felling hopeless

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Replies

  • Lt_Starbuck
    Lt_Starbuck Posts: 576 Member
    unless you are eating MORE THAN YOU BURN, you cannot gain real muscle weight and only then it is about a half pound/ month for girls.
  • sa11yjane
    sa11yjane Posts: 491 Member
    I am a bit concerned that you have had thyroid cysts but your doctor doesn't seem worried about it, and that you feel unable to ask for a second opinion as you see an army doctor. Why can't you ask for a second opinion? Are your hands tied because of where you live or work? In the UK we can always see a different doctor in our practice or request a second opinion. It seems a little sad and unfair that you can't do this. Do hope you are feeling a bit more positive today. Thinking of you with love x
  • crystalmoore83
    crystalmoore83 Posts: 103 Member
    I am a bit concerned that you have had thyroid cysts but your doctor doesn't seem worried about it, and that you feel unable to ask for a second opinion as you see an army doctor. Why can't you ask for a second opinion? Are your hands tied because of where you live or work? In the UK we can always see a different doctor in our practice or request a second opinion. It seems a little sad and unfair that you can't do this. Do hope you are feeling a bit more positive today. Thinking of you with love x

    since my doctor is military we don't have many options if I were to see a civilian doctor we would have to pay the full cost and we just don't have the money...the military health care program is very crowded and difficult from my experiance...I think I may press him about the thyroid cysts but I have brought it up before and he just brushes it off like it is nothing to worry about. I am how ever in a more cheerful mood today :)
  • AlongCame_Molly
    AlongCame_Molly Posts: 2,835 Member
    1.) Go by inches, not pounds.

    2.) Invert your workout: do 1 hr HEAVY weights and 1/2 hr cardio (if that. Cardio is not that important)

    3.) How long have you been at this? It takes more than just a week or two. Give it time and you'll get there.
  • crystalmoore83
    crystalmoore83 Posts: 103 Member
    I have been dieting for about 6 months and working out for 4, my kids got sick so I had to take a month off ( gained 10lbs in that month), I usually do low weight with a lot of rep.
  • babycrisci
    babycrisci Posts: 6
    Fat and muscle may weight the same pound per pound, but a pound of muscle takes up less space than fat. Hense why you pay attention to body composition!

    Think a pound of fluffy feathers compared to a pound of rock. You will most likely have a big pillow and a hand size rock...
  • tsdaughe
    tsdaughe Posts: 88
    I am a bit concerned that you have had thyroid cysts but your doctor doesn't seem worried about it, and that you feel unable to ask for a second opinion as you see an army doctor. Why can't you ask for a second opinion? Are your hands tied because of where you live or work? In the UK we can always see a different doctor in our practice or request a second opinion. It seems a little sad and unfair that you can't do this. Do hope you are feeling a bit more positive today. Thinking of you with love x

    since my doctor is military we don't have many options if I were to see a civilian doctor we would have to pay the full cost and we just don't have the money...the military health care program is very crowded and difficult from my experiance...I think I may press him about the thyroid cysts but I have brought it up before and he just brushes it off like it is nothing to worry about. I am how ever in a more cheerful mood today :)

    Actually yes, you can request a second opinion. Call TRICARE about it. Also, you can call TRICARE and request that you be referred to a civilian provider. If they approve it, based on your concerns, you will not have to pay anything if you are on TRICARE prime. If you are on TRICARE standard, it is a small copay such as $20 a visit depending on the doctor you see. I work on a DoD military contract and am a prior military spouse. If by chance you are active duty, then yes your options are more limited but you can ask the clinic for a different physician. Or... if all else fails, go to a military E.R. and complain about your cyst and see if they will refer you to a specialist.
  • crystalmoore83
    crystalmoore83 Posts: 103 Member
    thank you, I did not realize I had the option to switch my primary care doctor...so I would call tricare and ask about switching/geting a second opinion?
  • tsdaughe
    tsdaughe Posts: 88
    Also, if you felt comfortable and made your diary public we could offer suggestions. Without knowing if you are eating exercise calories back and how many calories burnt in exercise you are estimating, it is hard to say what the problem is. It could be thyroid. I suspect based on your weight and how much you are exercising that you are undereating. I weigh 167.4 lbs. I work out 3-4 days a week and burnt between 350-550 calories each time. I eat, without exercise, 1477 calories a day and eat back exercise calories. I try to net at least 1477. I go over some weeks. Rarely am I under. I am losing slowly but I have lost inches and my clothes are fitting better. Since you are starting at a weight higher then me you should be able to eat more then me especially since you are working out so much and still lose weight.
  • tsdaughe
    tsdaughe Posts: 88
    thank you, I did not realize I had the option to switch my primary care doctor...so I would call tricare and ask about switching/geting a second opinion?

