Expert: Loren - 5/23/2007

Question
I was diagnosed Anorexia at 100 lb from 165-100.. I reached this within a span of 8 months... I then 'got better' from November-February.. I then relapsed. And I am heading to 97-99 lb... When there, I want/need to get help. I can't take the constant depression, self loathing lifestyle I live.

But my main question..
I am 5'4" and 15 years old.
I want to get better, but maintain the weight of 103-105.
I've searched the BMI's at this weight, and it is healthy.
Therefore, there is no arguing from the rents/docs.


My question. Now, I do not know how to have a healthy caloretic intake to get to/maintain that weight. I would like to know that, and how long to exorcise per day to maintain this. Please, help me out.


Love,
Emma

Answer
Hello Emma

I hope you don't mind but I checked out the weight range you provided and I'm afraid it is still classed as 'underweight'. A BMI of 18.5 or under is outside the healthy range for your height; at 105lbs your BMI would be only 18.0.

I know it's frustrating to hear, but my advice to you is to get the 'ideal' of 103-105 out of your head because it's unnecessary pressure and contradicts your desire to get better. Have you thought about what will happen when, during recovery, you reach that point and perhaps go over? The anorexia cycle will start again and could put you in an even worse state than you've been before.

So, my advice? Take your scales and hide them away for a few weeks when starting recovery. If you can't bear that then restrict yourself to weighing in once a week. But in terms of calorific requirements and exercise duration I'll give you the basics.
In terms of eating you'll need to re-learn when to eat. I know it sounds patronizing but all I mean is have three solid meals a day. After a long period of restriction and starvation your body would have probably become somewhat immune to the sensation of hunger so to eat at specific times your body will become accustomed to it and 'learn' to be hungry.
Something a lot of people mistake is that you need to eat huge man-sized meals during recovery. Eat until you are full, not paralized or in pain. And in terms of exercise the recommended daily amount is 30-60 minutes, but obviously varies depending on how energetic one's lifestyle is.  

I hope this helps.
Take care,
Loren