Expert: Meg - 9/9/2007

Question
Hi Meg,

I've been recovering from a restrictive eating disorder for 2 months now.  It's technically not anorexia because my body weight was never below healthy limits, but as far as everything else goes, it pretty much was.  My concern is that after 2 months of recovery, I'm up to eating about 1500 cals/day but my body has been storing fat like crazy.  I've gained about 10 lbs, and I was about 115 to start with (i'm 5'4"), but it's been mostly fat.  I can tell that because my bodyfat % has gone up a lot.  Do you know if the fat storing is going to stop or am I just gonna keep putting on the "flubber?"  And is it something that I can work at burning off later?

Thanks!

Answer
Hi Elisa,

Thanks for your question and great job for working so hard on your recovery.  I know that its really difficult to gain weight and I think that a lot of people worry/feel like the weight they do gain back is all fat.  My guess is that your body perception is not totally accurate right now and that while it probably feels like its all "flubber", its not.  However, I know this probably doesn't make you feel any better right now and I'm sorry about that.  

I don't think that you'll gain a lot more weight nor do I think that you will have a problem with high body fat once your body is recovered.  However, the most important thing right now is to get your body healthy which will allow your metabolism to function at a healthy and optimal level.  I feel like one kind of has to take a leap of faith during recovery and consciously tell oneself that this is a temporary (albeit uncomfortable) phase that is only a stepping stone towards being healthy and recovered.  Its important to continue to stick with your meal plan and give your body as much consistency as possible, which will allow your body to recover faster.  Also, I don't know if you are allowed to exercise, but if you are then you might consider doing some light weight training or calisthenics as this can help your firm up if you're feeling like you're losing muscle tone.  

I hope this helps at least a little bit and I promise you that you won't keep gaining and that you sound pretty close to getting your body healthy.  Just hang in there and keep moving forward and know that its really worth it and you'll get there soon.  Please feel free to write again if there is anything in this answer that is not clear or anything else I can help with.

Best wishes,
Meg