To think my body has defied mathematics?

[Musicforsmorks]

And the laws of physics, etc 😁

So I’ve been same weight more or less for my adult life. Not had children so not much in way of changes or fluctuations.
Small build, 5’4 tall and always rested comfortably at 8st.

Only health issues are mild ibs, occasional stress.

Do lots of walking as don’t drive. Fell walking, etc. Other than that I’m fairly active but not into gyms, running or any planned stuff.

Until lockdown!

I’m now about 9 lbs heavier. Of course was housebound far more than before, but not exactly bedbound!
Had gained a bit from eating/drinking more in March, then around start of April I decided to cut back.

Since then, I cut out snacking and wine entirely, so a caloric deficit of 500-700 per day. It is now fucking 23 of may and I am not budging - I am still not losing one single pound! Nearly 2 months on a deficit and not one damn pound!

Recently going out walking more so activity near original levels but no joy.

Always heard only food assist in weight gain/loss, so why have I put on so much? If I’m eating less consistently?

I’m not overweight, but clothes uncomfy and I won’t buy a new wardrobe, I can’t.
I’m not saying there is anything wrong with my weight, it is still healthy. But it is not what I’m used to and I’m confused by the maths.

Is my body defying science?

I wonder if you’ve lost muscle through lockdown and that’s slowed your metabolism. Maybe try weights/resistance workouts. They’re pretty good at slimming you down whether the number on the scales moves or not, so ought to fix your clothes issue.

Yes, my partner says this.
I’m decidedly flabbier, even if small generally.
The only thing that is different to usual is lockdown.
And I do not wish to continue eating at a deficit forever.

I’m self employed but pre-lockdown was out most days either shopping or walking hills (I’m in lakes). I do most of my work in evenings as this suits me and so stay up late often. If I can..

So I did wonder if lack of exercise has either lowed my metabolism somehow or just buggered up my muscle tone.

Perhaps you are constipated.

@BumpBundle so nearly 4 hours a day exercise with a presumably small baby and on a strict diet AND expressing all that milk a day?

I feel your pain op.I think it's the onset of menopause and slowing down of your metabolism

Menopause?

I've also been more or less the same weight all my adult life. After Christams etc I could always drop any pounds gained by being "good" for a week or two. But it's been so much harder these last couple of years.

You're not doing enough exercise.

The fitter you are, the higher your metabolic rate is when you're resting, so you're still burning off extra calories even when you're sat on your bum watching TV.

As an aside, why are you only eating 900cals a day? That's shockingly low.

I actually have been going to loo less!
But put it down to Ibs as it alternates.

Still I don’t usually get ibs bloat in my arms and legs!

I like the fleshier look to my face though, would be sad to lose that I look healthier.

I do think it’s really low, I agree, and I have tried it out to knock a couple of pounds off. It was not meant to be long term.

I also agree about excessive so am looking for ways to incorporate more into my days now.

I still doubt it’s simply memo though as you’d still lose at least 1lb in 2 months at a big deficit.
And I certainly won’t restrict any further.

We shall see!

Thanks for your thoughts, they’re very helpful x

Sorry for that blaze of typos I hate my iPad correcting mistakes when they’re.......not mistakes.

Here are 2 images.
One was before lockdown, my usual weight.
Second was after gaining 8lbs before lockdown.

So not mad different but unclothed I am quite flabby 😬
You’d think that bit would have fallen off by now.
And yes I know I’m not ‘fat’.

You’re obviously far from obese, but the book ‘the obesity code’ is really interesting and explains weight gain/loss really well, I’d recommend it if you’re feeling frustrated. It’s written by a doctor, and pretty much explains why conventional diet advise is usually doomed to fail eventually (statistically). When you reduce calories, your body doesn’t continue burning the same amount as before - it reduces expenditure. Then when you eventually get sick of dieting, and start eating a higher amount, your reduced energy expenditure stays, which is why most people end up heavier than they started when dieting. He explains it incredibly well! Which is why people on low calorie diets feel tired/cold, the body will just save energy elsewhere which makes it really difficult to lose weight long term.

The book completely blew my mind after I’ve spent months trying to shift an extra bit of weight.

Those photos don't really look any different to me, but then you are wearing a coat.

I can't believe somebody told you to drop the crumpet! I don't even consider one crumpet a helping, but normally stop at two because buttery crumpets aren't the healthiest thing, but I could easily eat more.

Can you increase the walking/increase the speed so you don't have to eat less?

Thanks for the recommendation, sounds interesting.
I kind of always thought ‘diets’ didn’t work, for the reasons you mention. For myself, I’ve only ever had to drop a few or gain a few pounds either way so never really done anything Resembling a proper Controlled diet.

(Apologies for my iPad capitalising my words mid sentence - I am so tired of it doing that, that I can’t be arsed correcting them)

Yeh. Wearing coats doesn’t help but it is most noticeable - to me - on my legs. I chose the most recent pics so it’s winter/spring in cumbria!

We walked 10 miles a few days ago, and planning to do,at least 5 a day when possible.
Am also wanting to do home yoga or Pilates but need to find some online.
Have a friend who is a personal trainer so will ask her some tips about resistance stuff.

Thank you again 😁

Also, I posted the pics because I thought someone might think I was disordered and underweight on my 900 cals. This is just my ‘normal’.

At the slimmer weight I did eat more than 900cals!
Was just more active.

@Caterpillars20 that book sounds great. Just out of interest did it help you to lose weight? (Assuming that was your intention)

@cleanseTone Yep.
I'm pumping around 4-5 times a day for around 15-20 minutes each time. We go for a walk together for an hour then when he's napping I'll do an hour to two of weight training depending on how long he sleeps. Then after he's gone to bed, I'll do another hour of cardio.
He's not so little anymore though!

Average day looks roughly like this:
Wake up 6am
Pump until around 6.20
Walk 6.45 to 7.45
Breakfast 7.45 - 8.15
Work 8.15 - 12.15
Nap/Weight training - 12.15-1.15-2.15
Lunch - 2.15-2.45
Work - 2.45-6.15
Dinner (for DS), bath, book, bed, pump etc - 6.15-7
Bedtime for DS - 7
Cardio - 7-8
Dinner, chill, shower, pump etc - 8-10
(I'd pump once or twice between the morning and DS's evening routine but it varies).

@BumpBundle well Jesus that is some dedicated stuff, I feel like a severe wuss in comparison. I need to get my act together!
I can’t imagine getting active within an hour of waking I’d probably faint 😁