Help me before I go insane!

Parrothead1027
Parrothead1027 Posts: 4
in Health and Weight Loss
I'm not the picture of health. I know that. I have PCOS and I'm on Metformin for that. In that past I've done south beach to lose weight and it's worked, but it's only so long before I need more variety. I don't eat fruits and veggies (I never had, I try, I puke).

I own all my flaws. But in the past those short comings have not stopped me from seeing results.

For a good 2 months I've put in a real effort to try and track my meals, to eat better, to avoid crap. Yes, I'll slip up and eat crap every now and then, but the overall picture is so much better.

I started 2 months ago really adding in exercise. I'm now averaging 4-6 times a week (when in the past I was lucky to go once a week, even when I had results losing weight before). I am averaging 400+ calories when I use the HR monitors on the elliptical machine (lower then the estimate that MFP gives so I use that). I swim every other day for 30-40 min. On cardio days I do some weight (chest, legs, arms, etc). At first I started to seem some inches go, but the scale kept wavering back and forth.

I'm now a good two months into these changes. And the inches aren't coming off anymore (and it wasn't much to begin with, only 3" overall) and the scale keeps gaining and losing the same pound. Jeans are just as tight as they were in the beginning of the year. I'm getting frustrated and even my husband is baffled (he dropped 30 lbs with less discipline then me!). I'm going to get in to my doctor to run bloodwork again, but last time nothing was out of wack.

MFP has me eating 1630 calories. I do try to eat back what I exercise. I'm 5'7 210lbs and 37 years old. I went to the sites people have mentioned and got a BMR of 1704 (Not 100% understanding that), and a TDEE of (2614) with a goal of 2113 for the 20%. Is this telling me I've actually been undereating all this time and for me my body has been in starvation mode?

Do I want to eat 2113 everyday....even on days I don't exercise? Why am I not seeing ANY results with my caloric cut and added exercise?

I'm going INSANE. I'm not the best at always finishing my log. I know I'm pretty close on measuring, etc. I've always been a "big girl" and "big boned". So I'm not expecting to drop 40lbs overnight. But at the same time, I'd think even just with the added change of exercise alone almost daily, I should see SOMETHING!

Replies

  • ladynocturne
    ladynocturne Posts: 865 Member
    If you are truly puking every time you try to eat a fruit or a vegetable, you need to see a doctor. That is not "normal" and you may have a lot more health problems than anyone here could possibly help with.

    I'd strongly advise you to be under a certified dietitian and nutritionist in addition to your doctor who is treating you for PCOS before starting any kind of diet or exercise changes.
  • Parrothead1027
    Parrothead1027 Posts: 4
    It's a texture/taste thing that I can't just get pass.
  • DrJenO
    DrJenO Posts: 404 Member
    I'm of a similar height/weight/age as you, and I'm losing steadily on 1700-1800 per day, with more on exercise days (up to 2100-2200 some days).

    1) You need to accurately log. Until you do that, it will be impossible to pinpoint the problem. That may BE the only problem - that you are eating more than you think.

    2) TDEE = total daily energy expenditure, which is an average of the amount of calories you burn (given gender, age, height, weight, and exercise/activity level). One way to lose weight is to eat your TDEE - x% (15-25% is what I've seen quoted), where you eat the same amount of calories each day no matter what exercise you do - assuming your exercise stays the same every week. If you aren't sure that you will be able to exercise the same every week, you could do NEAT + exercise (which is what MFP does), where they calculate a base amount of calories for you (based on all of the above EXCEPT for exercise) and then you add your exercise calories back. This is what I do, because I am paranoid I'll overeat one week if something happens and I'm unable to exercise as much.

    3) Some may disagree with me, but as far as strictly weight loss goes, a calorie is a calorie, whether fruit, vegetable, or a piece of cake. You can lose weight eating nothing but Snickers if you stay under your calorie limit. That being said, from a health standpoint, your overall health suffers if you don't get the right balance of nutrients. Weight isn't the only thing that contributes to your overall picture of health. I'd consider making an appointment with a registered dietician. He or she might be able to help you come up with ways to eat fruits and veggies that don't make you vomit. I'd make this a priority.

    4) LOG YOUR FOOD!!!
  • _HeartsOnFire_
    _HeartsOnFire_ Posts: 5,304 Member
    I'm of a similar height/weight/age as you, and I'm losing steadily on 1700-1800 per day, with more on exercise days (up to 2100-2200 some days).

    1) You need to accurately log. Until you do that, it will be impossible to pinpoint the problem. That may BE the only problem - that you are eating more than you think.

