Sometimes for severe metabolic issues, reducing carbs, and increasing fat, even further is beneficial. For the first year, I had my carbs set at 5% (20-25 grams per day) and fat at 75-80% then changed to 10% carbs (40 grams, but I was usually well under) and 70% fat. Don't go by my current settings-I'm eating closer to maintenance and allowing a few extra carbs during my vacation. I have mostly been Primal, but on months where I quit dairy I lose fat much faster. I do track my food, even during my modified Whole30, because I still need to. Feel free to look; it's open. Eliminating dairy will be something I do increasingly more. I like how I feel without it and I can't get decent cheese at home anyway. I do practice intuitive eating at lunch and on vacations. I will be doing an intuitive eating Whole30 likely sometime next fall, or when I feel my metabolism has fully healed.

Also, if you are over 200 pounds 1400 calories is not enough. There's no need to eat that little and the metabolism can get very efficient on running on less fuel and conserving fat stores. When I started out I was 241 and MFP set my calories at 1600 which was too low. Because of that, after the initial fast loss, I hit a plateau early this year. So, I am still eating 1600, plus some of my exercise calories and losing at a fairly steady pace, not always linear (my calories are now set higher for vacation). As mentioned, I lose better when I follow a stricter Paleo diet (Whole30) which I still do with high fat, low carb. I just ended a W30 and lost 5 pounds in 5 weeks. When I eat Primal I only lose maybe 2 pounds per month (which is still awesome). My slowing weight loss reflects that i am nearing where my body wants to settle.

PS. As Dragonwolf mentioned I track mainly to keep an eye on the carbs and fat. It's vital for me that the carbs stay low and the fat high. The calories are far less important. For me.

When I'm trying to lose weight I keep my carbs under 50 gm and count calories and protein to make sure I don't overeat protein. It is my understanding that eating more protein than your body needs is counter productive. I aim for .5 gm per lb of body weight.

do you have access to a pool? With your joint problems, swimming or water aerobics are great workouts, but are so gentle on the joints! Good luck with the functional medicine doctor and primal living. With the endocrine stuff, it may take your body a bit longer to respond, but stick with it!

Hi - I can tell you what works for me:

Eating 3 meals a day, no snacking. I have a big breakfast and I'm fine until lunch. Lately I have been snacking in the afternoon and, not surprisingly, I put on 4 pounds over the holidays.

Moving 'primaly' throughout the day. I think exercise is important, but it also important to keep active at much as possible. I have a desk job but I get up and walk around at least once per hour, I don't use elevators or escalators, and I usually park 10 minutes walk away from work.