Needing some feedback even if it hurts!!
superreal40
Posts: 37 Member
So i have been on here since 2014 and have a history of yoyo..Anywho i am now officially done breastfeeding my 1.5 year old and I am trying to figure everything out.
So First im al over the place with calories, one place says this and others say eat this much.
I weight 168 and i am 5'10
Currently eating atleast 1800 cals.
I started back intermittent fasting as I have not only not been able to lose but I have been gaining. i am not sure with all that is going on in my life if my cortisol is thorugh the roof or what.
My 15 year old was diagnosed with encyphalitis of the brain as was I and my son (molded house)
we have since moved and are in the process of building.
Doctor isnt sure of weight gain contributes to PANSPANDAS (enciphlitis) but I am sick of feeling gross.
Diet is as follows..coffee in am and tons of water. Break fast with apple, can of tuna and maybe some veggie chips. Diner is usually the protein and salad and another vegatable. I drink protein shakes as a snack. I make mine with water to avoid extra calories. its 120 cals for serving and 20 grams of protein.
I excerise lifiting heavy doing sydney cummings workout and when I am done I either do the elipitcal for 30 min or treadmill everyday. My mornings start at 430 as I do not get much sleep.
I am out of answers and I know it may be frustrating to hear but would love some feed back!
So First im al over the place with calories, one place says this and others say eat this much.
I weight 168 and i am 5'10
Currently eating atleast 1800 cals.
I started back intermittent fasting as I have not only not been able to lose but I have been gaining. i am not sure with all that is going on in my life if my cortisol is thorugh the roof or what.
My 15 year old was diagnosed with encyphalitis of the brain as was I and my son (molded house)
we have since moved and are in the process of building.
Doctor isnt sure of weight gain contributes to PANSPANDAS (enciphlitis) but I am sick of feeling gross.
Diet is as follows..coffee in am and tons of water. Break fast with apple, can of tuna and maybe some veggie chips. Diner is usually the protein and salad and another vegatable. I drink protein shakes as a snack. I make mine with water to avoid extra calories. its 120 cals for serving and 20 grams of protein.
I excerise lifiting heavy doing sydney cummings workout and when I am done I either do the elipitcal for 30 min or treadmill everyday. My mornings start at 430 as I do not get much sleep.
I am out of answers and I know it may be frustrating to hear but would love some feed back!
5
Replies
-
I'm not clear on what you want feedback on. You haven't really given enough info to give any advice on. What are your macros? What is your TDEE? It's kind of like saying you think you're spending too much but haven't said what your salary is.6
-
At your height and activity level I have you at a range of 1513 - 2136 cals per day, so your number seems ok to me. IMO, sounds like you are overstressed and under recovered. I would focus on that. Get your sleep straightened out and work on de-stressing. For myself, yoga and meditation have done wonders...8
-
lol... sorry, so much to type.. im looking for correct eating amount and what calories should be. What I am doing wrong to gain weight. Some calculators have told me around 2100 calories, some say 1700 or around that amount. Dont know weather i should add exercise in tracker or leave it out. i never rest and havent had a rest day in years. After I had a c section with last baby, i was walking on treadmill 2 weeks later. Husband says I am not eating enough and exersise to much but I feel miserable and bloated.1
-
You need to burn more than you eat to lose weight. There's 3500 calories in a lb, so it's common to aim for eating 500 calories less than you burn each day in order to lose 1lb/week (500x7=3500). The missing number in that equation is what you're burning; once you know or estimate that, aim for 500 under that number as a calorie target. @J72FIT makes a good point; don't underestimate the power of recovery.1
-
At 5’10” and 168 you don’t have much weight to lose, so your weight loss will be SLOW....
Not sure why you are struggling to figure out the calories as MFP makes that ridiculously easy. Enter your stats, weight, and activity level and how much you want to lose per week (you should probably go with .5 since you are already close to the weight range for your height).
As others have said, you should focus on recovery from your other issues prior to worrying about the weight loss.7 -
I'm 5'11 too and you are not overweight. You need to know exactly how many calories you are eating. That means getting a digital food scale and weighing and measuring all your food and drink accurately. To get your daily calorie goal, plug your stats into MFP and it will give you that number. Since you are not overweight, and could just lose a little, I'd look into recomp. As for your stress (a small child will do that) I'd try yoga. It's wonderful and a gift to yourself as J72FIT says. Good luck.7
-
First, for a calories make sure you're logging accurately, using food scale, etc.
Other than that: you mentioned gaining weight - how much and over what length of time?2 -
superreal40 wrote: »lol... sorry, so much to type.. im looking for correct eating amount and what calories should be. What I am doing wrong to gain weight. Some calculators have told me around 2100 calories, some say 1700 or around that amount. Dont know weather i should add exercise in tracker or leave it out. i never rest and havent had a rest day in years. After I had a c section with last baby, i was walking on treadmill 2 weeks later. Husband says I am not eating enough and exersise to much but I feel miserable and bloated.
Are you wanting to GAIN or LOSE weight? What is your exact goal?3 -
No!!
