Expert: Joanne - 7/14/2007

Question
Hi, I've been anorexic for a little over two years now.  This is something that I have just recently been able to admit.  I've come to terms that I need to get help and to change.  I've read a lot of the other questions posted and I haven't found any case exactly like mine.  I am 5'4" and weigh about 120, give or take.  The lowest I've ever been has been only 108.  So, I've been within the "healthy weight" range.  So, if you looked at me, you wouldn't be able to tell I had an eating disorder.  I am athletic and physically fit.  Here's the thing, I work out about 5 times a week for about an hour, 40-45 min of which is cardio.  I also only eat about 700 calories a day.  Not that I wanted to, but why did I never drop down to below 100 like most anorexics that you think of?  In the past few months, I've noticed that it's been progressively harder to lose weight, or even to maintain it sometimes.  I feel like I have to exercise more or eat less.  I have been gaining a little bit of weight too, but nothing I've done has changed.  I know that my metabolism is messed up right now and I need to eat more in order for it to go back to normal.  I also know that you can gain some weight back when you go back to normal eating.  I haven't lost my period or anything, and I have a composition and body fat and muscle.  So, while it's vital for underweight anorexics to gain weight, I don't have that problem.  I do, however, NEED to eat more.  I'm kinda scared that I will, like most others, gain weight.  But, my body doesn't need that extra weight.  I love the way my body is right now, even with some of its curves and jiggle.  How much weight can I expect I might gain?  I know that my weight will be leveled and controlled once my metabolism is back to normal, but how long could that be?  Also, in my plan to eat more.  Should I go slowly (such as add 100 calories a day every one or two weeks), or should I just go straight to eating a more normal amount?  Is there a difference in how fast my metabolism recover between them?  Wow, I know that's a lot of questions.  I'm just so confused and ready to change, but I need some answers that can help me prepare for what to expect.  Thanks!

Answer
As you know, the lack of weight loss, and even weight gain, is most likel due to your metabolism slowing.  Unfortunately, there is no way for you to know how long it will take to get back to normal, but the sooner you begin to eat a diet of about 1500 calories (I'd still recommend at least 1800!), the sooner your metabolism should recover.  

It is also impossible to give an indication of possible weight gain, as I can not work out your metabolism rate and a number of things which would play a part in burning calories.

I would also like to mention at this point in time that muscle weighs more than fat - so please also bear in mind that you may be gaining muscle and losing fat through exercise rather than just gaining weight!

I think that you should try to increase as much is possible as soon as possible, but make it comfortable for you!  If you increase too much too quickly, is there a chance that you may return to old behaviours?  If there is, I would increase slowly just to avoid taking the risk of moving backwards rather than forwards.

What ever you decide, I would recommend trying to get some professional support - either from your Dr, or preferably a specialist.  This may not be easy to do on your own, and there will most likely be underlying issues that led you to disordered eating, and these will need to be dealt with in order to decrease any chance of returning to an eating disorder later in life!

Please feel free to come back if you have any other questions!

All the best
Holly