I think this is a useful exercise for anyone in recovery, sometimes we can forget how far we've come. So, here is a typical day for me one year ago. In fact, I've dug out my "Ana diary" and actually FOUND today's date last year to put on here :) and then what I ate today follows!
1.12.09
Breakfast:
Ready brek made with water (110 cals)
Lunch:
weight watchers chicken noodle soup (50 cals)
Mid afternoon:
2 x satsumas (50 cals)
Dinner: Salad, 2 slices of ham (150 cals)
total: 350 calories.
1.12.10:
B: 2 weetabix, skimmed milk, apple (250)
L: Ham sandwich, crisps, grapes (450)
Mid afternoon: Slice of cake (250)
Dinner: jacket potato, tuna and salad (400)
Evening: Hot chocolate, packet of malteasers (300)
1,650 cals
And you know what? The food I consumed today is technically not enough. I aim to have 2000 calories a day in order to maintain my weight. In theory, if I continue to eat around 1,600 a day, I will LOSE weight.
So, today, I ask anybody reading with an ED to eat an extra 100 calories. Just today. I promise it won't make a difference to your weight, but it could make you feel a little more human, and it may even kick start your metabolism.
I really love this post, even though I'm not currnetly in recovery mode [I'm making a slow attempt to move towards it with cutting down and out the purging and then slowly going to work on adding more and more calories to my intake].
ReplyDeleteHow were you able to fully decide what daily caloric intake to do? Did you use a BMR or did you go to a real nutritionist? My major concern is accurately what I need to do in order to MAINTAIN and not gain.
Only.. I know deep down, what I need to do is to stop being so afraid of gaining and just be happy overall.
hey there! It's great that you're moving towards recovery. It's tough, but so worth it.
ReplyDeleteI have a nutritionist and a psychologist who guide me with my food choices, but be aware that when I first started my treatment I was two stone underweight and HAD to gain in order to reach a safe weight to maintain at.
Good luck with this, and don't be afraid to seek help. An ED is a genuine and serious condition. Let me know how you get on xx