PLEASE HELP

txfamilyof7
txfamilyof7 Posts: 35 Member
edited September 29 in Health and Weight Loss
Hi y'all,

OK, a little background on me: I'm 35, I've had 6 kids, and my normal weight is 110. After my first 4 kids, all my "baby" weight just fell off automatically, I didn't need to do anything. My 5th child, it took a little longer, but I eventually did lose it. My 6th child killed me. I weighed 180 lbs for the longest time; I got down to 148, then just got stuck at a plateau.

Now, that baby is almost 4 years old (next month)...I have been working my butt off (walking 2-4 miles per day, Pilates, Zumba, Jillian Michaels & Billy Blanks). I work out 3-4 times a day...I quit smoking on 3/27/2011.

With that said, I'm at a loss. I have gained and gained, even with all that working out. I've been counting my calories, I always work out before I eat, as well as an additional workout each day. I am eating healthier, very VERY few sweets/junk food; I snack on fruits & veggies.

Earlier this year, I was doing awesome. I was seeing a small loss each week...my low was at 142 lbs. I was ECSTATIC. Then, I just started gaining. For 3 weeks, I gave up...I didn't work out, and didn't watch what I ate. MY WEIGHT DIDN'T MOVE. I didn't gain anything, and I didn't lose either. I stayed at 157.2 for those entire 3 weeks.

The more I workout, the more I GAIN (and clothes I just bought a couple of months ago are now too small). I don't get it. I'm getting extremely DEPRESSED and I really don't know what to do! Does anyone have any ideas???

Thanks so much in advance!!!

Replies

  • JeSuisPrest
    JeSuisPrest Posts: 2,005 Member
    Have you discussed this with your doctor? Maybe you need your Thyroid checked.
  • MrsRobertson1005
    MrsRobertson1005 Posts: 552 Member
    you might be burning too many calories for your body to loose anymore. maybe you need to eat more..
  • Bells32
    Bells32 Posts: 15
    I would suggest defintely getting your thyroid checked. Also, were you strength training with weights? And what was your calorie reduction? There are so many factors for losing weight. I myself have 4 children, I blew up with every single one. Between the 2nd and 3rd I developed hypothyrodism.
  • bethvandenberg
    bethvandenberg Posts: 1,496 Member
    you should have a body composition done and find out your true BMR. My guess is that you're not eating enough calories therefore your body is holding onto everything. If you're working out that much then you could play with your calories. I had the same thing happen and ended up taking a month after I found out my true BMR to start losing again. It's very discouraging....
  • catcrazy
    catcrazy Posts: 1,740 Member
    What calories are you on? What sort of calorie burns are you getting? Do you eat some/all your exercise calories? Do you use a HRM to calculate your calorie burns...Oh and what is your height?

    It could be anything from not eating enough (shouldn't gain on that tho) to maybe a thyroid or hormonal condition....also are you sure you are not expecting?
  • Sunshynez21
    Sunshynez21 Posts: 12 Member
    Have you talked with your doctor? There may be more involved here than meets the naked eye. See what your doctor says first; then I would actually do an overhaul on your exercise routine. If you are working out 3-4 times daily, you're working out too much. Your body isn't getting enough time to rest and build itself back up. Try to alternate weights and cardio during the week. Also, if you hadn't really worked out before (I think you said the weight just came off after the 4th kid), you may just need to work smarter, not harder, at losing the weight. We all know that as we get older, our bodies don't lose weight and build up muscle like we want :tongue: I know it's super frustrating, but you may have to set your goal to a mroe reasonable weight; maybe try to hit 140 first, then try 137, 135, and so on. Our bodies know what a comfortable weight is, even if we disagree. Don't give up! :flowerforyou:
  • txfamilyof7
    txfamilyof7 Posts: 35 Member
    Thanks everyone, for the tips.

    I haven't talked to a doctor, because I don't have one. I have been concerned about thyroid problems, as it does run in my family. :-( However, I've heard from others that quitting smoking messes up your metabolism. I'm just not sure how long that lasts!

