Ok, I'll try to make this long story as short as possible.. In 2001, I was at my highest weight of 343. I started doing Weight Watchers at home and was down to 176 by 2004. Then I had back surgery. It took 6 months to fully recover back and I gained about 8 lbs in the process. I wasn't concerned because I had a good handle on what I needed to do to lose it so I went right back to my plan... but it didn't come off.
Now, 3 years later I have gained back 50 lbs!! I follow my Weight Watchers plan, exercise 6 days a week and still I can barely maintain. If I go off plan, like on a vacation or over the holidays, then I gain at least 5 pounds and it doesn't ever go away.
I have been to 2 endocrinologists, 3 nutritionists and 2 general doctors...no help. My thryoid levels are normal. The nutritionists literally shake their heads and say I should be losing...
For the past 2 weeks, I dropped my points from 27 a day to 24 a day. I am really feeling it... I'm very hungry and have a headache almost all the time.. but still no loss. I eat very healthy...lots of fruit, fiber and protein..everything homemade, very little processed food
Anyone have any advice?? At this point, I still feel like I need professional help but I don't know where to go.
Chris - there are a number of possibilities - and my first question is: how old are you? you're 6 years older than when you lost ALL THAT WEIGHT, and our bodies change over time. there's a lot of work being done on middle-aged weight gain.
it sounds like you truly are doing all the right things, but it also seems that perhaps some tweaks may be in order. i agree with JayEll [who's so smart!] - check out the WW forums here. think about changing the MIX of your points - maybe eating more points in protein, or whatever.
and take a look at your exercise routine. one of the VERY unfortunate facts of life is that those of us who've lost LOTS of weight seem to have to exercise more than people who've stayed at a normal weight most of their lives. we also have to be sure to incorporate a wider range of activities. can you manage a couple of sessions with a trainer?
it's discouraging to be in your position. you're doing EVERYTHING you should be, and it should be working. and i don't blame you for being terrified - who in their right minds wants to regain more than 100 pounds????? especially when they're trying so HARD???!!!!!
My exercise is usually
- 2 days at the gym on cardio equipment I usually do about 45 min on either the bike or ellipical.
- 2 days of strength training at home. I use the PUSH DVD series which is 40 min of strength and stretching
- 2 days of Tae Kwon Do. I go to 1 hour long class on one day and 2 hour long classes on the second day.
These are some of the things I typically eat for meals:
Breakfast- Non-fat yogurt mixed with blueberries and 1/2 cup of Fiber One
- 2 low fat whole grain waffles with a yogurt smoothie
- 2 eggs over easy and a 1 point english muffin
- low sugar instant oatmeal
Lunch - tuna with low fat mayo on a 1 point wrap
- 4 fish sticks (Dr. Praegers) with a salad
- veggie omelette (1 egg and 2 whites) with turkey sausage
- Dr Praegers Pizza Bagel (4.5 points) with salad--this one is a once
a week treat
Dinner - I had been having a variety of different Weight Watcher recipes ranging in points from 6-8 with no carbs at all. For the past 10 days, I have been having a grilled chicken or turkey breast, 2 servings of veggies and a salad.
Snacks - I usually allow myself 1 100-calorie pack a day but then I have fruit or yogurt for any other snack. I really need my sweet dessert after dinner so I have a WW ice cream for 2 points at 8 pm and then nothing else for the rest of the night.
When you do your cardio, what type of cardio are you doing? Are you pushing yourself? HIIT is a good way to push yourself without wearing yourself out.
For the weights, I'd ask the same thing. Are you increasing the intensity of your strength workouts? Adding more weights? etc
Also, I see a lot of processed products on your menu. Often processed products have more calories (more points) and may be less filling. I'd definitely supplement with more veggies and fruit. If you are having hunger problems, filling up on veggies should help.
I know it is frustrating. I've had periods where I've been doing everything right and the weight isn't dropping. Tweaking things slightly does help though.
First, it is normal to have some time periods where you do everything correctly and your body doesn't cooperate...we have to forgive ourselves of this sometimes.
That being said - our bodies ADJUST. Have you recently upped your intensity at the gym? If not, your "same old routine" may not be challenging for your body anymore. Try something new! What about hiking or canoeing? Can you start training for a race of some kind and pick up running? Mixing it up will provide your body with new challenges.
Are you taking opportunities to be active OUTSIDE of the gym? Our bodies weren't meant to sit all day, then have one burst of activity...take the stairs, park far away...you know, all the little things that really add up.
What about your eating? We all -should- lose weight if we take in fewer calories than we burn. Many of us have found, though, things that stall us...and usually, those things are processed. You may be eating a food that just doesn't work with you and weight loss. For example, I cannot eat light ice cream sandwiches on a daily basis and lose weight. I do, however, have something sweet nightly, usually fruit based, and sometimes with chocolate, so you don't have to give that up...just tweak it a bit.
Where do you go for help?
