Metabolism Question
#198830 - 07/23/05 01:07 PM
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Stephie
Reged: 03/10/04
Posts: 2696
Loc: Vancouver, Canada
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Hi guys,
I have a few questions, I am so confused. Now, I KNOW that I should be eating a safe number of calories and not dropping too far below that if I want to lose weight. I do know this, and I totally agree with it and want to try to stick to it BUT...
After I had all my dental stuff done, I had real problems eating. My mouth was sore, I felt sick... I was probably having about 1000 calories a day, most of that was drinks (gingerale, etc). I was rarely hungry, too, it was weird. That carried on for at least a week.
Then I had my all fluids day before my colonoscopy.
Here is my question... it seems to me that in a 'normal' person, that would make them lose weight, at least temporarily and then gain back what they lost once they started eating normally again.
I gained weight!
I went back up to 167. I am so confused.
Now I am still at 167, having had 2 meals since my 'no food' colonoscopy day and I just feel so puzzled.
Do you think that my metabolism is just really screwed up? I mean, I went from eating basically only rice for a looong time last year and being really thin, to suddenly feeling better and eating everything in sight, to trying to eat a normal diet.. Once I gained the weight though, it just won't come off!! I don't eat junk food, I just don't understand this...
I feel really bad about it 'cause I NEED to lose weight to be able to get a breast reduction, and my appointment is on the 9th of August and there is like no way I will be able to make a difference by then at this rate!
Thanks guys!
--Steph
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~~I'm not crazy, I'm just a little unwell-I know right now you can't tell~~Matchbox 20
IBS-D,pain.
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It could well be that you got your body into the starbation way of thinking when you first weren't eating much so now if you cut your cals much your body panics and hangs onto those fat grams.
Need Elizabeth and Laurel's help on this! As far as I know, if you eat LOTS of tiny meals, have plenty of protein and water and exercise quite a bit, then your metabolism should pick up.
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Oh Steph! I really wouldn't worry too much about this at all. Considering how much stress your body was under for the dental stuff and the colonscopy and how screwed up your eating was consequently -- everyone's body responds differently to stresses. Your body is pretty smart - it's not letting you starve or waste away during this period of stress. It was probably in some sort of coping mode - i.e. you weren't getting hungry because it knew that food wasn't going to be good for it right now, and as a result it was holding on to all the calories and fat it could at an increased rate to help you get through the week.
In other words, a week when you have two major health issues/tests going on and when your eating is all out of whack is probably not the best week to use as a 'test' week for the speed of your metabolism!
Just get back to eating normally/healthy etc. and you should be fine  It's not terribly surprising the way your weight is jumping up and down since you've been through so many changes in diet (understandably!) - and it's certainly not surprising that we start gaining weight when we stop eating just rice all day  (been there!)
How much weight do you need to lose by August 9th? There are some extreme diet plans I could point you to that aren't the healthiest thing in the world but probably wouldn't kill you for 2 or 3 weeks. Might be difficult to make IBS safe though 
Remember too that the best way to increase your metabolic rate is increasing your muscle mass = weight training! 
I hope that helps - hugs!
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Oh Laurel...
#199014 - 07/24/05 05:29 PM
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Stephie
Reged: 03/10/04
Posts: 2696
Loc: Vancouver, Canada
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You are such a life-saver! I am so glad that you are on this website, I really am!
I think I am just getting really frustrated. I think that in the back of my mind, I was just sure that I would at least lose a few pounds for a FEW days while I was going through all this and when I didn't I thought, "Is there NOTHING I can do??".
Even though my weight has gone up and down a few times recently, I still haven't been able to get it below 160! Before this, 140 was the heaviest I ever was (that was when I had no muscle, btw.. I still don't, I just know that some people here are 140 and look GOOOOOD). Then, my lifestyle was so different.. I ate really crappy food, late at night, got no exercise, drank alcohol a lot, didn't get bad D.. and I never went about 140.
Now I don't eat junk food, especially not at like 2 am like I was before, I take m dog out for walks, I try to get in exercise when I can (I am so bad about it, though, I will admit it) and I STILL am 20 lbs more than what I was... Maybe it's getting older??
Anyway, to have a breast reduction you aren't supposed to be 'overweight'. I am more than certainly overweight. I don't even know how much I should lose. I mean, the woman at Fitness World said I should weigh between 108 (?!?!) and 124 according to their charts (I'm 5'4 with big boobs) so even if I lost the minimum there that's..more than 40 lbs to lose.  I know 108 lbs is just ridiculous, but even 124 seems impossible right now.
I won't be able to have the surgery until I have lost, I imagine, at LEAST 20 lbs. I wouldn't want to have it before then! When I was in England and was like 130 lbs, I still had big boobs so I know I have a lot of breast tissue.. and that's what I want removed, not just fat tissue. Now that my mom has breast cancer, I have even more reason to want excessive breast tissue removed.
What do you think??? I hope this makes sense, I am really rambling..
--Steph
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~~I'm not crazy, I'm just a little unwell-I know right now you can't tell~~Matchbox 20
IBS-D,pain.
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Re: Oh Laurel...
