Anorexia Recovery on 1800 Calories

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96c_r
96c_r Posts: 11 Member
in Goal: Gaining Weight and Body Building
I really want to gain some weight and recover from my eating disorder. I am 18, a little over 5'5 and weigh 6 and a half stone (91 lbs). My BMI is around 15. I currently eat on average 800 - 1200 calories a day. I'm hoping to gain 20-30 lbs by eating around 1800 calories a day, which should mean a gain of a pound a week (I know it won't be that consistent or predictable, but for a little while I maintained on 1300/1400 calories, so a 500 calorie surplus from maintenance would be 1800-1900, right?) However, I've seen a lot of people on various forums say that anything under 2500 calories is only "quasi-recovery" and that your metabolism remains suppressed, is this really true? I always thought it was just calories in/calories out, and maybe an eating disorder messes that up a little bit but I can't see why I should need more than what an individual at a healthy weight eats to maintain that healthy weight? I was feeling confident in my plans to eat 1800 (or up to 2000) but now I'm unsure as I don't want to "quasi-recover" or keep on gaining past a healthy weight from eating that amount... Anyone have any ideas? Is there any real evidence that recovering on 1800 calories is somehow inferior to recovering on 2500 or 3000, or is it just that some people eat that much so that they are weight restored more quickly?

Replies

  • misskris78
    misskris78 Posts: 136 Member
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    Work with your healthcare team on a plan that's going to work right for you. If a nutritionist is available, seek services from one. The best advice I can give is to stay off the internet. Opinions are like backsides - everybody has one ;) - and the internet seems to be a great outlet for them. Some of the info is good, but their strategies might not be right for everyone. I wish you the best as you recover. The power will come from within!
  • carcarxx94
    carcarxx94 Posts: 38 Member
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    I am currently in anorexia recovery too. No you shouldn't listen too much on the internet.. but remember this calorie intake is a 'normal' amount for a 'normal' person to 'maintain' their weight which is already healthy and hasn't been in starvation. Until I reached BMI 17 I was on 2500 - 3000 calories a day.. and was only gaining 0.5kg - 1kg a week. :/ Your body needs a lot more than normal.. for one, you aren't trying to maintain.. you are trying to GAIN, and you need a lot more calories to gain than many realise .. I've learned the hard way !! But also, your body is using a lot more calories to function.. as it needs a whole lot more to try to repair your starved organs which have been damaged.. this takes a lot of calories and energy to heal. The reason you were 'maintaing' on a lower amount is not because that is what your body needs.. it is because your body is pretty clever and it will try it's best to not let your weight go down as much as it can.. seriously.. eat a few hundred more and it will still be maintaining after about a week or two. Working with a nutritionist is best to see what you are comfortable with and to give you answers to any problems or questions you may have.. I was discharged this July but am now going back to my nutritionist as I am having trouble increasing my calories again..!! :P Good luck sweetie!
  • allanakern
    allanakern Posts: 245 Member
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    ^^^ sounds like a very logical answer. good luck hun, its a great thing to want to get better
  • shartran
    shartran Posts: 304 Member
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    Similar experience to 'carcarxx94' - spend a year in either IP or OP. I remember the first three weeks of consuming 2500 calories, I actually lost weight! I thought they were lying to me. My body took those calories and went to 'work' repairing - my body was repairing and needed even more energy(calories). By the 4 and 5th week my dietician increased my meal plan to 3000 and I started to gain about .5 to 1 kg weekly.
    I eventually was eating 3500 - 4000 calories per day - about a 1 kg weekly gain.

    It's not 'fun', but if you truly want it...it'll be worth it.
    Good luck hon...
    friend me if you want
  • dakotababy
    dakotababy Posts: 2,406 Member
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    Just as a comparison - I am 5'7, 165lbs...and I have never had an eating disorder. I am losing weight with 1800-2000 calories a day (no exercise!).

