Anorexic

When I was in high school I was diagnosed w/anorexia.  I was 5'3" and weighed 85 lbs and was very unhappy.  After some treatment as an inpatient in a hospital I learned to deal with some of my issues.  I am now pregnant with my 2nd child and am concerned about my weight issues.  My prepregnancy weight w/my first child was 105 and I only gained 10 lbs.  Now I am 9monthes pregnant and weigh almost 160 lbs. I am concerned because I have gained so much this time I am afraid that I am not going to lose the weight.  I have heard that it is harder when you gain a lot.  Is it normal for a person to use what I call "anorexic tools" like purposefully not eating and laxatives, ect. to help lose weight?  I don't want to be anorexic again, but it is hard for me to know what is normal and what is not.  When I was in school I forgot how to eat normally and people don't understand that.  Now I am deathly afraid of being this fat forever though I know I will lose some weight when I have the baby. What do you suggest I do to help curb my fear?  I don't want to see any more therapists  or take any more anti-depressants.  Please help, I don't like constantly watching my weight.  (I can no longer keep a weight scale in my home because that is a trigger for me)

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

Dear RC,

No, it's definitely not a good idea to try to manage your weight by the ways you mention. You are pregnant, and you have a responsibility to your child to remain healthy and to eat in a sensible way. You have an obligation to put the baby's needs ahead of your concern about weight. Please discuss your situation with your medical providers, to be sure that they think there's no problem with your weight. And it might not be such a good idea to refrain from seeing a therapist. You've still got issues about your body image and by staying away from help you're not likely to solve those concerns. Do yourself and your baby a favor and seek professional help.

[Buddy]

A Lot of it is water gain, the rest will need exercise (yuch).
Watch how much you eat at one time, and what you eat.  Hmmm vat of ice cream or a ham sandwich and a glass of water?  It is not easy to lose the weight and stay healthy, I hope your partner is aware of your fears and will help you through the rough spots.

The methods that anorexics use are typically for girls that don't need to lose the weight anyways and the disruption that is caused by the change of diet and mental attitude just drags a person down hill.  I am glad you were strong enough to overcome it.  It sound as though you are more comfortable with yourself and who you are hence the extra weight gain.

If you find a good pill to lose weight with I could stand losing a couple of pounds around the middle....

Good Luck