Cannot lose weight
stcampbel
Posts: 11 Member
I'll try to keep this short.
A few years ago after dealing with chronic digestive problems, I decided to make some changes before going to the doctor so I could at least say I tried to do the right things. My pediatrician had recommended cutting out grains, dairy, etc, (I've had stomach problems my whole life) and so in researching further I discovered the paleo diet and went full bore. I lost weight, felt better for the most part, did great for about a year.
Stress brought back bad eating habits, and I went through a third laparotic surgery for ovarian cysts, and my weight skyrocketed.
I've been back on the paleo diet for the most part, kicked my awful soda habit, again. In five weeks since I've started, I've gained 16 more pounds. I'm only eating fish, turkey, and chicken for proteins. I cannot lose weight no matter what I seem to do. My GERD is horrible, and my adhesions are so bad that my ovaries are fused onto my bowel and make digestion uncomfortable. Exercise is painful (especially anything involving jumping, crunches, etc). I also have a crooked spine so walking/running is limited. I am at a loss with what to do here. I'm worried about making any more diet modifications to assist with weight loss and I have practically zero time or energy for workouts.
Does anyone have suggestions as to what else I might do here? Strength exercises that don't take up much time...maybe more water intake..? I'm going to finally schedule that doctors appointment as well.
Thanks
A few years ago after dealing with chronic digestive problems, I decided to make some changes before going to the doctor so I could at least say I tried to do the right things. My pediatrician had recommended cutting out grains, dairy, etc, (I've had stomach problems my whole life) and so in researching further I discovered the paleo diet and went full bore. I lost weight, felt better for the most part, did great for about a year.
Stress brought back bad eating habits, and I went through a third laparotic surgery for ovarian cysts, and my weight skyrocketed.
I've been back on the paleo diet for the most part, kicked my awful soda habit, again. In five weeks since I've started, I've gained 16 more pounds. I'm only eating fish, turkey, and chicken for proteins. I cannot lose weight no matter what I seem to do. My GERD is horrible, and my adhesions are so bad that my ovaries are fused onto my bowel and make digestion uncomfortable. Exercise is painful (especially anything involving jumping, crunches, etc). I also have a crooked spine so walking/running is limited. I am at a loss with what to do here. I'm worried about making any more diet modifications to assist with weight loss and I have practically zero time or energy for workouts.
Does anyone have suggestions as to what else I might do here? Strength exercises that don't take up much time...maybe more water intake..? I'm going to finally schedule that doctors appointment as well.
Thanks
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Sorry for your pain. I hope maybe the Dr. can assist? What about a specialized dietician, can your Dr. refer to one? Or a dietician+trainer that can assist someone with chronic health/pain issues?0
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Oh my. I feel just terrible for you.
I think a trip to your physician is in order.
In reading your post, the only thing I'm confused about is whether or not you're tracking your calories? I know that many, many people don't feel it is required when one is eating paleo. Perhaps, if you're not tracking, you could track for a few days to see what your numbers are like: to see how things lie on the calories in versus calories out ratio? It might shed some light on the situation. If it doesn't, you'll still have the logs to show your physician (I print out all of my daily logs for mine).0 -
Oh my. I feel just terrible for you. I think a trip to your physician is in order.
In reading your post, the only thing I'm confused about is whether or not you're tracking your calories? I know that many, many people don't feel it is required when one is eating paleo. Perhaps, if you're not tracking, you could track for a few days to see what your numbers are like: to see how things lie on the calories in versus calories out ratio? It might shed some light on the situation. If it doesn't, you'll still have the logs to show your physician (I print out all of my daily logs for mine).
I agree here. I know they say "don't count calories" but I have done Paleo for over a year AND I keep general track of my calories because there are still foods that you can overeat - like nuts and nut butters - and it is possible to eat too many calories even eating Paleo, especially if exercise isn't really a thing for you (it wasn't something I really did much until after I lost the first 45 pounds)0 -
I do keep track for the most part using MFT because unlimited eating is dangerous for me haha...but it usually yells at me for not eating enough. I'm in the 1200-1500 range daily, meeting most of my nutrition goals and mostly sedentary, I try to walk around 20 minutes a day at the least. Most days I'm meeting the goal for what it suggest as a 1 lb per week loss as far as calories in/out. I know I should exercise more but I haven't been great about it, it's been difficult for me to find something that I can do consistently without discomfort. I don't mean to whine I try to have a good attitude but it's just really frustrating.0
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So sorry for your frustration. If you make your diary viewable people can check out what you are eating and make some suggestions....0
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So sorry for your frustration. If you make your diary viewable people can check out what you are eating and make some suggestions....
This.
And...this may go without saying but I'll say it anyway. When I first started keeping track of my food, I didn't know that tracking cooking oils/fats was necessary. It had never even occurred to me that oil had calories (it has about 120 calories per TBS depending on what you are using). So I started keeping track of everything that went into my mouth.
