Feeling low and like it'll never happen

pippiheartsberry

Hi there,

Im a returning MFP member who a few years ago had lost over 15 kgs /33 lbs. I logged on MFP for almost 2 years but I couldnt sustain it, went off for a year and put on almost all of that weight. Sigh. I wanted to get away from logging and counting and do it more naturally...well!

For the past 10 months, Ive gone back to the gym to exercise 4 times a week (HIIT classes) and have seen a naturopath. Ive put on 0.5 kilos since the start of the year but my naturopath says Ive lost 15% body fat in the same period of time.

Ive cut out most dairy, eat gluten free 85% of the time. Im also a vegetarian and dont tend to eat a lot of eggs as well. I wish I could say I stuck to the above strictly but I get tempted and eat stuff here and then. Sugar is a favourite and I struggle with it daily. Ive always had a huge appetite and controlled how much I eat has always been a chore...

I feel low today as I had gone to the GP to look into a skin issue that has reoccurred (Im 33 and I had this issue in my teens-early 20s). And of course, the GP thinks it is exacerbated by weight gain and I need to look into a low GI, calorie controlled diet. Other than this skin issue, I dont really have any other issues because of my weight...

Im sad, I feel like I work hard at the gym and I know my eating is far from perfect...but is it meant to be this hard? Im ready to burst out into tears - is there anyone who has faced something similar and how did you work past the mental and emotional block and sadness?

Thank you for taking the time to read this.

Please feel free to add me - always nice to have new friends who are looking for motivation and can guide me too!

Pippi.

Therealobi1

It is hard work, but it's worth it in the end
I think meal planning will help and also not trying to restrict too much
When you get fed up have a little break but eat at maintenance so you do not put on
Good luck and don't give up

distinctlybeautiful

It doesn't have to be so hard, but I know it can feel that way sometimes.

I agree with not restricting too much. Unless you have a sensitivity or some kind of medical issue that requires to cut foods completely out of your diet, I'd suggest not making anything off limits. You can eat everything in moderation and lose weight.

Maybe try calculating your maintenance calories and eating there for a while. If you can stomach it I'd also suggest getting a food scale. Weighing everything is the best way to accurately determine how much you're eating.

Also try looking at the gym and your workouts as something you do to be fit and healthy and to feel good as opposed to looking at them as a way to lose weight. I think if you're exercising solely to lose weight it's way too easy stop working out if you don't see a loss.

Hope there's something here that's helpful to you.

snowflake954

You don't mention your calorie goal, or weighing and measuring your food. If you're not losing, I'd recommend buying a digital scale, find your daily calorie goal and try that. Trying to do things naturally didn't work for you, so go back to basics.

pruewheeler

I feel like I'm in the same boat, returning MFP user, but finding it way harder this time.

I'm in the gym four times a week (HIIT, boxing, circuit and a heavy weights day) and play netball twice a week. My calorie intake daily is around 1200-1500 depending on how hard I trained that day.

I'm feeling drained that after months of consistent effort I've lost no weight, and have seen only wild fluctuations in my hip/waist/neck measurements.

I guess we just need to keep at it. Giving it all up is the only way to fail xo

goldthistime

Do your eyes concur with the naturopath's assessment that you lost 15% body fat this last year? If so, that's a huge accomplishment and you need to be pleased with those results. You should be celebrating!

If not, then you may want to reassess whether you are willing to continue considering the advice of this naturopath to be expert.

I'm with the others here. Slow down your weight loss approach. I did what you did twice on MFP. I lost it "efficiently" and turned around and gained it efficiently. This time I went slowly enough (0.5 lbs/week) that it feels like it's ingrained and sustainable.

Oh, and do you think you're getting enough protein? When I don't eat meat, almost everything I put in my mouth has to have protein, and if you took away my dairy and eggs too, I don't think I could do it.

Traveler120

If you've lost 15% body fat, that indicates your body has shrunk significantly and you should be able to notice that in the mirror. I went from 32% body fat to 16% and that was 7 inches off my waist. If you can't physically see the difference, then your naturopath is wrong on the numbers. What is your current weight?

Also if you're vegetarian and you have a large appetite, the trick is to choose high volume low calorie density foods like potatoes, beans, lentils, fruits and veggies. Avoid or limit oils, fats, cheeses etc as they're calorie dense. Keep up with the exercise.

pippiheartsberry

Thank you everyone for your responses - I totally appreciate it! Ive answered some of the questions you have asked me:

distinctlybeautiful wrote: »

I agree with not restricting too much. Unless you have a sensitivity or some kind of medical issue that requires to cut foods completely out of your diet, I'd suggest not making anything off limits. You can eat everything in moderation and lose weight.

.... I think if you're exercising solely to lose weight it's way too easy stop working out if you don't see a loss.

I am sensitive to dairy if I consume TOO much of it. And same with gluten. I can tolerate a fair bit but when I go over, I have great discomfort. Nuts, eggs and other stuff, no issues at all.

And you are right, I keep working out with the mindset of "I want to be stronger and healthier" but not having seen any weight loss even after a year, is a tiny bit disappointing. Thankfully, I havent put on any but thats of tiny consolation at times..

pruewheeler wrote: »

I feel like I'm in the same boat, returning MFP user, but finding it way harder this time.

Sorry about that Prue but dont give up, you are working hard and doing so so well! I know how that feels, I havent been eating as well as you have (I think Id be more in the 1500-1700 cals range? Not entirely sure) and have good days and bad (food wise). Could it be possible that for the amount of exercise you do, you arent eating enough and thus you are drained? Plus your body doesnt want to let go of the weight? Dont know, Ive read this somewhere but not sure how that works...?

Here to cheer you on, we can do this!!

goldthistime wrote: »

Do your eyes concur with the naturopath's assessment that you lost 15% body fat this last year?...

If not, then you may want to reassess whether you are willing to continue considering the advice of this naturopath to be expert.

I'm with the others here. Slow down your weight loss approach. I did what you did twice on MFP. I lost it "efficiently" and turned around and gained it efficiently. This time I went slowly enough (0.5 lbs/week) that it feels like it's ingrained and sustainable.

Oh, and do you think you're getting enough protein? When I don't eat meat, almost everything I put in my mouth has to have protein, and if you took away my dairy and eggs too, I don't think I could do it.

To be VERY honest, I dont feel like the eyes concur. I dont know what 15% loss in fat in meant to look like but I havent really gone skinny - just more tonned and firmer muscles? I feel like with 15% there should be...I should be leaner?

Thankfully she also measures me each time and usually, I lose 7-12 inches(measure waist, boobs, thighs x 2, arms x 2, hips, tummy, calves x 2) every time I meet her (every 6-7 weeks). BUT it just doesnt feel like 15%?

Yeah, I must confess, I gave up eggs as I wanted to be kinder to the animals (personal principle) but Im struggling with adding protein to my food. Really am! How much tofu and chickpeas can I actually eat a day??!!! And my body has been craving for eggs as lot. So Ive decided to bring eggs back for a few meals a day and possibly reintroduce protein powder in my smoothies. I'll have a good think about it this weekend -- thank you for your input! Really helps!

snowflake954 wrote: »

You don't mention your calorie goal, or weighing and measuring your food. If you're not losing, I'd recommend buying a digital scale, find your daily calorie goal and try that. Trying to do things naturally didn't work for you, so go back to basics.

Yes! Ive ordered one online this week - I feel like Im not measuring or weighing anything I eat and I wasnt calorie counting, so I have had NOOO clue as to how much Im eating. Thats it, time to get back to basics and get it right.



Thanks heaps you guys, will add you on, if you dont mind?