Nearing "Underweight", please help meeeee

52cardpickup

Okay, so I know this is probably a totally overdone subject, because everyone always wants to know the same thing here (how to gain weight) and everyone always gives the same answer (EAT MORE! LIFT ALL THE THINGS!) and I totally respect those answers, buuuuuutttttttttt.....

I'm on topamax (which as some of you may know is sometimes prescribed in concert with phentermine for *drumroll* weightloss, except I don't NEED to lose any more weight). I am 5'9", 132 pounds, wanting to maintain or even bulk (I'm currently running PHUL because dem muscles). I AM STILL LOSING WEIGHT :sadpanda: . 125 is the border for underweight for my height. I do not want to be underweight.

Everything tastes like metal. I sometimes think licking my barbell would taste better than some of the food I've eaten recently.

If I am hungry, I am hungry for things like small amounts of mashed potatoes, a small cheeseburger, or fried rice. I'm having literally the most difficult time I've ever experienced getting my protein in. I drink protein shakes. I eat protein bars. I eat meat and greek yogurt and beans and shoe leather and I still come up short on my protein goals for the day.

I will admit that I don't log all of my dinners because my husband cooks at night and it's difficult to guesstimate what he's put into them, but he knows about my struggles and is heavy handed with butter, oils, fatty cuts of meats, carbs and calorie dense foods. I'm really just having a difficult time eating ENOUGH of the food he cooks.

I have no idea if my calorie goal is set correctly, or if it even matters because most days I'm not able to meet it anyway.

I have completely cut out any extraneous cardio to cut down on my calorie burn.

My diary is open, so if anyone wants to take a look, please feel free.

TL;DR: Medication suppressing appetite, doing what I've learned from reading other threads on this forum to try to meet my calories for the day, wanting to meet protein goals because I'm running PHUL, still losing weight, PLEASE HELP ME.

Stats:
Female
5'9"
132lbs and losing rapidly

Oh, and on this medication PEANUT BUTTER IS THE MOST DISGUSTING THING ON THE PLANET. don'tshootmeplease.

MonsoonStorm

I'm going to go out on a limb here... would it be feasible to switch meds?

topamax doesn't have the greatest side-effect panel... CAVEAT! I think topamax is a terrible med, I am wholeheartedly biased.

Lamictal is a similar med for various conditions (caveat #2, obviously I have no idea what condition you are treating) and has a "nicer" profile - it is also weight neutral. Feel free to pm me if you want to chat.

MonsoonStorm

probably should have added something more useful!

Regular things like avocado etc, can you manage nuts? I think I would be in heaven if I could munch on honey roasted cashews all day

uhm... as an absolute desperate measure, perhaps the gainer protein shakes? at least they could be made up in smaller amounts and sipped whenever...

*whispers* Honey Roasted Cashews!

TavistockToad

Exercise less so you don't need to eat as many calories...

jkwolly

MonsoonStorm wrote: »

I'm going to go out on a limb here... would it be feasible to switch meds?

My exact thoughts!

ETA: derpy spelling

111grace

lol you could have all of my overweight fat, I send it to you with pleasure

michellesz

Ice cream in your protein or weight gainer protein shakes made with whole milk. Maybe even add fruit for protein smoothie~yum.

AliceDark

It looks like your diary isn't open at the moment. What are your macro targets? Since you say you're having a hard time reaching your protein goal, my first question is: is your goal reasonable and necessary?

ndj1979

are you on topamax for weight loss or something else? I am guessing something else but it is not clear in you OP ...

rileysowner

As some have stated, talk to your doctor about changing medication if possible.

52cardpickup

Blah, sorry, should've been clearer in my original post: I'm on topamax for seizures, and I can't really switch because a) I just titrated up to this dose and the prospect of switching over to a new medication again is just the worst, and b) there's not really any other medications I can switch to.

I've been on lamictal (didn't work) and keppra (worked but caused major depression), and this is the last "new generation" medication I can try before attempting the older meds that have far worse side effects. Other than the weight loss, the topamax isn't giving me any guff, so I'd like to get my calories and macros sorted rather than switching meds.

I lift four days a week for about about an hour, and cutting back on that isn't really in my game plan. Maybe I'm being unrealistic or stubborn or both, but I'd like to maintain whatever muscle I have.

I opened my diary (it was open to friends only, sorry about that).

Macro targets are:
P: 108
F: 50
C: 280

Which adds up to ~1990 calories a day, which would have me maintaining at 135 lbs.

TavistockToad

Working out less won't make you suddenly lose muscle mass

AliceDark

So, your protein goal seems reasonable. (Sometimes, people start worrying about not meeting their goal, but when you ask them what it is, it's something insane like 250g and nobody ever told them they don't need that much). At this point, I'd say the first priority would be hitting your calories and not stressing so much about hitting your protein. You could hit your protein perfectly every day, but if you can't get in your calories, you'll continue to lose weight. Whatever tastes good, eat it. Fried rice is a great option, because you can hide little bits of egg or meat in it to get some extra protein. Would it be easier for you to eat more at your regular meals, or eat smaller things more frequently?

