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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to hate my stupid metabolism? Diet related rant ahead.

82 replies

NotTodaySatan · 30/11/2014 10:26

I've lost quite a lot of weight recently by eating a very strict 1400 calorie a day diet, and exercising every day. I'm also breastfeeding.

On Friday night I developed a horrible cold and cough and have felt really rough and unmotivated. I didn't throw the diet completely out the window but did have a few treats (couple of biscuits, 3 slices of pizza, a glass of wine) and this morning I am 2lb heavier Angry .

I have literally no leeway. If I don't keep to the low calorie intake I put on weight. When not breastfeeding I have to keep to 1000 calories a day to lose weight. Any more and I don't. It's so infuriating and makes me feel like I have to be on an inflexible no treat diet forever if I want to be at my desired weight. Ideally I want to lost another stone and keep it off. Which seems like it'll be practically impossible once I stop bf-ing.

Disclaimer: I know I'm being shallow and petty and this is a royal first world problem but it's pissed me right off and I need to rant. I have Xmas party dresses to fit into goddammit! I'm back on the wagon this morning, have had a low carb breakfast and am now off for a 6-7k walk with the dog.

Any of you who can truly eat whatever you like and not put on weight, I am eternally jealous Envy. Jammy sods. Mmmm jam....

OP posts:
fatlazymummy · 03/12/2014 10:09

nameddilemma prisoners at Auschwitz ate 1400 calories a day? Are you sure about that?

YesIDidMeanToBeSoRudeActually · 03/12/2014 10:26

Talking about Auschwitz on a diet thread is tasteless in the extreme.

youareallbonkers · 03/12/2014 10:28

No wonder there is so much obesity around, people have no idea how to lose weight. It is simple, ALL diets work like this regardless of how they trick you into thinking it is different, eat fewer calories than you burn off. That is it. Weight will fluctuate daily, mine can go 7lbs variance depending on time of month etc but overall if you follow that rule the weight will go off. 1400 is perfectly reasonable, if you are an average sized, reasonably active person you should lose 1-2lbs a week which is sensible.

Suzannewithaplan · 03/12/2014 10:55

Auschwitz?
ok Godwins Law, you lose Namedilemma

Suzannewithaplan · 03/12/2014 11:00

Everyone knows they need to eat less to lose weight Youarerealbonkers

They just don't know how to eat less?

Namedilemma · 03/12/2014 11:03

Really sorry, did not mean to be tasteless at all and someone up the thread mentioned WW2. I simply meant to illustrate that how many calories you consume is not the only factor.
And yes I am sure about the calorie intake, it was actually closer to 1700 for those doing the most strenuous jobs.
But again, I honestly didn't mean to offend and I was typing quickly so apologies if I did.

editthis · 03/12/2014 11:49

Well done, OP, sounds like you're doing a brilliant job. I have EXACTLY the same stats as you (spooky) and have definitely had the This Is All So Pointless And Unfair moments when consulting the scales.

My unsolicited advice would be to continue as you are for now - without fasting or low-carbing, as although I have no doubt both are brilliant, you sound like you're doing a great job on your very healthy-sounding regime. I like the sound of the mindful eating best, and your diet sounds very sustainable. But do heed the muscle-building advice too (low weights, high reps to tone rather than add bulk): that's what will kickstart your metabolism in the long run.

From my own experience, I have dieted madly (low-carb and running 10km three times a week for a year in the run-up to my wedding) and eaten "mindfully" with slightly smaller portions (due to decreased appetite and weight loss from morning sickness), which resulted in my being the same weight on my wedding day and the day after I gave birth. (Though I quickly rectified this miraculous weight loss by eating chocolate every night for a year, hence my following this thread with such interest.)

I am now pregnant again and will be referring to this thread for advice when that is no longer the case. Good luck with your weight loss OP; I'm sure you'll look fab in your party dress this Christmas.

editthis · 03/12/2014 11:53

Oh yes, and eating something less "mindful" i.e. a slice of cake, once or twice a week really seemed to trick my body into speeding up the weight loss. Not several slices, then ice cream after dinner and a few squares of chocolate, obviously (note to self).

ppeatfruit · 03/12/2014 11:57

Suzanne They just don't know how to eat less If you look at the Paul Mackenna way of eating he tells you HOW.

Namedilemma I lost nearly 3 stone with him and am maintaining (for more than 2 years). It was me who mentioned WW2 because it is talked about by Paul Mackenna, I don't know the details of the research.

