How to finally lose the weight?

bsun22164
bsun22164 Posts: 4
in Health and Weight Loss
My daughter has struggled to lose weight for the past few months. She has a generally sedentary lifestyle during the day, but works out at the gym 4-5 days a week. She used to eat lots of desserts and calorie packed Starbucks drinks, and gained a few pounds that she wanted to get rid of. After discussing healthy eating options, she totally changed her dietary habits and hasn't touched any of the things she would have eaten in the past. I can honestly say she eats really well. She exercises. She can't lose a pound. She gained 10 pounds in three months WHILE eating right and exercising. I just don't know what to tell her anymore. Should she be on a specific diet? What kind of plan would be best for someone like her? We've thought of low carb, low calorie, but always find a specific diet hard to stick to because of such a low amount of options. She really would like to lose the weight once and for all, and in a timely manner. It's getting quite frustrating dealing with the weight loss topic all of the time with no results. Thanks xx

Replies

  • waltcote
    waltcote Posts: 372 Member
    i would suggest a balanced diet including all food groups, just in moderation. Gotta eat what you can live with for a long period of time. Not fad diets or low carb. Just try to eliminate like she has already the excess sugars, with an occasional treat because we all need taht sometimes i think. :bigsmile:
  • AllOutof_Bubblegum
    AllOutof_Bubblegum Posts: 3,646 Member
    The only thing necessary to lose weight is to eat fewer calories than you are expending throughout the day. This is called a "deficit". Stick with a deficit long enough, and by scientific law your body will have to burn fat stores.
  • sweetpea03b
    sweetpea03b Posts: 1,123 Member
    Here is the only advice I can give: When I find myself telling a similar story... if I REALLY look.. I can see the something is off/missing. Maybe I'm really not giving it my all in my workouts (doing the bare minimum)... maybe I'm downplaying my food portions... not logging certain things... there are always things that can be tightened up, I'd say.

    Weigh everything... log everything... work hard. It'll happen.
  • JTick
    JTick Posts: 2,131 Member
    How old is your daughter? If she is under 18, have you discussed this with her pediatrician?
  • csec6pak
    csec6pak Posts: 54 Member
    Yeah, and if she's over 18, you quite frankly need to butt out, unless she's asking you for specific help. I wouldn't be thrilled about losing weight either, if my mom were discussing my weight with a bunch of internet strangers.

    How tall is she and what does she weigh? I'm hoping this post isn't a case of, "My 5'4" daughter weighs 110 pounds and I'm so ashamed that she's so HUGE!"
  • bsun22164
    bsun22164 Posts: 4
    How old is your daughter? If she is under 18, have you discussed this with her pediatrician?

    She is 16 years old. I've spoken to the pediatrician who didn't seem concerned over it. She simply recommended for her to eat right and exercise. I can't understand the 10 pound weight gain in such a short amount of time, and her inability to lose the weight.
  • bsun22164
    bsun22164 Posts: 4
    Yeah, and if she's over 18, you quite frankly need to butt out, unless she's asking you for specific help. I wouldn't be thrilled about losing weight either, if my mom were discussing my weight with a bunch of internet strangers.

    How tall is she and what does she weigh? I'm hoping this post isn't a case of, "My 5'4" daughter weighs 110 pounds and I'm so ashamed that she's so HUGE!"

    She has just turned 16 and has asked for my help. She is only 5'0 and weighs 130 pounds.
  • JTick
    JTick Posts: 2,131 Member
    She is 16. She is still growing, and her body is changing. If her doctor isn't concerned, just reinforce good eating habits and staying active.
  • colors_fade
    colors_fade Posts: 464 Member
    Eating "right" doesn't mean eating at a deficit. It's still possible to overeat your calorie requirements with "good" foods. The internet is replete with stories of people who have gone low-carb or Paleo or some other fad diet, only to watch their weight continue to increase because they are eating too many calories.

    So there are only two possibilities: (1) She is eating too many calories or (2) She has a medical condition, like a thyroid condition.

    Well, I guess there is a third option: she could be pregnant. Because that would explain all her symptoms.
  • mdboss10
    mdboss10 Posts: 15 Member
    I'm assuming that your daughter is at school during the day, so you don't see her and can't with 100% certainty say what she eating at school, right? She could be getting extra calories at school and not realizing how quickly they add up. Those nasty bagels and cream cheese during mid-morning break, a few full-calorie cokes here and there, grabbing a handful of her friend's fries at lunch, etc, etc.

    She also might tell you that she is really watching it, but she might not realize that some of her habits are keeping her from being successful. Does she had a smart phone and does she use myfitnesspal? that would be a good suggestion.
  • farfromthetree
    farfromthetree Posts: 982 Member
    The only thing necessary to lose weight is to eat fewer calories than you are expending throughout the day. This is called a "deficit". Stick with a deficit long enough, and by scientific law your body will have to burn fat stores.

    ^This
    I am not a physician and I hesitate giving any advice because of her age. But, I will tell you I got fat on "healthy" foods. I just ate too much of it. She should begin watching her portion sizes, but at 16 years old be very careful. Teens can very quickly develop poor self image.(as I am sure you are aware!) good luck!
  • bsun22164
    bsun22164 Posts: 4
    Eating "right" doesn't mean eating at a deficit. It's still possible to overeat your calorie requirements with "good" foods. The internet is replete with stories of people who have gone low-carb or Paleo or some other fad diet, only to watch their weight continue to increase because they are eating too many calories.

    So there are only two possibilities: (1) She is eating too many calories or (2) She has a medical condition, like a thyroid condition.

    Well, I guess there is a third option: she could be pregnant. Because that would explain all her symptoms.

    Well thank you for your post, but she is not pregnant. We'll have to watch her calories more.
  • Veil5577
    Veil5577 Posts: 868 Member
    She's 16, she is going through puberty and hormonal changes. That will make a difference.

    Just make sure she keeps eating well and working out, and as time goes by, the weight should come down.

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