Is it hormones that's preventing weight loss?

LaurenGetsFit2
LaurenGetsFit2 Posts: 35 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I've cut back & cut out quite a bit of "bulk" from my everyday diet--I stopped eating peanut butter on a daily (or more...) basis, I've cut out the teaspoon of sugar & tablespoon of SF creamer in each of my 3-4 cups of coffee each day. I've switched any snacks I eat during the day to just a handful or so of veggies. I'm eating almost no simple carbs unless they're from fruit (which I usually only eat in the morning or for to quiet down an unyielding after-dinner sweet tooth).

I even weigh all my foods now with my food scale & keep my Calories to a 1,300-1,400 limit. I drink at least 100oz of water a day & aim for a full gallon most of them.

I workout 5-6 days a week; 2-3 days are 35-45 minute running sessions, 3-4 involve 20-30 minutes of strength training plus 30-60 minutes of circuit training and/or brisk-ish walking with my dog. I've been active the past several years, but never really this diligent or intentional about it. I mostly just do it because it's my "me time" & I enjoy it.

And after cutting back Calories & trying to exercise more & move more throughout the day, I'm not losing weight.

I do have a cheat meal or two during the week but it's not a serious cheat like you'd think--it may be a 250-Calorie ice cream cone from McDonalds or a measured out bowl of cereal (because the kid in me won't die).

Could it be a hormone imbalance? I've been getting the feeling (from other symptoms) mine are out of whack.

Could it be too little sleep? I'll admit I don't get enough most of the time.

If I just get my hormones in check or start sleeping more, will the weight finally start coming off?

I'm almost 24 & regained 20lbs (initially lost 15) in 2 years after I had first started exercising (for the 1st time ever) when I was 20. I kept basically the same exercise habits but ate more & worse as my final 1.5 years of school dragged by. Even when I tried losing weight for 6 months I just ended up gaining 5 more lbs.

Now I have a bit more activity than initially & am definitely eating less.

Replies

  • jdhcm2006
    jdhcm2006 Posts: 2,254 Member
    Agreed with Dianne. That is something that should be discussed with your doctor. No one on here will be able to diagnose you, even if they are a doctor.
  • LaurenGetsFit2
    LaurenGetsFit2 Posts: 35 Member
    I'm not asking to be diagnosed over the Internet, I'm just asking if it's possible that once I get my (possibly) imbalanced hormones straightened out of my body will finally start losing weight if I keep the same Calorie deficit & activity level I have now.
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,052 Member
    FitFlier404 wrote: »
    I'm not asking to be diagnosed over the Internet, I'm just asking if it's possible that once I get my (possibly) imbalanced hormones straightened out of my body will finally start losing weight if I keep the same Calorie deficit & activity level I have now.

    I have a girlfriend with PCOS who was able to lose weight with Metformin and a low carb diet, but I doubt her calorie deficit and activity level remained the same.
  • MommyMeggo
    MommyMeggo Posts: 1,222 Member
    You look relatively thin/fit. How much are you trying to lose per week?
  • singingflutelady
    singingflutelady Posts: 8,736 Member
    edited September 2016
    Oops nm
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    So how long have you been eating 13-1400 cals without losing?
  • queenbea77
    queenbea77 Posts: 404 Member
    It very well could be that you "aren't" eating enough calories. What is your BMR & your TDEE?
  • LaurenGetsFit2
    LaurenGetsFit2 Posts: 35 Member
    Just 0.5-1.0 lb a week.

    Really before the gain I was too thin; I'd like to just lose 10 lbs.

    I've been sticking to this deficit for maybe 3 weeks at most.
  • tracymayo1
    tracymayo1 Posts: 445 Member
    queenbea77 wrote: »
    It very well could be that you "aren't" eating enough calories. What is your BMR & your TDEE?

    No it couldn't be...
    If OP wasn't eating enough calories - and there aren't any health issues - then OP would be losing.
  • singingflutelady
    singingflutelady Posts: 8,736 Member
    edited September 2016
    0.5-1 lbs a week is very normal! That's a perfect weight loss rate for 10 lbs.
  • queenbea77
    queenbea77 Posts: 404 Member
    tracymayo1 wrote: »
    queenbea77 wrote: »
    It very well could be that you "aren't" eating enough calories. What is your BMR & your TDEE?

