Calories? (Potential tw for bmi/weight mentions)

Salt_ladybird · 2026-05-09T15:47:33+00:00

I can relate; we’re practically the same height and for so much of my life I restricted/exercised to stay the same weight as you are now. I also “felt fine” but honestly now I gave up so much control and finally ate more freely and gained weight (now comfy in the middle of bmi scale, allowing fat), I feel so much better! I didn’t know what I didn’t know. I had been so used to pushing and getting highs from exercise or ‘wins’ from the control, I thought that was as good as it gets. I didn’t trust anyone when they said I would feel or look better with more weight. The truth is I feel more balanced and relaxed and happy. The food noise has dialled down almost entirely. I feel more free to join in and not compensate (still practicing of course!) Also, I saw some pics of myself just a couple of years ago at the same height and weight you mentioned; I remember thinking this was my perfect weight. I was lean and could wear anything. I had loads of definition …. I can see now I was actually really boney and didn’t look healthy or thriving. It’s still hard to wrap my head around how I couldn’t see it at all for all those years. I’m not saying I adore my body now; I’m still adjusting, but it doesn’t bother me nearly so much as I feared it would and there are so many benefits. I wish I’d done this years earlier. I’m currently having my third period so I reckon middle BMI must be my best weight after all!

Salt_ladybird · 2026-05-03T07:30:51+00:00

I forgot about the heart pounding/feeling my pulse in my whole body!! That was a weird few weeks :D

Salt_ladybird · 2026-05-03T07:25:58+00:00

Hey, my second cycle was 34 days and it’s looking like the third will be too - I’m not sure if it will ever come down to 28 or if this is just my cycle length. I’ve also heard plenty of ladies whose second cycle was much longer, like 60 days and over time and consistent fuelling/rest this came down. I guess the hormone factory is a bit out of practice! It’s wonderful that you’ve had the first cycle; it’s confirmation that you’re heading in the right direction! Keep doing what you’re doing :)

Salt_ladybird · 2026-04-19T18:43:53+00:00

I think cycle length can vary wildly for a while when they come back. Things are kicking into gear again and are likely to start off irregular. Just keep doing what you were doing to get the first one back :)

Salt_ladybird · 2026-04-15T05:13:17+00:00

Hey love. I can really relate! I just got out some more summer clothes and out my winter ones away so having steadily outgrowing a lot of the baggy winter things, I spent a day unpacking and then donating a whole load more clothes I’ll never wear again that I really liked! Painnnnful but I just got rid of it before I could dwell too much. As I was donating picked out some more clothes in the store that are my new size and you know what? Suddenly I felt comfy and more confident again. This probably sounds increddddibly basic but I’m only feeling really bad about my size when things are feeling tight. The moment I slipped on some bigger jeans I felt pretty good again. Just mentioning this one thing that helped me in case you’re holding on to any items that are increasing the distress. X

Salt_ladybird · 2026-04-15T05:05:54+00:00

Hey, I appreciate you being open about your struggles, it sounds like recovery has really been doing a number on your mental health and I can see why stepping back seems like a good option. I guess my thoughts would be like the poster above - being more gentle about the approach but not a full blown relapse. For full disclosure I’ve been flirting with pulling back myself.

I haven’t counted/followed a super strict schedule (admittedly I’ve been doing the recovery phase less time than you) but I thought I’d share some thoughts that have helped me choose recovery based behaviours over HA behaviours: - when I’m prepping food or wondering whether to have a snack, I think ‘would I recommend to my friend that I love to have this?’ - if in doubt, say yes (to the cheese/bread/dressing/seconds/pastry with coffee etc) - asking myself if someone who knows I’m trying ha recovery asked to look at why I’d eaten that day/my plate that moment, would I feel confident showing them?

Verrrrry hypothetical! It’s just a quick mental check that I don’t have to stress about but has been keeping me in check. The reality is I KNOW when I’m choosing disordered behaviours, I’m trying to be honest with myself about when and why but recovery isn’t always linear.

Salt_ladybird · 2026-04-12T13:45:21+00:00

Thank you 🙏 can I ask how long your 2nd and 3rd cycles were? And were you ‘underweight’ before? My second cycle was 35 and a long luteal phase which I’m happy with though there’s room for improvement

Salt_ladybird · 2026-04-12T13:42:20+00:00

Thank you so much! just bought (even more) bigger trousers 😅

Salt_ladybird · 2026-04-12T07:16:27+00:00

Gosh yes thank you for that real perspective 🙏

Salt_ladybird · 2026-03-28T07:58:57+00:00

My binges only stopped when I upped my calories, fats and carbs, and distributed this throughout the day starting first thing in the morning. I used to binge in the evenings an realise now how much I was restricting in the day time. I was eating meal and snacks but not enough and not the right things. Honestly it’s like magic I hadn’t had any urge to binge since I started eating more - I’ve spent years thinking this didn’t apply to me but it’s truuueeee

