Nervous to eat normal again

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I been on a restricted very low calorie diet for over 2 months to lose weight. (300-1000 calories a day, 132-107 lbs) I ate clean foods like just fruits, vegetables, and meat. I hated it because my family and friends can eat my favorite foods and I want them, but I always stay restricted. I want to keep my current weight, (I burn 1500-2000 calories on the treadmill) but I also want to eat normal again and be able to eat my favorite foods again. I'm nervous about doing so because I'm scared of weight gain and and scared I won't be able to fit in my new clothes that I thought I could never fit in it. I need advice. I miss eating stuff like Mexican, pasta, pizza, ice cream, eat. (I count my calories and always go low calorie, fat, sugar free stuff, but at restaurants it's hard)
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Replies

  • queenliz99
    queenliz99 Posts: 15,317 Member
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    Are you in therapy with eating disorder specialist?
  • leahrbeatty
    leahrbeatty Posts: 15 Member
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    No, I'm trying to prevent an eating disorder and I just want to be able to eat normal again and still keep between 107-110 lbs. I just don't like gaining weight. Is it possible to come out of starvation mode, eat normal, keep my workout problem and not gain is what I want to know. I want to enjoy eating my favorite foods again.
  • queenliz99
    queenliz99 Posts: 15,317 Member
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    No, I'm trying to prevent an eating disorder and I just want to be able to eat normal again and still keep between 107-110 lbs. I just don't like gaining weight. Is it possible to come out of starvation mode, eat normal, keep my workout problem and not gain is what I want to know. I want to enjoy eating my favorite foods again.

    Yes, just start eating. But your thoughts are what is bad. You need to get this fixed. Being afraid of foods and gaining weight is not good. You need to seek assistance with therapist with this.

    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10142490/a-list-of-calorie-dense-foods/p1

    https://myfitnesspal.desk.com/customer/portal/articles/1575987-eating-disorder-resources

    This a slippery slope, please seek outside help.

  • nvmomketo
    nvmomketo Posts: 12,019 Member
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    Your calories were almost shockingly low. I would at least up them to 1700 per day, which is roughly what you say you burn on the treadmill. Log all foods and exercise and keep an eye on your weight, or better yet, your measurements.

    I would figure out your TDEE, add on your exercise calories, or most of them, and see how you do. http://tdeecalculator.net/
  • cocobot2013
    cocobot2013 Posts: 46 Member
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    I used to only eat 600-1000 calories months ago for a long time, I worked my way up to about 1500 now trying to figure out the whole process but I was even scared when I went from 600 to seeing 800, so scared I'd gain weight over time, I actually still lost about 10 pounds lol, I used to also have a cheat meal once a month, then it was cheat day once a month, then cheat day twice a month, and then cheateyish day once a week. (I'm talking binge like crazy waking up almost puking) I love pizza chocolates fried rice etc, but the last few weeks I've been trying out "moderation" of certain foods I crave or find healthier alternatives. I still go out to dinner though at least once a week and order what I want, I look at weekly totals now, and even if you go over every now and again I think it'll be okay cause it's not your usual eating pattern.. at least that's what I'm telling myself. And it's actually been going pretty well. But I've been maintaining my weight for the last couple of months, I was like you though scared that even 100 calories will make me gain that 60 I lost right back, but it didn't, and I don't feel so weak or tired anymore either! I know it's scary and I'm still trying to figure out my own method here still but I told myself it's better to make small changes now than for me to say screw it and end up back in my old binge eating everyday habits! As for exercise, you probably don't even need to burn that much, I feel dead burning 500 on the treadmill LOL but if you want that's not a problem, it means for calories you can eat! But my exercise actually has decreased from when I started. It was 6-7 days a week now it's 4 for about an hour. Just take baby steps to try and get it under some control now!
  • malibu927
    malibu927 Posts: 17,565 Member
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    25 pounds in two months? Yes, you really should speak with a professional about your disordered thinking.
  • queenliz99
    queenliz99 Posts: 15,317 Member
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    I want to add this. Stop doing the treadmill. You only need 30 minutes of walking a day. Right now you are torching your calories and you need to gain weight.
  • leahrbeatty
    leahrbeatty Posts: 15 Member
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    I only workout for an hour. I use an incline treadmill to help me burn more
  • leahrbeatty
    leahrbeatty Posts: 15 Member
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    I know today I'm starting my eating my favorite Mexican meal again. It's been a long time. I want to still eat healthy and eat the "bad" foods occasionally like once a week or so. I just don't want to gain is all.
  • queenliz99
    queenliz99 Posts: 15,317 Member
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    I only workout for an hour. I use an incline treadmill to help me burn more

