When good calorie deficits go bad..

Trojanbabe
Trojanbabe Posts: 17 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Hey~


I'm 39 years old, 5'9 and 160lbs. I've been eating around 1500-1800 calories a day, low carb while working out about 6-7 days a week. I was dumbfounded as to why my body was gaining fat despite no changes in my diet or exercise regimen. I used to eat far more calories but starting reducing for weight loss.It had worked for me for YEARS until....it stopped. I've put on a good 10 lbs in a year while remaining umber strict. Other lessons have been hair loss, crazy anxiety, high cortisol and an inability to sleep well.

I finally found a trainer who said "Dear God woman, eat more!" I'm raising my calories to around 2-2200 per day with a little carb cycling throughout the week. Sticking to heavy weight lifting and walking while dropping all cardio(shudder).I know my body needs to heal but my mind is TERRIFIED to putting on more weight. I'm trying to log everyday and reach my 2k calorie goal.

I'm seeking the support of others who have been through this before and advice of what to expect.

Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks-


B

Replies

  • Trojanbabe
    Trojanbabe Posts: 17 Member
    Adding that my BF% is around 27% hence I have not gained muscle, I've lost it:(
  • healthygreek
    healthygreek Posts: 2,137 Member
    You should also check with your doctor because of your symptoms. I don't know but it sounds like a thyroid issue.
  • Trojanbabe
    Trojanbabe Posts: 17 Member
    I have hypothyroidism but according to my last few blood tests, the current levels are optimal. I think there is a lot of room for mistakes regarding thyroid because I don't feel optimal. I wish there were better thyroid Dr's in TX.
  • huv123
    huv123 Posts: 54 Member
    I think you need to go to a doctor not a personal trainer - issues with anxiety and insomnia can have to do with cortisol or thyroid. 1500-1800 calories is not terribly low and shouldn't be inducing those kind of symptoms.
  • Trojanbabe
    Trojanbabe Posts: 17 Member
    I've been to more doctors than I can list...they all say I'm fine and that my calories are too low. I've had more blood pulled than some lab rats...

    15-1800 is too low long term. Eventually your metabolism gets down regulated which creates a domino effect for other hormonal issues.
  • clambert1273
    clambert1273 Posts: 840 Member
    I am Hypothyroid (Hashimotos) and still losing :) FOR ME, I had to find my balance (what works for me - may not for everyone else). I stick with a strict 1700 cal 40/30/30 macro split. I lift heavy 3x a week and that is it. I hate cardio so I don't do it (and for me, it isn't missed lol).

    I like the 3x a week schedule - I can maintain that and not feel overwhelmed. I eat whatever I want and just stay within my own guidelines. Some days may be high in fat and other high in carbs - at the end of the week, it all evens out.

    I also weigh ALL my food (I am not talking tbsp and cups). I even measure my milk in fl oz on my scale to ensure that I get it as accurate as possible. Almost everything I record is measured in grams or ounces.

    If you don't feel well with your thyroid levels "normal" range - it might not be your normal. My normal is not what the blood test considered normal and my doctor knows this. It took me 13 years to have someone listen and I am on a very high dosage of synthroid to balance. It is just slower for us and our bodies work differently so calculations have to be adjusted frequently (I re-evaluate every month). Also, some of the things that have happened to me with my thyroid: extremely low vitamin D levels (like a 12 lol), low ferritin levels (iron) etc... I now have to take supplements for all of that and I take a multi-vitamin on top of it.

    Once I put all of it together then I began to feel better. :)
  • Stage14
    Stage14 Posts: 1,046 Member
    I think you need to go to a doctor not a personal trainer - issues with anxiety and insomnia can have to do with cortisol or thyroid. 1500-1800 calories is not terribly low and shouldn't be inducing those kind of symptoms.

    I agree. 1500 is low, but it isn't below-your-BMR kind of low, and unless you've been eating on the 1500 end of the spectrum consistently for a long time, you shouldn't be seeing hormonal symptoms like increased cortisol and hair loss.

    And even if you ARE experiencing "starvation mode" and that is causing your symptoms, you wouldn't be GAINING weight at the same time.

    It sounds like you have a medical issue and I would have a medical doctor check it out.
  • delicious_cocktail
    delicious_cocktail Posts: 5,797 Member
    Good morning. Read this: http://nbsfit.com/nutrition/weight-loss-isnt-always-about-eating-less-and-exercising-more/
  • livingleanlivingclean
    livingleanlivingclean Posts: 11,751 Member
    Have you watched/ read/ listened to any of Layne Nortons stuff? I'd highly recommend it if you haven't!

    I don't have the metabolic issues, but have been working with my coach to increase metabolic capacity. Rather than just hitting calorie goals, id recommend iifym. It's much easier to track and make progress. In 14 weeks my macros increased by (I think) 80g carbs, 20g fat and 20g protein. I've also had huge gains. Along with some fat (urgh. Hence why a mini cut has just started! I am in a much better position though, and even with carb cycling, I still have about 2200 cals on low days)
  • Trojanbabe
    Trojanbabe Posts: 17 Member
    THANK YOU:) I am familiar with Layne Norton and have contacted him before. What I have is metabolic damage from years of cutting calories and this can happen to ANYONE at anytime if you don't get proper calories. I felt 15/1700 was enough as I was not hungry but it was down regulation. I'm working on getting in enough calories and recording my body temperature which is still VERY low.

    You create a calorie deficit which works for a while so you think more might be better. More doesn't always equal better..
    Balance is tough to find.
  • Trojanbabe
    Trojanbabe Posts: 17 Member
    appreciate the article!
  • delicious_cocktail
    delicious_cocktail Posts: 5,797 Member
    appreciate the article!

    Cheers. You are not alone. It is a common problem. You will have to tackle some psychological stuff to move forward, but listen to your body as you go, not your mind.
  • Trojanbabe
    Trojanbabe Posts: 17 Member
    Agreed. My stress/cortisol is directly correlated to my attachment of my body image.

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