Help! I've killed my metabolism

J

jennyollio

0
To make a long story short, I've suffered from anorexia and bulimia since I was 13 (I'm almost 21 now). For years I stayed at a very low weight, every now and then putting on weight when sent to the hospital, but always immediatly losing it. About two years ago though I think it all finally caught up to me and I gained about 25 pounds despite starving, binging, and purging.

I'm sick of this lifestyle and really want to just eat healthfully, and hopefully lose a few of the pounds I gained (I'm now 105lbs but only 4'10-4'11 and would like to be around 95). However, when I'm not binging and purging I get to scared to eat more than like 600 calories because I know my metabolism is so shot. Anyone have ideas on how to eat a healthy amount without putting on more weight? I've tried to make meal plans for myself but I always end up putting safe foods on it and the calories end up in the unhealthfully low range.

I'm also planning on working out more reguraly. I go through stages where I don't exercise at all, and others where I overexercise. My goal is to run 5x a week and lift weights 3x.

Please, any help would be greatly appreciated. I've been to a nutritionist before and a therapist for years, but it didn't help me at the time. I would like to just be able to do it on my own and get my body healthy again.
 
Hi Jenny,

Your issue really touches me because I had a girlfriend who went through the same thing. At one point she was down to about 70 lbs. and roughly your height. It was really heart breaking. At one point her mother wanted her committed but I advised her how to avoid it. After we moved in together I just kept food going constantly, and eventually she started to eat normally and stop taking laxatives (that was her thing aside from the bouts of anorexia).

Anyhow, all that aside. Not being a medical professional or anything, my first advice would be to try a professional therapists help again. I don't mean that in any way negative, I just honestly believe it helps a lot. As far as maintaining metabolism, I've always done so by being sure to eat a small amount every few hours (I even set my watch to go off every 3 hours). I bring a small jar of protein powder to work, protein bars, fruit (bananas, apples, whatever), in addition to my lunch (its nearly impossible to get a decent lunch out I've found except places like Subway).

As far as exercise, in my experience with my girlfriend, she would often push her self (mostly jogging, pilates, and yoga) with out giving her body the nutrients and calories to recover which leads to over training which sucks. She was moody all the time, her back and joints hurt all the time. It's important to remember that building muscle takes fuel and rest and that in general muscle takes more nutrients and calories just to maintain. Also muscle generally weighs more than fat so the idea of a perfect weight isn't very important compared to perfect health and appearance.

I hope you find some good advice and encouragement on this forum and I hope you can feel better about yourself. I don't have much advice to give but this is the place to find it I believe.

Best Wishes,

Aubry
 
Hi Jenny,

I started this site with the same frustration you are having. While i hadn't battled with full blown eating disorders (anorexia) since I was 13-14 (and hospitalized for it) it was always a haunting shadow up until about a year ago. I came to the site frustrated at my low caloric intake and could easily gain weight despite my intense athletics and 500-800 calorie diet. Without going into what has transpired in the past year you might want to find my diary. It started nearly a year ago and is up to date. I posted most everyday. I think it may help you.I would be happy to help in any other way, or answer any questions you may have. I feel that I have gained a lot of nutritional experience along the way and that I am fairly well educated in fitness and nutrition. I can really empathize with where you are right now and I know how helpless it feels to feel like you have no options. You do, you just have to decide if you're ready to face them. It is a journey, but its worth it. you can PM me as well if you'd like.

Katie
 
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