    Work with a dietician/nutritionist if you can on this one...it really is trial and error otherwise. Try eating at 2000/day, see what happens after a month. If you lose, or gain - adjust based on what the outcome is.
  • 96c_r
    96c_r Posts: 11 Member
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    Maybe it sounds ridiculous but I sort of want to do this on my own? I mean, I'm being regularly monitored and checked up on by my GP and a psychiatrist anyway, but I'm not so sure about getting ED specialists and dietitians involved... obviously if I find that I'm unable to manage on my own I'll probably have to, but I thought that I might just try eating more and see what happens as I'm so tired of living this way and finally feel like enough is enough. I definitely think I might try aiming closer to 2000 than 1800 though, given what people are saying about needing more calories for repairs and such. Thank you all for your responses.
  • Falcon
    Falcon Posts: 853 Member
    edited December 2014
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    All I can say is don't do this on your own. I never been in that position where I needed to gain weight. I do have a friend who needed to gain weight after being sick for a while. She ate 2500 to 3000 cals a day. One of the items I do remember her mentioning for weight gain was avocados, they're healthy and do pack in a certain amount of cals.

    It takes 3500 cals to gain a pound and it takes a deficient of 3500 to lose a pound. I'm eating about 1800 cals to lose weight which is about 1.5 pounds a week. For you I would definitely aim for a higher calorie intake per day. At least a minimum of 2500 cals.
  • missiontofitness
    missiontofitness Posts: 4,074 Member
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    catheridley wrote: »
    Maybe it sounds ridiculous but I sort of want to do this on my own? I mean, I'm being regularly monitored and checked up on by my GP and a psychiatrist anyway, but I'm not so sure about getting ED specialists and dietitians involved... obviously if I find that I'm unable to manage on my own I'll probably have to, but I thought that I might just try eating more and see what happens as I'm so tired of living this way and finally feel like enough is enough. I definitely think I might try aiming closer to 2000 than 1800 though, given what people are saying about needing more calories for repairs and such. Thank you all for your responses.

    You definitely don't want to approach this on your own. Specialists are there to help you, and have content expertise in this specific situation. What you've proposed is most likely too low for your needs; the above posters in recovery are prime examples of the great needs recovering anorexics have, in regards to calories.

    Please reconsider, and get some individuals who specialize in ED recovery to help you come up with a meal plan and a calorie goal specific for your needs. Good luck!
  • jbgolf52
    jbgolf52 Posts: 210 Member
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    You're 18 years old and still growing, 2,000 calories is definitely not enough for you to gain weight, let alone maintain. You will not recover on 1,800, I can guarantee it. Carcarxx94 has it right, you need more calories just to repair all the damage you've done to your organs. I would do 2,500 minimum. Heck, when I was 18yrs old I was in college and between varsity golf, working out, and pick-up basketball games I ate alot, definitely more than your 1,800. Don't limit yourself, you need the extra cals.
  • Docbanana2002
    Docbanana2002 Posts: 357 Member
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    I'm wondering, if you are okay to do this on your own and are REALLY thinking enough is enough... why are you still so resistant to eating the high calorie levels that are recommended for those in recovery? Why do you want to keep it low and move so slowly?
  • Docbanana2002
    Docbanana2002 Posts: 357 Member
    edited December 2014
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    Okay, I just re-read you post and I see you are afraid of gaining into an high range.... but that really shouldn't be your worry right now. Address the problem you actually HAVE, which is you are severely underweight and need to address this problem ASAP before you do permanent damage. Gain the weight as soon as you can and give your body the calories it needs to recover. Once you get in to the healthy BMI range--which is around 111 for you--you will still have almost 40 more pounds before you become overweight. You aren't going to blow past 111 and jump to 150 overnight!! It would take months and you'd have time to adjust your calorie intake to find maintenance well before then. Even if you did overshoot and land in the overweight zone... it's a lot safer than being actively anorexic and severely underweight.

