Sorry if the topic title is a little
vague. Here's what's happening with me:
I've gained about 60 pounds in the last
two years (I spent the two years before
that losing 70 pounds via fasting) and I
absolutely cannot lose it. By looking at
me, you'd think I just gorge constantly -
I'm 5 and a half feet tall and nearly 200
pounds, but I do not consume more than
1500 calories a day (including drinks).
I admit I don't exercise beyond walking
short distances (even now, I don't do that
much because it's been much too cold), but
my diet is not that bad. Pretty much, my
main sources of food are bran cereal with
skim milk and Hot Pockets (about 300
calories each - not too bad), and all I
drink is unsweetened green tea, water,
skim milk and the occasional iced tea. I
also don't eat fast food, drink soda or
fruit juices.
I decided to analyze my current eating
habits with the help of the Weight
Watchers point system. On a normal day,
making no attempt to diet, I only consumed
16 points worth of food and drink; for my
weight, age and height, I would need to
consume between 22 and 27 points to lose
weight. So, if I'm actually
eating/drinking fewer points than needed,
why the h*ll am I either gaining weight or
remaining the same weight? I'm 60 pounds
overweight for my age and I can't possibly
be at a plateau.
As far as exercising, I get too tired out.
I can run about a tenth of a mile before
needing to stop, and I was this way even
when I was only 130 pounds. I also can
only handle about 15 minutes of low-degree
aerobics before needing to sit and rest. I
also developed breathing problems within
the past year that further inhibit my
ability to handle cardio workouts.
Basically, my exercise capabilities are
limited to jumping jacks, crunches,
push-ups (about 20) and DDR. Doing five
minutes of exercise won't help me at all.
I am so completely confused - how can I
possibly gain weight when I don't eat that
much? People have suggested eating more to
boost my metabolism, but that will only
make me gain even more weight since my
metabolism already sucks, and I'm not fat
enough for gastric bypass or liposuction.
I don't want to risk getting any fatter.
I'm at the end of my rope. I am
considering fasting again because it's the
only method that ever worked for me. Has
anyone else ever faced this problem? If
so, how did you deal with it? For the
record, I can't afford a dietician or a
nutritionalist (student), and I don't have
$50 to join the local gym.
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Jules
Moderator
Joined: 19 Aug 2006 Posts: 3843 Location: Merrie Englande, UK
Thanks: 93
Thanked:77
Posted: 01-04-08 07:11am
Would you have to pay to see your doctor?
(Different system here in the UK) I'm
wondering if you should be tested for a
thyroid problem. See here:
Symptoms
of hypothyroidism
The symptoms of hypothyroidism can
initially be very mild and develop slowly.
It is possible to have some of these
symptoms before the amount of thyroid
hormone drops below normal.
This type of mild hypothyroidism is called
subclinical hypothyroidism. People
affected need to be monitored by their
doctor, who will watch out for further
symptoms.
The symptoms of hypothyroidism relate to a
general "slowing down" of the body's
functions. They include:
feeling tired and sleeping excessively
easily feeling the cold
dry and thickened skin
coarse, thinning hair and eyebrows and
brittle nails
sore muscles, slow movements and weakness
depression and problems with memory and
concentration
weight gain
constipation
fertility problems and increased risk of
miscarriage
heavy, irregular or prolonged menstrual
periods
There may also be swelling of the thyroid
gland in the neck - a goitre
It doesn seem strange that you weigh so
much when you eat so little (that's not a
judgement by the way, I weigh the same and
am the same height as you - I just binge
eat though so I know why). I think you
really need to get yourself checked out.
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strawberi
Supporter
Joined: 10 Dec 2007 Posts: 42 Location: Manila, Philippines
Posted: 01-04-08 08:37am
If you've been consuming less than what is
required for your body, the body reacts
and adapts by slowing down your
metabolism. So even if you don't eat a
lot, the fact that your body's metabolism
slows down mean your caloric requirement
is also less. There are ways to compute
your required daily caloric intake and
lose weight by counting calories. You'll
have to increase your physical activity
too, at least 30 mins a day for at least 4
days a week. Go on low fat and high fiber
diet. I studied nutrition in school (I'm
a med student) and I can help you with a
diet program. i have the same problem,
but i've been shedding off the pounds
slowly. It's not easy, but I feel
healthier. Just send me a private message
and we can work together.
Jules is also right. If you think you
have symptoms of hypothyroidism, then go
to the doctor. if you don't have
symptoms, you may have subclinical
hypothyroidism. Have your TSH, T3 and T4
blood levels checked. These are thyroid
hormones.
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Dunja
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 04 Jan 2008 Posts: 1
Posted: 01-04-08 12:57pm
Ok, you have to eat a balance of
foods...make sure you have a balanced meal
when you eat...protien, starch, veggie
fruit. If you fuel your body with the
proper foods ti will burn up the food and
extra if fueled right...starving only
makes your slow down and once you eat it
keeps everyhting in fear you will never
feed it again. LA Wieght Loss does
wonders...50 lbs in 2 months for me...and
it stays off you can eat normal foods and
it teaches you how to cook helahty, eaet
helathy and put your foods together
properly...
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Cambion
Active User, Really EHEALTHy
Joined: 08 Nov 2005 Posts: 747
Thanks: 3
Thanked:0
Posted: 01-04-08 22:33pm
I had a thyroid test recently - the TSH
test and all I got told was that the
results were 'acceptable'. I don't know if
that means I'm all clear for thyroid
problems or not, although I do have quite
a few symptoms of hypothyroidism,
including cold hands/feet, intolerance to
cold and strange periods of weight gain.
Soooo, perhaps I just coincidentally have
all those symptoms of hypothyroidism
without having the condition?
What if I fast and do exercise I can
handle? Surely I'd be burning more
calories than I take in while doing that.
I can play DDR 30 minutes a day or more
(is a pretty good workout).
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lilylover
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 21 Mar 2008 Posts: 14
Posted: 03-25-08 16:28pm
Don't do fasting again. In that case, you
will lose more muscle, and gain your
weight back as fat after the fasting. It
is worse than you don't do anything.
Do you eat a lot of vegetables and fruits?
Do you know the glycemic index of your
food?
From what you said, I can tell how bad you
want to lose weight. If you have more
knowledge, then I am sure you can make it.
Read the book: Dare to lose written by Dr.
Shari Lieberman. You will know more about
why you cannot lose weight. How can you
lose fat, change your body composition and
have a healthy life.
You don't need to suffer from weight loss
process.
