Have to fit in the dress...

caitiedid10
caitiedid10 Posts: 21 Member
in Introduce Yourself
Hello,

My name is Caitie and I am coming back to the site after some time away. I have struggled with eating disorders my whole life, both anorexia and binge eating and I am finally to a place where I want to cut the crap and get my body back.

I am 5' 9" and have been anywhere from 120 lbs ( 2007-2010) to 187 lbs (2012). I am currently 166 lbs, which is on the high end of healthy according to the BMI calculator, and I want to be better.

My little sister is getting married next spring, and I was asked to be a bridesmaid in the wedding. This of course means going dress shopping with a lot of much younger girls who have not had children and who still look amazing in just about everything. Needless to say, I want to look and feel better by November.

I would really like to reach a goal weight of 135 lbs by November, which I think is possible if I can get my butt into gear and keep a steady 2 pound a week weight loss goal. That being said, I could really use some encouragement and motivation. My family is all really critical of anything weight/weight loss related, so there is no support there.

I look forward to getting healthy with some of you!

~ Caitie

Replies

  • stanmann571
    stanmann571 Posts: 5,727 Member
    caitiedid10 wrote: »
    Hello,

    My name is Caitie and I am coming back to the site after some time away. I have struggled with eating disorders my whole life, both anorexia and binge eating and I am finally to a place where I want to cut the crap and get my body back.

    I am 5' 9" and have been anywhere from 120 lbs ( 2007-2010) to 187 lbs (2012). I am currently 166 lbs, which is on the high end of healthy according to the BMI calculator, and I want to be better.

    My little sister is getting married next spring, and I was asked to be a bridesmaid in the wedding. This of course means going dress shopping with a lot of much younger girls who have not had children and who still look amazing in just about everything. Needless to say, I want to look and feel better by November.

    I would really like to reach a goal weight of 135 lbs by November, which I think is possible if I can get my butt into gear and keep a steady 2 pound a week weight loss goal. That being said, I could really use some encouragement and motivation. My family is all really critical of anything weight/weight loss related, so there is no support there.

    I look forward to getting healthy with some of you!

    ~ Caitie


    Since you've struggled with ED, I'd encourage you to

    1. Not cut at quite such a savage rate.
    2. Focus moreso on recomp/health/fitness/strength than on scale weight.


  • caitiedid10
    caitiedid10 Posts: 21 Member
    Any ideas on what I should be doing? I have been struggling for so long with this excess weight and I don't know what to do. If I just write out what I ate during the day, I don't see results. If I count calories, it looks bad because of my past, but I can actually see results everywhere.
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    caitiedid10 wrote: »
    Any ideas on what I should be doing? I have been struggling for so long with this excess weight and I don't know what to do. If I just write out what I ate during the day, I don't see results. If I count calories, it looks bad because of my past, but I can actually see results everywhere.

    Aim for 0.5 to 1lb per week, eat back exercise calories, but your fat and protein minimums and get a good range of fruit and veg.

    Checking in with your treatment team wouldn't hurt either
  • kimny72
    kimny72 Posts: 16,011 Member
    Considering the amount of weight you have to lose, you should not be expecting more than 1 lb per week. Your goal is at the bottom of the healthy weight range for your height, so as you approach it your weight loss should slow down even more.

    Wanting to aggressively diet down to the low end of a possible healthy weight should concern your family, as it could easily trigger relapse. Please consider more realistic, healthy goals.

    Are you still in contact with your treatment team? I don't have any experience with ED recovery, so I would hate to suggest something inappropriate.
  • stanmann571
    stanmann571 Posts: 5,727 Member
    Pick a basic program and a basic goal- Strength training/lifting will take you farther and longer than running, but to start just pick one goal. either strength or running. You can add on later.



    Starting strength-for lifting... If you can't get access to a gym, YAYOG-You are your own gym(book) is a great place to start.
    C25K for running

    I can't speak to the ED part except to say, be mindful or your motivation and be self aware.

    But really, focus on your overall health and wellbeing and not on the mirror or scale. Set goals that are health/performance based, and once you're on track for those, re-evaluate your mirror/scale goals. You've got 6 months, so take the next 3 to progress towards health and fitness.
  • caitiedid10
    caitiedid10 Posts: 21 Member
    I have never actually been treated. My Mom took me to a therapist who diagnosed me with OCD and ED and we never went back. To my family, it is normal and healthy to be a stick. I just kind of took that diagnosis and have been trying to recoup myself on my own.

    Thank you all for your thoughts. I appreciate your recommendations.
  • AJB1014
    AJB1014 Posts: 1,380 Member
    Welcome back! For me, what worked best was starting small . I set a goal to change my breakfast week one. Week two I changed my lunch. I still haven't changed my dinners other than portion control. Each week that I achieve a small goal, it gives me motivation to keep going. I did not think of numbers the first two weeks, just overall health. I knew that if I achieved those goals and made those changes, the weight would come off as it will. I started logging my food and had to set my goals, 1lb/week is a great attainable goal that motivates me when I hit those goals instead of bumming me out that I didnt reach 2lbs/week.

    Good luck on your journey - starting is the hardest part sometimes!
  • jclawst
    jclawst Posts: 45 Member
    caitiedid10 wrote: »
    Hello,

    My name is Caitie...

    I would really like to reach a goal weight of 135 lbs by November, which I think is possible if I can get my butt into gear and keep a steady 2 pound a week weight loss goal. That being said, I could really use some encouragement and motivation. My family is all really critical of anything weight/weight loss related, so there is no support there.

    I look forward to getting healthy with some of you!

    ~ Caitie

    Welcome back Caitie! I’m a new user of this app and site but you’re welcome to friend me. I’m sure your goal is very reasonable and encourage you to keep aim.
  • Courtscan2
    Courtscan2 Posts: 499 Member
    Welcome back! I agree with with those telling you to dial down your expected rate of loss, trying to drop a lot of weight quickly when you haven't got much to lose and are already at a healthy weight will lead you to frustration and best, and could trigger a relapse of your eating disorder at worst. Healthy living is a marathon, not a sprint. If you don't do any strength training at the moment, consider starting this, which could give you better visible results than just dumping a lot of weight quickly. Strong and healthy is better than sickly and skinny. Best of luck to you on your journey, I hope you do get to a place where you feel happy and confident in your body!

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