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Discussion Starter · #1 ·
Ok, I'm not really sure where is the best place to post this, but I thought I would start here. I've talked about this a little bit in the past, but I don't think I've ever divulged my full story. However, it continues to be a problem for me and is in fact, getting worse. This is really hard and embarrassing for me to talk about, but I would like everyone to be honest and blunt with me - please!<br><br>
My problem is that I can't lose weight (& continue to gain), even though I am supposedly doing all the "right" things. Any help or advice would be VERY much appreciated.<br><br>
Growing up, I was always a bigger girl, but I really didn't let it get to me until my sophomore year of high school. I'm 5'8" and was probably 170 lbs or so and a size 14. I started working out by riding a stationary bike, running around my neighborhood (might have been a mile or so), and watching what I was eating (no 2nds, etc). Because I was a young thing, the weight came off easily. Within a few months, I was down to 140 lbs and a size 8-10.<br><br>
Over the next few years, my weight fluctuated probably between 135 - 150. At the time, I didn't realize how good I looked and continued to think that I was a fat slob. No matter how hard I tried to look better, I stayed the same. I realize now that my body was probably at its happy weight and I shouldn't have beaten my self up so much.<br><br>
About 5 years I took a VERY stressful job that sucked up all my time. I would work from 7 am - 9 or 10 pm on most days. I didn't have time for lunch or dinner and got caught up on eating fast food for most meals. I would be so stressed that I wouldn't even try to order healthy meals. The more grease it had, the more it eased my nerves. And because I was working so much, I didn't have time to exercise. And when I would finally get a little free time, the only thing I wanted to do was sleep. Over the course of 2.5 years, I ballooned up to 165 and was completely disgusted with myself.<br><br>
2 years ago, I left that horrible job and decided to do a complete 180. I started eating healthy and I started training for a marathon. (Yes, I'm stupid - I went from not exercising for 3 years to training for a marathon. It's no wonder why I got injured all the time. But the cause was (and is) important to me!)<br><br>
In the past 2 years, I have managed to lose NOTHING and in fact, I have gained over 15 lbs. I'm now 180 lbs and a size 14. *insert crying here* I went from having fast food for almost EVERY SINGLE meal to making healthy, fresh meals and have gained weight. I went from sitting on my ass and doing nothing to having a fairly active lifestyle and have gained weight! WHY????<br><br>
Last year, I worked with my running coach on my diet. I logged everything I ate and did a diary of why I was eating and when. He was stumped as to why I wasn't losing weight. I went to my doctor to see if I had a medical problem (thyroid - I have several symptoms or something else) that was keeping me from losing weight. She had lab work-ups for 30 or so different categories and no red flags came back. She was stumped as to why I couldn't lose weight.<br><br>
So today, I come to my kickster friends, to see if you can figure out why I can't lose weight or what I am missing or what I should do. I want to cry every time I get on the scale and the number hasn't budged or worse it has gone up yet again, even though I have been working my ass off.<br><br>
Here's what I am currently doing:<br><br>
Diet - I subscribe to a healthy meal plan recipe thing that sends me a week's worth of recipes each week. The meals are made mainly with fresh produce and little (if any) processed items.<br><br>
For breakfast, I have either egg beaters and a couple slices of bacon or oatmeal with a banana or sometimes Special K cereal, if I am feeling lazy. Lunch is leftovers from dinner the night before. Dinner is one of the recipes from the subscription plan - all the recipes include healthy side dishes, such as steamed broccoli and I make the side dish also. For snacks, I have fresh fruit (apples, cantaloupe, grapes, peaches, bananas, etc) and veggies (carrots and celery are my raw favs). Occasionally, to satisfy my sweet tooth, I'll have one of those 100 calorie packs that are so popular right now. I only drink water all day long and will rarely have a glass of iced tea with my dinner. Once a week, I allow my self a cheat meal with a soda - but even then I try to order healthy items - grilled chicken or fish, etc.<br><br>
My daily nutritional counts are : 1400-1600 calories, 80-100 g protein, 25-45 g fat, less than 200 g carbs. At one point, my running coach thought I was eating too few calories, so we upped it to 1800-2000 calories and that made things worse.<br><br>
Exercise - I work out in the mornings for 20-30 minutes with either a cardio (Turbo Jam) workout or weight training session and then I work out in the evenings for 45-60 minutes with another cardio workout - either Turbo Jam or walking/running on the dreadmill. (Once the weather gets better, I will switch back to running outside. Running too much on the dreadmill causes me to have bad shin issues) I workout 6 days a week and occasionally on Saturdays, I will do both a Turbo Jam and running workout. I really do not have much more time to dedicate to working out than I do now. I work 8-5 and have to make all the meals and do all the household cleaning/chores, so I really don't have anywhere to add in more time.<br><br>
So that's where I am at. I'm sorry this is so long and if no one responds or makes it to this point, I understand. I'm just frustrated because it seems that with the way I am eating and working out, I should be at least losing something. Since I went to my doctor for the blood test last summer, I have worked even harder at losing the weight and have managed to gain almost 10 lbs since last July. I'm ready to give up!<br><br>
This has become a somewhat desperate situation for me because we plan to start trying to get pregnant in May and I would like to lose some weight before then. I REALLY REALLY do not want to get over 200 lbs. I know it's just a number, but when you have a mother who is a twig (5'4" and maybe 115 lbs)...it's hard to face yourself in a mirror!<br><br>
Please help me! <img alt="sad.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/sad.gif"><br><br>
Oh and if this thread is in the wrong spot, please move it!
 

