Eating Disorder Support

Not had a diagnosis but yes...

The hardest thing I find (now I know I have a problem) is dealing with friends who still compliment my weightloss not realising how bad it has gotten.

It sounds like you're getting a lot of help and support which I'm really glad to hear. The best advice I can give it just to take it one day at a time. Try and push yourself that teeny bit extra each day. Eg today I had some pie and custard and I nearly cried but I did it.

First of all, congratulations, you've taken a massive step just by acknowledging your ED and deciding to fight back.
I was diagnosed with anorexia and since last January have gained 2.5 stone.

Absolutely the best thing you can do is surround yourself with people who understand and support your fight. Discussing your worries with family and understanding friends can be really helpful, but for me the best thing was to join a forum (not this one, but that doesn't matter) with people who could directly relate to what I was going through.

On that note, please feel free to add me. What worked for me might not work for you, but I can do my best.

Anyone on here trying to gain weight in recovery from anorexia? Any tips on not getting scared about the rate? Anyone using a meal plan instead of calorie counting...aka trusting a nutritionist? Weighing daily or weekly? Dealing with how you think people think of your new body?

I have struggled with literally every disorder and been everywhere from obese (age 14 was 5'6" and 210 lbs) to now underweight (5'7.5" and 87-88 lbs). I am trying to beat anorexia and the fear of gaining weight is what stands in my way. Would love helpful tips. I have been to treatment 10 times and my whole team (therapist, doctor, nutritionist) think the only way I will sustainably recover is to do this outpatient. Oh and I am almost 21 (b-day is Aug 25) and have had disorder since I was 6 years old.

So why not do outpatient?

The best thing would be to surround yourself with people who understand and are doing the same thing as you, it is much easier to recover with other around who are also recovering - I'd also suggest eating as many of your safe foods as you can to get the intake up and add in 'unsafe' foods a bit at a time a new one each week or something like that so you're not rushing straight in - I'd also say sticking to a meal plan is a good option but it's different for everyone, often meal plans can be triggering if you can't stick to them for whatever reason so its working out what's best for you
Recovery from ED's are hard be it needing to gain weight or lose weight to get back into the healthy range the key is having support around you and someone trained to talk to about it

I understand completely. As I am in recovery as well. You are so strong that you are making these steps! Food can give you anxiety but you have to fight back knowing that food is fuel and that it's so good for your body. Recovery means your bodies time to learn to retrust you.

I personally don't listen to my nutritionist because she is massively uneducated. But I know many who are excellent, so if you trust yours go for it.

On your 21st birthday go out and drink; beer has a lot of empty calories that will get you fat, it's worth a try.

Anorexia is not something to joke about.

While it may not be something you or I have had the displeasure of dealing with- telling someone to fill up on empty calories is negative.

Good luck OP.

I second that. Best of luck to you OP. Finding the strenth to admit you have a problem, and approaching it head on is amazing. I wish you all the luck in the world!

On your 21st birthday go out and drink; beer has a lot of empty calories that will get you fat, it's worth a try.

Anorexia is not something to joke about.

While it may not be something you or I have had the displeasure of dealing with- telling someone to fill up on empty calories is negative.

Good luck OP.

Okay my bad..
How about instead of thinking about getting fat, focus on the taste. Food is awesome!

On your 21st birthday go out and drink; beer has a lot of empty calories that will get you fat, it's worth a try.

Anorexia is not something to joke about.

While it may not be something you or I have had the displeasure of dealing with- telling someone to fill up on empty calories is negative.

Good luck OP.

Okay my bad..
How about instead of thinking about getting fat, focus on the taste. Food is awesome!

Good advice! Find foods that you really enjoy the taste of, and this'll make it so much less of a challenge. One thing that helped me was learning to cook properly. Then rather than thinking 'Oh no, I've got 1000 calories left', you can look forward to something delicious.