ruined metabolism by starving? ?

BriarBelle
BriarBelle Posts: 9
edited November 8 in Health and Weight Loss
I dont ever post on here but could use some help I have basically ruined my metabolism by starving myself (unintentionally at first) and now I cant even look at food without gaining weight. How do I sort out my metabolism so I can eat normally again without gaining a huge amount of weight? Please don't be horrible I know its my fault bit im trying to be healthy again and just want some help :(
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Replies

  • getready66
    getready66 Posts: 17
    bump
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    How many cals were you eating? How long did you eat a small amount for?
  • BriarBelle
    BriarBelle Posts: 9
    500 cals a day approximately for about 1.5 years now if eat over 500 a day I gain 2-3 pounds overnight
  • BombshellPhoenix
    BombshellPhoenix Posts: 1,693 Member
    BriarBelle wrote: »
    500 cals a day approximately for about 1.5 years now if eat over 500 a day I gain 2-3 pounds overnight

    You should see a doctor.
  • rsclause
    rsclause Posts: 3,103 Member
    Starving sucks and I won't do it. I never miss a meal, I get hangry. What worked for me is upping my cardio to allow me to eat more. I run most mornings (4 to 8 miles) and then follow it up with a 1200 calorie breakfast. By 9:30 a snack, lunch, a snack and a reasonable dinner. Revving it up works for me.
  • BriarBelle
    BriarBelle Posts: 9
    I have seen a doctor they dont care because im not underweight so they say just eat 2000 cals a day and all will be fine. I went 7 days eating normally and gained 9pounds in 7 days.

    I just want to be healthy again and be able to eat normally I never planned to starve myself or anything. I dont know whether slowly increasing my calories would work or not I dont know much about how the body works apart from iv messed mine up

  • tulips_and_tea
    tulips_and_tea Posts: 5,744 Member
    Are you sure that 9 lbs. wasn't just water retention? Shifting calories like that can cause huge fluctuations. If you can, stick with a larger amount of calories, drink lots of water, and keep sodium to a minimum. You should get past that initial "gain" and your body will balance itself out. Not knowing your personal stats, though, I don't know if 2000 cals. is accurate or not. How about seeing a nutritionist?
  • BombshellPhoenix
    BombshellPhoenix Posts: 1,693 Member
    BriarBelle wrote: »
    I have seen a doctor they dont care because im not underweight so they say just eat 2000 cals a day and all will be fine. I went 7 days eating normally and gained 9pounds in 7 days.

    I just want to be healthy again and be able to eat normally I never planned to starve myself or anything. I dont know whether slowly increasing my calories would work or not I dont know much about how the body works apart from iv messed mine up

    Have you been losing weight? Are you tracking calories? You realize jumping up in intake results in water weight regain. Glycogen stores return when you eat at maintenance. So, jumping up and down intake isn't going to help you. You're looking for a trend over several weeks. What the average is. I can gain like 5 lbs from morning to night 4 lbs from day to the next. Weight loss, maintenance. Gain. None of it will be linear.
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    BriarBelle wrote: »
    I have seen a doctor they dont care because im not underweight so they say just eat 2000 cals a day and all will be fine. I went 7 days eating normally and gained 9pounds in 7 days.

    I just want to be healthy again and be able to eat normally I never planned to starve myself or anything. I dont know whether slowly increasing my calories would work or not I dont know much about how the body works apart from iv messed mine up

    So what's wrong with having gained 9lbs?
  • deksgrl
    deksgrl Posts: 7,237 Member
    BriarBelle wrote: »
    500 cals a day approximately for about 1.5 years now if eat over 500 a day I gain 2-3 pounds overnight

    You have to gradually up your calories. Initially you will likely gain. Eventually your body will normalize.

  • BriarBelle
    BriarBelle Posts: 9
    BombshellPhoenix wrote: »
    BriarBelle wrote: »
    I have seen a doctor they dont care because im not underweight so they say just eat 2000 cals a day and all will be fine. I went 7 days eating normally and gained 9pounds in 7 days.

