CONTEXT: D1 runner sent away to ED treatment, got it back about 2 months stopping ALL movement + eating a ton.
HOW:I’m a division one cross country athlete and my school sent me away to ed treatment after a leptin level of 1.2 and estradiol of 16. I lost my period in sixth grade because of ED but then got it back in eight grade. I lost it again the summer after my freshman year of high school. I am now a freshman in college and decided to go all-in (and did no exercise) 2 weeks before coming to residential. I spent 3 weeks of residential and the most activity I did was a 30 min slowww walk each day. This was a big change because I was used to running 65+ miles a week plus weight lifting. After those 3 weeks, I have spent 3 weeks in PHP. My dietitians analyzed my growth chart to establish a healthy weight range for me. After weight restoring, I was able to move down to a PHP program. In treatment, I eat 6 times a day (3 meals, 3 snacks). Even though I’m weight, I still eating 6 times a day.
WHAT I DID:
- residential treatment for ed
- eat 6 times a day (8am, 10am, 12:30,3:00,6:30,9:00). Way more than 2500 calories… snacks were 200-400 calories each time and balanced.
- gained weight (I don’t know how much I gained but enough to go from a xs to a small in some clothes)
- stopped all movement except for 30 minute walk
-made sure I wasn’t having more than 400mg caffeine each day
- worked on mental health
-slept 7-9 hours, took naps
- prioritized carbs and fats over protein at meals and snacks
MOST IMPORTANT THING I DID WAS EAT CONSISTENTLY AND ENOUGH! ESPECIALLY CARBS AND FATS
SYMPTOMS BEFORE
- 6 weeks before getting it: night sweats, extreme odor ** **
- 5-4 weeks before getting it: cervical mucus, greasy hair, pimples which is rare for me, tired (all from hormonal shifts)
3 weeks before: increased cervical mucus, still tired but a little more energy, back cramps
2 weeks before: increased cervical mucus, not so tired anymore, back cramps
1 week before: irritable, headache, cervical mucus,
4 days before: cravings, subtle cramps, tired, emotional, face looked weird/didn’t look like myself
3 days before: reallyyy bad stomach cramps, diarrhea, nausea, cervical mucus
i also got my labs done
before starting recovery labs
leptin: 1.2
estradiol 16
when i got to treatment labs
leptin: 10.2
estradiol: 22
labs taken 6 days before getting it
estradiol: 144
leptin: 9.8
I was told that leptin has to be around 10 and estradiol has to be around 30 for normal hormonal function where you can engage in exercise mindfully again.
let me know if you have any questions! happy to help! and remember the best advice i have- give in to extreme hunger and EATTTT!! the more u eat the faster u will get it back!