Super obese, why isn't the weight falling off me?

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  • _HeartsOnFire_
    _HeartsOnFire_ Posts: 5,304 Member
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    I'm gonna repost the links JWhite posted earlier in case they got lost. Lots of good info.
    Here's some information that might help

    Log your food accurately and honestly. Go for 80% good choices the other 20% don't worry so much about. I eat lots of delicious food and have consistently lost. Keep it simple find a REASONABLE deficit:

    If you have 75+ lbs to lose 2 lbs/week is ideal
    If you have 40-75 lbs to lose 1.5 lbs/week is ideal
    If you have 25-40 lbs to lose 1 lbs/week is ideal
    If you have 15 -25 lbs to lose 0.5 to 1.0 lbs/week is ideal
    If you have less than 15 lbs to lose 0.5 lbs/week is ideal

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1234699-logging-accurately-step-by-step-guide?hl=logging+step+guide

    Find an activity you enjoy doing - I found I love to ride my bike and lift heavy stuff :)

    Here are 2 more threads that will help take the time to read them:
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1235566-so-you-re-new-here?hl=so+you're+new+here

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants
  • LAT1963
    LAT1963 Posts: 1,375 Member
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    What is the diet given post-surgery patients? Can you try that diet for a few days?

    I ask because I was told by a surgeon who does these procedures that he believes it is the post-surgery diet, not the surgery, that makes the difference. So my thought is you can try that diet skipping the surgery and see what happens.

    You might also try a low carb diet to see if that makes a difference for your specific metabolism. From the low carb perspective, 40% is too many carbs. Try 20-30%.

    There's nothing to lose in trying a particular diet approach for 2 weeks to see if it works for you, except possibly fat. You want to be sure you have exhausted all possibilities before trying surgery.

    As for why the weight isn't melting off--the answer is you are not doing aerobic exercise.

    You may not have access to a lap pool, but do you have friends or friends of friends, or even a hotel nearby that might allow you to tread water for 20 minutes a day? You only need a small pool to tread water.

    Read about "target heart rate" and use that to gauge the intensity of your exercise, whatever kind of exercise might become available to you. The strain on your knee will go down as you lose weight and you may be able to start walking for exercise when your weight is lower.
  • QuietBloom
    QuietBloom Posts: 5,413 Member
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    I am sorry to say that at your weight it could be a whole host of thinks. The fat could be putting pressure on and disrupting the function of your internal organs. And I wouldn't be surprised if you had a thyroid issue at the moment.

    As much as I hate to say it surgery may be the better option in your case. As it may alleviate some of the more extreme effects of all the weight you are carrying around. Hell even the ability to walk around would do you a tremendous amount of good right now. As if you are completely sedentary and your internal workings aren't moving right you may not even be burning 1800 a day anyway.

    I have every sympathy with you as my weight got pretty big myself not at the stage you where at. But enough. And Honestly I think you are beyond conventional methods of weight loss. It's time to consider more drastic solutions. As the longer you are sedentary the more your muscles will atrophy. And the more mobility you will lose. You need to realize that you need something that works now. You don't have time t o be patient and wait the process out.

    I hope I don't scare you and I sincerely wish you the best.

    You are not a doctor. Trying to convince someone you've never met and know nothing about to have major surgery is a very reckless move.

    Oh please. The OPs own doctor is recommending the surgery.
  • starrylioness
    starrylioness Posts: 543 Member
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    Have you been tested for thyroid and endocrine disorders? I have an endocrine disorder and I have to be extremely specific about what I eat or no matter how low my calories are, I never lose weight.

    Hang tight, you can do this and it WILL start to melt off!!!

    THIS.

    I have a hypoactive thyroid and couldn't start losing until I got on medication for it and had it adjusted quite a few times over a 2 year span. I recommend seeing your doctor. Some simple bloodwork can help shed some light on a lot of things.
  • AnswerzPwease
    AnswerzPwease Posts: 142 Member
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    So are you upset that she copies and pastes the info or you have a problem with a generic chart that should be used as a guideline, not a MUST. It's known that if you have 250# to lose, you will lose more than 2# a week. It will slow down at some point though and that guideline is helpful.

    I'm not upset at anything. I'm saying the chart is not relevant to the OP's situation. She *could* ideally lose 5 pounds a week the first several weeks. Almost triple what the chart says.

