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179530 tn?1368936603

16 weeks, 15 pounds!?!

Struggled with bulimia since early teens... Since I've been pregnant I've made it my number 1 goal to stop the purging... The binging part is where I'm in trouble. I've always felt like I was starving. (pretty much because I was) but now it's magnified X's 10. I'm ALWAYS hungry. nauseated in the morning, and hungry as an elephant in the evening. I know I can't purge. I've stopped being selfish. I'm not going to do anything to potentially harm my baby. I just don't know what to do about the rapid weight gain. I've probably ruined my metabolism by getting my body used to discarding any calories after eating... now I'm more worried about hurting the baby than gaining weight but IS THERE ANYTHING I CAN DO TO SLOW IT DOWN? I've read that I'm not supposed to go on any weight loss diets, but what kind of diet could I go on where I feel full but don't gain weight. Is there such thing? Is it safe?
12 Responses
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179530 tn?1368936603
I have read all of your posts and they are wonderful. Thank you for all of the advice and for sharing your heartfelt stories. I feel happy, and sad at the same time. I hate it that others suffer from eating disorders, but it helps when you don't feel so alone.

PRAISE REPORT
I thought I owe it to you all that there has been no purging! This happened a couple times in the 2nd trimester. The cravings got so intense that I ended up overeating and getting "sick". Since then I haven't been "sick" or had any guilty feelings about food at all. My metabolism has finally caught up with my new eating habits! :) I am so happy.

Thank you ladies for the advice about what you did to help yourselves. The fruits and veggies HAVE been a major PLUS in my diet. I not only have taken control of my weight but I feel more energetic and I just made it into my 3rd trimester. (That get's pretty rare)



Helpful - 0
661090 tn?1271387661
im glad you brought this upp. over the summer i was both bulimic and anorexic. and i got pregnant in october. i am now 22 weeks pregnant and i just feel like im fat now like i feel like im not showing at all and that everyone looks at me thinking dang that girl is fat. but i aet like i should but i just cant get the thought out of my head that everyone thinks im fat and not pregnant.
Helpful - 0
805310 tn?1239848475
I hear you completely! And happy to know I'm not alone. I've been dealing with an eating disorder for about 5 years now and am in and out of treatment. I just finished up my treatment and then a couple months later got pregnant. I was fine until my last appointment where my doctor told me I had lost weight and it set off a trigger in my head. With eating disorders its so hard bc it mentally blocks you off from logic. You don't want to do these things you just do. And it hurts you to know that being pregnant has little affect on your thoughts and control. My advice is honestly take it one day at a time. Thats what I have to do. I set goals for that day, just like I'm going to have oatmeal and a fruit and whether I eat other things I make sure I eat that, even if I'm crying when I do so. I think it's just a matter of connecting or trying to reach your logic. Don't think too far ahead, it can be so overwhelming, and if weight is an issue just do your best to maintain you're current weight. I'm 19 weeks had haven't gained since my loss, but honestly its a step, I know that I can't control my weight at this point.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I haven't struggled too much with my weight. I'm 5'6" and have weighed between 125 and 135 over the past 10 years.  When I got pregnant I was hungry ALL of the time and wasn't throwing up (just nauseau and upset stomach) so I gained quite a bit (for me). At 15 weeks, I gained about 17 lbs.  The last 2 weeks, I've managed to keep it steady (I'm now up 18lbs) by eating a little less, exercising for 30 minutes and trying not to snack too much at night.  I've found, in general, that a key to keeping weight off or at least slowing down the increase is to not eat after 7pm (or 8pm if you stay up late).  You can eat a good amount during the day (pancakes, whatever you want for breakfast and lunch) and have a small to medium dinner, but don't snack at night.  Hope that helps.
Helpful - 0
178698 tn?1228774338
You probably needed the extra pounds.   Don't worry about it...it will all come off after you have the baby.  And in the future don't be suprised if you've gained 9 pounds in a month...could be water weight or something like that....Just tell them not to tell you the weight at your OB appt and don't jump on the scale during pregnant.  Just eat healthy.  
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Avatar universal
I agree with jenkaye, you shouldnt concentrate on how much you are eating but rather WHAT you are eating!  Eat as healthy as you can.

