I AM THAT person..........please help.

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zdreamer
zdreamer Posts: 69 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Ok, so in reading the newbie stickies, I found that 900-1200 calories a day is NOT what I need. However I can't even imagine losing any other way.

I completely think I am the person the stickie was written about. At some point, probably many points, in my life, I have overeaten and caused myself to become obese. However, each and EVERY time I have attempted to do something about it.........I have been unsuccessful.

I really believe that this time with the help of MFP and eating the proper number of calories, I can make something happen. However, I just came to this realization within the last week. I am trying to eat my calories and exercise and get in my water. I am gaining weight. I know that the stickie said this is possible in the beginning as your attempt to reprogram or reset your damaged metabolism.

Here are my other issues: PCOS, Insulin Resistant, Hypothryoidism (which I have been medicated for and stable levels for over 10 years)

With the aforementioned issues can I still reset and fix my metabolism? I would feel so "normal" if I knew I could eat some food.

I realize I need to really keep carbohydrates to a minimum and while that is awful to me, it's also my life!

Any suggestions on how long I should hang in there to see if this will work for me?

Also, I have just reintroduced exercise into a very sedimentary lifestyle. I just finished school and worked 2 jobs while finishing my bachelors. It left zero time for anything else and unfortunately both of the jobs were sit down.......... Now, I have some time to attempt to get my life back. Please help.

Replies

  • craigmandu
    craigmandu Posts: 976 Member
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    My suggestion would be to setup your MFP as sedentary, enter your info, and shoot for a 1lb a week loss (I wouldn't try a 2lb a week loss, as that is going to severly restrict your calories, and since you have some medical issues you need to be do things slowly to ensure it isn't going to mess with your medical issues).

    I would then ensure that I ate back around 80% of your exercise calories (if you use MFPs exercises, as they tend to be higher than what you actually burn doing most of the exercises...if you track your exercising with a HRM or other more accurate method, then maybe eat them all back).

    Don't get too wrapped around the wheel on the scale. Only weigh yourself once a week or so, and ensure you do it at the same time on the same day each week. After your first month, you should see some weight loss. If you don't, then I would consider lowering the daily calorie level in 100 calorie increments. Realize that it takes your body time to adjust to anything, and it may a few months to get your body "dialed in" so to speak.
  • zdreamer
    zdreamer Posts: 69 Member
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    I'm thinking that you are right. I didn't ruin my metabolism over night and I won't be able to fix it over night either.

    I feel absolutely fantastic logging and eating more calories etc. I just can't always eat them all back. TOO much food. And I don't mean that in a dieting way, just too much food.

    I didn't get this way from being a massive eater. I definitely ate too much of the wrong thing. I used to gain weight eating a bit of watermelon for lunch. Who knew that it was the sugar affecting me. Other people can eat some watermelon for lunch and be rails.

    Thanks for your suggestion. :)
  • lilpoindexter
    lilpoindexter Posts: 1,122 Member
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    Man, just do whatever the hell you wanna do. Try it for a few months, and see if you get the results you want without going crazy.
  • Lyerin
    Lyerin Posts: 818 Member
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    Make sure you get in some exercise too - even if it's just taking a walk with your dogs. It is really good for you and will help with your efforts. Best of luck.
  • dragonssister
    dragonssister Posts: 8 Member
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    Find time to exercise. Your brain reacts very differently when you are active and it makes it easier to choose the right foods and eat how you know you should. The simple act of going for a 10 minute jog in the morning can make a huge difference throughout the day. I am a mother of a toddler and a full time student. I often don't find the time to exercise but I know that it is possible. I eat very differently when I am exercising regularly than when I am not. It is a simple act that will impact your brain in numerous ways. If you do nothing else, do this one thing. Not just to lose weight, but for your overall well being.
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
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    I used to gain weight eating a bit of watermelon for lunch.

    really?
  • Willowana
    Willowana Posts: 493 Member
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    If you truly want to live a healthy life....stop dieting. All this swinging back and forth has never helped anyone.

    Metabolism runs primarily on two things: Your current weight...and your current activity level. Food had little to no bearing on it. Even water fasting for three days proved to have no effect on metabolism. They tested the subjects' metabolism every hour and there was no drop at all.

    Your metabolism doesn't need to fixed, reset, or jump started. You .Are. Not .A. Car

    Figure out your TDEE (Total Daily Energy Expenditure), deduct -500 calories from that, and stay with that calorie range (recalculating every 5-10 lbs. or so). I'm sure some helpful MFPer will post the road map link.

