What am I doing wrong?

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xpragmatica
xpragmatica Posts: 3
in Health and Weight Loss
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:
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Replies

  • lrose50
    lrose50 Posts: 58 Member
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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.
  • Sincere24
    Sincere24 Posts: 126 Member
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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 weight
  • sarahstrezo
    sarahstrezo Posts: 568 Member
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    ^^^ Yep!
    Plus....it might also help to open up your diary to see what you are eating.
  • maricash
    maricash Posts: 280 Member
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    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).
  • cmcollins001
    cmcollins001 Posts: 3,472 Member
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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. IMO
  • twinketta
    twinketta Posts: 2,130 Member
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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:

    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 x
  • twinketta
    twinketta Posts: 2,130 Member
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    edit double posted doh!
  • xpragmatica
    xpragmatica Posts: 3
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    Wow, thanks for all the quick replies. :smile: 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:
  • betina0821
    betina0821 Posts: 3
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    Check with your dr as to any medications that you may be taking that can cause weight gain.:flowerforyou:
  • billsica
    billsica Posts: 4,741 Member
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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??
  • gaston095
    gaston095 Posts: 24
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    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!
  • xpragmatica
    xpragmatica Posts: 3
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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. :tongue:

    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:
  • Sincere24
    Sincere24 Posts: 126 Member
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    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.
  • Elleinnz
    Elleinnz Posts: 1,661 Member
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    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....
  • debdelilah
    debdelilah Posts: 82
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    Wow, thanks for all the quick replies. :smile: 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.
  • twinketta
    twinketta Posts: 2,130 Member
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    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??
  • nanainkent
    nanainkent Posts: 350 Member
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    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.
  • Kellyeee2013
    Kellyeee2013 Posts: 221
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    Exercise and follow the cal limit that MFP tells you. Avoid caffeine and aspartame.
  • Kellyeee2013
    Kellyeee2013 Posts: 221
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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...
  • 12774
    12774 Posts: 1,416 Member
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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.

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