Am I meant to not be fit?

Justlikeyou
Justlikeyou Posts: 16
edited January 4 in Health and Weight Loss
IF IT'S TOO LONG,READ THE QUESTION IN THE END.



4 years ago I wasn't exercising at all.No sports.Just school,computer and that's all.I would eat junk and sweets everyday.After two years I started losing weight.And in a REALLY bad way.I still didn't exercise.I would eat ~2 times a day.Or 3 but really really small portions.I didn't know it was THAT bad!Anyways,I lost 8 kg (Sorry,don't know the number in pounds) that way.And so after that I started feeling really bad.I was always tired,always angry or sad,I would get dizzy when I would need to climb the stairs,I couldn't walk for long.And most important,my period DISAPPEARED.It was gone for 6 months. I went to the doctor and she said that I should eat more and that everything else is fine.So I started eating more and my period was back.But I wasn't happy about what I looked like.I started dieting again and the same thing happened.Just it wasn't that bad this time,just my period disappeared again.
At summer of 2012 ( still didn't have my period) I started eating more but my period wasn't back.I started cycling like ~40 mins usually everyday unless I couldn't for some reason.I saw results on my legs.I also started hua hooping using a massage hula hoop.I saw results after about a month.
At summer I also tried INSANITY which was REALLY hard.Because I wasn't eating enough and I was too tired to do it.But I still completed it.And I saw NO results.Only my legs got a little thinner.
A month ago I had started Hip hop Abs and Rockin' Body by Shaun T .It was really fun,but at the beginning I was feeling tired.
Since my period wasn't back I started eating more like a little more than a week ago and I gained 3 kg ( I was and I am still exercising ) and I can only see a little change in my body.My thighs look bigger and also my stomach.But my period was back for ONE day and it was very light.

As for the diet: Since summer I eat healthy.But I didn't eat fats.I was avoiding them completely.But not long ago I started eating them and so I guess that is what made my period come back?

MY QUESTION : I weighted 52 kg when my period disappeared.Now I weight 54 kg and it was back for a day.Does this mean that I can't lose any more weight? Or I was just not eating enough of fats?

My height is 160 cm and weight (at the moment ) 54.5 kg .

Please help me!I am so so confused. :(

Replies

  • martintanz
    martintanz Posts: 280
    You might need help beyond what people on a message board can offer. Honestly, it sounds like you have a full blown eating disorder.
  • envy09
    envy09 Posts: 353 Member
    If you were eating at an extreme deficit for a long period of time, its going to take some time for your metabolism to sort itself out. Our bodies are smart, so they adjust to the amount of food we put in them. Right now your body is getting used to having a proper amount of food again. You are going to gain some weight, but this is normal and you will lose it again once your body has adjusted. This is probably affecting your period, and I would give it a little more time to adjust itself.

    As for the fat issue, don't cut fats out completely. Our bodies need fats for some very basic functions (cell formation, solvent for fat-soluble vitamins, etc). Just remember to get your fat intake from healthy sources, ie nuts, avocados, and fatty fish.
  • Justlikeyou
    Justlikeyou Posts: 16
    MartinTanz,It might be so...I feel so dumb for starving myself. :(
  • kenazfehu
    kenazfehu Posts: 1,188 Member
    Every time you change how you eat and exercise, your body goes through an adjustment. Find out a good estimate for what you should weigh and how you should eat to maintain it, then focus on that. It sounds like you might need some counseling.
  • Justlikeyou
    Justlikeyou Posts: 16
    If you were eating at an extreme deficit for a long period of time, its going to take some time for your metabolism to sort itself out. Our bodies are smart, so they adjust to the amount of food we put in them. Right now your body is getting used to having a proper amount of food again. You are going to gain some weight, but this is normal and you will lose it again once your body has adjusted. This is probably affecting your period, and I would give it a little more time to adjust itself.

    As for the fat issue, don't cut fats out completely. Our bodies need fats for some very basic functions (cell formation, solvent for fat-soluble vitamins, etc). Just remember to get your fat intake from healthy sources, ie nuts, avocados, and fatty fish.

    Thank you!I hope so.Does it mean that I can still lose weight and have my period?
  • Justlikeyou
    Justlikeyou Posts: 16
    Every time you change how you eat and exercise, your body goes through an adjustment. Find out a good estimate for what you should weigh and how you should eat to maintain it, then focus on that. It sounds like you might need some counseling.

    As I mentioned,I went to a doctor.But all she did was yell at me when I told her how much I eat...
  • VelvetAcidVixen
    VelvetAcidVixen Posts: 25
    You probably need a counselor who specializes in eating disorders. I hope you talk to someone and get help!
  • Justlikeyou
    Justlikeyou Posts: 16
    You probably need a counselor who specializes in eating disorders. I hope you talk to someone and get help!

