Plateau

karkaskompetisie
karkaskompetisie Posts: 39
in Health and Weight Loss
I kind of don't want to ask this but I really do need help.

I've been anorexic and still struggle with my eating. I am 5'6" and weigh 140 lbs (I'm quite muscular). I gained almost 50 lbs during inpatient treatment and I'd like to lose around 20 lbs again.
I know it's dangerous to seek weight loss when I'm still not completely recovered but I just don't feel comfortable in my body at the moment and it's worsening my Depression.
My problem is that I flucuate all the time between 135 and 140 lbs. I've been stuck at this plateau for around 3 months and I tried to up my calorie intake but my ED doesn't allow me to eat more than 1200-1400 calories a day, I also tried to change my exercise routine but nothing worked.

So, my question is, can anyone help me to get past this plateau (eating more is not an option)?

Replies

  • yarwell
    yarwell Posts: 10,477 Member
    So you're starting at 22.5 BMI and looking to drop to 19.4. Do you know your current body fat % ?
    http://www.fat2fitradio.com/tools/

    Tell us what you eat - and what % carbs, protein, fats.
  • bonitacash08
    bonitacash08 Posts: 378 Member
    I know it's dangerous to seek weight loss when I'm still not completely recovered but I just don't feel comfortable in my body at the moment and it's worsening my Depression.

    This might be it right here. You're already at a healthy weight for your height. I don't think it's your body.. I think it's the number you see on the scale. I'm 5'4" and I've been thinking for months that I should be a certain weight, around 130, and it's just not possible unless I sacrifice some lean body mass.

    Continue with the exercises you learned in treatment. I think a lot of women here have had issues with some type of body dysmorphia and it's important to love yourself regardless of a size or weight.

    I really hope you find the resolution that will be best for you.
  • karkaskompetisie
    karkaskompetisie Posts: 39
    So you're starting at 22.5 BMI and looking to drop to 19.4. Do you know your current body fat % ?
    http://www.fat2fitradio.com/tools/

    Tell us what you eat - and what % carbs, protein, fats.

    No, I don't. My doctors won't tell me. Regarding to this site my body fat percentage is 24.5.
    I am supposed to eat 55% carbs, 25% protein and 20% fat. I barely ever reach any of those though.
  • karkaskompetisie
    karkaskompetisie Posts: 39
    I know it's dangerous to seek weight loss when I'm still not completely recovered but I just don't feel comfortable in my body at the moment and it's worsening my Depression.

    This might be it right here. You're already at a healthy weight for your height. I don't think it's your body.. I think it's the number you see on the scale. I'm 5'4" and I've been thinking for months that I should be a certain weight, around 130, and it's just not possible unless I sacrifice some lean body mass.

    Continue with the exercises you learned in treatment. I think a lot of women here have had issues with some type of body dysmorphia and it's important to love yourself regardless of a size or weight.

    I really hope you find the resolution that will be best for you.

    I don't have body dysmorphia, not the slightest bit. I know exactly what my body looks like and comparing to what I used to look like I have doubled in size. I know I am nowhere near fat and a lot of my friends ( and stragers) tell me that I have a good body but I am not comfortable in it and that's what counts.
    I know that weight doesn't matter and if I was healthy I would probably be okay with my body but I've had this ED for about three years and I just can't ignore my weight or size.
  • AleciaG724
    AleciaG724 Posts: 705 Member
    You shouldn't be asking here... talk to your doctor, therapist and nutritionist
  • meli1968
    meli1968 Posts: 4
    Could it be that you are NOT eating sufficient? You know your body goes on a stagnation mode, gaining the power needed to survive from your organs if you don´t eat sufficient?

    I would rather continue eating as the docs asked you to PLUS maybe changing to some completely new sports-goals....new muscle stimulation plus kick for the metabolism!!

    Otherwise have you glands checked and talk to your gynecologist about hormons (contraception).....incorrect level of hormons can lead to weight gain and weight stagnation.

    Hope I created some new ideas in you to find out, what the problem is.
    Regards Mel
  • CherylP67
    CherylP67 Posts: 772 Member
    You shouldn't be asking here... talk to your doctor, therapist and nutritionist

    Exactly what I was going to say.

    I say this in kindness, but OP, I don't think your recovery is complete. Please talk to your doctor and therapist.
  • BeachIron
    BeachIron Posts: 6,490 Member
    Rather than focusing on your weight and risking going down a familiar path, why not work on body recomposition and start weightlifting? It can give you the shape you desire and allow you to forget about the scale. That said, please keep speaking with your therapist about your recovery. You really should be cautious.
  • meli1968
    meli1968 Posts: 4
    You shouldn't be asking here... talk to your doctor, therapist and nutritionist

    Exactly what I was going to say.