    Those charts lead to threads like "OMG, im losing too fast".

    No, you're not. It's just that you looked a stupid chart that is relevant to many, but not to those with 250lbs to lose.
  • George_Baileys_Ghost
    George_Baileys_Ghost Posts: 1,524 Member
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    By "Dr." do you mean a GP or is it a doctor who specializes in nutrition/diet/weight loss? GP's can get by with very generalized knowledge in different areas (hence the name). Consider discussing the possibility of getting a referral by your GP to a Bariatric Physician, Endocrinologist, or a Registered Dietitian. Be leery of the term "nutritionist". Essentially anyone can call themselves that, depending on where you are in the world.

    Consider exhausting all other possibilities before going with major surgery. But, at the end of the day, it may be a specialized case where you may need to. A licensed specialist is FAR more qualified to decide that point than a random Internet forum though. Be safe, and good luck!
  • eggomylegos
    eggomylegos Posts: 146 Member
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    I'm gonna repost the links JWhite posted earlier in case they got lost. Lots of good info.
    Here's some information that might help

    Log your food accurately and honestly. Go for 80% good choices the other 20% don't worry so much about. I eat lots of delicious food and have consistently lost. Keep it simple find a REASONABLE deficit:

    If you have 75+ lbs to lose 2 lbs/week is ideal
    If you have 40-75 lbs to lose 1.5 lbs/week is ideal
    If you have 25-40 lbs to lose 1 lbs/week is ideal
    If you have 15 -25 lbs to lose 0.5 to 1.0 lbs/week is ideal
    If you have less than 15 lbs to lose 0.5 lbs/week is ideal

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1234699-logging-accurately-step-by-step-guide?hl=logging+step+guide

    Find an activity you enjoy doing - I found I love to ride my bike and lift heavy stuff :)

    Here are 2 more threads that will help take the time to read them:
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1235566-so-you-re-new-here?hl=so+you're+new+here

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants

    This is excellent information that has helped me tremendously. OP, read through this information. Please ask questions about it either here on the forums or at your doctor's office.
  • herstrawberri
    herstrawberri Posts: 347 Member
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    I am sorry to say that at your weight it could be a whole host of thinks. The fat could be putting pressure on and disrupting the function of your internal organs. And I wouldn't be surprised if you had a thyroid issue at the moment.

    As much as I hate to say it surgery may be the better option in your case. As it may alleviate some of the more extreme effects of all the weight you are carrying around. Hell even the ability to walk around would do you a tremendous amount of good right now. As if you are completely sedentary and your internal workings aren't moving right you may not even be burning 1800 a day anyway.

    I have every sympathy with you as my weight got pretty big myself not at the stage you where at. But enough. And Honestly I think you are beyond conventional methods of weight loss. It's time to consider more drastic solutions. As the longer you are sedentary the more your muscles will atrophy. And the more mobility you will lose. You need to realize that you need something that works now. You don't have time t o be patient and wait the process out.

    I hope I don't scare you and I sincerely wish you the best.

    UMMMMM NO. I weighed almost 400 lbs and was able to do it without weight loss surgery. I still have more weight to lose, but it CAN be done. If you truly don't want weight loss surgery, just keep at it. Open up your diary and let us see it. Don't give up. Don't let anyone pressure you into something you DON'T want.
  • margieyoumans
    margieyoumans Posts: 181 Member
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    My first response, find another Dr. While I am not a Dr and wouldn't tell you to have or not have the surgery, I have seen many many people have issues with it. Some even life threatening. I know you're morbidly obese but that can all be changed one baby step at a time.

    From my own personal experience: I had my Dr tell me I'd never loose unless I had WLS. I'm not at a great big high number of lbs lost, just 81 but I am proving him wrong. I have a non-functioning thyroid. It isn't easy to loose, but I'm doing it. I'd say take an honest look at your diary and yes measure. Have your body functions checked, there may be an underlying issue. (again, new doctor) As for not being able to exercise, I couldn't walk across a room without stopping to breath when I started, but I can run now and be ok. There are tons of seated exercises you can check out. You can get your heart rate up by moving those arms.

