Major stall--suggestions?

Hi all!

It's been awhile since I've posted, but I apparently just can't do this on
my own, so here I am (sorry to come back with nothing but a big ol'
rant)...

Several months ago, I finally hit my goal weight. It was a good weight
for me because I looked fine, I felt good, I had lots of energy, and had
some cushioning without too much jiggle. My body seemed to be happy at
this weight since I was able to stay within a 2-3 pound range (and silly
me, I used to post in frustration with each fluctuation). Anyway, my
doctor put me on some meds and I gained 18.5 pounds in 3 weeks. I got off
the meds and resumed my "weight loss" mode (as opposed to "maintenance").

After 2 months and no loss (on a regimen that would ordinarily have me
down at least 2 pounds per week), I found a primary care physician, who
ordered some thyroid tests and said "Don't worry, keep exercising and I'm
sure all the weight will come off--and don't sweat it, your weight's
fine!". Yep, I am healthy, and I wasn't sweating my weight (132), I was
sweating the fact that I was 15 pounds heavier than I used to be, and
couldn't do a thing about it.

Now, it's 1.5 months later, thyroid tests have come back normal, and I'm
STILL not losing an ounce, running (at least) 6 miles per day on 1000-1200
calories (it was 1400 but I gained weight at that level). I've tried
every combination of eating more/eating less/exercising more/exercising
less, and now I'm just plain frustrated and ready to give up. Right now
my primary exercise focus is aerobic (running) with a little light lifting
thrown in; would a different kind of workout help? Should I really just
eat less? I could, but it doesn't seem like I should have to. It seems
like my basal metabolic rate is probably..well, negative.

TIA for any help, and congrats to all the "losers"--I noticed some great
progress since the last time I visited!

-Alison

"Alison L Miles" wrote in message
...
Hi all!

It's been awhile since I've posted, but I apparently just can't do this on
my own, so here I am (sorry to come back with nothing but a big ol'
rant)...

Several months ago, I finally hit my goal weight. It was a good weight
for me because I looked fine, I felt good, I had lots of energy, and had
some cushioning without too much jiggle. My body seemed to be happy at
this weight since I was able to stay within a 2-3 pound range (and silly
me, I used to post in frustration with each fluctuation). Anyway, my
doctor put me on some meds and I gained 18.5 pounds in 3 weeks. I got off
the meds and resumed my "weight loss" mode (as opposed to "maintenance").

After 2 months and no loss (on a regimen that would ordinarily have me
down at least 2 pounds per week), I found a primary care physician, who
ordered some thyroid tests and said "Don't worry, keep exercising and I'm
sure all the weight will come off--and don't sweat it, your weight's
fine!". Yep, I am healthy, and I wasn't sweating my weight (132), I was
sweating the fact that I was 15 pounds heavier than I used to be, and
couldn't do a thing about it.

Now, it's 1.5 months later, thyroid tests have come back normal, and I'm
STILL not losing an ounce, running (at least) 6 miles per day on 1000-1200
calories (it was 1400 but I gained weight at that level). I've tried
every combination of eating more/eating less/exercising more/exercising
less, and now I'm just plain frustrated and ready to give up. Right now
my primary exercise focus is aerobic (running) with a little light lifting
thrown in; would a different kind of workout help? Should I really just
eat less? I could, but it doesn't seem like I should have to. It seems
like my basal metabolic rate is probably..well, negative.

TIA for any help, and congrats to all the "losers"--I noticed some great
progress since the last time I visited!

-Alison


http://www.stumptuous.com/weights.html click on the "Doh! and Ouch" section
and from there go to "Troubleshooting".

I tried what she suggests when I had been stalled for a whole month and lost
2 pounds. It can be difficult to lose sometimes especially when you're
trying to "re-lose". HTH

Tonia

"Alison L Miles" wrote in message
...
Hi all!

It's been awhile since I've posted, but I apparently just can't do this on
my own, so here I am (sorry to come back with nothing but a big ol'
rant)...