    I say this in kindness, but OP, I don't think your recovery is complete. Please talk to your doctor and therapist.

    Sounds like you still have a "wrong" image of your body on your mind......get help, girl and stop worrying about your body and weight!

    And please, this is not meant to a criticism, we simply want to "help" you!!!
  • karkaskompetisie
    karkaskompetisie Posts: 39
    Rather than focusing on your weight and risking going down a familiar path, why not work on body recomposition and start weightlifting? It can give you the shape you desire and allow you to forget about the scale. That said, please keep speaking with your therapist about your recovery. You really should be cautious.

    I am trying not to get bad again abut I don't have a therapist anymore. I am a healthy weight that's why I am no more in treatmeant, if I want to keep seeing a therapist I've got to pay him myself and that's way to expensive.
    And as said I AM muscular and I don't want to gain anymore muscles.
  • libertychoury
    libertychoury Posts: 57 Member
    Rather than focusing on your weight and risking going down a familiar path, why not work on body recomposition and start weightlifting? It can give you the shape you desire and allow you to forget about the scale. That said, please keep speaking with your therapist about your recovery. You really should be cautious.

    I am trying not to get bad again abut I don't have a therapist anymore. I am a healthy weight that's why I am no more in treatmeant, if I want to keep seeing a therapist I've got to pay him myself and that's way to expensive.
    And as said I AM muscular and I don't want to gain anymore muscles.
    You won't look bulky if you gain weight via muscle. You'll become lean and decrease body fat percentage, and you will see the difference in the mirror within 4 weeks. I did, anyway!
  • karkaskompetisie
    karkaskompetisie Posts: 39
    You shouldn't be asking here... talk to your doctor, therapist and nutritionist

    Exactly what I was going to say.

    I say this in kindness, but OP, I don't think your recovery is complete. Please talk to your doctor and therapist.

    Sounds like you still have a "wrong" image of your body on your mind......get help, girl and stop worrying about your body and weight!

    And please, this is not meant to a criticism, we simply want to "help" you!!!


    To clarify that: I DON'T have body dismorphia, never had. I see my body that way it is and I don't want to become a skeleton again. But I want to become smaller again and the BMI I want to reach isn't too low.
    I can't talk to a therapist because I'm 'recovered', I'd have to pay him myself and I can't afford that, I see a psychiatrist like once a month to talk about my meds and a bit stuff that's going on. I don't need a nutritionist though, I learnt a lot about nutrition in school and learnt even more about it when I was in inpatient treatment. I know how I should eat but I'm a vegan and my ED still affects me.
  • BeachIron
    BeachIron Posts: 6,490 Member
    Rather than focusing on your weight and risking going down a familiar path, why not work on body recomposition and start weightlifting? It can give you the shape you desire and allow you to forget about the scale. That said, please keep speaking with your therapist about your recovery. You really should be cautious.

    I am trying not to get bad again abut I don't have a therapist anymore. I am a healthy weight that's why I am no more in treatmeant, if I want to keep seeing a therapist I've got to pay him myself and that's way to expensive.
    And as said I AM muscular and I don't want to gain anymore muscles.
    You won't look bulky if you gain weight via muscle. You'll become lean and decrease body fat percentage, and you will see the difference in the mirror within 4 weeks. I did, anyway!

    You won't get bulky. Eat at maintenance and strength train. You will slowly transform. I've watched this happen for several women and it works. Not meaning to be preachy here but you have to focus that body image energy into something positive. I'm actually very happy to read about you and your progress. It's heartening when I've seen so many with ED. Keep it up!
  • karkaskompetisie
    karkaskompetisie Posts: 39
    You won't look bulky if you gain weight via muscle. You'll become lean and decrease body fat percentage, and you will see the difference in the mirror within 4 weeks. I did, anyway!

    I don't want to gain muscle weight. I know muscles weigh more than fat but I really can't handle seeing the scale go up.
  • libertychoury
    libertychoury Posts: 57 Member
    You won't look bulky if you gain weight via muscle. You'll become lean and decrease body fat percentage, and you will see the difference in the mirror within 4 weeks. I did, anyway!

    I don't want to gain muscle weight. I know muscles weigh more than fat but I really can't handle seeing the scale go up.

    Just letting you know, it doesn't really mean that the scale will go up. I'm not a therapist, but maybe try having no scale, and maybe measure with a tape measure. If this is still an issue, look into therapy again, there has to be a way to get therapy on sliding scale income. I have had friends in my state who have found therapy when they had no job, and no income.

Categories