Gaining 1 pound a week!

JennifrClaire
JennifrClaire Posts: 141 Member
edited December 3 in Social Groups
I lost 50 pounds on low carb -not keto - and then stopted losing. I increases my exercise and cutback on portion sizes, eliminated the occasional cappuccinos I'd always had whole losing.
Then I started gaining it back. A pound a week. Now gained 7 pounds.
I do have hypothyroidism and lipo-lymphedema but I already had those while I was losing weight. What am I doing wrong?

Replies

  • ProCoffeenator
    ProCoffeenator Posts: 523 Member
    Are you measuring yourself? There's a recent thread running on lying scales.

    Otherwise I'd recommend logging everything and measuring it all too! You could be experiencing carb creep. Or just not being conscious of what you are really eating and drinking.
    Go through the start here thread and re read the how to's maybe there is something there to kickstart that engine again.

    You will get past this! I find the more I worry/ obsess about the scale the more I start to slip!
  • sammyliftsandeats
    sammyliftsandeats Posts: 2,421 Member
    If you open your diary, we may be able to help see any missteps.

    To open your diary, go to Settings.
  • JennifrClaire
    JennifrClaire Posts: 141 Member
    edited August 2016
    Done. I don't think I've changed anything in my diet since, I was losing weight so nicely.
    Certainly not enough to put on a pound a week.
    I don't always log every cup of tea or coffee, ( unless it's a cappuccino or something like that) as I don't take sugar so it's just the milk. I never really did log those though.
  • sammyliftsandeats
    sammyliftsandeats Posts: 2,421 Member
    JennifrClaire, I have sent you a friend request so I can have a look at the diary to help you find out what the issue is.

    How much milk do you put in your coffee/tea?
  • retirehappy
    retirehappy Posts: 3,785 Member
    First of all you look amazing in your profile pic. Good job. It appears you are eating around 30% of your calories from carbs, you might want to do a week at a much lower percentage of carbs and see how that goes. You should be aiming to hit at least 1200 cals daily as well, appears you are eating too low cals. for your activity level.

    I found this link from the launch pad helpful, it is a Chrome browser addin that shows a better view of your carbs/net carbs on MFP. You might want to give it a try:

    Enhancing MFP Displays For Low Carb: https://github.com/Surye/mfp-keto-userscript

    Good luck with the rest of your Journey.
  • bametels
    bametels Posts: 950 Member
    Do you need to have your thyroid levels rechecked? When I suddenly starting gaining even after cutting calories to a very low level and increasing exercise, my TSH level showed that I needed a higher dose of medication. Once I got on the higher dose, the weight I regained came right back off.
  • JennifrClaire
    JennifrClaire Posts: 141 Member
    edited August 2016
    Thank you everyone. These sound like good suggestions. I'm going to make an appointment with the doctor before I go to work tomorrow to get my meds checked. I'm supposed to be on levothyroxine but I can't tolerate it at all.
    Also I think it could be artificial sweetener. I only use it sparingly, but I didn't used to use it at all. Stevia or whatever is in the carb free syrup I put on my greek yogurt could be part of the problem.
    The carbs I do eat -30%of my calories- are mostly berries, bananas, melon, things like that, and nuts and cheese which I have been eating all along. The carbs I avoid are things contains sugar and flour, rice, and potatoes. This has worked well for me up until a couple of months ago.
    I've gradually increased the speed of my walking til I do twice the distance in half the time. I thought that would help but it hasn't.
    I'll try giving up the artificial sweeters, diet coke etc.
  • Sunny_Bunny_
    Sunny_Bunny_ Posts: 7,140 Member
    Thank you everyone. These sound like good suggestions. I'm going to make an appointment with the doctor before I go to work tomorrow to get my meds checked. I'm supposed to be on levothyroxine but I can't tolerate it at all.
    Also I think it could be artificial sweetener. I only use it sparingly, but I didn't used to use it at all. Stevia or whatever is in the carb free syrup I put on my greek yogurt could be part of the problem.
    The carbs I do eat -30%of my calories- are mostly berries, bananas, melon, things like that, and nuts and cheese which I have been eating all along. The carbs I avoid are things contains sugar and flour, rice, and potatoes. This has worked well for me up until a couple of months ago.
    I've gradually increased the speed of my walking til I do twice the distance in half the time. I thought that would help but it hasn't.
    I'll try giving up the artificial sweeters, diet coke etc.

    The effect on blood sugar and insulin is generally the same no matter if the carbs come from potatoes or banana... Though since that's not new, I agree that it doesn't explain the sudden gaining, which seems more likely to be the sweetener or meds. It could still be a good idea to reduce overall sugars in favor of more healthy fats at least until you get the other stuff straightened out to maybe help stop the gaining by decreasing insulin production further. Even as just a temporary way to slow down the gaining... It may not make a difference, but it may be worth a try.
  • sammyliftsandeats
    sammyliftsandeats Posts: 2,421 Member
    JennifrClaire, how long have you been exercising for? Could it be water retention from the increased exercise?

