Expert: Reverend Abbott - 4/17/2007

Question
QUESTION: Hi, i was diagnosed with anorexia and i'm 150cm and weigh 35kg. Last week i saw a 3kg weight gain within 5 days and now i am frightened to step on a a scale. I had previously taken laxatives and stopped so could this weight gain be due to water retention as a withdrawal symptom? I have not increased or changed my eating habits. Also, i chew and spit out tons of food like chocs, biscuits, chips etc whenever i have the craving. Could this have contributed to the weight gain? I've read that honey can be absorbed through the tongue and there's an enzyme in the mouth that digests starch to smaller sugar units but they're only absorbed once they reach the intestine. Is this correct and am i absorbing a lot of the calories by chewing and spitting? I only have one meal a day and on certain days two and there are times when i completely don't eat a single thing 2 or 3 times a week. But i chew and spit. How many calories do i need to maintain my weight and how many if i were to put on weight? Thanks if you can have the time to answer my questions. Hope to hear from u soon.
ANSWER: I was hesitant about responding because I wasn't sure you were really hoping to be healthy, but I'll take a chance with you if you'll take one with me ok?

I was exactly where you are (more than a couple times in my life) and asking the very same questions. Heck, I even counted calories in aspirin! The thing is, no one could have told me any different because I really didn't want to BE any different. I was on the scale sometimes more than 8 times a day.

So, if you're really ready to be free of the anchor this is on your life (and oh yes, it is) - I'm here.

As for what you're asking specifically?

You're not absorbing anything through your mouth that isn't burned up in the motion of swallowing or even lifting your arm. It's that insignificant.

By doing what you're doing though, the body is likely using muscle, bone and organ tissue to supplement fatty supplies, which is an instinctive biological reaction to famine. The body, as a biological organism, will also retain water at all costs.  That's why people who are bloating can often rectify it by drinking MORE fluids.
 
I put together a healthy eating outline on my page (it's all free and nothing is sold or promoted) which has worked at keeping me the same size for the last 6+ years now (AND I eat everything!) - but of course one of the most immediate losses you must make is the scale.
 Out it goes!  No kidding.

www.GetTheReal.info   

  Let me know.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hey, i hope you can recall me. I have not weighed myself for about a month and i have stopped taking laxatives. My period just came back today ( i have not had it for the past 6 months) and now i am terrified that i have gained weight. Does it mean that once my period returns it means that i have gained weight? Also i have been chewing and spitting out tons of food espcially chocs, biscuits, chips etc. Could the chewing and spitting contribute to weight gain?

Also i forgot to mention that my GP has increased my antidepressant medication to twice a day (Lovan) and i no longer feel depressed; in fact i feel quite happy. I have read thar depression can cause menses to cease. Could my better mood contirbute to the return of my menses or is it that getting back my period means i am no longer underweight?  

Answer
Mood has little to do with menses (although stress may effect them in some instances); chances are you ARE getting to a healthy weight again.
What concerns me is that you're still focusing on weight, rather than health; on calories, rather than good foods.

I commend you on being strong and avoiding the scale! Now, learn to trust your body.
 If we do the right things by eating correctly and getting moderate exercise - more times than not, our body will find it's healthiest weight and stay there, even if we overindulge now and then.
 You have no idea how 'freeing' it was to me to know I could have a doughnut once in a while and not have to worry about it ALL day for weeks!  

Chewing and spitting is a nasty habit, short of purging and it's teaching you nothing about being healthy! However, like any bad habit, the longer it goes on, the worse it gets and the harder it is to break. Can you imagine doing this in a nice restaurant with a significant other or while trying to be formal? If you think it's something you can turn on and off, you may be surprised at how out of control it can get.

 Stay strong! You're recovering and it's obvious that you want to be healthy, not defined by any disorder - let this one go too.

www.GetTheReal.info