Struggling to lose weight after a history of disordered eating (content warning)

cherrydollie
cherrydollie Posts: 2 Member
edited December 3 in Success Stories

Hello, I am a 20 y/o female, 155cm/5'1, 53.5kg/118lbs.

I suffered from anorexia when I was 16 to just under 18, and weighed about 90-100lbs. I have since well recovered but often find myself eating unhealthily and emotionally, and now I am close to 120lbs. I am aware this is a healthy weight but I would like to lose some of the fat I have gained, maybe 5-10lbs. I have started to workout 3-4 times per week with both cardio and strength training 45min-1h each session, but still feel hungry after eating 1800-2000 calories which is above what I need for weight loss, possibly because of my smaller frame.

I can't stand even the minor discomfort of being slightly hungry, or not having a treat, with how restrictive I used to be. I also struggle to do anymore exercise than I already do due to university and getting out of breath/tired very easily.

Does anyone have any tips?

Thank you so much!

Best Answer

  • Christelvaes
    Christelvaes Posts: 1 Member
    Answer ✓

    do not forget that you do move around and work out more and that requires more food.

    I am in the same boat and made the mistake of dropping a lot of carbs whilst working out a lot. Lost a lot of weight (which was necessary, because I was over a 100 kg) but then I did not need to lose that much anymore and I stopped losing weight and I kept eating less. Not a good idea, because I kept working out a lot. Now I have psychological help and I am eating a lot more again and my weight is good now. One day a bit more and one day a bit less. It stays stabil, but because I eat more carbs I am feeling a lot better and stronger in my head.

Answers

  • bonsaisoi
    bonsaisoi Posts: 2 Member

    I am in the same boat so I can sympathize. I am not sure of your particular diet but I find that if I eat mostly meat & veggies I feel fuller and more satisfied. If you feel like you need a snack try to go for low carb/low cal snacks. For us who have previously disordered eating, a lot of it is in our head. Something that never goes away. I am proud of you for taking the proper steps to recovery!

  • sollyn23l2
    sollyn23l2 Posts: 2,239 Member

    To be honest, you're playing with fire, and for 5-10 pounds, I would strongly encourage you to consider if it's worth it. I would just focus on eating reasonably and listening to your hunger cues. Losing a few pounds really isn't worth potentially reigniting a very serious ed.

  • AnnPT77
    AnnPT77 Posts: 38,557 Community Helper

    I agree with others, that there's a slippery slope here given your history, and that it would be a good idea to talk with your treatment team, even if that means getting back in touch with them after having disconnected.

    Several things I think are true and relevant, beyond that:

    • Someone at your current weight should not try to lose fast . . . in fact, should try to lose very, very slowly if at all. That would take a long time to show up on the scale, but be more health promoting.
    • I wouldn't assume you won't lose weight on 1800-2000 calories, as a busy college student doing that much exercise, even if you're petite. Maybe, maybe not. Try it for two months or so, see what happens. (I'm only slightly taller and heavier than you are, at 5'5" and 132 pounds, and a very similar BMI, 22-point-something. I'm around 3 times your age, at 70. I'd lose weight - admittedly slowly - on 1800-2000 calories gross intake, and I'm sedentary outside of intentional exercise. I admit I'm mysteriously a good li'l ol' calorie burner, but only your own track record tells you if calorie calculator values or even fitness tracker estimates are accurate for you or not.)
    • I endorse a PP's comment that eating mostly things like meat, fish, veggies, fruits and whole grains is likely to be more filling, though it's fine to include treats in moderate amounts. I'd add that timing of snacks/meals, IME, can make a big difference in both satiety and energy level, in the mix with workouts. There have been times when I did better replenishing carbs during/between workouts, or having some protein soon after (the latter for satiety, not because of illusions about muscle protein synthesis). Maybe try some experiments. (None of that will compensate for significantly under-eating for current needs, BTW.)
    • As a PP said, working on body composition is probably more beneficial to appearance goals than losing bodyfat, at BMI 22-point-whatever. That's extra true since you're in an ideal age range to build muscle most effectively, and set yourself up better for lifelong thriving. (I wish I'd done that.)
    • You say "I also struggle to do anymore exercise than I already do due to university and getting out of breath/tired very easily." That suggests to me that you've increased total exercise load too quickly for your current fitness level. I'd recommend backing exercise off, and re-adding gradually. I don't know what cardio you're doing with your strength training, but if it's high intensity right off the start . . . stop it. Build base fitness with lower intensity work first - exclusively lower intensity for a while if new to regular cardiovascular exercise. There's way too much nonsense in the influencer/blogosphere realm these days telling people to do HIIT all the time. That is not the best way to build fitness or a foundation for optimal health.

    But mostly: Talk to your treatment team. For sure, don't overdo calorie deficit or total exercise load.

    Best wishes!

  • cherrydollie
    cherrydollie Posts: 2 Member

    Thank you so much

    Thank you everyone for your answers and kindness, it's been very useful! I think I might try eating at maintenance (I live in a hilly/walkable city so get a decent number of steps in) and focus on gaining muscle and strength and cardiovascular fitness, and not focus too much on the weight.

    My only other concern about it was in my family there's a risk of diabetes, heart disease and naturally high cholesterol, which was another main reason for wanting to lose fat (and I am of South Asian ethnicity). I will chat to my healthcare team more, but this was very insightful!

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