in need of some brutal, honest advice

fope5
fope5 Posts: 20
in Health and Weight Loss
I'm 19 years old and at 5ft3 currently weigh 6 stone 11. My periods have stopped and I'm constantly tired and run down. I realise i'm underweight but i love food and don't think I have an eating disorder. I eat around 900 calories a day, often going up to 1,400 2 nights a week if I go out at uni and drink.

I'm finding it really hard to loosen my control. MFP reccomends eating 1,600 calories a day to maintain my weight but that's got to be rubbish?! How can i go from eating practically double what i eat now and maintain my weight?

I've been weighed by my doctor but he didn't really seem that concerned, so i'm just worried as to why i feel so tired and run down all the time if my weights not that big an issue. I'm not starving myself I have treats every now and then, had a mince pie yesterday, pizza express the other day...

whats going on?!
«13

Replies

  • raichhype
    raichhype Posts: 74 Member
    It sounds to me like you have got an eating disorder sweetheart.
    Why are tracking on here? To try and mainatin your weight? or to see how much you're starving yourself?

    You're aware of how thin you are and if that wasn't enough of an indication YOUR PERIODS HAVE STOPPED.
    You are NINETEEN (I am also nineteen) Periods don't just stop unless there is something wrong.

    900 calories a day is not healthy.

    To up your calories you need to eat things that aren't high in fat like pizza express and mince pies. They may have lots of calories but it won't make you feel good. Try eating more pastas and breads!

    Can I repeat one more time, YOUR WEIGHT IS AN ISSUE. GET A NEW DOCTOR.
  • Greenrun99
    Greenrun99 Posts: 2,065 Member
    Your 5ft 3 and weight roughly 95 lbs? You definitely need to go see someone for some help or start eating more.. You should probably start eating 1400 calories to start with and then increase even more until you are in a healthy weight range.
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,428 MFP Moderator
    Definitely an eating disorder. You are under weight and not eating enough. Most active women I help eat 1700-2000 calories, which means maintenance around 2400-2600 calories. And many of that are around 120 lbs. Now, your problem will be you need to gain weight and fix months/years of under eating. This means slowly upping your calories, and I would suggest a lot of weight training to help build muscle and help reduce the amount of fat you gain back. But no one on here can help with the psychological issue you have.
  • Kathrynaline
    Kathrynaline Posts: 42
    Yeah, baby girl. Your undernourished. Your body is shutting down! Next step death. Eat the calories your body needs. Even if you don't understand ...you'll see that you won't gain weight, you'll stop losing and your body will have the fuel it needs NOT TO DIE.
  • hjensen2263
    hjensen2263 Posts: 68 Member
    The reason you can eat 900 calories a day and have no weight change is because your metabolism has slowed down. You're body has freaked out because it isn't getting the energy and nutrients it needs (hence the fatigue) and has adjusted as best it can to try and keep you alive. Slowly work your way up to 1600, maybe upping your calorie intake by 100 calories each week or two, and you're body will adjust. Trust me, a normal healthy body can take in 1600 calories per day and not gain any weight.

    I would also suggest talking to someone; a family member, friend, or even therapist. It does sound like an eating disorder honey.
  • Bakkasan
    Bakkasan Posts: 1,027 Member
    don't think I have an eating disorder. I eat around 900 calories a day,

    That's the only info we need. Yes you do. Please get some help :)
  • skittles1928
    skittles1928 Posts: 57 Member
    I agree with the rest of the posters. Listen to your parents; they're trying to help you. It's time to realize you have disordered eating, and if you can't make yourself start eating more, it's time to go to a therapist or professional of some sort for help. Good luck. Your body needs nutrients.
  • JesterMFP
    JesterMFP Posts: 3,596 Member
    It sounds like you have an eating disorder. You're underweight, you're not eating nearly enough, and your periods have stopped. Yes, your weight is the issue. That is why you feel tired and run down. Your body doesn't have the energy it needs to perform basic functions. You think you're eating plenty, but honestly, you're not.

