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!

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.

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

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

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.

well, you guys have all been so supportive, and although my distress at this is embarassing, I thought I would see if anyone had some advice. I am really on the verge of losing the plot.
Alongside fighting this fatigue thing, I am still keeping my intake to under 2000 cal (I am almost permanently hungry), cycling 3 - 4 times a week for 90minutes (fast, despite often feeling ill) and having added abdominal resistence execrises and pushups to my routine, I have gained another kilo. And its not muscle because my clothes feel tighter.
I feel like I am going insane here. A lot of it is related to control issues I now know: I have a failed career as a musician behind me and having remained invisible in that feild, I could at least pride myself on remaining slim. Now I am failing at that too.
If anyone has any suggestions (no diet suppliment/ pill solutions though please) I would be so greatful!

Maybe you are eating too much? At your weight and height (and your background with anorexia) I highly doubt your daily maintenance calories would be over 1700 calories.

So if you are eating 2000 calories a day and exercising your probably only just breaking even.

I think you should try a different approach. Lately I have been carb cycling to budge my plateau and shift the last few kilos and it has been working well so far. I do 3 days of low carb/high protein and then followed by one day of moderate carbs/high protein - this is called a re feed day. I know this isn't for anyone, but I know I am carb sensitive and thats why it works for me.

What I think you should do is:
Drop the cycling - you shouldn't be doing that kind of intense exercise with chronic fatigue syndrome, it will only make it worse
Do some less intense exercise like fast walking, hiking or something fun that isn't so monotonous.
Drop your calories lower - Maybe some people won't agree with me but at your weight and height its obvious why you aren't losing weight, 1800-2000 calories a day is just too much. Maybe drop them to 1600 calories and see if you see a difference
You say you dont feel full on 2000 calories - I think thats a psychological thing, because you should be full. Do you eat a lot of fibrous foods? Enough protein? Eating refined sugars and processed foods can often leave you feeling even hungrier, try cutting those out.

It all starts in the mind. Make a statement that you are a neurotic eater and you are basically telling your mind and yourself to be one. Make a statement that nothing works, and nothing will. You create your image of yourself and your outcome with your thoughts, past experiences, statements.... Keep on doing what you are doing, and you'll continue to get the same results.

So, have you been training your mind to lose weight, or have you just been training your body?? Begin with the mind and the body will follow. Train the mind and the body will follow. I learned this on the new Fat Into The Fire program. They have specific mind exercises to get your mind and body on the right track. It is awesome! I've lost weight, fat, and more importantly - I'm happier, with a better mental outlook on everything

Trying to stay thin is really hard especially if you work out so much ,because exercise makes you hungry and your body stores all your calories as fat. Try to consume more water, stay away from soda or sports drinks and anything that contains sugar. Eat smaller portions and NO food after 6 pm. GOOD LUCK

There is nothing to be embarrassed about with your situation! I think that being able to post about this, being able to talk about it and ask for advice is admirable, and a big step in solidifying your recovery. It is not a hopeless situation, you will find something that works for you. I am on the road to recovery as well, and it is not an easy road to take. I am recovering from ednos; I went from being a binge eater to anorexic to bulimic then back to binge eating. Went from fat to skinny to normal to obese...
I am not sure how long you have been recovered, but it is very common to gain weight while taking in a "normal" amount of calories. It will get better with time as your body adjusts to having more fuel. You have not failed, failure would be continuing with an eating disorder. Recovery=success!
It seems like you are still pretty hard on yourself, you need to give yourself a break! I know it is not as easy as said, but it really does help.
It is not a bad idea to go to the dr and explain your situation (if they don't already know). Anorexia is not easy on the body, and it really is possible that you have a vitamin deficiency or something of that nature going on. Cut back on the strenuous workouts until you feel less fatigued, make sure your eating nutritious foods, and get enough sleep! I know this is basic advice, but the body requires good care for you to feel good, physically and mentally. I have been taking care of myself physically for 8 months and for the first time I feel happy, positive, and energetic.
Stick with it, you will get to where you want to be (as long as it is health and realistic), you just have to keep fighting!

Hi All. Thanks again - especially to Cookiequeen. I wanted to write something here that I never thought I would end up saying! I went to a naturopath.. bit of a last desperate bid at getting some help, but she is a freind of mine. What this meant is that she knew a bit more about my history than my doctor - who just gave the easy cop-out answer: "its all in your mind". apologies to those of you who wrote that too, but that really is a cop out becuase _what_ exactly is in the mind? what does it symbolise etc etc.. such issues are deeper than a throwaway comment.
Anyway - this naturopath asked me if i would do her a favour and give up taking Aspartam (artificial sweetener) and use honey or somethign instead. I was seriously loath to do this as it meant just more calories. But i agreed to give it a week and expected only to gain more weight (but hey - i am used to that now!). To my utter surprise, my hunger faded. I felt much more satisfied with 1800 calories. So i manage to stick to the 1800 - 1900 mark and am not so stressfully hungry, despite the sugary stuff in my coffee . I went back to her today and had to admit i felt a lot more energetic. She told me then that she had read some stull on the net linking Aspartam to chronic fatigue, nervous conditions and depression - the two of which I have had over many years.
And I hate to sound like a wacky - new agey type, cos I really am a born skeptic, but it has really changed my mood and apparently how my body handles food. I am actually starting to lose weight - very slowly, ut gradually. Its only been a week and a half, but really, it seems to be helping. I will let you all know if it continues to help in case any of you are using Aspartam aswell (its in everything.. god! Softdrinks, chewing gum, low calorie yoghurt). I even read a few doctors who are trying to get it banned in the USA, but due to the fact that commerical enterprises are apparently in charge of their own testing procedures, this is difficult (imagine Coke admitting to selling a nerve poison in its drinks.. i dont think so).

anyway - I am really greatful for your support! If anyone else has had similar experiences with aspartam, please let me know!

take care all