I am sorry about the "fat" remark--I have self-hatred issues and don't actually apply them to other people. It's weird, but I've never felt that other overweight people were ugly despite feeling that I am; when I look at someone the first thing I see is whatever their best feature is. Right now I am mostly just feeling down because of the weight gain. I am worried that if I can't even maintain after a year of exercise/dieting, I will just keep gaining until I can't exercise. Maybe this is a case of me worrying too much, but I'll see what my doctor says after the lab results come in.

The body temperature thing actually is an issue for me--I'm the girl wrapped in a sweatshirt and a blanket when the room temp is 75 degrees, no matter what time of the month it is.

But how can fat get in the way? I was spinning when I was over 200 pounds? Do you notice it? Is it there? Sure, but does it keep you from moving? I haven't seen it and I've seen many ladies and men at spin class with belly fat.

I just don't want it to be used as an excuse - "too fat to (fill in the blank)."

I'm sort of wondering how it would get in the way too. I was 200+ and spinning for years (at 5'3") without any issues

I had a friend that said she hated cycling when she was overweight because her thighs ran into her stomach when she was cycling. I was bigger than her but didn't have that problem. Maybe that's what the OP means.

She said she's eating 1,800-2,100, I suggested she should be closer to 1,535 at the end of the day. She hasn't lost a single pound in a year, gaining 7 so something is way off whether it's her calories burned estimate (because there's no way to know for sure IMO) or she's eating too many calories. It's one or the other.

Queenofthorn, when do your test results come in? I am praying that your doc can give you a clear answer on SOMETHING! From all the information you've given, it really does sound like a thyroid issue. I hope for the sake of your sanity that it gets figured out. I don't have a thyroid prob, but it runs in my family, both parents have it. I've seen how tired they get and the battles with weight gain. It's very discouraging. But if your doc can get you on the right meds, you will start feeling like a new person, guaranteed.
Also, one thing that no one really mentioned here in all this back and forth, is WHAT you're eating (if this is really just a calories vs. output thing). Try omitting something, or a few somethings... like bread, or soda, or the fast food... and see what happens. The bulk of our foods should be body friendly and natural, like fresh fruits and vegetables and lean meat. I know for myself that unless I eat mostly whole, natural foods, the scale goes NOWHERE.
Just a thought. Hang in there! You can beat this thing!

Hi there,
I was going to suggest cut out the gluten and see if some of your squidginess round the midsection is bloatedness.
Sounds like you may have metabolic issues going on hope your blood tests come back OK.
Everybody's body is different. Personally I have really muscular legs but a VERY big tummy ( 2 C sections didtn't help!!)
Keep on doing what you enjoy and try if you can to avoid the scales for a bit if they are always bringing bad news despite your best efforts!
Good Luck