Had a realization today!

**scgal21** · 06-28-2012 09:05 AM

I knew going into this, losing would be harder and probably much slower than most, with my health issues (thyroid, metobolic syndrome, menopause, age, etc etc). After looking at my food log, I came to a realization today. I lost consistantly the first month or two, then as I added more food choices and calories, it really slowed down. In the last couple months, the weight loss either stopped or crawled. When I eat over 800 calories, my weight loss STOPS! If I eat 600-750 calories, I lose 1 lb week. That is with excercise and 80-100g protein, low carbs and LOTS of water. Since being overweight did so much damage to my joints, I know I'll never be able to excercise aggresively enough to be able to eat like a normal person. I think I will have to log my food and keep it under 800 calories forever to maintain my weight, providing I can get to my goal weight. Don't get me wrong, I'm NOT complaining. My health is so much better now and I wouldn't trade it for anything!

**pebbles** · 06-28-2012 09:14 AM

How much you exercise? You have to increase and change up!

**scgal21** · 06-28-2012 09:19 AM

I do low impact exercize and weight training an hour every day...6 days a week. Increasing my exercise or intensity is not an option. My Dr. Said I don't want to make my joints any worse.

**Grace** · 06-28-2012 09:55 AM

We're in the same boat with a damaged rudder. Even treated, hypo can make things hard. We need to remember we still have the disease it's just being kept under control, that doesn't mean our body functions as if we don't have the disease. I've been peri- and menopausal for 5 yrs (grrrr) and while I'm glad my hormones are healthy I'd like it to be over someday... and metabolic syndrome? Oh yeah....
I'm pretty much in the same place. If I go over about 900 calories I don't lose at all (I'm larger than you are, so the calorie diff must be there)... if I go over 40 carbs I don't lose, over 60 I gain. It's been a source of depression the last few months, realizing that even with a tiny tummy I'll have to watch myself forever. You go into this hoping it's an end to lifetime dieting, y'know?
I exercise every day it's nice enough right now, only swimming for me. Tried some other low impact things and ended up with my orthopedist wagging his finger at me. Swimming is it, except for walking around doing normal stuff. Torn meniscuses and bakers cysts, achilles tendon issues... I'm grateful I can swim!
We can do this! It may take us longer than the younger healthier folks to get where we want to be but we can do it!

**Tammy64** · 06-28-2012 10:06 AM

Girls....you know it seems to me these last 30 lbs. have been hell.. Walking is wonderful, but not in this TEXAS heat, and where I live there isn't a mall to go in to do your laps..lol. So taking one day at a time, and keeping a close eye on the scales and hope that soon...the rest of this weight will just fall off....you know like hair at the bottom of the shower drain....lol

**scgal21** · 06-28-2012 11:04 AM

Thank you Grace for your response! It made mesfeel so much better to know I'm not alone...though I would never wish it on anyone else. It sure would be a dream come true to have the weight fall off and be able to have a "normal" life of eating. I can totally relate to your wish to end a lifetime of dieting. I am so determined to get to a reasonable weight...not even thin....just comfortable. I know we can do this. One meal at a time!!

Originally Posted by Grace

We're in the same boat with a damaged rudder. Even treated, hypo can make things hard. We need to remember we still have the disease it's just being kept under control, that doesn't mean our body functions as if we don't have the disease. I've been peri- and menopausal for 5 yrs (grrrr) and while I'm glad my hormones are healthy I'd like it to be over someday... and metabolic syndrome? Oh yeah....
I'm pretty much in the same place. If I go over about 900 calories I don't lose at all (I'm larger than you are, so the calorie diff must be there)... if I go over 40 carbs I don't lose, over 60 I gain. It's been a source of depression the last few months, realizing that even with a tiny tummy I'll have to watch myself forever. You go into this hoping it's an end to lifetime dieting, y'know?
I exercise every day it's nice enough right now, only swimming for me. Tried some other low impact things and ended up with my orthopedist wagging his finger at me. Swimming is it, except for walking around doing normal stuff. Torn meniscuses and bakers cysts, achilles tendon issues... I'm grateful I can swim!
We can do this! It may take us longer than the younger healthier folks to get where we want to be but we can do it!

**itsmytime** · 06-28-2012 03:03 PM

I have to eat below 800 calories to lose too, scgal. I was diabetic before surgery and I think I am still somewhat impaired at this point. I have metabolic syndrome If I go above 800, I too will not lose or I will only lose a pound every month. Sometimes it's easy to eat only 800 calories but then there are other days where i feel hungrier and want to eat more than 800 calories. It's frustrating. I know they say weight loss surgery patients can only eat between 60-80% of the amount of calories that someone the same weight and height who has never been overweight can eat. I tend to agree with that. We did not win the genetic lottery when it comes to our metabolisms and body systems, so to speak.