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Post by chrissy on Jul 11, 2008 12:57:35 GMT -11
Hi guys, Ok as you know i have been going to the gym 6 days a week doing atleast 2.5 miles in a 30 minute cardio elyptical machine, then hitting a circuit with my PT and doing atleast 150 sorted crunches/situps. Also, have cut out carbs to minimal to none. I have been doing this for 4 months and in that time I have gained 15 lbs. I have been frustrated and now hitting a point I cant sleep at night , Im upset all the time almsot depressed kind of thing. And that isnt me! Im a happy ccenter of attention have fun kinda girl so this is killing me. So finally my mother and grandmother, sister and friend have decided that I need to go see my doc about a thyriod problem. So against all my better judgement I made the appointment for Monday with my doc. I am actually afriad of the response. I mean if I have a thyriod issue im freaking cause I dont wanna go on meds that make me get bigger and if its not a thyriod.. what the hell is wrong with me? I mean i can see if I was about 160 or smaller having this issue but Im over 200 lbs (yes beleive it or not) and not being able to loose weight working out that much, seems insane. Its so bad people now at functions ask what i do with my time not working and i tell them all the working out and thye look at me like I am lying and THAT is the worst feeling in the world Im lost, frustrated and dont know what to think about monday. Does anyone have any advise about this ? Has anyone had to deal with this before or anyone they know ? Honest is best at this point, dont blow that oh dont worry about it your pretty smoke up my hiney im beyong that point Any advise would be great! Thanks guys
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Post by hoobsmom on Jul 11, 2008 14:49:35 GMT -11
Chrissy most the women in my family have thyroid problems. am lucky so far not me. I have seen how the meds work. 20 years ago it was hard for my sister to lose weight because of her thyroid. But they have meds now that do not effect your weight and weight loss anymore. So if you are diagnosed it is not the end of the world. My grandmother took meds and new had weight issues. I hope that helps a bit. As far as if it is not yout thyroid it could be depression. When I have problems with depression I gain weight, don't sleep and am so emotional. But the doctors can help you with meds for that. Some of the meds help with weight loss. Keep me posted Chrissy. I am here for you girl. And only for you would I come out publically that I am on antidepressants.
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Post by LCellini on Jul 11, 2008 14:51:47 GMT -11
hey chrissy my family has a history of thyroid problems. my grandma did and she had to on medication. my sister also has issues, her thyroid is enlarged and only sometimes does it flair up and cause her problems. a couple of years ago she gained a lot of weight from it. it also has caused her other problems (maybe that's why she is sooo annoying, j/k)
i don't think its anything you really have to seriously worry about but im not positive, like i said my sister only has issues every once in a while.
but hey im here for you anyway!!!! and if you don't like what the doc says get a second opinion, it cant hurt.
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Post by chrissy on Jul 11, 2008 14:54:56 GMT -11
thanks guys .. i guess at this point the worst case senario for me is for him to tell me nothing at all is wrong cause that just basically says to me that i can bust my hiney and it wont do a damn thing cuase im ment to be obese. sooooo im hoping what ever it is .. its something that can help thank you guys and i will def kep you guys posted
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nowhammies
Artemis
Big bucks, No Whammies, STOP!
Posts: 392
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Post by nowhammies on Jul 11, 2008 14:56:50 GMT -11
Hi Chrissy:
I went for 15 years with an undiagnosed thyroid problem. When I finally got it diagnosed and went on the medication, things go much, much better. My energy levels went up and I was finally able to lose weight that I hadn't been able to lose in spite of my best efforts for the previous 15 years.
If you have a thyroid issue, then thyroid medication will help you. It is one medication that will not make you gain weight. There are several types of thyroid medications - both synthetic and natural. I take a natural form called Armour Thyroid (every part of the pig - including the thyroid!)
The doctor will most likely test your TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone). Most doctors stop there, but you should ask for a free-T3 and a T4 test, as well, because in some people who have issues in T3 or T4, it doesn't show up in the TSH test. Can you tell I've been there?
