Advice???

tater8589
tater8589 Posts: 616
edited September 21 in Motivation and Support
So I have been at this (on MFP) for around a month and was making efforts 2 months prior to joining. I have upped my workouts and am watching my cal intake more closely and am still GAINING??? I am trying to get a dr appt to test for hypothyroid (runs in the family), but being Military... can't seem to get in (ugg... so very irritating, I wish I could just see a dr off base) I have tested and am not pregnant. If you have any suggestions, please share. I believe my food log is public. I may not have the "best" food choices possible, however I do believe a little bit of everything is ok. I do realise I need to find some better snacks for during the day at work, we have very limited options.

I'll give a lil info on myself too.. I'm 25, 5'7" and currently around 149ish. I have been pretty steady between 130-136 since I was 17. In the last 2 years I was put on YAZ (made me very ill) and Lesserna (better, but cause all my weight gain, 20lbs in a month) and am now on nuva ring (sp?) (which has been the best, with the exception I now get hot flashes)

Replies

  • AngChambers06
    AngChambers06 Posts: 126 Member
    yeah looking at your diary so far both choices you've made for the day are not very helpful... you need a good breakfast to start out with, i just recently started drinking the special K protein drinks. pretty good and just 190 cals!

    and the snickers? lol thats the kind of stuff u should avoid, i agree u should have some of everything, but if you're still gaining maybe u should be drastic until you start to lose.
  • erickirb
    erickirb Posts: 12,294 Member
    from what I can see is that you don't eat breakfast consistently enough and some of you meals are way to LARGE.
    Breakfast gets you metabolism moving for the day and it is argued that this should be your largest meal of the day. Try eating a larger breakfast 200-400 cals, and eat much smaller meals and frequent snacks throughout the day. Try eating every 3-4 hours, and keep all meals, even your largest of the day, below 600 cals. eating large meals is hard on your system.
  • tater8589
    tater8589 Posts: 616
    I have trouble eating breakfast, I can't eat food until I've been up for about 2 hours, by that time I'm at work and have very limited options. What are some suggestions of things I can keep in my desk. I have looked at some of the grain bars and a lot of what I saw was (honestly) no worse than a snickers, per the nutritional label. Snickers was (sadly) the healthiest thing available in the snack bar today.

    Thank you for your suggestions.
  • ssnyo
    ssnyo Posts: 3
    That's a good idea--breaking up your calorie intake. I hadn't been organizing well. I was just relying on "making good decisions." But maybe I'll break it up intentionally instead.
  • tam8374
    tam8374 Posts: 270 Member
    I also do agree with the not skipping breakfast. Skipping breakfast definitely slows down your metabolism. Eating it speeds it up. Drink the water. Without the 64oz of water, your organs don't function at peak performance, they are sluggish and don't work effectively to help you lose weight.

    Also, when you gain calories by working out, make sure you eat as close to your calorie goal without going over. If you don't eat the calories you are supposed to, your body goes into survival mode and holds on to any extra calories you may feed it which counteracts the weight loss. Actually eating the calories you earned, helps you burn the fat.

    good luck to you!
  • tater8589
    tater8589 Posts: 616
    I have trouble eating breakfast, I can't eat food until I've been up for about 2 hours, by that time I'm at work and have very limited options. What are some suggestions of things I can keep in my desk. I have looked at some of the grain bars and a lot of what I saw was (honestly) no worse than a snickers, per the nutritional label. Snickers was (sadly) the healthiest thing available in the snack bar today.

    Thank you for your suggestions.

    Also, since I asked for food suggestions I shoud add, I'm very very allergic to lemons and ginger
  • erickirb
    erickirb Posts: 12,294 Member
    I have trouble eating breakfast, I can't eat food until I've been up for about 2 hours, by that time I'm at work and have very limited options. What are some suggestions of things I can keep in my desk. I have looked at some of the grain bars and a lot of what I saw was (honestly) no worse than a snickers, per the nutritional label. Snickers was (sadly) the healthiest thing available in the snack bar today.

    Once you start eating breakfast you will get use to it after a while, give it a try for a couple weeks straight and you will not go back to no or little breakfast. For snacks you can make homemade granola or granola bars, bring raw veggies and hummus to dip, fruit with yogurt or PB to dip, dry cereal in a container, cottage cheese.
  • lmvince
    lmvince Posts: 54 Member
    Instead of processed foods that have a lot of sodium and fat, try fresh fruit. I get just as full from having 10 grapes and an apple as I am when I eat a Snickers bar.

