Weight Training, Cardio, and Weight Gain/Loss Questions

Hi everyone,

This is my first post here on MFP. I've been using the app since... well, I joined over a year ago but only really started using it this past January 2014.

I know similar questions have been asked here before (just read them but didn't fully answer my questions). So, let me first give a little background to my situation.

I am one of those "medical reason" fat people. I have Poly-Cystic Ovarian Syndrome, a thyroid that does not work, several adrenal issues and other endocrine system problems (all diagnosed when I was 16). I am NOT diabetic. I was a thin, hyperactive kid until I hit puberty and then gained 100 lbs over 6 months with no change in activity or diet. I've struggled to lose it (and more) ever since.

I've always been active, despite my weight. I went hiking, did archery, danced, did weight training (the usual "I have no idea what I'm doing but I'm going to try these machines anyway" routine) at the local gym. Nothing ever worked and eventually I gave up. After giving up, my weight skyrocketed to 310 lbs. I still remained active, though. I just didn't try to lose weight anymore.

In January 2013, I started a weight training program with a personal trainer (3 times a week) along with doing a cardio program to burn 500 extra calories per day. I also saw a nutritionist and followed her advice to a T, keeping under 1500 calories a day.

Well, it didn't work. I saw no change even after 9 months of this. Oh, I got more toned, but I stayed well above 300lbs. I had to quit due to a medical reason (had to have abdominal surgery because of a football-sized cyst).

Then in December 2013, I was referred to a new endocrinologist who also employed a different nutritionist. Their take on diet was vastly different -- more along the lines of a paleo diet but not quiet. Long story short, they changed my medications and put me on a carb-restricted diet (50 grams of effective carbs per day -- and yes, this is a very easy, realistic and lifetime way of eating for me... I'm not a carb person to begin with so cutting them out has been quite simple and I don't really miss them).

That combination worked! Since December 2013, I'm down to 255 lbs. That's with just the diet. I started the cardio classes back up on June 1 and went back to the personal trainer as of June 30. Now my weight loss has completely stalled! In fact, I gained 10 lbs -- this didn't happen when I first started way back in January 2013.

I'm guessing this is water retention? For the last month since restarting the weight training, I've been bouncing between 256 and 261. I'm pretty fanatical when it comes to what I'm eating... although I have to admit that on a lot of days, I have trouble keeping my calories above 1000. I wonder if this is playing a part in it? Am I not eating enough to maintain the weight loss with the extra exercise?

Thanks for any insight!