Metabolism

[bbkidz5]

For a post-anorexic that weighs 96 pounds and is 5'6", would eating more than 2200 calories each day mean I would gain more weight faster?  I get confused by people who say they eat 2800-3000 and still don't gain.  Will my metabolism speed up if i quit restricting?

[alice846]

Eating more is the only way to restore metabolic function. You can gain on high or you can gain on low but gaining on low will be due to ongoing metabolic suppression, gaining on high will heal and repair you body. Feel free to message me.

[Scout8601]

When I first went into treatment for my anorexia and started eating my metabolism went crazy.  I was eating 3 'normal' meals a day and 3 resourse snacks (which were high calorie condensed snacks, like ensure shakes), then when I went to bed I was hooked up to tube feeding and they had to put me on transport, meaning I couldn't walk anywhere which would burn calories, becasue I could not gain weight.  My metabolism was so high that I'd wake in the middle of the night with wet sheets and clothes bc I was sweating so much.  So yeah, your metabolism can really speed up when you decide to start nourishing your body again.  It doesn't happen for everybody that way, but for some it does.

[ParamedFlorena]

Calorie-intake should be according to your physical activity. 2800-3000 is quite a lot, which if you don't gain of it, you should perhaps seek professional aid.

Here's an overview of calorie-intake according to moderate activity and age:

Males
11-14: 2700 kcal
15-18: 2800 kcal
19-22: 2900 kcal
23-50: 2700 kcal
51-70: 2400 kcal
71+   : 2100 kcal

Females
11-14: 2200 kcal
15-18: 2100 kcal
19-22: 2100 kcal
23-50: 2000 kcal
51-70: 1900 kcal
71+   : 1700 kcal


At rest, the body uses 4,2 kJ (1 kcal) pr minute.

Sitting, eating, watching TV 1.6 kcal/min
Standing still 1.8 kcal/min
Computer/machine/sitting work 2 kcal/min
Driving 2.5 kcal/min
Personal care (getting dressed, showering) 3 kcal/min
Standing work 3.5 kcal/min
Walking regular pace 4 kcal/min
Walking fast 5 kcal/min
Jogging 7 kcal/min
Bicycling/Swimming/Heavy work 8 kcal/min
Running (as intervall-training) 20 kcal/min

To determine your need of energy, watch and write down what you do for a day when you're in moderate activity.

Good luck!
ParamedFlorena