Frustrated, Very Long Rant :(

spoiled12976

So here it is. I have been on MFP since Jan. 2010. When I started I weighed in at 262. I have counted every calorie and worked out every day. I started out with wii active and loved it and did that until maybe April when i did wii one day and then started the treadmill on opposite days. I could barely do a half hour let alone 300 calories with out being tired, and that was walking. The harder I worked the better I got. And through all of this I was losing weight, 30 lbs by June/July. By the time August came I had hit my plateau I am stuck between 232-237.
I was getting better on the treadmill so I worked on challenging myself everyday to go faster, longer and run for the whole hour. I am up to running at 4mph. (i know it is not that fast but i have short legs) I switched my calories , I raised them to 1700, I lowered them to 1200 but I cannot break the plateau. That was August and it is now Feb. and I am still gaining and losing the same few pounds. I still workout every day.I do the treadmill for and hour most days. I run for at least 60 minutes or 600- 700 calories whatever comes first. I run half of it on an incline. I have tried intervals walking, running, tricking my body whatever. Some days I do a kickboxing dvd with weighted gloves and I burn at least 500 calories. I received a heavy bag for Christmas so after I run I try to box for abut a half hour maybe 150 -200 calories. I have had a HRM since May so the calories are as accurate as I can get. I try to be so active. I don't know what to do anymore, my husband is supportive and says I should be proud of my 30 lbs (give or take the day) weight loss, but I feel like that was the past. I have lost nothing in 6 months. I know my health is better. I can run which i was never able to do even when I was an athlete in High School, I eat better and make better choices. I am not saying I am always perfect because I am not. But I am always honest with myself. I bought smaller clothes but none of this matters to me because no matter how hard I work I am stuck. I know we all have weekly fluctuations but this is really disheartening. To top it off, I went to my doc for a check up. All my blood work is great so there is no medical reason for not losing. But when I ask my doc for some advice and explain how hard I have been working she tells me to have one of the weight loss surgeries. I was trying to avoid these surgeries. i wanted to do it on my own. I wanted to be proud of how hard I worked to reverse years of no exercise and too much fast food. I finally stuck to something to lose weight. I have been here for ONE YEAR. One year of logging and exercising and being honest, and I ask for help and all she sees is a fat chick looking for a quick fix and that was not what I wanted. I will admit this has really killed my mojo. I keep going and working out but i am not sure why. I really don't want to have surgery but I am afraid that is where i am headed. I am shy which is why i never posted anything before but i guess i just needed to vent. I hope I don't get judged to badly Just needed to get some stuff off my chest. If you made it through these jumbled thoughts, thanks for listening.

SHBoss1673

So here it is. I have been on MFP since Jan. 2010. When I started I weighed in at 262. I have counted every calorie and worked out every day. I started out with wii active and loved it and did that until maybe April when i did wii one day and then started the treadmill on opposite days. I could barely do a half hour let alone 300 calories with out being tired, and that was walking. The harder I worked the better I got. And through all of this I was losing weight, 30 lbs by June/July. By the time August came I had hit my plateau I am stuck between 232-237.
I was getting better on the treadmill so I worked on challenging myself everyday to go faster, longer and run for the whole hour. I am up to running at 4mph. (i know it is not that fast but i have short legs) I switched my calories , I raised them to 1700, I lowered them to 1200 but I cannot break the plateau. That was August and it is now Feb. and I am still gaining and losing the same few pounds. I still workout every day.I do the treadmill for and hour most days. I run for at least 60 minutes or 600- 700 calories whatever comes first. I run half of it on an incline. I have tried intervals walking, running, tricking my body whatever. Some days I do a kickboxing dvd with weighted gloves and I burn at least 500 calories. I received a heavy bag for Christmas so after I run I try to box for abut a half hour maybe 150 -200 calories. I have had a HRM since May so the calories are as accurate as I can get. I try to be so active. I don't know what to do anymore, my husband is supportive and says I should be proud of my 30 lbs (give or take the day) weight loss, but I feel like that was the past. I have lost nothing in 6 months. I know my health is better. I can run which i was never able to do even when I was an athlete in High School, I eat better and make better choices. I am not saying I am always perfect because I am not. But I am always honest with myself. I bought smaller clothes but none of this matters to me because no matter how hard I work I am stuck. I know we all have weekly fluctuations but this is really disheartening. To top it off, I went to my doc for a check up. All my blood work is great so there is no medical reason for not losing. But when I ask my doc for some advice and explain how hard I have been working she tells me to have one of the weight loss surgeries. I was trying to avoid these surgeries. i wanted to do it on my own. I wanted to be proud of how hard I worked to reverse years of no exercise and too much fast food. I finally stuck to something to lose weight. I have been here for ONE YEAR. One year of logging and exercising and being honest, and I ask for help and all she sees is a fat chick looking for a quick fix and that was not what I wanted. I will admit this has really killed my mojo. I keep going and working out but i am not sure why. I really don't want to have surgery but I am afraid that is where i am headed. I am shy which is why i never posted anything before but i guess i just needed to vent. I hope I don't get judged to badly Just needed to get some stuff off my chest. If you made it through these jumbled thoughts, thanks for listening.

