Recovery process and extreme hunger
Hi!
I'm currently trying to recover from anorexia. I got sick pretty quickly and restricted and excersized quit stricktly for 2 months.
So when I finally started to eat I was so hungry that I almost began full meals 6 times a day (like the recommendations).
My body is still in a chock of course, and I gained already the first week. It has been really hard fighting with these changes while struggling inside my head. I have been back and forth a couple of times of restricting some days, but I'm getting help continuing to dare to continue to eat.
The thing is, when I eat like I should I just get so hungry, all I can think about is the next meal, and I eat more than I did before ( although I wasn't a large eater). Last night I couldn't sleep and felt so anxious. I had done some excercises before going to bed and I was so so hungry despite having eaten 6 times that day. So I had to make like porridge, and a couple of sandwhiches. I even had some grapes after that. I can't believe myself. And when I woke up this morning I was still really hungry so I had to eat a pretty hearty meal. It's so terrifying with this hunger and weightgaining. I'm probably soon on the verge of being normal weight and it scares me so so much. My stomach is bloated and such.
I gues I'm just searching for some support, and if anyone has had experience of extreme hunger in recovery I would love to hear it.
@persistentWater8594 - It can definitely be tough in the early stages of recovery when your body is still confused about hunger and fullness. Essentially, the eating disorder made your body adjust to new patterns and so recovery is trying to undo that and it can take time for it to return to a normal state of being hungry and full at times that feel right to you. But it does get easier with time.
One thing that might be helpful, if it's possible for you, is to talk to a dietician/nutritionist to understand how your body is reacting and if there are ways to help it feel more okay.
From a feeling okay about it perspective, one thing that can be helpful is to refocus some of your thoughts about the body. It can be scary to see yourself gaining weight, but thinking about what it allows your body to do can be helpful. By gaining this weight and getting stronger, what are things that are possible now that weren't before?
If you would like to talk more about this, you are always welcome to message me. Take care and stay strong - you're a warrior!