    I also second @ProCoffeenator's comment about measurements. If those are staying the same, or decreasing, the gain may not be fat. And yes, scales are complete *kitten*.
  • JennifrClaire
    JennifrClaire Posts: 141 Member
    I going out walking every night, but Ive been doing it for years, taking the dogs hiking through the countryside. And I do alot of gardening- digging, raking, etc is quite a good calorie burn, in a few hours.
    I don't think I'd be gaining a pound a week from that.
    I'll make an appointment with the doctor when the office opens this morning and see if its related to the hypothyroidism.
  • JennifrClaire
    JennifrClaire Posts: 141 Member
    Aaaand I've put on another 2.4 pounds. A total of 9, in a couple of months. This is like a nightmare.
  • Sunny_Bunny_
    Sunny_Bunny_ Posts: 7,140 Member
    edited August 2016
    Have you seen the doctor yet? How about the sweeteners? Stop using those? Have you reduced carbs any further?
    What changes have you tried since we heard from you last?
    The weight is coming on fast enough that it just screams inflammation to me.
    I'm not knowledgeable regarding thyroid stuff, so maybe that's the answer and there's certainly enough clues to suggest it is since you mention that you're supposed to be in something that you don't take due to tolerance for it. I'm sure there's a just right meds balance for you, just have to work on tweeking it.
  • JennifrClaire
    JennifrClaire Posts: 141 Member
    Got the earliest available appointment with doctor for next week, stopped the artificial sweetners straight away. I've elimined snacks -low carb or not- and generally tightened up any slackening but really this diet worked well for me up until now. It can understand a plateau, but the weight gain must be the lipoedema or the thyroid because really I can't be suddenly eating an extra 3500+ calories a week and not realising it.
  • retirehappy
    retirehappy Posts: 3,785 Member
    Got the earliest available appointment with doctor for next week, stopped the artificial sweetners straight away. I've elimined snacks -low carb or not- and generally tightened up any slackening but really this diet worked well for me up until now. It can understand a plateau, but the weight gain must be the lipoedema or the thyroid because really I can't be suddenly eating an extra 3500+ calories a week and not realising it.

    You are correct fat isn't that fast.
    Make sure you are getting plenty of water as well. Good to stop the sweeteners.

    Stress can cause hormonal imbalances too. The gains are stressing you out.

    Hope all goes well at your dr. appt. and you get back in control.
  • KnitOrMiss
    KnitOrMiss Posts: 10,103 Member
    lipo-lymphedema - this sounds like pure HADES.... OMG. If you swelling has increased beyond what it was a few months ago, that's a sign you need to adjust your thyroid meds. If you don't tolerate levothyroxine, you might try the brand name Synthroid (your doctor can tell the insurance company why the generic isn't tolerated and why the brand name is required - and it should be covered as normal). Often times, there is something in generic formulas that doesn't agree with some folks. You can also try a NDT (naturally dessicated thyroid) medication. They are generally considered to be better tolerated in most folks, though it make take some tweaking to get to the right levels. There are other less common symptoms of thyroid imbalance, but swelling was the biggest one that let me know my levels needed to be adjusted again. That being said, check out stopthethyroidmadness.com, as it is one of the more comprehensive sites with good info...
  • JennifrClaire
    JennifrClaire Posts: 141 Member
    I've been googling various aspects of thyroid problems. It seems the low thyroid symptoms most people have before getting treatment are the same as i had while on the tablets. I didn't have 99% of them until then and 99% went away when I went off them again.
    Now I'm like that -gaining weight, tired, etc- but I'm not on any tablets. I can't understand it. The endocrine system is unbelievably complex.
  • KnitOrMiss
    KnitOrMiss Posts: 10,103 Member
    @JennifrClaire - Look up Hashimoto's. Mostly it exhibits as a combo - and it might be closer to what you're saying...because treating with the wrong meds can worsen some stuff...

    And yes, every darned thing in the body is connected. Stub your toe and it might have triggered 12 other reactions! UGH... I swear, the healthier I get, the worse off I feel, because it uncovers more and more, but then I have to remember that those things were likely there anyway, and I just kept them from doing more HIDDEN damage etc...

    (HUGS)
  • jassnip
    jassnip Posts: 116 Member
    @JennifrClaire I couldn't figure out how to look at your food diary, but I did see up thread that you were eating only 1200 calories a day...this is prolly not the way to go.

    Below is a link to Dr. Jason Fung video. If you watch the first eight and a half minutes, he talks about how low calorie depresses metabolism. Give it a gander, maybe it'll have something useful for you.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIuj-oMN-Fk
  • toadqueen
    toadqueen Posts: 592 Member
    @JennifrClaire - I am just curious about how you were diagnosed with lipo-lymphedema and if are getting any treatment for it. I have been reading about it and other disorders trying to self-diagnose because I am at a loss with the medical profession.