forget the doctor, go see a registered dietitian. There's obviously something that's being missed in the equation. Doctors aren't nutrition experts (unless they specifically state that and have the training), they go through a single nutrition course in pre-med, and most don't keep up with current scientific data. You want someone who's sole focus is nutrition.

JenniferAutumn

Hi

Welcome to the forums!!

My advice- Find a new DR ASAP!

Edited to say- I agree with SHBoss1673!!

luv2ash

Welcome and good luck on your journey---Love your photo!

jrbb0309

First of all, congratulations on your pounds lost.

I'm sorry you're having such a difficult time with your continued weight loss, although it sounds like you're doing amazingly with the exercise.

How about hiring a trainer for a bit to work out with you and see if they can help you break through your plateau? Or hiring a dietitian to grow through your food logs and see if they can figure out what's going on. Or both, if you're able to afford it.

scagneti

I can't see your diary, but it doesn't sound as though you're eating nearly enough. If you were doing 1200 calories plus exercising (even if you ate back your exercise calories) that would leave a HUGE deficit from what your BMR would be.

Just for fun, change your goal to 1 1/2 pounds per week and consume that amount of calories. At 144, my calorie intake is 1320 for 1lb a week, so yours should be higher.

HLRoberts1987

I agree with SHBoss1673. They will be able to tell you more than a Physician will. I wish you the best of luck and hope you figure out what the difficulty is soon )

AMBrody

Take a one month break from everything, don't track your calories or exercise. After the month start back up again slowly. Your body has gotten into a rut and needs a change. I took a five month break due to IVF and the holidays, gained a few pounds in that time, but now I am 10 pounds away from being below 200. I haven't seen that number since the late 90s. Good luck!

sweetgl

I understand where you are comming from. Being stuck at one weight for a long time like you said is very disheartening. It sounds to me that if what you said is all true then there is no reason why you should not be losing weight. Are you truley being honest with yourself? Are you making sure you are eating healthy and only staying at about 1800 calories or less? Are you counting calories for things alot of people dont count such as sodas and coffees? I feel like that is my biggest issue. I complian about not losing weight but then i realize i'm not being honest with myself about how many calories I am actually taking in. Do you have a food journal? I would recommend having one. Write down everything you eat and the amount of calories consumed for that food. If you go to Calorieking.com you can find out nurtional information for any food (fresh, packaged, or fast food.) Good luck and keep you're head up high. You can do it

red14

You just wrote exactly what has happen to me!! Dropped 40lbs and than no matter what I did the scale would NOT move. Finally was tested for food allergys. As crazy as it sounds that was part of the issue with me. It might be something to check out. Plus, try not to run at one constant speed, go as fast as you can for 1 minute, back it down for a minute back up and so forth. Varying the speed and time, it help a LOT for me to do that plus it keeps me from getting bored doing cardio. Wish you the best!!

Meggie_pooh

Do a different exercise everyday....trick ur body. Only do the treadmill 2 or 3 times a week, but do other exercises still too. When u hit that plateau, u HAVE to trick ur body. Also change ur diet up a bit. Try not to eat the same things all the time. Don't fall victim to the "age of surgeries" cuz I have known waaaaay too many people that have opted for either GB or the LapBand. One of my family members died from complications of GB. Do this ur own way. Deff find urself a new MD as well. One who cares more about ur health and less about a quik fix! I dieted last year and was doing great, but after 4 moths, and losing 35lbs....I too plateaued....but I fell off the wagon and gainded it all back + 10 lbs more :0( You can do it hunny!!!! We're all here for u!!!!!

