How much is too much loss?

colbiegirl

These are making me feel a lot more confident about regaining the weight in a healthy way without overwhelming myself.

Is it possible to gain without LOOKING like you've gained TOO much? You know, a pudgier stomach...?

I definitely need to gain some weight in my face and other protruding bone areas, and I'm concerned I may gain strictly in my stomach/legs where they were previously problem areas.

It's absolutely possible to gain without looking like you've gained in areas you don't want to. How about focusing some of your strength training on ab work to tone the belly area and avoid the 'pudgie' stomach?
For those days when you keep the exercise to a minimum and start to feel restless, how about some stretching to ease the restlessness? Or yoga for some overall toning?

I try to focus on strength and ab work outs on the days in between the cardio.

Good idea on the stretching and yoga - I never thought about that. I will definitely try it!

colbiegirl

I think you had a very good idea on your own. Eating more calorie dense foods but still eating healthy is possible.
There is also a possibility that you have an undiagnosed medical condition that is keeping you from processing your calories.
A thyroid problem or diabetes are possibilities. Without insulin, your body can't process the food into glucose and it starts in on other sources, namely internal organs, which could be why you had the slew of symptoms.

I would say get back to a doctor and get an array of blood work done.

Believe it or not, I had blood work done and everything came back clear except CHOLESTEROL. It was seriously a shocker to have high cholesterol on such a low diet.

colbiegirl

The same thing pretty much happened to me last year. I started by trying to get healthier and it slowly became an eating disorder. I got down to 91 pounds at 5'5 and I almost passed away. Trust me, what you're doing is not worth the outcome. Have you been diagnosed with anorexia?
And also, what helped me gain weight was going out with my friends. At first, i stopped going anywhere because i didn't want to be put in to a situation where i would have to eat. As i started to go out with them more, i ate and felt completely normal. As time went on, I ate the things that i never thought that i would.
When I first went in, my doctor had me eat 1,000 calories a day because i was eating about 500-800. As time went on, some days i even got to about 3,000 because I knew that it wouldn't do anything besides help me. Right now i am about 127 because i gained too much (it took me about 6 a year to gain as much as i am rightnow ). My doctor said that i was at an okay weight at 111. i would like to get back there and I'm defiantly trying too but i realized that weight shouldn't control your life. If you have an eating disorder, i totally understand where you are coming from and I know that it is scary to put on the weight. I wish you the best of luck . and also, you're gorgeous!
Keep me posted on how you're doing and what you're trying to do now seems like you're doing the right thing.

Thank you for this. It really scares me to know that something that terrible could happen if I stay like this. I want to work towards that healthier weight, and as soon as I get over my virus, I'll keep you posted.

purpleipod

As others said, I'd work on incorporating higher fat, nutrient dense foods that give you a lot of bang for your buck. Eggs, full fat milk, cheese, avocado, those sorts of things. I'd cut out any fat free or "diet" type food until you get to a more reasonable weight. I'd also cut back the exercise to only a few days a week until you can put some weight back on. I can't really relate to you having this issue, mine has always been the opposite. I'd try your best though to not worry about where you gain the weight at this point. It'd be better to have what you consider a slightly "large" stomach or thighs vs. being so underweight.

colbiegirl

As others said, I'd work on incorporating higher fat, nutrient dense foods that give you a lot of bang for your buck. Eggs, full fat milk, cheese, avocado, those sorts of things. I'd cut out any fat free or "diet" type food until you get to a more reasonable weight. I'd also cut back the exercise to only a few days a week until you can put some weight back on. I can't really relate to you having this issue, mine has always been the opposite. I'd try your best though to not worry about where you gain the weight at this point. It'd be better to have what you consider a slightly "large" stomach or thighs vs. being so underweight.

You're absolutely right. I need to get over that ideal body mindset and go for whats healthy for ME.

LorinaLynn

Protein powder mixed with chocolate milk is a good way to get delicious, good calories without feeling stuffed.

I bet this girl would have some good pointers, too: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/406949-from-anorexia-to-this