Before I started logging my food I would just tweak things if I wasn't losing. Like, I would try to eat more sweet potatoes in case I wasn't giving myself enough carbs, or try to eat more protein, or more fat/less carbs - eventually something would work. So, whether you count calories or not you may try rearranging your macros and seeing if a different combination works for you. For now (and this will change because it does for me) I am losing with a 50% fat, 25% carbs, and 25% protein scenario.
Don't beat yourself up about the exercise - you have to get your food right first. Also anything over 1200 calories for sedentary seems like a lot. *disclaimer - most Paleo folks are against counting calories - I lost weight both ways, first by not counting, then I got stuck, started MFP and started counting. When I get to maintenance in about 2-7 pounds I'm going back to not counting again and see what happens. For now, counting everything may be what works for you.0 -
Is swimming an option for exercise. I started out swimming due to severe arthritis in my knees. I now can swim at a moderate pace a mile a session, with my primal sprints mixed in.0
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It's not just calories in and out and us Paleo folks should know that more than most. They are a factor but clearly more is going on for you. Could be that you need to heal/recover before weight loss is going to return. So it could be that limiting calories right now is NOT what you need. Malnourishment creates so much grief, including eating too many calories if we aren't getting the micro-nutrients needed. Weight is more about hormones than calories so maybe things are out of whack. As a type 2 diabetic, the "it's only calories in/out" thing couldnt be more wrong. They do matter, sort of, to a point, but the relationship between calories and weight has been FAR too oversimplified.
Attaining a healthy weight is mostly about the FOOD. Exercise is a factor, but a larger factor for health and happiness but not the main factor for fat loss. So, do what you can, do what you enjoy but address the food quality first and foremost.
Are you avoiding beef and other red meats? If so, why? What we've been told about red meats (not being healthy) isn't true. When I am at my best I eat mostly red meats and fish (must be wild!), chicken, and turkey are my poorest foods (and pork). I do best with beef, bison, lamb, moose, caribou, elk, etc. Not saying that's for you, but worth a try perhaps. What about grass fed butter or ghee?
Plant foods may also aggravate or cause some conditions. I can't eat lots of fibre or nightshades; in fact, I don't get much benefit from any plant foods as it turns out. I'm eating some right now coming back from a total derailment (to ease the carb withdrawals) but I will be reducing them to only occasional consumption. (I know, call the nutrition police... lol) Elimination diets like GAPS can be useful for people who really need to sort things out.0 -
Thanks to all for the comments and suggestions, sorry for my delay in responding.
I avoid red meat only because it's rough on my stomach. Fish does bother me occasionally, and poultry is usually my best bet. I do sometimes eat bison which is not nearly as bad as beef, and I seem to do okay with lamb.
Also, I started stringently tracking calories. My 1200-1500 estimate was a bit high, and has now been for the last few weeks about 950 per day. I'm not intending to eat so few, but because eating makes me feel sick it's just easier to munch on some lettuce than make a meal, and bland is better so sometimes it's just boiled chicken and applesauce kind of stuff.
In any case, I have an appointment with a GI doc tomorrow. I'm also committing to 30 min exercise daily, for now I'm going to focus on strength training, simple stuff. I stupidly did a free Tony Horton workout today and almost puked after 20 min...bad idea, gotta start slow. I'm really thinking that once I have any GI issues determined and a plan for that, that I really need to see a nutritionist. I've never been good about balancing my diet mostly because I'm poorly educated in that regard.
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Doc has suggested I switch from paleo to no fodmap, also started meds and going in for further testing. Wish me luck! I really feel badly for people who have to jump into this kind of stuff with no prior experience in removing significant items from their diet.0
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The way you react to animal foods may totally change once the problematic plant foods are removed and your body heals. I used to blame my chronic heartburn on the wrong culprits too and of course the antacids I was prescribed only continued to worsen the problem.
I hope you find your way. In my situation I had to walk away from the doctors and medical treatment but the fact that your doctor at least is aware of issues with fodmaps etc is a good thing.0 -
Thanks akima. They started having me take prescription antacids daily and also laxatives in the evening (sorry I know TMI). I've noticed a significant difference in acid levels, not 100% but definitely a bit better. I still feel sick quite often. It's also very frustrating to try to find juice that is no fodmap friendly. I know I shouldn't do large concentrations of fruit in any case.
I haven't been perfect, holidays are tough, but have been pretty consistent. I can say that bananas don't bother me, and I've been okay with plain oats. Because I've been varying what I'm eating with regard to veggies, fruits, meat and so on, I'm not sure what the culprits are, but I'm attempting to meet my nutrition goals in any case.
I have tests scheduled for late January so we will see what comes out of that. Bloodwork has indicated that I don't have celiacs nor any vitamin deficiencies. Blood sugar levels and cholesterol are normal.
I have been terrible regarding exercise.
I will keep checking in but thanks to all for the support.0 -
One comment - it may have been already made, but I didn't notice it.Thanks to all for the comments and suggestions, sorry for my delay in responding.
I avoid red meat only because it's rough on my stomach. Fish does bother me occasionally, and poultry is usually my best bet. I do sometimes eat bison which is not nearly as bad as beef, and I seem to do okay with lamb.
