Can I just say: weight issues suck

[Terapin]

I am so frustrated today. I eat well. I fuel my body well. I try not to eat much junk. I have a varied and balanced diet. I exercise 5-7 hours a week. I don't feel that I am eating too much, but cannot seem to lose more weight. I don't think I am eating too little, either. I am frustrated that the only way I can lose weight is by eating like a bird and severely cutting down to a very low cal diet where I feel hungry all the time, or skipping meals.

I went to Weight Watchers and was accused of cheating because I wasn't losing weight, or losing only 1/2 pound every other week. I wasn't cheating!

My hormone panel is normal.

I am just set to be heavier than average. I ran 40km this week and put on 3 pounds! I'm sure some is bloating, but still.

I have lost 65 pounds in the last 15 months so I am not deluded about what it takes to lose weight. I just want to keep losing, and hate how hard it is. I just want to be an average weight, and be able to eat normally without fear of gaining weight.

Thank you for listening.

My WISH journal has my food log. It isn't terrific, but it isn't too bad either.

 

[lisah0711]

It does suck and it is frustrating and totally makes no sense at times.

But when I see your post I also can't help but admire your great success with weight loss so far! And I see that you are going Goofy in a few short weeks! Maybe it is your body's way of dealing with all the extra training for this last push until the race?

You've been successful before and I know that you can do it again! Hopefully sooner rather than later. Good luck!

 

[Terapin]

It does suck and it is frustrating and totally makes no sense at times.

But when I see your post I also can't help but admire your great success with weight loss so far! And I see that you are going Goofy in a few short weeks! Maybe it is your body's way of dealing with all the extra training for this last push until the race?

You've been successful before and I know that you can do it again! Hopefully sooner rather than later. Good luck!

Thank you for your post. The support means a lot!

 

[Figment1990]

Terapin - hang in there. I was really frustrated during my half marathon training because I couldn't lose anything and I was running SO much! I can lose a little when the miles are down and I eat "perfectly" but not when I'm fueling for training. At least that's been my experience so far.

Try to focus on how much your body is capable of and how your muscles feel and look. You might not be as small as you want to be, but I sure bet you are strong!

I completely understand where you are coming from about working out like crazy and eating like a bird seeming like the only solution. When I start to feel like that I think it's time to take a short "break." A day of not worrying too much about the diet usually helps just not feel so overwhelmed. Between being discplined to train for a distance race and the discipline of eating right - you can get seriously worn out.

 

[Desiree]

I'm right there with ya. The scale hasn't moved in 3 weeks for me and it's so frustrating. I'm eating better and staying within my calorie range and exercising. Just the darn scale won't budge. Just keep plugging away is all we can do! Hope you see some results soon!

 

[buckeyecinderella]

I am having the same problem. I feel like I practically have to starve myself before I can shed even 1 or 2 pounds! I was hoping to lose 15-20 when I started training for the marathon. No weight loss. Then I modified my goal to 10 pounds. No weight loss. Then 5... Guess what! I'd be happy with 3 pounds before January! So I totally understand. I just figure I'll try to keep eating right and training. And just keep at it. Add in weight training. I'm trying to focus on strength for the marathon for the next several weeks. And then go back to losing weight. Or trying to. Maybe we need a post marathon weight loss thread!

 

[Ariel484]

Trying to lose weight while training for a marathon (or Goofy, as I know you're doing) is hard. I think it's more common to maintain or even gain weight (I've gained 2 pounds...).

A couple of articles on this...

http://www.runnersworld.com/weight-...ure-not-losing-weight-while-training-marathon

http://www.runnersworld.com/weight-loss/miles-and-meals

http://running.about.com/od/runningandweightloss/f/weightgain.htm

A few things can happen (and when I say "you" below I don't specifically mean YOU, Terapin, I mean the general "you," i.e. anyone training for a marathon)...

-you're gaining muscle, which weighs more than fat
-your muscles are learning to store glycogen (carbohydrates) as fuel, and to store these carbs your body also stores water in the muscle - IMPORTANT! You don't want to "hit the wall" during the marathon
-you're hungrier because you're burning more calories, so you eat more (ME to a T )
-etc. etc.

