Weight issues
 

I have had an eating disorder for a very long time. However, at the moment my eating is as 'normal' as it's ever been and this makes me feel good.

I weighed myself this morning and I was shocked. I am still extremely underweight and I was very surprised. I honestly feel like I am eating so much and like my weight is on the low side, but normal. It's not even close. I don't know what to do. I don't think it's physically possible for me to eat more.

Any advice/tips pretty please?

Would calorific drinks be easier?

Thanks,

In one way it would, but I think I'd have trouble taking in calories just for the sake of it - like, at the moment, I eat fairly healthily and do also eat treats that I enjoy so I can justify the calories to myself. But drinks with loads of empty calories would be a real struggle I think, and I'm not sure I'd drink them.

How about fruit smoothies?

That's a good idea! That could definitely work!
They are expensive though so I'm not sure that on their own they'd make enough of a difference.

Some discounters sell them for a reasonable price.
Here in Germany I get them from LIDL and they are cheap and tasty!
Nuts are a good calorie dense food too.

Also, gaining weight can take a while. My boyfriend took roughly two years to get to a healthy weight when he recovered from anorexia.

I find it easier to make each thing I eat slightly bigger so that none of the changes in themselves are that significant but together can make quite a difference.

E.g adding nuts and/or fruit to cereal.

Hi ��

Just want to jump in and say you're doing a fabulous job. I think the adding something small as an extra to each meal or one meal at a time sounds like a safe way to help without being too overwhelming.

xx

Hi, hope you're doing fine. Just read your post and it reminded me of myself so much. Just wanred to say that it's your subjective feeling that you cant possible eat more and thats partly anorexia talking. Apart from the ideas mentioned in posts above, do you have a food diary? Try writing everything you eat in it (including quantity) and show it to your doctor (if you have it) or friend/family member who can tell you if the quantities are really ok. As I said, I also thought the same and when I showed the list to my doctor few months ago along with the calories I thought it all had, she actually said I wad overestimating it by far. Not suggesting you're doing the same but might be something to consider.

not sure if this is right advise, but people have already suggested all I can think of.... maybe your body just needs a little more time of you eating better for it to have an effect?

Thanks so much for all the support and advice.
I'm going to be honest: I'm struggling. Everytime I eat something extra I subconsciously compensate for it at my next meal. Physically I can eat more but my head won't let me.
I've quit smoking though so maybe that will put a few kg on me?
I don't really want to keep a food diary because I used to do that when I was ill and so it has bad associations for me, but other people tell me I don't eat enough. I think they're lying.
I'm so ambivalent about this. I love the rush of losing weight but I know how bad it is for me and how quickly it gets out of control.

I just wish eating was easy.

Smoking might make eating easier because it helps you have a normal appetite and also increases smelling and tasting, thus eating is a more pleasant experience.

What type of support do you have and have you discussed this with them?

I've been discussing it with both my CPN and my psychologist, but I'm actually worried that focussing on it is making it worse.

It might be a good idea to let them know that you worry about that.

Thanks. I had a very frank discussion with my CPN and my mum and the scales are being hidden. I also explained that constant comments about my weight and eating reinforce the anorexia so hopefully that will stop now too.

I just want to be relaxed around food and my weight and that is what I am going to aim towards :)

Well done :)