Finding my "sweet spot" for loss...

katmarsc
katmarsc Posts: 118 Member
My weight has been stuck for a long time now. I started paleo/ primal in November. I have Hashimoto, switched from Synthroid to Armour in December, I have a hunch that my hormones are out of balance. I lost 12 lbs, in the first four weeks but it know it was from not having carbs. 50 yrs old female, 5'4", sedentary - office job, secondary job live in mom with dementia. Last year new reorganization at work - now have 100 direct reports, Sr mgmt position. The one thing I have not incorporated into my life is exercise- I use to have time to walk, still trying to find time. I am blocking out a 1/2hour on my work Outlook Calendar and getting outside to walk. I was never a big beef eater, stomach cramping- but now I am eating it with Paleo. I did the AIP (autoimmune protocol) for 60 days- still following it other than introducing eggs and some kerrygold cheese.
I have adjusted calorie intake from 1200 now up to 1500, I received input from MFP posters, that I was not eating enough, so I increased to 1500. If anyone has thoughts on autoimmune thyroid/ surgical menopause, weight stalls, please get in touch. There are so many different opinions, I know each person is different,but I really can't be that Different, take a look at my diary.. I am ok with hard honest opinions - but if you don't mind please don't use take over this post for your own issues.- create your own post. ..:happy:

Replies

  • One thing I read about continually is that if you are dealing with a lot of stress in your life,it can have a massive impact on weight loss..everything else can be perfect but stress messes it up.
    If you are thinking hormonal issues,look into the leptin reset program as I have read countless success stories with this protocol.
    As for AIP..60 days is a bit of time but for some people it can take a lot longer to help with Auto Immune issues.
    It's possible to look at going lower carbs for a few weeks and see if that triggers something.
    I notice in your diary that there are tomatoes,onions,nuts,packaged deli meats,hot dogs.I have done A.I.P and would say they are a big no no for someone dealing with an auto immune illness
    Check out
    http://www.thepaleomom.com/autoimmunity/the-autoimmune-protocol
    http://autoimmune-paleo.com (very good website)
    http://www.alt-ternativeuniverse.blogspot.ca
    Hope it helps :)
  • katmarsc
    katmarsc Posts: 118 Member
    thanks Justspoonful. If is it nitrate free and organic- those are still no no's? Ok good to know, the brand is Applegate and Maverick, I was thinking they were still good in a pinch for protein.. Any suggestions on alternatives so I can add protein ..
    I did remove tomatoes and when I reintroduced I didn't have any issues, but I still continue to pass on them most of the time. I have to stop finding reasons for not making time for me... that is why I added "Me" to my calendar... i can become one-sided /one- focused and most of the time I am pushed aside.
  • Sabine_Stroehm
    Sabine_Stroehm Posts: 19,263 Member
    You mentioned the hashimotos (not fun) but where are you at with menopause?
  • I think if the meat is packaged,it's a no no.Unless it's come from a butcher and has nothing added,it's going to have stuff stuck in there that can cause inflammation (carrageenan is a real bugger and seems to be in so many things,just an example).
    As for protein sources other than beef,do you eat fish?How about lamb?
    I think taking time for you is SUPER important and I am sure it's hard to find time considering your personal circumstances..mediation is another great stress relief as well.
    Getting some free weights for home and taking some time in the evening(if your home time allows it),another great way to get rid of that stress.
  • katmarsc
    katmarsc Posts: 118 Member
    You mentioned the hashimotos (not fun) but where are you at with menopause?

    Had surgery in 2010, was using creme and found out I was overmedicating... I have been doing without HRT since. I am not having any real symptoms other than night sweats.. but that could also be from Hashimoto, like clockwork I am up at two and sometimes again at 4.
  • katmarsc
    katmarsc Posts: 118 Member
    As for protein sources other than beef,do you eat fish?How about lamb?

    Yes,I like fish and lamb.. I try to prep my food all over the weekend so I can have meals ready.. the leftovers I have sometimes gets eaten by mom or hubby.. and then I am scrambling for other alternatives. :) some nights I come home late from work and too tired to cook or its too late for eat a full dinner... so in a pinch I do the quick nitrate free foods"
  • fruttibiscotti
    fruttibiscotti Posts: 986 Member
    Ok, I think I'm going to bring some divergent opinions here in response to OPs concern why weight loss is not happening.

    First, I would agree that free range, grass feed meat is by far the best quality meat you can get. It is better than organic meat, which is different. Organic meat means the animal in question was fed organic feed, which includes grains. Grain fed meat are not as nutritionally superior as grass fed, but nonetheless certainly better than non-organic meats. Nitrate free preserved processed meats contain nitrate containing chemicals derived from sources such as celery seed extract , which kinda defeats the purpose of nitrate free. So, when people think they are avoiding nitrates because the package says "no nitrates preservative added" they still get nitrates, just in a different source, usually in the form of celery seed extract (I personally think it is an abuse of marketers preying on people's lack of knowledge of the plethora of chemicals used in our foodstuffs). Having said that, from a long list of faux pas and things to avoid, nitrates is low on my list. I do try to avoid it, but I know it won't kill me if I have it. If for economic or convenience or whatever reasons you choose to eat processed meats, I don't see a problem with that. If you want a processed meat without exotic chemicals, look for ones that have nothing but salt added to them, like prosciutto (as in the high quality kind, like prosciutto di Parma from Italy).

    I looked at OPs food diary, and I can see why she is not losing weight. I see that the carb is often high in some meals, in that the carbs calories are higher than protein and fat. My recommendation is to make sure you eat fat at each meal, and make sure fat is the predominant component in all meals. For example, eating a larabar gives your body a huge sugar rush, spike your insulin, causing fat storage. A better choice that would induce fat burning instead would be celery with almond butter.

    By the way, 100 direct reports sounds crazy. I would recommend providing opportunity for some of your "gold nugget" employees, and have a structure set up so that you reduce the 100 direct reports, and convert them to indirect reports (I.e. Manage managers or manage supervisors). I don't see any good coming from 100 people reporting to you directly, it's an inefficient management structure, and it deprives good employees from growth and job satisfaction. It also causes you added stress as it induces a more tactical micromanagement style, as opposed to being more high level and strategic. My two cents. Good luck.
  • Sabine_Stroehm
    Sabine_Stroehm Posts: 19,263 Member
    You mentioned the hashimotos (not fun) but where are you at with menopause?

    Had surgery in 2010, was using creme and found out I was overmedicating... I have been doing without HRT since. I am not having any real symptoms other than night sweats.. but that could also be from Hashimoto, like clockwork I am up at two and sometimes again at 4.
    Probably a combination of both.
  • katmarsc
    katmarsc Posts: 118 Member
    Great info fruttibiscott, I was under wrong impression, I thought it was how it equaled out the entire day- not each meal. When I cooked with coconut oil do I need to list that too?
    And about the employees, most roll up to thirteen branch managers. Still need working on the rest.
  • fruttibiscotti
    fruttibiscotti Posts: 986 Member
    Phew, glad to hear you have branch managers....I cannot imagine having sanity in your life with 100 direct reports! :wink:

    Yes, when you cook with coconut oil, you should record it. Some may be left in pan, but lots can get absorbed on food and it adds to your food count. And good job using coconut oil, it's a healthy choice!