    I just want to be healthy again and be able to eat normally I never planned to starve myself or anything. I dont know whether slowly increasing my calories would work or not I dont know much about how the body works apart from iv messed mine up

    Have you been losing weight? Are you tracking calories? You realize jumping up in intake results in water weight regain. Glycogen stores return when you eat at maintenance. So, jumping up and down intake isn't going to help you. You're looking for a trend over several weeks. What the average is. I can gain like 5 lbs from morning to night 4 lbs from day to the next. Weight loss, maintenance. Gain. None of it will be linear.

    Last year I lost alot of weight now im kind of just fluctuating between a few pounds i track on here most days I know if I eat a big meal ill gain water and food weight ect its not pure fat appeared overnight but my average weight is staying the same now just up or down a pound
  • BriarBelle
    BriarBelle Posts: 9
    TavistockToad wrote: »
    BriarBelle wrote: »
    I have seen a doctor they dont care because im not underweight so they say just eat 2000 cals a day and all will be fine. I went 7 days eating normally and gained 9pounds in 7 days.

    I just want to be healthy again and be able to eat normally I never planned to starve myself or anything. I dont know whether slowly increasing my calories would work or not I dont know much about how the body works apart from iv messed mine up

    So what's wrong with having gained 9lbs?

    Im happy with my weight and dont wanna gain loads of weight
  • wamydia
    wamydia Posts: 259 Member
    1. Find a better doctor that listens to you and ask for a referral to a dietician to help you sort out your nutritional needs. Be your own advocate and don't take no for an answer.
    2. Start increasing your calories. You will gain weight at first and that's just how it is (much of it is water due to replenishing your glycogen stores). But your body will eventually straighten itself out and you'll be able to maintain weight at a reasonable calorie intake and then start losing safely again. A dietician can help you figure all of this out.
  • BriarBelle
    BriarBelle Posts: 9
    BZAH10 wrote: »
    Are you sure that 9 lbs. wasn't just water retention? Shifting calories like that can cause huge fluctuations. If you can, stick with a larger amount of calories, drink lots of water, and keep sodium to a minimum. You should get past that initial "gain" and your body will balance itself out. Not knowing your personal stats, though, I don't know if 2000 cals. is accurate or not. How about seeing a nutritionist?

    Some of it was probably water but its just awful when you can gain over a stone in 2 weeks wich I easily could :/ id like to see a nutritionist is something ill have to look into thank you
  • IsaackGMOON
    IsaackGMOON Posts: 3,358 Member
    BriarBelle wrote: »
    TavistockToad wrote: »
    BriarBelle wrote: »
    I have seen a doctor they dont care because im not underweight so they say just eat 2000 cals a day and all will be fine. I went 7 days eating normally and gained 9pounds in 7 days.

    I just want to be healthy again and be able to eat normally I never planned to starve myself or anything. I dont know whether slowly increasing my calories would work or not I dont know much about how the body works apart from iv messed mine up

    So what's wrong with having gained 9lbs?

    Im happy with my weight and dont wanna gain loads of weight

    You've been eating 500 calories a day for 1.5 years, you suddenly increase your caloric intake and your body will retain water weight - it's been deprived and is holding on to it.

    It's not 9lb's of fat, it's most likely water.

    The only way to being healthy again is eating enough calories, in your case.

  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    BriarBelle wrote: »
    TavistockToad wrote: »
    BriarBelle wrote: »
    I have seen a doctor they dont care because im not underweight so they say just eat 2000 cals a day and all will be fine. I went 7 days eating normally and gained 9pounds in 7 days.

    I just want to be healthy again and be able to eat normally I never planned to starve myself or anything. I dont know whether slowly increasing my calories would work or not I dont know much about how the body works apart from iv messed mine up

    So what's wrong with having gained 9lbs?

    Im happy with my weight and dont wanna gain loads of weight

    You will probably have to gain a few pounds in order to repair your metabolism.... So I guess it depends what you want more?
  • pscarolina
    pscarolina Posts: 133 Member
    How did you lose the weight last year? Eating very low calories? I have a couple of co-workers who are doing HCG injections & eating 500 calories a day. THIS is why I don't go for that kind of thing.

