weight fluctuation

[Lauriebell82]

I hate how I fluctuate so much in weight. I can't manage to maintain being the same size and its' annoying. The medication that I am on slows my metabolism and makes me retain water, therefore I have to cut down on carbs and sugars. I lose and gain weight at the speed of light though. I am not fat and I realize this, but maintaining the weight that I actually want to isn't possible.

 

What the heck am I doing wrong???

 

Oh by the way: I had an eating disorder when I was younger (Binge eating). I don't do it anymore, but for some reason I'm thinking that might have messed up my system of something. I have flutuated on and off since I was in high school.

 

Why can't I just stay skinny?!?!

[saraispiel19]

eating disorders take a long time to heal it does mess up your body.

 

what meds are you on? you can wiki it and find out the side effects or even google it.

 

Do you drink? alcohol (i drink also on occasion) does indeed help your retain that bloated feeling (esp. the hops in beer). The only sure way you can lose water wieght as crazy as it sounds is to drink more water! yep. believe it.

 

well good luck to you. if anything go to a liscenced dietian or nutritionist for some more help on a more appropriate diet for your body.

[Lauriebell82]

Thanks for your response. I am on Lamictol and a pretty heavy dose. It's a maintenance drug that I can never stop taking..so I'm stuck with it. I just did a lot of research on cutting carbs and what it said was that when you cut down on sugar and carbs you DO lose a ton of weight..but then when you change your diet back you gain some of it back. That is what is happening to me I suppose.

 

Yes I drink, but not often. I will usually have some kind of rum with diet coke. You are right that it does leave me a little bloated, but I dont' do it very often because I'm afraid of the interactions with my drugs.

 

Man, this is so frustrating.

 

I also work out like crazy and drink a lot of water when working out..I usually run on the treadmill 5 times a week.

[saraispiel19]

 

Man, this is so frustrating.

 

like i said a dietician will definately be to your benefit you'd find a way to eat right get all your nutrition and on top of that it would go well with the meds your on. you'll be able to enjoy food again.

 

i also go up and down wieght; one day i'm 114 the next i'm 118 and it's frustrating also but i try to eat right and drink lots of water (i've stopped taking care of myself really because of the messy crap i'm caught in) -- just don't starve yourself that is well not the right thing to do.

 

good luck to you an keep me posted!

[sb129]

Maybe you need to vary your exercise programme a little bit more.

 

If you do the same thing every day your body gets used to it. You need to push yourself if you want to lose weight.

 

Watching your portion size is important too. Most of us eat off bigger plates than we need to and fill them up. Look up ideal portion sizes on the internet, and you probably be surprised at how little they are.

 

My fiance eats alot more than I do, and I have had to train him to serve my dinner on a smaller plate than his- because if its there on my plate, I will eat it. Eating the same as him is bad news for my ass.

[sb129]

PS the drinking alot of water thing (2L/day) is a bit of an urban myth. You get most of the water your body needs from normal food and drink.

 

If you drink 1L of water and don't pee, you will weigh 1kg more than you did before you drank it. Its basic physics.

[Lauriebell82]

Thanks sb. I have a similar situation with my bf that you have with your fiance. My bf eats a ton of food, probably 3 times the amount I do. He is a heavy duty weight lifter and also has a high metabolism..so he is not fat at all. Like you I do get the urge to eat when he is around too. When he gets something to eat he'll always ask me if I'm hungry and thats teh reason why I'm eating. He'll even go in the other room if he realizes that I'm going to eat when I shouldn't be.

 

The thing is, I dont' even think it's fat..it's just water weight. So I am really thin one day, and then I look more bloated the next. I hate it, and I just want to stay the same way.

 

My bf always tells me that he thinks I'm nuts that I think I'm overweight. He always tells me how sexy I am and how he loves my body. I wish I felt the same way.

[saraispiel19]

PS the drinking alot of water thing (2L/day) is a bit of an urban myth. You get most of the water your body needs from normal food and drink.