Suzannewithaplan · 03/12/2014 12:04

?Are you on commission PpeatWink
Seriously, I'm sure Paul Mackenna works for some but the reasons for widespread failure to regulate energy balance are complex and probably not yet fully understood.
I am fan of Stephen Guyenet, I think his work is very good and he takes a very balanced and 'un-guru' like approach to the subject of obesity. ?

boodles · 03/12/2014 12:21

You are not eating enough calories for the exercise and bf you are doing. You are starving yourself slowly and also screwing up your metabolism. I am speaking as someone who knows. You would burn 1400 every day just lying in bed. Also no one can keep up that low a calorie count for ever and I guess you are doing this for health as well as long term loss.

boodles · 03/12/2014 12:24

Just to add, I have lost 100lbs nearly 10 years ago now. I eat 2500 (and have been medically advised to increase this), exercise regularly, walk lots, and I am under weight. You don't need to starve yourself, honestly.

I am 5' 8, 8.5 stone and over 40.

ppeatfruit · 03/12/2014 12:26

I 'm not on commission Grin but I have eaten very healthily for many years and the weight was creeping on ( i reckoned it was my age or whatever) but found out (after going on P.M.'s WOE) that it wasn't my age just the way I was eating!!!!

Suzannewithaplan · 03/12/2014 12:30

?I've found that as I get older (I'm late 40's) my metabolic rate seems to speed up, if I don't make an effort to eat more I loose weight without meaning to

MiddleAgedandConfused · 03/12/2014 12:40

After the birth of my first child (10lb baby plus placenta and fluids) I climbed on the scales to see what I weight I had lost and the scale of the challenge ahead.

But I had only lost 3lb in total. How is that possible?
How?????

Suzannewithaplan · 03/12/2014 12:40

I mean lose
Blush

ppeatfruit · 03/12/2014 12:59

You must be eating for maintaining your weight then Suzanne Because that happens to me now,it didn't used to.!

MiddleAged That does seem odd, maybe you were eating for 2 too enthusiastically ? Grin
.

youareallbonkers · 03/12/2014 13:06

Suzannewithaplan reading this thread alone proves quite conclusively that they do not know this.

ppeatfruit · 03/12/2014 13:11

Exactly boodles

WaroftheRoses · 03/12/2014 13:11

You're breastfeeding-just concentrate on that. When you wean the baby then start worrying about reducing your diet and weight.

thedevilinside · 03/12/2014 13:16

No diet has ever worked for me, except the 5,2, so for two days of the week I eat no carbs (except for berries and veg) and the rest of the week I eat what I want (within reason) I am very slowly losing weight, and I love the fact that for five days, I am not at all obsessing about food (this is the main issue for me). If I start obsessing about food on my low carb days, I tell myself I can have whatever I like in the morning (however, it rarely comes to that, and I usually end up eating normally, ie not binging)

MaryWestmacott · 03/12/2014 13:16

Dont stress about it too much, but try to up your exercise, if the baby does an hour sleep, could you walk that? Just stick some music on your phone, listen and walk round the local streets for an hour - I had to do this as DC2 would only sleep in the buggy, weight fell off quickly!

BathshebaDarkstone · 03/12/2014 13:18

I'm one of those jammy sods and I hate my metabolism too because I'm permanently hungry! I feel like there aren't enough hours in the day to look after a 3-year-old and eat enough to feel full. Sorry I don't have any advice. Sad

plecofjustice · 03/12/2014 13:19

No wonder there is so much obesity around, people have no idea how to lose weight. It is simple, ALL diets work like this regardless of how they trick you into thinking it is different, eat fewer calories than you burn off. That is it.

No it isn't, the mammal body just doesn't have that simple a feedback mechanism. It is designed to retain fat to ensure survival during the lean times, you only need to look at the way obesity affects every mammal.

The underlying problem is that we, like all mammals, evolved to hoard in times of plenty to survive the lean times. If pre-historic man couldn't survive a long winter because their fat reserves ran out and they died of malnutrition, their genes would not be passed on. This is why we crave high fat foods and why, as I said upthread, there is evidence that restricting food is as psychologically difficult as restricting fluids.

The only solution is to work gently with your body, keep it as fit as you can and as healthy as you can and, by embracing those ideals, making better food choices. Not cutting out fats, or carbs, or whatever, but eating food that makes your body and soul feel good.

MaryWestmacott · 03/12/2014 13:23

oh and when you are breastfeeding, it makes you feel hungry, it's harder than non-breastfeeding woman to make correct choices and limit your calorie intake, you feel hunger more.

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