pack is deceiving.  One has to get their body fat really really low to be able to see it.  There are athletes who have a super strong core and strong abs, but unless they get their body fat down to 1-4% it's usually hidden.  The models follow a body building schedule.  They build strength, then diet like crazy and try to retain the muscle they've built.  When they are at their lowest body fat point they do their photo shoots and movies and things (think Jacob on Twilight), but they can't live like that forever and as soon as the photos shoot is over or the body building competition is done, they go back to being a more normal weight.  It's not the way they walk around every day...it's a moment in time.

It sounds like you haven't had this problem for too long.  It's more difficult to overcome and there are more medical implications if you have had it for some time.  It will take some time to get over though.  As someone who is apparently athletic, I imagine it's important to you to put on "quality weight" rather than putting on fat as you mentioned.  The truth is, you need some fat.  It helps you absorb other nutrients and actually is part of the energy system for activity.  It is important to follow a healthy diet, meaning eating a wide variety of foods and getting enough protein to build muscle.  A nutritionist or dietician can help you with your meal planning.  Lean sources of protein like lean beef, chicken, fish or buffalo are good and they work best when paired with colorful veggies.  It's up to you whether or not you want to include animal protein sources, protein can be consumed in other forms as well.  For an active individual go for 1g of protein for each kg of body weight, maybe more if you are active and/or under weight.  Protein drinks and meal replacement drinks are great ways to get extra or to tide you over between meals as a snack.

It's important to not replace not eating with very restrictive eating.  I've seen anorexics argue that they don't have a problem that there just aren't good food choices available.  They've managed to restrict their food so much that they "justify" not eating by following an impossible eating plan.  Your food is your energy for activity.  Food is your fuel.  You don't put lighter fluid in a Ferrari.

Your appetite will likely go back to normal, your body is just craving fuel for your body.  You will also fail to meet your growth and strength potential if you don't fuel your body for the growth you are experiencing at this point in your life.  I'd try to eat normal portions to get back to normal.  You may experience some bloated feelings at first since your body has to get used to moving food through the GI tract at a normal speed again.  This is normal and will eventually go away.

As for working out, it's great to be healthy and active, however, if it is a source of anxiety or there are people who sabotage your recovery, it's a toxic environment for getting better and should be avoided.  Find ways to be active without pushing yourself too much or having too high expectations.  If you are overly concerned with results or goals, it undermines your overall goal of getting healthy.