New here...have ?? about previous eating disorder...

[alexsmom]

Hi,
I've been browsing here a lot recently and finally decided to register and post. Many of you give out a lot of good advice and seem very knowledgable regarding nutrition and fitness so I'm hoping maybe someone could help me. Anyhow...a brief history: I'm 5'8" and usually range from about 120 to 125 lbs. I just had a baby this past December ( a very beautiful baby boy by the way ).
I have been working out pretty avidly for the last 10 years. I've mainly pretty heavy on the cardio and would say that I lift moderately...not real heavy, but enought to where I think I can feel a burn. My arms have always been my weak point, however and weights are fairly light in that area (a 20 lb barbell is heavy for me).
Anyway, my concern is regarding the fact that I had 2 pretty bad bouts with anorexia when I was 15 and again when I was about 20. At my low point I got down to about 85 lbs. I have pretty much recovered since then, however I think I will always have an issue with my weight and food. Before any of this started...I used to have really good muscle tone. I was a dancer and also a swimmer. Now, even though I've been working out for so many years (I will be 30 this October)...I still seem so flabby! My question is...did I ruin my body forever my starving myself....thus depleting muscle and adding fat when I gained my weight back? Don't get me wrong, I am thin...just not tight. I have friends who don't work out and I'm not any more toned then they are. It's so frustrating! I think I eat pretty clean... mainly lean proteins, fruits, veggies, soy products...and I do eat carbs...but I don't think I overdo it. I know I do have trouble drinking water (I'm a diet coke junky) but have been trying to up my intake. Can anyone recommend something for me.....or am I just doomed to "untoneness" for the rest of my life??
Well...sorry this has become so long. Any answers would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks!

 

[new@gettinbig]

125 at 5'8 is really little!!! You need to do some serious lifting!!! Forget about cardio for a bit....its difficult but, cardio will do absolutely notin for your body as far as being toned and defined. I also suffered from anorexia so I understand. I only do serious amounts of cardio to get ready for contests....Lifting will boost your metabolism, and increase your lean body mass...cardio does not do it. Focus on lifting and getting into a regular training routine. Maybe get w/ a trainer and start some type of program. Make sure you are eating 1-1.5 grams of protein per lb. Also get your water intake WAY up...its good for you and you need it!!!! I would cut back on your cardio....maybe even cut it out for a bit. Do you know your BF??? I would get it done....scales mean absolutely NOTIN!! keep us posted.

 

[Sassy69]

Hi alexsmom! Congrats on your baby!

First, I'm not a doc or expert on health, but I can say that I don't think there's ever "no hope' for rescultping a body through diet & exercise. Many of the best athletes you will find got started in their sport due to some accident or disability. I'm thinking right now of a woman who is a national wheelchair bb champion -- (Wish I coud remember her name) - she had a car accident and ended up in a wheel chair. They said she'd never walk due to some spinal injuries. Well, she's won several times and truly has one of the greatest sets of abs I've ever seen in my life. Well, she is friends w/ my last trainer - he said the last time he saw her, she got up out of her chair and took a couple steps. AMAZING!
Also the last couple of bb competitions I've seen had male competitors over 80 and women over 70. SO .... there's always hope.

You've already overcome a lot and it sounds like you understand quite abit about training & diet. You'll get some great advice here! I would say you might want to switch emphasis (not quit, just refocus) from cardio to lifting because cardio can be catabolic and you want to build up your muscle base a little more. This will definitely help with the "skinny fat". Also increase your protein to support some muscle growth, make sure you are getting enough good quality fats (e.g. flax seed oil) and also good, and the right kinds of carbs to support your workouts. Toss the diet Coke -- I think the phosphoric acid in sodas inhibits processing of protein (please someone verify this for me!). The jury is not in on the effects of aspartame but alot of anything like that can't be good for you. Definitely up your water intake - like one the order of a 1 - 1 1/2 gallons per day.

You might want to consider having a trainer or someone evaluate your diet and training to help layout a good muscle building program and ensure that you are getting enough of the right foods to support good muscle building.

Good luck and again, welcome!

