My body is confused!! HELP!!

tripletmom2004

I admit that I have abused my body in the last 4 years. I went to a weight loss clinic in 2009 and got down to 145 (I am 5'9") and I maintained for a good 9 months by running. They also had me on "supplements" and eating their specialized protein shakes/bars 3 xs a day. Needless to say I ended up gaining it back and then returned to the same place (DUMB I know) and got back down to 150. Then I yo yoed again and was back up to around 175-180. I then decided to try Medi weight Loss (DUMB I know) and they had me on appetite suppresants and all protein 500 calories a day. I only did a month because the costs just became ridiculous. So now I feel like my metabolism is so screwed up and my body doesn't know whether it is coming and going. I have had problems with binge eating in the past. I have been trying MFP for about a month now and back to the gym at least 4 times a week but I am not telling any difference. I have tried my calories at 1200 and at 1500 plus eating back my exercise calories. I haven't weighed myself since I started MFP at 175. I am 41 years old. UGH. Is my body forever screwed up and confused????

nxd10

You and your body need to have some time to adjust to a good, normal healthy diet of real food.

Let MFP calculate your calories for you. Eat them and your exercise calories (eat your net calorie goals).

Make sure your diet is healthy - lots of food that are not heavily processed. Drink lots of water.

Your body will remember what it's supposed to do. This isn't fast and some people don't find it easy. But it does work.

deksgrl

You might want to try to reset your metabolism by eating at your TDEE maintenance for several weeks or a month. Then after that, cut 15-20% depending on how much weight you have to lose.

MinnieInMaine

First of all, how can you know whether or not you've made any progress if you haven't weighed or measured yourself in some other way? We usually can't tell by looking in the mirror because we see ourselves at least a few times a day every day and the small changes aren't as evident. Maybe your clothes are fitting a little looser?

Second, if you're going to change your calorie goals around, you need to give each change a good 3-4 weeks. We all think our bodies should respond immediately to changes made but it just doesn't work that way. No one mentions patience as a key to weight loss, but trust me on this one, it's HUGE! You're used to these diet plans that probably gave you really fast results. Well, it's because of all those suppliments and low calorie goals. You know now that those aren't the healthy way to go.

Third, it is possible that your metablism is a little messed up but that doesn't mean you can't fix it. It sounds to me, based on your height and weight that 1500 is a better calorie goal to shoot for so I'd stick with that one for a while longer. And make sure you get as close to that every day as you can. Don't close out your days under just to get that neat little message on your home page (such a huge pet peeve of mine as it encourages folks to undereat). Also start exercising if you're not already as this will rev things up a bit for you.

Good luck!