52cardpickup

I think that's a really good point. I've been focused on getting my protein in, and it's hindering my efforts to get any kind of calories in at all. I think eating smaller portions more frequently is going to be better, because I've been trying to eat my "regular meals" and failing miserably. I think I've been terrible at planning, which has resulted in me having no "snacks" at my desk during the day. While I'm not hungry, this does nothing to fill my calorie needs, and leaves me with a large calorie deficit at the end of the day.

tristamdavis

I always go over my protein and my goal is higher than yours. To make sure of this I eat:
1 whole hard boiled
1 hard boiled egg white
For breakfast every morning along with fruit, almond milk & oatmeal

For snacks I do:
1/2 Fat free cottage cheese
0% fat plain Greek yogurt (chobani, stoneyfield, or Fage)
1/4 c unsalted Pistachios shelled
1/4 c raw unsalted whole almonds
If you don't like peanut butter, you can always give almond butter a try! I use Hampton farms 100% natural (made with dry roasted almonds only)
Tuna packed in water
Lentils (I use as a side dish to dinner many times--SUPER high in protein)
Carb master chocolate milk after I work out (higher protein than regular milk & lactose free!)

ndj1979

52cardpickup wrote: »

Blah, sorry, should've been clearer in my original post: I'm on topamax for seizures, and I can't really switch because a) I just titrated up to this dose and the prospect of switching over to a new medication again is just the worst, and b) there's not really any other medications I can switch to.

I've been on lamictal (didn't work) and keppra (worked but caused major depression), and this is the last "new generation" medication I can try before attempting the older meds that have far worse side effects. Other than the weight loss, the topamax isn't giving me any guff, so I'd like to get my calories and macros sorted rather than switching meds.

I lift four days a week for about about an hour, and cutting back on that isn't really in my game plan. Maybe I'm being unrealistic or stubborn or both, but I'd like to maintain whatever muscle I have.

I opened my diary (it was open to friends only, sorry about that).

Macro targets are:
P: 108
F: 50
C: 280

Which adds up to ~1990 calories a day, which would have me maintaining at 135 lbs.

so why don't you add in a serving or two of talenti gelato at the end of your day which would give you an additional 200 to 450 calories a day ….

everyone wants more ice cream right?

52cardpickup

ndj1979 wrote: »

52cardpickup wrote: »

Blah, sorry, should've been clearer in my original post: I'm on topamax for seizures, and I can't really switch because a) I just titrated up to this dose and the prospect of switching over to a new medication again is just the worst, and b) there's not really any other medications I can switch to.

I've been on lamictal (didn't work) and keppra (worked but caused major depression), and this is the last "new generation" medication I can try before attempting the older meds that have far worse side effects. Other than the weight loss, the topamax isn't giving me any guff, so I'd like to get my calories and macros sorted rather than switching meds.

I lift four days a week for about about an hour, and cutting back on that isn't really in my game plan. Maybe I'm being unrealistic or stubborn or both, but I'd like to maintain whatever muscle I have.

I opened my diary (it was open to friends only, sorry about that).

Macro targets are:
P: 108
F: 50
C: 280

Which adds up to ~1990 calories a day, which would have me maintaining at 135 lbs.

so why don't you add in a serving or two of talenti gelato at the end of your day which would give you an additional 200 to 450 calories a day ….

everyone wants more ice cream right?

yesssssss except I'm so not hungry by the end of the day I think I might vomit if I try to cram it in there. maybe I should keep it at work and have it at lunch/mid-afternoon instead? time of day really doesn't matter, right? and who in their right mind is going to steal my gelato from the work freezer?

yellowantphil

This may not help, but sometimes drinking lemon juice helps stimulate my appetite. I feel like the extra acidity helps me digest food (although I could be completely wrong about that). But I tried that just now and I am still very full, so it doesn’t always work.

I feel like I had an easier time maintaining my weight when I ate whatever I wanted: carbs, sugar, anything bad for you. But I can’t really recommend starting the Skittles Diet, even if it does somehow give you enough calories. Maybe drink some fruit juice? That’s a lot of calories that should digest fairly quickly, so maybe you could eat again not very long after having it.

Springfield1970

I think the snacks at work idea is the best one. You really only need to eat a doughnut or muffin or snickers over your maintenance to gain weight.

Springfield1970

ndj1979 wrote: »

52cardpickup wrote: »

Blah, sorry, should've been clearer in my original post: I'm on topamax for seizures, and I can't really switch because a) I just titrated up to this dose and the prospect of switching over to a new medication again is just the worst, and b) there's not really any other medications I can switch to.

I've been on lamictal (didn't work) and keppra (worked but caused major depression), and this is the last "new generation" medication I can try before attempting the older meds that have far worse side effects. Other than the weight loss, the topamax isn't giving me any guff, so I'd like to get my calories and macros sorted rather than switching meds.

I lift four days a week for about about an hour, and cutting back on that isn't really in my game plan. Maybe I'm being unrealistic or stubborn or both, but I'd like to maintain whatever muscle I have.

I opened my diary (it was open to friends only, sorry about that).

