Metabolism problems! Please help

ifyanna
ifyanna Posts: 25
edited December 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
Hi guys. I gained 80+ lbs during pregnancy after eating too many pastas and getting little exercise I'm 6 months post-natal now and I have joined the gym as well. I don't have problems with exercise. I do 60 mins of cardio plus some weight training. I also do yoga at home and go for regular walks. I don't have a problem with food or portion control now as I'm never hungry (is that normal? ). But still I see no weightloss. Not even an inch? I put it down to my slow metabolism which I know I have. What can be done to correct this? I already exercise, drink a ton of water and have green tea. But yes, my meals are rubbish. I eat once a day, sometimes 2 times. I have no idea what and how much to eat. I usually eat salads with goats cheese, protien shakes, fruit for fibre, steamed veg. That's it. Not much variety. I am also a vegetarian.
Please suggest what I should be eating and how often and have enough fibre in my diet as I have constipation and piles.

Thanks!
Anna
«1

Replies

  • sarahrbraun
    sarahrbraun Posts: 2,261 Member
    With the medical issues you have, it would not be a bad idea to double check all advise with your doctor...

    my doctor told me that applesauce, apple juice and bananas can be binding. In my house, we all got a little more regular when I stopped buying apple juice and started buying white grape and pear juice.

    there are 2 small changes that you can make to add fiber without hardly noticing it--wheat germ and sunflower seeds both have 1g of fiber and 1.5g of protein per tablespoon. Whole grain breads are good too--I know Brownberry makes several that are higher in fiber. During one of my pregnancies, I didn't eat a single slice of white bread at home--I ate a bread called "health nut".

    prunes and dates are good for you and promote regularity.

    do you eat eggs? scrambled egg and slice of whole grain toast would be a filling breakfast....a bowl of chunky vegetable soup and a side salad would be fine for lunch... maybe a veggie protein burger and steamed veggies for dinner?
  • Susabelle64
    Susabelle64 Posts: 207 Member
    You can start by going to this website and putting in your current stats and goals. If you need help let me know.

    http://www.fat2fitradio.com/tools/bmr/

    Sometimes we under eat and stagnate our weight loss, sometimes we dont record our meals properly, sometimes it just takes a little time. If you do not have any health issues, then you should do a little research on what your goals should be. I know there are quite a few Vegans on here, I'm not one of them but you probably need to up your protein.
  • Valera0466
    Valera0466 Posts: 319 Member
    Your not eating enough. Your body is in starvation mode. This article is from one of the members here. Read it it's awesome.

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/3047-700-calories-a-day-and-not-losing

    Use the food and exercise diary's and force yourself to you all your calories including the extras you gain from exercising.
  • silverbullet07
    silverbullet07 Posts: 100 Member
    Your not eating enough. Your body is in starvation mode. This article is from one of the members here. Read it it's awesome.

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/3047-700-calories-a-day-and-not-losing

    Use the food and exercise diary's and force yourself to you all your calories including the extras you gain from exercising.

    How to do come up with this conclusion?
  • yarwell
    yarwell Posts: 10,477 Member
    But yes, my meals are rubbish. I eat once a day, sometimes 2 times. I have no idea what and how much to eat.
    Using the food logging diary here and making it public would be a good start.

    Is eating three meals a day a problem ?
  • mrsjennifermaffei
    mrsjennifermaffei Posts: 469
    You arent eating enough...being vegetarian is no excuse for the lack of food in your life either. Being vegetarian just means not eating meat. So, meatless or eggplant lasagna or parmesan, salads, soups, pasta, veggie burgers, desserts, etc.

    SOOOOOO much out there for vegetarians, get eating!! You need more throughout the day, even if you must force yourself!
  • mrsjennifermaffei
    mrsjennifermaffei Posts: 469
    Your not eating enough. Your body is in starvation mode. This article is from one of the members here. Read it it's awesome.

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/3047-700-calories-a-day-and-not-losing

    Use the food and exercise diary's and force yourself to you all your calories including the extras you gain from exercising.

    How to do come up with this conclusion?

    It is true about your body going into starvation mode. Your body will start to decrease and "eat away" at its own muscle mass and make your body brittle, weak, dehydrated, malnourished, etc. Look at people who have anorexia...very concerned for people who do not want to believe your body can be put into starvation mode.
  • vfnmoody
    vfnmoody Posts: 271 Member
    Start with the suggestions for logging food and exercise to get a good picture of where you are. This would help the folks on the web site as much as it will help you.

    As a vegiterian I might suggest a bit of Creatine supplement.