    I'd increase calories slowly & add some exercise. Even if you gain a little who cares. Reset your metabolism the best you can, learn to enjoy normal eating again & then MFP will be here for you to lose it the right way.
  • BriarBelle
    BriarBelle Posts: 9
    I was at my highest ever weight last year so I started mfp doing 1200cals a day and exercise and eating really healthy ect and didnt lose any weight I did it for months and just wasnt working, then I had a really stressful time and lost my appetite couldnt really eat because I was depressed and kind of just got stuck in the rut of eating hardly anything, I suppose im worried about gaining loads of weight and not being able to lose it the healthy way like before.
  • ksy1969
    ksy1969 Posts: 700 Member
    TavistockToad wrote: »
    BriarBelle wrote: »
    TavistockToad wrote: »
    BriarBelle wrote: »
    I have seen a doctor they dont care because im not underweight so they say just eat 2000 cals a day and all will be fine. I went 7 days eating normally and gained 9pounds in 7 days.

    I just want to be healthy again and be able to eat normally I never planned to starve myself or anything. I dont know whether slowly increasing my calories would work or not I dont know much about how the body works apart from iv messed mine up

    So what's wrong with having gained 9lbs?

    Im happy with my weight and dont wanna gain loads of weight

    You will probably have to gain a few pounds in order to repair your metabolism.... So I guess it depends what you want more?

    This^^^^^ which I recommend you do. Gain some weight and when you get to a comfortable amount of calories a day that maintains, then do a slow cut. This is exactly why everyone says take your time with weight loss.

  • lemurcat12
    lemurcat12 Posts: 30,886 Member
    BriarBelle wrote: »
    I was at my highest ever weight last year so I started mfp doing 1200cals a day and exercise and eating really healthy ect and didnt lose any weight I did it for months and just wasnt working, then I had a really stressful time and lost my appetite couldnt really eat because I was depressed and kind of just got stuck in the rut of eating hardly anything, I suppose im worried about gaining loads of weight and not being able to lose it the healthy way like before.

    Are you still eating super low calories?

    It probably makes sense to increase somewhat slowly, maybe 100 or so per week, although if you are way low I'd at least go up to 1200 immediately. Your metabolism will respond and also most of what you gain will be water weight so just don't freak out and give it time.
  • BriarBelle
    BriarBelle Posts: 9
    lemurcat12 wrote: »
    BriarBelle wrote: »
    I was at my highest ever weight last year so I started mfp doing 1200cals a day and exercise and eating really healthy ect and didnt lose any weight I did it for months and just wasnt working, then I had a really stressful time and lost my appetite couldnt really eat because I was depressed and kind of just got stuck in the rut of eating hardly anything, I suppose im worried about gaining loads of weight and not being able to lose it the healthy way like before.

    Are you still eating super low calories?

    It probably makes sense to increase somewhat slowly, maybe 100 or so per week, although if you are way low I'd at least go up to 1200 immediately. Your metabolism will respond and also most of what you gain will be water weight so just don't freak out and give it time.

    Yeah im still on 500 most days with mayb 1 or 2 days a week higher I might try and increase them slowly I want to get proper help buti just feel embarrassed and like noone will take me seriously because either im not underweight or people just say oh your skinny you can eat whatever you want ect
  • lemurcat12
    lemurcat12 Posts: 30,886 Member
    You shouldn't be embarrassed to ask for help. I'd ask for a referral to a nutritionist.
  • zoeysasha37
    zoeysasha37 Posts: 7,088 Member
    Research refeeding. Slowly up your intake. But seriously, find a doctor that will listen. See a nutritionist asap.
  • Liftng4Lis
    Liftng4Lis Posts: 15,151 Member
    You need to fire your doctor and get a new one. In the interim, don't worry about the water retention, worry about eating food and getting healthy.
  • gothchiq
    gothchiq Posts: 4,590 Member
    A doctor should take you seriously regardless of your current weight. If they don't, change doctors. Once you are eating enough calories to support exercise, make sure you do bodyweight exercises to help build your muscles back. Building up your muscles improves your metabolism, along with reasonable amounts of cardio such as walking or bicycling.
  • 50sFit
    50sFit Posts: 712 Member
    edited November 2014
    TavistockToad wrote: »
    BriarBelle wrote: »
    I have seen a doctor they dont care because im not underweight so they say just eat 2000 cals a day and all will be fine. I went 7 days eating normally and gained 9pounds in 7 days.

