I have had anorexia for about 6 months and I am beginning recovery now. I am about 15-20 pounds underweight. When I was really deep into my anorexia I was very restictive about my diet. I was eating about 800-900 calories a day and exercising for about an hour and half each day. Now that I have begun my recovery I eat when I am hungry. I feel like I eat ALOT! But I guess that's normal right now. I'm having a hard time steering away from "safe foods". It will take time, but I'm slowly going to eat the scary foods. I think I'm doing pretty well for the most part. However, I still like to exercise everyday, maybe for an hour or so. I feel good and have energy! But I'm not really gaining. What's the deal???

Also...I am really scared about the fat distribution thing!!!! Some people recovering from anorexia say that their tummies stick out and it takes a while to re-distribute the fat. I DO NOT want that to happen! In fact, it consumes my mind so much that it is getting in the way of a full, healthy recovery. Is the significance of stomach distention relative to the seriousness of the anorexia case? Because my anorexia isn't too extreme. I'm just really scared of it and I don't want to look like a freak. Please somone with experience with this give me information! Please! (I have a nutritionist and a therapist and have asked them about this, but they just confused me more.)

Thanks for reading! :)

Hi Applecheek, I know trying to gain/maintain is really frustrating. The metabolism is kind of unpredictable in recovery. Like you, I really like to exercise to make myself feel good, not just to burn calories. But it is also hard for me to gain weight. What types of food are you eating? I am amazed that after I all I have done to my body, I can eat SO much and not gain! I know how you feel though, it is very hard to break away from the safe foods. I try to have one new food a couple times a week, just to show myself that it is ok. Just take really small steps and work up to it, your motivation sounds great and that means so much!

I am not sure about the tummy thing, I am going to make a guess that the exercise would really help with that. It sounds like the body wants to store fat quickly after starvation shock, so it puts it on the belly (I think that is where more 'storage' happens. But if you are exercising and slowly increasing, and getting plenty of protein and nutrients, I wouldn't think your body would react that way. Just speculating here though.

Thanks for your reply! I eat a lot of fruit and vegies! Not because they are low in calories...I really do enjoy them. Turkey sandwiches, chicken salads, cereal is a new favorite! I hate it though...I'd love to just "go out for pizza" or order a cheeseburger, but it's so hard! I'm stuck in this health food mess. I like your suggestion with adding one new food each week- that's a really good idea.

I'm just nervous about how my body is going to handle this, you know? I'm eating plenty, and fitting in some exercise--just not really gaining weight. My arms and legs look like toothpicks...but the rest of me looks "normal". I don't know...I'm just lost! ah!

i too am trying but i find water retention a problem and it makes me feel enormus but my partner says i still look the same but i can see my skin is a bit plumper if you know what i mean .i worry i will just pile a load of fat on my problem is i am so used to being 6s 2 that the thought of 8 st my lowest healthy bmi is scary . yet before this started i was 9 s 7 did not care felt great but imagaing that now sounds obese to me i can't ever believe i will feel happy heavier

Ugh, yes, the water retention is horrid. Just take it slooooow and don't shock your body or mind. Make small commitments you can stick to for the day and maybe to the end of the week, but let yourself see positive results in how your body FEELS before you make bigger ones. Gotta make yourself promises you can keep and keep them. That's what has been working ok for me at least. But like you, I'm dreaming of when I can just go indulge once in a while like a normal person would.