To run or not to run

pumpkinfly12
pumpkinfly12 Posts: 1 Member
in Goal: Gaining Weight and Body Building
Okay here's the deal. I ran varsity track and cross country every year that I was in school. I just enjoy it. I have been out of school for about a year and I continue to run daily (2 miles at the minimum). I had the same fear as most when I started my first year of college: the freshman fifteen. I decided to lose weight the summer before so that I had a little wiggle room for the inevitable weight I thought I was going to gain. I was about 120 lbs at 5'5. It turned out to be a lot easier than I anticipated and it soon developed into a pretty severe ED. I was eating 600-700 calories a day and running sometimes 3 miles. I now weigh 103lbs with 94lbs of that being muscle. I also have not had a period in over a year and have a frequently irregular heartbeat. I have not told anyone about this yet so I am using this as a sort of practice as well as for some advice. I have just began the recovery process and I needed some advice on weather or not I should stop running altogether? Also what are some good foods to be buying to help aid in the weight restoration process? (I'm 18 and living alone so I'm not just flush with cash) any additional comments would be appreciated.

Replies

  • iggybrady
    iggybrady Posts: 1
    Hi pumpkinfly,
    Very cool of you to try to figure out how to gain weight.
    Having had experience with this, both the running and the ED aspect, I would recommend a couple things:

    Absolutely stop running for now. It's part of the recovery. Some of us are wired to have "lose weight' signals start when we run. If you've been in cross-country, you've got lots of friends who can back that up.

    Gotta get professional help from someone who can help you set a realistic eating plan. Try to find someone who is current and understands that this isn't a mental disorder, but a very biological problem with intake/output mismatch.

    The amount of calories you need will feel surprising after what you've been putting in. 2000 and up.

    I recommend doing some modeling on the" lbm simulator" through NIH as a reality check.

    I also recommend a website for families with ED members called "Feast"

    Again, seek professional help. This is a big deal. Treat it early and you can do well.
  • likitisplit
    likitisplit Posts: 9,420 Member
    ED is the one area where my answer would be "not". You can't maintain your fitness, continue to progress or recover if you aren't able to fuel yourself.
  • oedipa_maas
    oedipa_maas Posts: 577 Member
    As a person who had an ED, I can''t give you any advice except this: Your physical symptoms make it clear you need a professional to help you. Anorexia can be lethal. You are not anywhere near ready to try to manage this on your own. Learning to feed yourself and manage the complex issues around recovery must be in the hands of a medical professional--one who specializes in EDs. There is lots of resources here: anad.org

    If you are under someone's care, they need to know that you are exploring options here and have them give their feedback as well. When I was being treated, I needed to tell my specialist the various ways I was engaging around health, so she could give me always gentle but firm feedback. There are some things I wasn't ready to take on because my body and emotions were so broken. She guided me through the woods until I was able to stand on my own.

    I truly wish you well, with all my heart
  • bjshields
    bjshields Posts: 677 Member
    Find a caring professional who specializes in this. An irregular heartbeat is nothing to mess with. Do NOT exercise until you have seen someone. Good luck to you!
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
    Find a caring professional who specializes in this. An irregular heartbeat is nothing to mess with. Do NOT exercise until you have seen someone. Good luck to you!

    This.

    outside of that putting on weight is hard enough without adding the extra calories from running.

    Combing THOSE two things- it sounds like a big fat NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE>

    Get some help- get a net work and support system- definitely tell people you trust without fear of judgement so they can help keep you accountable. Your body needs all the help it can get on it's path to recovery!!

    Good luck!
  • earthboundmisfit
    earthboundmisfit Posts: 192 Member
    I wouldn't run if you're trying to gain weight...especially with an irregular heartbeat. You should talk to your doctor, and get a referral to a nutritionist if you aren't seeing one already.
  • eyeprincess
    eyeprincess Posts: 4 Member
    I have a similar problem. I haven't had a period since late 2009. Who knows what's up with my body.

    I'm addicted to exercise and it's hard for me to simply stop and eat and rest.
    I'm injured, in pain, tired and fatigued yet I continue to run.

    It's hard... stay in touch, I'd like to hear how you're going!

    :)
  • littlekitty3
    littlekitty3 Posts: 265 Member
    For the irregular heartbeat you need to stop running and get monitored by a doctor.
  • liznotyet
    liznotyet Posts: 402 Member
    Go to a doctor. Get a home blood pressure monitor and start logging readings at different times of day of your blood pressure and pulse rate, it will help the doctor a lot to know what is normal for you. Withdrawal from the running is likely, consider a Tai Chi class or video for the time you used to spend running.
  • _HeartsOnFire_
    _HeartsOnFire_ Posts: 5,304 Member
    http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/find-help-support

    The website has a chat feature. Please seek help.
  • __Di__
    __Di__ Posts: 1,659 Member
    Running may be what keeps the OP feeling sane, to say she should just quit running could be asking for more problems than she started with.

    OP see your doctor. The irregular HB could bee due to low Potassium and your electrolytes being out of balance, it is important tio get a blood test done so you can see exactly what is happening there.
  • Momjogger
    Momjogger Posts: 750 Member
    Please see a doctor ASAP. Your health is precious and you need to protect it. Please also try upping your calories. I do not have professional knowledge about this, but I think gradually adding on 300 calories at a time until you are up to the normal 2000 range is reasonable so that you do not make yourself sick. This can be done simply by adding in something fun that you have been depriving yourself like ice cream, or with something without bulk that you can add more easily such as peanut butter, nuts, cheese, etc. If you can't get yourself to forgo exercise all together, try switching to low impact - walking, riding a bike, tai chi, as another poster suggested, or yoga. Do not do this for more that 1/2 hour a day. The gentle exercise will allow you to see what it is like to feel good after using your body for something healthy, not punishing it. I commend you on your search for health and wish you the best of luck.
  • erclle
    erclle Posts: 11
    Please find help. You will find a life you never knew existed!

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