 

If you drink 1L of water and don't pee, you will weigh 1kg more than you did before you drank it. Its basic physics.

 

 

i would have to amicably disagree until i started drinking lots more water (sure i pissed alot more) i started to shed the "water wieght".

 

p.s. salt is a def. trigger to feeling bloated and things like bread (starchy foods)

[Lauriebell82]

i would have to amicably disagree until i started drinking lots more water (sure i pissed alot more) i started to shed the "water wieght".

 

p.s. salt is a def. trigger to feeling bloated and things like bread (starchy foods)

 

My problem is that I can only drink water if I am excercising. I just don't like it because it doesn't taste like anything. I do drink flavored water, but that has sodium in it as well, so that probably is making me retain water anyway.

[sb129]

Drinking more water fills you up so you eat less, thats about the only way it helps you lose weight.

[saraispiel19]

Laurie

I do drink flavored water, but that has sodium in it as well, so that probably is making me retain water anyway

bingo laurie!

 

SB

Drinking more water fills you up so you eat less, thats about the only way it helps you lose weight.

 

you indeed have a point there.

[Lauriebell82]

Yeah I have to try to drink more regular water..maybe if I put some kind of fruit in it.

[sb129]

Lauriebell, be careful re: flavoured water. It tastes nice and all, but some of them are quite acidic, so even the sugar free ones are bad for your teeth, especially if you are having them little and often.

 

Also, the sugar free ones are usually sweetened with aspartame, which isn't a very nice chemical to put into your body.

 

I sometimes use a little lemon or lime juice- if you dilute it down a little more each day till eventually you are having plain water you might end up being able to cope with the taste better.

[Gatormaniac]

Thanks for your response. I am on Lamictol and a pretty heavy dose. It's a maintenance drug that I can never stop taking..so I'm stuck with it. I just did a lot of research on cutting carbs and what it said was that when you cut down on sugar and carbs you DO lose a ton of weight..but then when you change your diet back you gain some of it back. That is what is happening to me I suppose.

 

Yes I drink, but not often. I will usually have some kind of rum with diet coke. You are right that it does leave me a little bloated, but I dont' do it very often because I'm afraid of the interactions with my drugs.

 

Man, this is so frustrating.

 

I also work out like crazy and drink a lot of water when working out..I usually run on the treadmill 5 times a week.

 

It sounds like you enjoy working out, so that's not an issue, unless you're over training. I mention this because you mentioned that you " work out like crazy ". Over training, especially if you over train without proper nutrition is detrimental to both your muscle development and your metabolism. When you over train but do not fuel your body properly, your body will find it's energy elsewhere. Unfortunately, that energy won't come from burning fat. Instead, your body will cannibalize your muscle. Carbs are ok in moderation, but protein is pure fuel, just don't overdo it. Protein intake depends on your size and work out regimen. Too much protein can also do damage so proper intake is essential. Of course, staying hydrated is also key. Just an FYI on that.

 

On to the metabolism issue. I have good news for you! You can increase your metabolism! You already work out so that's one part of the equation! The trick to increasing your metabolism is actually very easy and that is increasing your blood flow. This can be done naturally and without a whole lot of work. Here are a few foods that can dramatically increase blood flow and consequently, metabolism. Walnuts, Salmon, green tea, avacados, garlic, and fish oil. Zinc also increases blood flow, but you need to find out the proper intake for your size, age, and gender. Keep in mind that a good diet is essential as well.

 

I want to touch on a few things here regarding fish oil and garlic. If you use fish oil ( I use gel caps ) be sure you use the cleanest fish oil you can find. It's pricey but worth it. Garlic is a really, really big deal! There isn't another food on the planet that has as many benefits as garlic ( Although, fish oil is up there, too )! And, it's cheap!! It not only increases blood flow, but it boosts the immune system, and is the most heart healthy food on the planet. Eating a good sized clove or two of garlic even every other day is a huge benefit! If you have concerns about " garlic breath ", then do what I do. Munch on some parsley after eating garlic...problem solved. I usually don't cook garlic because you lose much of it's benefits. Instead, I take a clove or two and press it about five or ten minutes before my meal is ready ( letting garlic sit increases its potency, and decreases the odor a bit ) and either sprinkle it on or mix it in. I will normally take fish oil one day and garlic the next. Your body will love you for it!!

