No progress and just can't eat less

I don't have any good news -- just shared frustration. I'm always hungry and while the scale does slip down from time to time, it also slips back up with the same regularity. I'm pretty confused about what's going on for me. I'm athletic, but technically overweight given my weight. I know I have a reasonable amount of muscle.. but no matter what I eat or how I exercise.. things stay the same. I've lost half an inch from my waist in six weeks, that's it. I can feel my muscles more prominently but neither weight nor measurements have changed. Bah.

I just looked at your diary - and I would replace all that sugar and carbs with protein and solid whole grain. It sounds to me like your spiking your system and that's what's causing the Hypoglycemic response.

However, I'm not an expert here, I'm just going off what I know about what's worked for me. I cut out refined carbs like rolls and noodles and replace them with veggies and lean proteins and I've evened out my cravings and headaches. You might also want to try and eat 6 times a day rather than just 3-4.

Well... I looked back through your diary (back until the beginning of Sept) and I think you might want to take a closer look at what you're eating. A lot of what's in there looks like it's pretty high in sodium. Also (at least for me) pizza is the devil. It's really high on the GI and takes forever to digest. A slice can ruin a whole week for me.

Also, you're pretty consistently over your calories. Changing up things so you're eating more protein and fiber will help you feel full longer and be less calorically dense.

Good luck!

I just looked at your diary - and I would replace all that sugar and carbs with protein and solid whole grain. It sounds to me like your spiking your system and that's what's causing the Hypoglycemic response.

However, I'm not an expert here, I'm just going off what I know about what's worked for me. I cut out refined carbs like rolls and noodles and replace them with veggies and lean proteins and I've evened out my cravings and headaches. You might also want to try and eat 6 times a day rather than just 3-4.

I was going to suggest this too. You eat a lot of processed foods. The kind of calories count as much as how many. Also, keep an eye on your sodium levels. If you're eating a lot of processed foods, then your sodium is likely to be high. Try cutting some of your carbs back.

Every person's body is different. I know that simple carbs will keep me from seeing anything on the scale, along with higher fat. Doesn't matter the type of fat - my body just knows fat. So I try to keep this low, along with my calories.

You can also try zig zagging your calories. You can use the search option on this wesite, or google it.

Last option: Talk to your doctor. Something could be out of whack.

Best of luck!

I'm not any kind of an expert, let me say that right up front! The good news for you: I feel pretty sure that your time on MFP has helped you to be more conscientious about exercising and eating better -- these are important accomplishments in and of themselves, because you are establishing healthy habits which will carry you all the way through your life.

About your question, I'd recommend researching weight loss/diet for hypoglycemics, or better yet, consulting a nutritionist. Your tendency toward low blood sugar is not to be taken lightly, and really you shouldn't attempt radical restriction of your food intake without having a good idea on how best to do it within the parameters of your own individual health situation.

But the basic approach most of us share is simple: by avoiding junk foods, sweets, very fatty foods, we are cutting down our calorie intake. (In fact, the idea that many of us try to adhere to which is 3 meals plus about 2 or 3 snacks a day could work well for someone who tends to get low blood sugar.) Coupled with exercise, a sensible diet comprising about 1200 - 1400 (or more if you are really doing some good exercising) calorie intact should get that needle heading in the right direction. If done correctly, it should be gradual thought.

Good luck!

I just took a look back through your diary and noticed a few things that are likely hindering your progress:

1. You are over your calories more often than not - sometimes by 1000+ calories. You are essentially eliminating the deficit you need to lose weight.

2. Your carbs seem high relative to your fat and protein. You might consider adjusting your macros (40/30/30 carbs/fat/protein seems to be a good place to start from for many people) and replacing some of those carbs for good fats and lean protein.

3. You drink beer and/or liquor nearly every day. From my own experience, I have a difficult time losing when I consume alcohol (even one or two drinks during the weekend. I can't imagine losing what my body would do with a drink or two every night). I am not saying you need to cut it out completely, but you might want to consider cutting back.

I must say good job on the logging...it's more detailed than mine!

With a couple replacements you'll be fine.

Don't forget your exercise, too.

I highly recommend reading "The South Beach Diet". There is about 100 pages on "why" that are very important to understand. In "Phase 1" they ask you to eliminate sugar and carbs from your diet, but you can eat as much protein and vegetables as you want. As you strip the sugar and carbs out of your diet your body goes in to Ketosis after a couple days and starts burning protein for energy instead of glucose (sugar in the blood). At this point, I get so much energy, I feel like I'm 15 again. They only ask you to do this for two weeks and then start adding whole grain carbs and some natural sugar (fruit). Anyone with sugar issues should definitely read this book. I have been heading towards Type 2 Diabetes for years and am glad I finally understand these things. Good Luck!!

Hey, you guys are right. My diet has kinda gone to crud in the last couple weeks. Sometimes I wish you could just buy a big bag of human chow, y'know?

They call it Soylent Green. Not sure if it's on the open market yet...