    Go back to the doctor and ask for help. If necessary, see another doctor. That should be possible even if it's an NHS GP practise. Are you seeing a doctor form your uni? Did you tell them that your periods have stopped? Did you tell them how much you're eating? Also, I expect at uni you have access to free counselling service, so please take advantage of that too.

    This is very serious, and the longer it goes on, the more serious it will get. Please get professional help now.
  • victoriannsays
    victoriannsays Posts: 568 Member
    I am a nursing student and I believe you are eating FAR TOO FEW calories. Your body needs more than 900 calories to do what it needs.. just normal metabolic functions.

    If you dont have an appetite - at LEAST drink an ensure with each meal. They are gross, I'm not gonna lie - but if you can't find your nutrients from food.. do yourself a favor and have a dang ensure.

    Seriously.

    ** and seek counseling and/or a support group.. they do wonders!
  • poedunk65
    poedunk65 Posts: 1,336 Member
    Read or watch Forks over Knives. You have to not only watch what your eating but how youeat too. I went thru all the same crap trying this and that and some diets.

    Just sit and read and try it. I adopted some of the priciples to use the way i want.

    one thing is for sure. YOU HAFTA GET OFF YOUR *kitten* AND MOVE!!!! lol
  • Chief_Rocka
    Chief_Rocka Posts: 4,710 Member
    When you lower your calories, your TDEE decreases in response. You can maintain your weight by eating double what you eat now because your TDEE will go up when your body senses that food is available again.

    Also, 900 cals a day make it next to impossible to get sufficient micronutrients.
  • footiechick82
    footiechick82 Posts: 1,203 Member
    Eat nuts - lots of nuts - almonds, pine, walnuts
    Eat avocados - a lot of healthy fats

    Peanutbutter and Jam sandwiches (on brown!!!) - do it!

    you will reach 1,600 calories in no time

    And you will gain HEALTHY weight.

    Start some weight training, the protein will help!

    Don't forget your greens!!!

    I hope this helps :)
  • myofibril
    myofibril Posts: 4,500 Member
    If you have secondary amenorrhea it's a classic sign that you are not eating enough.

    The fact that you are not hungry is meaningless. A prolonged lack of calories and nutrients will mean you have unreliable and distorted hunger cues. You're not in an immediate danger but you are not in optimal health clearly

    You need to eat more in a systematic fashion.
  • quirkytizzy
    quirkytizzy Posts: 4,052 Member

    If you dont have an appetite - at LEAST drink an ensure with each meal. They are gross, I'm not gonna lie - but if you can't find your nutrients from food.. do yourself a favor and have a dang ensure.

    This is good advice. It's often used in ED treatment. It should help while you are on your way to cobbling together a treatment plan.
  • Sabine_Stroehm
    Sabine_Stroehm Posts: 19,263 Member
    Please go to a new doctor and say this: I am 5'3" and I only eat 900 calories a day (but sometimes I drink 600 calories of booze). I only weigh 6 stone 11 pounds. My periods have stopped. I have a hard time "loosening control" of my eating.


    Please.
  • rml_16
    rml_16 Posts: 16,414 Member
    You most definitely have an eating disorder. You need to seek help.
  • anifani4
    anifani4 Posts: 457 Member
    Brutal and honest. 1. find a new doctor...your low weight is contributing to your fatigue and loss of menses. 2. you said it yourself: you are underweight which means you need to eat more (healthy food). 3. 900 calories is not enough to sustain an adult person of any size no matter how sedentary they are. Suggestion: no more pizza or drinking parties to increase your calories occasionally. Work really hard at consistently adding more calories, say 100 per day for a week, then another 100 per day for a week...repeat. keep that going until you feel more energetic and your period starts up. Then add 100 one more time. See how you feel and what happens with your body. Do strength training. Limit cardio to 20 min 4 or 5 times per week. Repeat: find a new doctor.
  • dcdemocrat34
    dcdemocrat34 Posts: 33
    Seek another doctor, 900 calories is not much at all even for someone of your height. Anytime periods stop (especially at 19) you need to be EXTREMELY concerned.

