Expert: Nafeesah - 8/16/2011

Question
Hello Nafeesah,
About 4 years ago I suffered from a severe eating disorder. I was going to be hospitalized unless I gained weight, so I did. I gained 30 lbs. and ever since have struggled to loose weight. I use to only eat 800 cal a day to maintain my weight.
About a year ago I started taking Adderall and I finally achieved my goal weight again. The drug made me never hungry. I found out about how unhealthy I was so I stopped taking the drug and went on an uncontrollable binge for 2 months. I gained all my weight and more back. In that 2 months I gained 40 lbs. For the last month I have been eating only fruits and vegetables with a 1200 cal intake a day. It feels like, yet again, I'm only maintaining my weight. I've been off Adderall for 4 months now and I'm still 150 lbs at a height of 5 ft 6 in. Will I ever get my perfect body? My health is so much more important now. My hair and nails have never looked this good, but I'm still overweight. It's frustrating because I eat so well and my body is not reflecting that.
Thank you so much,
Haley

Answer
I don't think you're really that much overweight because you're considered tall by medical standards and 150 is still within normal range for some people. Some medications you take can also interfere with your weight too, but you have to also give your body time to adjust to being off the medication and regulating itself back to normal. I wouldnt obsess with having a perfect body because that's not going to be possible we are all made differently in shape and size and it's time to accept yourself for who you are.