Congratulations on making it so many weeks without purging and putting your baby first.  I know it isn't easy to stop purging.

My best friend from high school battled anorexia and then bulemia for years.  She died at 22 because her heart just couldn't take it anymore.  Just know that by not purging, you are not only doing what is best for your baby, but also what is best for you!  

Make sure you remember that later when the baby is here, and you want to lose those baby pounds.  I think that the battle will be even harder then.  You want her/him to have a healthy mommy, who is healthy and alive.  
Helpful - 0
689265 tn?1251130087
i've been told it's healthy to gain around 2 stone by the end of your pregnancy. do your best to ignore the weight gain...you're eating what baby needs and definitely go with cravings/feelings of hunger...it's your baby's way of telling you it needs it. weight is usually lost naturally after the birth, some do it within as little as a month or so but a midwife told me after my last ' it took you nearly ten months to put on that weight and allow the same amount of time for you to lose it.' i know it's easier said than done, but try to put weight gain out of your mind and give your body what it asks for.
Helpful - 0
719902 tn?1334165183
I agree, 15 pounds at 16 weeks is not out of the range of normal.  Try not to worry about how *much you're eating, but *what you are eating.  You can probably have as much fruit and veggies as you want! ; )

With my first pregnancy (I am preggo with #4), I had gained over 20 pounds by 16 weeks, although I definitely was not eating the right things.  This time, I am trying to do a lot better, eating healthy, and not worrrying about the # on the scale.  

It sounds like you have come a long way, just keep it up and enjoy your pregnant body!  Pregnant is gorgeous!!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Oh shoot - I also wanted to add....your weight gain thus far is really not that bad. At 14 weeks, I had gained 11 lbs, so I am on track with the gain you've had.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I can imagine how hard this must be for you, and applaud you for working so hard to overcome your sickness for the benefit of the baby!

I agree with the posters above, low fat items, fruits & veggies, and exercise are good options. Also, if you are feeling hungry, a glass of water can help to curb the feeling.

Please know that you are not alone in the way you are feeling. I've not had an eating disorder, but, during this pregnancy I am constantly binging. Good luck to you.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have STRUGGLED with my with my weight for years...and at one time weighed almost 100 punds more than I do now.  I too have been worried about pregnancy weight gain as this is my first pregnancy.  While I recognize it's important to gain some weight, I understand there's s big difference between that and going crazy with food which I have been known to do.  I find that eating a lot of high fiber, low fat food helps me.  I eat lots of fruit and veggies...where carbs are concerned, I try to stick to whole grain breads/pasta...with protein I try to stick with lower fats choices like chicken, turkey, (approved) fish, and lean beef.  Even more significant than the food however is sticking to an exercise program.  I've made sure to get 30-45 minutes of low impact excercise (usually walking) at least 3-4 times per week.  I find that keeping that routine has been the biggest help for me.  But, of course clear that with your Dr. first.  There's no magic unfortunatley...I wish there was!!  Best of luck to you!!!
Helpful - 0
551885 tn?1300383822
I am glad that you know the importance of your baby being the #1 priority.  I myself had struggled with weight issues for many years, I was down in the 80 something pound range for a while.  Then when I strarted to eat ANYTHING I would gain weight.  I was at a "healthy" 125 when I got pregnant, I had a problem with being that big, but we were trying to get pregnant and I wanted to be as healthy as I could before we conceived.  The fact is, my metabolism is so screwed up that anything I eat I seem to gain.  I am doing some moderate excercises since my dr. told me to and have gained more then he told me to already.  I am ok with it though.  It is hard to see the scale go up, but it actually feels good to eat and know that it is helping my baby.  I now look at the weight gain as I want to stay in the healthy range, I don't want to get huge because my dr. really thinks it is best to stay in shape, but I am by no means worrying about my body.  As long as your baby is healthy, do anything to keep it that way, and worry about losing the weight (a HEALTHY way) after he/she is born. The best thing to do is take these months as a healing process for your bulemia and learn how to handle it, then after the baby is born, you still can't go back.  It is not healthy and you want to be around for a long time for your child!  Good luck!  Eat lots of fruits and veggies to fill you!  
Helpful - 0
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