    Then stop! http://www.recoveryranch.com/articles/eating-disorders/anorexia-nervosa-anorexia-athletica/
  • cocobot2013
    cocobot2013 Posts: 46 Member
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    That's what I've been doing! Just looking at my weekly calories, like I said it's better now to take baby steps than to blow it all off! Good luck to you, it'll take time but it'll be a lot easier and your body will be happy lol (also if you find once increasing calories you're hungrier than you ever were it's most like just your body resetting to good nutrition. Still watch what you eat but it's not a bad thing. I found I wasn't 'hungry' eating 800 calories a day and now I'm hungry every hour or two with upped calories, but my weight is the same!)
  • leahrbeatty
    leahrbeatty Posts: 15 Member
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    Thank u. I ate more at supper time today since I didn't eat much for lunch. Today was basically my first cheat day in months. I feel better too. Tomorrow I'll eat normal healthy foods and keep my exercise program and hoping I can stay the same. I feel less nervous now.
  • cocobot2013
    cocobot2013 Posts: 46 Member
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    Good! That's the way to do it. I think mines partially I actually want to eat everything in sight and part of me still has the "I'm not allowed to eat that so I'm craving it 1,000 times more" I'm working on just thinking of food as fuel but also that food is food and if I really want it I could technically eat it but I know it'll probably just leave me hungry for hours in end lol like walking by the krispy kreme donuts in the store and thinking well I could make some kind of cake batter milkshake that's bigger/the same calories for that lol, mind over matter but you'll do fine since you're already trying to get a handle on it before it gets out of control! Best of luck to us!
  • baneenerwiener
    baneenerwiener Posts: 26 Member
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    I would recommend seeking help with this. You need to be eating a lot more and exercising less (unless you truly enjoy the exercise but you need to eat WAY more to fuel those burns). You may gain weight at first coming out from being disordered into a healthy life but it will even out and you can build lean muscle and look lean and thin and awesome while eating what you enjoy. You can learn how to make healthy alternatives to the foods that you miss so that you can eat more without gaining weight, but do keep in mind that if you are underweight and restricting there is no way that you can maintain that. You will either die or bounce back to a higher weight than you were before so it is better to begin a healthy change and get on the right back sooner rather than later. Best wishes <3
  • fi_b
    fi_b Posts: 121 Member
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    If so much cardio is your thing, then I guess go for gold! But like pretty much every post above, you really do need to increase your calories.
    If you're really worried about gaining size and are only doing that much cardio to burn calories may I suggest looking into weight training? Gaining muscle mass will increase the number on the scale, sure - but 1 kilo (or pound) of fat is much larger than the equivalent of muscle. Over my weight loss journey I've only lost 5 kilos, however I'm 2, nearly 3 dress sizes smaller than before.
    Should you be wanting to do some reading/research have a look at flexible and/or reverse dieting. Both of these are ways people include their favourite "junk" foods while maintaining their body goals. Alternatively if you like cooking there are so many recipes for healthy versions of most junk foods! If pizza is your weakness, check out making a cauliflower crust! If you love cakes, check out sweet potato or pumpkin chocolate cake/brownies. For pastas there are many versions of noodles that do just as well at holding sauce without the unnecessary simple, refined carbs. Check out using zucchini noodles aka "zoodles".

    Whatever you chose to do from here, just make sure you are looking after your health. There is no point achieving your dream body if it only brings you sickness. Maybe make an appointment with a nutritionist? They will be able to advise you on calories, protein, fat and carbohydrate intake.

    Good luck! And if you want to chat at all, feel free to add me as a friend and/or send me a message :smiley:
  • leahrbeatty
    leahrbeatty Posts: 15 Member
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    Thank u, I'm starting to increase my calorie intake slowly. I'm also looking for healthier versions of my favorite foods. Thank u for the support.
  • cityruss
    cityruss Posts: 2,493 Member
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    You really need to speak to somebody on a 1-1 professional basis.
  • cnbbnc
    cnbbnc Posts: 1,267 Member
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    cityruss wrote: »
    You really need to speak to somebody on a 1-1 professional basis.

    I agree. You're not eating nearly enough and it's going to end up impacting your overall health big time. IMO, worrying about gaining a few pounds should be the at the bottom of the list. What about the affect on your heart over time? People die from things like this.
  • WinoGelato
    WinoGelato Posts: 13,454 Member
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    I know today I'm starting my eating my favorite Mexican meal again. It's been a long time. I want to still eat healthy and eat the "bad" foods occasionally like once a week or so. I just don't want to gain is all.

    All of the things you've said in this thread, including referring to "bad foods" show that you really do have a tremendous amount of disordered thinking going on. I really think you need to get professional help with this. This is too important to try to manage on your own. Please use the references provided above.