*sigh*

springsmiles

My best friend said almost the same exact thing to me just five minutes ago. perhaps you should get the help of a trainer from your gym to sit down and go over diet and exercise there is no other way it is a matter of eating right not cheating and working out. weights and machines will build muscles and muscles burn fat cardio exercise burns calories. The only other trick is what food you are eating. learn about good carbs and bad carbs learn about protein ratios to carbs. You can do this we are all here to help.

Okapi42

Thanks for the idea, springsmiles, but I avoid gyms. I'd find nothing more demotivational than having to go inside one. I'd rather exercise outside, whatever the weather. I have to avoid any kind of weight training beyond my physical therapy for my upper body, and my legs and core are already quite strong from all the cycling, walking, and horse riding!

I suspect the gym's trainers are trained to sell you whatver they're meant to market, rather than anything with a scientific basis. Plus I'm afraid I'd meet those kinds of people there - you know, the ones who value their abs over their heads and consequently have the grammar and rhetoric ability of a stale rice cake.

And Confuzzled, I think you're right. Time to switch doctors. If I can find one that's accepting new patients.

jilliew

Maybe you should take a month off of the scale, continue tracking and excersizing, though, and focus on how you FEEL. Are you sleeping better? Do you have more energy? Are your pants feeling less tight? Thinking more clearly? Feeling more happy? I know that for me sometimes the scale doesn't move for weeks and weeks, but I know I'm doing something right because I feel SO much better than I did before I started eating "right" and working out, and my body definitely lets me know it's unhappy when I skip a week of working out or I binge on something I shouldn't be eating.

Mcgrawhaha

no, you have 2 options. 1) your doing something wrong, either in your logging or your math, or 2) you have an underlying medical condition which can be diagnosed by a medical professional, possibly an under active thyroid, or one of many other medical issues that can affect weight gain / loss.

Mcgrawhaha

I second the double checking of measurements. Literally everything has to be accounted for. Drinks, salad dressing, fruit, veg, sauces. Water intake seems to effect my fat loss ability. If I don't drink enough water everything slows down. Also, over estimating your calorie needs. Double check your TDEE workings. If you included your exercise in your calcs are you still eating back exercise calories? You may be over eating if so.

yes, this! and dont quote me, because im not a road mapper, but from what ive read, the exercise is already figured into the calorie calculations, therefore, if she is also eating back calories, she may be eating basically double her exercise calories... your math needs to be right on with all of your calculations using road map, atleast, from what i can see. accurate logging is a must! i log my coffee creamer, my fiber powder, and even cough drops... everything adds up!!!

bikermike5094

read Robb Wolfs book, the paleo diet. he was a vegan for years, he is also a research microbiologist. I've been paleo for 5 weeks, 12 lbs lost and all I do is walk a mile a day. I tried calorie counting etc for a year and no luck. I'm 48, started at 320 lbs and now down to 308 since 1 Jan.

aj445

Thanks for the idea, springsmiles, but I avoid gyms. I'd find nothing more demotivational than having to go inside one. I'd rather exercise outside, whatever the weather. I have to avoid any kind of weight training beyond my physical therapy for my upper body, and my legs and core are already quite strong from all the cycling, walking, and horse riding!

I suspect the gym's trainers are trained to sell you whatver they're meant to market, rather than anything with a scientific basis. Plus I'm afraid I'd meet those kinds of people there - you know, the ones who value their abs over their heads and consequently have the grammar and rhetoric ability of a stale rice cake.

And Confuzzled, I think you're right. Time to switch doctors. If I can find one that's accepting new patients.

Strength training for your lower body is WAY different than just cycling, walking, horse back riding. You still need to do strength training for your legs even if you're already active. Increase the intensity of your current workouts and add in strength training for your lower body, and upper (once done physio)

Okapi42

yes, this! and dont quote me, because im not a road mapper, but from what ive read, the exercise is already figured into the calorie calculations, therefore, if she is also eating back calories, she may be eating basically double her exercise calories... your math needs to be right on with all of your calculations using road map, atleast, from what i can see. accurate logging is a must! i log my coffee creamer, my fiber powder, and even cough drops... everything adds up!!!