    2) TDEE = total daily energy expenditure, which is an average of the amount of calories you burn (given gender, age, height, weight, and exercise/activity level). One way to lose weight is to eat your TDEE - x% (15-25% is what I've seen quoted), where you eat the same amount of calories each day no matter what exercise you do - assuming your exercise stays the same every week. If you aren't sure that you will be able to exercise the same every week, you could do NEAT + exercise (which is what MFP does), where they calculate a base amount of calories for you (based on all of the above EXCEPT for exercise) and then you add your exercise calories back. This is what I do, because I am paranoid I'll overeat one week if something happens and I'm unable to exercise as much.

    3) Some may disagree with me, but as far as strictly weight loss goes, a calorie is a calorie, whether fruit, vegetable, or a piece of cake. You can lose weight eating nothing but Snickers if you stay under your calorie limit. That being said, from a health standpoint, your overall health suffers if you don't get the right balance of nutrients. Weight isn't the only thing that contributes to your overall picture of health. I'd consider making an appointment with a registered dietician. He or she might be able to help you come up with ways to eat fruits and veggies that don't make you vomit. I'd make this a priority.

    4) LOG YOUR FOOD!!!

    QFT!!!

    Also, if you're having a hard time because fruit is a texture thing, maybe turn them into a smoothie?
  • _HeartsOnFire_
    _HeartsOnFire_ Posts: 5,304 Member
    nevermind reading this, you already figured out your BMR and TDEE.

    But in case anyone else needs it...

    Read this...
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/975025-in-place-of-a-road-map-short-n-sweet?hl=short+sweet+<span class=

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1175494-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants
  • _HeartsOnFire_
    _HeartsOnFire_ Posts: 5,304 Member
    if you're TDEE is 2113, then yes, you eat that amount every day, even on days you don't exercise. Do NOT eat your exercise calories back.

    Do you have a food scale?
  • Saphira291
    Saphira291 Posts: 54 Member
    I have a hard time with a lot of fruits and veggies myself and can only stand a few. I bought a juicer and that way I can get in the fruits and veggies I don't like without tasting them because I'll mix them with a fruit flavor I do like. Might be something to consider to help get them into your diet.
  • jessilyn76
    jessilyn76 Posts: 532 Member
    Diary?????
  • JesChernosky
    JesChernosky Posts: 37 Member
    It's a texture/taste thing that I can't just get pass.

    I have the same problem when it comes to cooked veggies. I do love raw veggies and fruit. I try to find ways to add fruits and veggies to my diet that are ways I can handle them.
  • ChampagneHrglss
    ChampagneHrglss Posts: 42 Member
    I've been on the Ideal Protein Diet for about 6 months now. I am off the Metformin for my PCOS and my symptoms are almost gone (I still have one brain-dead ovary that refuses to operate but other than that things are good). I've lost almost 60 pounds. The program can be a little expensive but a low carb approach might really be your best bet. My health coach put it to me this way - your body is going to burn sugar first, always, because it's an easy source of energy. If you reduce your sugar intake you'll force your body to burn fat stores instead of easy sugar reserves. The key is, you also have to support muscle with protein, and exercise moderately - intense workouts on Ideal Protein are not a good idea.

    It might be something to look into?
  • Parrothead1027
    Parrothead1027 Posts: 4
    I should say, I do get some fruits and veggies, and I'm taking vitamins to make up for it. I do smoothies, etc.

    I know eating crap isnt good, but I just came across a study (at a university) where people were put on a calorie restricted diet of only things like twinkies and potato chips, but still lost weight. CRAZY!

    Thanks for explaining things a bit more. I'll try upping my calories, and logging everything and weighing too.
  • firstsip
    firstsip Posts: 8,399 Member
    Unfortunately, PCOS is one of those "wrenches" in the system. Provided you are measuring and weighing all of your food (keeping that accurate) and not vastly overestimating calorie burns (I'd get a real HRM with chest strap; even though the machines are lower than MFP's estimations, they may still be too high), you might just have to keep doing what you're doing. Conditions that affect the metabolism tend to result in slower progress, even when everything is done perfectly.

    Look into adding more strength training (following a program, rather than just adding it occasionally), work with your doctor, and be patient.

    ETA: Whoops. "I'm not the best at always finishing my log. I know I'm pretty close on measuring, etc." These really, really, REALLY a probably responsible before "upping calories" or even looking at PCOS. Make sure you are consistent for 6-8 weeks, THEN see if you're still having trouble.
  • _HeartsOnFire_
    _HeartsOnFire_ Posts: 5,304 Member
    I should say, I do get some fruits and veggies, and I'm taking vitamins to make up for it. I do smoothies, etc.

