Staying above 1200, am I doing this right?

cookiedeer
cookiedeer Posts: 13
edited December 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
Hello MFPs,

I just started MFP about 2 weeks ago, and I am afraid I am doing this incorrectly. I started recovering from anorexia 1 year ago, trying to fix my metabolism while fighting the urge to lose more weight. I'm trying hard to maintain a diet above 1200 calories. I am 5'7" at 110 lbs, and I live an active lifestyle, waitressing 5 days and running/excercising 4-5 days a week. Also, my diet consists mainly of fruits, vegetables, rice, nuts, hummus, and recently, fish and lean meats. My biggest vice however - and saviour - is peanut butter. I feel so much heavier now that I've started measuring my calorie intake though MFP says I should weigh anything from 100-105lbs in a week.

Most days I feel better, though Ive had an insatiable appetite this week! I don't want to get bigger, but I don't want to be affected my an ED anymore.

Is there anyone who can guide me in the right direction?
Thank you so much,
COOKIE DEER

Replies

  • chlorisaann
    chlorisaann Posts: 366 Member
    I went to http://www.fitnessfrog.com/calculators/tdee-calculator.html and figured your TDEE (Total Daily Energy Expenditure) and at Lightly Active, which I think about suits your job... you should be taking in close to 1800 cal / day to maintain your current weight... for Moderately active it would be about 2000...
  • sweetbeckymarie
    sweetbeckymarie Posts: 144
    Your food choices sound healthy and if you are staying about 1200 then that is great too. Peanut butter is my weakness as well. However, it's healthy fat in peanut butter and can help keep you full. Peanut butter isn't the devil. I'm more than willing to help. :)
  • cookiedeer
    cookiedeer Posts: 13
    Thank you! I wasn't sure whether "active" or lightly active was most accurate.
  • cookiedeer
    cookiedeer Posts: 13
    Thank you so much! And you know.... I used to find the natural peanut butter's so repulsive - now they are my absolute favorites! Pb probably saved my life. :")
  • RuthSweetTooth
    RuthSweetTooth Posts: 461 Member
    Did you say you weigh 110 pounds? You should weight at least 121 at 5'7" so you need to gain weight. If you want to lose weight and you weigh ten pounds less than that, I am worried that you are still suffering from an eating disorder. For you to continue dieting at your weight will cause you health problems. It is vitally important that you learn to eat more foods. And for right now, I would endulge that love of peanut butter and have it as much as you want until you can get your weight up to 121 pounds because your body is telling you something. I was 5'7" and 121 pounds when I was 20, and that was a very good weight for me.

    Use MFP to calculate how many calories you should eat to maintain a weight of 121 pounds at 5'7", figure in your exercise, and eat that amount. It could be as much as 1800 to 2000 calories by my guess. If you think you look fat, why don't you try weight training to build some muscle? Get a trainer or nutritionist, but please get some help and try to focus on being healthy and strong instead of thin.

    Ruth
  • cookiedeer
    cookiedeer Posts: 13
    Thank you for the support! Being strong, healthy, and happy are my goals, and I don't ever want to be affected by food or my weight. I suppose the fear will be with me for a while, but I don't intend on letting it get me again.
  • peachyxoxoxo
    peachyxoxoxo Posts: 1,178 Member
    Good for you for trying to recover. Normally I would tell someone eating 1200 calories a day to eat more but in your case, I think that's perfectly fine. I've struggled with disordered eating and I'm currently studying to be a dietitian. One thing I've learned is that the last thing you want to do with someone who's malnourished is encourage to eat too much to get them to put on weight fast. This can result in something called refeeding syndrome, and it can be fatal. I'm sure people are well-intentioned by telling you to eat more, but you should focus on upping your calories very slowly and making sure you are in an okay mental state to be making these changes. I know how hard it is grappling with what your mind knows is "right" but still feeling urges to do what is "wrong." If you are used to eating small amounts of food, something calorically dense like peanut butter is a great option for you to get in a lot of calories in a small volume. Good luck :)
  • RuthSweetTooth
    RuthSweetTooth Posts: 461 Member
    Thank you Peachy! I didn't know that! But I'm glad we both agree she needs to gain!
  • cookiedeer
    cookiedeer Posts: 13
    Thank you for the encouragement! I'm definitely trying to keep myself out of the mindset. Ive heard the thought never completely goes away though the urge is lessened.
  • islandmonkey
    islandmonkey Posts: 546 Member
    Just wanted to add that I wouldn't count your work + workout schedule "lightly active"! I would say that's at least moderately active!
  • cookiedeer
    cookiedeer Posts: 13
    I am very conflicted about this. My days at work vary drastically sometimes, so it's hard to tell. I was thinking of clocking an extra hour of walking on busy days while leaving my settings on lightly active.
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