Unhealthy
arinamargarina
Posts: 34 Member
Hello 
I have this problem where I noticed that I don't feel healthy at all. I keep a pretty healthy diet - it's not very varying, but I eat a lot (I mean a lot, like 10-15 servings) of fruit and vegetables, all day long.
I take my protein from eating cheese, ham and eggs daily. I often have oatmeal for breakfast for fiber. I'm guessing the problem is that I have completely given up any oil and bread and I used to eat a lot of sweets. However, I recently took up a challange where I have to completely give up sweets for 21 days, assuring that I take my necessary sugars from fruit (as I said, I eat a lot of them). My goal is to lower my sugar intake so that I'll hopefully lower the cravings.
I'm only skinny fat, i don't have a lot of weight to lose (about 4 lbs), but I really want to be healthy. I started eating some whole wheat bread and oils and even indulge in some bad foods (which I never did and by indulge I mean take a bite or two), but nothing has changed. My hair is dull, I have a skin drying condition, my nails are thin and always breaking and my tummy is always bloated. I mean at all times. And I get tired reaaaally fast.
All summer I rode my bike for 1h or more and ran for 30 mins daily, but for now I stopped any physical activity besides walking (I try to walk as much as I can).
Now that I look back I notice that my body has always looked like that and even worse.
What should I do?
I have this problem where I noticed that I don't feel healthy at all. I keep a pretty healthy diet - it's not very varying, but I eat a lot (I mean a lot, like 10-15 servings) of fruit and vegetables, all day long.
I take my protein from eating cheese, ham and eggs daily. I often have oatmeal for breakfast for fiber. I'm guessing the problem is that I have completely given up any oil and bread and I used to eat a lot of sweets. However, I recently took up a challange where I have to completely give up sweets for 21 days, assuring that I take my necessary sugars from fruit (as I said, I eat a lot of them). My goal is to lower my sugar intake so that I'll hopefully lower the cravings.
I'm only skinny fat, i don't have a lot of weight to lose (about 4 lbs), but I really want to be healthy. I started eating some whole wheat bread and oils and even indulge in some bad foods (which I never did and by indulge I mean take a bite or two), but nothing has changed. My hair is dull, I have a skin drying condition, my nails are thin and always breaking and my tummy is always bloated. I mean at all times. And I get tired reaaaally fast.
All summer I rode my bike for 1h or more and ran for 30 mins daily, but for now I stopped any physical activity besides walking (I try to walk as much as I can).
Now that I look back I notice that my body has always looked like that and even worse.
What should I do?
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Replies
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See a doctor. You're describing thyroid symptoms.0
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Take a diet break. eat at maintenance for a few weeks and get enough fat and protein. While doing that maybe take a little time off of exercise then start incorporating strength training. Once you feel somewhat normal again cut 250 cals/day and lose the remaining weight while continuing to get fat, and protein and continue with strength training.0
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I got tested for thyroid problems and it's all fine.0
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I suggest visiting the doctor and getting a checkup and bloodwork done. Good luck!0
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Why did you give up oil?
Why did you give up bread?
What are "bad" foods?
Also, if you open your diary it will help people give you better advice.0 -
^^^^^THISNoelFigart1 wrote: »See a doctor. You're describing thyroid symptoms.
And if all is well, engage some strength training on top of what you're already doing for exercise.
As for diet, lighten up a bit on all you can't eat. My food intake was and remains a work in progress. Don't be too strict except when it comes to total calories consumed as you follow the MFP recommendations for healthy fat loss.0 -
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Open your diary and we can advise better.
It sounds like you're not taking in a lot of fat, though. And fat's important for things like nails and hair.0 -
I agree with getting complete bloodwork done. You've lost 170lbs (wow!) -- even though you eat a healthy diet, maybe you're malnourished?0
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arinamargarina wrote: »
I think you should see a doctor. But, at the same time (and not having seen your diary), you may need more dietary fat. I know that eggs and cheese have fat, but how much are you getting? The nails and hair sounds like a fat and protein problem. There's nothing wrong with olive oil, butter, etc. Avocado is great, too.
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Even if your thyroid is measuring in the normal range, it still could be causing a problem. Additionally, your adrenals and Vitamin D levels could be an issue as well.0
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I agree with the fat thing (and see a doctor). I had a similar situation when I was vegan. I ate little to no fat for awhile (not on purpose, I wasn't tracking). I had your symptoms and actually started losing my hair. It took awhile to figure out what was causing it.0
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Too much fruit and veg could be causing the bloating.0
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arinamargarina wrote: »
I think you should see a doctor. But, at the same time (and not having seen your diary), you may need more dietary fat. I know that eggs and cheese have fat, but how much are you getting? The nails and hair sounds like a fat and protein problem. There's nothing wrong with olive oil, butter, etc. Avocado is great, too.
