When do you contact your doctor?

kkstill

When do you decide to contact a physician about weight loss platuea? I am currently at 206.5 lbs after losing 51 lbs before end of March. Since March I have only lost 2.5 lbs. With advise from a personal trainer. I upped my calorie count from 1495 calories a day to 1600 calories a day and quit eating my exercise calories. On the exercise level I went from only walking and High Intensity Running to putting a variety of activities. I added cycling, elliptical, a machine like the elliptical but much harder and strength training. The first week of doing this is when I lost the 2.5 lbs. After that for 2 weeks nothing and that is where I stand. Since I am 5'1 and 206.5 lbs I know I am not enough close to where I need to be. At this point would you contact physican to see if something medical is preventing the further weight loss?

RealWomenLovePitbulls

a doctor could do some tests and make sure something isnt preventing you from losing the weight.
Do you take a daily multi-vitamin?? If not, this could really help. A daily vitamin will help regulate your thyroid and other organs to make them flush out the toxins more efficiently. Low iron can also stunt your weight loss, a vitamin will help with that as well.

mcarter99

I've experienced long plateaus like that from starting a new exercise program. I have no idea what it's from but I did eventually start losing again, and I do think the exercise was making positive changes in my body, albeit not measurable by the scale or even tape measure always. Water retention in muscle? I don't know.

I think someone here said an endo told them 19 out of 20 people he sees don't have thyroid problems (or any problems). But you could be in that 5%. So it might feel good to rule it out.

Good luck!

nxd10

Are you being hard on yourself?

If I understand your time line . . .

You were incredibly successful at losing 58 pounds.

Then you plateaued.

Three weeks ago you changed your routine and have lost 2.5 pounds.

If you are on a pound a week schedule, you're more or less on track, aren't you? Especially as you probably gained a bit of muscle and there are normal ups and downs in weight during the month due to hormones?

If I've got your timeline correct, it sounds like you're getting back on track. I'd give it another month before I worried too much. Weight loss is frustratingly slow, but it sounds like you're moving again.

cramernh

Are you being hard on yourself?

If I understand your time line . . .

You were incredibly successful at losing 58 pounds.

Then you plateaued.

Three weeks ago you changed your routine and have lost 2.5 pounds.

If you are on a pound a week schedule, you're more or less on track, aren't you? Especially as you probably gained a bit of muscle and there are normal ups and downs in weight during the month due to hormones?

If I've got your timeline correct, it sounds like you're getting back on track. I'd give it another month before I worried too much. Weight loss is frustratingly slow, but it sounds like you're moving again.

I second this... any change from one method to an upgraded method will mean the body needs time to adapt to the changes... you probably have shook it up a bit (for the right reasons)..

Stick with it for another four weeks and see how you do...

OHHHHHH do yourself a favor - dont rely on the scale.... Crack out the measuring tape....

kkstill

Thyroid was checked on last physical in November. It was fine. I dont take Multi-Vitamins because they make me nauseous., My sodium count could be lower but I try to combat that with water. I dont know about Iron count.

kkstill

I actually look at the scale and measurements and unfortunately measurements arent changing either.

stylistchik

A doctor won't really be able to help you unless there is a medical issue. If you're concerned you could consult a dietician or a weight loss specialist.

SeasideOasis

Are you being hard on yourself?

If I understand your time line . . .

You were incredibly successful at losing 58 pounds.

Then you plateaued.

Three weeks ago you changed your routine and have lost 2.5 pounds.

If you are on a pound a week schedule, you're more or less on track, aren't you? Especially as you probably gained a bit of muscle and there are normal ups and downs in weight during the month due to hormones?

If I've got your timeline correct, it sounds like you're getting back on track. I'd give it another month before I worried too much. Weight loss is frustratingly slow, but it sounds like you're moving again.

I with this as well. While you have more to do, you have lost a TON and the closer you get to your goal, the harder it is.

Last summer (before I fell off the wagon big time), my weight didn't budge, but my muscles eventually moved. Scales dont show the real truth as something as simple as bloating can mess with your scale.

seeled

I read an article the other day that said vitamin D deficiancy could make you not lose weight to. When I had all my blood work done, my vitamin D was wayyyyyyyyy low! Dr. adviced me to take 5,000 iUa day which is A LOT. Might want to look at that too. The article said most people have a deficiancy. Worth a shot! Hope it helps me. I have been taking them about a little over 3 weeks now. Been exercising and watching what I eat better and have lost 9 lbs. Good luck!