    I wonder if the real issue isn't that you have a rational fear of creating a new health problem (becoming overweight), but that you have an irrational fear caused by your anorexia, a fear of gaining weight. So you want to just eat as little as you can eat while still telling people (maybe even yourself) that you are still gaining weight? You want to stay underweight as long as you can and then just barely eek over the edge of normal and stay there?
  • 96c_r
    96c_r Posts: 11 Member
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    I don't think it's necessarily fair to presume from what I've said that I want to stay underweight for as long as possible or anything like that. I was genuinely under the impression that 1lb a week would be a sensible level for me to gain at, and that this would be achieved by eating 1800-2000 calories per day. Anything more than that and I would possibly need to be under stricter medical supervision (I know that in inpatient clinics they aim for 2-3lbs a week, but the patients are very closely monitored for any negative physical reactions to the process). I'm not terribly active and don't plan to incorporate any exercise until I am closer to a healthy weight, so with that considered I thought 1800-2000 calories was about right. I will talk with my psychiatrist when I next see her and discuss it with her although she is not trained specifically in EDs and often tells me that I don't really need to gain weight, which isn't terribly helpful. She might be able to put me in touch with someone who is and who will help me figure out the right way to do this, though, as it obviously isn't going to be as clear-cut as I first imagined. Thank you all for your advice.
  • JayRuby84
    JayRuby84 Posts: 557 Member
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    carcarxx94 wrote: »
    I am currently in anorexia recovery too. No you shouldn't listen too much on the internet.. but remember this calorie intake is a 'normal' amount for a 'normal' person to 'maintain' their weight which is already healthy and hasn't been in starvation. Until I reached BMI 17 I was on 2500 - 3000 calories a day.. and was only gaining 0.5kg - 1kg a week. :/ Your body needs a lot more than normal.. for one, you aren't trying to maintain.. you are trying to GAIN, and you need a lot more calories to gain than many realise .. I've learned the hard way !! But also, your body is using a lot more calories to function.. as it needs a whole lot more to try to repair your starved organs which have been damaged.. this takes a lot of calories and energy to heal. The reason you were 'maintaing' on a lower amount is not because that is what your body needs.. it is because your body is pretty clever and it will try it's best to not let your weight go down as much as it can.. seriously.. eat a few hundred more and it will still be maintaining after about a week or two. Working with a nutritionist is best to see what you are comfortable with and to give you answers to any problems or questions you may have.. I was discharged this July but am now going back to my nutritionist as I am having trouble increasing my calories again..!! :P Good luck sweetie!

    Love this response. Good luck and best wishes to you on your recovery.

  • cwlsr
    cwlsr Posts: 71 Member
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    I will keep it short! Congratulations on your recovery. You are going in the right direction. Like others have said don't do it along because there are many people who will understand and give you encouragement. Don't worry about gaining to much weight, just think at your age you have the opportunity to set a new course of a life time of good health. The best to you.
  • missiontofitness
    missiontofitness Posts: 4,074 Member
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    catheridley wrote: »
    I don't think it's necessarily fair to presume from what I've said that I want to stay underweight for as long as possible or anything like that. I was genuinely under the impression that 1lb a week would be a sensible level for me to gain at, and that this would be achieved by eating 1800-2000 calories per day. Anything more than that and I would possibly need to be under stricter medical supervision (I know that in inpatient clinics they aim for 2-3lbs a week, but the patients are very closely monitored for any negative physical reactions to the process). I'm not terribly active and don't plan to incorporate any exercise until I am closer to a healthy weight, so with that considered I thought 1800-2000 calories was about right. I will talk with my psychiatrist when I next see her and discuss it with her although she is not trained specifically in EDs and often tells me that I don't really need to gain weight, which isn't terribly helpful. She might be able to put me in touch with someone who is and who will help me figure out the right way to do this, though, as it obviously isn't going to be as clear-cut as I first imagined. Thank you all for your advice.

    I'm glad to see that you recognize what your psychiatrist is saying isn't healthy/helpful for you, and that you're looking to get in touch with someone else to help you. All the luck to you; sending positive thoughts your way!
  • jamieben1824
    jamieben1824 Posts: 46 Member
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    catheridley wrote: »
    Maybe it sounds ridiculous but I sort of want to do this on my own? I mean, I'm being regularly monitored and checked up on by my GP and a psychiatrist anyway, but I'm not so sure about getting ED specialists and dietitians involved... obviously if I find that I'm unable to manage on my own I'll probably have to, but I thought that I might just try eating more and see what happens as I'm so tired of living this way and finally feel like enough is enough. I definitely think I might try aiming closer to 2000 than 1800 though, given what people are saying about needing more calories for repairs and such. Thank you all for your responses.

