will i ever get my metabolism back? - Eating Disorder Recovery Message Board

mirrormeg2082 · 09-22-2007, 12:12 PM

Hi everyone, I am new to this site but not new to eating disorders! I have had really disordered eating habits since as long as I can remember, but it has progressed to anorexia and compulsive exercising/exercise bulimia for the past seven years or so. About six months ago, I hit a wall when I realized I had been eating [very few] calories a day and exercising 9 hours a week for the past year and was starting to GAIN weight. So I started working with a nutritionist on gradually increasing my calorie intake... at first, I actually started losing weight! But now I [eat] a very balanced amount of carbs, fat, protein, and I have been steadily gaining weight for the past three months and have gone up [several sizes] and I don't even know how many pounds! I was not underweight when I started increasing my intake, due to the metabolic shutdown, so I actually didn't NEEd to gain at that point. My nutritionist says that I should be eating around [removed] calories due to the 10 hours a week I now exercise (weight training plus intense cardio on machines, spinning, step, and kickboxing), but I'm having trouble finding the motivation to continue eating when I've just been gaining so much weight... and have honestly felt MORE exhausted and weak and ill since I've eaten more! I don't want to name my actual weight/height because I don't want to trigger anyone, but I had it confirmed that I am now overweight, and my body fat percentage has increased, so my feelings are not just body distortion. Did anyone else experience this, and if so, what helped you? Thanks for listening.

jess86 · 09-28-2007, 08:20 AM

Hi, Iv been struggling with anorexia for about four years now and I am turning 21 in about an month. I too experiences what your going through now about two years ago. I was severely underweight and saw a specialist about it. She put me on a program as well, inceasing my calories and fat and actually not allowing me to excersice. I was pretty much bedriden for about a month until I gained [weight]. Now I am more, still slightly underweight but better and I find I cant loose any weight anymore, no matter what I do. I know I shouldnt be trying to loose weight or anything but it seems Im having the same issue as you. My metabalism was somehow damaged I think and is in constant remission.
I can totally relate to how you are feeling as well. When I had to gain [weight] and couldnt excerise, it was the scariest thing I ever went though. I hope mabye with time and with your counceler you can do whatever changes to your diet that is needed to help you feel your best. Mabye staying at your current calorie [removed] would be best for you, [removed] is a lot to handle. But I am no doctor as well...but know what they say and stuff lol.. Talk to her about it, tell you how you feel, and this isnt working for you the way you intended it too.
Hope this helps at all?...Let me know how things go, good luck with everything!

lostandfading · 09-28-2007, 08:22 AM

I'm sorry but I don't have any advice for you because I am in a somewhat similiar situation. My metabolism has shutdown due to my body getting used to such a low amount of calories. I tried increasing a little in hope to jump start it a little but have been gaining. I'm still underweight and still at a low amount of calories but totally freaked because of the weightgain. I want to eat normal but I'm petrified since I'm gaining on so little as it as. I'm also more exhausted, tired and feel sick since increasing. It frustrates me. I have never in my life been overweight. I've always been average/a little underweight, had a great metabolism ate a lot but healthy foods and never exercised now I think I've screwed up things forever (and I've only had an ED for a little over a year). I just keep thinking....what the hell have a done to myself?

mod-anon · 09-28-2007, 08:57 AM

Please call your attention to the sticky post at the top of this Board: "Avoiding Triggers".

goldfishie · 10-01-2007, 09:31 PM

i have been dealing with disordered eating for the past 2 or 3 years. looking at me, you'd never know. i believe i am now considered obese according to my BMI!!! i am continually gaining weight even though i'm eating a pretty balanced diet and exercising 3 times a week.

i'm so devistated. everyone used to tell me i was so hot a year or two ago (they didn't know i was having issues). now i just feel frumpy and weighed down. i'm also way low on energy. that could be due to other medications, but i can't be sure.

anyway, i'm struggling with the same metabolism issue y'all are. i would really like some advise as well. just wanted to let you know that i can relate...

i hope metabolism gets back in gear for all of us.