How can I do it without gaining loads of weight?

Hunny, you should really be asking your health care team about this. ALL those people you probably hated to listen to before. Just trust them to take care of you to finally beat this horrible disease you have. You can do it!!!

Honestly, your situation is so unique that I wouldn't take the advise of anyone on this website. I highly recommend seeing a nutritionist that specializes in helping people who have been through what you have. I'm so sorry you went through that and wish you the best of luck with your recovery!

This. Please seek professional guidance.

Get an accurate assesment of what your daily calorie intake should be based on age, weight, and activity level minimum (there are even more accurate methods). Then just add 10%-15% to that evry day. Make sure you have at least a modest level of physical activity each week though to keep building lean tissues.

I agree seek medical advice. But if you slowly increase your calories, and your calorie burn you should be fine. And yes, you should be eating more calories. At least 1200.

Unfortunately you have a very bad relationship with food.

Up your calories in 50 calorie increments every two weeks while implementing some sort of exercise regimen. It can be just a daily walk for 30 minutes. Let the added calories be in form of green veggies & lean protein.

You may gain a few pounds because you've been starving yourself and now your body is going to try to harvest some of those calories BUT bare with it because you will eventually start seeing the results you want to see. You have to allowed your body to reverse the damage you've caused.

As a personal trainer-I was taught in school-people with this problem need to seek professional help. I didn't get a degree to help this-nor did most people on here. I would go talk to a doctor. It seems like you still have stuff you need to talk out!!

^^ This.

1) DEFINITELY speak to a healthcare professional right away.

2) There should be absolutely no need for a grown woman to lose weight at 109 lbs. Why are you trying to?

3) The minimum amount of calories needed for your body to function properly is 1200. And this is 1200 NET, meaning after you subtract any calories burned by exercise. Anything lower for an adult is unhealthy - especially without medical supervision.

4) If you are gaining weight on 1200 calories a day, your body is trying to TELL you something! It NEEDS those calories!

5) And if you were in a medical facility for the purpose of recovery and gaining weight, you should not have been finding time to do things like jogging in place to lose the calories you were supposed to retain. This, and the rest of your post, tells me you should find a counselor ASAP, because you are still fighting against recovery.

I agree with the aboe posters. In this situation it'd be best to talk with professionals.

I wish you the best of luck

Hi
If you are just moderately active you should be able to take in 1500 to 2000 calories a day and not gain weight. You may not want to decrease your calories that drastically. If you take in few calories your body will want to keep what you have in order to survive and of course no weight loss. The only way to increase metabolism is to stoke the fire by eating and moderate exercise.

But if you eat certain foods high fiber carbs, protein, and fats like avocadoes and olive oil and eat 5 times over the course of the day to build up to 1500 calories while just doing some lite walking 20 mins a day you should be able to maintain your weight. Don't give up carbs either we need them for fiber, mood, and good colon health.

As you gain weight which may happen a bit don't be scared your body will adjust to the extra calories. Remember when you do not weigh enough for your body type or low BMI your body Does Not need that many calories. That is why a bigger person can eat 3000 calories a day just to maintain their weight. Over exercising at this point will cause you to eat more and though you can take in more calories it will be hard to truly reset you metabolism. Figure out if 110 is where you want to be then over the course of two weeks watch your intake to 1500 to about 2200 or figure out your BMI and adjust your calories for maintenance. Take it slow with exercise and see where your body feels comfortable. i just think over exercising or eating too few calories is not a lifetime commitment that is manageable. Give yourself one day a week to have the things you want so as not to create a habit of bingeing on bad foods. Then the next day adjust those calories...going without the things you love creates a hostile environment within your body. We all deserve to have the things in life we love. Having mental mind games over food should not be one of the fights. Remember its the quality of the food that matters. Good luck!!!

Blah to anyone giving advice other than "see a pro". :explode:

Wow I am seriously touched by all of your caring replies. I do work with a counselor as well as an MD right now but i guess I've just been afraid to let them know that I am slipping. However as per most of your suggestions, I will bring this up at my next appointment.

I will aim to increase my calories slowly and if I do gain, what the h*ll! Let my body settle where it feels comfortable!

BINGO! You're doing the right thing. BE SURE to bring it up... you MUST tell them. Let us know how you're doing!