Help Please

jrester · July 2013

Hello,

I have been trying to lose weight since 2/2012. I started at at 381 lbs and was able to get down to 299lbs by 12/2012. This was done through calorie counting from 1700-2000 calories a day along with 4-6 days of 40-60 minutes a day of cardio.

i have eliminated packaged foods for the most part. Still use boxed pasta and some canned veg now and again. Overall I have gone from eating frozen meals and prepared pastas and crap to healthy cooking and portion control.

The part I do not get is over the last 8 months with nothing changing i have gained 30lbs and am back at 329lbs. I can't help but feel like the last 8 months of time spent in the gym were a complete waste of time and effort. This is a committment and I know it takes time to lose weight but I simply can't understand how something that worked to the tune of 82lbs lost suddenly results in the gain of 30.

Any thoughts on what I should be looking at?

lauren3101 · July 2013

It's not that easy to tell without you opening your food diary, but with the information we have I suspect you might not have been eating enough.

If I put you down at 5"10 as I'd guess that's a fairly average height for a guy, your TDEE with the exercise you do is 4041 calories, and your BMR is 2607 calories. You shouldn't be eating under your BMR, so really, you've been undereating by some way.

My advice to you is up your calories to about 3000 (you have a bit to lose so a larger deficit is ok for now), and keep at it for at least 8 weeks.

The only odd thing here is that you have actually GAINED weight; a classic sign of undereating is a plateau, not really a gain of that amount. I would make a trip to the doctors as well just to make sure everything is ok.

jrester · July 2013

Thank you for the reply.

It started as a plateau which was frustrating enough. Then to see a sustained gain slowly over time has really been too much. I am scheduled for an appointment on Wednesday because I am at a loss as to what the issue could be.

I'm not sure I could find a way to consume 3000 calories without eating terrible foods at this point. I don't go through the day feeling hungry.

Typical day

English Muffin or Bagel
about 2.5 or 3 cups of fruit

snack
4 celery stalks with 2 tbsp peanut butter

Lunch
Sandwich of sorts on wheat bread (no cheese or dressing unless mustard)
3 oz baby carrots and 2 tbsp hummus

snack
fruit or veg (apple or some cut up cucumber)
greek yogurt

Dinner
6-10 oz of poultry - 4-6oz if beef
serving of vegtable
a carb (potato is most common)
salad with every dinner

mimieon · July 2013

Have you lost inches/clothing sizes, etc?

Maybe you can get your BMR professionally tested? That should help clarifying things (assuming you have been weighing and logging accurately).

TavistockToad · July 2013

to have gained 30lbs while you are eating at a deficit and weighing and measuring and logging accurately means you need to go to a doctor!

jrester · July 2013

The last month I haven't logged much of anything but my eating stays virtually the same from day to day. As for inches nothing noticable but I never measured pre changing eating habits.

jumpthemoon · July 2013

Switch up your exercise routine. Your body may be "used" to a workout if you do the same thing every day. If you can do it, I'd find a reputable trainer/nutritionist to help you. You have crossed the first bridge by realizing that you want a healthier lifestyle. You can do it! Don't give up! There is also a good book called "Body Confidence" by Mark McDonald (http://www.amazon.com/Body-Confidence-Nutritions-Unlocks-Potential/dp/0061997285). It was referred to me by a friend and I've devoured the book! I learned so much from it. I was doing the typical eat less/exercise more and my body went into "protection mode" and I stopped losing weight. I'm only trying to drop about 20 lbs but I was "stuck." With his book and my determination to finish the Insanity workout program (almost there!!!), I'm almost at my goal weight! Stay strong and believe, and I know you'll make it! Best of luck!!!

Shes1CraftyMama · July 2013

It's not that easy to tell without you opening your food diary, but with the information we have I suspect you might not have been eating enough.

If I put you down at 5"10 as I'd guess that's a fairly average height for a guy, your TDEE with the exercise you do is 4041 calories, and your BMR is 2607 calories. You shouldn't be eating under your BMR, so really, you've been undereating by some way.

My advice to you is up your calories to about 3000 (you have a bit to lose so a larger deficit is ok for now), and keep at it for at least 8 weeks.

The only odd thing here is that you have actually GAINED weight; a classic sign of undereating is a plateau, not really a gain of that amount. I would make a trip to the doctors as well just to make sure everything is ok.

I agree with this. I started gaining again, but found out about TDEE and started eating more and dropped a ton of weight in 2 weeks. I really think if you up your cals even by 200-300 you will start seeing results. If you are in the gym you NEED to fuel your body. Try this link but be sure to watch the video first!
http://eattoperform.com/eat-to-perform-calculator/

sakuragreenlily · July 2013

The last month I haven't logged much of anything but my eating stays virtually the same from day to day. As for inches nothing noticable but I never measured pre changing eating habits.

If you're not logging and you're not weighing your food it's possible you've actually been eating a lot more than you think even if your eating says "virtually the same." You'd be surprised how off your estimated calorie consumption may be if you're not truly keeping track of it... Definitely go back to tracking.

That being said, 30 lbs is a lot to gain even if you're not tracking... I agree you should see a doctor to make sure that something more serious isn't happening.

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