    Just DON'T GIVE UP!!
  • rebeccaplatt21
    rebeccaplatt21 Posts: 175
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    Here's some information that might help

    Log your food accurately and honestly. Go for 80% good choices the other 20% don't worry so much about. I eat lots of delicious food and have consistently lost. Keep it simple find a REASONABLE deficit:

    If you have 75+ lbs to lose 2 lbs/week is ideal
    If you have 40-75 lbs to lose 1.5 lbs/week is ideal
    If you have 25-40 lbs to lose 1 lbs/week is ideal
    If you have 15 -25 lbs to lose 0.5 to 1.0 lbs/week is ideal
    If you have less than 15 lbs to lose 0.5 lbs/week is ideal

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1234699-logging-accurately-step-by-step-guide?hl=logging+step+guide

    Find an activity you enjoy doing - I found I love to ride my bike and lift heavy stuff :)

    Here are 2 more threads that will help take the time to read them:
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1235566-so-you-re-new-here?hl=so+you're+new+here

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants

    People really need to stop posting these generic copy/paste messages on threads such as these.

    This is a person with 250 pounds or more to lose. 2 lb's a week on someone with that much to look is not "ideal". Any gastric doctor in the world would agree, such as his/hers, would expect much more per week.

    The links have valuable information for anyone that needs to lose weight. When I started I had close to 150 lbs to lose, just because it's a larger number doesn't mean the process is different just the deficit amount. And without being able to see her diary the links are the best advice that I could give to her.


    ^^^ exactly!!
  • Serah87
    Serah87 Posts: 5,481 Member
    Options
    I'm gonna repost the links JWhite posted earlier in case they got lost. Lots of good info.
    Here's some information that might help

    Log your food accurately and honestly. Go for 80% good choices the other 20% don't worry so much about. I eat lots of delicious food and have consistently lost. Keep it simple find a REASONABLE deficit:

    If you have 75+ lbs to lose 2 lbs/week is ideal
    If you have 40-75 lbs to lose 1.5 lbs/week is ideal
    If you have 25-40 lbs to lose 1 lbs/week is ideal
    If you have 15 -25 lbs to lose 0.5 to 1.0 lbs/week is ideal
    If you have less than 15 lbs to lose 0.5 lbs/week is ideal

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1234699-logging-accurately-step-by-step-guide?hl=logging+step+guide

    Find an activity you enjoy doing - I found I love to ride my bike and lift heavy stuff :)

    Here are 2 more threads that will help take the time to read them:
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1235566-so-you-re-new-here?hl=so+you're+new+here

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants

    Just cause!!! :bigsmile:

    Also to add this: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/872212-you-re-probably-eating-more-than-you-think
  • LifeWithPie
    LifeWithPie Posts: 552 Member
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    I'm not upset at anything. I'm saying the chart is not relevant to the OP's situation. She *could* ideally lose 5 pounds a week the first several weeks. Almost triple what the chart says.

    Those charts lead to threads like "OMG, im losing too fast".

    No, you're not. It's just that you looked a stupid chart that is relevant to many, but not to those with 250lbs to lose.


    Now you're just being argumentative. Most people in this thread are giving helpful advice based on the OPs available information.
    What advice are you offering? As someone whose lost over 100#, I'd think you'd have some helpful insight for the OP.
    Those links, by the way, that have helped many, many people on this site.
  • AnswerzPwease
    AnswerzPwease Posts: 142 Member
    Options
    I am sorry to say that at your weight it could be a whole host of thinks. The fat could be putting pressure on and disrupting the function of your internal organs. And I wouldn't be surprised if you had a thyroid issue at the moment.

    As much as I hate to say it surgery may be the better option in your case. As it may alleviate some of the more extreme effects of all the weight you are carrying around. Hell even the ability to walk around would do you a tremendous amount of good right now. As if you are completely sedentary and your internal workings aren't moving right you may not even be burning 1800 a day anyway.

    I have every sympathy with you as my weight got pretty big myself not at the stage you where at. But enough. And Honestly I think you are beyond conventional methods of weight loss. It's time to consider more drastic solutions. As the longer you are sedentary the more your muscles will atrophy. And the more mobility you will lose. You need to realize that you need something that works now. You don't have time t o be patient and wait the process out.

    I hope I don't scare you and I sincerely wish you the best.