    Creatine is a nitrogenous organic acid that occurs naturally in vertebrates and helps to supply energy to all cells in the body, primarily muscle. This is achieved by increasing the formation of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Creatine is naturally produced in the human body from amino acids primarily in the kidney and liver.
    It is transported in the blood for use by muscles. Creatine is not an essential nutrient, as it is manufactured in the human body from L-arginine, glycine, and L-methionineIn humans and animals, approximately half of stored creatine originates from food (mainly from meat). A study, involving 18 vegetarians and 24 non-vegetarians, on the effect of creatine in vegetarians showed that total creatine was significantly lower than in non-vegetarians.
  • Captain_Tightpants
    Captain_Tightpants Posts: 2,215 Member
    You may not be eating enough. But don't listen to all the rubbish about "starvation modes", I doubt very much you are achieving such a deficit that you're killing yourself.

    What you *may* be doing is influencing a metabolic slowdown. If you don't eat enough and exercise too much, your hormones are gonna tell your body to hang onto all the energy reserves it has as tight as possible. It wants to survive, and if it detects trouble out there in the world, it adapts.

    Your lack of loss may also be attributable to fluid retention (especially if your meals are high in sodium).

    I would also advise getting a few tests done with your doc - thyroid and blood sugar levels especially.
  • ColtyHan
    ColtyHan Posts: 59 Member
    Constipation and slow metabolism are 2 big signs of Hypothyroid. I'd suggest seeing your doctor.
  • Valera0466
    Valera0466 Posts: 319 Member
    Your not eating enough. Your body is in starvation mode. This article is from one of the members here. Read it it's awesome.

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/3047-700-calories-a-day-and-not-losing

    Use the food and exercise diary's and force yourself to you all your calories including the extras you gain from exercising.

    How to do come up with this conclusion?

    She states she is only eating once or twice a day and mostly very low calorie foods. It's kind of obvious, but I could be wrong. We could all be wrong. It should say eat all of your calories. Sorry. Saying you are in starvation mode does not imply you are killing yourself. That is over dramatic and it's not rubbish. It just means your body is concerned that you are starving so it starts to hoard the calories you take in and not allow you to burn them. I have been doing a lot of research and it has come up again and again. I think this is my problem. I hardly ever ate and kept gaining weight. I am struggling to eat as much as this site suggests but I am doing it to try and restart my metabolism.
  • ifyanna
    ifyanna Posts: 25
    .
  • onikonor
    onikonor Posts: 473 Member
    Constipation and slow metabolism are 2 big signs of Hypothyroid. I'd suggest seeing your doctor.

    I too have heard of women developing thyroid issues after having a child. You should check with your doctor.
  • ifyanna
    ifyanna Posts: 25
    With the medical issues you have, it would not be a bad idea to double check all advise with your doctor...

    my doctor told me that applesauce, apple juice and bananas can be binding. In my house, we all got a little more regular when I stopped buying apple juice and started buying white grape and pear juice.

    there are 2 small changes that you can make to add fiber without hardly noticing it--wheat germ and sunflower seeds both have 1g of fiber and 1.5g of protein per tablespoon. Whole grain breads are good too--I know Brownberry makes several that are higher in fiber. During one of my pregnancies, I didn't eat a single slice of white bread at home--I ate a bread called "health nut".

    prunes and dates are good for you and promote regularity.

    do you eat eggs? scrambled egg and slice of whole grain toast would be a filling breakfast....a bowl of chunky vegetable soup and a side salad would be fine for lunch... maybe a veggie protein burger and steamed veggies for dinner?

    Thanks for your reply. I do eat eggs! The meal ideas are great I'll stay away from bananas now. I have also been advised to have some prunes in my diet to help with the constipation! Thanks, will let you know how I'm getting on.
  • ifyanna
    ifyanna Posts: 25
    You can start by going to this website and putting in your current stats and goals. If you need help let me know.

    http://www.fat2fitradio.com/tools/bmr/

    Sometimes we under eat and stagnate our weight loss, sometimes we dont record our meals properly, sometimes it just takes a little time. If you do not have any health issues, then you should do a little research on what your goals should be. I know there are quite a few Vegans on here, I'm not one of them but you probably need to up your protein.

    According to the calculator I should be eating around 1500. I currently eat around a 1000. Thanks for your reply
  • ifyanna
    ifyanna Posts: 25
    Your not eating enough. Your body is in starvation mode. This article is from one of the members here. Read it it's awesome.

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/3047-700-calories-a-day-and-not-losing

    Use the food and exercise diary's and force yourself to you all your calories including the extras you gain from exercising.

    Brilliant article! Thanks for the link. Will try my best to keep my diaries updated!
  • ifyanna
    ifyanna Posts: 25
    But yes, my meals are rubbish. I eat once a day, sometimes 2 times. I have no idea what and how much to eat.
    Using the food logging diary here and making it public would be a good start.