Sorry if I'm grumpy about this, but you're doing the same thing my doctor does that makes me so angry - deciding it must be my fault for not logging everything accurately. I know I do - I even put in the single grape I snaffled off my co-worker at lunch.

I've got my activity level here set as "sedentary", because I do log the walking I do every day, rather than assume it's included. (It varies, so I track it using a pedometer.) I don't log things like climbing stairs and the yard work that's a major part of my job.

Maybe you should take a month off of the scale, continue tracking and excersizing, though, and focus on how you FEEL. Are you sleeping better? Do you have more energy? Are your pants feeling less tight? Thinking more clearly? Feeling more happy? I know that for me sometimes the scale doesn't move for weeks and weeks, but I know I'm doing something right because I feel SO much better than I did before I started eating "right" and working out, and my body definitely lets me know it's unhappy when I skip a week of working out or I binge on something I shouldn't be eating.

That sounds sensible. Trouble is, this isn't something new I've just started (though I've only recently started using this particular website.) It's been over a year now that I've been exercising at this level - or usually higher, because last year I didn't have an injury to contend with - and I've been eating sensibly all along, as confirmed by logging it now. My weight hasn't changed in that entire year, for better or worse. :-/

Okapi42

Because a few people were saying it would let them give better advice, I've just opened my food diary. (Edited for typo).

UsedToBeHusky

Potential possibilities:

1. You've miscalculated your TDEE.
2. You are cutting out too many unsaturated fats.
3. You might have an undiagnosed thyroid condition.
4. You just need to stop weighing yourself everyday. (Stressing yourself out will cause in an increase in cortisol levels.)

*edited to add -

5. Your electrolytes could be imbalanced. Track potassium and sodium.

UsedToBeHusky

I can't believe your dietitian said you have to start eating meat. Not a very good RD IMHO if she is meeting the cultural and ethical restrictions of her client. Anyways besides being totally disgusted by your RD and MD....

Not everyone believes that meat is the devil, including MOST dietiticians.

Okapi42

Potential possibilities:

1. You've miscalculated your TDEE.
2. You are cutting out too many unsaturated fats.
3. You might have an undiagnosed thyroid condition.
4. You just need to stop weighing yourself everyday. (Stressing yourself out will cause in an increase in cortisol levels.)

*edited to add -

5. Your electrolytes could be imbalanced. Track potassium and sodium.

Now that you mention it, I know my cortisol level is chronically (as in measured over years) elevated to several times what it should be - but again, my doctor doesn't seem to think it's a problem. Wouldn't it just be water weight then?

Not everyone believes that meat is the devil, including MOST dietiticians.

I don't believe that eating meat is inherently evil. (Except chicken. Because I'm allergic to chicken, of all things. So was my father.) I just never liked the taste or texture, haven't eaten it in so long that I now can't digest it properly, and DO have a major problem with factory farming and *overconsumption* of meat leading to soil erosion and food poverty in other countries. So I believe that not eating it is a perfectly reasonable choice for me, and that if I don't have it, hey, more for you. You're welcome. Enjoy!

Helloitsdan

Maybe send a PM to the creator of The Road Map thingie?
He may be able to shed some light?

UsedToBeHusky

Potential possibilities:

1. You've miscalculated your TDEE.
2. You are cutting out too many unsaturated fats.
3. You might have an undiagnosed thyroid condition.
4. You just need to stop weighing yourself everyday. (Stressing yourself out will cause in an increase in cortisol levels.)

*edited to add -

5. Your electrolytes could be imbalanced. Track potassium and sodium.

Now that you mention it, I know my cortisol level is chronically (as in measured over years) elevated to several times what it should be - but again, my doctor doesn't seem to think it's a problem. Wouldn't it just be water weight then?

Water weight can be addressed with number 5. Most people think that you get rid of retained water by drinking more water. This is false. Water retention is managed by your electrolyte balance, particularly the balance between sodium and potassium. If you are defecient in one, it will cause you to retain water. My understanding of cortisol is that it causes the muscles to perform more efficiently, and therefore, you burn less calories for the same activity. However, I am not familiar with a condition where increased cortisol levels is a natural state for the body. I really have no idea how to advise you to address that. I would suggest doing some further research on the effects of cortisol on the body and you may find a better way to address it.

Not everyone believes that meat is the devil, including MOST dietiticians.

