Weight Gain (for a change!)

I have a friend who is currently recovering from anorexia and she was discharged from hospital last month, weighing 6 stone. I saw her for the first time since then yesterday (shes been at home with her family just chilling and eating- she hasnt been allowed visitors while she settled back at home) and I was a bit surprised because although she is gaining weight, you couldn't see it, if that makes sense? She didn't look any different to when she was in hospital. I know that it will take a long time for her to completely recover, but she's hoping to be *looking* better for her birthday, which isn't far away at all (13th Nov).

Anyway, what I'm really asking is how long it will take for her to look as though she's gained weight. I know it's different for everyone, but if anyone has known someone or been in her situation themselves, I'd appreciate it if you could tell me how long it took and what you had to do.

Thankyou! x x

Reply 1

graveyarddreams

13

i'm always trying to gain some weight, but it never actually happens... some people don't actually gain the weight (or enough to notice) but you should see her getting healthier... generally look like she has more energy and colour...

Reply 2

Barny

17

.."some people don't actually gain the weight".. ?

Eat more food, simple as that.

Reply 3

Swinely

2

i totally over eat food though, it doesn't do anything (luckily!!) but i've got a slight beer belly looking stomach.
I think you just have to slightly over eat, not totally go for it otherwise ur metabolism raises to try and cope with this and you burn off more than you did before.

Reply 4

34253

2

Don't eat ****, just more of the good stuff will do. Perhaps some protein shakes will do the trick.

Reply 5

No Future

17

Uh, it totally depends on the person. Often with refeeding, the stomach is where most of the weight goes first, so maybe the rest of her looks small still. Why does it matter what she *looks* like? Whether it *looks* as if she's gained weight? Weight gain doesn't = better.

Reply 6

luckylaura05

1

how many calories a day is she eating and how tall is she?

Reply 7

graveyarddreams

13

imasillynarb

.."some people don't actually gain the weight".. ?

Eat more food, simple as that.

i always eat until i'm sure that one more mouthful will make be throw up. I would say i eat more than an average person.

Reply 8

luckylaura05

1

and your still not gaining weight? how many calories do you reckon you are getting?

Reply 9

SolInvictus

11

The important thing to do is to eat a calorie-rich, but nutritious diet. All to often people trying to gain weight devour junk food and create a whole new batch of health problems. In addition a good fitness routine helps to build moderate muscle mass.

Reply 10

graveyarddreams

13

luckylaura05

and your still not gaining weight? how many calories do you reckon you are getting?

i don't know, but probably a lot, as i have to have lunch outside everyday (because of school) and the only place nearby is McDonald, so i have to have a mcdonald meal everyday :eek:

which come to think of it is quite worrying since i heard that you can get all types of diseases from eating it (but hopefully i'll gain weight!) My diet consists mainly of protein, i eat a lot of meat so i don't know... i never seem to gain any weight, which personally, i feel it's not a good thing as i don't like looking thin and fragile, and my wrist is scary! someone who tried to sell me a bracelet once actually screamed in shock when they saw it :frown:

Reply 11

Icy Ghost

2

grave_dreams

i don't know, but probably a lot, as i have to have lunch outside everyday (because of school) and the only place nearby is McDonald, so i have to have a mcdonald meal everyday :eek:

which come to think of it is quite worrying since i heard that you can get all types of diseases from eating it (but hopefully i'll gain weight!) My diet consists mainly of protein, i eat a lot of meat so i don't know... i never seem to gain any weight, which personally, i feel it's not a good thing as i don't like looking thin and fragile, and my wrist is scary! someone who tried to sell me a bracelet once actually screamed in shock when they saw it :frown:

^^I actually know this person in real life, it's all true.

Better believe it.

hehe

when i was 12 i was incredibly thin.....i wasn't anorexic nor bulemic or anything.....i was just 'built' that way..and well i hated it....so i decided to gain a bit of weight...if you go to a doctor s/he should be able to give you an example of things to eat everyday (breakfast/lunch/dinner)......i only managed this type of 'diet' for about a week after that i just ate whatever i wanted....and well now i'm not fat but i did gain a bit more....i'm about 1'72 and weigh 60....which is just slightly underweight....but more than what i was before

Reply 14

wilgina

OP

I'm not sure how many calories she has to have everyday, but I know she has to eat every 2hours and at least 6 times a day, so she is on a specialised diet. I think shes 5'2" (she shrunk 2" whilst in hospital). She does look alot healthier - not as weak as she was either. It is clear she's getting better (physically and mentally), but I wondered how long it would be before she actually looked to be gaining weight. Thanks for your responses! My friends and I are going to arrange something extra special for her birthday. She's been through so much this past year!

Reply 15

mini_mad

7

If shes recovering from anorexia and now eating normally like 3 average meals a day she'll gain weight quite quickly as her metabolism will have slowd down from when she wznt eating. She shld put on quite a bit of weight quite quickly. When i wz recovering frm anorexia i ended heaveir than i'd been b4 i stopped eating (went frm 7and a half stone down to 4 and a half and then up 2 around 8)

Reply 16

SammyD

7

Follow the advice she was given in the hospital, her situation is totally different to the other people in this thread. She needs to regain muscle mass, improve bone density etc which take time, if she just eats as much crap as she can to gain weight quickly it will go on as a layer of fat and might trigger her again.

Reply 17

Barny

17

I just ate a 400g chocolate bar, 2200 calories, more than what I'd normally eat in a day, I'm one fat bugger, if you want to put on weight, follow my lead.

Reply 18

iceman_jondoe

18

you have to take a number of factors in into consideration. recovery from anorexia is extremely difficult as anorexia cause most bodily mechanisms such as metabolism to change speed. i doubt if she will be looking as she promised by 15 nov unless she eats lots and lots of choclate lol. but it will take time

Reply 19

Fruit-cake

9

wannabeavethelp

If shes recovering from anorexia and now eating normally like 3 average meals a day she'll gain weight quite quickly as her metabolism will have slowd down from when she wznt eating. She shld put on quite a bit of weight quite quickly. When i wz recovering frm anorexia i ended heaveir than i'd been b4 i stopped eating (went frm 7and a half stone down to 4 and a half and then up 2 around 8)

four and a half stone?? :eek:

thats so tiny....even 8 stone now isnt much at all! how tall are you?

Weight Gain (for a change!)

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