freerange

So here it is. I have been on MFP since Jan. 2010. When I started I weighed in at 262. I have counted every calorie and worked out every day. I started out with wii active and loved it and did that until maybe April when i did wii one day and then started the treadmill on opposite days. I could barely do a half hour let alone 300 calories with out being tired, and that was walking. The harder I worked the better I got. And through all of this I was losing weight, 30 lbs by June/July. By the time August came I had hit my plateau I am stuck between 232-237.
I was getting better on the treadmill so I worked on challenging myself everyday to go faster, longer and run for the whole hour. I am up to running at 4mph. (i know it is not that fast but i have short legs) I switched my calories , I raised them to 1700, I lowered them to 1200 but I cannot break the plateau. That was August and it is now Feb. and I am still gaining and losing the same few pounds. I still workout every day.I do the treadmill for and hour most days. I run for at least 60 minutes or 600- 700 calories whatever comes first. I run half of it on an incline. I have tried intervals walking, running, tricking my body whatever. Some days I do a kickboxing dvd with weighted gloves and I burn at least 500 calories. I received a heavy bag for Christmas so after I run I try to box for abut a half hour maybe 150 -200 calories. I have had a HRM since May so the calories are as accurate as I can get. I try to be so active. I don't know what to do anymore, my husband is supportive and says I should be proud of my 30 lbs (give or take the day) weight loss, but I feel like that was the past. I have lost nothing in 6 months. I know my health is better. I can run which i was never able to do even when I was an athlete in High School, I eat better and make better choices. I am not saying I am always perfect because I am not. But I am always honest with myself. I bought smaller clothes but none of this matters to me because no matter how hard I work I am stuck. I know we all have weekly fluctuations but this is really disheartening. To top it off, I went to my doc for a check up. All my blood work is great so there is no medical reason for not losing. But when I ask my doc for some advice and explain how hard I have been working she tells me to have one of the weight loss surgeries. I was trying to avoid these surgeries. i wanted to do it on my own. I wanted to be proud of how hard I worked to reverse years of no exercise and too much fast food. I finally stuck to something to lose weight. I have been here for ONE YEAR. One year of logging and exercising and being honest, and I ask for help and all she sees is a fat chick looking for a quick fix and that was not what I wanted. I will admit this has really killed my mojo. I keep going and working out but i am not sure why. I really don't want to have surgery but I am afraid that is where i am headed. I am shy which is why i never posted anything before but i guess i just needed to vent. I hope I don't get judged to badly Just needed to get some stuff off my chest. If you made it through these jumbled thoughts, thanks for listening.

First off you need to find a different Doctor, anyone that advises surgery FIRST should be slapped up side the head. Next, like said above find a good dietician or QUALIFIED personal trainer, on that works with overweight people not just athletes.
It sounds like you are working hard and doing the right things, there is just something missing. Don’t give up, like you said you are healthier then you have ever been, and that alone is worth your efforts, just keep at it, and seek out help until you find the answers you need.

my5ticdrag0n

push yourself. Get a program that someone else has made. P90X, Insanity, 30 Day Shred. It seems like you need to work harder or eat better. Something isn't adding up here. Your body has gotten used to all the workouts so now you need to step it up.

spoiled12976

Thank you everyone for the kind words and good advice. I will keep trying and keep working. I am glad I am not he only one who doesn't think surgery is a good idea. I want to do this the right way and be proud when someone asks me how I lost the weight. I want to be a good example for my kids. I wanted a lifestyle change, not a quick fix or gimmick. Thanks again

sass30

Congrats on the 30lbs lost! I agree with the others...get a new Dr. Surgery should never be the first recommendation for weight loss. Do you do any strength training? This could help break through your plateau. I think a lot of people over look strength training and I also think everyone needs it. start with 3-5 lb weights. If you do strength train have you tried increasing the weight you lift?
Just a thought. Good luck to you!!

myofibril

First off you need to find a different Doctor, anyone that advises surgery FIRST should be slapped up side the head. Next, like said above find a good dietician or QUALIFIED personal trainer, on that works with overweight people not just athletes.

Agreed. By and large surgical intervention shouldn't be the first course of action recommended unless there are very good reasons (life threatening conditions and so on.)

I think the idea that someone broached earlier about taking a week or two off, eating at maintenance, relaxing your restrictions, letting your hormone levels restore (hello Mr Leptin) and taking away the "stress" of dieting is a very good idea in the first instance.