    Please, please, please go talk to someone, or another doctor, before this gets away from you
  • kcatlin9
    kcatlin9 Posts: 321 Member
    consistent responses here is you're not eating enough and i agree. the only thing i would add is...

    eat 5 times per day. i'm guessing you're only eating 2 or 3 times a day. increase your calories by eating healthy foods (more great advice on this in the thread) 5 times per day (don't miss breakfast) and you will have the nutrients you need and your metabolism will be steady throughout the day and you'll burn calories.
  • emtjmac
    emtjmac Posts: 1,320 Member
    Take a look at what's going on in your life. Your period has stopped. That's no joke. Your mentrual cycle is a normal part of a healthy woman's body and yours has stopped. You're 5'3" and you weight 96 pounds which puts your BMI at 17.0 according to
    http://nhlbisupport.com/bmi/bminojs.htm. This puts your very underweight. I really am concerned for you and think that you may need help. Don't be afraid or embarrassed. Speak with your doctor as soon as possible and be honest about your eating habits, your feelings about food and about how you feel when you eat and how you see yourself in the mirror. If he is competent at all, he will be able to help you. Good luck.
  • JesterMFP
    JesterMFP Posts: 3,596 Member
    consistent responses here is you're not eating enough and i agree. the only thing i would add is...

    eat 5 times per day. i'm guessing you're only eating 2 or 3 times a day. increase your calories by eating healthy foods (more great advice on this in the thread) 5 times per day (don't miss breakfast) and you will have the nutrients you need and your metabolism will be steady throughout the day and you'll burn calories.
    No one needs to eat five times a day for their metabolism, although I agree that it might help the OP to eat little and often because of the psychological struggle to eat more.
  • Captain_Tightpants
    Captain_Tightpants Posts: 2,215 Member
    You may not necessarily need to increase the quantity of your food. That could be very difficult for someone in your situation who is used to eating too little.

    What you can do is eat more energy-dense foods, so that you experience the same amount of 'fullness' but you are sneakily giving your body a better amount of energy to keep you alive on.

    How to do that is pretty simple. Proteins and Carbs have around 4 kcal per gram. Fat has 9. So you increase the fat.

    This doesn't have to be unhealthy at all: Organic peanut butter, avocado, nuts, red meat, oily fish, olives, milk, soy...

    Also, instead of grilling or baking, consider stir frying your meals in some olive oil. This will increase your daily calories without you even realizing.

    Don't tell yourself you don't have an eating disorder. You can't self diagnose that kind of thing and all the warning signs are there, so see a good therapist and let them decide.

    Also have your doctor run some blood tests for thyroid and adrenal function.

    Good luck!
  • d2footballJRC
    d2footballJRC Posts: 2,684 Member
    I'm 19 years old and at 5ft3 currently weigh 6 stone 11. My periods have stopped and I'm constantly tired and run down. I realise i'm underweight but i love food and don't think I have an eating disorder. I eat around 900 calories a day, often going up to 1,400 2 nights a week if I go out at uni and drink.

    I'm finding it really hard to loosen my control. MFP reccomends eating 1,600 calories a day to maintain my weight but that's got to be rubbish?! How can i go from eating practically double what i eat now and maintain my weight?

    I've been weighed by my doctor but he didn't really seem that concerned, so i'm just worried as to why i feel so tired and run down all the time if my weights not that big an issue. I'm not starving myself I have treats every now and then, had a mince pie yesterday, pizza express the other day...

    whats going on?!

    You only eat around 900 calories and you wonder why you are run down?

    calories = fuel.

    What happens if you don't put fuel in your car? It stops running, eventually sputtering as its running out... Sound familiar?

    Eat some complex carbs and protein. The carbs will get that engine of yours running full steam again soon. If I'm really tired, I'll grab some granola or some quick oats and that really can do the trick!
  • DoomCakes
    DoomCakes Posts: 806 Member
    You need a new doctor. Or does your doctor not know that you're under eating? If your doctor knows you consume 900 calories (and from the sounds it's 900 calories of not so healthy nutrient rich food) and is not "concerned" then there is a problem!

    Your period stopping is a sign that your body is shutting down. You're giving it too little to work with. It has to start shutting down stuff in order to just wake you up and get you out of bed.

