Weight Loss Help

rosey808

Hi, so quick story. I lost 110 pounds. Amazing right? Well maybe not so much when I tell you it took me 5 years. 5 years of exercising, fasting and tears. But I finally did it.

The reason it took so long? Basically my body is my enemy and works against me at every turn. I have hypothyroidism, and a very nonfunctional metabolism.

I've tried all the diets to speed up metabolism to no avail. My thyroid has been monitored since I was 15. So all good there.

Now menopause came along and I've gained 30 pounds in just a few months. What took me over a year to lose, came back in just a few short months.

I eat 1200 calories per day; cheat days Ive gone up to 1500-1600. I work out every. single. day.

I walk 10,000+ steps per day
I weight lift, 4 times a week
I do pilates, barre, HIIT
I do this 7 days per week.

I was in tears with two doctors, not understanding what is wrong with body and why my body hates me so much.

My new recommendation is 800 calories a day. I almost broke down. 800! It took me so long to get used to 1200, now 800? That seemed dangerously low, but 2 different doctor's said the same thing.

I even considered ozempic, but my insurance won't cover it since I'm not diabetic. Out of pocket cost? 1600 per month, the doctor offered to get it to $500 a month. Still too high for me.

So here I am, trying to figure out my *kitten* of a body; and now trying to not pass 800 calories. But what happens if I still gain weight? 500 calories? Then what nothing?

I honestly feel something is wrong with my body. The doctor ran blood tests to test cortisol levels and sugar to confirm I'm not diabetic. SHe said there is nothing else that would cause my issue.

So basically she thinks I"m lying about what I eat. I shared my meals. I weigh everything, account for every bit of sauce, salt, sugar, EVERYTHING.

If I dare have a treat I punish myself by not eating anything else for the rest of the day.

SO now I have to start 800 calories and don't know where to start. Is anyone else here on that restriction?

PAV8888

How tall (recent measurement?) how old? What is your current weight? While I may not be able to help you out right now, detailing this info may help others offer suggestions

tulips_and_tea

I agree that more info would be helpful because the amount of activity you list is a lot. As is 7 days per week. Rest days are important. You don't want to get injured or burned out.

I know you say you weigh and measure everything, but if you were truly eating only 1200 calories per day and were that active, the weight would be coming off. Anything else we might be missing?

dolphinianian

I would think about working with a nutritionist to develop meals that will also allow you to do an elimination diet (in a healthy way.) This might help you see if there are any foods that are causing swelling, water retention or inflammation. Just make sure to get the calories you need and not restrict to the point where you loose your mind.
Your tactic of punishing yourself doesn’t help and probably causes more harm to your metabolism than good.

Menopause slows down your metabolism. That, coupled with your hypothyroidism, might mean that the diet that was working for you is no longer a good fit.

I would ask your doctor if the 800 is total calories or net calories. 800 does sound low for someone who is working out every day. It’s possible to eat within the 800 limit and not be completely starving, you just have to measure everything really diligently and look at your macros.

Also, you may want to temporarily take those cheat days out of rotation. That doesn’t mean you can’t treat yourself with things you like, it just means you have to be more intentional about the amount you have (measure everything) and ensure that amount doesn’t put you over your daily limit.

Have you reached out to your endocrinologist about this weight gain? It might be better to see someone who specializes in hormonal disorders about this issue rather than just your GP.