Can't lose-now what? Suggestions? Help!!!!!

sharebear

Can't lose-now what? Suggestions? Help!!!!!

sharebear

I've been eating really, really, really, really healthy. I've also been exercising. I even stopped drinking diet pepsi and have been drinking 8 - 10 glasses of water a day. My husband has lost 15 lbs. and I have not lost anything. Not weight or inches.

I've been done with chemo since mid September. When I mentioned my dilema to the onc. this morning, he laughed and said they have a name for it....post chemo ________ (sorry my brain just lost the word). His response was good luck with that.

I wanted to lose at least 10 of the 20 lbs by Mid March. We're going to Hawaii at Easter and I would at least like to wear my summer clothes and not have to buy new ones. I current weight is at 152 and I would like to at least be around 140.

Please, any suggestions? My normal days food intake is below

Breakfast -  either oatmeal or two pieces of wheat toast

lunch - low fat yogurt - yoplait 100 calories and piece of fruit (apple or banana)

dinner - 1/2 pork chop or chicken breast with steamed vegetables

or last night I made spaghetti with turkey instead of beef.

If I eat a snack, I'll have carrots or rice cakes. I'm not hungry at all. All that water actually takes care of that. It really does work.

What else can I do?

Sharon

roseg

That diet sounds low in protein and calcium. One yogurt is not 100% of the calcium you need.

I would start measuring and logging what I ate. Portion control is sneaky.

I would look for a diet that had more protein in it.  Any fitness magazine will have diet/meal plans. Self, Shape, Fitness -- pick one up. I would also move more calories to my lunch meal and lighten up at dinner. 

To get maintain 140# you need to take in about 1800 calories a day. To lose down to 140 subtract 500 per day.  So aim for about 1300 calories a day. You will think you are starving at first! 

Aim for about 30-45 minutes of cardio a day.  Take your pulse and try to be sure you're getting it into your working range. Most likely 130-140 beats a minute for at least 20 of those minutes.  That will up your outgo. 

You could also try weight watchers online.  A lot of women have success with that. 

Anonymous

The way to lose weight is to burn more calories than you take in. If you just do one (say, decrease the number of calories you take in without burning more), you run the risk of having your metabolism (the rate at which you burn calories) slow down. Your body will think food has become scarce and go into starvation mode in an effort to keep you from, well, starving - burning even fewer calories than you normally would.



But the suggestions Rose gave were excellent - especially the exercise part of it - and should help your body burn off more calories (look how svelte she is!)...



And congrats on adopting a healthier diet!

Fitztwins

Sharon, I don't think you are eating enough. Your body may be fighting weight loss.

I joined WW to kick it up again. If I follow the point plan to the 'T', it does work.

It is easy. You can join online.

Janis

NYJanet

I totally agree with Janis.  I don't believe you are eating enough.  I've been a lifetime ww member for years.  I find if I don't eat all my points then my body shuts down and doesn't want to release the weight.  I've been struggling a little bit for a while now and put on about 10 lbs.  I've been following the program religiously since the beginning of Jan.  I'm down about 5 lbs, which is about 1 lb. a week.  Definitely give it a try, you won't feel hungry and won't feel deprived.

sharebear

When I eat more, I don't gain more but I don't lose either. That's what's been so frustrating. Eating better and less hasn't helped either. I know I don't get much calcium. I can't drink milk as I don't digest it well and when I take calcium, even with magnesium, I become severely constipated as I suffer from IBS with constipation.

I own an exercise bike and a treadmill. I take turns on each and go for 30-45 minutes a day. I also do pilates with a band for resistance.

I would like to switch my main meal of the day but I do make dinner for my family and that makes it hard.

I bought a one piece bathing suit for the first time in my life and I really don't want to wear it in Hawaii next month. You would think that being bald would have been the kicker but I'm having a worse time with wearing a one piece bathing suit!

Sharon

Rosemary44

Not that I can do this myself, but I just read that the old "high protein, low carb" diet came out the best of all diet plans for losing weight quickly.  It might have been a gov't study that I read.  Anyway it was a recent study.