    You are a smart and brave lady. Congrats on this recovery, I know how hard it is and most of it is mental. Sounds like you are on the right track, you do have alot to repair both physically and psychologically. I would agree to try with at least 2000 calories. I would also try to incorporate some exercise, only because as you said, you are trying to repair (which means you may have done a bit of damage to your metabolism, I know from experiecne this CAN happen) IN addition, working out and having a regular regime will keep you mentally well, it is a wonderful anti-depressant :) It will help you keep on track for life. Promise! This is great! You can do it! BEst of luck!
  • charliebitesback
    charliebitesback Posts: 18 Member
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    I am restored from ednos (now working on mental restoration) and I found that I did best when I was on a diet of about 2500 as I was getting closer to bmi 18 and after that I had cut it down to 2000. I'm now getting around 1500-1600,as I am about six months out from weight restoration. I never got into the whole Minnie Maud thing because it scared me so shitless that I had to eat that much, so I did the above instead. Obviously you have to build your metabolism before you can properly gain weight, which was a weird thing to think of for me. Most of the weight gained is water, and I began to see that once I switched from scales to tapes. Honestly, if you're gaining, eat 2000-2500, and if you wish to maintain, 1500+ is suitable, but only maintain after you reach a good weight. (personal stats (TW?): hbmi: 28.5 lbmi: 17.4)
  • carcarxx94
    carcarxx94 Posts: 38 Member
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    catheridley wrote: »
    I don't think it's necessarily fair to presume from what I've said that I want to stay underweight for as long as possible or anything like that. I was genuinely under the impression that 1lb a week would be a sensible level for me to gain at, and that this would be achieved by eating 1800-2000 calories per day. Anything more than that and I would possibly need to be under stricter medical supervision (I know that in inpatient clinics they aim for 2-3lbs a week, but the patients are very closely monitored for any negative physical reactions to the process). I'm not terribly active and don't plan to incorporate any exercise until I am closer to a healthy weight, so with that considered I thought 1800-2000 calories was about right. I will talk with my psychiatrist when I next see her and discuss it with her although she is not trained specifically in EDs and often tells me that I don't really need to gain weight, which isn't terribly helpful. She might be able to put me in touch with someone who is and who will help me figure out the right way to do this, though, as it obviously isn't going to be as clear-cut as I first imagined. Thank you all for your advice.

    I'm glad you want to gain and know why it is important. That is a very important step so big congrats to you! :) I fought very hard not to go inpatient.. to the point I had a weight gain deadline by Christmas eve and had to show how determined I was. Therefore even though I was at a BMI of 12.. I was still outpatient. But like you, I was monitored by a psychologist, dietician, care worker and doctor every week along with numerous medical tests (blood taking, ECG, blood pressure, weighing, pulse etc etc) along with taking 17 tablets and 4 weight gain nutrition drinks a day.. and at first I was gaining 2 - 3 lbs a week which slowed down rather quickly .. :/ Please trust me that your body WILL use up ANYTHING you give it. It needs a whole lot more than you realise.. and I truly believe I would not be where I am today (at BMI 17 ish) without the help of my dietician. I thought of the nutrition drinks as 'medicine' and I still use these today. Yes they are liquid calories (Scary!! ) but it is much easier to consume and you don't get a full / bloated feeling afterwards which can trigger you to feel 'fat' when it's just a feeling of food in your tummy and not any weight gain...
    I'm very glad to hear you are not planning to exercise anytime soon.. this is a very good and important aspect as your body needs rest and to heal before you challenge it further, so well done lovely :)
    From my experience I will advise you to get in touch with an ED trained nutritionist.. I let go of my psychologist a few weeks in because my dietician was much more helpful :/ Wishing you the best of luck !!! :)
  • 748marie
    748marie Posts: 61 Member
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    [Maybe it sounds ridiculous but I sort of want to do this on my own? }


    That doesn't sound ridiculous!!! But, It might be too hard to do this on your own in the beginning.
  • gelar93
    gelar93 Posts: 160
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    So many strong ladies here in this topic. Glad to see people recovering/thinking about recovering. You all got this <3

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