 

A note for the guys. Do I really need to tell you what increased blood flow does for a certain extremity? I'm completely serious about this. If you want to give your libido and sexual performance a boost, increased blood flow is the ticket. Garlic, fish oil, and zinc ( especially for older guys ), will amaze you...and your partner. Of course, being fit is also an important part of it as well. Also, keep in mind that you also increase blood flow to the big head ( I just had to say that:cool: ) too and will help your memory, attention span, and so many other things!! Ladies, you can also enjoy those same benefits to your libido and brain functions.

 

I can vouch for all of this because I experienced it. The change doesn't come quickly. I began really noticing the benefits after about three weeks, but you must be consistent. For me, it's now routine and habit.

[Lauriebell82]

Thanks for the post Gatormaniac. I don't think I overtrain, I run about 2.5-3 miles about 4 or 5 times a week. I also do circuit training 3 times a week. So I have a fairly steady workout routine. I guess the real issue is probably the low carb diet. I really do have to stay away from foods with high calorie/high carb content, because I'm afraid of relapsing. I've been trying to eat fruits and vegatables and things like that.

 

I think what may be happening is that when I'll eat maybe a little too many carbs one day I can feel the water weight the next, so then I cut down and take the water weight off the next day. Thats nice that I can do that, unfortunately it makes for a lot of weight fluctuations. I wish I could just stay at a steady weight and not have to gain or lose anything.

 

I'm sure nobody would probably really notice that I gain and lose, my boyfriend said he really doesn't. I guess I can just feel if I'm retaining water and I hate it. How do I stop gaining water weight?

[Gatormaniac]

Thanks for the post Gatormaniac. I don't think I overtrain, I run about 2.5-3 miles about 4 or 5 times a week. I also do circuit training 3 times a week. So I have a fairly steady workout routine. I guess the real issue is probably the low carb diet. I really do have to stay away from foods with high calorie/high carb content, because I'm afraid of relapsing. I've been trying to eat fruits and vegatables and things like that.

 

I think what may be happening is that when I'll eat maybe a little too many carbs one day I can feel the water weight the next, so then I cut down and take the water weight off the next day. Thats nice that I can do that, unfortunately it makes for a lot of weight fluctuations. I wish I could just stay at a steady weight and not have to gain or lose anything.

 

I'm sure nobody would probably really notice that I gain and lose, my boyfriend said he really doesn't. I guess I can just feel if I'm retaining water and I hate it. How do I stop gaining water weight?

 

Laurie, what kind of food do you normally eat? Where do you normally get your carbs from? Breads, pasta? Do you eat a lot of processed foods including canned soups or fast food? Do you go out to eat a lot? Also, do you circuit train on days off from running, or do you double up? Give me a quick run down of an average day in the life of Laurie including average sleep time and what you do at work.

[Lauriebell82]

LOL, are you a dietition or something, Gatormaniac??

 

Anyway, to answer your question. I wake up at 5 am, because I have to be at work at 6. For breakfast I eat 2 pieces of low carb bread (toasted) with some butter on it (country crock with calcium). I have a cup of coffee with 2 sweet and lows, and some half and half. I also usually have a sugar free pudding cup with it.

 

I'm an addictions specialist, so basically I sit in my office at my computer all day. I walk around the office for various things, and then get out of work at 2:30 pm. I eat my lunch whenever I can get it, usualy around 10:30 or 11:00. I have a ham and cheese sandwhich on two slices of low carb bread. I will bring some kind of fruit like strawberries or cherries. I also bring a serving of sun chips (i actually count them out) and put it in a little sandwhich bag. I will usually also bring some kind of veggie, like carrots or pieces of green pepper. I also bring another sugar free pudding and a can of diet snapple or diet coke.