    I don't actually do a "workout" several times a day; what I'm trying to do now is Pilates first thing in the morning, then mid-morning I walk for about 20 minutes or so. Then, around lunchtime, I do some type of workout (Zumba, Tae Bo, etc.). Then I try to walk at least 2-3 more miles throughout the rest of the day.

    The reason I do this is that my lifestyle is VERY sedentary. I work from home, so I don't do much other than sit on my butt all day. I'm trying now to be more active, hence all the walking throughout the day.

    With that said, do y'all still think I'm working out too much? My intention was simply to become more active, and I thought walking was a good way to do that...?

    Again, I truly appreciate all your help!! As I've said, I used to be that person everyone hated...could eat anything I wanted and still not gain an ounce, blah blah...so I have no idea what I'm doing wrong!!
  • txfamilyof7
    txfamilyof7 Posts: 35 Member
    Oops, forgot a couple of things...;-)

    I'm about 5' 6"...I have no idea what an "HRM" is, or what "BMR" stands for...I will go look them up.

    I'm trying to eat small amounts of calories several times throughout the day; I have read that this is the best way to increase your metabolism.
  • catcrazy
    catcrazy Posts: 1,740 Member
    A HRM is a heart rate monitor...gives a more accurate estimate of your calorie burn.

    You didn't say what calories you are on...if you are on 1200 its not enough for the level of activity, either up your lifestle to active or lightly active and see what cals it gives you or record all your activity as exercise and eat the extra calories it gives you....not exercising too much but you do need to eat according

    Your goal weight is underweight by quite a bit and while that may have been your natural weight years ago I doubt it is now (as its just not shifting)...after age of 30 things change so I think it may be better to revise your goal...at 120 you are scraping in at the low end of healthy
  • LDonbavand
    LDonbavand Posts: 3
    Jennifer,

    Everyone has given you some excellent suggestions! I think activity is never a bad thing, but you need to make sure you are eating enough to support it. Also, having your thyroid and hormones checked could be a really good thing! The important part though is to find a doctor who knows how to read the results. Some like to fit everyone into the "range" and if you are in that range they will tell you that you are fine despite having all of the symptoms of obvious hypothyroid or hormonal imbalance. Everyone is different and what is a normal range for one person is not necessarily for another. Bernice Gonzales at Vital Wellness is a very good doctor in this regard. If needed, she also uses bioidentical hormones/thyroid instead of synthetics.

    I always have to research things to death before going to a doctor. If you want to read more on the subject first, here are some great books:

    http://www.amazon.com/John-Lees-Hormone-Balance-Simple/dp/044669438X/ref=sr_1_6?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1310391181&sr=1-6

    http://www.amazon.com/Master-Your-Metabolism-Naturally-Balancing/dp/0307450732/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1310390960&sr=8-10

    http://www.amazon.com/Ageless-Naked-Truth-Bioidentical-Hormones/dp/0307237257/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1310391155&sr=1-3


    It has taken me many years to figure out that I had hormonal imbalances and that is why I have struggled so much. With my hormones out of balance, I had to keep my calories around 1000 or I would quickly put on weight. I wish I had seen a doctor 10-15 years ago and gotten it all under control, so that I could just live a happy & healthy life not so obsessed with what went into my mouth and not beating myself up when I put on weight from going over the measly calories.

    You are a Mom and you need to take care of yourself so that you can take care of those kiddos. Although it is hard, if you don't put yourself first it really is your family that suffers in the end. I homeschool my 3 kids too and, although very rewarding, puts so much pressure on us!!! That makes it even more important that we fill ourselves back up **first**.

    One thing I have recently learned is that stress levels can play a huge part in our weight. If your stress level is high, then your cortisol level will be high and your body will not let go of fat. This is a protective mechanism. So this is why you have to take care of yourself. Plus there is all of the other health problems that come with stress! Consider trying yoga, meditation or even just a quiet bath.

    And one last suggestion, try to keep your foods as close to whole foods as possible. Cut out the processed stuff and the sugar. Try a week of low sugars and see if it might be somehow insulin related. Fruit is considered a sugar too, so cut it out also. Try to keep your sugars under 20 g/day and see what happens. Sometimes is takes this trial and error to figure out what the problem really is. MyFitnessPal can help count those sugars.

