Hey...I am glad that you have started eating again. When we, as anorexics, start eating again, the weight we put on immediately goes to our tummies, even if it is just a few pounds. It is likely not noticeable to anyone else but it is to us. The good news is that it redistributes itself naturally. You don't need to purge. The body knows how to naturally heal itself. Are you still away from home? Is that helping you to be able to eat? Sounds like you are keeping more meals down...is that so? Are you feeling less depressed? Tell me how to you doing overall? Private message me...I worry about you.

I know several people who have gone through this when they are IP and it is hard in the beginning but the body does adjust. bravo on eating, that is a huge step. keep up the fight.

So very proud of you! Keep up the good work!! You can do it. Xxx

I totally feel for you on this...I go through this every time I start to eat better after a relapse or slip. It's because your body is slowed down from not getting enough nutrition, and one of the first things to slow down is your digestive system. Plus, your body is not used to digesting normal amounts of food, so it takes some time to adjust. But it does get better, I can promise you that. Even though the last thing you want to do is eat, a regular, consistent meal plan is the only thing that will help your digestive tract heal and begin working properly again.

In the meantime, there are several things you can try to help improve your tummy troubles. If you can, laying down with a heating pad really helps with the gas. Also, some light stretching/yoga seems to help my stomach feel better. Warm beverages, especially peppermint tea, are good for the digestive tract. Have you ever tried digestive enzymes? My doctor recommended them to me, and they do seem to help me digest food easier. I use GNC or Vitamin Shoppe generic brand.

Keep pushing ahead, and things will improve. Thinking of you.

Ok, so that night of bloatedness was absolutely horrible and even lasted a few days! But now its just fat, and fat and more fat. I'm doing well but feeling absolutely horrible and disgusted in myself :( THIS IS THE HARDEST THING OF MY WHOLE ENTIRE LIFE!!! Please if anyone is suffering get help NOW, you don't want to leave it until too late, you don't want to leave it at all. Get help straight away, it ruins your life!

You're right; you are doing one of the hardest things you will probably ever do in your life by recovering. But look - you are doing it. If you can overcome this, you can overcome anything.

Sarasota had really good advice about weight distribution. There is a tendency to gain weight in disproportionate places AT FIRST. This is only because our bodies, in response to stress from starvation, want to make sure they put weight where it is needed most. Since most of our vital organs are located in the abdominal area, some weight will go there first to protect these organs. As Sarasota mentioned, this is NOT noticeable to other people. Also, remember that a lot of it is probably water retention/bloating. Also, our eating disordered minds tend to play tricks on us.

But I promise you that if you keep providing your body with proper nutrition, your weight WILL redistribute naturally. Your body will realize, "Oh hey, I'm getting proper nourishment, so I don't need to store weight in certain places anymore." The first time I went through weight restoration (in inpatient), the doctors and dietitian kept telling me this, and I did not believe them AT ALL. But it really does redistribute itself, usually within just a few weeks or so.

I know that doesn't erase the fact that recovery is tough, but I hope it's at least a bit reassuring for you. Take care, and please don't hesitate to message me for support.