    I just want to be healthy again and be able to eat normally I never planned to starve myself or anything. I dont know whether slowly increasing my calories would work or not I dont know much about how the body works apart from iv messed mine up

    So what's wrong with having gained 9lbs?
    You may need to suck up some weight gain until your metabolism stabilizes.
    My neighbor - God love her - is in the same boat.
    She runs 8 miles per day and eats less than 1000 calories. She's big as can be at 5'5" all pear shaped and probably rolling around 220 lbs. It's sad for somebody to work so hard and not get the desired results.
    And it only gets harder the longer she keeps this up. At some point, it's going to crater.
    You have a chance to escape this fate.
    Good Luck!
  • BriarBelle
    BriarBelle Posts: 9
    Thanks everyone for the advice I honestly thought everyone was just going be horrible and say its my own fault!

    Im definitely going to look into re feeding and see about getting a nutritionist.

    Until recently I just thought well if I get help ill have to gain loads of weight so id rather carry on like this but now I really do want to change! Im scared of gaining weight but im 8stone7 at the moment so realistically its not going to kill me or make me overweight if I gain a few pounds.

    I do need to get a new doctor as well mine is horrible!
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  • busywaterbending
    busywaterbending Posts: 844 Member
    BriarBelle,

    medically speaking go to an endocrinologist to jump start your metabolism the RIGHT way! they will order some blood tests, like blood sugar levels and basic hormone panels to see where you are at and specifically what needs to be fixed. It's all bout leveling out your current health, NOT replacing anything that is missing.

    A high protein diet with heavy lifting and a little bit of cardio intervals is the typical prescription a Doctor will give you.

    Don't worry, you will get your health back! Your body is incredible. Don't do anything drastic.

    happy training! CoachTeresaCPT
  • 3bambi3
    3bambi3 Posts: 1,650 Member
    edited November 2014
    gwen2814 wrote: »
    pscarolina wrote: »
    How did you lose the weight last year? Eating very low calories? I have a couple of co-workers who are doing HCG injections & eating 500 calories a day. THIS is why I don't go for that kind of thing.

    I'd increase calories slowly & add some exercise. Even if you gain a little who cares. Reset your metabolism the best you can, learn to enjoy normal eating again & then MFP will be here for you to lose it the right way.

    I think there's huge misinformation out there about HCG. You are consuming low calories, but with the HCG you are also releasing approximately 1300 calories a day from fat to fuel your body. You are not ruining your metabolism, you are resetting it. Co-workers and I are also doing this diet as we speak. I am 8 days in and have lost 8.5 lbs. I am not hungry throughout the day because of the HCG and my energy is better than it has been in months. If there was truly a low calorie starvation thing happening, you couldn't feel this way. Read REAL information on it. You don't just go back to eating normal. You go to phase 3 which gradually adds more calories in a healthy way to your diet to teach you self control and portioning to be healthy.

    I have read REAL information on it. The information that told me it was BANNED by the FDA for being sold for weight loss because it is on no way proven to work or be effective. Whatever sales materials you read were incorrect and, considering the FDA ban, whatever it is you are taking is not HCG, unless you're having a pregnant woman pee on you daily. Stop spreading this nonsense. It's dangerous and against the community guidelines (all hail).

    OP - You've gotten some really good advice. I think you should find a new doctor and get a referral for a registered dietician. If you don't trust your doctor to give you a good recommendation, use Yelp to look up dieticians in your area. Best of luck to you. You CAN do this.
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