What am I doing wrong?
xpragmatica
Posts: 3
I just don't know what to do any more. I'm not overeating, I keep under my daily calorie consumption the vast majority of the time, yet I CAN'T lose weight. I've been trying to lose since February this year, and if anything I've gained! :frown:
The only thing I can think of which could be contributing to this is my metabolism. I had severe anorexia for a few years where I'd restrict my intake to anything between 0 - 300 calories a day, on top of exercise. Could I have drastically slowed my metabolism down to the point where it's practically nonexistent?
Sorry if this comes across as stupid/irrational. I just don't know where to turn at the moment. Any advice would be much appreciated. :indifferent:
The only thing I can think of which could be contributing to this is my metabolism. I had severe anorexia for a few years where I'd restrict my intake to anything between 0 - 300 calories a day, on top of exercise. Could I have drastically slowed my metabolism down to the point where it's practically nonexistent?
Sorry if this comes across as stupid/irrational. I just don't know where to turn at the moment. Any advice would be much appreciated. :indifferent:
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Replies
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I'm not sure what to tell you - I don't have any experience with eating disorders. I have to ask though since this is where you were a couple of years ago do you think you really need to lose weight? Maybe your body is telling you it's happy where it's at? Just a thought - not being judgemental.0
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No, your metabolism is still working haha. First, good on you in overcoming anorexia. Second, i think you'd get more replies if you provided the following for better answers:
height, weight, age, exercise oh and goal weight0 -
^^^ Yep!
Plus....it might also help to open up your diary to see what you are eating.0 -
You might be better off setting a fitness goal rather than a weight loss goal. This could mean running a certain distance, building up strength, or focusing on body fat percentage rather than scale weight. If you are already in the healthy weight range for your height, weight loss might be difficult and focusing on it seems like it could bring you back toward your old behaviors (I am no expert on eating disorders, but it seems like it would be difficult to focus on losing weight when one had had such a serious problem in the past).0
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Have you talked with your doctor or a health/nutrition specialist? Probably better to provide the information you're looking for than random people online.
I'm sure you can get some general ideas and information, but in a situation like yours, with your history, getting some professional advice would be the best route to go. IMO0 -
I just don't know what to do any more. I'm not overeating, I keep under my daily calorie consumption the vast majority of the time, yet I CAN'T lose weight. I've been trying to lose since February this year, and if anything I've gained! :frown:
The only thing I can think of which could be contributing to this is my metabolism. I had severe anorexia for a few years where I'd restrict my intake to anything between 0 - 300 calories a day, on top of exercise. Could I have drastically slowed my metabolism down to the point where it's practically nonexistent?
Sorry if this comes across as stupid/irrational. I just don't know where to turn at the moment. Any advice would be much appreciated. :indifferent:
Well done to you for reaching out for some support and recognizing that you have mad some errors in the past with your eating x
It is very difficult to try to offer constructive advice if you don`t give some more information as to your height and weight loss goals.
Even if you don`t want to add them, keep watching and searching on the forum and you may find some answers to your question x0 -
edit double posted doh!0
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Wow, thanks for all the quick replies.
I've opened my diary up.
Here's my stats..
Age - 18
Height - 169cm
Weight - Fluctuates between 54-56kg
Exercise - Not much, admittedly. I'm at university so it's hard for me to find time to go to the gym.
Goal weight - 50kg. Perhaps that's an irrational goal, but it's where I felt my best, both physically and mentally.
Yeah, I've been to the docs recently for blood tests and everything was fine. It feels a bit awkward asking for advice on weight loss when you have a history like I do, haha. :laugh:0 -
Check with your dr as to any medications that you may be taking that can cause weight gain.:flowerforyou:0
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From what I see of your diary. It only looks like it goes back a few days. On those days.
YOU DO NOT EAT ENOUGH.
so, eat. your calories at the end of the day should be closer to 0. You sure 1200 is even enough??0 -
I wonder why you are eating so few calories, i think you need more fat, proteins and more everything, your body won't let any fat go, because i thinks that there is no food available in the enviroment at all!0
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From what I see of your diary. It only looks like it goes back a few days. On those days.
YOU DO NOT EAT ENOUGH.
so, eat. your calories at the end of the day should be closer to 0. You sure 1200 is even enough??
It goes back quite a way, I just forget about inputting my intake most days.
See, that's what I've read on most weight loss forums - to increase calorie intake to lose weight. I suppose I've conditioned myself to think that less calories = more weight loss. :indifferent:0 -
From the stats you provided, it seems to me like you're at an ideal weight for your height (5.5 119-123). Given this, it would certainly be difficult and rather slow to meet your goals of 110lb.
My advise is to have a very small deficit and pick up a strength training program. I think at this point you could focus on body re-composition rather than the scale to get the best look going for you.0 -
Mmmmm - very easy answer - you need to eat!! At least 1200 NET each day, and I suspect even a bit more than that.....
Are you sure you don't need some support - if you are hesitant to talk to your doctor about weightloss I suspect you know that you are heading down a track that he / she would not condone....0 -
Wow, thanks for all the quick replies. I've opened my diary up.
Here's my stats..
Age - 18
Height - 169cm
Weight - Fluctuates between 54-56kg
Exercise - Not much, admittedly. I'm at university so it's hard for me to find time to go to the gym.
Goal weight - 50kg. Perhaps that's an irrational goal, but it's where I felt my best, both physically and mentally.
Yeah, I've been to the docs recently for blood tests and everything was fine. It feels a bit awkward asking for advice on weight loss when you have a history like I do, haha. :laugh:
If you asked for advice on weight loss, they would advise you to NOT LOSE.
Please do not, as reaching your goal weight would make you underweight.
