Expert: Leigh-Anne Persing, PA-C - 5/8/2007

Question
Leigh-Anne

I am a recovering anorexic who is approx 5' 7.5" and (presently) around 111 pounds. For the past two to three years or so I have been consuming around 1200-1400 calories a day -it's hard to tell. I am young and happy and making steps to up what i eat - at the moment I think I'm on 1400/1500 calories a day although - paradoxically -I am trying not to calorie count! I'm also trying to eat more protein, in particular.

DO you have any advice for me as to healthy weight gain? I read all previous anwsers on this site and others and it saddens me that women who are so underwieght worry about gaining "fat not muscle" etc etc, when their own bodies should really be left to sort themselves out in their own way! So I suppose that's my way of saying I appreciate weight gain is unpredictable.. However if you were to tell me to up to 3,000 calories or something I'd happily do that! Any thoughts? Is a steady calorific increase better? Or a sudden quite dramatic one?

It may help you ot know that I don't worry about bingeing. Although I've been very restrictive I've never really gone below 1200 calories, I have alwys had three meals a day(although clearly they've been diet ones) and I have always allowed myself a little bit of chocolate/cake etc if I've fancied it!

Thanks v much for your time,

L



Liselle

Answer
It sounds like you have a good handle on what you are supposed to be doing for recovery and are determined to get there. 1400 calories a day for a woman is OK, but if you are exercising and are athletic then you should be taking in more calories to compensate for that. I would recommend that you try increasing your daily calorie intake by 200 calories every week or every other week... depending on your comfort level. Rapid weight gain often leads to relapse in eating disorder symptoms because of the fear of gaining weight. So... take it slow and steady. I think it's great that you have never been afraid to have that dessert!!! Never deprive yourself of those luxuries in life!