Anorexia recovery: hungry but not ungry

slavaj
slavaj Posts: 2
in Motivation and Support
Hey everyone!!! I just started anorexia recovery and I'm about to relapse. I feel extreme hunger. Eating 3500 calories a day I'm almost never satisfied, even when I'm physically full, I still want and crave more food. The weirdest thing is that I don't really crave anything special, I just want food in general, I don't care if it's tomatoes or french fries. Also, I can't get food off my mind , I'm thinking about food 24/7, I don't crave anything, it's like there's just the word food in my brain and even when I try to distract myself by watching tv shows or going out with friends, it's still there and never ever goes away! I really need some advice, have you ever experienced that!? I'm afraid that by letting my self eat as much as I care for I will get used to eating 6000-8000 calories a day and get obese. I just want to go back to eating normally again, not feeling guilty about food and not counting calories. I'm really confused...

P.S. I'm a male, 6'2", 135 lbs

Replies

  • BigT555
    BigT555 Posts: 2,067 Member
    im not qualified in any way to give advice on ED's but isnt wanting to eat a good thing for a recovering anorexic?
  • Mr_Knight
    Mr_Knight Posts: 9,532 Member
    I'm confused - 3500 calories a day is eating anorexic....?
  • epadmeister
    epadmeister Posts: 102 Member
    :huh: Tell us more. I'm intrigued. :indifferent:
  • a_stronger_me13
    a_stronger_me13 Posts: 812 Member
    No one on this site is qualified to help with eating disorders. Please check out this site for getting your questions answered: http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/find-help-support
  • slavaj
    slavaj Posts: 2
    Not anymore, when I tried to recover I started eating minimal guidelines which for my age and height is 3500 calories. The weirdest thing that I gained 4 pounds and then my weight gain stopped for about 2-3 months, but I couldn't cope with extreme hunger anymore and started restricting again, coz Inwas afraid I would eat more and more
  • lishie_rebooted
    lishie_rebooted Posts: 2,973 Member
    No one on this site is qualified to help with eating disorders. Please check out this site for getting your questions answered: http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/find-help-support

    This.

    Also, if you're in college in the US, a lot of schools provide free or reduced rates on confidential counseling.
  • starrylioness
    starrylioness Posts: 543 Member
    No one on this site is qualified to help with eating disorders. Please check out this site for getting your questions answered: http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/find-help-support

    Agreed. You really need to speak with someone who is knowledgeable on eating disorders. I wish you luck though.
  • BombshellPhoenix
    BombshellPhoenix Posts: 1,693 Member
    Not anymore, when I tried to recover I started eating minimal guidelines which for my age and height is 3500 calories. The weirdest thing that I gained 4 pounds and then my weight gain stopped for about 2-3 months, but I couldn't cope with extreme hunger anymore and started restricting again, coz Inwas afraid I would eat more and more

    So, you're glycogen stores replenished and you hit maintenance.

    You should seek professional help to guide and encourage your weight gain in a healthy manner.
  • Kaelakcr
    Kaelakcr Posts: 505 Member
    Honey, it's really normal to go overboard during anorexia recovery. We aren't used to being able to eat anything we want...so we want to eat *everything*.

    Try and be mindful when eating. Take small bites and really enjoy the moment and enjoy eating. Eat without distraction. Savor flavors and textures. That's really the key.

    Before grabbing a food, check in with your body. Think, "Am I really hungry? Or am I bored? How much water have I had to drink today?" As we know, cravings last 15 minutes, so when you are craving food but don't actually feel hungry, consider setting a timer and drink a glass of water or a cup of tea. If you're still craving the food at the end of the 15 minutes, grab a healthy snack (carrot sticks, an apple, etc) and mindfully eat your treat.

    It's normal to snack when you aren't hungry. But not every day. You are allowed to treat yourself to dessert on a special night or when you're out to dinner, even if you're full. But you also deserve to be healthy, which means keeping in mind what your body is telling you.

    Your hunger cues are going to be all screwed up for a while, but I promise that they normalize.

    Please don't hesitate to message me if you're having difficulties or if you need to talk something out. I am here for you!
  • Kaelakcr
    Kaelakcr Posts: 505 Member
    I'm confused - 3500 calories a day is eating anorexic....?

    She is a recovering anorexic. I had to eat upwards of that when I was first in recovery as well. It's extremely difficult but it's what you have to do to get someone who is very underweight and underfed into a healthy place.
  • lishie_rebooted
    lishie_rebooted Posts: 2,973 Member
    I'm confused - 3500 calories a day is eating anorexic....?

    She is a recovering anorexic. I had to eat upwards of that when I was first in recovery as well. It's extremely difficult but it's what you have to do to get someone who is very underweight and underfed into a healthy place.


    OP is a male.
  • Kaelakcr
    Kaelakcr Posts: 505 Member
    I'm confused - 3500 calories a day is eating anorexic....?

    She is a recovering anorexic. I had to eat upwards of that when I was first in recovery as well. It's extremely difficult but it's what you have to do to get someone who is very underweight and underfed into a healthy place.


    OP is a male.

    Oops! Well, still applies.
  • M_on_the_run
    M_on_the_run Posts: 5 Member
    Are you working with a nutritionist? I was very hyper-metabolic in my recovery and also ate upwards of 3500 a day. I'm now on maintenance at a normal caloric intake. I know your fears of ballooning and that's why I ask about your support team. A good nutritionist will help you with this and show you that it's not gonna happen. Feel free to PM me or add me as a friend, I know your struggle and good for you for taking the impossibly hard steps that you've taken!
  • sofaking6
    sofaking6 Posts: 4,589 Member
    Everyone is right that you should talk to a doctor/expert and not rely on us imaginary internet people :) So that having been said, if you don't care whether you have junk or healthy food, at least stick with the healthy food. It will provide mental and emotional support for you on your journey. And best of luck and everything else to you!
  • Graelwyn75
    Graelwyn75 Posts: 4,404 Member
    I'm confused - 3500 calories a day is eating anorexic....?

    Try reading his post properly.
    Not a helpful comment.
  • Momjogger
    Momjogger Posts: 750 Member
    Not anymore, when I tried to recover I started eating minimal guidelines which for my age and height is 3500 calories. The weirdest thing that I gained 4 pounds and then my weight gain stopped for about 2-3 months, but I couldn't cope with extreme hunger anymore and started restricting again, coz Inwas afraid I would eat more and more

    YOU ARE STARVING AND YOUR BODY IS TELLING YOU TO EAT. MINIMAL GUIDELINES ARE NOT ENOUGH TO HELP YOU. As a male of your height and weight, your body is telling you to eat because it needs it. Please, please, please get help from a doctor. You are questioning something that is normal and you need help from a professional with expertise that you trust who can help you.
  • shimra41
    shimra41 Posts: 1 Member
    According to a BMI chart I looked up just now healthy weight for a male of your height is 144 - 195 lb. You should be eating a ton, you are too thin. I agree you should talk to a doctor.

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