I lift heavy and I have realized I have just been gaining especialy in my stomach as I have never had belly fat. I feel uncomfortbale in my skin. My family always says I look great and I am too healthy, which is no such thing, as I refuse to eat out, splurge on ice cream and junk and usually try to just eat lots of salads.
I will be so honest as I have been so stressed for the last year I have probably had 1 beer 3 days a week but its always a really light beer (corona premier, michelob ultra, ect) maybe the alcohol. I know I have read even small amounts can damage metabolism. So im unsure. After having my last baby i lost all the weight then slowly started putting back on during breastfeeding, and no matter how hungry I was i would not eat back my calories like many people think.
I was eating plain oatmeal for bfast, appple for lunch , and protein and salad for dinner.
so i am really confused on weight gain
2 -
You are 5’10, 168 lbs. What is your goal???4
-
1580
-
Sounds like you aren’t eating ENOUGH calories honestly....
Unless that’s a really big dinner, I can’t imagine you getting anywhere near 1200 minimum with oatmeal, an apple and then dinner...3 -
Do you use a food scale, weighing and logging everything, no skipping, cheating, or forgetting?
If no, start there.5 -
Also, with only 10 lbs to lose it is going to be VERY VERY slow weight loss. You sound hyper focused on these last 10 lbs. You might need to take a step back and reevaluate your approach.
I’m hoping you are eating much more than you stated above. With so little to lose, accurate tracking is needed, BUT you need to be realistic and not try to lose those 10 lbs in 5 weeks. It’s going to take closer to 5-6 months at .5 a week...4 -
Do 1890 calories sound right? Im just so confused as I have been all over the internet to find the most accurate calculator2
-
Okay, you have some confused ideas about food. Beer and junk food won’t stop you from losing weight as long as you remain under your calorie goal. You don’t have to eat only salad to lose weight, and in fact if you need nutrients other than the ones found in salad, salad isn’t necessarily the healthiest choice available. Ice cream contains protein and in reasonable portions can be a fine part of a diet. I would go nuts eating nothing but shakes as a protein source.7
-
trust me, Sometimes I just want to eat a whole pint of ice cream but I would rather eat food with that amount of calories/carbs0
-
superreal40 wrote: »No!!
I lift heavy and I have realized I have just been gaining especialy in my stomach as I have never had belly fat. I feel uncomfortbale in my skin. My family always says I look great and I am too healthy, which is no such thing, as I refuse to eat out, splurge on ice cream and junk and usually try to just eat lots of salads.
I will be so honest as I have been so stressed for the last year I have probably had 1 beer 3 days a week but its always a really light beer (corona premier, michelob ultra, ect) maybe the alcohol. I know I have read even small amounts can damage metabolism. So im unsure. After having my last baby i lost all the weight then slowly started putting back on during breastfeeding, and no matter how hungry I was i would not eat back my calories like many people think.
I was eating plain oatmeal for bfast, appple for lunch , and protein and salad for dinner.
so i am really confused on weight gain
That is wrong. You absolutely can be so health obsessed that it causes you harm.
You have a lot of stressful irons in the fire and your mindset is applying more stress to your physical and mental self. That is unhealthy.
Forget the beer. It is not damaging your metabolism. Don't read that nonsense on the internet. It will drive you crazy.
Say to yourself out loud "I am sacrificing sleep in order to be healthy." See if it sounds wrong to you.
Unless you are an Olympian you need to allow yourself to relax.
You are not the first person to come through here with long term water retention brought on by stress. There was a good article about it that someone linked but I never saved it. Maybe someone will post it for you.
9 -
do any of you take true rest days or breaks from working out? literally have not had a reast period of more than 2 weeks in about8 years0
-
If you really are eating as little as you say, and exercising, and not losing - then you should check with a doctor. You could have a thyroid disorder-- very common in women over 30. That will slow your metabolism. Easy to control with meds. Or maybe you have another disorder.
0 -
superreal40 wrote: »do any of you take true rest days or breaks from working out? literally have not had a reast period of more than 2 weeks in about8 years
I’m 52, if I don’t get at least one rest day a week I start seeing stress injuries. I try to get two days in a row of low-impact exercise whether walking, yoga, or something similar.
I wouldn’t want to take two weeks off completely but if you are feeling super stressed it might be a good idea to take a couple of cut back weeks - set your calories to maintain so you aren’t having to work out to get enough calories, then just do the minimum lifting and cardio not to lose fitness, instead of pushing it, and focus on sleep and hydration. When you come back you will feel much fresher.
A lot of people are extra stressed this past year, having to learn new ways of navigating the world to avoid a deadly virus, and basic daily activities such as work and shopping which have changed. Whatever you do, don’t beat yourself up about it, and remember your first priority should be getting through this tough time with your sanity intact!3 -
Take rest days. My rest days usually still include a leisurely dog walk, but I find the walk to be restful and good for my mental health. However, sometimes I have a day where I just want to veg out, so I do.
Again, put your stats in mfp and set it to lose .5 lbs a week. Eat that number of calories a day. Stop obsessing over every little detail. Stop driving yourself nuts with what you read online ESPECIALLY if you struggle determining what is a valid source of information and what is just some quack posting nonsense.
