Frustrated... need a hug!

I am a middle aged woman with a metabolism that is slower than my patients. Of COURSE that's not what I tell my patients. My patients are kids. They have normal metabolisms. Mine is slower, obviously, and more ineffective.

You've lost 2+~ lbs in 3 weeks? How is your metabolism slow?

hug!!!! you are doing just fine. I wouldn't worry so much about calorie intake, but more about fat grams, protein grams and sodium. More protein to build muscles and not lose what you already have, less fat grams and watch your sodium intake, fluid retention is a killer for weight gain. There is a new study out that says 45 minutes of strength training and cardio is optimum for weight loss, I would suggest you do cardio one day and strength the next, that way you get a full body work out every two days.

Um, no. Weight loss is calories in < calories out. The make up of those calories isn't important for weight loss. The make up of those calories is important for body composition and nutrients though. And dietary fat does not make you fat. Excess calories make you fat.

No need to be frustrated, you probably aren't seeing a change on the scale because you are most likely gaining muscle!

Negative. You can NOT gain muscle while eating in a deficit, especially as a woman. It takes a bunch of food, heavy lifting, and time to gain muscle.

Um, no. Weight loss is calories in < calories out. The make up of those calories isn't important for weight loss. The make up of those calories is important for body composition and nutrients though. And dietary fat does not make you fat. Excess calories make you fat.

Pretty much that in a nutshell

I am brand new to the site, do like the format so far.
To the op * I never hug on the first post* , seriously many have given great information and things to look at ...
#1 - I agree that 800 calories are too low ,
#2- 2 lbs in a few weeks when under 20 is not bad and shows progress even if it is not at the rate you like
#3 - add strength training and core training to workouts try cutting down Cardio and doing at end of routine.
#4 - by adding strength training you need to feed the muscles .... try to consume about 1500 calories with emphasis on protein. Eat the right Carbs but I would try and reduce you carbohydrates by 1/2 - 2/3rds while increasing protein the same amount. By adding strength training into the mix and limiting the Carbs your body will go to fat storage for energy quicker and consume at a faster rate. The high protein will protect muscles and give the nutrition for rebuilding..... If you do your workouts any time close to bedtime... try eating a couple ounces of grilled/baked chicken breast about between the workout and bedtime... usually about 30 minutes is good for most. the slow digesting protein will feed and fuel your healing muscles while continuing to keep a high metabolic rate going burning more calories and fat while you sleep. Get you full 8 hours of sleep ...

hugsss itll all be okayy

I am a middle aged woman with a metabolism that is slower than my patients. Of COURSE that's not what I tell my patients. My patients are kids. They have normal metabolisms. Mine is slower, obviously, and more ineffective.

I'm 40 and I maintain at 2300 calories a day. Unless you did something to damage your metabolism when you were younger or have had extensive testing done you cannot know how slow your metabolism is.

Here is some recommended reading:

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/872212-you-re-probably-eating-more-than-you-think
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1234699-logging-accurately-step-by-step-guide

*throws cookies and slams door*









*sneaks back eat and picks cookies off floor and sneaks back out, dramatically*

I can't take ANY of what the OP is posting seriously.

This just has ED written ALL over it.

I suggest rehab.

And maybe revisiting Med School for classes in Nutrition and Kinesiology.

I can't take ANY of what the OP is posting seriously.

This just has ED written ALL over it.

I suggest rehab.

And maybe revisiting Med School for classes in Nutrition and Kinesiology.

^^^And this as well perhaps^^^^:happy:
Because as a physician if your on drugs or developing a negative lifestyle you need to find a way to stop it in its tracks before it spirals you out of control and taking you down with it. So try yoga the movements will be light on your feet and the stretches will actually strengthen you and you should lose weight along with it. I don't like drinking my calories much either i love pure water because its good for my skin and kidneys and heck I'm thirsty too, so you need to re evaluate the foods you are eating and you should add some salmon to your diet-those omega 3, 6 and 9 that you will get from the fish will help you as well…take your caloric levels to at least 1400. I was told no less than 1500 but if your really not wanting to up it to 1500 then should get to 1400 of organic foods and i mean your able to afford some awesome food which is more than what I can say at the moment and hire a nutritionist if it means that much…I wish I could hug you-Its frustrating but you gotta play the right way or it won't happen the right way…and it won't come off easy you need like 2 months is when I was seeing results…you need a few months…it does take a while sometimes..stress effects all that too so if your worried about it your keeping those cortisol levels high too so try meditating by focusing on good mantras and positive sayings/stories and envision yourself with your type of body…yoga or swimming is really good for bad joints… buy a bikini and work out in in your house or take belly dance classes. I want to take pole dancing classes -DONT JUDGE ME K???-Its a good workout I here and it teaches you how to be confident about yourself-why not?????:)

