Expert: Jeanne Rust, PhD - 2/13/2011

Question
QUESTION: Hi,

I'm extremely confused and beyond frustrated and at a huge breaking point. I've been suffering with anorexia for 5 years and find THAT NOTHING I DO ENABLES ME TO MAINTAIN MY WEIGHT!!! I'm 5'3, and 95 pounds now (I gained 5 pounds while NOT TRYING AT ALL#. And in the midst of this, I go to the gym and burn between 1200 and 2000 calories a day #please do not think I'm exaggerating, that is no exaggeration and pure fact#. All done through cardio...mainly running and elliptical. I do not eat more than 600 calories per day, and that is all chewed and spat #I account for any "excess" in my intake and rinse my mouth and spit then in between). I don't actually eat anything AT ALL besides crackers and a bite or something here and there. Therefore, how on earth am I gaining weight and not able to lose anything. I'm legitimately freaked out and bawling as I am writing this because I don't understand these physiological processes and no one is explaining them to me. I BARELY DRINK anything in fear of water weight, even with all the exercise. On average, I drink maybe a diet pop per day and one cup of water, spread out through the day, so it can't be water weight and it can't be muscle I am gaining. How on earth am I not losing weight?! Its not the fact that I want to lose but it seems like I have no other option when the only alternative is gain. Please, please don't tell me to go talk to a therapist because I have and they explained nothing...and I have no money to continue on. I just need to know what is happening inside because I really don't know how much longer I can handle it for. I feel so hopeless and helpless and frustrated that I've been trying to lose the same 5 pounds for months without hope. I have motivation to wake up any more because waking up just seems to ruin my day.

Ivy Elle

ANSWER: Dear Ivy,

Well -- your body is in starvation mode and is unwilling to lose any more!  This is a good thing.  I know you don't think so but for you to be 90 pounds at 5'3" would be very dangerous.  It's dangerous enough at 95 pounds.

I'm not going to talk to you about how to lose more weight  -- I'm willing to help you as much as I can if you're wanting to get well.  At least see if you can find a group where you can go and share your feelings!  Let me know how you get along!

Warmly,
Jeanne Rust, PhD
CEO/Founder
Mirasol, Inc.
www.mirasol.net
www.edrecovery.com



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi,

I don't want to know how to lose weight, thats not what I'm asking. I want to know how pysiologically a person can eat this little (500 calories per day) and burn at least 1200, and still manage to gain weight and or stay the same size. How is that even possible?

Answer
Dear Ivy,

I get it now!  Sorry!  I'm wondering if you're in a larger community or near a big city where you could go to get your metabolism checked?  This is the only thing I can think of.  Usually the body works like a little stove -- food in the fuel -- fuel in, weight out.

Since this is not working for you, it's time to play detective.  Start with the metabolism!  Let me know what they say -- if it's not that, then we'll go further.  A good naturopathic physician would be great as well.  They look at the body in such a different way than does a regular doctor.

I'll look forward to hearing from you!

Warmly,
Jeannie