Hi, I've been in recovery for quite a while now and have gained a fair amount of weight. I am now almost at a healthy weight for my age and height.
I was just wondering, is there anyone in the same boat that wants to share their experience and maybe give each other some good advice 
Hi im not in recovery but would be interseted in how you acheived it. Im currently about 36kg and BMI of about 13.6. Im currently waiting for a bed in an ED unit as i have had a really bad 13 months , admitted to Psychiatric ward 3 times and medical ward 4 times. Im really struggling and know the only way to recovery is with proper help.I look forward to sharing story or ideas
Jools
Hi holly,
please can you let me know if you feel better mentally?
I wish you all the best.
Hi
I had a friend who got into a house,set up like a home for girls,they called it the Peter Pan Syndrome then,prior to that she went to a normal hospital,and she lost more weight due to the regime there,but in this other place,she blossomed,why because people listened to her and made her feel good about herself.No one fussed or made a point of her not eating,unfortunately food is linked to caring and sharing, and when you dont eat, its like you are saying especially to your mum,I dont eat your food because.So it then becomes a battle,when my friend got to her best weight,she went back to 6th form,and she had a buddy who she could contact,if things got tough.but she knows its a long road and there isnt a quick fix,her relationship at home has approved,her mum serves up a meal and if she doesnt eat it all nothing is said so the pressure is lifted.
jacquie
Hi Jools,
I went to my pediatrician. My mum was obviously really worried so she mentioned that she didnt think i was eating proper amounts and they realised i was severely underweight. I saw a dietician and a counsellor to start with up until quite recently actually and she gave me different things to try and help me gain the weight i needed to. For example, pro cal which is a really high calorie drink, that I took shots of. For me it was eating lots of carbs (pasta, rice..) as carbs normally contain a good amount of calories. Also, fruit and vegetables, to keep your vitamins and minerals up. And unfortunately, (so i thought anyways) quite a bit of junk food. Chocolate, sweets.. anything with high sugar really. It wont last forever dont worry Im really sorry to hear about what you're going through, I know its difficult. But just dont give up, and keep trying. You will get there. I didnt think I would be able to do it, but i've gone from 39.6kg age 14 to 50kg now age 16 since last August. The thing that kept me going was my family and friends, I thought "I need to do this to them" but also for myself. If you want to talk anymore or have any questions, just direct message me. More than happy to help x
Hi,
Yeah, so much better.
I saw a counsellor, which helped me a lot with all the confusion. I no longer see her though
Before I would hide away in my room, hardly ever go out and if i did it was only to see family and not really want to talk to anyone at all about my problems or issues. But now, I am more relaxed and calm. I dont get stressed as much either. I go out more with my friends and family as much as I can, I socialise more and I dont hide away in my room. I talk to my mum about my problems, instead of bottling them up. So yeah, my mental state has definately improved
Hi Jacquie,
Your friend sounds a lot like me..
Its nice that she has someone she can contact if things get tough again! Over here, in the Isle of Man we dont have anything like that for people of my age (12-18) unfortunately.. I always wanted to have someone to talk to other than my parents, friends or family. I even offered to speak to young people around my age (16) who want someone to speak to, because I dont feel its fair. Im sorry to hear about what she went through. It is good to have no one fussing over you, or making you feel different in some way. I gotta say, my mum did that and I didnt like it at all. I know now she was just worried about me. My relationships at home improved also, and now if i dont eat all my meal, instead of being forced to eat it, I am allowed to go back later and eat more.
Anyways, thanks for sharing that with me
all the best for 2015! Holly x
Hi Holly.
I'm really glad to here your doing well. I was doing ok over Christmas, and have just hit a bit of a bump since coming back.
Perhaps because i had a concrete mealplan for Christmas, and have come back to my flat and realised I need to make one myself and do it on my own.
I'm also getting really anxious about therapy ending - my therapist and dietician will both stop in March, I see 1 weekly and the other fortnightly although I'm hoping I might be able to see my dietician more regularly before we finish.
I'm really struggling with the concept of it ending; perhaps because I'm not where I want to be yet, and because I have just taken a backward step again when I'd like to be moving forward.
The whole concept of eating dinner scares me - what is normal - what do people actually eat - how do I cook it - how do I do it on a budget and still feel safe?
I'm feeling anxious about this. Would love some advice, and maybe recipes if you have any to help me get back on track.
Handy I'm doing a gcse in food tech then! I think pasta is normal to eat as it has loads of carbs, also it's pretty simple and adorable really. It's literally just a case of doing what it says on the packet. Easy sauces.. Carbonara I make is fairly simple, spag Bol. I don't know if you like pasta, but it's an idea. Jacket potatoes are easy and cheap. Cheese is good too, so that's good to have on them. As far as recipes are concerned, if you direct message me I will let you know some good ones of whatever type of food you like
Hi Holly,
I am close to being a healthy weight, but I am struggling with severe tiredness, I'm just wondering if you've had the same thing?
Well done in fighting this horrible illness xx
I did get tired, but I wouldn't say severe tiredness. It's because your body is suddenly grabbing all the calories it's been without to keep you actually going and it's not leaving you with much energy.