    UMMMMM NO. I weighed almost 400 lbs and was able to do it without weight loss surgery. I still have more weight to lose, but it CAN be done. If you truly don't want weight loss surgery, just keep at it. Open up your diary and let us see it. Don't give up. Don't let anyone pressure you into something you DON'T want.

    I'll agree with this.

    And others who said weight loss surgery is not necessary.

    I had the gastric sleeve operation - but never learned how to eat better. So the last 2 weeks on this website have been me asking questions learning how to eat and not just lose from restricting portions insanely.

    If the OP is truly eating 1800 cals a day and not eating, there is a medical issue. As others have noted, it could be due to misjudging portions as i've done lots of times. Trust me, once you get it right, the weight will fall off. I was at your weight once -- 2lbs is not ideal. You'll lose 5+ lb's a week for several weeks.
  • QuietBloom
    QuietBloom Posts: 5,413 Member
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    What is the diet given post-surgery patients? Can you try that diet for a few days?

    I ask because I was told by a surgeon who does these procedures that he believes it is the post-surgery diet, not the surgery, that makes the difference. So my thought is you can try that diet skipping the surgery and see what happens.

    You might also try a low carb diet to see if that makes a difference for your specific metabolism. From the low carb perspective, 40% is too many carbs. Try 20-30%.

    There's nothing to lose in trying a particular diet approach for 2 weeks to see if it works for you, except possibly fat. You want to be sure you have exhausted all possibilities before trying surgery.

    As for why the weight isn't melting off--the answer is you are not doing aerobic exercise.

    You may not have access to a lap pool, but do you have friends or friends of friends, or even a hotel nearby that might allow you to tread water for 20 minutes a day? You only need a small pool to tread water.

    Read about "target heart rate" and use that to gauge the intensity of your exercise, whatever kind of exercise might become available to you. The strain on your knee will go down as you lose weight and you may be able to start walking for exercise when your weight is lower.

    That is absolutely false. Losing weight has to do with how much you eat, period. For the OP, even walking around probably gets his/her heart rate right up there.

    The OP needs to follow a doctor's instructions.

    OP, best wishes to you on this journey. Whatever you decide to do, I hope you won't let the squabbling keep you off the forums. There are some great people here who have lost a lot of weight and who can give you the support you need.
  • parkscs
    parkscs Posts: 1,639 Member
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    No I am not a doctor. But HER DOCTOR IS. And he is pushing for WLS.

    Normally I would be in the same boat. Weight loss surgery is a nightmare all it's own. But this much overweight and barely being able to even walk. I don't think my advice was so unreasonable and I'm sticking to it. I think that unless you get results soon a downward spiral will start to occur. If it is not already in motion. By all means prove me wrong. I would love to see you lose weight the natural way. I just think that as time goes on that will become an increasingly uphill battle if it has not already become impossible. It's not as if I am advising 250lb people to get liposuction here.

    Yes I am not a doctor but I am no proponent of unnecessary surgery either. But everything she says leads me to believe that her condition has become next to impossible to reverse. However honestly and truly i would love to be proven wrong about this I really honestly would. Regretfully though I don't think I am.

    How has it become next to impossible? What is it about someone that's 400+ pounds that makes it impossible for them to lose weight? Now, if we're talking lack of willpower, emotional eating, etc. then they may fail to lose the weight, but nothing about carrying around a few hundred pounds of fat makes it more difficult for your body to burn fat for energy. If anything, your body will an easier access to fat stores and will be able to more easily convert fat into energy. All the surgery is going to do is take willpower out of the equation (at least for a while) as it physically forces you to eat less by removing part of or constraining the size of your stomach, but I don't see anything in the OP's post that suggests she's struggling with willpower at this point - rather, it sounds more like she's struggling to accurately estimate her calories and create a caloric deficit (and she may benefit from playing with her macros a bit). Before permanently restricting how much she can physically eat, the OP might just try eating less on her own, get her calorie counts right, learn her ideal macros and see how that goes for a while.
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,401 MFP Moderator
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    Play ball...


