I'm 38 years old and I've been overweight for about 7 or 8 years. Each year I seem to gain more and more. I was very athletic in HS and College and remained pretty active after. When I noticed the weight getting out of hand, I visited numerous doctors for tests, but they found nothing wrong with my thyroid etc. I was told time and time again the reason for my weight gain was that I was eating too much. I don't believe this to be true. Now, I don't eat as healthy as I should, but it's not so out of control that it would cause these drastic gains in my weight. Last summer I hired a personal trainer to help me get in shape and lose some weight. We worked out 3 or 4 times a week with cardio and weight lifting. He worked me pretty hard. He told me not to get on a scale that the weight coming off will be noticable. We stated in May of 2005. During these workouts, I wasn't noticing much, my arms were toning a little, but my clothes weren't any looser etc. About July, the trainer said he was a little surprised that he hadn't noticed much weight loss at this point. In August I hopped on the scale and I had lost 2lbs, 2lbs for working my butt off. I really hit the dumps at this point, depression set it and I just couldn't cope. I quit the trainer, didn't do anything etc. My weight still is there. I went to a couple doctors and told them this story, but no one seems to care or can provide me with anything that might be causing all of this. My questions are this:
Can depression cause you NOT to lose weight no matter how much you exercise?
What could be wrong physically that could keep the weight on, no matter what?
I'm not sure if depression can cause you not to lose weight. Are you on meds for deprssion? any other meds?
Is is possible that when you were exercising so much you weren't eating enough? I know that sounds strange but it could be a reason. What about what you eat? Were you also following a sort of diet-plan? Are you following one now?
I sure hope you find some answers. I don't know what else to suggest or rather, ask, but there are so many people here who have good insight
I was reading the PCOS thread yesterday because my daughter has it and saw that the typical symptom of "insulin resistance" can hinder weight loss without some medication intervention along with a healthy diet and regular exercise. Have you had yourself checked for PCOS? (polycystic ovarian syndrome)
I have to say, also, that I was amazed at what an actual serving size really was when I started my quest for health over a year ago. I really need to measure and weigh amounts because my eyes don't seem to be able to gauge the necessary amount to eat. I eat 5-6 meals per day, smaller amounts...about 200-350 cals per meal with a daily total of 1600-1800 per day. I use to moan and groan when people suggested the weighing and measuring, but it's made all the difference in my efforts....I also workout 6 days per week...lifting weights 3 of those days.
I think it is really important for you to get a better, more accurate idea of how much you are actually eating. I was in many ways like you, working really hard at the gym but not losing anything. I was no longer a binge eater, so I couldn't understand why my weight wasn't changing. Keeping a food journal really helped me. A lot of us use www.fitday.com. Even on days when I thought I ate really healthy I was surprised at how many calories I actually consumed. It's important also to be really honest with yourself in the food journal. I know that my own self judgement kept me from wanting to acknowlege certain foods I ate, but you have to be accurate and honest with yourself and your own eating. Once you start logging your food and tracking your calories, then you'll get a better sense of whether you need to reduce or increase calories, or seek additional medical advice. Best of luck to you.
Really good advice above. If after looking into all of this, you still cannot discover the reason for not losing, check your hormone levels. Suzanne Somers wrote a really good book about her struggle w/ weight loss due to her hormones being off. She also gives good instructions for getting natural hormone replacement therapy if you need it. (not chemical)
And yes, depression can stall weight loss. When depressed you produce a hormone that causes you to retain or gain weight, especially around your middle. Also your "feel good" hormones get repressed.
So many little things in our bodies can cause these things! ((HUGS)) Hope you find the root cause. Good luck and do not give up! We'll encourage you when you're feeling down.
If no medical issues can be found, it is time to keep a food diary. For the next week at a minimum (preferably a month), measure your portions, check serving sizes and record every drop of food that passes your lips.
Chances are, you are consuming a lot more calories than you think you are.
Hit all time low