Bobby_Clerici

Yesterday:bigsmile:
Seriously, you should have a complete physical BEFORE you begin any new program geared toward weight loss and fitness.
And any issues you confront, check the symptoms and communicate that to your Doc.
Good Luck!

cramernh

A doctor won't really be able to help you unless there is a medical issue. If you're concerned you could consult a dietician or a weight loss specialist.

A primary care physician can get the initial blood tests ordered. Once the labs come in, the PCP can determine whether or not he/she can treat the patient or if the patient needs to be referred to the Specialty Physician that holds the license to treat said-problems that are out of the licensure of a PCP...

Sorry, but a PCP can definitely get things started.

morkiemama

Are you being hard on yourself?

If I understand your time line . . .

You were incredibly successful at losing 58 pounds.

Then you plateaued.

Three weeks ago you changed your routine and have lost 2.5 pounds.

If you are on a pound a week schedule, you're more or less on track, aren't you? Especially as you probably gained a bit of muscle and there are normal ups and downs in weight during the month due to hormones?

If I've got your timeline correct, it sounds like you're getting back on track. I'd give it another month before I worried too much. Weight loss is frustratingly slow, but it sounds like you're moving again.

This. Your body needs time to adjust to the new routine. Give it some more time. Another month sounds right. Then re-evaluate.

heatherterp

Are you getting enough fiber in your diet and are you drinking enough water? Those 2 things could help a lot. good job with changing up the work out. Maybe try eating fewer calories for a week say 1200 and then back up to whatever is recommended.
you need to find what is best for you. Or call your doc and ask. Save the copay on a phone call

DataBased

Personally, I asked my Dr. to do a blood panel on me before I started trying to lose weight. I had reason, because my oldest daughter was diagnosed with Hashimoto's disease, which tends to run in families. I just wanted to be certain that anything that might be lurking in my blood was factored in before I began losing weight and getting healthy. That way, I would know if my efforts were successful (or not) because of my own efforts or a medical condition.

My blood panel came through clean and I've plateau'd a number of times, as well. So I've been modifying my macros - mostly trying to find the right balance of carbs, protein, etc. The advice you've gotten here is good - give your new strategy a few weeks and be patient. Keep doing what you're doing. Don't get too discouraged and definitely do not quit.

But it never hurts to get a blood panel done. IMHO. :flowerforyou:

mcarter99

If it's not thyroid, what other medical issues make weight loss slow? Or is the idea to consult your doctor just to have him sign off on your weight loss plan, to confirm it's sensible?

stylistchik

A doctor won't really be able to help you unless there is a medical issue. If you're concerned you could consult a dietician or a weight loss specialist.

A primary care physician can get the initial blood tests ordered. Once the labs come in, the PCP can determine whether or not he/she can treat the patient or if the patient needs to be referred to the Specialty Physician that holds the license to treat said-problems that are out of the licensure of a PCP...

Sorry, but a PCP can definitely get things started.

She said she already had blood work done...

vjrose

Plateau's come and go, that said, did you see a doctor before you started and have you seen one recently? Always good to get monitored, my blood work at the beginning was good, tests at 50 lbs were better but she had to up my thyroid med. So yeah, maybe there has been a change in your metabolism and it might be time for some bloodwork. After about 40lbs though my weight loss ceased to be even and started to come in fits and starts, 2 lbs, then 3 weeks then another lb, however over a month is still seems to average out to around a lb a week.

1234567kate9

Thought this article about plateaus was interesting
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/11/weight-loss-plateau_n_1004197.html

pinuplove

I had a complete physical and bloodwork done before I started to check thyroid, hormone levels, iron, vit/min levels, cholesterol/trig, etc, to have a good starting baseline. Everything was normal, so I knew it was all up to me to make a lifestyle change. I did start an anti-depressant, as I was coming out of a very rough few years. Even so, it took me six months to really get serious about making the changes I needed to make.

If I hit a plateau now, I would probably go ahead and schedule a recheck of my blood work since it's been a year now. Otherwise, just stay the course. It's frustrating, but plateaus are par for the course unfortunately.

lciupa

Thyroid was checked on last physical in November. It was fine. I dont take Multi-Vitamins because they make me nauseous., My sodium count could be lower but I try to combat that with water. I dont know about Iron count.

Have you tried taking the vitamins at night? I cant take them in the morning for the same reason. I find right before I go to bed is the best time.