Recovering and need support

chasanya
chasanya Posts: 3 Member
edited November 2024 in Motivation and Support
Hi everyone. I'm not sure if this is the right place to put this, but here I am!
I am recovering from an eating disorder, coming out of a bad relapse.
Currently I've reached a healthy weight and I'd like to maintain here. My BMR is 1,840 cals.

As someone who struggles to eat 800 calories a day (yes, I know), how can I reach my cal goal? When I say struggle I don't just mean the mental illness aspect. I mean my body is damaged and becomes physically sick from normal sized meals. Someone (outside of this site) advised I eat despite lack of hunger, to keep a routine. Is this a good idea?

I don't mean for this to replace professional therapy. I'm just hoping I can find some nutritional/motivational tips from other people on a health journey? Thank you :)

Replies

  • jessicatarves
    jessicatarves Posts: 1
    Hey there!! While I cannot say that I've struggled an eating disorder personally, I have however, seen a good friend struggle with one. I am also a second year psychology student who has done a fair amount of research on eating disorders.
    I think the person who advised you eat to eat on despite not feeling well was onto something. It's important to keep eating throughout the day. If you are the type of person who can't eat a lot in one sitting, try eating a 4 or 5 smaller portioned meals a day. Eating smaller portions might be easier on your belly.
    I hope this helps a little bit. Really try to reach your caloric daily minimum, you need those calories to give you energy to do even the most basic things. You look like a beautiful girl, try not to stress and obsess over eating. Remember, it's just as important to your well being as sleeping and laughing.
    Add me if you'd like, I am looking for support and motivation to maintain my weight as well!! o:)
  • juhishringi
    juhishringi Posts: 79 Member
    Hii, don't stugle with 800 cal intake a day its not the right amount for u u shuld eat at least 1200 cal a day in 6 small meals 3 main and 3 sanks it will definetly help to fill enjetic and fresh I was too strugling with my eating habbit from a long while but I startet this plan and its wrok awesome I fill fuler in control cal. Intake ....that's y I am go longer I hope
  • WitchofWashington
    WitchofWashington Posts: 158 Member
    I come from a background of anorexia, not anorexia nervosa, which means my body caused me to not eat enough calories or food in general. Later on I found out I had GERD and IBS which contributed to my anorexia. I'm currently down to one medication for the GERD instead of two and a medication to take if my IBS acts up. What I'm getting at, is that you should visit your regular physician about your body reacting to food how it does and see if there isn't a further underlying problem. Also, I agree with jessicatarves, that you should eat even when not hungry, if you make a schedule for when you have your meals, it should make it easier. When you eat, don't eat until you feel over full, just eat until you feel satisfied, over eating, even the healthy stuff, is not good for you. I hoped this helped and good luck on your journey. :D
  • teagirlmedium
    teagirlmedium Posts: 679 Member
    As a normal person with no professional ability to help in this area.

    I would say pick a goal for yourself calorie/nutrition wise. Then pick how much closer you want to be to the end goal every month. I think you would have a better chance of reaching whatever your end goal is if you break your meals up into several small portions throughout the day. I read the part where you said you get sick after eating normal sized meals so several small meals may be a better way to go. Meal planning may help you. You could pre-cook your food and place them in separate containers if you do not want to cook all day long.

    Good luck.
  • Nony_Mouse
    Nony_Mouse Posts: 5,646 Member
    Hi Chasanya

    We have a little group for ED recovery support here: http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/100766-eating-disorder-support-group

    There are only a few of us actively posting, but we are posting daily! We do goal setting and generally support each other.

    When I was coming out of my last severely restrictive phase (four years ago now) I also couldn't eat much at a time, so I focussed on higher calorie, nutritionally dense foods like olives, nuts, cheese, avocado etc, and ate often. Lots and lots of snacking!! Like, at one point I could only handle four thin rice crackers dipped in hummus at a time, but I did that several times a day. It may help you to prepare little snack packs for yourself in the morning, so you have it there and know what you need to get through by the end of the day.
  • chasanya
    chasanya Posts: 3 Member
    Thank you everyone for your input. I am going to try to incorporate some of these ideas!
    Nony_Mouse wrote: »
    Hi Chasanya

    We have a little group for ED recovery support here: http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/100766-eating-disorder-support-group

    There are only a few of us actively posting, but we are posting daily! We do goal setting and generally support each other.

    When I was coming out of my last severely restrictive phase (four years ago now) I also couldn't eat much at a time, so I focussed on higher calorie, nutritionally dense foods like olives, nuts, cheese, avocado etc, and ate often. Lots and lots of snacking!! Like, at one point I could only handle four thin rice crackers dipped in hummus at a time, but I did that several times a day. It may help you to prepare little snack packs for yourself in the morning, so you have it there and know what you need to get through by the end of the day.

    Ok, I joined the group.
    Thanks for sharing. It's nice to hear some successful recovery stories!
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