I get your frustration - I worked out several hours a week and ate 1200 calories a day and gained and gained. It was maddening - because I would go to a doctor and say "there's something wrong here" and the doctor would tell me that I must not be exercising as much as I said - or that I must be lying about my food intake. Neither was true, because I've logged every bite of food I've taken in for over 20 years (a bodybuilding habit), and logged all of my exercise. I weigh food on a kitchen scale so I know my portions are right and not estimated. But the doctors would all assume that I was lying - because we all know that people who are overweight must be liars.
Now - as for the weight you've gained....there is a good possibility that at least some of that is muscle - and some could be water, as exercise often causes water to be sucked into your muscles. Did you read the "why the scale can lie" article I posted? This will help you to understand some other things about weight, as well. I do think 15 lbs is probably more than can be accounted for by muscle, however, so I would imagine that there are thyroid issues or something else going on.
If the doctor wants only to test TSH, you may have to insist on the T3/T4 tests, as well. Many doctors just won't perform them; however, if you are going to a good endocrinologist as opposed to just a family practitioner, it should be an easier road for you.
If it is not thyroid, there may be other issues at play. Candida can block weight loss. There is a simple spit test you can do to see if you have too much candida - google candida spit test and you'll find it. If you do have candida, you can go on a candida management diet and take something called Candex, followed by probiotics.
You could also have food sensitivities that are blocking your weight loss. Common sensitivities include dairy (including butter), gluten, soy, eggs, wheat, peanuts, corn, artificial sweeteners and one more that I can't think of now. You may want to try an elimination diet where you eliminate all of these items from your diet for two weeks and see how you do. If you are doing better, then you can add one of these things back in at a time - to see what triggers you to stop losing - or even gain weight. You'll usually be able to tell right away what it was that triggered it because you'll have some kind of a physical symptom, plus instantaneous water weight gain in a horrific amount.
Another possibility is that you are just in a stall. You've lost quite a bit of weight relatively quickly. Sometimes your body needs to recover.
Or, it could be insulin. Insulin is the hormone responsible for fat storage in your body. When insulin is present and dietary fat is present, the insulin will escort fat right into your cells. This is why a low carb diet could be helpful for some people who are insulin sensitive. By keeping carbs low and of good quality (fruits and veggies), you can decrease the amount of insulin that is released into your blood stream. In the absence of insulin, you will not store fat to your cells. This is why people with Type I diabetes lose weight rapidly if they are not taking insulin - because they have no natural insulin, so there is nothing to escort the fat into the cells or block it from coming out of the cells.
You might want to back off of the exercise for a while - bring it down to a point where you are just doing strength training - not all of the cardio. Strength training increases muscle mass and makes your muscles hungrier - so your burn rate is higher. A good strength training program will also strengthen your heart and your lungs - so there are no worries in not doing cardio.
Finally, of course, you may not be eating enough calories to support your activity level. This can cause the well-known starvation response. Google BMR calculator and find out what your body's basal metabolic rate is. This is a good rule of thumb for the lowest amount of calories to just sustain your existence. Then, calculate your Harris Benedict Equation (google it) to factor in your activity level. This is the maximum number of calories that you can eat. In order to find a place where you will be operating at a caloric deficit but not starving yourself, take your Harris Benedict number minus about 400-500 calories per day. This puts you in a health weight loss range. There is one caveat to all of this, of course. Even if you are eating at a caloric deficit, you will likely not lose weight if there are other physiological factors coming into play (sensitivities, yeast, etc.)
Oops - I said "finally" above - but I just thought of one other block to weight loss. It is cortisol. Cortisol is released by stress, worry, anger, etc. Also by excessive exercise. It circulates in the body for quite some time after a stressful incident. Cortisol can not only stop weight loss in its tracks, but reverse it. Something to think about. You can lower cortisol levels through meditation and relaxation techniques, yoga (you might want to replace cardio with yoga), deep breathing and probably a zillion other ways that I can't think of right now. Worrying about the fact that you aren't losing weight is sufficient to release cortisol into your system.
I think I've about covered it. If I think of any other things, I'll let you know. Hang in there - it is tough and very frustrating, I know. Get the thyroid test - it is a good first step.
