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Anorexia/Eating Disorders/Weight gain still after 13 weeks into recovery

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Expert: Jeanne Rust, PhD - 5/4/2011


Question
Hello,

I stopped purging about 13 weeks ago and I am still swollen 20lbs, is this normal? All of my tests came back normal and my doctor just tells me that I am not swollen but my body is tender so I know it is not fat. However, I do workout a lot, usually twice a day (a five mile run and then 90min of hot yoga), could this be why I am still retaining so much water? I have tried not working out hard for a few weeks and I seemed to be more swollen so I went back to working out. I started taking some mineral supplements because I ha a lot of symptoms of a mineral deficiency, this was 2 weeks ago and I am not sir if it is helping. Am I going to have to work it everyday day for the rest of my life in order to not swell up?

I appreciate your help in this matter. Thankyou.

Answer

Jeanne Rust, PhD
Dear Megan,

This is the hardest part of recovery from an eating disorder!  It just can take some people so long to get their bodies and metabolism back in balance.  The workouts you're doing are quite excessive -- you're not purging by throwing up but you're definitely purging with exercise.

What is your height and weight?  Are you seeing a therapist right now?  I think that sticking with the hot yoga and giving up the running could help a lot!  Another thing you can do is to see a naturopathic physician -- they are concerned with wellness -- a regular doc is concerned with illness.  You definitely are on the upswing towards wellness.

What kind of foods are you eating now?  Let's see if we can figure this out!

Warmly,
Jeanne Rust, PhD
CEO/Founder
Mirasol, Inc.
www.mirasol.net
www.edrecovery.com
888-520-1700
    Questioner's Rating
    Rating(1-10)Knowledgeability = 10Clarity of Response = 10Politeness = 10
    CommentThank you very much! I just needed to hear that it will go away even though it has been so long.


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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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