Hi. Im Kate and I actually joined this forum cos I am at a total loss of what to do. I am a "recovered" anorexic, technically, but I have been what I would call neurotic about food for the last 12 years (following my recovery) and managed to maintain a low weight (52 - 53kg. I am 168 cm). But of late there seems to be nothing I can do to stave off weight gain. I have increasd my exercise from 60 minutes of cyclng 4 times a week, to 90 minutes 4 times a week and have kept my calorie intake the same (1800calories a day). But I keep putting on weight (I am trying and failing to no go higher than my current 55kg). According to my scale, it is not muscle weight either. My fat percent is also increasing.
I am at a loss. I am so tired all the time from the exercise and don't feel like I can increase it.
Does anyone out there have a similar experience? Have we calorie counters made our bodies into over-efficient machines for turning every calorie into fat? Or is it something to do with reaching your mid 30s? (I am 34).
If anyone out there has any advice or similar experienc, I would be really pleased if you would share it.
Kate

Overtraining can be a problem and also if you do the same exercise or similar routines for a long period your body will adapt to this and they wont be as effective. Try mixing your routines up with 2 times a week cycling and 2 times a week jogging or swimming! You could also look at interval training rather than a sustained pace for a long period.

Sometimes you can feel like you are putting on weight when in fact you not, I had the same problem with my program where I felt I was at a stall with weight loss and I was putting weight on but nothing had changed with my exercise and diet. The problem was doing the same exercises week in week out for about 2-3 monthst and my body had adapted to it! I now alternate my program every 2 weeks to keep my body guessing and started interval training instead of sustained exercise. With these changes I have found the best results I have ever had!

Hope this helps!

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Thats not really how it works.


drkate.

How are you tracking your calories? Are you measuring and tracking them? Or are you reading labels and filling in blanks.

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Slow and steady wins the race. Unless its an actual race.

I don't know if you've ruled this out already but sometimes when there's unexplained weight gain it turns out to be an undiagnosed health issue. I know some meds can cause weight gain as well and doctors frequently neglect to mention when it does. This may not be whats going on in your case but I thought I'd throw it out there.

I also agree with Kevin and Edco. Switching it up on the exercise definitely works wonders as well as tracking daily intake. Sometimes it turns out to be as simple as going back over a weeks worth of food logs and finding a hidden culpret. Although you're from what you've posted you're not overweight by any means so I'd be more concerned about not feeling good and the exhaustion. You could just be vitamin deficient in some area but i'd still get it checked out and not just assume its from the work outs. Good luck, hope everything works out ok

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Hi guys, theres an interesting article I read on eating just a smaller plate full but more often. I had my doubts but tried it and actually felt less hungry than i would do nrmally at the same time later after a bigger meal. Something to do witht he stomach expanding and staying expanded if you eat a big meal all at once. So a smaller meal wierdly means I'm less hungry later. Almonds help too and I love them! You can read it at fatburnersblog.com

Little J

Hopefully some other members who have been through anorexia will be able to comment on your situation.

I have worked with 15 or so post-anorexia clients over the last 5 years and it is tough.

It takes a long time for your body and mind to become "normal"

Not impossible, just tough.

While I hate to push supplements, you may want to look at PGX. This product is a very efficient fiber blends that is very effective in creating satiety.

Odds are the problem is a combination of appetite, true hunger, a screwed up metabolism (anorexics usually process calories very, very, very efficiently)

You may also want to look at your thoughts surrounding food. You probably have received counselling for your anorexia, but you may want to look at some CBT therapy - Google Judith Beck

Hope some of this helps

Good luck

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Health Habits
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Hi
I just wanted to than k all of you who posted a reply. Some realy good advice in there. Health Habits and douknowjello both had some great points. Food is a phsychological thing for me. I was also recently diagnosed (or eliminatively diagnosed more accurately!) with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Every time I approach my goal weight, my body claps out. I gain weight even wehn i eat very little if I am lying in bed all day!

Someone else had a great point about exercise routine. I do not change what I do. I just cycle. Same routine each week, so I could try variation.

Aside from that, despite cutting calories (from 2000 to 1800 - rigorously) and increasing the exercise, I have still put on another kilo (up to 55.5) but probably due to the fact that, aside from cycling, i have to take everything VERY slowly cos i feel so ill.

I wanted to thank everyone who replied again though cos it is great to know there are others out there who have gone through tough things with thier bodies and or body issues.
cheers.