anyone recover from anorexia?

pebbleslaura1
pebbleslaura1 Posts: 146 Member
edited November 10 in Goal: Gaining Weight and Body Building
hiya just woundering if anyone on here has recovered from anorexia? any help/advice what you did how you felt ect. i REALLY want to recover but finding it so hard nice to hear from people who have recovered

Replies

  • ndj1979
    ndj1979 Posts: 29,136 Member
    I would suggest looking for a support group of recovering anorexics …..perhaps your dr or treatment person can recommend a group like that..?
  • lyraelpan
    lyraelpan Posts: 1
    Hi Pebbles,

    Hope I found you soon enough. I recovered from anorexia about 9 years ago. I looked for a "weight gaining" support group online and at work. Couldn't find any such thing. It wasn't easy. I finally found a supportive boyfriend AND (importantly) a counselor I could speak with that focused on teaching me how to have a good relationship with HEALTHY food, to see how it could nourish me. She also focused on meditation and mindfulness. It was a HUGE help for me.

    Let me know if I can help you in anyway.

    <3
    Ness
  • Springfield1970
    Springfield1970 Posts: 1,945 Member
    I had it when I was in my late teens and have been very controlling with food all my life. Tracking my calories, doing sports and weight training is the closest thing to Mecca for me so far. Controlled bulking was the first time since childhood where I didn't feel fear or panic or shame for overeating, because I had a plan, and a goal. In fact I felt every mouthful was a celebration of doing my body good. I can finally look at myself in the mirror and feel sexy and successful, but body dismorphia can creep in. Taking photos has really helped. I looked emaciated at 123lb only after seeing a photo, and felt amazing at 132lb at the top of my bulk. My dream weight is 126, but struggle keeping 127-128.

    In fact, reading back those last few sentences makes me realise how controlling I am, but I feel very happy with myself and my relationship with food nowadays.
  • lagringahernandez
    lagringahernandez Posts: 3 Member
    I recovered from anorexia 3 times in my life. The last time was 5 years ago following my beloved grandmothers death and then boyfriends deportation. I was 5'8 and only 100 pounds at the time. I had a counselor who pushed me too hard to gain weight and I ended up with a binge eating disorder for a few months after that. My advice is to gain slowly as to not overwhelm your system and your mind. The thing that helped me most to get over my body issues was to get in a good relationship. My husband is from Mexico and they are much more accepting of larger bodies than in America. He reassured me he loved me with more weight and didn't need to over exercise. Find people like that who will lift you up and not engage in negative self talk. Happily I'm back up to 128 pounds now. And the funny thing is...I want to gain more so I can have more curves. Such a change from my past. Good luck I know you can do this!!!!
  • ovinas1
    ovinas1 Posts: 413 Member
    Not that its funny. but i would sure like to try..
  • justcat206
    justcat206 Posts: 716 Member
    The first time I recovered I had no choice because I got pregnant and HAD to eat properly in order for my baby to grow healthy. However I had another relapse after my kids were all born. That time around I managed to overcome it by taking up weight lifting. I fell in love with picking up the weights and began to realize that you can't build sexy muscles unless you fuel them. I stopped weighing myself and started increasing my calories and tracking my macros until I was able to make some progress in the rack. The same could be said for just about any sport - you need food for fuel. I still have body-image issues, but when I decided that excelling (or just being ok) at lifting was more important to me than being skinny, it became MUCH easier to eat. Plus, I actually looked so much better 15 lbs heavier but with muscles. And I had a LOT of psychological help from other fitness friends and friends who had also recovered themselves. Best wishes!!
  • Springfield1970
    Springfield1970 Posts: 1,945 Member
    lagringahernandez wrote: »
    I recovered from anorexia 3 times in my life. The last time was 5 years ago following my beloved grandmothers death and then boyfriends deportation. I was 5'8 and only 100 pounds at the time. I had a counselor who pushed me too hard to gain weight and I ended up with a binge eating disorder for a few months after that. My advice is to gain slowly as to not overwhelm your system and your mind. The thing that helped me most to get over my body issues was to get in a good relationship. My husband is from Mexico and they are much more accepting of larger bodies than in America. He reassured me he loved me with more weight and didn't need to over exercise. Find people like that who will lift you up and not engage in negative self talk. Happily I'm back up to 128 pounds now. And the funny thing is...I want to gain more so I can have more curves. Such a change from my past. Good luck I know you can do this!!!!

    Sounds great and reminds me that a Venezuelan guy I've been seeing gets really excited when I get bigger! It's fantastic!

    Seriously though, weight training whether you're on an excess or a (sensible ie not when you're already underweight or if you cut more than 15% of your daily TDEE)deficit is a win win situation. You're either building muscle or holding on to muscle. You're turning the clock back to a younger version of yourself (growth hormone anyone?).

  • iwillbhappy
    iwillbhappy Posts: 1
    I had an amazing, supportive, encouraging counselor. I tried eating small meals. I started slowly, eating a snack like peanut butter and banana between meals. Then eventually I could eat a normal size meal. The best advice I can give you is don't give up. It takes time but it's worth it
    Good luck :)
  • pebbleslaura1
    pebbleslaura1 Posts: 146 Member
    thankyou all ssssssssssooooooooooooooo much for your help and advice :)
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