And thank you ! Xxx
Thankyou
I'm wondering if you could take a look at my meal plan and maybe see if there's anything you would change that might give me more energy please?
Breakfast - Cup of Cereal, 200ml of Semi-Skimmed Milk & 2 Dessertspoons of Raisins
Snack - Cereal Bar
Lunch - Sandwich (2 Slices of Seeded Bread, Margarine & Protein Filling), Packet of Crisps & a Dessert (Cheesecake etc)
Snack - Small Chocolate Bar (2 Finger KitKat) & a Piece of Fruit
Dinner - Protein, Carbs & Veg/Salad (This evening I had Chicken Stir-fry with Pasta)
Snack - Mug of Milk & 2 Biscuits
Thanks
Your meal plan sounds really good from what I can tell! Keep it up! :D X
Hi Holly,
I am recovering from anorexia and i sometimes find it really difficult. Im not sure i want to put weight on but i told everyone i do, i am at my safe weight but they tell me to just carry on eating the same amount and i dont want to put anymore weight on and i feek fat even im told i am not! How have you done it ( doing it) ? I wish you all the weel in your recovery btw. Can you give any advice?
Hi Harriet - you mentioned you are struggling with weight gain and that you are at your safe weight.
I get this. I am the same, the day before my last session with my dietician I realised that I had gained 1kg. Not a fluctuation, actual weight gain.
I had a chat with him. His advice, because I menstruate regularly, eat regularly (now) and my bloods are fine, being under weight isn't an issue.
BUT, and here's the problem...recovery is about healthy thinking. One of the main reasons people relapse from this position is because ritualistic patterns emerge. They don't want to alter any ways of eating incase their weight goes up, but they are also scared for it to go too down as well. They live on the edge, and if it goes under a bit, well that's okay right? But then, going under becomes the new safe...repeat. And before you know it, you relapse.
Your weight band is there for a reason. You can trust your weight band, because it doesn't biologically force you into binges which are caused by your body wanting you to regain lost tissue. You target band is predictable with fluctuations of 1-3kg, and you are less emotionally vulnerable at that weight too.
I don't deny it's hard...I'm in the same position, because having just been discharged from outpatient services, I'm taking managing on my own as my first priority. But I wanted to reiterate that they are right, and sticking to the plan is the most important thing ever.
When I was discharged from IP care in 2007, I thought my mealplan was too much, and starting cutting out snacks and then dessert as soon as I got home. Before I knew it my lunches had become salads and then carbs went, and then I had started overexercising, and then I entered a relapse.
Stick to the plan.
Hi,
Thank you for replying. I haven't been into hospital, I was close though. How are you finding everything?
I know I have to stick to the plan but I feel because I have hit my safe weight I don't need to eat the big amounts I do, as I am scared of putting too much on but my counsellor says to carry on because she would like to see my BMI higher.
Thank you again for replying
Hi Harriet.
Thanks for your response. The first thing to say is that it's great news that you've not been admitted. Keep it that way. I ended up with other behaviours as a result of my admission which I am still fighting. Being in hospital is the dullest thing.
My last bout of treatment was all outpatient and although it has taken longer I am doing so much better because of it. Because I had to make the changes myself. In hospital you don't get that choice. And you know the worst part...if you don't comply? (Because mentally you are so unwell and you just want to take it slow but can't), they put you on an NG and section cos of funding so they can keep you in for longer and justify to authorities why you are still there. That's what has just happened to my friend.
It is much easier to do it on your own at your own pace. If you slip up you don't get a tube, but you just have to push yourself to get back on track again.
Keep fighting hun.
Hiya
I am starting my recovery from anorexia but i keep putting it of as i am scared that if i start to put weight on to become a normal healhy weight then once i reach a healthy bmi will i be able to stop putting weight on? im so scared
Thank you! and i was the same, i didnt want to put weight and still dont. I see myself now as a fine weight, well.. I know im a bit underweight but i guess I just dont like thinking or talking about it. I've always been slim, thats not going to change as my parents were at my age too. But my parents keep telling me that its becoming a problem again and my dad is always saying "i've seen more fat on a chip holly.." Advice.. I would say try and eat like 6 meals a day. sounds a lot, but i mean like 3 main meals and then small snack type meals in between. Nothing too big as to put you off your main meal. Lots of carbs, they are calorific. Make sure you get all your nutrients, vitamin D from oily fishes, vitamins A and B from your fruit and veg. Im sorry for the late reply, i've been really busy revising for my GCSE's.. Its hard being 16 
Keep strong, Holly x
hey,
I was the same as you, dont worry.
It is a scary time, and its a big step to take, but i will say there is nothing to be scared of.
I started at 39kg i think at 14, and im now 16 and im around 50kg (last time i was weighed). I dont know how old you are but Im here for you, and message me if you want to talk about absolutely anything at all.
But in answer to your question, yes you will be able to stop putting weight on. And yes you will be able to eat normal amounts like everyone else instead of extra to gain the weight. But it doesnt mean that you can stop trying you have to keep going, do it for you!
Anyway, feel free to message me anytime and im sorry for the late reply. GCSE's are stressful aha