Recovered from anorexia stories.?!

Hi, i was diagnosed with anorexia in oct, started dieting in may last year and upto july everythin was fine, its was normal healthy dieitng but then in aug the month of Ramadan came along (where we fast for 30 days) and after a couple of days of only eating once at dawn and then in the evening, i decided that this was a much quicker way to lose wieght and thus my mad obsession started and from my original weight of 9 stones 4 pounds, by oct i gad gone down to 5 stones 12 pounds and would have probably continued if my mum hadn't have dragged me to the docs after becoming concerned about my absent periods and excessive hair shedding business.

when i went to the docs, she told me she could easily have me referred to a clinic where i would be forced to eat til i gained weight or i could work with her and do it myself so we agreed i would eat off my own accord - at first it was hard, i hated it coz it meant that i had to gain all the weight i had spent so much time and effort losing but gradually i started to get used to it and then in nov i set myself a target - i was going to gain a stone by 31 of dec and i did! :)

it was hard, there were times i felt sick just thinking about food but i just kept remindin myself of my hair and period and this motivated me to eat.

i have since been to the docs twice for a check up and the last time i went (couple of wk ago), she told me that i was now at a normal and steady weight for my height and age (8stones) and ideally i could do with putting more on but if i ws to maintain this weight, she would be more than happy with that too so i have so far stuck to it. also got my periods back a month ago woohoo so thats a good sign. now i am determined to continue eating and am now hoping for my hair to recover.

throughout the whole thing, i ate all healthy foods - docs suggested fatty oily and sugary foods to gain weight ASAP but as the thought scared me, i stuck to healthy foods full of nutrition and guess what - it worked. all my fam and friends are so impressed how i have managed to gain so much weight back in so little time :) the key is not that you have to eat unhealthy fatty foods to gain weight, it is more reliant on eating small healthy portions throughout the day - i stuck to 5-6 small meals.

overcoming your fears of eating is not an easy taks but with a little will and determination and encouragement from family, friends and health professionals, it is possible.

i myself an not yet 100% perfect - still have my days where i dont wna eat or where i am paranoid about my figure and think i am not 'fat' again but having my little motivation/ goal/ target thing (stop hair loss
), keeps me going.

stay positive, try not fret over calories and fat content, think of the positives of gaining weight and i know you can do it and anytime you are looking for encouragement, gimme a shout and i wil try my best to help.

before being daignosed, i was completely oblivious and ignorant towards the effects of anorexia but now i have experienced it for myself, i am willing to help others beat this mad and horrible obsession which does nothing but ruin lives.

take care and stay strong, much love, shimmergal x

me, myself and i

I have been at a place in my life where i was recovered, which was a forced recovery due to falling pregnant with my son, And yes there is a way of being completely healthy, i still had bad days but just to the extent of what a normal person has, ie ew i dont like this about my body but within a few minutes i was able to forget about it and not obsess about it every second of the day, i wasnt counting calories, i was definitly still health conscious and up to date on nutrition but i didnt count calories or weigh a few sultanas just so i could know the exact calorie content of them, i would eat when i was hungry and stop when i was full. I think everyone cares about there body size but not to the extant that an anorexic mind does. panic attacks eased, i was able to go into a supermarket without getting one or being scared i would by something that wasnt safe. yeah it can fade away. Its bliss not obsessing about it every moment of the day.

As for the other questions ive currently relapsed so my answers would be very skewed and coming from the anorexic mind instead of my own.

But it can be done ive seen it before, its not easy, recovery is the hardest thing ive ever done in my life, it was harder then a 48 hr labour with my son,
But the end results are worth more then gold, to be able enjoy life and not fear everything around you is an incredible feeling.
Keep going girl.