 

I get home around 3 and have a snack..something healthy usually like an apple or some strawberries and whipped cream. Around 5-6 my boyfriend and I have dinner (we live together) which is anything from salad, or grilled chicken, or burgers that we make out on the grill. We will have some kind of vegetable like green beans or something (canned ones.)

 

Around 7:30 I go work out. I do the cuircut training usually 2-3 out of the 5 days a week that I work out, and I do both, except usually I'll run 5 minutes less if I know I"m going to lift (my legs get too sore if I do both of them). When I get home its around 8:30 or 9 so I usually I dont' eat anything unless I'm VERY hungry, in that case I'll eat something very small like a cheese stick. Then I go to bed.

 

Alright, there you go. Advice???

[Gatormaniac]

LOL, are you a dietition or something, Gatormaniac??

 

Anyway, to answer your question. I wake up at 5 am, because I have to be at work at 6. For breakfast I eat 2 pieces of low carb bread (toasted) with some butter on it (country crock with calcium). I have a cup of coffee with 2 sweet and lows, and some half and half. I also usually have a sugar free pudding cup with it.

 

I'm an addictions specialist, so basically I sit in my office at my computer all day. I walk around the office for various things, and then get out of work at 2:30 pm. I eat my lunch whenever I can get it, usualy around 10:30 or 11:00. I have a ham and cheese sandwhich on two slices of low carb bread. I will bring some kind of fruit like strawberries or cherries. I also bring a serving of sun chips (i actually count them out) and put it in a little sandwhich bag. I will usually also bring some kind of veggie, like carrots or pieces of green pepper. I also bring another sugar free pudding and a can of diet snapple or diet coke.

 

I get home around 3 and have a snack..something healthy usually like an apple or some strawberries and whipped cream. Around 5-6 my boyfriend and I have dinner (we live together) which is anything from salad, or grilled chicken, or burgers that we make out on the grill. We will have some kind of vegetable like green beans or something (canned ones.)

 

Around 7:30 I go work out. I do the cuircut training usually 2-3 out of the 5 days a week that I work out, and I do both, except usually I'll run 5 minutes less if I know I"m going to lift (my legs get too sore if I do both of them). When I get home its around 8:30 or 9 so I usually I dont' eat anything unless I'm VERY hungry, in that case I'll eat something very small like a cheese stick. Then I go to bed.

 

Alright, there you go. Advice???

 

LOL, no, not a dietician, but someone who is careful what I put into my body. I'm also a gym rat that loves working out and understands that diet is extremely important.

 

After reading your diet and training regimen, there's nothing that really jumps out, although I'm not sure you're getting enough protein or calcium. Also, if you're not doing it already, monitor your sodium intake. Canned vegies and sandwich meats are full of sodium and not much nutrition. Some cheese is as well, especially the processed variety. Could be the sun chips are too, you'll have to check them. Check the bread, too. Sodium and water retention go hand in hand and your medication could cause a change in the way your body deals with sodium. Yogurt, if you like it, contains protein and promotes good digestion.

 

Considering your workout regimen, I would guess you have a lot of lean muscle, especially in your legs. Lean muscle requires protein and you're getting very little until dinner and that's only if you're eating chicken or beef. Think about changing your breakfast diet to high protein cereal ( There's a lot of delicious ones that are low carb! ) and skim milk, calcium enriched OJ, and if you want a pudding cup, go for it! Coffee is no problem, but do drink a glass of water because it will dehydrate you. If you like V-8, there is a low sodium one available.

 

For lunch, I would trade the ham and cheese for something that will give you more energy. Tuna, chicken ( not the processed variety ), even peanut butter is better than that ham and cheese!! Do you like oatmeal cookies? If so, trade those Sun Chips in for a few Voortman flaxseed cookies! They taste great and are protein and Omega 3 rich!! They have a cranberry variety that is really good!! Of course, the more fresh vegies the better!!