    Keep in touch! Us homeschool Mommas have to stick together. :)

    Blessings,

    Lisa
    RYT
    www.yourbodymindsoul.com
  • txfamilyof7
    txfamilyof7 Posts: 35 Member
    A HRM is a heart rate monitor...gives a more accurate estimate of your calorie burn.

    You didn't say what calories you are on...if you are on 1200 its not enough for the level of activity, either up your lifestle to active or lightly active and see what cals it gives you or record all your activity as exercise and eat the extra calories it gives you....not exercising too much but you do need to eat according

    Your goal weight is underweight by quite a bit and while that may have been your natural weight years ago I doubt it is now (as its just not shifting)...after age of 30 things change so I think it may be better to revise your goal...at 120 you are scraping in at the low end of healthy

    LOL Actually, I used to be 105 - 110...I just went to 120 cuz I was trying to be more "realistic". I have a tiny frame, so it really isn't that unhealthy for me.
  • txfamilyof7
    txfamilyof7 Posts: 35 Member
    Jennifer,

    Everyone has given you some excellent suggestions! I think activity is never a bad thing, but you need to make sure you are eating enough to support it. Also, having your thyroid and hormones checked could be a really good thing! The important part though is to find a doctor who knows how to read the results. Some like to fit everyone into the "range" and if you are in that range they will tell you that you are fine despite having all of the symptoms of obvious hypothyroid or hormonal imbalance. Everyone is different and what is a normal range for one person is not necessarily for another. Bernice Gonzales at Vital Wellness is a very good doctor in this regard. If needed, she also uses bioidentical hormones/thyroid instead of synthetics.

    I always have to research things to death before going to a doctor. If you want to read more on the subject first, here are some great books:

    http://www.amazon.com/John-Lees-Hormone-Balance-Simple/dp/044669438X/ref=sr_1_6?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1310391181&sr=1-6

    http://www.amazon.com/Master-Your-Metabolism-Naturally-Balancing/dp/0307450732/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1310390960&sr=8-10

    http://www.amazon.com/Ageless-Naked-Truth-Bioidentical-Hormones/dp/0307237257/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1310391155&sr=1-3


    It has taken me many years to figure out that I had hormonal imbalances and that is why I have struggled so much. With my hormones out of balance, I had to keep my calories around 1000 or I would quickly put on weight. I wish I had seen a doctor 10-15 years ago and gotten it all under control, so that I could just live a happy & healthy life not so obsessed with what went into my mouth and not beating myself up when I put on weight from going over the measly calories.

    You are a Mom and you need to take care of yourself so that you can take care of those kiddos. Although it is hard, if you don't put yourself first it really is your family that suffers in the end. I homeschool my 3 kids too and, although very rewarding, puts so much pressure on us!!! That makes it even more important that we fill ourselves back up **first**.

    One thing I have recently learned is that stress levels can play a huge part in our weight. If your stress level is high, then your cortisol level will be high and your body will not let go of fat. This is a protective mechanism. So this is why you have to take care of yourself. Plus there is all of the other health problems that come with stress! Consider trying yoga, meditation or even just a quiet bath.

    And one last suggestion, try to keep your foods as close to whole foods as possible. Cut out the processed stuff and the sugar. Try a week of low sugars and see if it might be somehow insulin related. Fruit is considered a sugar too, so cut it out also. Try to keep your sugars under 20 g/day and see what happens. Sometimes is takes this trial and error to figure out what the problem really is. MyFitnessPal can help count those sugars.

    Keep in touch! Us homeschool Mommas have to stick together. :)

    Blessings,

    Lisa
    RYT
    www.yourbodymindsoul.com

    Thanks, Lisa!

    I think I just wasn't counting enough, or something...cuz once I started back up on here, and actually eating low calorie foods 5 times a day, and ensuring that I worked out to balance what I ate, I have now lost 3 lbs since last Monday. Hopefully this trend continues...LOL

    Actually, we cut out processed foods last year. I was doing some work for a guy that included research into all that, and we cut out as much as we can. Almost all of our foods are home made now, and we don't buy any boxed dinners anymore. Interestingly enough, we don't even like the taste of the processed foods anymore! LOL
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