Friday, 7 July 2017

Recovery Reassurance: Extreme Hunger

Extreme hunger. It’s real! I am writing this, as back when I was going through it, I searched Google, looked through every blog post, looked at forums and watched as many videos as I could. It’s a scary yet somewhat freeing thing to go through.

First of all, extreme hunger is NORMAL when you’ve restricted. Here’s some information about it:

‘You will most likely experience extreme hunger in eating disorder recovery. You eat, eat, eat and never seem to get full. You may be physically full but still feel you want to eat more! You feel like a crazy Foodzilla who is about to make an end to the world’s food supply.

The normal amount of food seems to not satisfy you (even the 2500-3000 calorie recovery recommendations) and you think you just have a binge eating disorder! You feel hungry, but not hungry. You feel “empty”, but you know that you are physically full. You feel like a bottomless bit. Ready to inhale all food at once! BAM! – it’s gone! Next!

If you start recovery from any kind of eating disorder or just past of dieting and restriction, having extreme hunger is normal and it will pass! It is your body’s response to the previous restriction. Sometimes, when we have gone through extreme restriction like eating disorders and dieting we might temporarily need to go to the other extreme and eat in large amounts to actually restore balance!’

I don’t remember my food intake as such with extreme hunger, but some ‘binges’ I do remember (it’s important to know that it isn’t actually binge eating – it’s your body trying to get in as much food as possible, due to restriction. You won’t develop BED or bulimia, as long as you don’t restrict, purge and make sure to follow your cravings – no matter how much food your body wants):

-        -  My first meal was Quorn chicken nuggets and chips. But it wasn’t enough. So I ate 2 servings of cheesecake, ice cream and slices of plain bread, straight from the loaf…Just because I felt so mentally hungry and dissatisfied.

-         -  One morning, I finished a whole packet of ginger biscuits and still felt ravenous, so I had a pint of ice cream – as breakfast. It’s all about following the cravings. I’m pretty sure I still felt hungry after.

-         -  I’d also eat ‘sharing bags’ of crisps and chocolate...In one night.

As long as you follow cravings – it WILL end. Trust me. It may take a while, but it won’t last forever.

My extreme hunger ended about 5/6 months into my real recovery. I do occasionally have points where I do eat more than normal, but this is normally reactive eating, due to undereating days before. I now feel full quickly and couldn’t finish a packet of biscuits even if I tried…I’d feel sick! And this is from someone who ate whole packets of biscuits daily during extreme hunger. I rarely have biscuits now, but if I do, it’s only a few. Also, a pint of ice cream now lasts me about a week…whereas during extreme hunger I’d have a pint daily. 

Just believe me when I say, it’s OKAY to crave anything and everything. Listen to your hunger, even if you eat over 4000 calories...Your body NEEDS it. 

Also remember that the extreme hunger may be longer or shorter for you. I was anorexic for about 3 years, so the length may have an impact. 

Feel free to leave a comment or message me if you have any questions or need any support.

Take care x

Quotes from:
http://followtheintuition.com/extreme-hunger-and-bingeing-in-recovery/

It's Been Too Long

Hi! 

I hope you're okay. I've been away in hospital, then at work, trying to recover. I'll be posting recovery related posts, hopefully to reassure someone out there - just like I need reassurance through the different stages of recovery. I hope you like the posts that are to come.

I'll be posting here, but for a prettier website, check my wix one!

http://itshanamahmoud13.wixsite.com/ohhsohana

Take care,

Hana.

Wednesday, 4 May 2016

#ProjectPositive

Hiya!

Happy May lovelies, hope you're all well. I have just uploaded a video on my YouTube channel where I discuss a new little movement I want to do this month.

#ProjectPositive is a way in which I will document a positive thing from each day on my Twitter and Tumblr, with the aim to better my outlook on life. I was always known as the 'positive' person in a group; continuously looking at the good things in every situation possible. Over the last few years, my mental health (I struggle with depression, anxiety and an eating disorder) has deteriorated and I find myself in a constant state of self-hate and self-destruction, with many negative thoughts about myself, the world and how people see me. Therefore, I'm creating this challenge to benefit anyone that wants to get involved.

