Is this normal? 400 cals/days on SW plan

[anothermamabear]

I joined a SlimmingWorld a few weeks ago on a six week countdown. Rather than follow the actual diet, I’ve drastically cut my calories on several days a week and haven’t actually eaten for the last two. I tried to eat at lunchtime, but just couldn’t bring myself to swallow the food. I’m scared to eat. I’m scared of what the scales will say at group.

I have a long and chequered history of eating disorders, including being seriously unwell with anorexia. I am currently at the top of a healthy BMI range and thought that Slimming world would be a good way to force me to lose weight (which has gradually crept on because I stopped weighing myself [which meant I was aware that it was going up as it happened very gradually ] and separately was unable separately was unable to exercise for a long period due to injury ) The shame of being weighed every week would mean I felt compelled to lose weight.

I am mentally planning the next month to eat no more than 400 cal a day just so I can meet the target weight and not feeling ashamed.

Is this normal? Or is this eating disorder behaviour? I’m feeling quite scared that this is going to trigger a relapse but don’t know if I’m being overdramatic. I ticked the “yes I have had an eating disorder in the past” box on the registration form but the consultant didn’t raise it so I didn’t either.

This is not normal. It's eating disorder behaviour, sorry. Please get help for this. I've recently been on an NHS diet plan, and that was 800 cals/day with weekly monitoring as its considered so low.

400 is not sustainable.

That’s eating disorder behaviour which I think you do already know.

Slimming world and group weigh ins doesn’t sound like a good option for you.

You need to work out your daily calorie requirement and aim for a 500 calorie deficit which will add up to one lb a week loss and focus on high nutrient, protein rich food.

I’ve lost 3 stone intermittent fasting but only ever miss breakfast and eat within an 8 hour window.

Take care of yourself, you need to focus on your health.

Ahh well done for noticing that it’s disordered, because it really is. Can you get some help?
have you had help in the past?
Absolute shame on slimming world for not speaking to you discreetly when for one you’d ticked the box saying you’d had disordered eating and two, it sounds like you’re not overweight.

This is eating disorder behaviour. Quit the weight loss group and seek urgent support from your mental health team.

Gently, 400 calories a day is no where near enough for your body to complete basic functions to survive. It will also impact your mental well-being. Toddlers need around 1200, if you wouldn’t feed a child/another person 400 a day, you absolutely shouldn’t do it to yourself.
Being the ‘top end of healthy weight’ is 1000% healthier than giving yourself an eating disorder.
In my opinion, you also don’t need to lose weight. Could that be the eating disorder voice criticising you?
BMI is also not a very accurate tool, please don’t stress over it.
Crash dieting is never a good idea or healthy.
Please take care. In your shoes, I’d leave slimming world, you do not need weekly weigh ins, especially if they are stressing you so. Losing and gaining weight should not be shameful- food and weight has no moral quality.
Speak to a doctor and mental health support for further advice. Wishing you the best, please do seek further help.

I had some success on slimming world but it has given me disordered eating. I am still about 10lb over weight but I’ve been doing strength training 3 days a week and it’s completely changed my mindset. Could you look at focussing on exercise and a more realistic calorie intake?

Thank you for such kind replies and reminding me what matters. I told the consultant guy last night that I wasn’t going to come back and then went for a bike ride in the sunshine. It felt like a crushing weight had been lifted.

So glad to see that last update OP!
I agree with a poser before, strength training flipped a switch for me. Suddenly I wanted to be strong and healthy

Well done @anothermamabearthat sounds a lovely way to spend your evening. Exercise really has helped me. Even when I am going through a phase where I’m not eating as well as I could (bit too much pizza & wine!) I still go as it gives me more focus and even if I don’t lose weight that week it maintains for me.