    Track your food, aim for your daily goal every day. Eat nutrient dense foods, and if you need to break it down to 5 or 6 small meals a day so that way you don't feel like you're shoveling it all in. Treat yourself to your pizza and stuff here and there, but make sure you get your veggies, proteins, carbs, etc.

    Build up a support group and just keep thinking you can do it. Try to put on a few pounds and after a while of getting used to eating more, get an exercise routine going.

    I would also suggest going to get mental health services as well. Even if you don't THINK you have an eating disorder, and you have a healthy relationship with food, your 900 calories is showing else wise. There may be an underlying problem preventing you from eating as much as you should from OCD, low self esteem, to even something in terms of just being too picky. But you should aim to treat the underlying problem to better your relationship with food and your own personal well being.
  • perfectingpatti
    perfectingpatti Posts: 1,037 Member
    This is the second time you've posted asking if people think you have an eating disorder. I believe that you know you do. Please get some counseling. I hope you have someone you can go to for help or someone who will lead you to help.
  • jlohcook
    jlohcook Posts: 228 Member
    Your diet looks great for the 3 meals, please don't start eating fried foods, why start such unhealthy diets when you already have an incredibly clean ones, but I don't see fruits? Add 2 fruits a day and you will able to hit at 1200 quite easily.

    Are you very active, doing lots of sports? Many young adults get such problem when they are more athletic. Are you stress in school? That might also be the cause.

    Also, ensure you have enough iron, for people with very clean diet, iron is very much lacking in their diets.
  • Sabine_Stroehm
    Sabine_Stroehm Posts: 19,263 Member
    Your diet looks great for the 3 meals, please don't start eating fried foods, why start such unhealthy diets when you already have an incredibly clean ones, but I don't see fruits? Add 2 fruits a day and you will able to hit at 1200 quite easily.

    Are you very active, doing lots of sports? Many young adults get such problem when they are more athletic. Are you stress in school? That might also be the cause.

    Also, ensure you have enough iron, for people with very clean diet, iron is very much lacking in their diets.
    SHE DOES NOT NEED TO LOSE WEIGHT. SHE DOESN'T WEIGH 100 POUNDS EVEN. HER PERIODS HAVE STOPPED. WHY ARE YOU SUGGESTING THE BARE MINIMUM OF CALORIES?
  • Sabine_Stroehm
    Sabine_Stroehm Posts: 19,263 Member
    This is the second time you've posted asking if people think you have an eating disorder. I believe that you know you do. Please get some counseling. I hope you have someone you can go to for help or someone who will lead you to help.
    Is it?

    Then I reiterate what I said earlier: go to a new doc. Tell them how little you eat and how little you weigh and that you have concerns. Heck, tell him you've posted on a weight loss forum about your eating.
  • Captain_Tightpants
    Captain_Tightpants Posts: 2,215 Member
    Your diet looks great for the 3 meals, please don't start eating fried foods, why start such unhealthy diets when you already have an incredibly clean ones, but I don't see fruits? Add 2 fruits a day and you will able to hit at 1200 quite easily.

    Where on earth do you get the impression that frying is unhealthy?
  • rml_16
    rml_16 Posts: 16,414 Member
    Your diet looks great for the 3 meals, please don't start eating fried foods, why start such unhealthy diets when you already have an incredibly clean ones, but I don't see fruits? Add 2 fruits a day and you will able to hit at 1200 quite easily.

    Are you very active, doing lots of sports? Many young adults get such problem when they are more athletic. Are you stress in school? That might also be the cause.

    Also, ensure you have enough iron, for people with very clean diet, iron is very much lacking in their diets.
    SHE DOES NOT NEED TO LOSE WEIGHT. SHE DOESN'T WEIGH 100 POUNDS EVEN. HER PERIODS HAVE STOPPED. WHY ARE YOU SUGGESTING THE BARE MINIMUM OF CALORIES?

    Exactly. She's 95 pounds. I'm also 5'3" with a small frame and at 110 pounds, I was a size 3 when I was 16. Then I was 102 when I had terrible morning sickness for nine months (though I gained at the end of the pregnancy). And I was still having periods at 110.

    When a woman's period stops, there is something wrong.

Categories