Need advice, suggestions...frustrated and not losing

cari4jc1

I need some advice, tips, suggestions etc of things to try and would love to know what things that worked for you to lose weight.

Back story, beginning of 2012 I was eating 1200-1300 calories a day and working out 4-5 times a week for 30-45 minutes and didn't lose anything. In May 2012 I upped my calories to 1500 and ended up losing 9 pounds that month. It then took about 9 months to lose another 10 pounds. During this time I was fighting hypo symptoms and didn't actually start medication until the beginning of 2013. In the spring of 2013 I started on Armour, 60 mg and have been feeling MUCH better. After losing the 19 pounds I couldn't lose anymore (I had been eating 1600 calories consistently for freaking ever!) Starting last June I started gaining it all back. Speed up to now...I have been eating 1600 calories and not losing. I work out 5 days a week and burn 350-400 calories per session and once or twice a week up to 800 calories when I do yard work. On days when I add in yard work or do anything active above my normal 30-35 minute workouts I am DEAD the rest of the day.

I'm 5'6" and weight 193lbs. Supposedly my BMR is 1600 according to various online calculators. I'm so frustrated with not being able to lose and feeling like I'm working so hard. I had read about weight training and how that is supposed to help. I'm not able to go to a gym, but I do Jillian Michaels' dvds and am almost through the Body Revolution. I have definitely gotten stronger and am able to do moves that I never could attempt before. My arms have actually gotten slightly bigger through this process, which is infuriating and cool at the same time cause I'm much stronger. But I want to lose...not gain.

Any ideas???

editorgrrl

I have Hashimoto's (autoimmune thyroid disease). I lost way more slowly than most MFPers, but I did it just like everybody else—by logging everything I eat & drink accurately & honestly.

The advice in this post worked for me: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-Sexypants

Synthroid & Cytomel reduce my fatigue, so I'm more active. But for me, weight loss is all about the logging. Your diary is private, so I can't give you any feedback. Get a digital food scale and weigh everything you eat—even packaged foods. And measure all liquids with calories.

chunt87

I second the food scale. It is an immense help. Maybe you should see your doctor again and get your levels rechecked just to be safe. If they haven't checked you out since your last dose, it might be a good idea. Whatever foods you're eating you can re-examine too. I feel better when I get over the 5 recommended veggies and over the recommended proteins. Maybe ask your physician if you could see a nutritionist. I saw one and it helped me help myself in this a heck of alot. good luck

editorgrrl

My levels still aren't normal (almost 2 years post diagnosis), but I lost anyway.

Per my endocrinologist I don't avoid any foods, but I'm less hungry when I use MFP's protein & fiber goals as minimums, and ignore fat & carbs. It will take trial & error to find what works for you. Do not give up!

LAT1963

It sounds to me like you need someone to at least *look* at whether you are on the right dose of thyroid hormone.

The guidelines have to fit the whole population and so are wider than the normal variation should be in any one individual.

Some people may feel good at a TSH of 1.7. Others may feel good at a TSH of 0.5. The guidelines might say 0.5 to 2.0 is normal. (I don't recall exactly what the US Endocrinologists use as guidelines but it is something like this narrow range-narrower than other medical disciplines use.)

But that doesn't mean the person who feels good at a TSH of 0.5 is going to feel good at a TSH of 2.0. For that individual, the "normal" range in terms of not having symptoms might be 0.3-1.0 or something (yes, they might be fine slightly out of range). This is why it is important to have a doc who treats you, the *patient*, based on your symptoms not just your lab numbers.

There exist antibodies that can cause the lab tests to give skewed results. If your numbers deviate widely from your symptoms then ask your doc to test for them too.

You had been doing one thing for a long time getting consistent results. Suddenly that changed--which means something in your body changed. Since you hadn't been in starvation mode after a long time on your regimen, that's probably not the problem. Since Hashi's thyroid function can vary so much, it's your first suspect to interrogate.

wallingf

I am also 5'6" and currently 202. I started at 260, so I've lost 58 pounds so far. I am also hypothyroid. I started out losing about 1.5lbs/week, but am now down to averaging 1lb/week.

What I have found works best for me is:
1 - I eat about 100 calories/day less than what MFP (and most other calculators) give me. Right now I eat between 1250-1350 calories (not counting exercise). When I first started, I was eating more......
2 - I limit my starches (bread, potatoes, rice, pasta, etc) to 1 per day.....sometimes 2 (but rarely).
3 - Lots of fruit, vegetables, and protein. Greek yogurt is my best friend.
4 - I lift for 30 mins/3x week. I do cardio 20-30 mins/5x week. I eat back 1/2 or less of my exercise calories.
5 - I weigh, measure, and log EVERYTHING I put in my mouth. If you don't , you are just lying to yourself. This is probably more important than #1-#4.

Oh, and be sure your thyroid numbers are good. I like mine <2, but everyone is different in how they feel at different levels.

Good Luck!