Expert: Meg - 2/28/2007

Question
Meg, I have written many times before and am always finding help through this website. I am currently in recovery from anorexia and compulsive exercising. I say currently because I'm not sure that the ED every really "goes away". I am at a healthy weight for my height: I am 5'3" and 120 pounds. This weight is VERY controlled - I am very conscious of everything that I eat, as I log everything in an online diet calculator. Also, I excercise daily. I take 1 or 2 days off a week, however even that's not mentally easy. My question is this: If I am 5'3", 120 lbs, and very active - how many calories should I be consuming? I am burning about 600-800 calories per day at the gym (running, elliptical machine, walking, some weight-lifting). I was on a 2000 calorie per day plan when I was in "recovery" with my nutritionist about 9 months ago, however, I am not eating that amount anymore (about 1700 per day now). Am I eating enough? I began restricting again for a short period a few months ago and went from 125 to 120 in about a month - has my metabolism slowed back down?

I just want to be healthy with a healthy, full eating plan accompanied by my regular exercise. Help?

Thanks so very much - I look forward to hearing from you!  

Answer
Hi Kelly,

First of all, it sounds like you have come very far and have really put a lot of work into overcoming your eating disorder and I applaud you for that.  As you know, its not easy to do and you are really on the right track-and sound like you have a very healthy mindset and will to really beat this.  It is so wonderful that you want to be healthy and I know that you can be!

While it is impossible for me to say exactly how many calories you should be consuming (as you are correct, a lot of this does depend on your body and how recovered it is at this point).  So, first off, with the current amount of calories that you are consuming, is your weight pretty stable?  If so, then by all means you are probably at a good daily amount.  I would feel fairly safe in guessing that you probably have a fairly low percentage of body fat and have good muscle tone with your fairly intense daily workouts.  That said, around 120-130 is probably healthy for your body and I would recommend staying in that range.  With that said, it is possible that you may need to be eating more calories (perhaps even closer to your recovery plan) depending on how your body is doing and if your current amount is keeping things even as well as how your energy levels are.  I wish I had a more concrete answer for you but it sounds to me (without knowing your exact specifics) that 1800-2000 is probably a good amount of calories to aim for daily and as I said, I would check this by monitering your weight and energy levels to be sure that they are both good.  

You are correct that restricting again and cause further problems for your metabolism and while its absolutely normal to have little slip ups during recovery, the sooner you can get back on track, the better.  It sounds like you know this and I have no doubt that you can keep yourself going!

It really sounds like you are on the right track and I think the most important thing is to keep checking back in with yourself (and if need be, with your nutritionist and anyone else who has helped you through this recovery process) to make sure that you're still where you want to be.  It seems like you are doing this in even asking this question, which is great as it shows that you are very self aware (which is a good thing).  I agree that an eating disorder doesn't really ever "go away" but I can also promise you (having been where you are now) that over time, it becomes less and less a part of your life until it becomes more of a memory than anything.  I know trying to moniter food and still having to think about eating/weight is difficult but it is worth it as there will be a day down the road for you when all of this will be on the back burner and your focus will be on your life and all of the exciting things to come.  

Sorry, I hope that I'm not rambling on too much but I just so remember being there and want to let you know that you're on your way and doing great.

I hope this helped at least a little and please write anytime if there is anything within this answer that I can clarify or anything else I can help with.

Take care and good luck to you!

Best,
Meg