 

[alexsmom]

I'm not sure about my body fat. I had it taken about 5 years ago at my doctor's office because I was having trouble with my menstral cycle and if I remember correctly, it was about 18%. I'm sure it's above that now though. I did start on that Body for Life program which only incorporates about 20 minutes of cardio about 3 times a week but then I read that thread on this board about how 30 + 30 does not = 60 and how you need to do 60 minutes to lose fat so I started upping my cardio again and doing it 5 days a week. I do feel like I get enough protein though....I eat it with every meal.
It just gets so confusing because you hear so many conflicting opinions. Anyway, thanks for your advice new@gettinbig! I know you must understand the whole ED thing. I probably will go seek out a personal trainer.....it's just harder now that my time is a little more limited with having a baby and working full time.

 

[alexsmom]

HI Sassy69....you're right, I probably should get my diet evaluated. Maybe I think I'm doing everything right...but something must be wrong because it isn't working! Regarding lifting...what would you recommend as far as parts worked per week? Is one body part per week enough or should I do more? Also, I would really like some arm help. I dont' know why...but lately I'm obsessed with them...can't stand the way they look. Right now I try to vary how I work them out. For example on my biceps...one week I'll do barbell lifts and the next time I work them I'll use one of those bicep machines. (Did that make sense?)
THanks for you reply!

 

[new@gettinbig]

I would suggest you do 3-4 exercises per bodypart....3 sets of 8-10 reps. A personal trainer would be great to get ya started on a solid program. 30+30 does not =60...it is for individuals trying to lose bf...at your size....you do not need to do 60 minutes of cardio....you need to really concentrate on building some good solid muscle. Building muscle will aid in your fat loss as well. I got a lil girl myself so i know its difficult to find time and get it all in. Keep reading and posting....make sure you are training w/ some good intensity and dont be afraid to ask questions etc.....you are already well on your way...a few minor adjustments and you will get it down

 

[flex4life]

Hi Alex!
Nothing to add to the great advice & suggestions already given.. just wanted to welcome you...

and also to tell you that weight lifting- real lifting with intensity- changed my life completely (another former ED'er here)... the confident self-image & sense of empowerment I had been searching for.

Lots of motivation here on this board for ya' too...good luck

Flex

 

[chabbah]

Welcome, alexsmom. I too was anorexic and hear you about the issues with a past ED. My problem has been with the pre-contest dieting I've done for two shows and the feast or famine mentality that goes along with that experience. I have found that the strict dieting -- weighing, measuring, etc. -- has distorted my ability to listen to my body when I'm not in "diet mode." As a result, I don't feel comfortable unless I'm on a diet or following a food plan of some sort.

I'm wondering...new@ and others who have come back from an ED...how do you deal with these issues?

 

[buksoon]

Hi Alexsmom!

[QUOTE Also, I would really like some arm help. I dont' know why...but lately I'm obsessed with them...can't stand the way they look. [/QUOTE]

Well, my field is the language (ex-high school English teacher) and I'm worried about your use of the word "obsessed." Maybe I just look too closely at word choices ... and emoticon choices.

But I also know that eating disorders are like alcoholism: You kind of have to always be on guard for relapses. "Recovery" is an ongoing thing. I am so sorry if I am being presumptuous.

To answer your question as to whether you did some permanent damage in your bouts with anorexia at age 15 and 20: NO!!! The body is an amazing self-righting machine. There are people who--for whatever reasons--have lived thru years of malnutrition but come out okay.

So don't worry about the past. Just stay healthy now!!!! Get yourself a trainer and--at the risk of sounding like a "female chauvinist pig"--a female one, a little bit older. And maybe a clinician who deals specifically with adult survivors of adolescent ED's.

 

[karde]

I too paused at the word obsessed.

From what you have said it sounds like you have a lot of overall work to do as far as adding muscle. It may be a little too early to start focusing on certain parts, as ALL your parts may need a good amount of attention

Also as has been pointed out many times on this board, there seems to be some misconception of "toning" People think you can tone without adding mass. When "toning" is really adding muscle and droping body fat.