Expert: Joanne - 8/14/2007

Question
i have struggled with anorexia for about 6 months now. it did not get as bad as some but im 5'4 and got down to 90 pounds. i  have recently been eating alot better and more normally. i am now 100 pounds. my normal weight that i have always been is around 115 so ihave always been skinny and played soccer untill i graduated this year. just recently have i started throwing up. it is only about once a day or every couple days but when i do i go to the kitchen and eat a bunch of junk food that i have been avoiding the last 6 months and then i feel horribly guilty and throw up. then after i feel even worse. the throwing up has only been happening on and off for about 3 weeks now. i will stop and i know i can beat it but i was wondering if i have ruined my metabolism. im 18 years old and have wonderful genetics. my mom has 6 kids and is a size 5 without excersicing after, my dad and brother are very skinny and eat horrible. i used to eat like a teenager and was just at 115 so should i be worried about ever getting overweight as long as i eat healthy?


Answer
Providing you eat well, you should not need to worry about becoming overweight!  Combined with exercise, you should be a healthy weight, and also keep your heart healthy.

Although your mum is slim, and you may have good genetics, please try to continue to eat well, and exercise, as exercise is not just about keeping slim, but keeping your body in its best condition!

Your metabolism shouldn't have been affected too much and should recover once you eat properly again!

I hope this has put your mind at rest, and please feel free to come back if you have anything else you would like to ask!

All the best
Holly