    You also have a lot of hidden calories in sauces and dressings. You can replace those with Fat Free sauces and use the extra calories for another meal.
  • jamie1888
    jamie1888 Posts: 1,704 Member
    Yes, you have to retrain your body and your brain to eat breakfast! Your body is just used to going all night and all morning without any food. That probably means you have a very slow metabolism.
  • TheKitsune6
    TheKitsune6 Posts: 5,798 Member
    Actually most studies show that Breakfast has less to do with "jump starting your metabolism", which is a theory based on faulty logic, and has more to do with alertness throughout the day. Studies also show that it doesn't matter WHEN you eat your calories, just that you eat them. A calorie is a calorie is a calorie, frankly put. The purpose of eating small meals throughout the day is to prevent hunger and binge eating. Once again the idea that this helps jump start your metabolism is based on faulty logic and a lack of understanding on how the body functions (more studies, yay).

    There is a lot of mythology, overkill and ridiculousness attached to dieting. You don't have to go all organic, all natural, no sodium, no sugar, etc, in order to lose weight. You're right in that moderation is key. What I did notice is that you are consistently going over calories, for the most part your exercise is minimal and your water intake is generally pretty low.

    You might not like to hear this but I think you are underestimating how many calories you're eating and overestimating how many you are burning during exercise. Sure 15 minutes every other day is better than nothing, but that's not significant burn. You need to get more exercise if you want to continue eating like you do, even if it means waking up earlier. Also drink more water on a regular basis. There are some days that you drink 25 glasses of water and some where you only drink 1. This is vital just for your body to function.

    Edit: for the record, I'm not saying people that do chose to go all-natural, all-organic, etc have it wrong. Just that implying that THAT is the only way losing weight will ever be accomplished is bogus. It has less to do with what you're doing to change your lifestyle and more to do with your ability to STICK to that lifestyle. (this all boils down to: No offense!)
  • themommie
    themommie Posts: 5,033 Member
    I too have never been a breakfast eater, but I have started eating yogurt in the morning. It is healthy, doesnt have very many calories, is light. So you dont feel heavy like when you eat a big breakfast and you get use to it. You could also eat a banana or toast with peanut butter. You will soon get use to eating in the morning. And try to take things with you to work instant oatmeal, a sandwich, yogurt, granola bars, rice cakes, veggies and hummus dip, apples, banana, all of these are easy to grab and better then what you will find in the snack bar
  • Cheilsea
    Cheilsea Posts: 84 Member
    Definitely try to bring fruits/veggies to snack on. You can eat way more of them and it will fill you up better than a snickers bar. I used to have a hard time eating breakfast too but one thing that will help is as soon as you get up drink at least one full cup of water. I usually drink two. After I shower, I am ready to eat. It's better to eat more in the morning than at night. Good luck!!
  • jamie1888
    jamie1888 Posts: 1,704 Member
    Actually most studies show that Breakfast has less to do with "jump starting your metabolism", which is a theory based on faulty logic, and has more to do with alertness throughout the day. Studies also show that it doesn't matter WHEN you eat your calories, just that you eat them. A calorie is a calorie is a calorie, frankly put. The purpose of eating small meals throughout the day is to prevent hunger and binge eating. Once again the idea that this helps jump start your metabolism is based on faulty logic and a lack of understanding on how the body functions (more studies, yay).

    I disagree. Eating every few hours is the best way to maintain your metabolism and blood sugar levels. That's why is urged very strongly to eat small meals every few hours.
  • tater8589
    tater8589 Posts: 616
    Actually most studies show that Breakfast has less to do with "jump starting your metabolism", which is a theory based on faulty logic, and has more to do with alertness throughout the day. Studies also show that it doesn't matter WHEN you eat your calories, just that you eat them. A calorie is a calorie is a calorie, frankly put. The purpose of eating small meals throughout the day is to prevent hunger and binge eating. Once again the idea that this helps jump start your metabolism is based on faulty logic and a lack of understanding on how the body functions (more studies, yay).

    There is a lot of mythology, overkill and ridiculousness attached to dieting. You don't have to go all organic, all natural, no sodium, no sugar, etc, in order to lose weight. You're right in that moderation is key. What I did notice is that you are consistently going over calories, for the most part your exercise is minimal and your water intake is generally pretty low.

    You might not like to hear this but I think you are underestimating how many calories you're eating and overestimating how many you are burning during exercise. Sure 15 minutes every other day is better than nothing, but that's not significant burn. You need to get more exercise if you want to continue eating like you do, even if it means waking up earlier. Also drink more water on a regular basis. There are some days that you drink 25 glasses of water and some where you only drink 1. This is vital just for your body to function.