I eat one hard boiled egg (or two, in an omelet) and more or less 100 g cheese a day. The cheese is not too fat (not because I'm trying to cut out on fat, but because this is how I like cheese). However, I used to eat a lot more in the past and my body looked the same.0 -
arinamargarina wrote: »arinamargarina wrote: »
I think you should see a doctor. But, at the same time (and not having seen your diary), you may need more dietary fat. I know that eggs and cheese have fat, but how much are you getting? The nails and hair sounds like a fat and protein problem. There's nothing wrong with olive oil, butter, etc. Avocado is great, too.
I eat one hard boiled egg (or two, in an omelet) and more or less 100 g cheese a day. The cheese is not too fat (not because I'm trying to cut out on fat, but because this is how I like cheese). However, I used to eat a lot more in the past and my body looked the same.
You are not eating enough fat or protein.
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arinamargarina wrote: »Hello
I take my protein from eating cheese, ham and eggs daily.
What about meat? Real meat not 'ham'. Or fish? Are you sure you iron level is ok?
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Danielle_Husband wrote: »I agree with the fat thing (and see a doctor). I had a similar situation when I was vegan. I ate little to no fat for awhile (not on purpose, I wasn't tracking). I had your symptoms and actually started losing my hair. It took awhile to figure out what was causing it.
So how did it work out for you?
I'm guessing PCOS, which is why I was prescribed birth control pills but I'm now on my 3rd month on them and nothing has really changed (except the period-related things, of course).
Do you think that must be it?
And again, how did you manage to get back to normal eating and healthy hair?
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arinamargarina wrote: »Danielle_Husband wrote: »I agree with the fat thing (and see a doctor). I had a similar situation when I was vegan. I ate little to no fat for awhile (not on purpose, I wasn't tracking). I had your symptoms and actually started losing my hair. It took awhile to figure out what was causing it.
So how did it work out for you?
I'm guessing PCOS, which is why I was prescribed birth control pills but I'm now on my 3rd month on them and nothing has really changed (except the period-related things, of course).
Do you think that must be it?
And again, how did you manage to get back to normal eating and healthy hair?
if its PCOS then you dont want the tonnes of fruit and veg you say you eat.0 -
Eat more protein and fat. 10-15 servings of fruit and vegetables is not really necessary, and certainly not if you are eating so many of them that you aren't getting necessary macronutrients like fat and protein.
Eat a balanced diet.0 -
Do you take in a multi-vitamin? If not, you should start taking one. If you do already, definitely get more healthy fats into your diet - whole milk, full fat cheese/sour cream/yogurts. A lot of vitamins are fat-soluble so even if you're taking in enough, they will pass right through you without any fat in your diet.
I also agree with PP's who say to eat at maintenance for about a month, don't give up any foods, just keep in your calorie goals, and then cut by 1-200 calories at a time to lose slowly, steadily, and healthily.
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arinamargarina wrote: »I got tested for thyroid problems and it's all fine.
unfortunately, the definition of "fine" is (and has been) changing. after i had my son, i asked my doctor to test my thyroid levels... my TSH came back at 4.6 and she just said "oh you're normal." i found out recently that even 4 years ago when i had that test done, anything over 3.5 - 4.0 was considered hypothyroid and i should have been sent for more tests and put on medication. and there's also additional research that's been done showing that even if your TSH is within the normal ranges, your free T3 and T4 levels can also be indicators that something is wrong.
see an endocrinologist and have them do a full workup... thyroid, adrenals, vitamin deficiencies, cholesterol, a1c, glucose, thyroid antibodies, the whole shebang.0 -
Not all fats are bad, there are a variety of fats that are very necessary. While eating lots of vegetables is great and admirable, too much of a good thing can go badly too (maybe some of the bloat can be due to this?) Echoing others, add in some healthy fats (low processed meats and fish, nuts and natural nut butters, legumes/beans, eggs, healthier oils like olive or coconut, avocados are nutrient packed, I would love to hear more suggestions myself. Cheese is a decent source as well, and is totally my weakness, but cheese is usually very high in calories too so if you are calorie counting it can be a challenge to have in your daily diet.
There is a lot of mixed information out there about fats, but many of the original studies done on fat and the human body were very flawed/skewed and/or now very much out dated (like, instead of telling people to cut down on how many dairy servings they consumed per day, they told them to drink fat free instead, which fat content we realize more and more is NOT the issue...) I like to go in to the grocery store, or my cupboard, with the mind set that "if it grew this way in nature, it is good for me to eat in that form, in normal portion sizes, with a variety of other natural foods." The closer you can keep your diet to eating foods in a very low processed or raw form, generally the better your body will feel. Easier said than done of course, macaroni and butter is just so tasty...