You mention some meats are better than others, and I notice that the better ones tend to be 'wild' critters. This may be a clue.
Feedlot beef is fed corn/soy - both GMO, and neither a natural food for the animal. Same is true for farmed fish. Sheep and bison graze and generally do not eat corn/soy (although sometimes their grazing is augmented). The food consumed makes a difference in the nutritional profile, and allergies to corn or soy can be triggered by feedlot foods.
My own example: I always get a flush/sweat reaction after eating eggs. I always assumed I had an allergic reaction to albumin - that is until I bought some eggs from chickens that are pastured ONLY, and are not augmented by commercial feeds (normally corn and/or soy). It took me a couple meals before I noticed I was not having my usual reaction. Apparently, the reaction is to the soy - or maybe the corn.
Anyhoo, now I get my beef from a local rancher who only grass-feeds his herd and doesn't corn-finish them before slaughter. My butter is also from grass-fed dairy. I only eat wild-caught seafood (farmed seafood is a pollution problem, anyway). Etc. Most of my food allergies have cleared - and the few I still have I'm aware of and can choose when to endure the after effects in exchange for the pleasure of eating them.
Something to think about, anyway.
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Makes total sense. The first time I went full bore paleo I stuck to grass fed beef and such and I did notice the difference. Same with fish...it usually upsets my stomach but on vacation my boyfriend caught a huge striper and we did some clamming and the next few days we spent eating that stuff didn't cause any problems at all.
In other news I've still been struggling a bit with eating, I feel like I'm not eating enough and I'm very tired but I'm just not hungry. I'm just really disheartened at this point that going from paleo to no fodmap (essentially just cutting out additional fruits and veggies and adding back oats) is just not really helping me to feel like it's making much of a difference. I don't own a scale but I've seen no change at all other than not waking up choking on bile recently (which is definitely nice). I don't mean to be a Debbie downer but I really just need something to click for me and start moving in a positive direction. I don't know why it seemed so easy the first time around and it's completely different now. I'm also wondering if my surgeries have impacted my hormones and is throwing something out of whack.0 -
You can be "no fodmap" without oats, and depending on your oats they are usually cross contaminated with wheat... Keep experimenting. For me almost all plant foods harm me, so best that I stick to animal foods, ideally grass fed or wild red meats. Of course access is an issue at the moment but I do the best with what I can afford. Buying fewer processed foods, plants and dairy makes a difference in having more money for healthier meats. Look into the veggie thing, even people who want to eat them are often eating some raw that should only be cooked.0
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It sounds like you are going through a difficult and painful process. Keep trying different doctors if they can't figure it out. I haven't heard it mentioned yet that low stomach acid can make it difficult to digest meat (especially red meat). It can also cause acid reflux. Google it for more info, and then ask your doctor if it might apply to you. There are tests they can do. Antacids can make it worse if that is what is going on with you, so be careful. I'm not a doctor- just trying to give you more possible problem solving information. Sometimes it is about asking your doctor the right questions and getting the right tests.0
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What is your daily net carb intake? Have you tried reducing carbohydrates? Not all of them, just your starchy veggies and grains. Staying below 20g NET carbs a day eliminated my polycystic ovarian syndrome and reflux. The weight loss bonus is nice too. The energy boost from fat based diets instead of carb based diets is amazing as well. If you're already paleo, it's pretty easy to just eliminate potatoes, carrots, and other below ground veg. Not eating fruit sucks, but it's not forever. Just until you get used to everything, and after that it's all about moderation.0
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emilystrange2 wrote: »It sounds like you are going through a difficult and painful process. Keep trying different doctors if they can't figure it out. I haven't heard it mentioned yet that low stomach acid can make it difficult to digest meat (especially red meat). It can also cause acid reflux. Google it for more info, and then ask your doctor if it might apply to you. There are tests they can do. Antacids can make it worse if that is what is going on with you, so be careful. I'm not a doctor- just trying to give you more possible problem solving information. Sometimes it is about asking your doctor the right questions and getting the right tests.
Emily- thank you so much for mentioning this. The more I read about it, the more it makes sense. I have consistent problems with candida skin infections, always tired, etc. Also, the last time I did the paleo diet I was eating apple cider vinegar almost daily with salads or tuna, which would make so much sense why I felt better then and not now. I do see there are a number of home tests to try, and I'm going for it. If this proves to be the issue you will be my life saver!
Doc says I have chronic gastritis but have to go back in February for full results.
I will keep you all posted and appreciate the encouragement
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So my last post was two days ago. I've been taking diluted apple cider vinegar 15 minutes before meals, lemon juice in my water, and zinc supplements. I actually feel real hunger! And I ate dairy and wheat today and my stomach isn't bothering me right now. I know it's not time tested and probably not prudent to ignore my doctors suggestion based on a hunch but the difference I feel already is crazy. I also started p90x3 yesterday so I'm hoping that the next few weeks will show some improvement.
I still plan on sticking to paleo but not having a stomachache I had to have some bread and cheese...man I miss cheese.0