    Edit: for the record, I'm not saying people that do chose to go all-natural, all-organic, etc have it wrong. Just that implying that THAT is the only way losing weight will ever be accomplished is bogus. It has less to do with what you're doing to change your lifestyle and more to do with your ability to STICK to that lifestyle. (this all boils down to: No offense!)

    I appologise for the water issue, some days i forget to log water. I average 96 -144 oz of water a day.
  • TheKitsune6
    TheKitsune6 Posts: 5,798 Member
    Actually most studies show that Breakfast has less to do with "jump starting your metabolism", which is a theory based on faulty logic, and has more to do with alertness throughout the day. Studies also show that it doesn't matter WHEN you eat your calories, just that you eat them. A calorie is a calorie is a calorie, frankly put. The purpose of eating small meals throughout the day is to prevent hunger and binge eating. Once again the idea that this helps jump start your metabolism is based on faulty logic and a lack of understanding on how the body functions (more studies, yay).

    I disagree. Eating every few hours is the best way to maintain your metabolism and blood sugar levels. That's why is urged very strongly to eat small meals every few hours.

    This is my empirical evidence.
    http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/23/health/23really.html
    Article from the NYTimes posted 03/22/10
    The article is posting the results of a British study done in 2009 that showed exercise had more to do with metabolism than WHEN calories were consumed.
  • TheKitsune6
    TheKitsune6 Posts: 5,798 Member
    Actually most studies show that Breakfast has less to do with "jump starting your metabolism", which is a theory based on faulty logic, and has more to do with alertness throughout the day. Studies also show that it doesn't matter WHEN you eat your calories, just that you eat them. A calorie is a calorie is a calorie, frankly put. The purpose of eating small meals throughout the day is to prevent hunger and binge eating. Once again the idea that this helps jump start your metabolism is based on faulty logic and a lack of understanding on how the body functions (more studies, yay).

    There is a lot of mythology, overkill and ridiculousness attached to dieting. You don't have to go all organic, all natural, no sodium, no sugar, etc, in order to lose weight. You're right in that moderation is key. What I did notice is that you are consistently going over calories, for the most part your exercise is minimal and your water intake is generally pretty low.

    You might not like to hear this but I think you are underestimating how many calories you're eating and overestimating how many you are burning during exercise. Sure 15 minutes every other day is better than nothing, but that's not significant burn. You need to get more exercise if you want to continue eating like you do, even if it means waking up earlier. Also drink more water on a regular basis. There are some days that you drink 25 glasses of water and some where you only drink 1. This is vital just for your body to function.

    Edit: for the record, I'm not saying people that do chose to go all-natural, all-organic, etc have it wrong. Just that implying that THAT is the only way losing weight will ever be accomplished is bogus. It has less to do with what you're doing to change your lifestyle and more to do with your ability to STICK to that lifestyle. (this all boils down to: No offense!)

    I appologise for the water issue, some days i forget to log water. I average 96 -144 oz of water a day.

    Don't apologize to me, I was just assuming that it was accurate. If you do drink that much water, that's awesome! No harm no foul :)
  • sarahliftsUP
    sarahliftsUP Posts: 752 Member
    Bring breakfast to work with you! If you get to work at 8 or 9 maybe you can slowly train your body to start eating earlier and then actually start eating breakfast before work if you want.

    For breakfast, try some cereal like Kashi. It's high protein and high fibre. I eat mine with unsweetened almond milk, so calorie wise it is only 240-260 depending on which cereal it is. If that seems like it is too heavy on the stomach, try bringing some greek yogurt and fruit. Low fat and high protein.

    I like egg creations, especially the garden vegetable kind, some of those with multigrain toast.

    I always bring my snacks with me. Today I had crackers, cucumber and green peppers with hummus, afternoon snack is an orange. Other days I might bring an apple with peanut butter to dip in. My main meals are usually 300-400 calories and then two snacks a day at least 100-200 calories.
  • tater8589
    tater8589 Posts: 616
    I'm at work by 0715, leave home at 0645. Go home around 1630-1645ish. And, sorry everyone, but I hate hummis. Thank you for your suggestions though. I plan to go to Walmart to pick up a few things my husband asked for, if my budget will accomodate I will try to pick up more fresh foods. I love love love fresh fruit and veggies, its just hard to afford them sometimes (would help if my husband ate them too, make it worth the money to buy them more and less of the junk he likes to eat, lol)

    I have tried to make 'our' diet healthier, he is a lost cause... not making it easier on me :tongue:
  • redefiningmyself
    redefiningmyself Posts: 476 Member
    You're going to hear lots of conflicting opinions on here. And lets face it, most of these people are strangers with the same struggles as you. You have no idea their qualifications or knowledge, so you are better off talking to your doctor or a certified dietician to get help.

