When Dieting Doesn't Work?

Poison5119

Okay, here's the problem -- the following paragraph is my daughter explaining her attempt at losing weight. I'm stumped, she's having no luck. Keep in mind this girl is like 5'8" and a SAHM of two toddlers.

Amy said -- "I was dieting (for nearly 2 full months..)I was very strict, and I did not use any of the things like butter, mayo, etc. In fact, I typically use margarine (not butter), mustard (no mayo), and lower fat cheeses and milk. I drink only crystal lite. I use a nonfat nondairy creamer, and rarely eat candy. I rarely eat fried foods. So, during the diet, I was just more conscious of my calories, and removed a few more things like cheeseburgers and mindless snacking. I was taking in a very healthy, low fat 1600 cal. per day. (as recommended on the WebMD system.) I walked 5 days a week, about 2-3 miles per day. I marked all of this down in a food diary, and yet in 2 months, I lost nothing. not 1 lb.! Then, I got fed up and stopped dieting. Since then, I have not gained a single pound....so I am very confused about what I need to do to really affect my weight. " ---

Certainly exercise should have effected her weight. I thought, maybe she's not eating enough? I advised her to check the tape measure, but certainly a strict caloric allowance and exercise should have produced some results. Any ideas? I'm stumped.

MTGirl

How much is your daughter trying to lose?? I would say that maybe she needs some more of the healthier fats in her diet and possibly her calories weren't high enough - since she has resumed her old eating habits and hasn't gained any weight. But, would help to know where she is on the "overweight" spectrum. Is she trying to lose 10 or 20 lbs or 100?

stylistchik

I know a lot of people taking exercising too lightly. Walking might not be getting her heart rate up enough to be effective. Jogging, elliptical, stair master, bicycling and weight lifting might pump it up a bit.

Poison5119

How much is your daughter trying to lose?? I would say that maybe she needs some more of the healthier fats in her diet and possibly her calories weren't high enough - since she has resumed her old eating habits and hasn't gained any weight. But, would help to know where she is on the "overweight" spectrum. Is she trying to lose 10 or 20 lbs or 100?

35 lbs.

mnichol

I know a lot of people taking exercising too lightly. Walking might not be getting her heart rate up enough to be effective. Jogging, elliptical, stair master, bicycling and weight lifting might pump it up a bit.

I agree, you have to get out of your "comfort zone" when exercising.

weasleman42

I drink only crystal lite.

Does she drink plain water at all?

MTGirl

I would think with that amount to lose, she was eating adequate calories - maybe she should look at a more challenging exercise routine - videos or tennis or swimming and maybe drop to 1500 calories a day. I would also encourage her to add back in some healthy fats - olive oil, nuts, avocado, fish. Our bodies need the healthy fats. Not huge quantities, but some. Those changes may help her. Can she sign up for a membership here?

Poison5119

Yes she's drinking water, and yes, she could join and I've encouraged her to do so (curiously she has not made that move yet to my knowledge),
I did email her and encourage her to join the gym and up her exercise routine. Thanks for the advice.