Several months ago, I finally hit my goal weight. It was a good weight
for me because I looked fine, I felt good, I had lots of energy, and had
some cushioning without too much jiggle. My body seemed to be happy at
this weight since I was able to stay within a 2-3 pound range (and silly
me, I used to post in frustration with each fluctuation). Anyway, my
doctor put me on some meds and I gained 18.5 pounds in 3 weeks. I got off
the meds and resumed my "weight loss" mode (as opposed to "maintenance").

After 2 months and no loss (on a regimen that would ordinarily have me
down at least 2 pounds per week), I found a primary care physician, who
ordered some thyroid tests and said "Don't worry, keep exercising and I'm
sure all the weight will come off--and don't sweat it, your weight's
fine!". Yep, I am healthy, and I wasn't sweating my weight (132), I was
sweating the fact that I was 15 pounds heavier than I used to be, and
couldn't do a thing about it.

Now, it's 1.5 months later, thyroid tests have come back normal, and I'm
STILL not losing an ounce, running (at least) 6 miles per day on 1000-1200
calories (it was 1400 but I gained weight at that level). I've tried
every combination of eating more/eating less/exercising more/exercising
less, and now I'm just plain frustrated and ready to give up. Right now
my primary exercise focus is aerobic (running) with a little light lifting
thrown in; would a different kind of workout help? Should I really just
eat less? I could, but it doesn't seem like I should have to. It seems
like my basal metabolic rate is probably..well, negative.

TIA for any help, and congrats to all the "losers"--I noticed some great
progress since the last time I visited!

Time for a refeed! At your low caloric level, you might find that you
actually lose more if you have a refeed every week or two.

det

determined wrote:


Time for a refeed! At your low caloric level, you might find that you
actually lose more if you have a refeed every week or two.

det

I love refeeds--but the last one didn't go so well (2400 calories and i
was up 4 pounds 3 days later). Perhaps I went about it the wrong
way--I'll Google "refeed" and see how others have handled it. Thanks for
the advice!

-Alison

Ignoramus16237 wrote:

how tall are you Alison? If you are at normal weight, then note that
losing weight while at normal weight is difficult. Just take your
time, eat well, limit portions, exercise etc.

I'm 5'7" and am at a perfectly healthy weight for my height now, but not
my optimal one. My energy level and (recreational) athletic performance
were much better 15 pounds ago and the rapid gain just seems unhealthy

It IS difficult to lose when you're already at a "normal" weight; I did it
before, and I cannot figure out why what USED to work doesn't now! Guess
I just have to keep at it and something will give eventually.


I am doing the same thing, losing weight while at normal weight. I
want to lose 10 or so lbs in 2004.

i

Good luck--it sounds like you are well on your way. Your numbers are
impressive!

-Alison (and thanks to everyone else for the advice--time to go read up on
lifting)

Ignoramus16237 wrote:

Am I getting it right that you are 5'7" and 135, and want to be 120
lbs? Is that correct?

Assuming I read your earlier posts correctly, you want to move from
low normal weight to underweight. That's extremely difficult.

Igor, have you stopped to consider how much of he weight is muscle
versus fat?

I absolutely cannot believe how dense you are on this subject. After
all this time you still live your life by the BMI chart! It does not
matter how much she weighs with relation to her height, it matters
whether or not she is carrying too much fat with relation to her lean mass.

I weigh 50 pounds more than her and *I'm* unhappy about 15 pounds of
extra fat, too. I could care less that my target weight is 170 and
considered over-weight, it would be 23% body fat and a great proportion
for me.

Dally

"Alison L Miles" wrote in message
...
determined wrote:


Time for a refeed! At your low caloric level, you might find that you
actually lose more if you have a refeed every week or two.

det

I love refeeds--but the last one didn't go so well (2400 calories and i
was up 4 pounds 3 days later). Perhaps I went about it the wrong
way--I'll Google "refeed" and see how others have handled it. Thanks for
the advice!

Come on! Use your head... There's no way you gained 4 lbs from eating 2400
calories - the math doesn't add up. 3500=a lb of fat. If you overdid it in
salt or carbs, then that's just a temporary water gain, and of little
consequense afaic.

det

"Alison L Miles" wrote in message
...
Hi all!