    I think your situation is caused by your hormones and I hope you can find the right way to get them back into balance. As you say, you are not eating enough to be gaining fat so the weight must be water retention. Good luck to you!
  • JennifrClaire
    JennifrClaire Posts: 141 Member
    Toad queen
    I saw a poat on facebook last summer fir lipodema awareness month and the legs of the woman in the photo looked exactly like mine. I contacted the number and after a few email excganges, they sent me a booklet with information to take to my doctor. I was put on to a physiotherapist who ran a lipodema clinic, and I was officially diagnised after the examination as having lipo-lymphedema.
    I was mwasured for compression tights which arrived and were only knee high and very uncomfortable. I bought my own full length ones online and they were comfortable but too awkward to get on and off.
    So I wear heavy duty stretch denim skinny jeans, which work pretty well. But I've started a new job in an office, so cant wear them there.
    Will have to go back to compression tights I guess.
    All i can do iam doing: Healthy diet and plenty of exercise to keep non-lippy fat to a minimum and save up for liposuction.
  • JennifrClaire
    JennifrClaire Posts: 141 Member
    Coming back too late now to edit my last post. Apologies for the many typos. I was perfectly sober. I just didn't proof read.
  • toadqueen
    toadqueen Posts: 592 Member
    Of course you were sober - too many carbs in booze lol. Thanks for the information. I will see what I can find. I was diagnosed with lymphedema after surgery but some doctors but specialists said it was not. I had plastic surgery in 2010 and wore compression garments for a year after but was advised by a heart specialist to stop, plus they were hot in the summer. So I stopped wearing them. Now, I have gained too much weight to get into them. They felt really good on.

    Your weight gain may be the thyroid. I have Hashimoto's Thyroiditis manifesting as hypothyroid and have an awful time trying to lose weight. I hope the Syntroid or Armour can work better for you if you try those. I hope your doctor also checks your T-3. I take that in addition to T-4. I am going in a couple of weeks to see if I needs my levels adjusted.

    Good luck to you!
  • JennifrClaire
    JennifrClaire Posts: 141 Member
    I have already dropped four pounds after stopping the artificial sweetners so im assuming they had something to do with my plateau and subsequent dramatic weight gain but when i see the doc on Friday I will try to persuade him to write me a different prescription this time. If not for a different drug ( wgich Im hoping for) then at least a smaller dose than before and maybe increase it gradually if need be.
    Like most overweight people, I can honestly say, the doctor's office is not my happy place.
    There are some medical practitioners who should never be alloweed near actual people but kept alone in labs testing new medications on one another.
  • KarlaYP
    KarlaYP Posts: 4,436 Member
    Sensitivity to artificial sweeteners isn't fun, but at least you figured it out! In my case they created inflammation, which showed as weight gain too! Even maintaining my macros! I understand your plight, completely! I was even accused of not being honest about it when it happened to me. The opinion of one person was that I had to be eating to create the gain, when I hadn't! I'm glad you found the answer for you! Hugs! I know that was a frustrating time!
  • Abm4n
    Abm4n Posts: 529 Member
    edited August 2016
    I am not a doctor but I like to understand medical conditions. This....

    [Idiopathic oedema is the term for fluid retention which it not caused by a known medical condition. It is most common in women and can sometimes worsen as you get older. Although there is no cure for idiopathic oedema, having a healthy diet which is low in salt can make a real difference. Support stockings and regular exercise are also beneficial. A possible cause of fluid retention often overlooked by people and difficult to diagnose is due to binge eating alternating with strict dieting. This can cause intermittent fluid retention.]

    Not sure if this helps - doctors use fancy Greek terms like "idiopathic" (literally, one's own suffering) for things they don't have an explanation for. IMV (not as a doctor) a low carb, high fat diet would normally help to control inflammation and fluid retention. LCHF combined with intermittent FASTING helps to address metabolic syndrome at it's root. Metabolic syndrome manifests as many different but inter-related symptoms. LCHF would normally exclude artificial sweeteners which I understand act in the body the same as real sugar (or worse).

    As I understand it, in layman's terms, (I am clearly a layman) fasting helps the body re-set its internal thermostat and reboots the body so that it is more sensitive to insulin and other weight regulating hormones cortisol and estrogen. Estrogen controls the location of female fat storage - in the hips, thighs, buttocks and giving the female curves. As woman's estrogen levels decline in later years the location of fat storage deposits will change. She will lose some of those characteristic female curves. Sorry if this is TMI, covering old ground or just plain wrong.
  • JennifrClaire
    JennifrClaire Posts: 141 Member
    edited September 2016
    Lipo-lymphedema is a bit different. Usually its present from childhood, athough sometimes doesn't show up til puberty or childbearing - big hormonal changes.
    Unusually, for me it was in my early 30s and probably the side effect of steroid inhalers. (I gained roughly 80 pounds in about 18 months and stopped using it).
    The lymph leaks into fat cells and cannot be shifted other than via liposuction. The rest of the ordinary non-lipo fat can be lost, though: dieted off and exercised. And the extra movement keeps lymph flowing as normally as possible.
    Eventually lipodema becomes very painful and gradually effects your mobilty. I'm not ready to even think about that part though.
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