Most people I know who have gone on an aggressive cut take a break every 12 - 16 weeks (sometimes sooner) to facilitate the process of continued fat loss. I have certainly done so in the past until I have reached my goal (although it usually happens within that time frame anyway.) There is absolutely NO need to run yourself into the ground to acheive a nice physique, particularly with hours and hours of exercise.

callipygianchronicle

Having a calorie deficit is critical weight loss, but what you’re eating is just as important as how much. As others have suggested, seeing a dietician is your next best step. Whether it’s a lack of water, too much sugar, too much sodium, or a lack of nutrients, your body is telling you that it’s not getting the right mix of food to work properly. Figuring out what’s missing and what needs replacing is going to require help. but, you may also want to open your diary. Many people here are great at spotting problems and can give you more specific advice based on what you’re logging.

debcarv

So here it is. I have been on MFP since Jan. 2010. When I started I weighed in at 262. I have counted every calorie and worked out every day. I started out with wii active and loved it and did that until maybe April when i did wii one day and then started the treadmill on opposite days. I could barely do a half hour let alone 300 calories with out being tired, and that was walking. The harder I worked the better I got. And through all of this I was losing weight, 30 lbs by June/July. By the time August came I had hit my plateau I am stuck between 232-237.
I was getting better on the treadmill so I worked on challenging myself everyday to go faster, longer and run for the whole hour. I am up to running at 4mph. (i know it is not that fast but i have short legs) I switched my calories , I raised them to 1700, I lowered them to 1200 but I cannot break the plateau. That was August and it is now Feb. and I am still gaining and losing the same few pounds. I still workout every day.I do the treadmill for and hour most days. I run for at least 60 minutes or 600- 700 calories whatever comes first. I run half of it on an incline. I have tried intervals walking, running, tricking my body whatever. Some days I do a kickboxing dvd with weighted gloves and I burn at least 500 calories. I received a heavy bag for Christmas so after I run I try to box for abut a half hour maybe 150 -200 calories. I have had a HRM since May so the calories are as accurate as I can get. I try to be so active. I don't know what to do anymore, my husband is supportive and says I should be proud of my 30 lbs (give or take the day) weight loss, but I feel like that was the past. I have lost nothing in 6 months. I know my health is better. I can run which i was never able to do even when I was an athlete in High School, I eat better and make better choices. I am not saying I am always perfect because I am not. But I am always honest with myself. I bought smaller clothes but none of this matters to me because no matter how hard I work I am stuck. I know we all have weekly fluctuations but this is really disheartening. To top it off, I went to my doc for a check up. All my blood work is great so there is no medical reason for not losing. But when I ask my doc for some advice and explain how hard I have been working she tells me to have one of the weight loss surgeries. I was trying to avoid these surgeries. i wanted to do it on my own. I wanted to be proud of how hard I worked to reverse years of no exercise and too much fast food. I finally stuck to something to lose weight. I have been here for ONE YEAR. One year of logging and exercising and being honest, and I ask for help and all she sees is a fat chick looking for a quick fix and that was not what I wanted. I will admit this has really killed my mojo. I keep going and working out but i am not sure why. I really don't want to have surgery but I am afraid that is where i am headed. I am shy which is why i never posted anything before but i guess i just needed to vent. I hope I don't get judged to badly Just needed to get some stuff off my chest. If you made it through these jumbled thoughts, thanks for listening.

Dipmom

DO NOT listen to that doctor. You are doing everything right! Spend more time here and you will find the magic combination that works for you. Please do not give up.

hemlock2010

You might check your HRM and make sure your workout is still getting your heart rate up high enough. If you've done a lot of cardio, you may need to try interval training to get your heart rate high enough.

And weight training.

debcarv

Has your doctor checked your thyroid levels? Thyroid levels are " not One size Fits All ", I am hypothyroid and have been for 22 years. This in itself is over half my weight issues, it's very difficult to lose more than a pound or two in a week, and I do mean DIFFICULT! Have the doctor do a thyroid panel to make sure of your levels. Get online and do research on the subject. There's alot of good info out there, helpful too! Good luck to you. DC

mlb929

Hormones? Have you had them checked? Also, there is a book on adrenal fatigue that explains why you would be where you are.

And blood tests aren't always the answer to thyroid results. Temperature charting may be a better way to start.