Hang in there. It's totally normal...and congrats on the 65 pounds lost so far (wonderful!) and good luck with the rest of your training.

 

[Goofierunner]

What Ariel said. I've gained a few pounds these past few months of goofy training. Eat smart, don't starve, you need your energy. We are in the home stretch!

 

[christinascreative]

I was kind of in a simlar boat -- I had been just maintaining for the past month, but was exercising and watching my points to a T, trying to get it to budge. Know how I made it budge? I went to simply filling plan last week. Out of my 2 short runs, my schedule only allowed me one but I did it. I lost 3.2 lbs.
Maybe- just for a week, switch to simply filling to see if that helps. You don't have to slack on exercise. I didn't feel hungry because I ate powerfoods til I was full. The increase each week in my mileage has gotten me wanting to eat like never before, so this helped. I hope it helps you and even if not- HUGS to you- I don't think you're cheating!! I know that while training, my body has done some crazy things each week.

 

[Terapin]

Thanks everyone - the support is terrific. I suppose that you are all right - focus on the BIG goal which is completing Goofy. Weight loss is secondary at this point. Thanks for reminding me where my priorities should lie

 

[Rose&Mike]

Terapin. I am 'only' running the marathon (not Goofy) and I have put on several pounds. I am giving myself permission to not worry too much about it until after the race, and then I am going to kick it back into gear. And fwiw I have been maintaining within 10 pounds for about 2 years, and I still feel like I have to really stay on top of it. I try hard to see it not as a chore, but as just what I have to do to stay healthy.

As someone who has been 50+ pounds overweight too many times to count, I think I will always struggle a little bit with it. And you are right, it does stink! But being healthy is worth the struggle.

Congratulations on your 65 pound loss! I hope you are proud of all your accomplishments.

 

[indygirl99]

I am so frustrated today. I eat well. I fuel my body well. I try not to eat much junk. I have a varied and balanced diet. I exercise 5-7 hours a week. I don't feel that I am eating too much, but cannot seem to lose more weight. I don't think I am eating too little, either. I am frustrated that the only way I can lose weight is by eating like a bird and severely cutting down to a very low cal diet where I feel hungry all the time, or skipping meals.

I went to Weight Watchers and was accused of cheating because I wasn't losing weight, or losing only 1/2 pound every other week. I wasn't cheating!

My hormone panel is normal.

I am just set to be heavier than average. I ran 40km this week and put on 3 pounds! I'm sure some is bloating, but still.

I have lost 65 pounds in the last 15 months so I am not deluded about what it takes to lose weight. I just want to keep losing, and hate how hard it is. I just want to be an average weight, and be able to eat normally without fear of gaining weight.

Thank you for listening.

My WISH journal has my food log. It isn't terrific, but it isn't too bad either.

I know where you are coming from. It is so frustrating to be accused of cheating when you know you are not. And keeping from being rude to those accuser is a hard job also. I have been there.

Just remember the really great job you have done so far. Sometimes the body needs time to adjust and do its own thing.

I had to change to a new doctor, in the same office, for insurance reasons. Went in to see the new doc this week for my annual physical. She was prasing me for decreasing my weight 20 pounds in a year and when I complained that it should be more since I had started running she told me that it was great because I was running.

Found out she is a runner and after 30 min talking I left feeling much better about the weight issue. I still have 80# to go but will not be beating myself up over not loosing quicker. And I also found out all my bloodwork counts that should have gone down HAVE and all the counts that should have gone up have. BECAUSE I am running. The weight may not be going down as fast as I want but I will take those healthy numbers any day of the week.

Be good to yourself and know that you will get there.

 

[amyy]

It is hard and it does suck!! I haven't looked at your eating log and even though your hormone panel was normal you might want to glance at the book The Thyroid Diet. I just started it and it does have a lot of similarities to some other books I have read but always a good reminder. She talks about which fruits and veggies to avoid etc. I do have trouble with my thyroid but can see how it could be useful for others and she mentions that. She also talks about how difficult it is when your doctor says you are cheating etc and you aren't.

Anyway, AWESOME job with your weight lob with your weight loss so far and for sticking with your running.