If I remember the diet, you would have to eat 60 grams of protein daily, to only 25 grams of carbs.  Drinking tons of water throughout the day.  I'm not sure of the 60 number of protein.  Faulty memory.

Oh, and you can eat and eat all day long as long as it is high in protein.  This is not a long term diet, it's just to get you past your impasse of not losing.

paige-allyson

I am a Weight Watchers follower too. I was doing the core plan but recently switched back to counting points. I was getting a little too loose with the rules so I was maintaining but not losing. One thing that I do that really helps me is that I focus on getting at least 5 (but often more) fruits and vegs every day- that plus whole grains and high fiber foods. These fill me better and it helps me to think about eating to be healthy versus eating as much (whatever) as I can possibly get away with without gaining weight (which used to be my attitude and didn't help me- made healthy eating feel like being in jail or something). I am definitely in agreement with Rose on the measuring portions- it's too easy to fool yourself otherwise. Ditto the advice on exercise. I am down 20 pounds since last year after finally starting to do these things. Hoping to lose another 10-15 but really need to FOLLOW the WW guidelines. Thanks for starting this thread and I am going to measure all my food today. Maybe we should have a Weight Watchers thread- this is the first I've read of other women here doing ww.

Sharon- I hear you on the one piece bathing suit. I think even with a few extra pounds I look better in a 2 piece (even at my "advanced age" 48). The one pieces just don't do it for me.

bomber410

I've been watching this thread with not a whole lot to offer.  What I can say about the high protein, low carb, is that coming off chemo, having an increase in protein consumption is key to building back our strength.  The other thing about exercise is to be sure that you are really pushing yourself and varying the nature of your exercise.  I think Oprah did a segment on that.  And bottom line, I read that edema from chemo can linger for 16 weeks post treatment. 

Good luck!  

 Debbie

sharebear

Well, if it can last for 16 weeks that I should just about be done. That would be great!

I have this nice flat stomach due to tram flap recon but thighs and a butt that just don't go along with the flat stomach. I also have some love handles that developed with the weight gain. The stomach did remain flat though. I did my 1/2 hour on the treadmill yesterday and I'll probably do the bike today.

I found a store here in Michigan that makes bathing suits. My 17 year old daughter wears a 32G top so it's always a challenge. I was able to find a comfortable bandau top with a skirted mini botom that fit pretty well and still was cute. But expensive! You pick a style and a material and they make it for you including alterations.

If you can't fix it.......go with it!

Sharon

Rosemary44

I know I'm way off on how much protein to get in.  55 grams is normal to have every day.  So it's got to be 80 or higher for the diet to work.   Fat will be gone. 

roseg

I think the bathing suit depends on what you grew up wearing.

I've never in my life had a two piece and can't imagine even trying one on!

But when I go to the beach there are people wandering around in bikinis who aren't perfect, and they look fine. They walk around like it's their usual thing. As long as it's tan it'll look good.

Maybe what you need is some self-tanner? 

phoenix54

take a look at the fat flush plan. it is like atkins as its low carbs but lower in fat. i lost a lot of weight on it and felt great. lots of protein which helps you not feel so hungry.

phoenix54

re self tanning -= have you tried the Lancome tanning gel in a pump bottle. i like the colour (not orangy) and its easy to apply. 2 applications looks pretty good and it doesn't stain your clothes or sheets. put some cream on your hands and knees before you start and wash your hands well afterwards. i always use it on my legs before i wear shorts in the beginning of the season. when you shower don't rub too hard or it will come off



Barb

ginger2345

One piece suits are flattering to most women. I swim everyday and think the one piece shows off my curves. And love handles might disappear with the one piece-at least they did for me. To keep the bikini feeling, a tankini can be flattering too. 

But one being specially made/altered for you ought to do the trick. I think the thing here is how you feel in the suit. But if you're in Hawaii, you're half way there!

What island(s) are you going to? 

cp418

I realize everyone has a different metabolism but so far walking 2 miles a day is working well for me.  I eat very similar to you but sitting at a computer for work and minimal activity will cause the pounds to stick.  Going to St Martin in April and want to be presentable in my swim suits!  Good Luck! Joann

(PS - favorite suit are the Speedo Tankini)