Have the hormones checked through salvia testing, not blood, it is more accurate. You can do this on your own through the unikey.com website, they give you a consult with a dietitian when your results are back. It's time to think outside the box.

irishgal44

I sent you a message but I wanted to say on here as well, that most of my success so far (haven't only been on here since Jan 3rd)...has been from finding those who inspire me, who are around my weight/goals and who are outgoing on here and adding them as friends. I make my diary public for them to see and when I ask their opinions ,they give it. It's what has made me honest on here (not saying you're not being honest with what you eat, but for me, I never could be 100% honest until I added a big group of support/friends on the site). When they have a bad day, they say it and it makes me feel more human.

Last week, I was having a totally lazy feel sorry for myself day and a MFP friend stated she had burned over 600 calories on the eliptical. I got off my lazy bum, got dressed and ran on my treadmil. Had I not gotten the motivation from having my MFP friend, there is no doubt in my mind I would have never run. And when I do, I add it in and get tons of positive feedback. It is what I need to get the motivation to keep going.

Everyone is right...get a diff doctor. And maybe switch up your food intake. Watch the sodium and drink more water if you're not already doing so. You maybe are not replacing lost water from exercise.

2hdesign

Hang in there! You are still doing wonderful things for yourself, your body and your health!

I agree... run, don't walk, to a new doctor!

I would also cough up the money for a 3times deal with both a qualified trainer and a registered dietician (a local gym can be a good way to find them). Ask for references, specifically from larger clients. Yeah, it costs a lot, but just 3 sessions with each is enough time to give you plenty of information to move you forward to the next level. It's truly worth squeezing the $ for... (and a much better 1st option then surgery!!!).

ColeyCannoli

So here it is. I have been on MFP since Jan. 2010. When I started I weighed in at 262. I have counted every calorie and worked out every day. I started out with wii active and loved it and did that until maybe April when i did wii one day and then started the treadmill on opposite days. I could barely do a half hour let alone 300 calories with out being tired, and that was walking. The harder I worked the better I got. And through all of this I was losing weight, 30 lbs by June/July. By the time August came I had hit my plateau I am stuck between 232-237.
I was getting better on the treadmill so I worked on challenging myself everyday to go faster, longer and run for the whole hour. I am up to running at 4mph. (i know it is not that fast but i have short legs) I switched my calories , I raised them to 1700, I lowered them to 1200 but I cannot break the plateau. That was August and it is now Feb. and I am still gaining and losing the same few pounds. I still workout every day.I do the treadmill for and hour most days. I run for at least 60 minutes or 600- 700 calories whatever comes first. I run half of it on an incline. I have tried intervals walking, running, tricking my body whatever. Some days I do a kickboxing dvd with weighted gloves and I burn at least 500 calories. I received a heavy bag for Christmas so after I run I try to box for abut a half hour maybe 150 -200 calories. I have had a HRM since May so the calories are as accurate as I can get. I try to be so active. I don't know what to do anymore, my husband is supportive and says I should be proud of my 30 lbs (give or take the day) weight loss, but I feel like that was the past. I have lost nothing in 6 months. I know my health is better. I can run which i was never able to do even when I was an athlete in High School, I eat better and make better choices. I am not saying I am always perfect because I am not. But I am always honest with myself. I bought smaller clothes but none of this matters to me because no matter how hard I work I am stuck. I know we all have weekly fluctuations but this is really disheartening. To top it off, I went to my doc for a check up. All my blood work is great so there is no medical reason for not losing. But when I ask my doc for some advice and explain how hard I have been working she tells me to have one of the weight loss surgeries. I was trying to avoid these surgeries. i wanted to do it on my own. I wanted to be proud of how hard I worked to reverse years of no exercise and too much fast food. I finally stuck to something to lose weight. I have been here for ONE YEAR. One year of logging and exercising and being honest, and I ask for help and all she sees is a fat chick looking for a quick fix and that was not what I wanted. I will admit this has really killed my mojo. I keep going and working out but i am not sure why. I really don't want to have surgery but I am afraid that is where i am headed. I am shy which is why i never posted anything before but i guess i just needed to vent. I hope I don't get judged to badly Just needed to get some stuff off my chest. If you made it through these jumbled thoughts, thanks for listening.

forget the doctor, go see a registered dietitian. There's obviously something that's being missed in the equation. Doctors aren't nutrition experts (unless they specifically state that and have the training), they go through a single nutrition course in pre-med, and most don't keep up with current scientific data. You want someone who's sole focus is nutrition.

I'm a post-bac pre-med and I have to agree with this. Though they get a bit more training then "one class in pre-med" they are not nutrition experts unless specified. No one should offhandedly suggest a serious surgery to you like that. There is something wrong somewhere and you need a second opinion to be sure.
Good luck!