Struggling to lose weight

Megs081211

So I eat between 1200 and 1500 calories a day (some days it maybe more). I pretty much only drink water, I MAY eat one processed food item a day (usually cereal, not a sugary cereal like 2 or 3 times a week). I'd say 90% of my foods are from natural sources. I walk my dog for at least an hour usualy 7 days a week (sometimes 6 days) and I try to take classes at the gym Monday-Friday (usually it's weight lifting classes). So 5 days a week I usually work out 2 hours a day (sometimes it doesn't happen but for the most part it does). On the days I exercise more I do increase my caloric intake but still make sure I maintain a deficit (I'm not going to keep myself hungry). But I've been doing this for like 3 weeks now and haven't really lost a pound I keep track of inches as well but haven't really seen a change there. I JUST (like last month) had my thyroid tested and that was normal, and my blood sugar which was normal, and my iron/B12 which was normal, everything was normal or within a good range except my test for inflammation came back positive. But I don't get why I'm having such issues losing weight, I have a BS in nutrition so I know what I'm doing right and what I'm doing wrong. I refuse to drop my calories anymore and I refuse to be hungry. I started keeping track of sugar (which mainly comes from fruit). I'm also on birth control so I'm not sure if that could be a problem (I'm in the process of switching because of hormonal issues)

Some_Watery_Tart

I had similar problems for the last several years. My thyroid tests on the high side. Fasting blood sugar was always normal. They finally found that I was insulin resistant. I"m on metphormin now, and within a few weeks years years of problems started to clear up. I've been on it for 6 months now and my migraines have almost completely stopped, my cycle regulated itself, and I'm finally losing weight! I'm on a low-GI (not low carb) diet, which has helped a lot too. I've been able to get off my migraine and birth control meds too!

YolieCreator

I gained a little weight while on BC, but I've had friends who have gained quite a bit. You never really know for sure how your body will react to them. Just keep at it. Talk to your doctor and see what else you can change, but if you do switch BC then give it a bit and see what happens with your body then. Sorry if this isn't that helpful.

bostonwolf

Try lifting heavier weights and eating more. You might not be eating enough to fuel your workouts properly.

Dragonwolf

With your test for inflammation coming back positive, have you considered trying to cut out grains? Grains (particularly the gluten containing ones) are known to cause inflammation, especially in those that are sensitive to gluten (even if they're not technically Celiac). It might be worth trying something like the Whole 30 challenge for a month and see if anything changes. If nothing else, it gives you a good excuse to try new foods.

With as much as you're exercising, make sure you're eating enough. You don't mention how much extra you're eating vs how much you burn. You also don't mention your height (it's possible that the 1500 figure is a little too low to start with). So, another thing to try is up your calories by 100-200 and see if anything changes. If you find yourself gaining weight after about a month, then drop back down to what you eat now.

jzammetti

Try lifting heavier weights and eating more. You might not be eating enough to fuel your workouts properly.

Absent any medical issues, this is your answer.

hippiemermaid

It sounds like you are tracking things very well. When you go to the gym, do you work through some sort of exercise routine?? Are you lifting heavy, raising your heart rate, breaking a sweat and barely eeking out the last three reps?? I know I personally used to struggle at the gym. I thought I was doing MUCH more than I actually was.

As far as diet, a large part of your day does need to come from carbs. But not all grain-like carbs which you know break down to sugar quicker and if not used, stored as fat. I do not eat grain-like carbs after noon. I pretty much only have oatmeal in the am with my eggs and kale. After that it is a series of small snacks and meals that are primarily veggies!!

You are doing great!! I wouldn't look at weight or measurements until AFTER the first 30 days!! You can do this. You are determined. Visualze yourself as you want to be....lean, healthy, strong, energetic and REACHING all of your goals!!!

Are you on FB?? I help a lot of people on there! Feel free to find me: https://www.facebook.com/lindsay.stay?ref=ts&fref=ts

Megs081211

With your test for inflammation coming back positive, have you considered trying to cut out grains? Grains (particularly the gluten containing ones) are known to cause inflammation, especially in those that are sensitive to gluten (even if they're not technically Celiac). It might be worth trying something like the Whole 30 challenge for a month and see if anything changes. If nothing else, it gives you a good excuse to try new foods.

With as much as you're exercising, make sure you're eating enough. You don't mention how much extra you're eating vs how much you burn. You also don't mention your height (it's possible that the 1500 figure is a little too low to start with). So, another thing to try is up your calories by 100-200 and see if anything changes. If you find yourself gaining weight after about a month, then drop back down to what you eat now.

I'm only 5'1, I don't really eat a whole lot of grain or gluten other than the cereal a few times a week. Plus the higher protein diets give me a lot of gastro issues. I've been having a lot of issues with my back and she thinks it maybe arthritis in my back (would be very frustrating since I'm only 24)

Megs081211

It sounds like you are tracking things very well. When you go to the gym, do you work through some sort of exercise routine?? Are you lifting heavy, raising your heart rate, breaking a sweat and barely eeking out the last three reps?? I know I personally used to struggle at the gym. I thought I was doing MUCH more than I actually was.

As far as diet, a large part of your day does need to come from carbs. But not all grain-like carbs which you know break down to sugar quicker and if not used, stored as fat. I do not eat grain-like carbs after noon. I pretty much only have oatmeal in the am with my eggs and kale. After that it is a series of small snacks and meals that are primarily veggies!!

You are doing great!! I wouldn't look at weight or measurements until AFTER the first 30 days!! You can do this. You are determined. Visualze yourself as you want to be....lean, healthy, strong, energetic and REACHING all of your goals!!!

Are you on FB?? I help a lot of people on there! Feel free to find me: https://www.facebook.com/lindsay.stay?ref=ts&fref=ts

I do have an exercise routine. I do weights 3 times a week and when I walk my dog I try to do HIIT. I bought a polar watch with the heart rate monitor to make sure I was geting my heart rate up and keep better track of calories burned. I mainly sake of fruits or veggies every now and then I might have something bad for me but it's like once a week.

Dragonwolf

With your test for inflammation coming back positive, have you considered trying to cut out grains? Grains (particularly the gluten containing ones) are known to cause inflammation, especially in those that are sensitive to gluten (even if they're not technically Celiac). It might be worth trying something like the Whole 30 challenge for a month and see if anything changes. If nothing else, it gives you a good excuse to try new foods.

With as much as you're exercising, make sure you're eating enough. You don't mention how much extra you're eating vs how much you burn. You also don't mention your height (it's possible that the 1500 figure is a little too low to start with). So, another thing to try is up your calories by 100-200 and see if anything changes. If you find yourself gaining weight after about a month, then drop back down to what you eat now.

I'm only 5'1, I don't really eat a whole lot of grain or gluten other than the cereal a few times a week. Plus the higher protein diets give me a lot of gastro issues. I've been having a lot of issues with my back and she thinks it maybe arthritis in my back (would be very frustrating since I'm only 24)

It still might be worth considering cutting it out completely (it can take several weeks for the effects of gluten on the body to work themselves out). Also, a gluten-free (and even the Whole 30 and similar diets) don't need to be high protein. In fact, a large number of them are high fat, moderate protein, and low(ish) carbs, though there are a number that are higher in carbs (which might work better for you, given all that you do).

Here's some info on potential links between gluten sensitivity and arthritis - http://www.celiac.com/articles/85/1/Arthritis-and-Celiac-Disease/Page1.html
http://www.glutenfreesociety.org/gluten-free-society-blog/gluten-sensitivity-and-rheumatoid-arthritis-is-there-a-connection/