Tips for a recovering anorexic?

[Adambennett443]

Hey guys, I'm a 19 year old male, 6 ft tall, recovering from anorexia. Sometimes I still find eating hard but I'm trying 🙂 Do you all have any tips on whst amount I should eat? I've had around 560 calories today and did an hour of weight lifting

[dancefoxtrot]

Adam

Our body needs 1200 calories just to maintain body functions lying still. Your can wreck your heart and brain through inadequate nutrition. Get to a good nutritionist and eat super healthy food to repair your body.  Eat lots of veggies, fruit and lean protein. A 6' man needs at least 1500 calories even without working out.  Are you still under weight on the BMI scale? If you are get the support that you need to get to the healthy weight zone. Skinny is not healthy or handsome.  Remember that you may still distort what you see when you look in the mirror. Body dismorphism it is called when we think we are fat and we are very skinny. 

Best,

Barb G

[vlaura]

Eat lots of ripe fruit! 🙂 It's really easy to eat a sweet juicy watermelon for example, or persimmons, peaches, lychees. Whatever juicy fruit you like. It also boosts your health and metabolism. If you get worried about not getting enough calories -> try bananas or juicy dates. 😉

Edit: I eat around 6-8 ripe spotty bananas just for breakfast and I'm feeling really good and energetic afterwards (and really wanting to work out and get other stuff done). 🙂 Also don't punish yourself when you gain weight, it means that your body is healing itself.

[emili]

In my opinion, I think you should talk to a nutritionist. Its more than just making food choices based on calories- its a mind shift. I think they would be in the best position to help you shop, cook, eat and actually enjoy food. Much success- E.

[MattB159]

Know that what YOU see as being "overweight" or "not skinny enough" is merely an illusion. Everyone around you will love you for YOU. In reality, you are the only one who see's this illusion. I would suggest finding foods that you really enjoy and try to encorporate more of them in your diet. Try to surround yourself with positive people who won't judge you for your past problems.

If you need anyone to talk to feel free to message me on here. Best of luck to you.

[JaySD]

I suggest you seek help from a professional dietican who specializes in disordered eating. Do not take advice from people over the internet or self-appointed titles such as "Nutrionist" 

[BobTheCat]

I agree with the above people who suggested talking to a professional.  I would recommend looking for a therapist who specializes or has worked with eating disorders.  You may already have one, but they will be able to help hook you up with a nutritionist and hopefully work with that person and your doctor to make sure that you are able to eat right, the right amount AND keep your anxiety low.

I am in recovery for an eating disorder and I have worked in mental health treatment for 8 years.  I've found it very hard to find a therapist who can work with me on my eating disorder which is why I recommend going to someone who advertises that as their specialty.  If you aren't involved in treatment, PM me and I can help you navigate all of the different licenses and types of professionals!  

It's an on going struggle that never really goes away.  That anxiety is always there in some form or another.  I have only had my fitbit for a little over a week but I'm finding it really helpful in letting me feel that I'm allowed to eat more than I would think AND that I know I'm on track for my goals.  HOWEVER!  I know I have also misused tools like this in the past so if you are really hoping to recover your treatment team will be SO important to you.

Let me know if you have any questions about what I had to say and good luck!  It's not easy to try to recover and it's a huge accomplishment to be ready to start working on it!