    Is eating three meals a day a problem ?

    Will make my diaries public right away!

    No, it's not a problem, just never feel hungry, and with a very demanding 6 month old, I end up not eating enough. Thanks for your reply!!
  • ifyanna
    ifyanna Posts: 25
    You arent eating enough...being vegetarian is no excuse for the lack of food in your life either. Being vegetarian just means not eating meat. So, meatless or eggplant lasagna or parmesan, salads, soups, pasta, veggie burgers, desserts, etc.

    SOOOOOO much out there for vegetarians, get eating!! You need more throughout the day, even if you must force yourself!

    You are right! Thanks for your reply
  • ifyanna
    ifyanna Posts: 25
    Start with the suggestions for logging food and exercise to get a good picture of where you are. This would help the folks on the web site as much as it will help you.

    As a vegiterian I might suggest a bit of Creatine supplement.

    Creatine is a nitrogenous organic acid that occurs naturally in vertebrates and helps to supply energy to all cells in the body, primarily muscle. This is achieved by increasing the formation of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Creatine is naturally produced in the human body from amino acids primarily in the kidney and liver.
    It is transported in the blood for use by muscles. Creatine is not an essential nutrient, as it is manufactured in the human body from L-arginine, glycine, and L-methionineIn humans and animals, approximately half of stored creatine originates from food (mainly from meat). A study, involving 18 vegetarians and 24 non-vegetarians, on the effect of creatine in vegetarians showed that total creatine was significantly lower than in non-vegetarians.

    Thanks for the suggestion. Will have a look at creatine!
  • ifyanna
    ifyanna Posts: 25
    You may not be eating enough. But don't listen to all the rubbish about "starvation modes", I doubt very much you are achieving such a deficit that you're killing yourself.

    What you *may* be doing is influencing a metabolic slowdown. If you don't eat enough and exercise too much, your hormones are gonna tell your body to hang onto all the energy reserves it has as tight as possible. It wants to survive, and if it detects trouble out there in the world, it adapts.

    Your lack of loss may also be attributable to fluid retention (especially if your meals are high in sodium).

    I would also advise getting a few tests done with your doc - thyroid and blood sugar levels especially.

    Thanks for your reply! And yes, i forgot to mention, but I have low blood sugar and I'm often dizzy and experience blackouts! It's been ages since I had my thyroid checked! Will ask my doc when I see her next!
  • ifyanna
    ifyanna Posts: 25
    Constipation and slow metabolism are 2 big signs of Hypothyroid. I'd suggest seeing your doctor.

    :O Oh,! Another poster also suggested that I should get myself checked for thyroid problems! I will! Thanks for the suggestion!
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,432 MFP Moderator
    You can start by going to this website and putting in your current stats and goals. If you need help let me know.

    http://www.fat2fitradio.com/tools/bmr/

    Sometimes we under eat and stagnate our weight loss, sometimes we dont record our meals properly, sometimes it just takes a little time. If you do not have any health issues, then you should do a little research on what your goals should be. I know there are quite a few Vegans on here, I'm not one of them but you probably need to up your protein.

    According to the calculator I should be eating around 1500. I currently eat around a 1000. Thanks for your reply

    You may not have a slow metabolism but rather bad eating habits. Eat more, but I have a feeling even 1500 calories is too little. You are moderately active between exercise and your daily lifestyle. Can you post your height, weight and age. We can run some numbers. Also, please make your diary public so we can evaluate.
  • ifyanna
    ifyanna Posts: 25
    Your not eating enough. Your body is in starvation mode. This article is from one of the members here. Read it it's awesome.

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/3047-700-calories-a-day-and-not-losing

    Use the food and exercise diary's and force yourself to you all your calories including the extras you gain from exercising.

    How to do come up with this conclusion?

    She states she is only eating once or twice a day and mostly very low calorie foods. It's kind of obvious, but I could be wrong. We could all be wrong. It should say eat all of your calories. Sorry. Saying you are in starvation mode does not imply you are killing yourself. That is over dramatic and it's not rubbish. It just means your body is concerned that you are starving so it starts to hoard the calories you take in and not allow you to burn them. I have been doing a lot of research and it has come up again and again. I think this is my problem. I hardly ever ate and kept gaining weight. I am struggling to eat as much as this site suggests but I am doing it to try and restart my metabolism.