Babe, you're a doctor right? you know then that 800 is too low. 1200 is the usual recommended lowest calorie count; the oldskool way was 1000. When you start working out and cutting calories, you may put on water for a while. If your body isn't used to the movements you're putting it through, you need time to adjust and all.


My family doctor is absolutely obsessed with body fat. Hers and everyone else's. I'm starting to think it's a thing. lol. Be kind to yourself, eat 1200 cals and do your workouts and you will see change over time. It's gonna be slow, that's okay. Be patient and stick with it.

Babe, you're a doctor right? you know then that 800 is too low. 1200 is the usual recommended lowest calorie count; the oldskool way was 1000. When you start working out and cutting calories, you may put on water for a while. If your body isn't used to the movements you're putting it through, you need time to adjust and all.


My family doctor is absolutely obsessed with body fat. Hers and everyone else's. I'm starting to think it's a thing. lol. Be kind to yourself, eat 1200 cals and do your workouts and you will see change over time. It's gonna be slow, that's okay. Be patient and stick with it.

My soon-to-be-sis-in law is in nursing and when I told her I was at 1300 she freaked on me lol saying you should be on 1500 I didn't listen and i was doing fine but i upped and its not so bad and I'm really feel in this forum

Hey guys! I have been on here for fifteen days now. I started to get very serious about this about a week before that, so it is exactly 21 days to the day when I started exercising and changing.

I need to start by saying that I'm not terribly overweight. That being said, I can afford to be ten to fifteen pounds lighter. I have no health issues... I'm 42, perfect lipids, perfect thyroids, etc. I also lead a moderately active lifestyle (I'm a physician so I'm always running from room to room, picking up kids left and right, etc). My diet was also pretty normal, very little junk food, no sodas at all, not even diet sodas, etc.

My frustration lies in the fact that I have been extremely strict and dedicated to this cause: cardio for at least an hour every single day, counting all calories, etc... and I have seen very little result. Two pounds is nothing to be proud of. Yes, I lost a little off my waist, but the scale is stuck at the same weight. I tried "eating a bit more" so as to not induce this "starvation mode" and the scale moved up half a pound the next day. So I need to eat less. I am averaging about 800 cal a day so how is this sustainable?

I could exercise two hours a day but frankly, I am not young, my knee is already in a knee brace, and I don't want to start popping ibuprofen. I know I have to be patient. But oh, I am sooooo frustrated.

I've bolded the relevant parts of your post.

You're looking to lose 15 pounds. You've lost 2 pounds in your first three weeks. That is right in line with the experience of most people looking to drop that amount of weight. It is something to be proud of.

To address your concern about how much you're eating: 800 calories a day is not sustainable. Please go to this website and calculate your BMR and TDEE:

http://www.fat2fittools.com/tools/bmr/

This will give you a better idea of how much you should eat each day, at a sustainable level.

Best of luck to you!

P.S. I love New Braunfels! We used to go there every year and float the river when I was a kid!

Yes, this is right - OP has lost 2lb in 3 weeks - yes with some up and down, ie lost 2.5, gained back 0.5, but that is normal, wieght loss is never exactly linear.

I agreee 800 is far too low. OP you need to eat a sensible amount and have realistic expectations.

You could put your stats into a calculator and get the amount or you could put them into MFP - with the weight loss rate of 0.5lb per week since you have only a little to lose.

Doing that will get you to at least 1200, possibly more ,depending on your height - eat that plus eat back at least some of your exercise calories.