Why on earth can't I lose weight???

[wangle99]

Am at end of my tether here, am overweight and need to lose weight for my health and I just can't!

Followed WW 2 years ago, lost approx 2lb per week for 4 months, lost the plot at Christmas and gained it back.

Tried weight watchers, Rosemary Conley and most recently Slimming world. First week (as change in eating habits so drastic) always lose good amount of weight, 2nd week tiny bit, 3rd week either stay the same or put on and it goes on from there with me gaining.

Am exercising this time time (fitness classes 3 times a week) and have just had 3rd week weigh in on Slimming World. First week lost 6lb, 2nd week lost 3/4lb this week gained 1/2lb.

Am not pregnant lol Am not going to slimming world classes am doing it at home.

Help!

how much weight do you aim to lose?

Do you drink alot of water? That is essential to weight loss.

maybe you're getting complacent and eating more than you realise? larger portions?

you know from past experience that you have to keep at it....so don't lose hope

wangle - if I was doing that many exercise classes then I would be really hungry and need more calories - are you keeping track of what you're eating?

Are you looking for a quick fix? The weight you've lost in three weeks is great, and tbh is at a sustainable level. Also, weight loss isn't linear. A gain of 1/2 a pound really should be taken with a pinch of salt, especially if you've stepped up the exercise as muscle weighs more than fat. I have found it more helpful to judge progress based on how my clothes fit rather than the scales fwiw. I have been on my diet for just under 2 months and have lost more than a stone and a half, which is far faster than I expected. BUT I am stickign to it religiously, getting a lot of exercise (just walking around with ds in the buggy) and yes, drinking lots of water. You say the change in your diet is 'drastic'. I was under the impression tat Slimming World allowed pretty normal food, but I've never done it so I don't know. What food have you been used to eating?

1. drink water, water and more water. Herbal teas count if you don't like cold drinks.

2. make sure you are eating enough and regularly enough. At least 1200 kcals per day and 3 meals plus 2 snacks.

3. A short burst of high impact aerobic exercise first thing in the morning, before eating is meant to increase the metabolism for the best part of the day. I am not entirely sure this works, but then science makes sense and it can't hurt. Try doing some starjumps while you wait for the kettle to boil.

4. Do NOT skip breakfast. Always eat a largish, but healthy breakfast. This also helps kickstart the metabolism and will stop you feeling tempted by that choccy muffin at elevenses.

5. Aim for at least 30mins excersise per day. Even if it is cut into short ten min bursts. High/lo aerobics is best for fat burning.

6. Remember everyone hits a plateua at some point, just stick at it and don't get disheartened. Your weight can also flucuate by at least 2.5lb throughout the day, so weigh yourself at the same time of dsay, on the same sacles once a week. Your period can also greatly effect your weight.

You probably already know all this. Most of it is common sense, but it doesn't hurt to be reminded.

Good luck.

Oh and go easy on the refined (white) carbs, they raise blood sugar and can make you hungrier.

Weight can fluctuate based on where you are in your cycle and if you tend to retain water at certain times of the month.

Don't let an 'off' week discourage you - easier said than done, I know.

Thanks for the replies

I drink loads of water, easier during the week at work as drink about 2l a day (at home at the weekend I find it harder as out and about and don't think of it).

Not complacement about portion sizes, my kitchen scales are my best friend! As have been following diets like WW am used to weighing stuff.

I need to lose another 2 stone to get back to pre-preg weight of 10 stone. DS is now 6, I had SPD in pregnancy and still struggilng with my hips and I am sure its weight related hence the desperate need to lose it.

I have a Mirena coil, was replaced in January, have wondered if this is anything to do with it however had a Mirena before and still lost weight.

I do wonder if I'm eating enough but am getting to the point of being scared to eat as frightened of gaining weight. I followed WW and Rosemary coneley for about 8 weeks each so did give them a chance to show whether they'd work. Admittedly only week 3 of SW but just thought 'here we go again' when got on the scales this morning.

I don't really have any symptoms of Hypothyroidism. Am always tired but them at full time working mum and studying so no wonder!!!

Thanks for comments, really appreciate it.

Tesco ediets is good, although you don't get the rl support, you get a menu, which you can adjust to your taste. So there is no panicking about eating too little/too much.

It will even order your shopping from Tesco for you!

I know its hard, but dont weigh during the week, wait for WI day. when i weigh during the week i only end up pissed off! good luck!

'am getting to the point of being scared to eat as frightened of gaining weight.'
This needs addressing, that's a really worrying thing. I have suffered with eating disorders in the past and this is exactly how mine began. I htink you have been in the 'diet' mindset for too long- you think of foods as 'good' or 'bad'. Food is just food, it's fuel to help you live, it can be fun, taste great. It is not good or bad. Maybe you have not found the right eating plan for you yet? Anything that makes you feel deprived is a bad thing ime.

the exact same thing has happened to me wangle. ive just been diagnosed with POS, though its of no consolation to me as there is no treatment and i just cant loose weight these days at all, though im not stictly overweight as such im a good deal heavier than i used to be.

im trying to be philosophical, (im not actually gaining which is good) im eating sensibly but have thrown the diet books - nothing was working even though it used to do, and ive taken up running. im counting on the weight coming off when im running 15km per week! (it had better!)

i really am feeling your pain! im in the same boat.

