Speed or distance? AIBU to be confused?!

[DaisiesAndCompasses]

Somewhat mortifyingly, I have gained 4st in the last 18 months. I went from doing a turbotrainer work out every weekday and floorwork to take-aways and alcohol for a while (homeless, then new job, then new partner who is an exceptional cook).

I've been going to the gym twice a week since but it's not really making much of a difference. I don't have the speed or stamina that I used to have for swimming, so I've temporarily paused that until I've lost a bit of weight.

I've been cycling and doing floorwork, but it's slow progress and after three weeks, I can't see any changes yet. I can do about 7 miles on a bike in about 25 mins, not exactly record breaking but a start! My stomach muscles seem ruined so the floorwork is helping there.

Should I be aiming for a pace that means I can hit my distance target, or doing short bursts as fast as I can?

I am eating pretty well, I think. Very carefully measured granola for breakfast, poached eggs for lunch, no snacks, tea varies but is always low on carbs and DP is being very careful with what we cook. I'm having small portions and making sure they aren't over 400 calories or so. I'm only drinking water (and a few glasses of wine every other weekend or so when socialising).

Help. I look and feel so awful at this weight.

(I did start levothyroxine three weeks ago but I believe that would have taken affect now if it was going to do anything)

(I did start levothyroxine three weeks ago but I believe that would have taken affect now if it was going to do anything) Not necessarily. And it might not yet be the right dose - you'll presumably be having a blood test soon.

Granola is a bit high in calories. Try porridge or rolled oats with fruit and nuts and no other added sugar or honey.But I doubt whether that alone is causing you to gain at nearly 3st a year.

Thanks Mere I'll look into those!

To be fair for the six homeless months I was eating whatever cheap food I could and most of the weight piled on then, but it doesn't seem to be shifting

Thyroxine can take a while. I lost weight once my bloods had stabilised but it took a few months or so.

When are your thyroid levels being checked again?

Unfortunately I found thyroxine didn't help me lose any of the weight I'd gained while undiagnosed. If you think about it, this makes sense, the thyroxine takes you back to a normal metabolism, so you'll stop gaining weight at such a rate. It would need to take you to a higher metabolism than you originally were to get you back to your initial weight without changing your diet or exercise routine. Sorry!
I did find that once my thyroid levels were back to normal it was much easier to lose weight than it had been when my levels were off

I didn't lose weight going on to thyroxine, nor when the side needed increasing. Internal hardcore workouts can be good for building muscle, which will then help you to lose fat, but only if you eat enough "clean food". Like you I find carbs a problem, I used to make a big pot of meat or quorn + veg and eat it through from lunch, snacks and dinner to help build muscle.

It's nice to hear that your life has turned around so well in the last 18 months though, I hope it continues to improve for you with the weight loss to want.

*dose not side
**you want not to want

I wouldn't give up the swimming, tbh. When I wanted to lose weight following a long spell of depression and lethargy, I found I built up my stamina really quickly and, while it didn't make me lose weight, it helped tone up my core really well.

I found the same as a pp, starting levothyroxine didn't make the weight drop off, merely stopped it piling on.

It's nice to hear that your life has turned around so well in the last 18 months though, I hope it continues to improve for you with the weight loss to want.
^this

Unfortunately, weight is far easier to gain than it is to lose.

My DD put on a lot of weight at Uni. When we went on a fortnight holiday, she did lots of swimming. She didn't appear to have lost weight in terms of the scales but she had definitely changed shape and clothes that were tight were now loose so try not to lose heart.

Keep working at it and consider taking thigh/tummy measurements. I know how dissappointing it is when you start but 3 weeks isn't that long. Try and see the bigger/longer picture. You're eating more healthily and your strength and cardio will be improving even if you can't see any difference on the scales yet.

Have your asked your GP for help? Lots of surgeries now have specialists (wellbeing/dieticians/physios/Etc) to reduce the pressure the doctors are under so you might be able to get seen by a dietician without javing to see your gp first.

Good Luck.