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Post by chrissy on Jul 11, 2008 15:06:33 GMT -11
thank you soooo much whammies!!!!! I have talked to my nutrionist and my personal trainer and we do the loggs and what not, and shes concerned as well. She mentioned thyroid or cortisol. Since I am stressing a lot lately with being out of work and not finding work, getting bills paid, my sisters upcoming wedding that is putting me in a hole as well... stres would be a huge factor. the only problem i am findihign is the "symptons" of a thyriod and cortisol issue are all the same .. the weight gain, insomnia, lack of libido, emotional, etc all that i have been having lately. and im concerned about my doc becuase hes a family pract and we dont get on too well. so basically i have to go in there asking for everything as if im a doc and know everything. But i am determined to get some kinda answer on this At over 200 lbs there is no logical reason for me not to be able to shed anything even a lb if not more...very angering lol But thanks again atleast i have you guys to talk to.
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Post by krystalmoore1986 on Jul 11, 2008 16:25:38 GMT -11
chrissy, i am glad you asked us about that because my ex's dad had a thyroid problem. He was very heavy and once the meds took effect the pounds started coming off. Also he said he felt depressed, a little antsy and hyper, had difficulty focusing, had severe manic and depressive episodes, and violent urges and tendancies. He said all of that went away after the meds except for the difficulty focusing. I hope for your sake it is thyriods and not something more complicated because if its your thyroid once you find the medication thats right for you, i think most of your problems will be resolved. By the way i agree with nw the 15 pounds is probably all muscle because you look much thinner in your body and face compared to older pics, and muscle wieghs more than fat. You allready know i think your one of the hottest chicks on phantasma!!!!
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Post by chrissy on Jul 12, 2008 12:55:34 GMT -11
lol aw thanks krys.. i know i know when you decide to go for chicks im top of the list
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Post by chrissy on Jul 15, 2008 9:30:23 GMT -11
So, got my results and apparently I am the epitamy of perfect health! Cholesteral, all blood work , ran all the thyroid tests everything . They have NO idea wy Im not losing weight..... wow gatta tell ya ... this is the first time in my life Im actually upset something is NOT wrong with me, cause that now leaves me in the complete dark!! way to go Chrissy... your a perfect health speciment..... trapped in a BIG ol body! lol
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nowhammies
Artemis
Big bucks, No Whammies, STOP!
Posts: 392
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Post by nowhammies on Jul 15, 2008 9:38:16 GMT -11
I'm going to reiterate - you could just be in a stall. I just finally got my weight moving after a 4 month stall. That happens to a lot of people - really. I'd bet on it being that - or cortisol. Are you taking measurements, as well, or just weighing? There's a good chance your measurements are changing, even if your weight isn't.
You might also consider going to the health food sstore and buying some kind of thyroid support supplement. You may have sub-clinical thyroid issues - where your thyroid tests within range for doctor's tests, but still doesn't operate at 100%. Important in thyroid support are iodine, anti-oxidants (particularly alpha lipoic acid), selenium, zinc, vitamin D, fish oil, vitamin E (mixed tocopherols). Do you supplement D3 or fish oil? Might not be a bad idea - I take Carlson's Lemon-flavored Cod Liver oil - which, suprisingly, doesn't suck or taste fishy. The Cod liver oil takes care of EPAs, essential fatty acids and vitamin D all in one. Iodine you can get from adding a little iodized salt to your food. Selenium - I take it ever other day.
Another supplement to try is L-Carnitine. This can sometimes kick in weight loss from a stall. Take 1 cap a day on an empty stomach.
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Post by chrissy on Jul 15, 2008 12:38:10 GMT -11
Thanks Whammie .. I think its time for me to try the home remedies ... and Im going to start with your advise!! I will let you know how it goes Since Im so strapped this week with the bridal shower im throwing, I will pick up some stuff on monday and start then. I will keep you posted if there is any change. Thanks again
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Post by ♥~KarinaKay~♥ on Jul 27, 2008 3:36:43 GMT -11
What you posted about the weight not coming off is probably the most informative writing I've ever read, NoWhammies. I've saved it to my pc and am going to read it whenever I plateau and start to feel frustrated.
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