When I had my first baby I lost all the pregnancy weight by the time he was 6 months old. I also had time to eat breakfast, lunch and dinner and was breast feeding until 7 months.

With my second she was one before I lost the weight but still managing 3 meals a day and breast fed until she was 7 months again.

Baby number 3, I put a bit more weight on, breast fed until he was 9-10 months old but never get chance to eat properly and I know that is the issue. He is 4 now and I have 2-3 stone to lose. I have put 2lbs on this week and just feel crap with it all.

If you're always tired you probably have adrenal exhaustion - google it and go from there. It slows your metabolism right down; you probably need to sleep a lot more and eat a relatively high protein, no-saturated- fat, no-refined-carbs diet. I'm in the same boat. Good luck and no staying up late mumsnetting!

I have never dieted because dieting,makes you FAT.Lets be honest if you are overweight ,it usually means that you eat too much.
If you gain weught at certain times of the month, it could be because you are about to have your period, i always gain weight at this time.

have you tried something much less prescriptive than the ww etc plans? what I mean is one or two basic rules - eg

• completely cut our cheese, alcohol, chocolate, biscuits and pastries
• eat 3 healthy, home cooked meals a day plus small snacks if needs be

Then I would recommend taking up running - 3 times a week. it burns up a lot more than aerobics or exercise classes. (it's also cheaper and quicker - ie you do it from your front door - you don;t need to get somewhere first). running seriously gets rid of shed loads of calories. it also makes you hungry - but if you stick to the rules above, and only eat when hungry, you'll lose weight.

I would suggest turning your thinking round - instead of losing weight being your goal I would find a race to enter in 2 or 3 months' time, find a suitable training schedule (runners' world has loads) and make that your goal. you'll get a real high and sense of achievement and I bet you any money you'd loose weight.

I do worry that food has become such an 'issue' its all I think about!

I have just taken a membership at our local leisure centre am tied in with that for 6 months, plus I live in relatively middle of nowhere not ideal to go running (be too scared lol) as too dark and no streetlights. Am doing body combat few times a week that is meant to burn a good amount of calories.

Hatwoman - I haven't tried anything less prescriptive as like to have something to follow, but your suggestions of what to cut out etc is what I have been doing on slimming world. Haven't had any of what you have said in 3 weeks. Well actually I have today but that was after I weighed lol

just read my post and realised it sounds a bit like I thought you'd lose your target in 2-3 months of training for one race - I didn't. I meant you'd lose some weight in that time, and then more if you continued running and kept up with the no cheese/chocolate/alcohol rules - or at least very limited cheese/chocolate/alcohol. I guess what I'm saying is don't "diet", but, rather, change your lifestyle a bit, in a sustainable, and enjoyable way. look at the long-long-term and make your goals things like running a certain race, getting fit etc. it's also very good for the skin, and the spirit

I live in the middle of nowhere. agree that running at night on rural roads without street lamps is madness - bit of gentle cross country at the weekends or early mornings?

Early morning definately no no (a child to get sorted and myself lol) but weekends is a possibility.

I think I will go to the GP just in case they think of anything else. Am frustrated but so badly want to shift some weight to ease my hips and pelvis.

I have been following diets for so long intermittantly not sure what is a healthy day's food (isn't that awful).

Am going to keep up the exercise anyway )

Wangle - would agree what someone said about the protein - make sure you're getting enough. And about breakfast - its crucial.

I think the classes could be swapped for an hour of preset running/crosstraining/weights/bike etc - set by the trainer inhouse.

If you dont eat anough then your metabolism will slow down and you will hold onto fat.

In your position I would eat what you want but really up the exercise - you need to be sweating like a pig and exhausted when you come out - dont worry that noone else is - they just arent pushing themselves. If you do that then you wont have an issue with food.

But you have lost weight!

You've lost an awful lot in 3 weeks: at least 8lb from what you've told us.

You can't give up at first miniscule weight gain in a week - maybe you are premenstrual, maybe you stood on the scales funny, maybe your clothes are heavier, maybe you need to have a poo.

1/2lb "gain" in a week is nothing. You are doing nothing wrong. If anything you seem to be aiming to lose weight too quickly. Don't become obsessed by it - that way misery lies.

Bibbity - not giving up at 1st weight gain. have followed ww etc for 8 weeks ago and not lost weight, feel this is going the same way. Yes I did lose 6lb first week hwoever I feel alot of that was from one particularly bingy weekend (courtesy of my sister turning up with the entire bakery dept of tesco lol)

I will keep up with the exercise and eat sensibly (if I can suss out what that is) and see how it goes.

I appreciate your comments.

Good. Don't give up and don't obsess. Concentrate on the health angle rather than the weight angle. Be realistic. Well done so far .