Expert: Jeanne Rust, PhD - 9/20/2011

Question
Hi ask experts,

First I’ll give you a bit of background information about the eating disorder I suffered from for about six months. It all started in December last year when I decided I wanted to become a model. I had always been skinny- 5’9’’ and around 56 kilos and I was also extremely healthy. I probably ate at least 8000 kilojoules a day and I believe I had a very fast metabolism. Although my peers had always admired my body and weight, I told myself I needed to be thinner in order to be a model. I began restricting my food intake and ate around half the amount I used to. When I planned to go on what I labelled a “healthy diet”, I never ever even contemplated the fact that I was actually eating too little for my body to function properly. I though I was too smart to get anorexia. I was wrong. After eating about 5000 kilojoules a day for a matter of months, I began to binge weekly and then severely restrict to eating only fruit until I had overcome constipation. I ate until my stomach hurt and I hated it. I began to hate what I was putting myself through. I had become aware of the fact that I was dangerously underweight (my lowest was probably 50 kiloes), and that I was damaging my bones, muscles, and vital organs. This is when I decided that I was going to recover. I ate to my hearts content, and I realised how much better I felt when I allowed myself to fuel my body. I obviously put on a lot of weight during the first few months of eating properly (I weighed around 60 kiloes) and I admit- I wanted to lose a bit because I wanted to be how I was before my eating problem. I had a school formal event coming up and I wanted an instant solution for weight loss- so I started going to the gym for an hour, 4 times a week with a friend. During this period I restricted my food intake a little as well- maybe 6000 kilojoules per day. I lost 3 kilos in 2 weeks. After the school event I continued to exercise, however I binged a lot. Prior to this, I thought I’d recovered, but I clearly hadn’t (that was 2 months ago). I started to do some research about what I needed to do to recover fully and came to the conclusion that I needed to eat 8000 kilojoules each day, which is what I’ve been doing up until now. I have gained weight (now 60 kilos again), which brings me to my concern- the majority of my weight seems to have accumulated on my back and upper arms. I never even noticed the size of my upper body because I have a naturally small frame, and usually gain weight on my thighs. I am wondering if this weight will eventually redistribute? Will my body eventually be restored to how it was before I had an eating disorder? Also, how much exercise should I be doing and what sort of exercise should I avoid? I am so determined to fully recover.

Hopefully you can help,

Bella

P.s. I no longer want to be a model- I am aware of the mental and physical pressure I would be put through.

Answer
Dear Bella,

I'm so sorry to be so long in answering you -- I thought I'd answered but the email must have gotten lost!

Congratulations for having the determination and strength to recover on your own.  It's quite rare that someone can do that!

One thing that could help you tremendously is to see a dietitian or you could send me a sample of the food you eat every day.  I can look and see if it's balanced.

There is absolutely no way of knowing where the weight is going to go.  Remember you've been exercising a lot -- over-exercising actually.  Exercising 4-5 times a week, an hour each day is plenty to keep toned and keep healthy.  I would work more with weights than doing aerobics and lots of treadmill.  You want to be toned and strong.  Can you have a cheap consultation with a trainer?

The good news is that your weight will distribute over your body given some time.  It can take anywhere from 6 months up to a couple of years.  But focus healthy eating and exercise.  You can't go wrong.

Please let me know how you do!

Warmly,
Jeanne Rust, PhD
CEO/Founder
Mirasol, Inc.
888-520-1700
www.mirasol.net
www.edrecovery.com