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This can be very very frustrating, I understand! Regarding the weight training you do - how many times a week? Also, it sounds like your cardio could use a little jumpstart - what about doing some circuit training that includes both weights/resistance training and some cardio aspects? Do you have a gym option or do you work out from home?
 

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Discussion Starter · #3 ·
I do weight training about 3x a week. I work out at home and use the Turbo Jam dvds, which incorporates cardio, resistance bands and hand weights. I would like to join a gym, but a) we can't spare the money right now and b) I know I wouldn't go because that would require even more time out of my day that I just don't have.
 

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I dont really know what to tell you other than what worked for me and thats weight watchers (but it does cost money). I, however, have never seen a single person follow the plan and not end up in their healthy weight range.
 

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Discussion Starter · #5 ·
I've actually considered WW several times. I don't mean this to sound negative , I'm being very honest when I say that I guess I just don't get what they can do for me that I'm not doing on my own. I don't have any problems with portion control or eating when I'm not hungry and I do a good job of staying in my calorie, fat, etc range without much effort.<br><br>
Is there something that I am missing? Is it the support? I am open to trying anything that will help me!
 

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The support really does help. Everytime I start skipping meetings I gain a little weight and I dont feel like I am doing anything else different.<br><br>
And I personally think that their little counting method (that isnt based solely on cals) works well. I would never have come up with it on my own.
 

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Discussion Starter · #10 ·
My other problem - which is a good problem, I guess - is that I carry my weight very well. So, I don't look as heavy as I really am. Whenever I talk about trying to lose weight or work out more or whatever, people always brush me off saying things like, "you like fine" or "you don't need to lose weight", etc. And it just irritates me because I know my body, I know what the scale says and I know I need to lose it! <img alt="sad2.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/sad2.gif">
 

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Discussion Starter · #12 ·
While I would LOVE to be 135 again, I know it's probably not a happy weight for my body.<br><br>
My first goal is to get into the 160's - right now that would make me content and ecstatic, even if I was 169! My ultimate goal is probably to be 145-150 and toned.
 

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First I want to say I've gone through this and understand how you feel. Please take this as just my experience.<br>
I can honestly say that the thing that finally got my weight down was when I stopped worrying about it. Not to say that I don't still think about it, but I was obsessed, I am 5'11 and at my highest weight was 200+ lbs and I was a 4-5 mile a day runner. (obviously very slow!) I went through many of the same channels you have.<br>
I remember being so frustrated (not just once) and sitting at the computer logging in all my food into Fitday just being in tears. I had a huge talk with my husband who encouraged me to just let it go. I don't know how or why that was an epiphany for me, but it worked.<br>
The other things that happened simultaneously which may or may not have contributed-I started sitting on an exercise ball at work. I got rid of my chair-which hurt my back anyway and sat on the ball exclusively. I also started running at lunch which may have sped up my metabolism during the day? I know it led to me not wanting to eat a very heavy lunch. I went from 205 to 161 right before I got pregnant. It took probably 3 years to get there and I was able to maintain it for 3. I've gained about 32 lbs since my pregnancy and feel ok about it.<br>
I wish I could help you because I know exactly what you are going through. I hope you can figure it out and can be happy and pregnant! <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif">
 

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Discussion Starter · #14 ·
Jaqcibay - Thank you for your post! I've learned in the past few months to stop stressing about it because other the weight loss either will happen or it won't. Me stressing about it won't make it happen. But that doesn't mean that I don't get frustrated a lot or think about it. <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif">
 

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<br>
(((Bootsie))) PS-maybe focus on what you are doing right as opposed to what you are doing wrong? It sounds like you are doing a lot of good things to <b>get and stay</b> healthy. I think it's also really cool that there is a safe place like this board to come and vent about what is bothering you and to get some perspective. I THINK YOU ROCK!!!!
 

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Bootsie - Have you talked this openly with your family dr about this? You might be doing all the right things as far as eating and exercising but not addressing a potential problem?<br><br>
1400-1600 calories seems on the bottom end of calories needed. Are you sure your burning more calories than you're taking in? If you are; then a dr visit should definitely be considered.
 

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Discussion Starter · #18 ·
*snort* I know I'm storing some major poundage there! <img alt="laughing7.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/laughing7.gif"><br><br>
Yes, I explained everything to my doctor when I went in for blood tests last year. She said it didn't make sense why I wasn't losing weight. She pretty much just brushed me off, except she STRONGLY urged me to try a toxic cleanse program, <a href="http://www.isagenix.com/us/en/home.dhtml" target="_blank">ISAGENIX</a>. Which honestly is not something I'm interested in trying <img alt="dontknow.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/dontknow.gif"><br><br>
I do have an appointment to see a new doctor tomorrow. Hopefully, she will be more willing to work with me. *fingers crossed*
 

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Smart to go to another doc who might be more interested in your health issues. May a doc who is an athlete as well if this one doesn't work out.
 

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I would seriously have doubts about a doctor who suggested a cleanse, but that's just me.<br><br>
Hang in there - I can empathize with your frustration, as I'm dealing with a similar situation. I'm currently just plodding along - I figure if I'm working this hard and it's not working, just imagine what would happen if I threw in the towel. Have faith, you'll figure it out.
 
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