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I started taking Lexapro about 1 year ago for depression and I gained almost 45 lbs. Unfortunately, it happened so slowly and the seasons were changing that I didn't notice a real huge difference in the way my clothes fit. I mean, I knew I had gained some weight but I had no idea how much because I didn't own a scale at the time. I've never really had a weight problem at 5'4" and 125 lbs.
So anyway, I tried the Atkins diet trying to lose weight. I was on that for 3 days, but I don't like not being able to eat carbs, so that didn't work for me. I then started counting calories...well, kind of. Not exactly, but just trying to watch how many calories were in the foods I was eating. I did lose a little weight, but not alot.
I then started eating McDonalds breakfast everyday because I found out that if I eat a sausage egg biscuit and a hash brown, I'm not even hungry until about 6 or 7:00 PM. I thought that was pretty good and only eating twice a day. I don't think I was taking in any more than 1400 calories a day.
Now it has come to the point where I drink a cup of milk for breakfast just to stop my stomach from rumbling and I go all day without eating until about 7:00. By that time, I'm done having my hunger pains and I just eat enough to prevent me from getting a headache. I'm not sure how many calories I'm taking in now, but I'm guessing no more than 700 a day. I have dropped from 172 to 153 lbs. in less than a month, which I know isn't good for my body, but I'm so depressed being this heavy. I am constantly weighing myself. I always weigh first thing in the morning then after I drink milk or eat something. I always want to make sure I didn't gain any lbs., which I usually haven't or if I have, it comes right back off after my body has burned up the calories. So, ...does this sound like an eating disorder? I've become very obsessed about eating and my weight, but I don't purge and I'm not anorexic. I feel quite proud that I've lost weight. I didn't think I could do it. Every time that I get on the scale and I'm even lower than I was before, its like a high for me. Any responses would be appreciated.

your story sounds like the beginning of SO much more... you say that you aren't anorexic... but in my opinion, to be anorexic you don't have to NEVER eat. you say you don't eat except for like after 7... does that sound normal or healthy to you?? a lot of people think that in order to be anorexic, it's like you are fasting all day, every day. i don't believe that is the case. if you are starving yourself anytime or depriving yourself of food, i think that means there is a problem.

i try to tell myself that i don't have a problem, but i am very similar to you. i don't eat breakfast and i eat lunch as late as possible, around 1:30 and then eat something at home around 8. and my lunches are always small, as is my dinner. i think i do have a problem. and just because i don't starve myself COMPLETELY, i don't think that means i don't have an eating disorder...

of course, this is all just my opinion, but i know how you feel. just remember that not all anorexics are as skinny as that woman that was on the TV special a couple months ago... just because a person might weigh more, doesn't mean there isn't a problem... the disorder has to begin somewhere...

It doesn't sound like a huge problem at the moment, but ask yourself if thinking about weight and food takes up the majority of your waking hours. It it does, then you could be headed down a path you don't want to take. You may also want to see a nutrionalist or dietician to help you develope an eating plan that works for you. It is not good for you to be eating only 700 calories a day. Your metabolism will slow down and then when you hit your "goal" weight and begin to eat a bit more, your body will have trouble metabolizing it. I understand what you say about feeling proud about losing weight, but starving yourself really is not the best thing to be proud of. Please be careful and take care of yourself.

I aint going to preech or whatever..just wanted to let you know that if you eat past 7pm/8pm at night...the food never gets burned off, so infact..it is better if u eat at breakfast/during the day because u r burning it off (unlike the night time).

_caroline_

I aint going to preech or whatever..just wanted to let you know that if you eat past 7pm/8pm at night...the food never gets burned off, so infact..it is better if u eat at breakfast/during the day because u r burning it off (unlike the night time).

_caroline_

Thats true. Thanks, I never thought of that. : )

No problem:)x

Hey...I just wanted to say something quick!! I was like you and very paranoid about my weight....I didn't consider myself anorexic becuase I did eat..."some"...the point is that eventually I started to eat again! The body just craves food. I had been starving myself for over a year, and lost over 100lbs...sounds great!! NO...I ate one day and couldn't stop! What now??? I thought, so I threw it up! I have been bulimic for 3 years now, and wish I could have stopped myself before I got this far! You can! Please go to a doctor, and lose weight the right way! I would give anything to have my health...and life back!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Good luck Katie Jo

I have to concur with the others. You're walking a very fine line. If you continue you could become anorexic (if you haven't already) The metabolism post brought up a very good point. Over the course of time (or evolution...whichever you believe in) if we go through what our bodies think is a famine, as soon as we start eating again a bunch gets stored as fat. This is the body's way of having a kind of back-up reserve to feed itself. Sorry, didn't mean to sound like a Discovery Channel special. Anyways, keep us posted on how you're doing :D