Recovering from a restrictive eating disorder, wondering if possible to lose weight on 1200

AmandaAma2 · May 2016

Hi, I need some help, and anyone who has advice or can help is much appreciated! I have had an eating disorder for about two years, have been back and forth through recovery and then relapsing and restricting within those two years. I want to be able to lose weight in a healthy way and looking to start a 1200 calorie diet, but was wondering if it's possible for someone with a history of an eating disorder to lose on this amount, or will I end up gaining or maintaining?

Thanks

abatonfan · May 2016

It might be a good idea to contact your recovery team. Most people (excluding very small, sedentary, and older women) maintain on much more than 1200 calories, but your recovery team should be able to help you figure out appropriate calorie and nutrition goals.

TribeHokie · May 2016

You might not find someone with the exact same history as you to answer this, but in general 1200 works for a lot of us. I've been mostly sticking to 1200 over the past 5 months though I've had plenty of days where I went over. Just give it a try and see what happens. Try to stay off the scale for the first month or so and keep your expectations realistic.

collectingblues · May 2016

Talk to your team. My therapist has been very, very clear with me that I am to eat no fewer than 1,600, and even when I grudgingly listen to her, I'm still losing. (She'd like me higher. I refuse. Such is life.)

pvju · May 2016

Most people do - even old folks like me;) For comparison, I'm in my fifties, 5'3" and not particularly active - seated job etc and I hit the gym sporadically - sometimes going several times a week, sometimes barely going for two weeks at a time. I lose on 1200, whether I work out or not. I really didn't think that was possible as I feel I have a very, very slow metabolism. Try it with very meticulous logging and I think you'll be pleasantly surprised. If you're young, it's likely you will lose weight eating even more than 1200 cal/day.

jenniferrea392 · May 2016

Hi. Congrats on your recovery! I find that sticking to a low glycemic diet with lean protein worked best at least for me. 1200 cals didn't help me and I train at least 4 days a week. You just have to eat lean and healthy whole foods. Mindful eating. Sending you good vibes. All the beat.

SLLRunner · May 2016

AmandaAma2 wrote: »

Hi, I need some help, and anyone who has advice or can help is much appreciated! I have had an eating disorder for about two years, have been back and forth through recovery and then relapsing and restricting within those two years. I want to be able to lose weight in a healthy way and looking to start a 1200 calorie diet, but was wondering if it's possible for someone with a history of an eating disorder to lose on this amount, or will I end up gaining or maintaining?

Thanks

Hi Amanda,

Because you have an eating disorder and you are not fully recovered, you need to speak with your doctor and therapist.

AmandaAma2 · May 2016

Thank you everyone for your input and support! I think I will focus on eating healthy and sticking to around 1200 calories, and I'll stay off the scale for awhile and see what happens, again thank you guys for everything! Hopefully my metabolism isn't completely recked

SLLRunner · May 2016

AmandaAma2 wrote: »

Thank you everyone for your input and support! I think I will focus on eating healthy and sticking to around 1200 calories, and I'll stay off the scale for awhile and see what happens, again thank you guys for everything! Hopefully my metabolism isn't completely recked

Amanda,

It is with 100% support that I encourage you to talk to your doctor. It does not sound like you are recovered from your eating disorder.

What is your weight, height, and age? How much are you trying to lose?

JeromeBarry1 · May 2016

Amanda, if you don't have a digital kitchen scale to weigh your food, get one. You will be glad you did.

AmandaAma2 · May 2016

Hi, thanks for the concern, I am planning on talking to a doctor hopefully soon, my weigh is 119 5'3 and 20 years old

meritage4 · May 2016

Set your goal weight with your team, or a t least your doctor.

I'm eating more than that and steadily dropping.

malibu927 · May 2016

Definitely speak with your treatment team, as you're at a healthy weight now. You may be better off not restricting and doing a body recomposition instead.

kgirlhart · May 2016

You should definitely speak about this with your doctor or therapist. 1200 can work for some people, but you are not overweight and for you 1200 would be a restrictive diet. You should be able to eat more than that and not gain weight. Please talk to your medical team about this. Good luck.

Sabine_Stroehm · May 2016

AmandaAma2 wrote: »

Hi, thanks for the concern, I am planning on talking to a doctor hopefully soon, my weigh is 119 5'3 and 20 years old

You're at a healthy weight now.

DebSozo · May 2016

As others mentioned you are at a wonderful weihgt and don't need to lose anymore. You even have a few pounds leeway up or down that will occur with normal daily fluctuations. You are at an ideal weight that is difficult for most to attain.

AmandaAma2 · May 2016

thanks guys for the input, maybe I'll try gradually increasing my calories and see what happens, I feel like I'm at a point where maybe I can lose weight slowly and healthily, but maintenance isn't a bad idea. Maybe it's just my eating disorder telling me I need too lose weight, but I also feel slightly uncomfortable at this weight right now so I don't know I'm just a bit lost, again thanks everyone for responding

Christina_3192 · May 2016

I think the advice of speaking to your doctor and therapist is spot on. And that 1200 could be incredibly triggering for your ED. We all have our triggers to unhealthy food/exercise behaviors and it takes time to master them.
Mine is the scale. I threw mine out. I only get on one at my doctors, or if I can't stop the compulsive urge to weigh myself when I see a scale at someone's house.