    I know eating crap isnt good, but I just came across a study (at a university) where people were put on a calorie restricted diet of only things like twinkies and potato chips, but still lost weight. CRAZY!

    Thanks for explaining things a bit more. I'll try upping my calories, and logging everything and weighing too.

    I eat what I want and drink beer and have been losing weight. I'm not saying eating junk all the time is good. But to me it's all about moderation not deprivation. There are no bad foods, just bad eating habits.
  • Parrothead1027
    Parrothead1027 Posts: 4
    FCbailey- can you tell me more about that diet?
  • amy8400
    amy8400 Posts: 478 Member
    Also, if you're having a hard time because fruit is a texture thing, maybe turn them into a smoothie?
    [/quote]

    My best investment ever was a quality blender. I have a VitaMix--LOVE it. You can mix spinach into creamy, smooth fruit drinks and you'll never taste it nor the texture. You can make healthy soups in them, too. Soups have been a huge part of my diet this winter and when you can make them yourself and avoid all that sodium in canned soups, you're doing your weight loss efforts a huge favor.

    If you aren't eating fruits and veggies, what are you eating? I don't mean that to sound like a smart a** comment, but the first thing that comes to mind is a diet full of carbs, meat, cheese, fats, etc.
  • alli_ram
    alli_ram Posts: 1
    I suggest trying a few simple things:

    1) Make sure you aren't drinking your calories. When in doubt, opt for water or perhaps a zero-calorie tea.

    2) Put some variety in your workout. It seems like you have a pretty scheduled workout. Maybe try some new exercises you've never done before? I know yoga, pilates, and cross fit help people slim down.

    I've heard of other people who have plateaued on their weight loss and after trying these two things, they saw some improvement. I can't guarantee immediate results, but maybe this could help.
  • amy8400
    amy8400 Posts: 478 Member
    Well sure you can lose weight eating twinkles if you have only 5 twinkies a day. You'll lose weight only because of calorie restriction but you'll be a mess on the inside if you keep that up. Garbage in, garbage out.
  • lindsey1979
    lindsey1979 Posts: 2,395 Member
    It sounds like you have insulin resistance (very common with PCOS and metformin is given for specifically that reason). Do you know if you have insulin resistance? Were you tested for it? As someone else mentioned, when you have something like PCOS (or insulin resistance, or thyroid issues), the normal rules usually don't apply. You can be eating at the deficit and your body isn't responding in a "normal" way.

    If you do have insulin resistance, you'll likely need to adopt a low carb diet to lose the weight. I have IR as well and am on metformin now too -- and that was what worked for me and what I've seen suggested time and time again for those that have insulin resistance (and by my doctor). Check out other boards for PCOS and you'll see it time and time again. I aim to keep my total carbs between 50 and 80 for the day (that's total, so net carbs is probably another 15-20 lower).

    So, for me, this usually means that get a baseline of 130 g protein (as I'm 183 lbs), keep my carbs at 80 g or below, and the rest is fat. That usually breaks down to something like 10-15% carbs, 30-35% protein and 50-60% fat as I usually eat around 1650-1750 calories and burn 2400-2700.

    Before I got on the metformin and adopted the low carb diet (and had some thyroid issues corrected), I used to work like crazy. I was eating at a 700+ calorie daily deficit and losing less than 1 lb a month (2.2 lbs in 3 months!). But, after adopting the low carb diet and using metformin and my thyroid meds, I finally lose like a "normal" person (losing 7+ lbs in the first month -- which previously would have taken me over 6 months!). I've had the EXACT same eating and exercising habits.

    As for exercise, I lift heavy (3x5) twice a week, do twice weekly sprint sessions and walk/hike a lot (15-25 miles per week). Two of the most important things you can do for maintaining muscle or minimizing its loss when in a caloric deficit is (1) lift heavy (3x5, starting strength, stronglifts, etc.) and (2) eat sufficient protein (what this is under debate, but I use 0.7 g protein per lb body weight. Adding in sprint sessions also really help with fat loss, so when you start losing weight, more of it is fat vs. muscle.

    Here's a great article on why you should add in sprints (wordy, but good): http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/par46.htm
  • deksgrl
    deksgrl Posts: 7,237 Member


    ETA: Whoops. "I'm not the best at always finishing my log. I know I'm pretty close on measuring, etc." These really, really, REALLY a probably responsible before "upping calories" or even looking at PCOS. Make sure you are consistent for 6-8 weeks, THEN see if you're still having trouble.

    ^^^THIS.

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