It's been awhile since I've posted, but I apparently just can't do this on
my own, so here I am (sorry to come back with nothing but a big ol'
rant)...

Several months ago, I finally hit my goal weight. It was a good weight
for me because I looked fine, I felt good, I had lots of energy, and had
some cushioning without too much jiggle. My body seemed to be happy at
this weight since I was able to stay within a 2-3 pound range (and silly
me, I used to post in frustration with each fluctuation). Anyway, my
doctor put me on some meds and I gained 18.5 pounds in 3 weeks. I got off
the meds and resumed my "weight loss" mode (as opposed to "maintenance").

After 2 months and no loss (on a regimen that would ordinarily have me
down at least 2 pounds per week), I found a primary care physician, who
ordered some thyroid tests and said "Don't worry, keep exercising and I'm
sure all the weight will come off--and don't sweat it, your weight's
fine!". Yep, I am healthy, and I wasn't sweating my weight (132), I was
sweating the fact that I was 15 pounds heavier than I used to be, and
couldn't do a thing about it.

Now, it's 1.5 months later, thyroid tests have come back normal, and I'm
STILL not losing an ounce, running (at least) 6 miles per day on 1000-1200
calories (it was 1400 but I gained weight at that level). I've tried
every combination of eating more/eating less/exercising more/exercising
less, and now I'm just plain frustrated and ready to give up. Right now
my primary exercise focus is aerobic (running) with a little light lifting
thrown in; would a different kind of workout help? Should I really just
eat less? I could, but it doesn't seem like I should have to. It seems
like my basal metabolic rate is probably..well, negative.

TIA for any help, and congrats to all the "losers"--I noticed some great
progress since the last time I visited!

-Alison


Sounds similar to what I have been going through. I've had a serious edema
(water retention) problem. I will gain anywhere from 10-20 pounds within 48
hours. Obviously it's not fat and of course I didn't eat enough to put on
that kind of weight that quickly. I have been able to take it off, but it's
a nasty cycle and what I'm eating seems to have no effect. I was having
other problems too so the doctor knew it was a hormone thing. I only
recently found out that my adrenal glands are producing too much DHEA and I
don't know why yet, but hopefully will find out soon.

I was doing massive amounts of aerobic stuff - running, elliptical, bike,
etc. with a little light lifting/resistance and my bf% was going up instead
of down so I added weightlifting 3x week and cut back on the elliptical and
bike. So far in almost a month, I've been able to see changes in my
muscles - my tone is back, my skin is getting tighter, and even though I
still gain tremendous amounts of water weight at times, it's easier for me
to drop it. I even took 2 full minutes off of my 5K time. I highly
recommend getting into a decent weightlifting routine. It might not change
your weight, I don't know that it's done much for mine because of the water
cycle, but I do notice the change in appearance. I have also dropped a
little bf% so far which is more important to me than my weight these days.

Good luck.
Jenn

On 2/4/2004 4:42 PM, Ignoramus16237 wrote:

Assuming I read your earlier posts correctly, you want to move from
low normal weight to underweight.
Let's go over this again. Many people believe that a BMI of 18.5 is a
normal BMI. A 5'7" female weighing 120 pounds would be 18.8. While
that is certainly on the low side, it is not underweight according the
the BMI tables.

http://nhlbisupport.com/bmi/bmicalc.htm
--
jmk in NC

On 2/4/2004 4:47 PM, Dally wrote:
Ignoramus16237 wrote:

Am I getting it right that you are 5'7" and 135, and want to be 120
lbs? Is that correct?

Assuming I read your earlier posts correctly, you want to move from
low normal weight to underweight. That's extremely difficult.


Igor, have you stopped to consider how much of he weight is muscle
versus fat?

I absolutely cannot believe how dense you are on this subject. After
all this time you still live your life by the BMI chart! It does not
matter how much she weighs with relation to her height, it matters
whether or not she is carrying too much fat with relation to her lean mass.

Ah, good point. As you said, body fat percentage is at least as
important as BMI -- especially when you start to talk about atheletes.
BMI is good to a point but only to a point.

--
jmk in NC