    Yes, call tricare and let them know you have a thyroid cyst. Let them know you have tried to get your PCM to further evaluate without any luck. Tell them you want a second opinion or to switch to a new provider. There is something they will have you fill out. OR ask to be referred to a civilian PCM. Since many military clinics are overwhelmed with patients they will often allow it. When I was on TRICARE I had standard so I could go to whoever I wanted and didn't have to worry about those things. Granted, if money is an issue it maynot be your best option because you will have copays but they are not bad honestly. I gave birth on tricare and paid a whole $90 for everything from prenatal to delivery.
  • 2credneck208
    2credneck208 Posts: 501 Member
    remember muscle weighs more than fat, so you might be losing fat and building muscle. The scales are only one indicator of weight loss. How do your clothes fit? that is a good question. Keep working on it. It will happen.
    nope nope nope! A pound of muscle equals a pound of fat...they weigh the same...don't let this false notion get stuck in your head!
    Also...DON'T give up weights...some of both will really help.

    But is a pound of muscle the same size as a pound of fat???
  • heleka7
    heleka7 Posts: 11 Member
    You have to be totally honest with yourself and with everything that you eat. Log everything, even if it's one peanut. Also, I didn't start fully utilizing this site until I started adding friends. Having people encourage and support your every move on MFP is tremendously motivating. I haven't weighed myself yet, but the non scale victories are that I now log everything, faithfully, everyday in the past week since I've really dedicted myself to using MFP. Start friending people, it will help! :)
  • Lt_Starbuck
    Lt_Starbuck Posts: 576 Member
    remember muscle weighs more than fat, so you might be losing fat and building muscle. The scales are only one indicator of weight loss. How do your clothes fit? that is a good question. Keep working on it. It will happen.
    nope nope nope! A pound of muscle equals a pound of fat...they weigh the same...don't let this false notion get stuck in your head!
    Also...DON'T give up weights...some of both will really help.

    But is a pound of muscle the same size as a pound of fat???

    no fat has more volume to a pound. It's bigger not heavier.
  • wendylou130
    wendylou130 Posts: 3 Member
    Don't stop doing the weights, it's the best thing for you. Do you wear a heart rate monitor? If you are doing an hour and a half of weights and cardio, you could be burning anywhere between 500-1000 calories. If you are only eating 1200 calories, you are not eating enough in my opinion. Your body needs carbs...but the right kind, from fruits and veges. Do you know what your resting metabolic rate is? This is the amount of calories your body burns just by existing. Here is a great link to figure this. http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/calrmr.htm. Chances are its at least 1400 calories. If you are only eating 1200, plus your exercise, your body is holding on to the weight to prevent it from starving.
  • cris_a1985
    cris_a1985 Posts: 1
    try tracking your weight loss by a certain piece of clothing (pants work well).. doing weights can make your scale go up, even though what your doing will help you in the end.. it can be discouraging at times but try doing inches instead of pounds(:
  • danachimelle
    danachimelle Posts: 1 Member
    I think it's a shame when being in the military or being the spouse of military that people feel there are no choices. My "H" is retired from the Army so things work differently with Tricare for us but, I'd bet you could with the help of a hospital representative if necessary, have your issue be referred to an off-post doctor/specialist. I know what you mean by having a hard time getting appointments because for a short period of time I worked in the call center that made those appointments. For some services there is not even always a co-pay for the service member and/or spouse and family members. Good luck with everything! :smile:
  • liftreadphilosophize
    liftreadphilosophize Posts: 180 Member
    remember muscle weighs more than fat, so you might be losing fat and building muscle. The scales are only one indicator of weight loss. How do your clothes fit? that is a good question. Keep working on it. It will happen.
    nope nope nope! A pound of muscle equals a pound of fat...they weigh the same...don't let this false notion get stuck in your head!
    Also...DON'T give up weights...some of both will really help.

    Sigh. I hope by now someone has pointed out that what people mean by "muscle weighs more than fat" is that muscle is more DENSE than fat, so one pound of muscle is smaller in size than one pound of fat. This is not a "false notion" and people who say "muscle weighs more than fat" do not mean "one pound of muscle weighs more than one pound of fat." To assume that's what people mean is rather condescending and silly.

    But don't give up on weights. That part of the response was good. :-)

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