2 months sick (flu-like) and Undereating = messing up metabolism?

clariemoo
clariemoo Posts: 34 Member
edited October 2014 in Motivation and Support
Short version is that I finally quit smoking (cheers! :smiley: ) 2 months ago. When I quit I decided I wanted to go back to being healthy and was afraid of gaining some weight: registered right away to the gym and went back to eating right (1,300-1,500 calories daily).

However in Month 2: I started to get some nasty flu-like symptoms that come with the withdrawal from cigarettes. Since the past few weeks been mostly bedbound with very little appetite: eating 500-800 calories a day (and almost no exercise) - eating mostly soups/steamed vegetables/fruit/dairy produce (and some meat or fish if I can stomach it).

I was already starting to see some positive results of my lifestyle changes within the first month but now I have lost at least 5 Kgs (almost 11lbs) which seems very excessive.

Background info: F27 / 161 cm and 57.5 KG (5'3" and 126.76 lbs)

My concerns are:
  • What effect this will have on my metabolism: eating less than 1,000 calories / day for extended periods and what will happen when I feel better and appetite returns: eating more calories and going back to the gym.
  • If I can prevent regaining the weight I lost while sick.
  • Worried about this triggering a vicious cycle of anorexia and bulimia.

But bottom line: I prefer to deal with excess weight than keep on smoking.

Replies

  • tulips_and_tea
    tulips_and_tea Posts: 5,741 Member
    Good job both quitting smoking and realizing that a little excess weight is much better than resuming smoking! I have no experience with that personally, so I'm not sure if what you experienced was withdrawal symptoms or what.

    But, a couple years ago I went though a similar "illness". I use quotes because to this day I have NO idea what caused it (even after going to the doctor twice and all tests came back normal) but I too felt flu-like symptoms, could not keep anything down, was weak, etc. for almost 6 weeks. It took me 8 weeks to get back to the gym and yes, I lost 10 lbs. unintentionally during that time.

    I used that as a time to over-haul my diet and figured it was at least a learning experience. Long story short, no, in my experience I did not have any metabolism issues and I did bounce back to normal.

    If you're sure you have no health issues, just keep eating as much and as healthfully as you can and let your body heal and tell you what it needs.
  • hearthemelody
    hearthemelody Posts: 1,025 Member
    I am a little confused - Why do you think you will get into an anorexia/bulemia cycle?
  • RodaRose
    RodaRose Posts: 9,562 Member
    You could try increasing your calories a little at a time. Go up to 1100 for a week or two. Then go up more. It is up to you.
  • Holly_Roman_Empire
    Holly_Roman_Empire Posts: 4,440 Member
    hearthemelody wrote: »
    I am a little confused - Why do you think you will get into an anorexia/bulemia cycle?

    I'm curious as well. And I'm concerned that you've been feeling symptoms that long. Have you thought about a trip to the doctor?
  • habit365
    habit365 Posts: 174
    My #1 concern would be that you have been sick for so long without a diagnosis. Go to the doctor, find out what's going on, and once you are well you can sort out the rest.
  • clariemoo
    clariemoo Posts: 34 Member
    Not to worry :) I have a doctor's (and dentist) appointment set for tomorrow so going to get the full check up and blood tests !

    The length of the flu I think is related more to my body getting rid and coughing up all the toxic crap I have been smoking this year.

    Otherwise I've had a few EDs in the past (mainly bulimia - eating instead of dealing with feelings... and then have periods of intentionally barely eating to try to compensate) and I'm afraid that now I might be putting too much importance on the weight lost so far while sick and eating little and afterwards try to stick to eating under 1000 calories daily (becoming obsessed again with calorie counting and numbers on the scale) which is basically setting myself up for failure / weight gain on the long run...

    While writing this I realise that i really have to keep focus that its not a race and to think on the long term and not a quick fix.. and that I have in the past managed to lose weight already thanks to the gym and acceptable calories level (1300-1500 daily)

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