    I struggle to eat too! Big mistake!
  • beric86
    beric86 Posts: 2
    You should be eating at least three times a day, and make sure that you are eating more than 1400 calories a day. Lay off the dairy, have prunes, your plates should be something like 25% protien 25% fruit 50% vegetables. If you are eating tops twice a day, and sometimes not at all, then your body is going into survival mode and holding on to all the fat that it can. it sounds rediculous but yes when working out for more than an hour at a time you have to eat more to burn more.
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,432 MFP Moderator
    Your not eating enough. Your body is in starvation mode. This article is from one of the members here. Read it it's awesome.

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/3047-700-calories-a-day-and-not-losing

    Use the food and exercise diary's and force yourself to you all your calories including the extras you gain from exercising.

    How to do come up with this conclusion?

    She states she is only eating once or twice a day and mostly very low calorie foods. It's kind of obvious, but I could be wrong. We could all be wrong. It should say eat all of your calories. Sorry. Saying you are in starvation mode does not imply you are killing yourself. That is over dramatic and it's not rubbish. It just means your body is concerned that you are starving so it starts to hoard the calories you take in and not allow you to burn them. I have been doing a lot of research and it has come up again and again. I think this is my problem. I hardly ever ate and kept gaining weight. I am struggling to eat as much as this site suggests but I am doing it to try and restart my metabolism.

    I struggle to eat too! Big mistake!

    Then eat higher calorie foods (nuts, avocado, spoonfuls of peanut butter, or cooking in extra virgin olive oil). I eat spoonfuls of peanut butter a lot. I love it.
  • ifyanna
    ifyanna Posts: 25
    You can start by going to this website and putting in your current stats and goals. If you need help let me know.

    http://www.fat2fitradio.com/tools/bmr/

    Sometimes we under eat and stagnate our weight loss, sometimes we dont record our meals properly, sometimes it just takes a little time. If you do not have any health issues, then you should do a little research on what your goals should be. I know there are quite a few Vegans on here, I'm not one of them but you probably need to up your protein.

    According to the calculator I should be eating around 1500. I currently eat around a 1000. Thanks for your reply

    You may not have a slow metabolism but rather bad eating habits. Eat more, but I have a feeling even 1500 calories is too little. You are moderately active between exercise and your daily lifestyle. Can you post your height, weight and age. We can run some numbers. Also, please make your diary public so we can evaluate.

    Thanks for your reply. My height is 5 feet 6 inches, I currently weight 213lbs and I am 21. I have made my diary public now.
  • TheNewDodge
    TheNewDodge Posts: 607 Member
    You should eat 84 calories every 42 minutes for the perfect metabolic rate.
  • ifyanna
    ifyanna Posts: 25
    Your not eating enough. Your body is in starvation mode. This article is from one of the members here. Read it it's awesome.

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/3047-700-calories-a-day-and-not-losing

    Use the food and exercise diary's and force yourself to you all your calories including the extras you gain from exercising.

    How to do come up with this conclusion?

    She states she is only eating once or twice a day and mostly very low calorie foods. It's kind of obvious, but I could be wrong. We could all be wrong. It should say eat all of your calories. Sorry. Saying you are in starvation mode does not imply you are killing yourself. That is over dramatic and it's not rubbish. It just means your body is concerned that you are starving so it starts to hoard the calories you take in and not allow you to burn them. I have been doing a lot of research and it has come up again and again. I think this is my problem. I hardly ever ate and kept gaining weight. I am struggling to eat as much as this site suggests but I am doing it to try and restart my metabolism.

    I struggle to eat too! Big mistake!

    Then eat higher calorie foods (nuts, avocado, spoonfuls of peanut butter, or cooking in extra virgin olive oil). I eat spoonfuls of peanut butter a lot. I love it.

    :wink: Yes, i don't mind the peanut butter!
  • 1holegrouper
    1holegrouper Posts: 323 Member
    I would first thing go to a doctor to see if you need any tests done to rule things out like diabetes, hormonal imbalances, thyroid etc.

    After that before anything else, I would work on just eating more often. Having several smaller meals should help stabilize your blood sugar and insulin levels. Then, and only then, I would take a look at what you eat. The cardio work you do should be raising up your appetite to high levels, so it peaked my concern as to why that is not happening- that's where the doc can really be of help and give you some clarity and guidance on this.
  • ifyanna
    ifyanna Posts: 25
    You should be eating at least three times a day, and make sure that you are eating more than 1400 calories a day. Lay off the dairy, have prunes, your plates should be something like 25% protien 25% fruit 50% vegetables. If you are eating tops twice a day, and sometimes not at all, then your body is going into survival mode and holding on to all the fat that it can. it sounds rediculous but yes when working out for more than an hour at a time you have to eat more to burn more.

    You are right! I've got it all wrong. Have never had the need to lose weight before so didn't know the right way to do it! Will eat more regularly from tomorrow for sure!
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