    No it couldn't be...
    If OP wasn't eating enough calories - and there aren't any health issues - then OP would be losing.

    Yes it could be - I was eating 1,200 calories a day plus working out 1 1/2 - 2 hours per day and didn't lose a pound. It wasn't until I upped my calorie intake that I started out losing and that was with working out less than I was before. It takes more than 1,300-1,400 calories just to lay in bed doing nothing all day.
  • queenbea77
    queenbea77 Posts: 404 Member
    OP did comment on lack of sleep - which can play a part in the problem.
  • singingflutelady
    singingflutelady Posts: 8,736 Member
    queenbea77 wrote: »
    OP did comment on lack of sleep - which can play a part in the problem.

    She's losing .5-1 lb a week which is very normal.
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,052 Member
    FitFlier404 wrote: »
    Just 0.5-1.0 lb a week.

    Really before the gain I was too thin; I'd like to just lose 10 lbs.

    I've been sticking to this deficit for maybe 3 weeks at most.

    I didn't realize you only had 10 pounds to lose. It's not likely your hormones - the last 10 pounds are really tough. Be happy with losing a pound or two a month.
  • Emily3907
    Emily3907 Posts: 1,461 Member
    I agree with talking to your doc if you feel there is concern with your rate of loss or you think your hormones are causing a problem. At your age, if hormones were an issue, you would possibly be having issues with your cycles as well.

    Can hormones effect weight loss? Short answer is: yes. However, diagnosing a hormone imbalance takes testing and time. There are also other factors that need to be addressed if there is a hormone imbalance that only a doctor can advise you on.

    Personally, I have PCOS so I understand how that effects my body, my weight loss, etc. and what I need to do to start correcting my individual issues. It also took me about 5 years to be diagnosed as such.

    Like others have stated, if you have concerns, talk to your doc.
  • LaurenGetsFit2
    LaurenGetsFit2 Posts: 35 Member
    The issue is that I'm *not* losing weight at ALL. Just stay in stagnant. And this was after I was eating my TDEE of about 1,700-2,00 Calories. Plus a long time of eating above that (hence the steady yet-unyielding 2 years of slow weight gain).

    I try to stay upward of 1,400 because I know going too low can cause more issues than results.

    My cycles are kinda irregular; they're also longer, so it's hard to accurately track. I use an app for that.

    Overall I exercise 5-6 hours a week, depending on what all I do. I also work 30-40 hours a week, wake up at 5am (sometimes 4am--to get in my exercise for the day), & save time aside to spend with my dog & then also my boyfriend. So I feel tired a lot, but again...I don't get enough sleep.
  • Emily3907
    Emily3907 Posts: 1,461 Member
    FitFlier404 wrote: »
    The issue is that I'm *not* losing weight at ALL. Just stay in stagnant. And this was after I was eating my TDEE of about 1,700-2,00 Calories. Plus a long time of eating above that (hence the steady yet-unyielding 2 years of slow weight gain).

    I try to stay upward of 1,400 because I know going too low can cause more issues than results.

    My cycles are kinda irregular; they're also longer, so it's hard to accurately track. I use an app for that.

    Overall I exercise 5-6 hours a week, depending on what all I do. I also work 30-40 hours a week, wake up at 5am (sometimes 4am--to get in my exercise for the day), & save time aside to spend with my dog & then also my boyfriend. So I feel tired a lot, but again...I don't get enough sleep.

    If you are having longer and irregular cycles, I would definitely bring it up to your doc. For me specifically, I have an FSH and LH imbalance, but fairly regular 28 day cycles. I am also struggling with infertility, but that is a whole other ball of wax. Keeping track of your cycles on an app will also be helpful for your doc. (I use Fertility Friend)

    I am of the mind, that if you have concerns, start with your doc.
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,052 Member
    FitFlier404 wrote: »
    The issue is that I'm *not* losing weight at ALL. Just stay in stagnant. And this was after I was eating my TDEE of about 1,700-2,00 Calories. Plus a long time of eating above that (hence the steady yet-unyielding 2 years of slow weight gain).

    I try to stay upward of 1,400 because I know going too low can cause more issues than results.

    My cycles are kinda irregular; they're also longer, so it's hard to accurately track. I use an app for that.

    Overall I exercise 5-6 hours a week, depending on what all I do. I also work 30-40 hours a week, wake up at 5am (sometimes 4am--to get in my exercise for the day), & save time aside to spend with my dog & then also my boyfriend. So I feel tired a lot, but again...I don't get enough sleep.

