Unable to lose weight

[Visitor7]

I'm having a lot of trouble losing weight. After I had Emily, I easily lost 20kg, going from 90kg to 70kg. But since getting to 70kg, I can't shift it. I have tried exercising regularly (3-4 days a week), various diets. I eat healthy all the time, drink plenty of water, am always active. So why can't I lose weight? I've been at 70kg for the past 6 months, and not one gram has moved! I use to weigh 57kg, so I know I can get down to that weight. It's just so depressing when I'm trying so much, and nothing is happening.
Is there anything that could be wrong medically?
Is there anything you can take to increase your metabolism?
I'm happy to go to the dr and ask him, but I don't know if he can even help.

[C~Q]

Hiya, it sounds like you might have hit a weight loss plateau. What kind of exercise are you doing? Weighing yourself often isn't the best indicator of fat loss. I recently put on 2kg but lost 2%body fat. One of the best ways to monitor is to measure yourself. There are specific places on your body to do this - google it but if you can't find it let me know and i'll tell you (in a bit of a hurry this morning).

There was a thread a while back on weight loss plateaus with some good info https://www.bellybelly.com.au/forums...ml#post1613333

HTH

[Nai]

After DD I saw a naturopath as I couldn't lose weight either. Apparently my hormones were all out of whack and she helped me get them balanced again. The weight came off easily after that and I lost the 10kg that had been hanging around.

[Sequoia]

Jodi have you had your thyroid function checked? I had this problem too.

Good luck.

[~clover~]

I was going to suggest your thyroid.
A friend of mine went from a size 10 to an 18 in the last month of her pg. She tried so hard to lose it but couldn't. After a few years she got medication for her thyroid problem & with exercise got back down to a 12.
She's had her 2nd baby since then & went back up to about a 14, but has to wait til she finishes BFing to go back on the medication.
She's not too worried about it yet though.

[Aimz]

I have hit a weight loss plateau as well. Over New Year I lost weight quickly but at the moment (71.5kgs) I am finding it very difficult. I am eating 1200 calories a day and walking/jogging every night.

Maybe try the natropath, changing your exercise routine (include light weights), eating more fresh fruit and veg and MEASURING as well as weighing. Even though this week I only lost 400g - I lost HEAPS of cms off my hips, waist and bust. That is where you see the change.

[BellyBelly]

Id recommend a good naturopath too... maybe you could join us on the detox with Nicole! Check out the sticky thread, all her clients have lost 6kgs. I am going to do it too!

[Visitor7]

I'll check that out Kelly, thanks!

I don't know anything about thyroid, lol. But I am going to see my dr, or naturopath. Do you need a dr's referral for one of those?

I have changed my exercise routine, and still nothing is happening. I'm not even gaining muscle, just fat. I would be happy if I could at least tone up, but nope.

combatqueen - I am going to Curves 3-4 times a week (30 min a day), I go to water aerobics 1-2 times a week, I do a lot with the girls, I go swimming in our pool every day, and housework.
I have tried eating 3 meals plus snacks, and have tried less food, and more food than that. I have tried meal replacement shakes also. Nothing is working.
I only weigh myself once a month. And with all the things I've been trying, not one gram has budged. I've been like this for about 5 years now and it's so depressing.

[Snacks]

*hugs* Jodi, it sounds like you are working really hard.
No, you shouldn't need a referral for a naturopath. My sister lives in Cairns and she has a naturopath - if you like I can ask her for some contact details for her? (I'm not sure, she may be one specialising in fertility as that's why my sister sees her, but I can still ask if you like.)

[C~Q]

combatqueen - I am going to Curves 3-4 times a week (30 min a day), I go to water aerobics 1-2 times a week, I do a lot with the girls, I go swimming in our pool every day, and housework.
I have tried eating 3 meals plus snacks, and have tried less food, and more food than that. I have tried meal replacement shakes also. Nothing is working.
I only weigh myself once a month. And with all the things I've been trying, not one gram has budged. I've been like this for about 5 years now and it's so depressing.

I'm not sure exactly about Curves but is it where you do a circuit? Is it weights and cardio? I know they say just to do it 3 times a week for half an hour but I can't see that making a huge difference after a while...you need to shock your body to keep things improving. It's called resistance overload and your body won't improve without it. This is the definition of overload in my fitness instructors handbook

"overload refers to ensuring that training requires the client to place additional demands on their system above and beyond the amount that their body is accustomed to. Overload is often achieved by manipulating frequency, intensity, duration or type of training. Failure to produce overload will result in minimal gains in the training program and may cause a plateau in performance"

Perhaps you could look at doing extra? Will they allow that? I have had a few friends that have tried Curves but haven't seen the results they wanted after a while. How long have you been with them?

[Visitor7]

I think you've hit the nail on the head combatqueen.
I'm not entirely enjoying going to Curves any longer and I'm canceling my membership. I'm going to focus my time and money on other areas of fitness.
I'm going back to work next week which is full time, so that will limit the amount of spare time i have for exercise. Are exercise videos any good? I was thinking if I could do an hour long exercise video, stick with water aerobics 2-3 times a week, and walking most afternoons. Should that be be enough?

[C~Q]

Videos can be good - it depends which one oyu've got and if you do it! I reckon if you can do water aeoribs 3 times a week and walk/jog in the arvos then you'll be better off doing a weights program than more cardio.

Resistance (weights) training is a really important part of weight loss which a lot of women overlook becasue they are scared they'll get bulky - you won't, unless you're taking steroids Low weights, high reps will improve your lean muscle mass which will improve your metabolism, helping you burn more KJ's. You can buy weights pretty cheap from Kmart, Big W etc even the supermarket. I bought a set of 4kg dumbells for $10 in Coles the other day.

Once you've got the weights I can give you some exercises to do if you like. 3kg and 4 kgs would be good to start with, let me know

[sushee]

I have to echo what Combatqueen said about weight loss vs body fat percentage. I have not lost any weight on over 2 weeks but have lost 2% fat percentage, plus almost another inch off my waist.

[Visitor7]

dh just reminded me we have weights here somewhere. I'll get back to you combatqueen and let you know what we've got.