Definitely think about what could trigger you and come up with a game plan of how to handle the situation and make the positive healthy choice.

Please Be very very careful in your approach to a healthy diet and exercise program.
There is no shame in keeping your care team throughout your recovery. And if you do become triggered into unhealthy habits. Please call them immediately.

I also commend you for thinking about "do I really need to lose this weight or is this my ED". That is an incredibly brave question to ask yourself.

Recovering from an ED can be incredibly uncomfortable, and it can be very hard to adjust to being at a healthy weight due to how we perceive ourselves.

Please keep in close touch with your docs and keep them very much in the loop with your food/exercise.

Sorry for the length!! I just read this last night and couldn't stop thinking about you. I know it's silly to be worried for a complete stranger, but I was!! You deserve a healthy happy life!!

Best of luck in your journey to a healthy body and mind

DebSozo · May 2016

AmandaAma2 wrote: »

thanks guys for the input, maybe I'll try gradually increasing my calories and see what happens, I feel like I'm at a point where maybe I can lose weight slowly and healthily, but maintenance isn't a bad idea. Maybe it's just my eating disorder telling me I need too lose weight, but I also feel slightly uncomfortable at this weight right now so I don't know I'm just a bit lost, again thanks everyone for responding

Don't be afraid to start eating enough to maintain. There is a maintenance board under MFP Main Forums where you can read permanent helpful stickies and other threads that can help teach you how to stabilize. Sometimes there is a slight gain as the body replaces glycogen stores. But it is mostly water and will soon drop off as you settle into your maintenance weight.

mitch16 · May 2016

AmandaAma2 wrote: »

thanks guys for the input, maybe I'll try gradually increasing my calories and see what happens, I feel like I'm at a point where maybe I can lose weight slowly and healthily, but maintenance isn't a bad idea. Maybe it's just my eating disorder telling me I need too lose weight, but I also feel slightly uncomfortable at this weight right now so I don't know I'm just a bit lost, again thanks everyone for responding

You should definitely seek help from your treatment team. You are at a healthy weight now.

smileymaxine · May 2016

AmandaAma2 wrote: »

Hi, thanks for the concern, I am planning on talking to a doctor hopefully soon, my weigh is 119 5'3 and 20 years old

You are at a very healthy and good weight please please do not jump onto a 1200 cal diet , I don't think anyone who has just or is still recovering from an eating disorder especially one where you have in the past fixated on restricting cals should be counting cals. Please contact your doctor and recovery team.
Focus on learning to love good nutritios food and if you want to train do it , really helped me to start training and learning what my body actually needed to get stronger and through a good workout. Also bonus you will be fit , strong, give you more confidence but most of all you will be healthy.
I used this app to track cals and obsessed over even 1 freaking blueberry it was awful I'm only back now because I track macros for training and wanting to be the healthiest stronger version of myself.

Speak to your doctor please

AmandaAma2 · May 2016

Christina_3192 wrote: »

I think the advice of speaking to your doctor and therapist is spot on. And that 1200 could be incredibly triggering for your ED. We all have our triggers to unhealthy food/exercise behaviors and it takes time to master them.
Mine is the scale. I threw mine out. I only get on one at my doctors, or if I can't stop the compulsive urge to weigh myself when I see a scale at someone's house.

Definitely think about what could trigger you and come up with a game plan of how to handle the situation and make the positive healthy choice.

Please Be very very careful in your approach to a healthy diet and exercise program.
There is no shame in keeping your care team throughout your recovery. And if you do become triggered into unhealthy habits. Please call them immediately.

I also commend you for thinking about "do I really need to lose this weight or is this my ED". That is an incredibly brave question to ask yourself.

Recovering from an ED can be incredibly uncomfortable, and it can be very hard to adjust to being at a healthy weight due to how we perceive ourselves.

Please keep in close touch with your docs and keep them very much in the loop with your food/exercise.

Sorry for the length!! I just read this last night and couldn't stop thinking about you. I know it's silly to be worried for a complete stranger, but I was!! You deserve a healthy happy life!!

Best of luck in your journey to a healthy body and mind

Christina, thank you for this, and for everyone who has commented on this, your all right, I will definitely speak with a professional and start a maintenance level nutrition plan! No need too worry about a stranger haha sorry for causing people stress, I should realize that I'm at a healthy weight right now, but my mind thinks it's such a high weight and that I have too lose the eating disorder is a tough disease for sure! Again thanks everyone, recovery seems like the right option for now, I love how supportive and active this forum is on here, I though no one would respond!

Recovering from a restrictive eating disorder, wondering if possible to lose weight on 1200

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