Beyond frustrated and need answers please

kristenn1989

I keep gaining weight. It doesn’t matter what I eat or how active I am.

I’m 5’4 and currently (and embarrassingly) 173lbs.

From what I’ve done in calculations, my BMR is 1600-ish. If I wanted to maintain my weight, the internets tell me that I need 2200. (I don't)

How is it that if I eat about 1400-1500 calories daily that I am packing on pounds like no tomorrow.

Since march 1st, I have gained 23lbs. This can’t be normal, right?

astrampe

Go see your dr..

BSBgirl337

This site tells you to eat 2200 calories a day? I am kind of near your height and weight, and need 1200?? I am trying to diet rather than maintain, but I can't imagine it would go up that much for maintenance.

suziecue66

Yeh, see you're doctor.

VickieZureich

How much salt, sugar and white flour products are you eating? It makes a huge difference just by taking these three things out of your diet to lose....believe me I know.

kristenn1989

I've seen my doctor. They've tested my blood levels. Only thing the doc said to me was move more and eat even less.

One_Undone

I don't know how active you are, but if you drop your calorie count below a certain point, such as by reducing your intake too quickly, your body can actually go into starvation mode and hold onto every calorie it can, because it believes you're starving.

If nothing else has helped, you could try increasing your intake by 100 or 200 calories a day and keep doing the same level of activity and see if it makes a difference. Once your body believes it has what it needs, it won't be reluctant to burn excess calories.

punkybrewster88

Lift weights. I was stalled at weight loss, even gaining as well and I added back in weightlifting (which I wasn't doing to to injury/laziness) and lo and behold I started losing (have to note that I added more protein to my diet as well). Have found that is key for me.

suziecue66

I've seen my doctor. They've tested my blood levels. Only thing the doc said to me was move more and eat even less.

Did he test whether possible pregnancy? Maybe some kind of cyst growth that contributed to weight?
You've already done a great job and lost loads. Perhaps need to decrease calories a little more.

kristenn1989

If I'm pregnant, it'd be immaculate conception. lol

and I generally try to aim for 1400-1500.

suziecue66

If I'm pregnant, it'd be immaculate conception. lol

and I generally try to aim for 1400-1500.

LOL! How much did you eat to lose the 70 pounds?

ZugTheMegasaurus

I've seen my doctor. They've tested my blood levels. Only thing the doc said to me was move more and eat even less.

See another doctor. If you feel like something is wrong, then find someone who will listen. Take it from someone who suffered far too long and ended up with serious consequences: doctors are fallible just like the rest of us. Blood tests aren't everything, not even close. Unless you're four feet tall or something, you shouldn't rapidly gain such a huge amount of weight on 1400 calories (and even then I have my doubts). Please get a second opinion.

caraiselite

have you tried low carb?
cal restriction didn't work for me either.

kristenn1989

I was probably eating closer to 1300 at that point. I upped it a bit because living at home now, 1300 is too low with the type of food there is to eat here.

debussyschild

I've seen my doctor. They've tested my blood levels. Only thing the doc said to me was move more and eat even less.

Really??? Did they check your thyroid? 1400-1500 calories with exercise might not be enough food, but it shouldn't cause you to gain that much weight, especially if you're exercising. Maybe a second opinion might be in order?? Wish you the best :flowerforyou:

kristenn1989

have you tried low carb?
cal restriction didn't work for me either.

I've never tried low carb per say. But I try not to over eat breads, and I don't really eat pasta. I love fruit though.

saracambell

Have your thyroid checked.

kristenn1989

I've seen my doctor. They've tested my blood levels. Only thing the doc said to me was move more and eat even less.

Really??? Did they check your thyroid? 1400-1500 calories with exercise might not be enough food, but it shouldn't cause you to gain that much weight, especially if you're exercising. Maybe a second opinion might be in order?? Wish you the best :flowerforyou:

Yep. they checked multiple different thyroid levels.

NotReadyForMomJeans

Have they tested for hypothyroidism? It certainly makes me gain (despite best efforts to the contrary - when not at my correct synthroid dosage) and makes weight loss difficult. Your profile picture does not indicate you're a person with an extra 23 lbs of body weight....

skinnylove00

are you taking any medications?

flukes9

I agree that you should talk to a nutritionist.....you definitely shouldn't be gaining. I do think you're not getting enough calories...I think 1400-1600 for your height/weight is WAY TOO LITTLE...your body could be holding onto the fat because it's in starvation mode, which might explain why you're not losing. I would do more research or get a second opinion to make sure there's nothing medical going on, but I think you're calorie goal is too low.