    Don't over-complicate this. All that's going to do it burn you out, frustrate you, and make you quit again. You'll be back here time and time again feeling more defeated with every year that passes. Is crash dieting worth that?? How does that help you? I know where you are, because I've been there before. Stop the cycle, OP and just LIVE.
  • jdad1
    jdad1 Posts: 1,899 Member
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    My wife has PCOS. It is different. The TDEE method does not work for her. It does for me and i am a believer in it. PCOS is a whole different ball of wax. You need to see a PCOS specialist. It can be much harder to lose weight and require a much more focused effort. For my wife carbs and sugars were much more important than calories.
    A lot of the people on this site do not know the ins and outs of this medical condition, especially along with the other medical issues you have. If you want to find success you really need to have a medical professional assisting you and then find what will work for you. It is not likely to be the same as most people on here. Do a search for people with PCOS and seek out info from their experiences.
  • zdreamer
    zdreamer Posts: 69 Member
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    Sugar and carbs do matter more than calories to a certain extent. I am really just taking everything I have learned over the years about nutrition and trying to combine it with what I know to be true about attempting to lose with PCOS. Exercise makes a tremendous difference and this week getting reacquainted with my elliptical trainer and riding my bike have made me feel great.

    I just get frustrated because my body does not function like someone without these metabolic issues.

    I am CONVINCED, however, that WHEN I get this weight under control, I can reverse the PCOS. I will never be able to eat a fruit without a protein and that is something that I now "get" and accept.
  • jbirkett7
    jbirkett7 Posts: 36 Member
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    Hello as pp noted PCOS is often a different animal. There are a couple of groups here that focus on the struggle with weight loss for those of us who have PCOS focusing particularly on low carb, low sugar eating, and getting moving (walking is a great thing if you're not a big exerciser). I've been lucky enough to see results without focusing too much on carbs / sugar and just keeping to a reasonable deficit (IPOARM recommendations) and adding progressively more intense exercise. If you want to add me for encouragement feel free.
  • jdad1
    jdad1 Posts: 1,899 Member
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    Sugar and carbs do matter more than calories to a certain extent. I am really just taking everything I have learned over the years about nutrition and trying to combine it with what I know to be true about attempting to lose with PCOS. Exercise makes a tremendous difference and this week getting reacquainted with my elliptical trainer and riding my bike have made me feel great.

    I just get frustrated because my body does not function like someone without these metabolic issues.

    I am CONVINCED, however, that WHEN I get this weight under control, I can reverse the PCOS. I will never be able to eat a fruit without a protein and that is something that I now "get" and accept.


    PCOS is very much reversible. The biggest factor is patience. It generally takes twice the effort to get results as compared to "normal" folks. You can do it though!!! Do not let anything stop you.


    I am now, and will always be, a big advocate of the TDEE method. I am the guy on here saying that calories is all that matters and carbs and sugars are not relevant. However I am fully aware of the fact that there are medical conditions that change the facts for some people. I live in a home where I see just how hard my wife is working and how difficult it is for her. She has tried the typical things that work for everyone else in the past and I just had to give in and admit that even though I know how to help most people, PCOS is completely different. We have learned a lot since going to a PCOS specialist. I recommend you do so if you have not already.
  • deksgrl
    deksgrl Posts: 7,237 Member
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    There is a lot of good information here: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/974888-in-place-of-a-road-map-2k13
    It is long, but you may learn something. A number of people in that group have been successful in reversing PCOS.
  • joeylu
    joeylu Posts: 208 Member
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    I follow the PCOS Diet 40%carbs 30%fat and 30%protein. I try to keep sugar very low
  • cleback
    cleback Posts: 261 Member
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    "Here are my other issues: PCOS, Insulin Resistant, Hypothryoidism (which I have been medicated for and stable levels for over 10 years)"

    In light of your medical history, I would encourage you to see a professional for your weight loss goals. What worked for other people on here without those conditions may not work for you.
  • djeffreys10
    djeffreys10 Posts: 2,312 Member
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    Honestly, given that you have underlying medical issues, I would recomend you see a nutritionist and get your doctor to sign off on any plan that you make. I doubt anyone here has adequation knowledge of how these issues would impact your goals.
  • wareagle8706
    wareagle8706 Posts: 1,090 Member
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    www.muffin-topless.com

    Check out her meal plan
  • zdreamer
    zdreamer Posts: 69 Member
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    Thanks, I'm always game to check out new sites.
  • dpollet2
    dpollet2 Posts: 68 Member
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    One good thing is that PCOS and insulin resistance do improve as you lose weight. It's getting it off that's the hard part!

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