    Please make sure you follow the below rule though:


    1. No Attacks or Insults and No Reciprocation

    a) Do not attack, mock, or otherwise insult others. You can respectfully disagree with the message or topic, but you cannot attack the messenger. This includes attacks against the user’s spelling or command of written English, or belittling a user for posting a duplicate topic.
    b) If you are attacked by another user, and you reciprocate, you will also be subject to the same consequences. Defending yourself or a friend is not an excuse! Do not take matters into your own hands – instead, use the Report Post link to report an attack and we will be happy to handle the situation for you.
  • Mikkimeow
    Mikkimeow Posts: 1,282 Member
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    Here's some information that might help

    Log your food accurately and honestly. Go for 80% good choices the other 20% don't worry so much about. I eat lots of delicious food and have consistently lost. Keep it simple find a REASONABLE deficit:

    If you have 75+ lbs to lose 2 lbs/week is ideal
    If you have 40-75 lbs to lose 1.5 lbs/week is ideal
    If you have 25-40 lbs to lose 1 lbs/week is ideal
    If you have 15 -25 lbs to lose 0.5 to 1.0 lbs/week is ideal
    If you have less than 15 lbs to lose 0.5 lbs/week is ideal

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1234699-logging-accurately-step-by-step-guide?hl=logging+step+guide

    Find an activity you enjoy doing - I found I love to ride my bike and lift heavy stuff :)

    Here are 2 more threads that will help take the time to read them:
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1235566-so-you-re-new-here?hl=so+you're+new+here

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants

    OP like quite a few people have said, these are great links. Look into weighing and measuring EVERYTHING that you eat. It makes a huge difference. Weight loss surgery is a dangerous and scary option, when you have so many healthier ways to lose. I can understand how frustrating it must be for you to work so hard and not lose, but any amount of progress, is still progress. Read these links, do some research, ask more questions if you need to. Knowledge is power.

    *Edited to add at my highest weight, even being post college athlete, I had terrible joint aches. Pool exercises and yoga were really amazing at getting me become fit without hurting myself more. I eventually transitioned into weight lifting, with proper understanding of form and techniques. I suggest you try some low impact exercises, and if you have a pool in your area, look up ways to work out there.
  • _HeartsOnFire_
    _HeartsOnFire_ Posts: 5,304 Member
    Options
    Here's some information that might help

    Log your food accurately and honestly. Go for 80% good choices the other 20% don't worry so much about. I eat lots of delicious food and have consistently lost. Keep it simple find a REASONABLE deficit:

    If you have 75+ lbs to lose 2 lbs/week is ideal
    If you have 40-75 lbs to lose 1.5 lbs/week is ideal
    If you have 25-40 lbs to lose 1 lbs/week is ideal
    If you have 15 -25 lbs to lose 0.5 to 1.0 lbs/week is ideal
    If you have less than 15 lbs to lose 0.5 lbs/week is ideal

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1234699-logging-accurately-step-by-step-guide?hl=logging+step+guide

    Find an activity you enjoy doing - I found I love to ride my bike and lift heavy stuff :)

    Here are 2 more threads that will help take the time to read them:
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1235566-so-you-re-new-here?hl=so+you're+new+here

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants

    OP like quite a few people have said, these are great links. Look into weighing and measuring EVERYTHING that you eat. It makes a huge difference. Weight loss surgery is a dangerous and scary option, when you have so many healthier ways to lose. I can understand how frustrating it must be for you to work so hard and not lose, but any amount of progress, is still progress. Read these links, do some research, ask more questions if you need to. Knowledge is power.

    *Edited to add at my highest weight, even being post college athlete, I had terrible joint aches. Pool exercises and yoga were really amazing at getting me become fit without hurting myself more. I eventually transitioned into weight lifting, with proper understanding of form and techniques. I suggest you try some low impact exercises, and if you have a pool in your area, look up ways to work out there.

    I second the pool idea. Especially with your arthritis. I think it'll really help.
  • Hornsby
    Hornsby Posts: 10,322 Member
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    in....
  • natethegreat80
    natethegreat80 Posts: 16 Member
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    eat a high carb low fat plant based (vegan) diet...consisting of fruits, veggies, brown rice, potatoes etc and the weight will come off...dont restrict your carbs that will give you the energy to get up and move a bit! you will get there it takes time but stick with it...and go with how your body is feeling instead of the lbs on the scale...eat a diet like i suggested and you will feel better...you can message me if you need any specific tips...good luck

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