    How long is your commute? When I spent two hours a day commuting to a 50 hour a week job, I still had time for at least 6 hours a week exercise, plus time with BF and dog and 8 hours of sleep per night.
  • lorrpb
    lorrpb Posts: 11,463 Member
    Sleep definitely can interfere with weight loss.
  • GauchoMark
    GauchoMark Posts: 1,804 Member
    Here is a pretty good article about female hormones. It can affect weight loss, but there is no overwhelming evidence if it helps or hurts. However, stress and lack of sleep as well as insulin resistance can definitely affect weight loss adversely.

    https://www.metaboliceffect.com/female-hormones-estrogen/

    One other thing - have you recalculated your BMR/TDEE recently? If you have lost some weight, it could be that you are just eating closer to maintenance now. Or, could you be slightly less active?

    Honestly, at age 24, I doubt that you are having a significant hormone imbalance.

    Go see a doctor if you want, but I seriously doubt it will tell you much at your age unless there is a major issue. If I were you, I would recalc your calories using current stats, then for about 1 month, commit to being SUPER diligent weighing and logging your food, weigh yourself daily, and use a fitbit if possible. At the end of the 30 days, do a linear regression on your weight and see if you lost weight.

    Also, you might consider eating like a diabetic and see if that helps. If so, it could be that you are just eating too much refined carbs. Might also see a doctor about that...
  • RoxieDawn
    RoxieDawn Posts: 15,488 Member
    edited September 2016
    1) Could it be a hormone imbalance? I've been getting the feeling (from other symptoms) mine are out of whack.

    Have you been dieting for quite a while? No.. then if you feel something "OFF" go get it checked anyway.

    2) Could it be too little sleep? I'll admit I don't get enough most of the time.

    Most likely no if you are still able to carry out your day to day and exercise and perform.

    3) If I just get my hormones in check or start sleeping more, will the weight finally start coming off?

    The hormones check will see if you have underlying condition.. but a normal healthy person can loose weight even if their hormones are a little out of whack, hense the hormone ups and downs through the monthly cycle.. But if you truly have adrenal or thyroid issues this will not stop it but it causes you feel like crap and very fatigued and very unwell. You would know if you feel really unwell like this.. Are you over exercising by chance?

    If you are 100% percent accurate and assured that your logging is on point, then you should be losing weight.. I predict this is not a stall, it is being masked by increases in exercise, stressed out about not losing, normal hormonal female stuff, perhaps changes in your diet (more carbs, more sodium, hydration and lack there of)..

    You said it in your post, you feel like things are not right with the hormones, get this checked out.

  • dr_soda
    dr_soda Posts: 57 Member
    FitFlier404 wrote: »
    I do have a cheat meal or two during the week but it's not a serious cheat like you'd think--it may be a 250-Calorie ice cream cone from McDonalds or a measured out bowl of cereal (because the kid in me won't die).

    And
    FitFlier404 wrote: »
    Just 0.5-1.0 lb a week.

    To lose .5 lbs you would need to have a deficit of 1750 calories in the week, meaning a deficit of 250 per day.

    Let's say you cheat 2 times in a week. Here's your deficit outlay over 7 days:

    -250
    0 (cheat day)
    -250
    -250
    0 (cheat day)
    -250
    -250

    That makes a deficit of 1250 calories by the end of the week, which means about .35 lbs in a week. Given normal body weight fluctuations due to water weight, it might be difficult to even notice such a small loss in just two weeks. Give it some time, and understand that at .5lbs per week that you're skating the edge. Cheat days are much more likely to derail you at this level.
  • juliebowman4
    juliebowman4 Posts: 784 Member
    I have Hashimoto's thyroiditis.....in simple terms, my thyroid doesn't secrete enough hormone and screws with my metabolism among other things.
    It made weight loss impossible.
    It's almost been a year since diagnoses and my meds still aren't quite right
  • SLLRunner
    SLLRunner Posts: 12,942 Member
    diannethegeek wrote: »
    If you suspect a hormone imbalance that's serious enough to affect your weight loss, you'll need to talk with a doctor and get some tests run. None of us could diagnose that over the internet. Make a list of symptoms to take with you to your next appointment.
    This.

    Otherwise, you are not accurately tracking calories in/calories out.

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