Macro targets are:
P: 108
F: 50
C: 280

Which adds up to ~1990 calories a day, which would have me maintaining at 135 lbs.

so why don't you add in a serving or two of talenti gelato at the end of your day which would give you an additional 200 to 450 calories a day ….

everyone wants more ice cream right?

Careful of this guy.....he's a known ice cream pusher, currently behind bars (chocolate).

skylarartemis

I was on Topamax for several years and it caused me to be dangerously underweight. The only way I was able to gain weight was by getting off of it.

MamaBirdBoss

Look at calories first. Anything you can stomach that's super dense will be good for that. Once you get close to the calories you need, try to balance out the nutrients left if you can.

arv51862

I'm curious, What is your daily dosage on the Topamax ? What are you taking it for ? And are you taking any other meds daily / regularly ?
I have been taking Topamax for years, in combination with Dilantin, for different types of seizures.
I fully expect to continue taking both for life.
Have you talked with your prescribing Doctor about your weight loss concern ?
Do ANY foods sound good / taste good ??

Maleficent0241

Drink your calories. This is one of those times when it could really be a benefit. When I was on Topamax and losing too quickly, I upped my fats in just about everything and on top would sip on things like apple juice, boost/ensure, etc. or drink smoothies. Basically whatever I could stomach without wanting to puke. Eventually I got switched to Zonegran, which worked much better appetite - wise but I remember those years on Topamax quite well!

AsISmile

I have kind of been there.
Through circumstances I became underweight, and was unable to eat larger portions without feeling sick.

This really helped me:
1) liquid callories. I started drinking milkshakes from Aldi because they were high in protein and pretty okay in everything else.
2) boiled eggs
3) crackers that had a higher protein count

My dietician also suggested adding Chia seeds to yoghurt for breakfast and having quinoa for lunch.
Not sure how much that really helped...

CalvinWard

Okay. The first thing I would ask is to determine what is the reason you are using the medication. Is it epilepsy, to get off of drug use, as an anticonvulsant, or for treatment of migraines or PTSD. The reason I say this is because once you have established the reason for being on the drug, and the reason is necessary, then we have established that you will continue to be on the drug if need be. That being said, we know that weight-loss is a side effect of being on this medication. So if this is the situation and you need to be on the drug then we need to accept the fact that weight-loss is going to be a side effect. Once that is done, then we can move forward for a plan of action to come back the negative side effects of the drug.

CalvinWard

The blessing in all of this is that an adverse effect of taking this drug is also weight gain. So this is not occurring with you as you are experiencing weight loss.

CalvinWard

You will also find that people who take the drug for weight-loss do not like the side affects. Now let's get to some solutions for you that might or may not work. One of the things that you need to know was that everybody's physiology is different so you will have to experiment with different methods of nutrition and exercise combinations to see what works for your physiology.

CalvinWard

One of the first things you should do is using the my fitness pal app, you should be monitoring how many calories you are eating daily in comparison to how many calories you should be eating to gain so many pounds per week. This is the first thing you should be doing. Set yourself a goal of something like a pound or two I week and then intake the calories that are necessary to gain that weight. Once you are tracking how many calories that you aren't eating per day in comparison with how many you need to eat per week to gain weight, you will be able to find out how many calories extra you need to eat per day in conjunction with your work out to gain weight.

demoiselle2014

52cardpickup, I feel for you. I'm almost 5'4", and for years I weighed 98 lbs. That put me below a healthy BMI, mitigated a bit by my tiny frame, but still far too low. I know the pain of not being able to gain weight. I have also been on a medicine that is known to cause loss of appetite for years. In time, it seems that my body has adjusted to that medicine, so perhaps that will happen to you.

I finally managed to get to a normal weight in my late 20s to 30ish. It was a combination of things that helped me. I got into a stable and healthy relationship, which reduced my anxiety and thus made it easier for me to remember to eat on schedule. I married a person whose stress-relieving activity is baking bread and cookies, and who eats on a regular schedule (I used not to notice time passing, and didn't really recognize the difference between "hunger pangs" and "sick to my stomach"). Getting on a more regular schedule of meals, plus having tempting calorie dense food around, plus doing weight machines/protein shakes for about nine months seems to have helped me finally reach a normal weight.

Indeed, I gained a little more than I wanted back then. Now, I am careful about the cookies and make my husband give the bulk of his stress-baking products away.

Try for small, regular meals if you have trouble feeling hungry. I used to skip breakfast because once I had my coffee (appetite suppressing!) I wasn't hungry anymore. Then I'd not get hungry until 3 in the afternoon. I do better now drinking less coffee and making myself have something for breakfast, even if it's just a protein shake smoothy or a banana. If I eat breakfast, I find I eat on a more regular schedule for the rest of the day.

If you have some anxiety issues like I did, taking up meditation or yoga might help. It reduces stress and can increase self-awareness (for me, it was a big help to learn the difference between hunger pangs and feeling sick).

Good luck! You aren't alone!

diannadabrowski

111grace wrote: »

lol you could have all of my overweight fat, I send it to you with pleasure

Send some over here too lol!! 5'9 and weigh 110lbs. Tired of people asking me if I have a eating disorder or if I ever eat.:(