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8 weeks...1.5 lbs

Yes, I have been "on a diet" for 8 weeks now and weigh approximately 1.5 lbs less than I did 8 weeks ago. How's that for fun? I am beyond frustrated, I really am. I have eaten an average of 1621 calories a day (...everything I have put in my mouth, including cliff blocks, gatorade, infinit, etc) since January 8, burned an average of 480 calories a day through exercise, and burned another 1425 calories a day just being me (according to the most recent RMR test, my old test said I would have burned 1775 calories a day, and the most recent DEXA testing at UT said 1500 minimum a day, but that is beside the point because I'm not losing even using the lowest number). By those numbers I should have lost at least 4 lbs in this time, but no. Not happening. Even worse, I weigh more than I did in October, November, and December. How does that work? I wasn't trying to lose weight then, and was barely even working out. I was eating more then too.

There is not a single meal or workout that goes by where I'm not constantly wondering how it will fit in on my spreadsheet, and how it will affect my overall weight loss for the week. Last night at Ziggy's Healthy Grill, I splurged with a kid's turkey burger and about half of the kids potion of fries. I'm sure it will take my lovely metabolism a week to recover from that meal. I am still more than I was when I went to Austin two weeks ago. Three days of bad eating will take me 3 weeks to recover from, weight-wise. And my bad eating was 2500-3000 calories a day, and I ran a half marathon on one of those days.

It just sucks. Plain and simple. I can say "ok, I will throw in the towel and just not worry about it" but with my present apparent lack of metabolism, doing that seems like it will only leave me gaining weight.

Eating out pretty much can't happen these days. During the week, I'm only eating ~1200-1400 calories a day to balance out the increased calorie needs on the weekends when I'm running or riding long. Most restaurant meals have 1200-1400 calories on one plate! Even sandwich places now are aggravating me. My basic turkey and swiss on wheat with a smidge of mayo at Potbelly has 450 calories. The "cleanest" sandwich I could get at Jimmy John's has 500 calories. I don't think people (particularly males) have a clue how hard it is to try to eat anywhere near like a normal person on 1200-1400 calories a day. Thank God My Fit Foods exists, although I am afraid I am going to get sick of eating the same 4 meals over and over again very soon. I usually end up eating 200-280 calories per meal when I eat something from there.

I have had to cut a few workouts short recently because I have felt like I was going to pass out and wanted to eat my right arm off, but eating more will only make me gain weight.

I am sure there are several of you reading this thinking "whatever, her only issues are in her head, she doesn't need to lose weight." Well, if it didn't hurt my pride too much, I would tell you how much fat this body is carrying around, but I'm too proud to say it. Trust me, I have plenty to spare. I will tell you this much - I could lose 10 lbs of fat and still be over 20% fat.

Ok, I'm doing venting. I'm just beyond frustrated and there doesn't seem to be any answers right now.

Comments

greyhound said…
Vent away, if needs be. I hear the frustration. And maybe venting raises one's metabolism. Things have just got to come right if you keep doing the right things.
KCJudge said…
Have you tried anemia? It's a great weight-loss technique... Of course there's the drawback of feeling like you're going to pass out when you run but other than that it's great!
CoachLiz said…
I hear ya kiddo. I'm in the same boat you are in and it is very frustraiting. What really sucks is that all I'm able to eat is meat & fish, brown rice, veggies, eggs, and nuts and I sill feel like I am either gaining weight or just staying where I am. No drops since I took off that water weight.

The bright side is that I found some tasty gluen-free and dairy-free chocolate chunk cookies. They made me itch from the sugar, but boy they were good.
Anonymous said…
Kathleen.....another thought is that maybe you are pushing it too much and your body is trying to "survive". When I was in Weight Watchers (and I am making one more attempt on my own to get back on track or I may have to go back to them), one tactic if you had stalled loosing was to change your diet a bit...and maybe even increase the amount you are eating somewhat. If you are below what your body needs (and with your training, you do need some calories), not eating enough can make your body start storing as much as possible to keep you safer long term...sort of a survival mechanism. That doesn't mean go pig out...but maybe your daily intake is too low right now and you need to eat just a bit more......just a thought...
Bob L.
KCWoodhead said…
Hey Bob - thanks for the insight! I'm aware that you can "stall out" per se, and have tried to kind of bounce around that. My calorie intake on the weekends is significantly higher than most week days, and I definitely eat different food. I was hoping that might kind of take care of that. Also, I hoped Austin might be the "bump" that I needed - I pretty much ate whatever for 3-4 days, ignoring all "diet" rules, and it just left me gaining weight.

Also right before I started all this (Christmas-time), I ate however I wanted and literally gained 5.4 lbs in 15 days. Granted, a lot of it was water weight, but it still took me 4 weeks to get that weight back off, so I'm a little cautious to try to eat more for more than a day or a two at a time right now.

I guess that is why some people find medicine and the human body so interesting - they sure always work like they are supposed to!
Anonymous said…
kc...i read your blog, am a 44 year mother, physician(ob/gyn) and a runner(houston marathon 3hrs 32 min)--after training with houston fit. weight loss is very unfair and very difficult especially for women. it comopunds in difficulty as we age. sometimes it can be related to a female hormone inbalance/adrenal hormone imbalance. maybe that is something you could explore.
26.2 Princess said…
I'm so sorry to read about how frustrated you are! I know, its hard when you know you want to lose weight and try and try, and face difficulty and have no answers, and you reach out for support and venting, and people just tell you you are crazy, that you look just fine. Keep your chin up and keep trying...you will reach your goal. And I agree with Anonymous...even though you are still young, our lovely female bodies like to jack with us and our weight like crazy. I have a feeling that you've checked out all of the possible causes though...
TRI TO BE FUNNY said…
It's your blog so put anything you want out there. I share your frustration and fight the battle every day. I think being a "small" person hurts too since every pound gained feels visible to you (even though the rest of us would probably never notice).

I'm kicking into more corefit workouts for the next month (strength training, weight bearing) for a change of pace. I'm also incorporating many meals and aspects from the Engine 2 diet into my regime...I can't guarantee 100% plant-based, but definitely 90%.

I'll keep you posted!!
My wife recently hit a plateau like yours, and we discivered her thyroid has given up the ghost.

Somthing else to look at.

Good luck!

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