It isn’t a sprint to the goal. You CAN take breaks whenever you want. You probably need to eat more (what you posted above doesn’t even sound like it would equal 1000 calories). You NEED to sleep. Your body can’t recover if you won’t let it. Stress causes water retention and reading your posts you sound REALLY STRESSED.1 -
I don't believe you answered this... When you mentioned that you had gained weight, how much did you gain and over what period of time? I'm trying to figure out if you had a trend of gaining weight, or if you had a single weigh in that was + a few pounds or less?0
-
Thanks to everyone.. super stressed.. dealing with a 15 year old hormonal teenager whose brain is under attack and making many trips out of town to drs for infusions along with living in a hotel and managing the other 2 kids a dog and a hubby IS stressful. After not ever taking breaks and not eating the best, I know it’s time to do something different..
Thank y’all truly4 -
superreal40 wrote: »do any of you take true rest days or breaks from working out? literally have not had a reast period of more than 2 weeks in about8 years
I think you will find that most people here take rest days. They are an essential part of a fitness and wellbeing goal. In addition to recovery and repair I am sure I am also not the only one that will tell you that rest days help push past plateaus. I am sometimes amazed at how much strength and endurance improves. Not every time but enough to sell the importance.
4 -
rheddmobile wrote: »Okay, you have some confused ideas about food. Beer and junk food won’t stop you from losing weight as long as you remain under your calorie goal. You don’t have to eat only salad to lose weight, and in fact if you need nutrients other than the ones found in salad, salad isn’t necessarily the healthiest choice available. Ice cream contains protein and in reasonable portions can be a fine part of a diet. I would go nuts eating nothing but shakes as a protein source.
Please let this quoted post sink in OP. What you eat/drink isn’t the problem. A calorie deficit is all that is needed for weight loss. Don’t let this be another issue you worry about unnecessarily.
As an aside, I had a late term miscarriage in July, I was 4 months. My daughter didn’t survive. Since then I have been projecting my stress onto myself as well, stressing about every oz I gained from the pregnancy. Thinking I would be so much happier if I lost the 10-13 lbs and find myself less disgusting. Fact is, self love, compassion, consistency over a good amount of time, and balance on your diet, will be some of the most important things you can do for your body and mind right now. Everything will fall in place if you trust yourself and the process. Breathe.13 -
msalicia07 wrote: »rheddmobile wrote: »Okay, you have some confused ideas about food. Beer and junk food won’t stop you from losing weight as long as you remain under your calorie goal. You don’t have to eat only salad to lose weight, and in fact if you need nutrients other than the ones found in salad, salad isn’t necessarily the healthiest choice available. Ice cream contains protein and in reasonable portions can be a fine part of a diet. I would go nuts eating nothing but shakes as a protein source.
Please let this quoted post sink in OP. What you eat/drink isn’t the problem. A calorie deficit is all that is needed for weight loss. Don’t let this be another issue you worry about unnecessarily.
As an aside, I had a late term miscarriage in July, I was 4 months. My daughter didn’t survive. Since then I have been projecting my stress onto myself as well, stressing about every oz I gained from the pregnancy. Thinking I would be so much happier if I lost the 10-13 lbs and find myself less disgusting. Fact is, self love, compassion, consistency over a good amount of time, and balance on your diet, will be some of the most important things you can do for your body and mind right now. Everything will fall in place if you trust yourself and the process. Breathe.
So very sorry for your loss. I lost twins 16 years ago at 4.5 months. Thanks so much for the advice. Loving myself is the hardest first step!9 -
maybe your putting on mass from lifting too heavy, and adding more muscle mass instead of leaning out. I recently just started doing more cardio same lifting wise, but higher rep lighter weight and that seems to be helping me.
0 -
maybe your putting on mass from lifting too heavy, and adding more muscle mass instead of leaning out. I recently just started doing more cardio same lifting wise, but higher rep lighter weight and that seems to be helping me.
The average woman can gain 1 lb of muscle a month, so no, she isn’t putting on so much muscle mass that that is why she isn’t losing. She could be retaining water weight from lifting as her muscles recover, but not a whole bunch of muscle. If it were that easy, men everywhere would be ripped...5 -
I do cardio every day plus if the workout is cardio and weights I still do cardio.0
This discussion has been closed.
Categories
- All Categories
- 1.4M Health, Wellness and Goals
- 393.6K Introduce Yourself
- 43.8K Getting Started
- 260.3K Health and Weight Loss
- 176K Food and Nutrition
- 47.5K Recipes
- 232.6K Fitness and Exercise
- 431 Sleep, Mindfulness and Overall Wellness
- 6.5K Goal: Maintaining Weight
- 8.6K Goal: Gaining Weight and Body Building
- 153K Motivation and Support
- 8K Challenges
- 1.3K Debate Club
- 96.4K Chit-Chat
- 2.5K Fun and Games
- 3.8K MyFitnessPal Information
- 24 News and Announcements
- 1.1K Feature Suggestions and Ideas
- 2.6K MyFitnessPal Tech Support Questions