Expert: Cheri Purpur - 5/4/2004

Question
I've been trying to recover from my eating disorder for almost a month now, I was five feet two and weighed 80lbs. So I tried to eat around 2000 calories a day. But sometimes I find it sooo hard to stop eating and would eat so much that I feel sick afterwards and have heart tremors when I wake up the next morning.
I have gained around eight pounds already and most of them went to my waist. it became very unsightly and it bothers me alot. I wonder if all these were normal... I mean, are these bing urges going to stop as I gain more weight? and what can I do to help relieve the weight gain in my waist area?
Thank you for ur time to read my problem and I look forward to your advice.

Answer
Hello Lai. Unless you deal with the emotional issues that made you develop your eating disorder, this is NOT going to work. You need to find a treatment program for eating disorders, or find your nearest Overeater's Anonymous group- it is not just for the obese. The 12 step program is the way OUT of your disease but you need to accept the fact that you will NEVER be RECOVERED- you will always be inrecovery or recovering- for the rest of your life. You also need to develop a rational food plan that provides you with the essential elements- not just calories. Ask your dr for a consult to a dietician or nutritionist to develop a food plan. I hope that helps- Cheri.