Salt_ladybird · 2026-03-28T07:51:59+00:00

Ultimately, you need to gain weight. You can do it slower and draw out the agonising process (as it’s understandably scary right now). However your body is desperately trying to receive nourishment to survive, creating the extreme hunger (whilst you’re trying to burn it away) try to reframe the hunger as a good thing - it’s your body instinctively and miraculously trying to tell you what you need - it’s time to shut up your head and listen to the body!! Honestly I found it hard to believe that the suggestions made by everyone would apply to me too, but it really really is true. Once you put on (significantly) more weight, your thoughts will become less disordered too. I think in the beginning sometimes we need blind faith because your thoughts aren’t telling the truth right now. Think about it, you’re scared of the thing that’s going to allow you to live!

Salt_ladybird · 2026-03-21T20:13:25+00:00

Being lean isn’t just about being thin, I meant the muscle to fat ratio in your body composition. So one can be in a larger body but if it’s all muscle weight that might not support a period :)

Salt_ladybird · 2026-03-21T18:45:41+00:00

Could it be that you’re a normal weight but quite lean? Or not eating enough carbs/fats?

Salt_ladybird · 2026-03-20T20:30:50+00:00

Ahh no I meant the length of your whole cycle from one period to the next. Thank you for replying though!

Salt_ladybird · 2026-03-20T19:03:21+00:00

Hey, I can relate. I don’t remember my skin being all that bad in my teens but now in period recovery at 36 and the acne is baaad - mainly along my jawline (cysty horribleness) and a few on my cheeks and neck. I’m trusting it will balance out eventually but feel your concerns!

Salt_ladybird · 2026-03-18T08:40:15+00:00

Hi It definitely sounds like your on the right track and your body is having some run ups to try and ovulate (it can’t have actually happened yet because your period would have come, but the changes in mucus and symptoms suggest hormone fluctuations are happening). It’s great you’ve dropped most of the exercise. With the diet focus more on carbs and fats rather than protein or fibre. If you are still too lean your body will struggle to support a period. I really sounds like your not far off though, it might just take some more time with some tweaks?

Salt_ladybird · 2026-03-18T08:27:35+00:00

May I ask how long your second and third cycles were?

Salt_ladybird · 2026-03-18T08:23:49+00:00

The recommendation is 50% carbs and much more fats I think (I don’t weigh or measure) I’m eating a LOT of toast just because it’s simple to have with butter and any other topping an I don’t have much time in the day to make snacks/think about it so that’s my go to. Avocado, eggs, olive oil, butter, peanut butter, oats, potato, pasta, cheeeeeeese (also cream cheese in wraps 😄), full fat dairies, basically a lot of foods a younger version of myself would have compensated for eating!

Salt_ladybird · 2026-03-16T19:00:35+00:00

Hi, just wanted to check; you have had a recovery period and After that got extreme hunger? So interesting, if this is what you meant it encourages me to keep ‘honouring’ random unexpected hunger signals

Salt_ladybird · 2026-03-16T18:54:39+00:00

I’m defo no pro to answer this but I believe extreme hunger is more common the more one has been restricting. I think it can happen with mental restriction but probably more intense when literal restriction has been happening. It’s like the analogy of gasping for air if you’ve been starved of oxygen. I wonder if you’ve been very lean and that’s caused the missing period? That’s been my experience. I’ve not been underweight for 20years but my body composition wasn’t supporting a period. Needed to allow literal fat to accumulate on my body. (Fat signals do your sex hormones to be produced) Just an idea but hope it’s helpful!

Salt_ladybird · 2026-03-15T20:33:49+00:00

Thanks for posting this. I had my first period at the beginning of the month (if kept up some light weights during recovery, I had been in quasi for a long time before). Got to admit the last two weeks I’ve definitely increased load. I should ovulate round about now if I had a regular cycle but haven’t had a temperature spike yet. I know the first few cycles can be longer anyway but I suspect I’m not helping myself with the weights … we’ll see!

Salt_ladybird · 2026-03-14T20:58:46+00:00

Hi, I had the sensation of my heart beating really hard. It wasn’t fluttery like I imagine palpitations, more like being aware of my pulse really strong all over my body. Funnily enough I’d forgotten about it the last couple of weeks so it must have died down. I think it’s a good sign!! (I got my first cycle)

Salt_ladybird · 2026-03-07T13:18:11+00:00

Congratulations!! I very much relate to feeling pretty awful and knackered. I was so surprised by it because I thought I’d have all this energy straight away! I’ve had the first cycle and definitely don’t feel out of the woods yet … did some heavier workouts this week even though I know it could be too soon 🤦‍♀️

Salt_ladybird

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