Eating Disorders Support Group

Eating disorders are marked by an obsessive need to control the intake and/or purging of food. This community is dedicated to those struggling on the road to recovery. Join to discuss your experience with others and find support. Get advice, ask questions, and meet others who are going through similar struggles.

3,896 Members
20,112 Posts
0 Online
Mental Health
/ Eating Disorders Support Group

was doing some research last night

missyS
missyS
DISCLAIMER:
*****NUMBERS MENTIONED*****


i was curious as to what the world out there has to say about how much i need to consume calorie wise in order to maintain the weight i am currently at....and well i typed in that im 21 yrs old, 6 ft tall, female, and 107 lbs....and all of the site calculators pretty much told me that i need 1600-1650 calories to maintain this weight...not lose or gain but maintain...and thats supposed to be the amount in take in if i dont do any type of physical exercise....that just blew me away since i dont take in anywhere near that amount and cannot fathom doing so right now...kind of scared me shitless that im up a creek without a paddle in this trying to recover thing.........
cutiepiesweetpea1113
cutiepiesweetpea1113
Wow...07 is a really really low weight for me, and I am almost 1/2 a foot shorter...my advice, you need IP
deleted_user
deleted_user
Hey Missy, I can understand at how you where shocked at the amount of cal you needed to take in!! My suggestion to you is to increase you cal little by little everyday, maybe 20 cal more a day or whatever you like. Until you get to the area you need. I suggest this to you because you seem scared about the amount of cal sugg for your weight and this way you might not have so much anxiety. Good luck!! Take care!!
deleted_user
deleted_user
the human body needs a LOT of calories in order to survive. basal metabolism is usually around 1200 for most people, granted, age, activity level, etc. will change it.
deleted_user
deleted_user
hey hun, that sounds right to me, maybe even on the low side for maintenance for someone of your height. I know it is a scary thought, but you have done it before and you can do it again!
deleted_user
deleted_user
I tend not to trust charts and numbers like that. Everyone's metabolism is a bit different. Are you maintaining or losing? I don't know you all that well so don't get mad if I ask you this. But do you tend to be naturally skinny?
deleted_user
deleted_user
I think that before you can even begin to look at weight maintenance, you need to get onto a weight restoration programme, once you have completed that your brain will be more open to maintaining on the guided amounts, from what you say you are underweight and need professional guideance to get you to the point of maintenance, its small manageable steps to recovery allowing the body and brain to work together.
missyS
missyS
im just so lost...i am wanting/trying recovery on my own...as professional help hasnt worked in the past...onlt thing is..my head is a WW3 war zone...that coupled with refeeding syndrome.....i dont know...i cant go IP again...i WONT...so i NEED to do this myself...its just that 1600 calories as compared to the amount that i have increased myself to seems like a HUGE leap!!! a scary one....
hersong
hersong
yeah... i get comments that i am wasting away at 5'7" and 115 lbs. i can't imagine being any taller and weighing less...
missyS
missyS
but 1600 doesnt sound like a mad lot for maintenance to all of u?
deleted_user
deleted_user
hey i'm new here and have never posted before...
but i totally understand how you feel! seeing that *huge* number of 1600 can be really scary when you (myself too) have been doing far less than that for a long time. but just try to do it little by little....but really i'm in the same boat as you
deleted_user
deleted_user
1600 sounds LOW for maintenance for someone your height because it's not including activity, which you do a fair amount of with work.

to maintain my weight I eat over 2400 calories a day. i lose weight quickly at 1900.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Missy try and sneak the calories into things that aren't that overwhelming like smoothies, it's still healthy foods, just try and use full fat yogurt and maybe add some silken tofu in so you get some more protein etc....you NEED to get your calories up, just try boosting the calorie amount every week....and don't focus too much on calorie amount but quality of the food your eating.
missyS
missyS
its so hard jess....as for the smoothies...i CANNOT do liquid cals...those are out of the question....and its SO hard not to focus on number of calories when thats been my world for over 5 yrs now........
deleted_user
deleted_user
Missy, remember when you were in IP and you had to eat 6000 calories a day JUST to maintain your weight? Compared to that, 1600 calories is nothing. If it makes you feel any better, I eat over 4000 calories a day, and I'm not gaining any weight. Sometimes you just have to put your emotions and fears aside for the moment and just DO it. Easier said than done, I know. Maybe it would help you out if you come up with a food plan, so you don't feel like you're not eating the "right" amount. It takes a lot of strength and courage to increase your caloric intake, but it can be done with a little effort. I know you can do this!!!
deleted_user
deleted_user
1,600 is not a lot of calories at all for someone your age and height. If you are doing more than laying around you could probably eat 2000 and not gain a thing. I know it sounds scary, but your metabolism actually speeds up with more calories. I know when I had to gain 15 lbs I didn't even start gaining until I was eating 3000 calories! I agree with others, try to bring up your calorie consumption gradually.