I don't believe that eating meat is inherently evil. (Except chicken. Because I'm allergic to chicken, of all things. So was my father.) I just never liked the taste or texture, haven't eaten it in so long that I now can't digest it properly, and DO have a major problem with factory farming and *overconsumption* of meat leading to soil erosion and food poverty in other countries. So I believe that not eating it is a perfectly reasonable choice for me, and that if I don't have it, hey, more for you. You're welcome. Enjoy!

Sorry. I must have missed where you stated that you actively avoid meat in your diet. Protein is an important nutrient to the body, in particular, the muscle. The muscle is what drives the metabolism as it is the part that actively uses energy. Meat is the most efficient source of protein so I would recommend, at least occassionally, incorporating it into your diet. You can purchase organic meats since you have issues with inhumane farming practices. Are you allergic to eggs as well?

BTW poultry allergy is unfamiliar territory for me so I may just be talking out the other side of my *kitten*. I'm just trying to help with the best of my own knowledge. I would definitely explore the cortisol issues if I were you, even if you do decide to keep your diet meat-free.

Anewstart2013

Not sure if you have had it tested but i was stalled out on my weightloss for 7 months didnt loose or gain. They checked my thyroid my hormones you name it they checked. I ended up going to an endo and nothing finally a neuro and she tested my vitamin b and d levels my vitamin d level was 5 which is dangerously low. I now take supplements faithfully as my body doesnt absorb it at a normal rate and my weight is starting to come off again. Just a suggestion and keep it up sooner it later youll start loosing and at least your not gaining!

MyChocolateDiet

I know you have a lot of really good reasons for not going to the gym and stuff, but I saw this yesterday and it's been stuck in my craw that I needed someone to show it to, and after reading your entire thread and every bit of dialogue I CHOOSE YOU!

It was posted in a group I made myself a member of as follows:

"You MUST see this video. It might just change your life. I'm not kidding. At the very least, it will get you off the sofa and make your heart pound and squeeze a tear from your eye and put a big smile on your face. "

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=4925797056266

benol1

Hang in there, Okapi!

MeMyCatsandI

Maybe send a PM to the creator of The Road Map thingie?
He may be able to shed some light?

^^Absolutely THIS!^
And I'm certainly no expert, but it seems to me that you should increase your protein, drop your carbs a bit, eat fewer processed foods and less sweets (Take this "sweets" bit with a grain of salt. Half of the items in your food diary are things I've never even heard of,but they sound like sweets to me!).

melaniecheeks

From a quick look at your diary, I'd suggest not eating back ALL your exercise calories, and start tracking your sugar.

And remember, you are a strong, confident woman - you can do this!

toomuchbootyindapants

What a great attitude. Nothing like negativity to attract more negativity. I'd suggest starting with your thoughts first...sounds like food/diet is playing second fiddler to those.

Helloitsdan

What a great attitude. Nothing like negativity to attract more negativity. I'd suggest starting with your thoughts first...sounds like food/diet is playing second fiddler to those.

First off HOLY CRAP DIZZLE!!! YOUR BACK IS WOW!!!!!!

Secondly it seems that OP posted the thread to ask a question the refute everything offered.
I still dont understand why when people have issues with any program that they dont go to the source.
It doesnt compute!

Okapi42

Secondly it seems that OP posted the thread to ask a question the refute everything offered.

Well, yes. I'm going to "refute" things that simply aren't true, like people suggesting that I don't log everything, because I do. If it were that simple, I'd have figured it out myself, thanks. And while I'm aware that on any fitness website you're inevitably going to get people claiming that weightlifting is the one true way to happiness, I simply don't believe them. Especially because weightlifting is pretty much out for me, which I've explained. Enjoy your fully functional nervous system while you have it!

I still dont understand why when people have issues with any program that they dont go to the source.

My "source" is a nutritionist that I definitely don't trust, because the material she gave me recommends loading up on processed carbs at the cost of protein. I'm aware that I probably don't get quite enough protein as it is!

WBB55

Do you like vegetables? upping your fresh vegies and 100% whole grains might help with your fiber intake. No one's perfect, but I see lots of days where you have less than 15g of fiber.

We know you can do this. You're obviously very smart and can accomplish whatever you set your mind to.