Weight redistribution - any recovered/recovering anorexics on here?

Anorexics usually lose a ton of lean mass, too. IF you can control it, I would strongly recommend doing weight training to get a healthy balance of lean and fat mass back

Hi there I understand how your feeling it is a very frustrating point of recovery that you are at (I'm just passing that point now) you may know this already but as you start weight restoration your body stores your weight first in your trunk because its first priority is to protect all your inportant organs. After you reach and start to maintain your body's natural weight the body begins to redistribute the weight you have gained in recovery. My guess is that you have not yet hit a healthy weight for your body and once you do you will see much improvement in your health, maybe to check in with a doctor or other health professional and see if they can help. good luck and keep going your doing well

i've been in what i call recovery for over a year now, and the weird thing is, even after i thought i was eating more, i still ended up losing my period when i lost too much weight a few months ago unintentionally (think it has been hormonal issues as well). it took months for my period to come back, so when i lost it i got scared & began eating even more & actually gained weight back and now am up to a healthy weight with a returned period.

however, i think my period may now be irregular, and i still experience hairloss due to all the imbalances i created. it is getting better but has been chronic for over a year now. sometimes going so long without eating properly can cause chronic issues that overlap into recovery. it's not fun, gaining weight when you are so used to losing, and feeling like you have ruined all 'progress', whatever that may be. but i love seeing my skin healthier, my hair getting stronger, and not being cold or dizzy all the time. as for the sex drive, mine is still relatively low due to hormonal imbalances & depression. and depression/anxiety can be fueled by ED & stress in my own experience.

the weight you gain is gonna go wherever it's gonna go, you can thank genetics. but you can always tone it up, once you reach an optimal healthy weight for your height. try recomping! it's what i'm about to start working on. when i gained back weight, i did not (and still don't tbh) like everywhere i gained. but i know it's better & i can always improve it, if i don't get carried away and hurt myself.

as for all the side effects of your ED still affecting you, there's really no set time for when things will return to normal, but please don't let that discourage you. just because you're not seeing major improvements yet doesn't mean fall back down. you just gotta keep going & taking care of your body. everyone's body responds differently, but recovery is always always the right answer. i still struggle too at times. best of luck!!!

Anyone thought of starting a support Group or something to encourage each other?

I think it would be a good idea

I never had an actual "eating disorder" per se, but I didn't eat well (depression issues) and was at a BMI of a 14. The doctor obviously flipped out and put me on a weight gain diet. I have stayed at a BMI of the 18-20 range for the past 3 years. It is a constant struggle in the mirror when shopping because I am no longer the size I still feel accustomed to. When the pounds came on they didn't distribute and I had the same thing as you. What I would recommend is that you try heavy lifting. You will have to build up obviously, but low rep high weight workouts helped even my arms with my legs and I even moved some of that pooch to my butt. Idk what your body goal is, but no matter what people say, you will not bulk unless you are going crazy at the gym. I maintained a normal diet, but made sure I had protein and I was pleased with the results. My jeans fit way better in the butt and the waist now

Those tree trunk legs of yours - that's your disorder talking. You're too focused on the eensy-weensy bit of fat and not seeing yourself clearly. I'd say you're still recovering and not quite recovered.

It will take some time for everything to get back in shape and it will happen slowly. Don't get discouraged. Keep eating, get your nutrients, follow your plan. I'm assuming you have a plan and a care team there. You do, right? If you don't have a therapist who specializes in EDs, get one and discuss these things!!

You should keep a journal of what you're doing and how you're feeling so that others might be able to learn from it. An honest journal. With the truth about what you're doing and don't BS on the feelings. Just write them down as they are.

Even though your ED is telling you that you have tree trunk legs, you are still eating. That really shows how far you've come. You should be really proud of your progress.

You're going to be so proud of yourself when you're done! You'll be happier and healthier. It's going to be great. So hang in there!!

Keep up the good work.

I ended up getting pregnant so it kind of "forced me to eat" I noticed the way I regained was different the way I carried the baby was different. Now I am legitimately overweight. Trying to be healthy again is hard. Especially when Anorexia and Bulimia are fairly well ingrained. I'm 31 and it feels awkward trying to lose excess in a healthy way. My therapist noted that I am extremely controlling over my caloric intake and I don't know how to not be, even when its within a guideline that meets the AHA amount.

Have you noticed a decrease in your general anxiety levels since getting to a healthy weight?