I have come to the general realization that many people will have issues with their thyroid, or any other body function, and routine tests done by a general practitioner will not show it. I also believe that, like the food fats situation, our health care providers are probably referencing outdated information when assessing things like blood work. Doing some of your own research and knowing what questions to ask and prompt your doctor to maybe even research themselves to help you is the best way to go.0 -
arinamargarina wrote: »Danielle_Husband wrote: »I agree with the fat thing (and see a doctor). I had a similar situation when I was vegan. I ate little to no fat for awhile (not on purpose, I wasn't tracking). I had your symptoms and actually started losing my hair. It took awhile to figure out what was causing it.
So how did it work out for you?
I'm guessing PCOS, which is why I was prescribed birth control pills but I'm now on my 3rd month on them and nothing has really changed (except the period-related things, of course).
Do you think that must be it?
And again, how did you manage to get back to normal eating and healthy hair?
No PCOS for me.
I just started adding in fats - guacamole (yum), avocado slices, nuts, coconut milk ice cream. I was still vegan at the time, so it was all dairy/egg/meat free. I still watch my fat now because dealing with the whole situation sucked. I tend to gravitate toward lower fat food items, but I'm getting better. MFP has helped me track it, and I've even had some really high fat days lately, which actually made me happy because fat is not the enemy. My hair and skin are both great now, though it has been a few years since all this happened.
You might want to check with your doctor if you think it might be related to your PCOS.0 -
lanashirley wrote: »Not all fats are bad, there are a variety of fats that are very necessary. While eating lots of vegetables is great and admirable, too much of a good thing can go badly too (maybe some of the bloat can be due to this?) Echoing others, add in some healthy fats (low processed meats and fish, nuts and natural nut butters, legumes/beans, eggs, healthier oils like olive or coconut, avocados are nutrient packed, I would love to hear more suggestions myself. Cheese is a decent source as well, and is totally my weakness, but cheese is usually very high in calories too so if you are calorie counting it can be a challenge to have in your daily diet.
There is a lot of mixed information out there about fats, but many of the original studies done on fat and the human body were very flawed/skewed and/or now very much out dated (like, instead of telling people to cut down on how many dairy servings they consumed per day, they told them to drink fat free instead, which fat content we realize more and more is NOT the issue...) I like to go in to the grocery store, or my cupboard, with the mind set that "if it grew this way in nature, it is good for me to eat in that form, in normal portion sizes, with a variety of other natural foods." The closer you can keep your diet to eating foods in a very low processed or raw form, generally the better your body will feel. Easier said than done of course, macaroni and butter is just so tasty...
I have come to the general realization that many people will have issues with their thyroid, or any other body function, and routine tests done by a general practitioner will not show it. I also believe that, like the food fats situation, our health care providers are probably referencing outdated information when assessing things like blood work. Doing some of your own research and knowing what questions to ask and prompt your doctor to maybe even research themselves to help you is the best way to go.
Thank you so much, this is very helpful:)
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onefortyone wrote: »Do you take in a multi-vitamin? If not, you should start taking one. If you do already, definitely get more healthy fats into your diet - whole milk, full fat cheese/sour cream/yogurts. A lot of vitamins are fat-soluble so even if you're taking in enough, they will pass right through you without any fat in your diet.
I also agree with PP's who say to eat at maintenance for about a month, don't give up any foods, just keep in your calorie goals, and then cut by 1-200 calories at a time to lose slowly, steadily, and healthily.
So true about the fat soluble vitamins!
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meridianova wrote: »arinamargarina wrote: »I got tested for thyroid problems and it's all fine.
unfortunately, the definition of "fine" is (and has been) changing. after i had my son, i asked my doctor to test my thyroid levels... my TSH came back at 4.6 and she just said "oh you're normal." i found out recently that even 4 years ago when i had that test done, anything over 3.5 - 4.0 was considered hypothyroid and i should have been sent for more tests and put on medication. and there's also additional research that's been done showing that even if your TSH is within the normal ranges, your free T3 and T4 levels can also be indicators that something is wrong.
see an endocrinologist and have them do a full workup... thyroid, adrenals, vitamin deficiencies, cholesterol, a1c, glucose, thyroid antibodies, the whole shebang.
^^This. Standard tests only look at TSH, not T3 and T4. There's more to the picture. Sometimes we need to push our doctors to look deeper.
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No leafy greens or cruciferous veggies in you diet? No avocado, nuts or seeds?0
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