    Best wishes on your journey.
  • TheKitsune6
    TheKitsune6 Posts: 5,798 Member
    I'm at work by 0715, leave home at 0645. Go home around 1630-1645ish. And, sorry everyone, but I hate hummis. Thank you for your suggestions though. I plan to go to Walmart to pick up a few things my husband asked for, if my budget will accomodate I will try to pick up more fresh foods. I love love love fresh fruit and veggies, its just hard to afford them sometimes (would help if my husband ate them too, make it worth the money to buy them more and less of the junk he likes to eat, lol)

    I have tried to make 'our' diet healthier, he is a lost cause... not making it easier on me :tongue:

    I understand your schedule. I usually wake up at 4am to exercise and then go to work, then to school and don't even get home until 9:30. I find that peanuts are awesome (very filling!) and I usually drink a protein shake in the morning because I get very sick when I exercise on an empty stomach (dry heaving on an elliptical? Not fun.) That's just my personal reaction though, some people are perfectly fine exercising without food. I usually bring tuna salad, egg salad or some other lunch concoction and a v8 with some peanuts to get me through the day. My favorite part of these days is getting home and making a super delicious dinner and going to bed :)

    Frankly you just have to find what works for you. Get some ziploc bags and Glad containers (product placement, hahaha! Knockoffs are fine though, of course) that make food easy to transport. Take your time next time you hit up the grocery store and really look at potential meals.
  • elainecroft
    elainecroft Posts: 595 Member
    Try eating more fruits/veggies and less salty or processed food. Even if it is only sneaking in an apple or a pack of baby carrots for a snack, your body will thank you and will give you more energy for the same amount of calories.
  • jcmc99
    jcmc99 Posts: 27
    I think that you have enough oppions at this point. Hang in there. You can do this. You are in charge of your body! Good luck!
  • trisha329
    trisha329 Posts: 266 Member
    I'd have to go with the sodium issue. A lot of the food you're eating are processed foods, which contain a ton of sodium! That may be a big factor in your stalled weight loss. Try more fresh foods, like fruit and vegetables, and cook your own foods whenever you can!
  • meshaffer
    meshaffer Posts: 21 Member
    My husband and I generally will make a list and for lunches and snacks, we will make them all at once over the weekend. For example, we cooked all of the chicken we will use for lunch for the week yesterday. It is all about the planning. I will agree, staying away from some of the processed foods will help.

    Here are some of the snacks I have been using-
    Apple and 2 tsp of almond butter
    luna bars (you can find them in the protein bar aisle)
    tuna fish (canned in water and low sodium)
    baby carrots
    protein shakes
    almonds (unsalted)

    Some breakfast ideas- low sodium turkey bacon, egg whites, oatmeal (not instant), kashi and fresh fruit. (not all at once, but you get the drill)

    It really comes down to planning. If you have to leave early in the morning, make your lunch and snacks the night before. Good luck. You can do this, but for the first month or so, you really have to be careful, read labels, etc. until you have enough food knowledge to get into a routine.
  • gnrshelton
    gnrshelton Posts: 358 Member
    I also have trouble eating breakfast. When I just can't eat a real breakfast I usually eat a pure protein bar. It works for me as a breakfast and is filling. Sometimes I at least eat a banana. Good luck
  • godblessourhome
    godblessourhome Posts: 3,892 Member
    holy dang did this turn into a breakfast thread! :)

    if you gained 20 pounds in one month while maintaining your normal lifestyle, that is abnormal. if you are having hot flashes from your new birth control, that is abnormal. a lot of the advice given to you about eating breakfast may be spot-on and helpful, but here is my two cents. you have a hormonal imbalance going on that is affecting your weight loss. when you get your doctor's appointment, please have them check your estrogen, progesterone and testosterone levels. you may have pcos (poli-cystic ovarian syndrome) or insulin resistance.

    what matters the most for me is not calories-in-versus-calories-out, but carbs. i can go over my alloted calories but stay within my range for carbs and lose weight, but when i am high in carbs even if i am low on my calories, i will gain. i strive to have 25% carbs, 30% fat and 45% protien. mfp macronutrient breakdown is 55% carbs, 20% fat and 25% protien i believe, so i had to customize mine. you might want to try that and see if controlling your carbs helps you.

