In need of encouragement (and a little help)!!

gale1089

Hi everyone!

This is my second week eating more to lose weight and I have a few questions and concerns. First of all, let me say I'm really freaking out:sad: ... just seeing that calorie count go over 1000 BEFORE dinner is a challenge. I'm recovering from an eating disorder (restricting/bingeing/purging) which I luckily didn't get too caught up in before I figured out how unhealthy and horrible I felt. Since March, I've been eating 500-1000 calories or less and in July I started getting closer to 1200. I eat very healthy and exercise 4-6x a week. So now I'm in the 1400-1600 range and I refuse to step on the scale. I know I've gained (hopefully mostly muscle) but I'm sooo terrified of seeing that number... though at the same time I'm hopeful i've made progress and want to see! I don't know what to do. I'm feeling super discouraged today, especially because I'm high in calories today and feeling really bloated. I only had some 'vanity' pounds to lose so I know this is for the best (right?) Will this get easier? Will I stop gaining? Should I weigh myself and make sure I'm on the right track? How badly do you think I recked my metabolism in the last 5 months? Help/Advice pleaseee. :frown:

by the way.. I'm 5' 7" was 135-137 when I weighed over a week ago.

Noor13

Hi there!

First of all-breathe. Things will get easier, I promise. But I can not tell you, how long it will take for you, until you will stop gaining.
I know it is scary and very frustrating. But in this case you really need keep an eye on the future. What are a few lbs gained during the rest weeks/month compared to the rest of your life.
I know so very well how you are feeling. I have an ED past myself and it is not an easy step to make. But let me tell you, even though I did gain weight during the reset it was the best thing I have ever done for myself. I now am no longer scared to eat, to have treats and to enjoy meals with my family.
Just hang in there and stay consistent. The bloat will go away eventually as well as the gained weight and you will do great!

heybales

Unless that exercise is strength training - no, you are not putting on any muscle.

But of all times to do strength training - this would be it, totally and only. Only walk for recovery the day after lifting.

Part of the reason you've shot your metabolism is because you have most likely burned away muscle mass. You metabolism could be right on correct for the amount of muscle mass you actually have (unlikely though, still probably lower), but it will never go up doing cardio. You can have some LBM gains, and that is what you'll see first, body finally getting enough food to actually store glucose with water. That is LBM, and will be an increase to metabolism.
But you need muscle, which you'll only get through lifting.

Also, is it so much the weight you are trying to lose, or you think these vanity lbs is the sole reason for a skinny fat body you have probably noticed you are approaching?

Because your BMR is about 1400, so you still aren't eating enough if you actually wake up and get out of bed.

Just read the general forums of how many women lament doing diets for half their lives, many of them proudly proclaiming this is their 6th or 7th time and they'll be successful again - doing the same wrong stuff that will ultimately lead to failure.

So better to catch this early while young, do it right once, and now how to handle food and look at your body.

gale1089

Unless that exercise is strength training - no, you are not putting on any muscle.

But of all times to do strength training - this would be it, totally and only. Only walk for recovery the day after lifting.

Strength training is actually around 75% of my exercise... and I have definitely noticed more muscle definition/ development.

Thanks for the advice both of you! Just glad to hear some feedback! Should I keep raising calories until I reach maintenance (around 200-2200?) and then cut or can I just raise to a healthy range (around 1600-1800) and stop there?

Greenrun99

Strength training is actually around 75% of my exercise... and I have definitely noticed more muscle definition/ development.

Thanks for the advice both of you! Just glad to hear some feedback! Should I keep raising calories until I reach maintenance (around 200-2200?) and then cut or can I just raise to a healthy range (around 1600-1800) and stop there?

I would keep going to maintenance and then stay around there for a few weeks as you were eating very little.. then I would cut by 200 or so and see..

As for the panic and ect.. I am sure the scale has gone up since you were really low in calories, but that would of happened if you were eating 1500 and starting eating 2000... and your probably looking to drop BF% instead of actual weight so to speak if they are vanity lbs.