Help with Maintenance
saraclark62
Posts: 41 Member
Hello.
I have been struggling with anorexia nervosa for the past 6 years. I am recognizing that I can no longer live like this, and I am making a change by committing to eat 1500/1600 calories everyday. I currently eat around 1050 calories, but maintained on 1200 in the past. I am 5'5, 19 years old, and 114 pounds. I would like to maintain my weight, but I am scared what will happen if I increase my calories to around 1500 or 1600. I am sedentary, and the only exercise I do is walking to class on a small campus. Thank you!
I have been struggling with anorexia nervosa for the past 6 years. I am recognizing that I can no longer live like this, and I am making a change by committing to eat 1500/1600 calories everyday. I currently eat around 1050 calories, but maintained on 1200 in the past. I am 5'5, 19 years old, and 114 pounds. I would like to maintain my weight, but I am scared what will happen if I increase my calories to around 1500 or 1600. I am sedentary, and the only exercise I do is walking to class on a small campus. Thank you!
6
Replies
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Increase your calories gradually and get your body used to more. There might be initial water weight gain but it'll be temporary. You need to add a few hundred cals until you are eating 1600. There's no way that 1600 is even your maintenance cals given your height, possibly you'll end up finding you can maintain on 2000+.7
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I think you’re safe to eat 1500/1600 calories, just up your calories by 100 for a few weeks and see how your weight acts. The best way to do that would be to use a weight tracking app like Libra or Happy Scale. I’m 23 years old, 110 lbs and 5’4” and I maintain on 1600-1900. It just depends on how much I’ve worked out or how active I was during the day. Of course my weight fluctuates a few pounds, 108-112 is my usual range. Don’t be afraid to eat though! I found that peanut butter, trail mix and cheese have been great for adding calories if I’m ever really short any. Good luck! You’ve got this!8
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I know that you know that we don't know anything about your situation. I think it's great that you are thinking about your own health at your age. Great time to develop whatever healthy habits you set your mind to (never too early, never too late)!
I encourage you to think about your whole life, not just the food. Think about what you want to be like, what do you want to be able to do, what skills do you want. Engross yourself in your physical and mental well being as well as building your skills and abilities. Try new things regularly.
As for the food: Seek professional advice, if you haven't. Broaden your palette. Learn to shop and cook. Learn to enjoy food with others.
May your life become so full that you have little time for worry!4 -
LivingtheLeanDream wrote: »Increase your calories gradually and get your body used to more. There might be initial water weight gain but it'll be temporary. You need to add a few hundred cals until you are eating 1600. There's no way that 1600 is even your maintenance cals given your height, possibly you'll end up finding you can maintain on 2000+.
Her maintenance calories would be >2,000 if she was moderately active. She will be closer to 1,600 at sedentary4 -
LivingtheLeanDream wrote: »Increase your calories gradually and get your body used to more. There might be initial water weight gain but it'll be temporary. You need to add a few hundred cals until you are eating 1600. There's no way that 1600 is even your maintenance cals given your height, possibly you'll end up finding you can maintain on 2000+.
Her maintenance calories would be >2,000 if she was moderately active. She will be closer to 1,600 at sedentary
I was going by my own stats, I'm only 5ft 2, maintenance for me is 1950-2000 cals at lightly active, if I was sedentary I would maintain on 1600. OP is taller so she will burn more than me even at sedentary.4 -
LivingtheLeanDream wrote: »LivingtheLeanDream wrote: »Increase your calories gradually and get your body used to more. There might be initial water weight gain but it'll be temporary. You need to add a few hundred cals until you are eating 1600. There's no way that 1600 is even your maintenance cals given your height, possibly you'll end up finding you can maintain on 2000+.
Her maintenance calories would be >2,000 if she was moderately active. She will be closer to 1,600 at sedentary
I was going by my own stats, I'm only 5ft 2, maintenance for me is 1950-2000 cals at lightly active, if I was sedentary I would maintain on 1600. OP is taller so she will burn more than me even at sedentary.
From what I’ve seen from other shorter women (5 feet to 5 feet 5 inches) , your stats (able to eat so many calories at that height without gaining weight) are remarkable. I think the calories listed by gvizzle are more average.
OP: Please do consider professional help in overcoming your ED. I’m glad you are starting to address it and wish you every success.7 -
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Try Kevin Hall's body weight tracker. Works so far so good for me. Cheers!0
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This is such a serious and difficult issue. Are you working with a counsellor and a dietician to help you with this great decision to take back your life?1
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LivingtheLeanDream wrote: »Increase your calories gradually and get your body used to more. There might be initial water weight gain but it'll be temporary. You need to add a few hundred cals until you are eating 1600. There's no way that 1600 is even your maintenance cals given your height, possibly you'll end up finding you can maintain on 2000+.
Her maintenance calories would be >2,000 if she was moderately active. She will be closer to 1,600 at sedentary
What do you define as moderately active?0
This discussion has been closed.
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