    I live in a small town,no such person. :( I will ask my mother,though.Thank you for your concern.
  • m_shuman
    m_shuman Posts: 179
    I suggest you stop looking at the scale and start a weight training program. It will build muscle tone under your skin and this will make your body look better. More tight and fit. Again ignore the scale. I also agree with the others and think you should seek out professional help especially if you are starving yourself to lose weight. I weigh 5 Lbs more than you and I eat around 2000-2200 calories on days when I do 1 hour of cardio and 1 hour with weight. Your body needs food to function.
  • starjumper12
    starjumper12 Posts: 64
    did your dr actually run bloodwork? like thyroid, estrogen, and progesterone panels? if not, then go back and demand they do. you can't fix what they don't diagnose. i have borderline thyroid issues and very low estrogen and progesterone, and have had a horrible time with my weight and energy because of it. now that i know what's going on, i can adjust my diet and exercise as necessary, and i know what's going on when i take particular hormones.
  • rml_16
    rml_16 Posts: 16,414 Member
    Losing your period is a sign that your body is way too low on fat and you're starving.

    How tall are you? For my height, your weight is healthy, but I'm only 5'3". and even so, there is definitely something wrong if you're losing your period.
  • Justlikeyou
    Justlikeyou Posts: 16
    did your dr actually run bloodwork? like thyroid, estrogen, and progesterone panels? if not, then go back and demand they do. you can't fix what they don't diagnose. i have borderline thyroid issues and very low estrogen and progesterone, and have had a horrible time with my weight and energy because of it. now that i know what's going on, i can adjust my diet and exercise as necessary, and i know what's going on when i take particular hormones.

    I had those tests,too.They said my bloodwork is fine .Though I have something in my thyroid.But he said that it's just a tiny teeny thing and I don't need to worry about it.
  • Justlikeyou
    Justlikeyou Posts: 16
    rml_16 I am 5'3 ,too. :)
  • DorkothyParker
    DorkothyParker Posts: 618 Member
    You aren't underweight, but you are undereating. Are you healthy enough to track calories without slipping into bad habits? If so,do it and set a minimum to meet as well. Fats are good, eat them. Lift heavy things, build muscle, burn fat.

    I'm 16 months recovery. If you need anything, feel free to PM me.
  • DrMAvDPhD
    DrMAvDPhD Posts: 2,097 Member
    Firstly, you are already at a pretty good BMI. So stop thinking of yourself as unfit. If you are looking to lower your body fat percentage (which is a better measurement of overall fitness), than under-eating is the worst thing to do. You should be eating at maintenance or above, and lifting weights to build muscle. Pick up the book "New Rules of Lifting for Women". It is a good read and explains things like metabolism and muscle mass and what is the appropriate things to be eating, even if you don't end up following the lifting program.
  • paxbfl
    paxbfl Posts: 391 Member
    LOVE Dorkothy's response! Most people use MFP to avoid overeating. But in your case, you need to make sure you're eating the right amount of calories - not too much, not too little. Eating disorders are real and a LOT of people deal with them. You need to take steps to make sure you're healthy. Losing your period is a serious sign that something is wrong.

    Ideally, a counselor can help you understand the problem - your relationship with food, how you view yourself, etc, help you determine the right amount of calories, and help you get started on a fitness program that's right for you.

    As you mentioned, if you want to do a serious fitness program like Insanity, you're going to need to eat more calories than you're used to (fat, carbs and especially protein). That might be hard for you to manage because you're used to undereating. That's not to say you can't do it alone, but don't be afraid to ask for help.
  • illuminatedms
    illuminatedms Posts: 8
    If you're exercising intensely, you need to eat more calories, in order to give your body the energy it needs. Many athletes will eat several thousand calories a day for that reason. Additionally, you may find that you gain some weight as you get fitter, since muscle is heavier by volume than fat. So, I think it's a myth that, the lighter you are, the fitter you are.

    And, yeah, it may simply be unhealthy for you to lose more weight. You're well within the normal BMI (though BMI is a horrible guide), so why do you need to lose more?
  • kenazfehu
    kenazfehu Posts: 1,188 Member
    Every time you change how you eat and exercise, your body goes through an adjustment. Find out a good estimate for what you should weigh and how you should eat to maintain it, then focus on that. It sounds like you might need some counseling.

    As I mentioned,I went to a doctor.But all she did was yell at me when I told her how much I eat...

    You don't need a doctor for that. You can get a good estimate on this site in the setting goals section, also FitnessFrog.
  • Justlikeyou
    Justlikeyou Posts: 16
    Firstly, you are already at a pretty good BMI. So stop thinking of yourself as unfit. If you are looking to lower your body fat percentage (which is a better measurement of overall fitness), than under-eating is the worst thing to do. You should be eating at maintenance or above, and lifting weights to build muscle. Pick up the book "New Rules of Lifting for Women". It is a good read and explains things like metabolism and muscle mass and what is the appropriate things to be eating, even if you don't end up following the lifting program.

    My BMI is OK but I still look unfit.Though I can feel my abs under the fat..If that makes any sense...Do you know any muscle building programs where you don't need to buy any additional stuff like weights?
  • Justlikeyou
    Justlikeyou Posts: 16
    Thank you everyone for your answers!I'm new here but I already noticed that people are so supportive here. :)
  • DrMAvDPhD
    DrMAvDPhD Posts: 2,097 Member
    I don't know of any personally, but New Rules was the first thing I tried and I'm still doing it (and yes, you need a full set of weights). Maybe some of the Beachbody programs? There's got to be a million people on here that know about those!
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