    don't give up hope! i started trying to lose weight in may 2009 and didn't lose a single pound until november 2009 while eating 1300 calories a day and running 3 miles 3 days a week. the next four months i only lost one pound a month (and gained inches on my stomach because of ovarian cysts). believe me, i know your frustration! i am now down more than 20 pounds and several inches after figuring out the carb thing and getting on the correct dose of medication. good luck!
    dawn
  • amietest
    amietest Posts: 57 Member
    Seems strange that you are gaining...my money is on the nuva ring. Hormones can do it. If you can switch to a minipill you might be better off??
  • loopybec2002
    loopybec2002 Posts: 313 Member
    Breakfast suggestion as I couldn't eat breakfast and don't do cereal or milk at all. I now have a box of Beivita Breakfast Biscuits in my draw I like the fruit and fibre ones but they also do Milk and cerial(Taste like custard creams) The fruit and fibre ones keep me full till around 11am and then i reach for my salt and vinegar snack a jacks wish unlike others snack a jack are a yummy treat.
  • Brat3073
    Brat3073 Posts: 160
    :flowerforyou:
    I'm at work by 0715, leave home at 0645. Go home around 1630-1645ish. And, sorry everyone, but I hate hummis. Thank you for your suggestions though. I plan to go to Walmart to pick up a few things my husband asked for, if my budget will accomodate I will try to pick up more fresh foods. I love love love fresh fruit and veggies, its just hard to afford them sometimes (would help if my husband ate them too, make it worth the money to buy them more and less of the junk he likes to eat, lol)

    I have tried to make 'our' diet healthier, he is a lost cause... not making it easier on me :tongue:

    My hubby dosent make my diet easy on me either...Hes tries, but dosent realize when hes sitting next to me eating cookines at 10 at night...its killing me. Since you are horrible with breakfast, my suggestion would be protein shakes int he am...they are quick and easy and you can drink it in the car on the way to work. I always add to mine....sometime ill toss in a banana, or pineapple, or even a scoop of instant coffee and a TBS of SUGAR FREE chocolate syrup. If you like it extra think, thrown about 5-6 icecubebs in the blender with it. This will usually last me untill about 10 am....and i have early breakfasts also...usually about 630ish. Then for snacks i keep it simple.....in the morning i keep Chocolate Cherrios on hand...3/4 Cup...which is a single serving, is only 100 calories! so you get your chocolate fix too.....much better than a snickers. Try to stay away from lunchmeats...they are so high in sodium, and that will retain water....therefore a weight gain. If you do have to go with lunchmeat, make sure its 99% fat free (usually about 30 cal a slice for turkey). I lead a class at my church once a week and have a few articles i clould send ya. Let me know.
  • tater8589
    tater8589 Posts: 616
    holy dang did this turn into a breakfast thread! :)

    if you gained 20 pounds in one month while maintaining your normal lifestyle, that is abnormal. if you are having hot flashes from your new birth control, that is abnormal. a lot of the advice given to you about eating breakfast may be spot-on and helpful, but here is my two cents. you have a hormonal imbalance going on that is affecting your weight loss. when you get your doctor's appointment, please have them check your estrogen, progesterone and testosterone levels. you may have pcos (poli-cystic ovarian syndrome) or insulin resistance.

    what matters the most for me is not calories-in-versus-calories-out, but carbs. i can go over my alloted calories but stay within my range for carbs and lose weight, but when i am high in carbs even if i am low on my calories, i will gain. i strive to have 25% carbs, 30% fat and 45% protien. mfp macronutrient breakdown is 55% carbs, 20% fat and 25% protien i believe, so i had to customize mine. you might want to try that and see if controlling your carbs helps you.

    don't give up hope! i started trying to lose weight in may 2009 and didn't lose a single pound until november 2009 while eating 1300 calories a day and running 3 miles 3 days a week. the next four months i only lost one pound a month (and gained inches on my stomach because of ovarian cysts). believe me, i know your frustration! i am now down more than 20 pounds and several inches after figuring out the carb thing and getting on the correct dose of medication. good luck!
    dawn

    Thank you. I do have a dr appt today (finally) I do have problems with carbs, I always have ... even as a kid I wouldn't eat bread on chicken nuggets (weird, i grew out of that) but carbs pack lbs on.

    Thank you everyone who gave me suggestions. I do like protien shakes, next paycheck i'll pick up some.
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