Reduced calories, walking and putting ON weight 😭 Help!

[Thisisthelaststraw]

Hi, I couldn’t really do with some advice. I’ve been reducing my calories and walking (20-30 mins per day) and I seem to have put on 2lbs!

A little background.. I’m 41, history of a stroke (no deficit thankfully), ex smoker. I’m obese at 17st 12lbs. I have a large fibroid that can’t be removed due to medical history and current medications.
I have major depressive disorder and GAD.

Since the stroke four years ago I’ve been practically a hermit. I did work but outside those hours I stayed indoors and I ate. The fatter I got, the more anxious I got, the more I ate. I broke my leg last summer and haven’t walked (not that I did much anyway) properly since.

Final straw was my doctor telling me a few weeks ago that my blood pressure was high and it was probably time for medication for it.
It scared the shit out of me so I asked her to hold off and give me a few weeks to see if I could shift some weight.

Finally to the point (😁) ..
I started that day in the doctor’s at 18st 8lbs. I got a fitbit and have been taking my blood pressure at home. Ive been walking outside and at home on the treadmill every day. I’ve reduced my cals to about 1400 a day. I’ve cut out red meat, deli meats, sweet treats and salt as much as possible. Swapped all white bread, rice, pasta for wholemeal and don’t eat much. Having oceans of healthy veg, no oils. Only milk in tea, no glasses or bowls of cereal. Minimal low-fat cheese maybe once a week. Not having much fruit but some. I’m drinking lots of water but maybe not enough?

So I got down to 17st 10lbs as of 3 days ago. Today and yesterday I’m 17st 12lbs! Wtf?

TMI - I’m constipated and haven’t really been regular for a couple weeks. I take iron tablets daily due to anaemia. Maybe that means something?

A major positive is that my blood pressure is now in the normal range and my resting heart rate has gone from 95 to 80.

I suppose I’m just looking for reassurance that a rise as opposed to a pause is still okay and the weight will come off if I keep going.

Any help much appreciated and thanks in advance if you’ve read all of that 😁

Weight loss will fluctuate a bit so your 2lb gain is likely to be water retention because of either eating something a bit more carby or a bit more salty. Plus you saud you're due on which can have a massive effect. Don't panic! Keep on doing what you're doing. Look up Jordan Syatt on YouTube/Instagram he is very inspirational and encouraging in a no bullshit way.

Calorie deficit is the most important thing for weight loss over a sustained period of time. Keep making healthy choices, keep walking and stick at it. It's a lifestyle change not a diet. You can definitely do this.

You are weighing yourself too often. Once or twice a week only, not every day. Your weight can fluctuate day to day. For example my other half was 2kg heavier yesterday morning than today. It's usually water weight as we'd had a salty meal the night before. Keep doing what you are doing. As long as you are accurate with your food you will lose.

The small increase might be linked to water, constipation etc so don't concern yourself too much. Well done for the weight loss so far.

Can I recommend Carol Vordamanns detox diet to shrink the fibroid? Recipes in the book aren't great but principals are.and there are lots of recipes online It's vegan but when you consider that fibroid is muscle, low protein makes sense. You will loss weight with it as well.

*lose weight

I'm a PT and train obese women. I've success in getting them from a 22 to a 12/14.

Please chuck away your scales and concentrate on eating a healthy balanced diet with all the food groups and a decent amount of protein. Stay away from fad diets that are unsustainable in the long run and watch your portion size.

Look at exercise as heart health and diet as getting the weight off.

I can put on 4lb overnight depending on my cycle and if I've had a poo.

Try bimino powders, they're a prebiotic supplement and really help with gut health which is a must for getting everything working properly and avoiding constipation. My ob gym was amazed how clear my colon was. Something rarely seen in women.

You can do this but you need to be sensible.

Get a step and follow little routines to music, it's how I start my clients who aren't used to moving much and can be fun and rewarding when you learn them and can follow a whole routine. Walking us good but you need to get your heart rate up.

Oh and drink loads of water, 2 or 3 litres a day. It'll help with water retention and getting everything moving.

Good luck.

Definitely agree avoid fad diets and stick to a balanced diet approach, with carbs, protein, a low fat and lots of fruit and veg. This is advised by the NHS, Harvard research, the American plate (whatever it's called) and just about every meta study. It's even more important if you've had a stroke to avoid a high fat diet, so I'm not sure why that was recommended.

Just a quick message to say I’ve only popped on for a minute but am out in town. Haven’t read messages but will be back in a couple of hours.
Thanks for all your replies

Wow, I’m so encouraged and a little emotional with all the supportive replies. Thank you all so much

I had a doctor appointment yesterday and she was delighted with my changes. She only marks me down as a 7lb weight loss but like all of you have said, she’s said not to mind the scales! She confirmed my BP is within normal range, my heart rate was lower, my energy and mood seemed improved to her and she recommends the same as most of you .. no fad diets, slow and steady weight loss which I should gauge through how I feel and how my clothes fit.

So I’m going to stick to my plan and bin the scales

Thank you all so much!

Really well done! 7lb is loads!!

I have olive oil vinaigrette on salad and count the calories. No more than a couple of tsps a day though. I eat a single Brazil nut for selenium. Also if you have a lot of fibre in your diet possibly should have more water if the constipation continues.

I’d suggest keep doing what you’re doing but reduce calories to no more than 1500 a day or alternate 1600 one day 1400 the next, then I would put in another workout. On YouTube there is a series of videos called Walk from Home. Break out a sweat and next week come back and update us. Good luck

damn zombie thread..