Starvation Mode is Real, and ugly

So sorry you're having a bad day, Marla. *hugs* I'm not an expert or doctor so I can't help you out there. The only thing I can think of to tell you is to make sure you drink enough water during & after exercise. Stretches. The typical bull that you already know. I'm sure someone else has a better answer than me!

Yep-- been doing that. :frown: AND replenishing, blah, blah, blah--

:grumble:

Are you still on diuretics?

Yes. Doctor begrudgingly gave me HCTZ, but only half the dose I was on from my other doctor. I'll be bugging her to up the dosage at my next appointment.

Trying to figure out what's different. Aldi's didn't have my unsalted almonds, so I bought a huge can of salted peanuts. I measure them, but the sodium could definitely be part of the problem. Also, I made some quiche and put too much salt in by accident-- can't help, either.

I had leftover quiche for breakfast this morning, and the bloating went wild-- so, maybe that's it.

I was looking around at the library, seeing all the plump ladies with their tunics-- and, you know, I'm thinking, you know, that's gonna be me. May as well just go shopping, buy my old lady tunics and be done. This is driving me crazy.

But, you know, as I'm driving home, I'm thinking I can't give up. I just can't. I worked too hard for this. I have to get it back.

Thanks for the support-- appreciate it.

Nah-- Reeses' Peanut Butter Eggs trump them all -- I'm up to 2700 calories.

You're all the greatest-- I'm so thankful for you all. Thank you!

I won't quit. I'll find my way out of this. Russell, I talked to my husband about your concept-- very interesting.

I so wish I was the type of person to say, "2700 cals?! I'd be sick!" I'm not. I have a stomach of steel & can eat most men under the table.

How's the bloating tonight? I'm not sure if you should b/c of the meds you're on, but apple cider vinegar helps a ton for water retention. BUT vinegar & some medications is a big no-no.

Oh, please-- me, too. I'm sick emotionally because of it, not physically-- I could handle more.

Believe me, it's not that I'm anorexic-minded-- but, it killed me to go away from 1400 calories because I was already gaining. And now I'm close to 3,000 for today-- just kinda freaking me out. I never wanted to be the fat lady, again....ya know? Totally messing with my head.:ohwell:

I'll research apple-cider vinegar. I can't tell how bad the bloating is because I'm already in stretchy pants.

Well, headed shopping for some retail therapy. Stubborn that I am, I've been refusing to buy clothes, hoping against hope that the tide will turn, and I'll be able to wear my clothes again. Not happening any time soon, I know. But, still-- I'd worked so hard to get into my size 8s, that I have refused to buy clothes.

I've had some given to me, and found some 'round the house, but they don't fit anymore, either-- so rather than sit home and cry about it, I figured I may as well cry at Wal-Mart. (although I stopped when I reached the door)

Bottom line, I found a couple of outfits that I can live with. Left the story with a pair of jeans, two pairs of capris and two blouses-- some accessories, under garments since those don't fit, either-- and topped it off with a quadruple espresso shot Americano, black, from Starbucks-- (espresso and hot water-- with one pump vanilla-- TO. DIE. FOR.) Now showered and heading to put on my new clothes, I feel a little less like crying in my beer.

Ladies, those of you who have breastfed your children (sorry, guys, but it's chick time again-- ) you know the look and feel of your mams when they're engorged. You know, yikes, little junior hasn't eaten in several hours, but the milk production didn't slow down and I'm wayyyyyy too full. The overstretched, puffy, fluid filled way they feel and look-- well, that's my body. My upper arms look as if I hadn't touched a dumbbell in years, rather than a woman who has done all that I have these past two to tone my body. My stomach, thighs-- you name it, it's everywhere.

I am gearing up for my cyclical time, so the body is doing some of its normal thing. It is far worse this week than last, so maybe it all makes sense.

For now, I'm going to do my hair, put on my new clothes, do some laundry and try to be content in my body. I looked at other shoppers today who were my size, who looked cute in their clothes, and who looked comfortable in their skin. I'm neither these days. I guess if nothing else, I can try to correct the former.

So, yeah, I guess this has turned into my blog-- but, I guess it's my prerogative since I started the thread. Again, I always welcome insight.

thanks again for all the support and encouragement--

Edit-- okay, so it's cute enough-- I think I'll title this photo "As good as it's gonna get--" But, I'm content for now. Really need to work on the doofy expressions-- holy Hannah.

You're beautiful...and you remind me of Abby in that pic. :laugh:

I'm glad you got some clothes that fit. I hope that makes you feel a little more comfortable in your own skin. *hugs*

Ha-- with the doofy faces-- yep, that's my Abby-- like mudder, like daughter.