#199016 - 07/24/05 05:46 PM
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melitami
Reged: 02/23/04
Posts: 1213
Loc: Ewing, NJ, USA (IBS-D, Vegetarian)
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The 108-124 lbs is using the Body Mass Index thingy. I'm 5'4" too, so that's supposed to be my healthy weight range, but I'm skeptical of the charts and think it should more be the weight a person feels most comfortable. I also think that your fitness trainer should have had a better idea of realistic weight given your frame and your boobs!
*HUGS* Hope you feel better soon!
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Melissa
Friendship is thicker than blood. ~Rent
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Awww, so glad I could help Steph!
Age definitely plays a part in weight loss, i.e. the older you get, the harder the weight is to lose (and usually the more you put on too). But in all fairness you've gone through a lot of stuff with your body in your life so you have some factors against you as well.
Not hopeless though! Trying to lose 20 lbs would probably be a good place to start - 40 would be A LOT. With your large boobs, something in the range of 125-140lbs would probably be a more accurate healthy weight for you (estimating here of course).
The more you can exercise the better, definitely. Keep weight training regularly and as much cardio as your schedule will allow since you're trying to lose quickly. Try to cut back as much as you can on candy, sweets etc. and also on any proccessed carbs - i.e. white bread etc. I'm not sure how you are with whole grains and such (i.e. oatmeal) but the more of those you can eat the better, also potatoes and sweet potatoes are a good substitute. Try to have a portion of protein at every meal (5-6 meals a day) to fill you up and also fill yourself up with as much veggies as you can tolerate. Try to stick to a strict diet regime for one week eating the same amount you are now (in calories) but with healthy, good for you food and at good regular times - and push yourself to exercise. Just for a week. If you don't see ANY weight loss at all, or if you see weight gain (make sure to weigh yourself at the same time), then you should probably try dropping your calories by around 200.
Give yourself something like a 1 or 2 week committment - I find that's easier to stick to. This week, I WILL go to the gym and eat right etc.
Let me know if there's anything else I can do to help, and I hope this isn't coming accross as unsolicited advice or anything  Hugs!
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Thanks Laurel for helping Steph!!
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www.facebook.com/shell.marr
www.myspace.com/shellmarr
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Quote:
Try to stick to a strict diet regime for one week eating the same amount you are now (in calories) but with healthy, good for you food and at good regular times - and push yourself to exercise. Just for a week. If you don't see ANY weight loss at all, or if you see weight gain (make sure to weigh yourself at the same time), then you should probably try dropping your calories by around 200.
Hi again!
This is the part that I am having trouble with... 'cause right now, I am MAYBE eating 1000 calories a day. If I cut out drinks, that would rapidly decline.
Like today for example.. it's 5:10 and I just ate a Luna Bar. That's it. All day. Usually I am not that bad, but I just have no appetite at all. I had to go to the dentist this morning, so I didn't eat to avoid any attacks (I get really nervous at the dentist). Then I couldn't eat for half an hour after, then I commuted downtown, had a job interview and came home.. and ate a Luna bar.
So should I still eat 1000 calories a day, or try to eat more? If I drop that by 200, that's only 800 calories a day! Is that okay?
I'm sorry if I am being a big pain in the butt, I just feel really confused.
Thanks so much for the other suggestions, I will definitely give them all a try!! No more sugar (well, the 'bad' sugar!) and I will do as best I can to add more whole grains and veggies.
I've done a load of walking today, so I think I might do some more cardio if I get time tonight and will definitely do some weights while I watch TV or something.
Give yourself something like a 1 or 2 week committment - I find that's easier to stick to. This week, I WILL go to the gym and eat right etc.
Will do!!
Let me know if there's anything else I can do to help, and I hope this isn't coming accross as unsolicited advice or anything Hugs!
You're such a doll, I feel like I am taking advantage. And it isn't coming across as anything but very helpful and nice!
**big hugs**
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~~I'm not crazy, I'm just a little unwell-I know right now you can't tell~~Matchbox 20
IBS-D,pain.
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Hey Steph,
I'm sure Laurel can give you better advice here, but I'd be willing to bet that the fact that you're eating too little could be why you're having such a hard time losing weight. You're body thinks your starving so it holds everything in.
I've got serious issues with my weight and I thought I was starting to gain again a month or so ago after finally losing all my excess weight (I was 180 and got down to 130) so I started cutting things out in a major way. Guess what? I gained like 8lbs! So sometimes restricting calories is not the best way to go.
One other thing, are you still on anti-depressants? Because they can wreak havoc on trying to lose weight. Some people respond differently to them than others, and sometimes it can really screw up your metabolism...that's what caused me to get up to 180lbs.
Good luck,
Kelly
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Hi Steph. Firstly ((((hugs)))) for all you've been going through lately. I agree with Kelly and Laurel. I'm skinny right now but after having my first daughter I went up 2 dress sizes. I went on a "diet" at the time and went up another dress size. When I started eating normally again I dropped back to my usual size (the one before I had my daughter). It is a starving mechanisim. The less food your body has the more it holds onto what it's got and absorbs more calories to try and build up fat to store (kinda like fur seals before they hibernate ) I say you need to start eating normally again. Stick to small meals often which will get your metabolisim boosted again and hopefully the weight will drop a bit. I find even now that if I skip breakky for a while I generally weigh more than when I eat it. Hope this helps and good luck.
