HELP!!! Advice Needed!!

[Dben12]

First off, thanks for reading this. I am new to the forum. I joined because I am seeing an alarming trend in my weight.
Let me give you a bit of the story. I am 23 years old. I was severely overweight 4 years ago. I am 5'10'' heavy build and I was weighing in at 270.
I guess it never really hit me how big I was. I was active and never let it get in the way.......of letting me do what I wanted.......and I guess I was in denial.
I went to Argentina on a mission and was super active and lost 85 pounds. I was down to 185. I felt great. I got off the mission. Went back on vacation. Met a girl. Found a job,
stayed and we ended up getting married. I lived a normal, not overly active lifestyle, eating out, ect. and maintained my weight for over 2 years with little fluctuation +- 5 pounds . Recently after completing my wifes visa, we have
moved back to the US. We got back on the 22 of April. I do not feel like my eating habits have changed. I am working a part time job that is very physical and hot and sweaty. Some days where I have counted calories.......I havnt even hit 2000. Yet I am gaining weight ridiculously fast. I went for a Physical Fitness test, as part of a job application, on May 10th. I was already at 206. Beginning of June I was at 215. Now I was at 221 on Monday. 223 on Thursday. And 225 on Friday
Yesterday. I ate grilled chicken with beans and rice for dinner. Had a breakfast shake with 180 calories in the morning and a smoothie that I made for lunch. It was just frozen fruit mixed with a little bit of Gatorade powder and water.......That was all I ate. I am eating less everyday, and yet there have been weeks were I have put on almost 10 pounds. In Argentina I didnt do anything. I eat out all the time ect. Couldnt gain more than 5 pounds and it would go away as soon as I got back to eating right.

I am really frustrated. I am about to start p90x which should help. But I feel like there is something else going on here. I am tired all the time. I must add that with coming back here.......Stress shot through the roof. Having to quit my job and come find something temporary here until I can find a real job. Move half way around the world. Its been hard. Do you think its the food. I know the food here is less natural. I just cant figure it out. Thanks for your help. Your opinion is greatly appreciated.

 

[San2]

There are several things that could be the problem. You might be eating a lot more calories than you think you do. To find out whether that's the case, keep a food diary. Log every little thing that passes your lips, for a couple of weeks, and make sure to determine the calories. It might be something medical though, especially with you saying that you're tired - so if you can, get yourself checked out to make sure that there is nothing wrong in that aspect. Make sure you drink plenty - if you don't, you'll be retaining water, which can add quite a few pounds to the number on the scales.

It might just be a reaction to all the stress, to a different kind of food, to getting used to a different climate and all of those things. I would really start with getting yourself checked out, and logging your food, then take it from there depending on what comes out of it.

 

[Sashe]

I feel your pain! Be sure to watch your sodium intake and drink plenty of water. Cut out processed foods and portion control is key. The U.S. is really bad with portion control so be sure you are only eating serving sizes of non-processed foods. Also, you may want to eat smaller more frequent meals to keep your metabolism burning. Your metabolism slows when you have no food (or energy) to keep it fueled.

And lastly, easier said then done....try to decrease your stress levels. Maybe meditate or maybe even take a Yoga class. I read my Bible to decrease stress levels and will be starting a Yoga class this week. If you could work out 4-5 times per week that will help too. You have to find a way to decrease your stress levels...stress reeks havoc on your body.

Good luck!