I hope you can join in with me and focus on the good parts of the day, no matter how small it may be!

Love and Hugs,

Hana!

Take CARE and spread the WORD! (thank you!)

My YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCm7amez4U_eVJxBbDDJlBKQ

Saturday, 16 April 2016

Spring Lookbook

Hiya lovely reader,

I hope you are well and enjoying Spring so far. Unlike many bloggers, I don't identify as a fashion blogger whatsoever, however I enjoy doing lookbooks or OOTDs every now and then (as you can see through some of my Tumblr posts and YouTube videos! Links below!)

In Spring, the weather is generally warmer yet there's still a chill in the air, even on sunny days. Therefore, I typically stick to wearing more than one layer; with cardigans being my best friend haha (as you will be able to tell in my videos).

A further 'fashion' point to make is the fact that I am trying to get back into wearing skirts more than trousers. Although I enjoy wearing trousers and jeans, I am trying to go down a more 'modest' route regarding my clothing. I won't be eliminating trousers completely as I think they're necessary! (How am I meant to cycle or hike in a skirt y'know?)

Basically, I'm going with the flow fashion-wise and wearing things I like. Like everyone else I find myself wearing the same things repeatedly, so I've been making a conscious effort to wear all of the lovely clothes I own - and not.simply.what.is.conveniently.on.top.of.my.pile.of.clothes! Additionally, any clothes I don't wear often and am unlikely to wear, I give to charity - someone else may love it better than me :)

Leave a comment on my video saying which outfit is your favourite and if you found the link through here - I'm simply curious :P Haha!

http://ohhsohana.tumblr.com/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCm7amez4U_eVJxBbDDJlBKQ

Take care,

Hana x

Wednesday, 3 February 2016

Ways To Cope With Changes.

Hiya Lovelies,

It's been a while! It feels like my life has been all over the place lately and I thought I'd use my experience to try and give some advice.

The link is below!

Take care!

Hana x

https://youtu.be/s21DkxeP5iI

Wednesday, 6 January 2016

2016!

Hiya,

I hope your New Years Eve and day went super well. I'm not one to go for the whole 'new year, new me' vibe because I feel like it's the same old thing every year! Thus, I don't make new year's resolutions! However, I have made goals....and a video about it! A few of them include:

1. Pass my A-Levels and get to the next stage in life (academically/career-wise).
2. Read more books than last year.
3. Make photos, posts and videos more meaningful.
4. Work on recovery and things I want to achieve through it.

Have you got any 'goals' you want to achieve? 

And remember: "Sometimes it's the smallest decisions that can change your life forever." - Keri Russell.

The video link is here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCm7amez4U_eVJxBbDDJlBKQ

Wednesday, 25 November 2015

Reclaim Your Heart | Book Review

Good Morning/Afternoon/Evening,

Hope your day is going exceptionally well. 

So as I stated in a recent post, I got Yasmin Mogahed's book 'Reclaim Your Heart' and oh my days...it is incredible! I literally limited myself to the number of pages I could read a day because I didn't want to finish it too quickly! Every chapter, page and paragraph got to me; some parts making me both emotional and hopeful.

This book is Yasmin's perspective on her struggles in life - with a spiritual (religious) approach. It explains why and how we should react to issues like loss, sadness and even things that aren't as bad as that! The book opens with a number of comments from readers, thanking Mogahed for her continuous wisdom and way of interpreting what happens in this life. She expresses herself and sends her message to readers in such a graceful way - with beautiful metaphors being used as well as using nature as a way to symbolise human beings and our behaviours. 

I would highly recommend anyone with struggles (let's face it - we all have our issues) read it. It'd also be an excellent read for anyone wanting to convert/revert to Islam; as it shows some true dedication to Islam, no matter what troubles one may will face. 

If you have read this brilliant book, or plan to, let me know what you think! 

P.S. I have a video up with me talking about the book too! 

Find me on YouTube: OhhSoHana