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Amy
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Melissa,
I agree that 1000 calories is not enough. Your metabolism actually slows down. I too was at 167 a couple of months ago. I started aerobic walking 3+ miles/night (leslie sansone videos - they're great!), dieting, and still was not losing!!! Then I read that you are not supposed to reduce caloric intake below 1200 cal/day (to prevent your metabolism from going into "starvation mode").
I added up what I was eating - only 1100 cal/day. I started adding another snack or two and bumped it up to between 1350 and 1450 cal/day. Then I started losing weight! So far I have lost 10 pounds 
Try adding some healthy snacks and increase your intake to at least 1200 calories. Good luck!
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Oops! I meant Stephie - I don't know where I got Melissa....!
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No worries Steph! I like to help!
Sorry I think I misunderstood... I meant FIRST work yourself back up to a 'normal' calorie range for you - so I don't know what that is but WAY more than 1000! Probably in the range of 1600-1800? Do that first, before you do anything else. That's really important, as others have mentioned (starvation mode etc...)! Then you can try to see what you need to eat to lose. IFf you have a high percentage of bodyfat (i.e. less muscle) you will need to eat less, but don't drop too low (DEFINITELY not below 1200 and you probably won't even need to approach that...).
Try not to stress too much about your weight right now though - I know it's difficult with the surgery on your mind and stuff, but you need to focus on getting your appetite back (when your body knows it's ready) and getting back into regular eating patterns. Obviously this is not just important for any weight loss goals, but also for your health! When will you be done with all this dentist stuff?
I would say try to get back up to 1800ish for a few days to a week, eating really well and strict etc. and see how the scale responds. Then if nothing, after a week or so, try dropping to 1600 for say, two weeks, and see how that goes. Again, eating well ('clean' as the say - lots of whole, healthy foods and very few to no processed foods) and exercising as much as you can. Don't resort to dropping your calories until you can say that you had a really good week-2 weeks with regards to eating clean and exercising (that's good advice for anyone!)
Also Kelly had a really good point about antidepressants - are you still taking them? If so count that as another hurdle against you From what I've read, antidepressants don't *need* to make you gain weight, but it's really, really easy to gain weight when you're on them. You kind of just have to be aware that this isn't necessarily your body that's craving that extra serving but rather the drugs that are telling your body that... i.e. you have to be aware that those drugs might have an effect on your weight (or already have) and try to 'cut them off at the pass' so to speak. Does that make sense? Really that's just from what I've read though, because I've never been on ADs so I don't claim to be an expert there or anything...
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so I know it can't be that. I am wondering that still plays a part since I went off them recently (though more than a month ago), but I just don't really know.
The only thing I am taking right now is birth control pill, and then I am back on the Asacol (Colitis med). I am pretty sure the Colitis med doesn't do anything weight wise 'cause I was off it for the month before my colonoscopy and didn't notice any changes. And the bcp? Even if it is, I'm not havin' any babies so it stays!
--Steph
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~~I'm not crazy, I'm just a little unwell-I know right now you can't tell~~Matchbox 20
IBS-D,pain.
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Amy
#199585 - 07/26/05 03:45 PM
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Stephie
Reged: 03/10/04
Posts: 2696
Loc: Vancouver, Canada
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Hi Amy,
Thanks for the reply.
I totally agree, I KNOW that I am not eating enough right now and if I am only gaining weight, that seems like pretty much conclusive evidence to me!
I am trying to eat more, but like today I am really having to force myself as I don't feel at all hungry. Hopefully, the more I start eating the more hungry I will get when I stop and I will WANT to eat again.
I am doing better today, though, so hopefully it is just a step in the right direction!
--Steph
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~~I'm not crazy, I'm just a little unwell-I know right now you can't tell~~Matchbox 20
IBS-D,pain.
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Oh ok! Well you may be right that they are still affecting you since you just went off them recently, but no matter. No need to pinpoint the problem really - the more meds you're on (and need to be on) the more difficult and futile that becomes. Just keep working at it! You'll lose that weight in no time, I know it!
(As a side note re: bcp, when I went on it for the first time I gained almost 15 lbs in a month - which was a lot for my small frame (I went from 115 to almost 130 in a matter of weeks, it was crazy). Luckily after a few months I lost pretty much all of it without effort and have since changed bcp brands a few times with no weight gain at all. It affects everyone differently I think and different brands too etc...)
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Re: Amy
#199718 - 07/27/05 03:26 AM
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doubletrouble
Reged: 11/14/04
Posts: 1530
Loc: Canberra, Australia
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Yep. Once your appetitie goes it seems to want to NEVER come back  I'm still struggling every day to get breakfast in (and at the risk of getting yelled at still only manage it once or twice a week. Lunch I'm not so good with either although I do try. Sigh, it'd be nice if food wasn't such a chore wouldn't it? Good luck. I'll keep checking in to see how you're going
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Amy
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