The Flu really screwed my metabolism up and get back on track

Kelley528

I steadily lost my weight over two years and kept the 47 pounds off. The last year I was just maintaining my weight at 135. I got the flu in December and could barely eat for 4 days. I didnt have an appetite and even drinking made me feel sick. I would try to force myself to eat and drink because I knew I had to but I still couldnt manage much. The first day I could only eat 300 calories, then 500, then 800, and on the 4th day i was proud to get to 1000. During those 4 days I lost 3 lbs. By the 5th day I was back to normal and eating 1400-1600 from that point on ( my maintenance is 1620. when I exercise I eat more than that).

I dont care that I gained those 3 lbs back because it was not normal weight loss. I was sick. But not only did I gain back the 3 I lost, I gained an additional 3lbs ( 6 total) and I am in no way eating enough to gain weight. I should only maintain. I think my body got so screwed up from that flu that it thought it was starving and started storing calories/fat and I cant figure out how to get back on track. I am not shifting the weight and I am scared I will keep gaining. I tried to up my calories higher, then dropping them back to 1380 ( to lose a half pound a week ) but that didnt work. I started to add cardio but a foot and hand injury derailed me temporarily ( i should be able to resume that in 2 weeks).

Has getting sick ever threw a monkey wrench in your progress? How long to it take your body to get back to normal? Any suggestions on what I can do? 3 lbs doesnt seem like a problem to most people but with my body type those 3 lbs make my pants fit too tight in the waist and the next size up is just too baggy. So 3lbs on me is actually uncomfortable and makes a big difference when I cant seem to shift it.

fallenoaks37

The flu did not screw up your metabolism. You are either eating more or you are retaining water. Are you weighing your foods?

Jennloella

the flu did not mess up your metabolism. you will be fine, it will all even out. You probably got dehydrated while sick and will fluctuate for a little bit. Just keep doing what you're doing. And just to make you feel better - I was pregnant for 18 months straight and survived on 400 calories a day until I had a feeding tube inserted, lost 40 pounds, and my metabolism is fine. It just doesn't work that way.

nancyvdb74

I actually had this problem too, I ended up using some probiotics and it really helped.

ndj1979

flu does not mess up your metabolism long term ..

you either have increased water retention, or you started eating more than you think …