I think I might have a problem

[Derfel]

I have been a bit of a yo-yo dieter for years but started the Fast 800 in May weighing almost 14 stone. Over the weeks I’ve been eating less and less and currently weight about 11 stone. I write down what I eat and weigh it to make sure it’s correct. I’m currently eating around 400-500 calories a day and having some unpleasant symptoms.

I’ve noticed I’m covered in bruises, I feel dizzy at times and my chest hurts. It feels like my heart hurts. This is really scaring me but the thought of eating more and gaining weight makes me feel sick and anxious. I desperately do not want to gain weight. Everyone is complementing me on my weight loss.

my BMI is in the healthy range and I don’t obsessively exercise so I don’t think this is a fully fledged eating disorder but the chest pains are really worrying me. I’m scared my GP will look at my weight and see that I’m not underweight and just send me on my way.

If you started the Fast800, why are you restricting yourself to 400-500 calories? You know that isn't what the plan is about!

Yes, it does sound like you are risking an eating disorder. You aren't eating enough.

Please go and see your GP and ask for help with how to deal with this.

400-500 calories a day is desperately unhealthy, please get help if you feel like you can't manage this. It's not normal and not ok to be eating so little. As someone with a previous ED I urge you to get help now before your mental health (and physical health) is destroyed by this. Unfortunately we are in an awful society where thinness is idealised as the pinnacle of success and desire - but you and your body deserve more. You deserve more than 400 piddly calories. Value yourself more.

Yes this sounds very disordered.

Can you take yourself up slowly? Up to 600 calories this weekend, 700 next week etc until you're at a more normal amount?

I have an appointment with my GP tomorrow and I wanted to discuss it with her then.

I’m not sure why I went lower than the 800 to be honest, the thought of eating was making me feel really anxious so I just did it less but I’m thinking about it all the time. I plan my whole day around how I can avoid food.

Well done for admitting it
Please be honest with your GP when you see her.

The fast 800 specifically states it is not for people with a risk of ED and losing a lot of weight quickly can cause gallbladder issues and other things that could be related to your chest pain.
Do you have a daughter or a son? Would you want them to live as you are now or would you kindly ask them to get some help as they deserve to have food to thrive on and a body that supports their daily activities and brings them joy?

You’ve taken a huge step talking about it here, maybe you could print off your post and let your GP read it? If you don’t feel able to say it out loud… but you need some help.

Write down what you want to tell the GP.
If you freeze up and don't want to tell her, you can just shove the bit of paper at her.

So you've lost 3 stone in less than 2 months?

You are at serious risk of malnutrition at this point OP. There is no way you are getting all the nutrients, vitamins and minerals your body needs to function if you're only eating 400-500 calories and you will be losing muscle mass because you can't break down fat that quickly so t your body will be using your muscle as fuel, that can cause your heart and other organs to struggle.

Can you eat at least 1500 calories a day? Is that something you believe you would be able to do, or would that be impossible to force yourself to eat?

If the answer to the above is no, that you don't believe you can mentally cope with the idea of doing that then make an appt at your GP for as soon as possible as you need some help and support.

If the answer to the above is yes, then you need to start doing that. You will likely put on a little weight at first, your body will cling onto those calories as it's been deprived, stay away from the scales and focus on making sure you have a balanced diet. You need some carbs, protein and fat. You need a range of fruit and vegetables. Ideally you need some oily fish or healthy fats like avocado.

Hi @Derfel i would start intaking a little more calories everyday and increase it slowly everyday. I know it will be hard because you're used a certain amount of calories but please try and hopefully you'll start to feel better xx

Thank you all. I’ll show my GP what I’ve written here. She’s been supporting me with ongoing anxiety issues so hopefully she’ll be supportive with this too.

Hi OP, how did your appointment go?