Recently, I was scrolling through some of my older YouTube videos to reshare them on Instagram stories, and I noticed a comment under one of them that really stuck with me:
“Why does nobody talk about recovering from an eating disorder in a larger body?”
So I thought – let’s talk about it.
Acknowledging Where I’m Coming From
Before I begin, I want to acknowledge something important: for me, it can feel conflicting to speak on this topic because I know people might say, “What do you know? You have a “normal” body. You don’t understand what people in larger bodies go through.”
And that’s valid. I’m not speaking from lived experience here.
But I am speaking as an eating disorder recovery coach who has worked with people in all kinds of body shapes and sizes for over 8 years. These are things I’ve seen help my clients, and my intention is to offer support and perspective – if it’s helpful, great. If not, that’s okay too.
1. Restriction Harms All Bodies – No Matter the Size
Biologically, restriction affects every body the same way. Being in a larger body does not mean that restriction is “less harmful” or somehow “more acceptable.”
People in larger bodies still experience all the symptoms of starvation:
- Food obsession
- Binge eating
- Digestive issues
- Hair loss
- Hormonal imbalances
- Losing their periods
- Anxiety, depression, and exhaustion
Your body still experiences stress, metabolic damage, and energy deprivation – even if you’re not underweight or haven’t lost weight.
A good example is atypical anorexia – where someone meets all the criteria for anorexia (extreme restriction, fear of weight gain, intense food rules, medical symptoms like amenorrhea, fatigue, low heart rate), except they’re not underweight. They can even be in a higher weight category.
Just because someone isn’t thin doesn’t mean they’re not starving.
So to heal, you need the same recovery process as anyone else:
- Eating to full physical, mental, and extreme hunger
- Stopping all exercise and resting more
- Rewiring your thoughts and behaviors
Recovery is for anyone stuck in eating disorders or disordered eating – not just underweight people.
2. Gaining Weight or Overshooting in a Larger Body
Another common fear is:
“If I’m already in a bigger body, why would I need to gain even more weight?”
I understand – it’s confusing. But remember: if you’ve been restricting, overexercising, or suppressing your hunger and weight, your body has likely slowed its metabolism and gone into survival mode.
Even in a larger body, if you’ve been ignoring hunger or compensating for food, you can still gain weight in recovery. Your body needs to feel safe again and to heal. Weight gain is a natural byproduct after restriction.
Overshooting is not a failure – it’s your body’s safety net. It’s a temporary phase that protects you from future starvation. If it’s not your true set point, your weight will eventually balance out as you continue to eat consistently, rest, and reduce stress.
3. “Isn’t It Unhealthy to Gain More Weight If I’m Already ‘Overweight’?”
This is such a common concern, and I get it – we’ve been taught that weight gain is unhealthy.
But let’s be clear:
Having an eating disorder, living in chronic stress, and constantly restricting is not healthier.
Recovery – even with weight gain – brings real benefits:
- Stable hunger and fullness cues
- No food obsession
- Improved metabolism
- Balanced hormones and reproductive function
- Better sleep and digestion
- Mental clarity and mood stability
- Strengthened immune system
- Better body image and emotional regulation
And once you’re fully recovered, you can approach gentle nutrition, joyful movement, and health-supportive habits – from a place of self-care, not control.
Also: Health is about so much more than just food and exercise.
Chronic stress, sleep quality, mental health, relationships, burnout, and finances all impact your health. These are called social determinants of health, and they matter just as much – if not more – than your weight or your workout routine.
And clean eating, exercising, and being thin can absolutely coexist with an eating disorder. So it’s crucial to look at the bigger picture.
4. What About Diabetes, Cholesterol, Blood Pressure, or Joint Pain?
Let’s address some specific concerns people often have.
Insulin Resistance & Prediabetes
It’s not just weight gain that causes insulin resistance. Restriction, stress, and binge-restrict cycles also affect blood sugar.
Skipping meals, undereating, and being in survival mode all contribute. Recovery helps stabilize your metabolism and insulin response by providing consistent nourishment – regardless of weight.
Cholesterol
Yes, cholesterol can rise temporarily during refeeding. That’s a normal adjustment. Over time, as your body heals, cholesterol levels often improve.
Interestingly, restriction itself can raise cholesterol due to stress and inflammation – so weight isn’t the full story here either.
Blood Pressure
Weight is not the only factor. Malnutrition and stress can raise blood pressure too. Recovery helps regulate your nervous system, which supports cardiovascular health.
People in thin bodies can also have high blood pressure – so again, weight alone is not the full picture.
Joint Pain & Mobility
Yes, higher weight can affect joints. But so can restriction, which leads to:
- Muscle loss
- Weak connective tissue
- Low bone density
Recovery builds back strength, bone mass, and resilience. Some soreness is normal during recovery, especially as your body adjusts to a healthier weight – but over time, with nourishment and gentle movement, this improves.
Research shows that focusing on health behaviors (not weight loss) improves outcomes like blood pressure, blood sugar, joint health, and overall wellbeing – even if weight stays the same.
This is supported by the Health at Every Size (HAES) approach, which encourages caring for your body without focusing on shrinking it.
5. “But I Hate My Body… People Will Judge Me Even More Now”
This is a deeply painful fear. We live in a world obsessed with thinness. So yes – people might judge you just because they are ignorant and also brainwashed by diets.
But their judgment isn’t your responsibility to fix.
It’s human to want to belong and be accepted. You’re not weak or vain for caring – you’re human.
But ask yourself:
- Do they know my full story?
- Do they understand recovery?
- Are they experts in this area?
- Is their opinion truly helpful or just harmful?
Most people aren’t educated on ED recovery or weight science. That doesn’t make them bad people, but it does mean they’re not the ones you should take advice from.
And often, others’ judgment hurts the most when it echoes the judgment we already carry inside.
So the deeper work is in healing your relationship with yourself – not changing other people’s opinions.
6. Let’s Talk About Fatphobia
Finally, we need to name what’s really behind a lot of this fear: fatphobia.
Fatphobia is the cultural belief that being in a larger body is bad, shameful, lazy, or unhealthy. And it shows up everywhere:
- In media
- In healthcare
- In family systems
- Online
- Even in some recovery spaces
If you’re scared of gaining weight or staying in a larger body, it’s not because you’re vain – it’s because you’ve been conditioned to believe that thin = worthy.
But fatphobia is not your fault. It’s not a personal flaw – it’s a social issue.
Healing from fatphobia takes time. It means:
- Questioning old beliefs
- Challenging internalized bias
- Curating your environment
- Choosing self-compassion
Recovery isn’t just about food. It’s about freedom – freedom from the belief that only thin people are worthy of love, care, and health.
You don’t need to change your body to deserve recovery. You may just need to change the way you see your body – and how you respond to the world’s messages about it.
Final Thoughts
So that’s it for today’s blog.
I hope this helped answer some of the common fears and concerns about recovering from an eating disorder in a larger body.
Please remember:
- You’re not alone.
- You’re not broken.
- And your recovery is just as valid and important as anyone else’s – no matter your size.
If this resonates with you, I invite you to check out my book BrainwashED, explore my coaching options, or visit my blog where I have lots of free recovery content.
I also have a free recovery guide available with all the steps to start your healing journey.
Thanks for reading. You deserve full recovery. 💛
– Elisa
