Expert: Meg - 10/5/2005

Question
I was recently anorexic but have been on the mend for about a month now--however, I've been almost binging and have gained about 15 pounds in that month.  When will my body start to normalize, assuming I eat reasonably?  How long will it take my body to get back to an even keel?  Also, I feel like I've re-put on more weight than I really should be (when I started being anorexic, I was heavily overweight)--will I lose the weight I've just put on naturally, or must I now diet to lose the 5 pounds?


Answer
Hi Brooke,

Thanks for your question and I hope that I can help at least a little bit.

What you are going through is REALLY common (I went through it as well) and although I know its extremely scary to feel a bit out of control at first, I promise you that if you can just hang in there-your weight/eating will normalize.  

It sounds like you're in the fairly early stages of recovery?  If so, I really suggest putting away your scale (as its way too easy to fall back into the trap of weight-especially when your body is readjusting to a healthy intake of food again) and instead rely on a moderate eating plan that encompasses all of the food groups, etc.  I found that by putting more emphasis on nutrition and less on weight-it makes recovering a lot easier.  

Also, the early stages are so tenuous and its fairly easy to slip back until you're established healthy patterns again.

In terms of the binging, it is possible that your feeling like you've binged as the anorexic mindset can cause us to misjudge that stuff.  However, if you feel like you are genuinely binging, it is quite possible that your body is just reacting to having starved for awhile and is trying to compensate.  I know this is so frusterating, but as long as you set and stick to a meal plan where you are eating at regular intervals and meeting all of your nutritional needs (or at least do this to the best of your ability), then it should taper off.

As far as how long this will take, its really hard to say (sorry if that sounds like a cop-out but everyone is different).  It depends on how long you were anorexic, how sick you were as well as your unique body composition.  All I can definitively say is that if you continue to eat regularly and healthfully, it will eventually even out.  Hopefully, soon as I know it feels very scary at first.  

If you've not yet done so, it might be helpful to consult with a nutritionist or dietician so that you know what a realistic plan is.  I only say this as its very easy to feel "bad" about some foods that are actually quite necessary as a part of a healthy diet.  Also, as I learned, dietary deficiencies can lead to binging as well.  Not to say that its not possible for you to make a healthy meal plan alone, but it does help to have that extra push and information.

As far as gaining "extra" weight back (or wanting to lose it)...I don't think you will like this, but I would really suggest waiting until your body normalizes and then seeing if it is indeed still and issue.  Its highly possible that you will lose any excess weight naturally and if not, then worrying about it at this stage of the game is likely to set you back.

Honestly, I really found that getting rid of the scale (at least for a little while) was so helpful.  Focus on getting healthy again so that you can enjoy things and have fun.  Having positive goals that will inspire you (rather than, I need to eat so I can gain weight) makes the whole process easier to deal with.

I hope this helped and please feel free to email me again if anything is not clear or if there is anything else that I can do for you.

It sounds like you're on your way, which is really great :) and I wish you the best.

Take care,
Meg