169 cm - over 5'6
Edited to say - anyone who is using a cm to feet converter and seeing 5.54, remember .54 is over a half a foot, ie over 6 inches, so she is over 5'6, not 5'5.
Your goal weight = 50 kg = 110 lbs = a BMI of 17.8 and a BMI of less than 18.5 is considered underweight.
You do not need to lose weight.
At your current weight you have a 19.9 BMI even at the very top of the fluctuation(at 56 kgs)
Please see the chart below.
http://www.weightlossresources.co.uk/body_weight/healthy_weight/chart.htm
If you want to exercise, try strength training. Focus on becoming stronger, not thinner.0 -
Ok I had to do some working out form cms and kgs :-)
You are 5ft 5in, 18 years old and weigh around 119lbs?
I know you don`t feel happy with yourself, but I think you seem a little on the underweight side for you stats?
Maybe you can try to do some lifting weights and try to add some structure to your body ( I don`t know what you look like, so I am just adding this for help ok?)
Sometimes, we can feel `skinny fat` which just means that we need to add a bit of structure to make us feel better about how we look??0 -
you need to increase your muscle mass. Your metabolism is both disrupted and slowed by your previous actions. Doing cardio and lifting weights while eating a healthy diet.
don't worry about calorie restriction so much at this point, work on physical conditioning. Even just brisk walking for 45 minutes a day is a good place to start.
HIGHLY reccomend strength training to increase your muscle mass, this will increase your metabolism Once you have re tuned your body you will be able to lose to a "healthy" weight for your body. I understand how you could be scared of a relapse. I would suggest that when you decide to try to lose you should start counsling so you will have someone to be accountable to. Also someone is watching you to look for signs you are going over the line.0 -
Exercise and follow the cal limit that MFP tells you. Avoid caffeine and aspartame.0
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5'5 and 119 lbs is very thin...
You may want to speak to a professional...
Maybe your doctor and a nutritionist.
It sounds as though you may still have some disturbed perceptions of body image...0 -
This is the mos appropiate answer for this member. Since this person had a past history of an eating disorder she should see a qualified and registered nutritionist. I totally agree with you.0
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This is the mos appropiate answer for this member. Since this person had a past history of an eating disorder she should see a qualified and registered nutritionist. I totally agree with you.
Whilst I agree with the 2 above posts...I walked around, when I was younger in high heel shoes that caused blisters, I didn`t go to see a chiropodist, I wanted to wear shoes that had higher heels to `blend` in with my friends and fashion.
I could never walk in them with comfort no matter how high the heel or how bad the blisters got, but I felt great wearing them at the time.
Then I found comfort in myself....just saying x0 -
OP can you PM me?
Age
Height
Weight
Body fat%
Occupation
Workout routine
Ill help you understand this and get on shape.0 -
i think that you are eating way too little at 1200 calories.
http://www.quickbmr.com/what-is-tdee.html
go here to find out your tdee (total daily energy expenditure) and that'll help you find your BMR (basal metobolic rate). BMR is what you would need to consume, at MINIMUM, if your body were just laying in bed all day.
you should be eating in between you TDEE and BMR. unfortunatly some people get confused and eat below their BMR, which causes their weight loss to suffer.0 -
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I just don't know what to do any more. I'm not overeating, I keep under my daily calorie consumption the vast majority of the time, yet I CAN'T lose weight. I've been trying to lose since February this year, and if anything I've gained! :frown:
The only thing I can think of which could be contributing to this is my metabolism. I had severe anorexia for a few years where I'd restrict my intake to anything between 0 - 300 calories a day, on top of exercise. Could I have drastically slowed my metabolism down to the point where it's practically nonexistent?
Sorry if this comes across as stupid/irrational. I just don't know where to turn at the moment. Any advice would be much appreciated. :indifferent:
I took a peek at your diary and you're still eating under your BMR (what your body requires to survive merely existing .. as if you slept for 24 hours straight and didn't move at all)
I'm not sure you need to lose weight sweetie .. eating at a deficit will cause you to lose weight no matter how long you eat at it. I only looked at a couple of days .. so I don't know if you're eating more (over) your 1200 calorie goal or not at all.0 -
I think that converts to 5 foot 6 inches and your goal is 110. I think you should way more than that.0
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Everyone told me to do the same thing, when I asked. I lost weight then gained 7 lbs and I had been following my 1200 calorie diet!
SOOOOO
I upped my calories to 1500 and I eat every 2-3 hours HEALTHY snacks. (apple sauce (no sugar added), fiber bar, broccoli with light ranch)
When your body goes into starvation mode, your metabolism slows to a stop! It's NO GOOOOD.
Best of luck, add me! It looks like we're in the same boat. 0 -
When I was your age, I was the same height and weight and thought I was fat. Oh, to be that "fat" now.
As others have said, you do not need to lose any weight. I expect that you still have some body distortion issues and are not able to see how thin you are. As others have said, you may also be skinny fat meaning that you don't have enough muscle mass. I think you should eat at maintenance levels which, at your age, would be at least 2000 calories per day, maybe more. There are many calculators out there to help you find out what you should be eating to maintain. And get yourself to the school gym for some weight lifting. Believe me, it will be the best thing you can do for yourself. There is a group on here dedicated to the Stronglifts program. Join it and get some specific pointers. It's a good full-body program that takes minimal time. Three sessions of about 30-40 minutes a week should be enough to make some big changes in your body composition that will make you feel happy with your shape/size without needing to lose any weight because you really don't need to lose a single pound.0 -
And to the folks who keep giving the OP advice on how to lose, please stop. She is at the low-end for her height and has suffered from an ED in the past. She doesn't need to lose weight so please don't encourage her.
Sorry to lecture but that's coming from the mom in me.0 -
Q: What am I doing wrong?
A: Not eating enough.0
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