Need suggestions. Weight gain after stopping medication.

Melanie79SO

I could really use some suggestions. I had lost about 46lbs and my doctor took me off my blood pressure medication about a week ago. I was on the lowest dose. I've gained 7lbs since with no changes to my diet or exercise routine. I eat between 900-1100 calories a day. This is what I found works for me to lose a little steadily. I average about 20k steps each day and also do about 30 minutes of physical therapy exercises daily. I have Achilles tendonitis in both feet and I have tearing in my rotator cuff that I'm waiting to do surgery on. I'm trying to increase my heart rate for more fat burning time but I'm trying to do it carefully so not to cause more pain than I already have. I do not have access to a gym and need to be able to do anything at home. So I need low impact on my feet and can't use my right shoulder. I realize it will take time for my body to adjust to this big change but I like to minimize the gain after all the hard work I've done to lose weight. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thank you!

alyssa0061

I'm interested to hear how people feel about your calorie intake

nineteentwenty

1. Your caloric intake seems low, do you have orders from your doctor to be eating this little for a medical reason (being super short, hormonal issues, etc)? If not, it may be best to kick it up to at least 1200. You'll still lose, it'll just be slower. I'd also suggest low-sodium foods like fruits and veggies so that you minimize any water weight you could be retaining.

2. Hm, no gym? That's a shame, the best low-impact stuff is done in a pool. Swimming does incredible things for the body. With your array of health issues, I'd suggest asking your doctor for his/her recommendation based on your current condition. Weight loss is important, but health comes first. if you injure yourself and end up having to recover for even longer, that's no good. take it easy for now, you're already doing more than most healthy adults on a daily basis.

Melanie79SO

That's what I found works for me. Any more and I gain weight. I was losing about a pound a week.

Melanie79SO

Yes, I do have hormone issues. I will gain weight if i eat more than that range. My doctor is aware of my exercise and diet routine. I had been very overweight and I needed to lose weight to help my overall health.

Dana_E

The most effective blood pressure medications are diuretics, so that 7 pounds is likely water weight.

Melanie79SO

That's what I had read also. It's just a bit frustrating.

meritage4

Do you have a bike? An upright one like a hybrid or a mountian bike? Riding has no heel pressure and if you ride onn fairly flat roads should be ok with shoulder.

Melanie79SO

I do have a bike and we have miles of flat trails near us. That's a great idea!! Thank you so much!

blues4miles

Do you own/use a food scale?

Have you had your thyroid tested?

Your diary is not public so that makes it difficult to offer suggestions. I have doubts you are eating 900-1100 calories a day and also gained 7 lbs in a week. You seem to be looking for workout suggestions, but weight loss stalls/issues tend to be unrelated to physical activity. It all tends to come down to what we are eating. It's also possible there is some water retention at play here.

Melanie79SO

As I mentioned before, I have made no changes to my diet. I've lost 46lbs in the last 7 months. The weight gain was within a day of me stopping my meds and from what I've read the weight gain was not uncommon after stopping. I wasn't necessarily looking for just workout suggestions. I did just google ways to help with water retention. I definitely need to drink more water.

blues4miles

If it was 7 lbs in a day it was definitely water.

Congratulations on your weight loss so far, and being able to get off your medication. That said, if you find your weight loss plateau-ing please consider a food scale. You have less room for error the closer you get to goal weight. I have been through it myself before so many times, estimating even "healthy" foods like rice/chicken and being way off. Now I find the scale easier to use than measuring cups/spoons by far and am happy to have it.

Melanie79SO

Thank you, I will definitely give the food scale a try!

SWellz

What was the BP med? Just Google it and you'll be able to tell if its a diuretic. Congratulations on not needing it anymore!

Melanie79SO

Thank you! It's feels great to be off the meds! I did google it and it did say it's a diuretic. I made a few small changes yesterday and went down a pound for this morning. I'm hoping I'm back on track!