Why am I gaining ! please shed some light.

[Kay1390]

I'll try to keep this short if I can.. I've lost 30lbs before a few years back without even trying (put me at an ideal 125lbs at 5'2") I ate crap a lot, but my job had me walking all day long. So I attributed it to that. I left that job, got a little depressed from my breakup (boohoo) and moved back in with my mom, so I went up 10lbs in that year. Anyways now, I'm eating a diet high in healthy fat and protein and low in carbs (not ketogenic levels) and my job now has me moving even more. my job has me walking, bending, cleaning, lifting, etc for 8 hours a few days a week and 12-16 hour shifts, I'm constantly moving. I have tracked calories, adjusting to making sure I'm getting enough but not too much. I basically just eat when I'm hungry, and it's always fibrous veggies, lean meats, eggs, etc. I also drink a lot of water, the only other beverage I have sometimes is a coffee sweetened with stevia in the morning, but that's not an everyday thing. And I've recently just gained 7 more pounds! I can't tell if I look different, I wish I would have measured myself because I'm so biased looking in the mirror and I just feel like crap even though I've been putting a lot into being healthy. I don't eat sweets, I've only had alcohol 2 times since the new year. I don't eat starchy foods or bread at all. Why am I gaining weight, i don't understantd how I couldn't lose, at the very least I should only maintain. But I'm gaining. And it's after my TOM so it's not that. I'm so frustrated.

 

[JennaSwann]

I'll try to keep this short if I can.. I've lost 30lbs before a few years back without even trying (put me at an ideal 125lbs at 5'2") I ate crap a lot, but my job had me walking all day long. So I attributed it to that. I left that job, got a little depressed from my breakup (boohoo) and moved back in with my mom, so I went up 10lbs in that year. Anyways now, I'm eating a diet high in healthy fat and protein and low in carbs (not ketogenic levels) and my job now has me moving even more. my job has me walking, bending, cleaning, lifting, etc for 8 hours a few days a week and 12-16 hour shifts, I'm constantly moving. I have tracked calories, adjusting to making sure I'm getting enough but not too much. I basically just eat when I'm hungry, and it's always fibrous veggies, lean meats, eggs, etc. I also drink a lot of water, the only other beverage I have sometimes is a coffee sweetened with stevia in the morning, but that's not an everyday thing. And I've recently just gained 7 more pounds! I can't tell if I look different, I wish I would have measured myself because I'm so biased looking in the mirror and I just feel like crap even though I've been putting a lot into being healthy. I don't eat sweets, I've only had alcohol 2 times since the new year. I don't eat starchy foods or bread at all. Why am I gaining weight, i don't understantd how I couldn't lose, at the very least I should only maintain. But I'm gaining. And it's after my TOM so it's not that. I'm so frustrated.

Girl the struggle is Reeeaaall! Instead of only eating when you're hungry try eating every 2-3 hours. Going more than 4 hours without food puts your body in starvation mode and it holds onto everything!
A couple other things are you could have your metabolism checked and perhaps look at your digestive health. Those obviously make a world of difference when it comes to weight loss

 

[nomorecomebacks]

Hi Kay. I found a lot of insights through researching the effects of stress on weight loss. There seems to be many other factors than just the food we put into our mouths. Shift work for one is a big hindrance to weight loss, just as how many hours, time in between and the quality of rest. Outdoor exposure, intensity of work Vs level of fitness, melatonin and or serotonin lvls and so on. SLEEP - is yet another crucial one. The length of time we claim to sleep can be offset by the quality ... research something called sleep pressure. Sleep pressure explains our bodies need for rest quite well.

You mentioned depression - Boo hoo - and that kind of thing ... just as impeding to restful states are a number of mindsets that lead to either positive or negative outlooks. Having a spirited outlook that does not focus on our limitations but is more in tune with what works, is pretty much key to overcoming such hurdles of which you speak

I hope you are able to find some of the above terms as options to explore in understanding how it is that sometimes food and activity is not the entire story with respect to losing weight. Also search on "circadian cycle and how it affects weight" That should also give you deeper insights.

You will be amazed at how the body can better utilize the food and process our activities once we balance ourselves with the other facets of life that are as crucial as food and activity ... when it comes to ones well-being.

Long story short, there are a million ways our modern living is short circuiting our natural rhythm. Marketers count on such instability as it presents a lot of need - everyone is out for the quick fix. The more short cuts we use, the more imbalanced we become. Even youth seems to be giving in under the weight of this imbalance - I've been on this merry go round for a long time now. I've tried it all. Food, and Exercise with whatever regime means little if I am unable to account for my stress level and or right my imbalances.

I've been sitting in a plateau for a few months now - and I too am eating and at a high level of activity - I myself need to take my own advice and I now share it without making any great claims. I can only talk from personal experience. It's taken me a long time to lose the weight I have. I even did water fasting which was actually quite effective for the long term re a healthy mind set for my well being.

Try not to get bogged down on the "right way"of doing things. Try things for yourself and keep asking the questions you have.

I'm just offering a few avenues that did not come up in your post. Again - whilst identifying what is not working for you - try more to focus on what will work for you - look into the wide array of variables that effect weight loss other than just your activity and food. I've tried to mention most of what comes to my mind.

Wishing you all the best.

Apologizes I could not be more concise.
Dave.