I (21F, 5’4”, 96lbs) have been underweight my entire life. The only time I’ve ever been over 100lbs was during pregnancy (reached 126lbs). My baby is now 4 months old, and while I’m successfully breastfeeding/pumping, I cannot seem to maintain or gain weight despite my best efforts.
The Stats:
**• Current Weight: ~**96lbs
• Activity: Teacher (on my feet 8am–6pm)
• Calorie Intake: On tracked days, I hit 2,400–2,570 calories and 118–130g protein.
• Work Day: I consume over 1,700 calories during school hours alone.
The Challenges:
1. The "Dinner Wall": By the time I get home, I get hit with extreme sleepiness. I physically cannot force myself to eat when I’m that tired, which kills my evening calorie goals.
2. No "Full" Signal: I never actually feel "full." I can eat indefinitely, but I need to switch food items or take 10-minute breaks to keep going.
3. Stomach Burning: When I’m hungry, it isn't a growl—it feels like my stomach is literally burning.
4. Metabolism/Nursing: I’m pumping 5oz every 2-3 hours. I know this burns a massive amount of calories, but I’m struggling to out-eat the output.
The Mental Toll:
Being a teacher and a mom at 96lbs is tough. I’m often mistaken for a 12-14 year old, and it makes me incredibly self-conscious about people perceiving me as a "teen mom." I just want to look and feel my age.
Has anyone else dealt with this specific "burning" hunger or the extreme exhaustion that prevents eating? I feel like I’m eating enough to sustain two people, but my scale won't budge.
TL;DR: 21yo breastfeeding mom/teacher eating 2,500+ calories but stuck at 96lbs. High protein, high activity, but crashing at dinner time. Looking for tips on calorie density or managing weird hunger cues.