I used to be able to lose weight whenever I wanted - turns out that isn't the case anymore. Please help before I run out of clothing completely!!

[FrankieAnne]

I've always been one of those lucky people that - if they put on a bit of weight, could go on a quick diet and lose it again within two weeks. So, 2 months ago when I realised I'd crept up from 10st to 10st 9lbs ... I thought "oh bother, looks like I'll have to cut the calories for a couple of weeks".

2 weeks later, after a half arsed attempt at a diet (which normally works for me!) I was 10st 10lbs. Mortified - I went for the old favourite which NEVER fails ... low carb.

Normally on low carb I can lose half a stone within a week. I low carbed for a week and by the end of it was 10st 9lbs - I did it for another week and again ... 10st 9lbs.

WTF is going on?? I'm now 11st and have ONE pair of jeans that still fit me. My work uniform is so tight, I have stomach pains when I go home.

I'm not pregnant.

I'm 31.

WTF is going on and please tell me how to lose a stone in 6 weeks! (holiday!)

What do you mean when you say low carb? Can you run me through a typical low carb day? You probably just need a bit of tweaking although there is the possibility that there's an underlying medical issue. Have you started taking any new medication? How are you feeling generally? Have you any symptoms other than weight gain?

Yes terrible mood swings, increases in appetite switching to no appetite at all, constantly feel hot (which isn't like me at all, I'm a cold blooded creature!) and headaches.

A typical low carb day for me is scrabbled egg with cheese and spring onion for breakfast (or prawn omelette), a tuna salad for lunch with full fat greek yogurt and meat and veg for dinner. Around 20-25g carbs all day.

I'd say go to your GP and tell them your list of symptoms. There's very obviously something going on which is causing the weight gain and it sounds like something hormonal. Make sure you stress to your GP just how different all of these symptoms are to your normal.

Maybe it would be worth checking your thyroid. Underactive thyroid made it impossible for me to lose weight.