Why weight gain won't come off - any ideas? is this a hormone issue?

[Anonymous]

I have a pretty good handle on what works for me to lose weight, having been up and down over the years. I've lost 20+ pounds in the past (put it on after a pregnancy) and now am trying to lose it again. This time though, I can't seem to make the needle move at all. I'm really watching what I eat (mostly fruit, vegetables, protein, no breads, no sweets, etc), using weight watchers, and working out 3 times a week (running, cycling). I should be dropping weight, but I'm not - it's been about a month and I've lost maybe a pound and half. FWTW, I'm starting at 5'5, 170lbs. Could it be something else? Is this a hormone issue ? Any ideas? I'm going to make an appointment with my GP but would appreciate some thoughts.

[Anonymous]

How many calories are you eating

[Anonymous]

A pound and a half in a month is still weight loss. You may need to up your protein.

Also: working out three times a week is going to do nothing for weight loss. You need to be working out daily AND getting as much movement in as possible. I'd add in strength training to build muscle mass, too, which will increased your RMR.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks. I’m not sure how many calories. I’m guessing about 1400. I use the WW point system. If I could work out more I’d love that but I have a job with long hours and two small kids.

[Anonymous]

You should consider intermittent fasting. Like you, I had lost 20lbs before by working out and eating better, but that was years ago, now that I am older and had a baby it's been a bit more difficult.

Even working out everyday I wasn't losing as much as I wanted to, so I tried intermittent fasting and it has been amazing, seeing changes keeps me going. I lost 10 lbs in 6 weeks.

[Anonymous]

Op, that’s interesting. Can you tell me what type of schedule you used for the fasting ?

[Anonymous]

How old are you?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks. I’m not sure how many calories. I’m guessing about 1400. I use the WW point system. If I could work out more I’d love that but I have a job with long hours and two small kids.

If working out more isn't in the cards, you're going to have to eat less/differently. Would you consider tracking your food on My Fitness Pal or something like that? IF could also work, as a PP said.

And you might get more bang for your buck in your workouts if you're doing at least some strength training. Maybe twice a week strength, twice a week cardio. Could you swing that? (I have three kids and work FT, so I get that it's not easy)

[Anonymous]

I would count calories. And wouldn't complain until you knew you weren't losing on 1200 calories, consistently.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a pretty good handle on what works for me to lose weight, having been up and down over the years. I've lost 20+ pounds in the past (put it on after a pregnancy) and now am trying to lose it again. This time though, I can't seem to make the needle move at all. I'm really watching what I eat (mostly fruit, vegetables, protein, no breads, no sweets, etc)[b], using weight watchers, and working out 3 times a week (running, cycling). I should be dropping weight, but I'm not - it's been about a month and I've lost maybe a pound and half. FWTW, I'm starting at 5'5, 170lbs. Could it be something else? Is this a hormone issue ? Any ideas? I'm going to make an appointment with my GP but would appreciate some thoughts.

I'm sensitive to carbs, so I need to limit my fruit. I eat mostly protein and vegetables with healthy fats and some fruit. I also have had more success with maintaining my weight with high intensity exercise -- I work my muscles until I hit a wall (e.g., HIIT training, solidcore). Doing this for 30-50 minutes 3x/week has helped me a lot. You mention running and cycling...I recommend including some full body strength training. I also need to weigh myself at least once per week to keep tabs on my weight.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks. I’m not sure how many calories. I’m guessing about 1400. I use the WW point system. If I could work out more I’d love that but I have a job with long hours and two small kids.

Exercise with your kids. Go on hikes & bike rides (get a bike seat &/or good stroller if one kid is too young to hike or bike a decent distance),walk instead of drive them places, run around the park, etc.

[Anonymous]

OP I just want to commiserate. Unless I eat 1200 calories and exercise daily I wont lose any weight. And even then if I deviate at all from that my weight just shoots up. I am 38 and have two kids. I also am super short. So I chalk everying up to age and change in metabolism at this pointm

[Anonymous]

Find out what your maintenance caloric intake should be and then create a deficit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a pretty good handle on what works for me to lose weight, having been up and down over the years. I've lost 20+ pounds in the past (put it on after a pregnancy) and now am trying to lose it again. This time though, I can't seem to make the needle move at all. I'm really watching what I eat (mostly fruit, vegetables, protein, no breads, no sweets, etc), using weight watchers, and working out 3 times a week (running, cycling). I should be dropping weight, but I'm not - it's been about a month and I've lost maybe a pound and half. FWTW, I'm starting at 5'5, 170lbs. Could it be something else? Is this a hormone issue ? Any ideas? I'm going to make an appointment with my GP but would appreciate some thoughts.

I'm sensitive to carbs, so I need to limit my fruit. I eat mostly protein and vegetables with healthy fats and some fruit. I also have had more success with maintaining my weight with high intensity exercise -- I work my muscles until I hit a wall ([b]e.g., HIIT training, solidcore). Doing this for 30-50 minutes 3x/week has helped me a lot. You mention running and cycling...I recommend including some full body strength training. I also need to weigh myself at least once per week to keep tabs on my weight.

DP: are you me? Ha ha. Those things help tremendously, and were what I was thinking when I suggested OP should try to get more bang for her workout buck. If time is limited in particular, steady state cardio won't cut it--and I love me some cardio.

[Anonymous]

I am just seriously to suggest that it is not just eating, it is moving that makes you lose weight. I am all like so many here, it is calories in, calories out, and yet, most of my life I was super active, mostly walking, in Europe we walked everywhere, watched no food intake. So I move here, and watch what I am eating as I drive everywhere. My sister in Europe starts gaining weight? East the same? Why? I truly think because she started driving everywhere, well her husband drives her everywhere... So, it is like here, and then she lost weight when she started to watch what she is eating. I stop exercising here,(due to Lyme disease) and voila I gained weight. I watch my food, no carbs, all the works, and nothing, lose 5 gain back. And then I start doing yoga(prior to this I was very active) and elliptical and light weights, and yes, I do watch my food, but not as much and I am losing weight. I stop working out for two weeks, I gains weight. It is never some crazy work out either, yoga and slow cardio. I know what science says, but honestly I started to think that calories in and out make more difference for very overweight people, for us with 15, 20lbs, I think being active psychically is the key. So, I follow not advice by a book or anybody, I do this because it works.