You are the definition of "skinny fat" - bony face shoulders and arms, flat butt, but fat in the "trunk" area (stomach, back, hips). This is from losing too fast - meaning you lost too much muscle. When people say they want to lose "weight" they mean "fat", but you always lose muscle too - that is why protein and exercise (specifically weight bearing/resistance) is so important - to preserve as much muscle as possible while losing as much fat as possible.

Muscle is what gives your body shape - curvy arms, healthy face, etc. It also burns fat (stomach, back, etc). It gives your butt a round look instead of flat (butt is a muscle too).

Swap out half your cardio for a good weight lifting routine, double the protein you are currently getting, and INCREASE your calories (muscle needs feul) slowly over time. You will NOT gain weight if you are still active and muscle will require a higher base calorie to maintain.

Get a DEXA scan or other body fat estimation and make your goal to change that percent instead of lose weight. Gaining a few pounds of muscle is a GOOD thing, and monitoring your body fat as a percentage is way more important than the actual weight. I look better *and wear a smaller size* at 135 pounds and 20% body fat than I ever did at 130 pounds and 30% body fat. The number on the scale is completely irrelevant - body fat % and size of clothing should be all you care about.

Change your priorities from being "skinny" and "losing weight" to being "healthy" and "losing fat/gaining muscle". It can take a long time, so have other goals (lifting a certain weight, running a 5k, hiking 10 miles, doing a pullup, etc).

And give yourself a break... Your body continues to change and "catch up" for months after major weight loss even after your weight stops dropping. Make sure you are getting enough vitamins and fat (fat is very important for hair and skin!!!) and of course protein - your face and hair and nails and skin will thank you, and over time you will start looking more healthy.

Here is what I found out with my hair: I was getting the protein I needed and it still fell out-- A Lot. The Biotin or one of the other supplements for hair loss may help, but don't expect great miracles. This is a side effect of any major surgery and also of quick weight loss. I am now 6 mos post and my hair loss has slowed almost back to normal daily loss. I just figure far better to have really thin hair for awhile than to still be overweight and in bad health. The worst thing you can do is to start smoking again. Find something else to do with yourself when you are having a craving. If you really need a snack, try a carrot stick or a cup of popcorn that will give you some crunch in your mouth. You can do this.

momkas wrote: »

I started taking biotin about three weeks ago. Maybe it just takes time to start helping. I do believe my biggest issues are lack of water and not enough protein. They want me eating every 2-3 hours because I'm not eating enough at a time, but I'm just not hungry. I do eat, I force it. It's like my mind knows what to do, but my body says no.

You go to work without thinking about whether you feel like it that day right? Eating is your job - your body needs a certain number of calories a day, regardless of whether you feel like eating or not. Suck it up literally.

Make a food plan the day before of what you are going to eat at what times. The next day, follow it. No thinking allowed. Just eat when the time comes. If you physically cannot eat what you planned, plan differently. There are ways to shove more calories/protein into smaller packages. I can take a 5oz greek yogurt and make it have anywhere from 80 calories to 200 calories, from 12g protein to 36g protein - WITHOUT changing the volume more than half an ounce. Add protein powder, protein crunchies, flax, etc. Buy the full fat version isntead of the fat free version. I decide how many calories and protein I need that meal to have and tailor it to fit. There are lots of other ways to do so (full fat milk instead of skim milk, etc). So no excuses that your stomach is too tiny

This is your life/health. Take it seriously! You would get fired if you skimped on your real job like that. This is way more important.

If you are close to goal and exercising the way you say, then you really need to focus on getting enough calories. You need to make sure you are getting plenty of water and protein. You should consider trading out some of that cardio for weight lifting. You need to build muscle and you need calories and protein for that. Eat at scheduled times even if you aren't hungry. Please don't start smoking it is so hard to quit. You seem to have an addictive personality (which isn't unusual) and trade off one habit for another. I would suggest seeing a counselor to work on that.

Have you tried adding chocolate protein in milk one scoop is 20 in protein. It also helps with the sweet tooth cravings