 

For dinner...get rid of those canned vegies unless they are low sodium! Try the steamfresh frozen vegetables or fresh. Yes, more expensive, but those canned vegies are pretty much useless and do more harm than good. Since you workout in the evening, protein at dinner is essential!! Lean meat, chicken, or fish. If you don't get that protein before your workout, your body may cannibalize your lean muscle to get what it needs. Counterproductive. Whole grain pastas are also good for you. Try to incorporate foods that increase blood flow such as fresh garlic, avacados, walnuts, cranberries, and a good fish oil supplement.

 

You have a good workout schedule, just be sure you fuel your body properly before and after. And, be sure you get plenty of sleep. Your body and brain needs proper rest! Sleep allows the muscles you worked out to recover and also promotes increased blood flow.

 

Oh, and feel free to eat all the fresh fruit and vegies you want! If you can live without the diet drinks, try substituting with real fruit juices. protein bars are quick energy as well. Just be sure they're high in protein and low in carbs, sugar, and sodium. I know that it's a rather strict diet, but no stricter than the one you're on right now and you seem intent on finding answers. Ciao!

[Lauriebell82]

Thanks Gator..actually I think you nailed it right on the head. It is quite possibly all the sodium that I am eating..def. the diet coke and ham and stuff have tons of sodium. I do know that I retain water a lot, so that's probably where my weight cahnges are coming from. I work out enough that I can usually take the water weight off fairly quickly, so it's not like I gain 10 pounds back permanately. I'm just sick of fluctuating so much.

 

You had some very good ideas regarding some other foods. However, things like oatmeal and outmeal cookies are VERY high in carbs. There are some low carb breakfast bars that I could buy, however they are fairly pricey so I tend not to buy them too often. I'm really scared to stop eating low carb foods, I wrote this in another thread but I had binge eating disorder when I was a teenager, so it terrifies me that I will trigger a binge if I eat sweet food like that. I acutally had one bite of cheesecake the other day and my boyfriend said I had this real weird look on my face when I tasted it..like I was in heaven or something. So I try to stay away from that kind of thing.

 

Do you know if there are any other low-sodium, low carb foods out there? The problem is, most low carb food is very high in sodium. It's like you are switching one for the other.

[Gatormaniac]

Laurie, there are good carbs and bad carbs. Good carbs are contained in leafy green vegetables, whole grain foods, beans, legumes, bean sprouts, whole grain cereals and several other foods. Your body needs good carbs for energy so don't avoid the good ones! Bad carbs can be found in anything made from bleached enriched flour. I understand your fears regarding carbs, but you do need them...the good ones anyway. It's really difficult to find low carb, low sodium foods. You don't have a huge intake of carbs anyway, so I would concentrate on the sodium intake and see if that makes a difference. I think it will and, if not, you can concentrate on other areas. I hope it does because that may relieve some of the fears you have about carbs. Will you keep me informed of the results?

[Lauriebell82]

Laurie, there are good carbs and bad carbs. Good carbs are contained in leafy green vegetables, whole grain foods, beans, legumes, bean sprouts, whole grain cereals and several other foods. Your body needs good carbs for energy so don't avoid the good ones! Bad carbs can be found in anything made from bleached enriched flour. I understand your fears regarding carbs, but you do need them...the good ones anyway. It's really difficult to find low carb, low sodium foods. You don't have a huge intake of carbs anyway, so I would concentrate on the sodium intake and see if that makes a difference. I think it will and, if not, you can concentrate on other areas. I hope it does because that may relieve some of the fears you have about carbs. Will you keep me informed of the results?

 

Thanks for your help. So whole grain cereal is low in carbs? How do I know which ones are who grain and which ones aren't? I alwasy thought cereal was REAL high in carbs thats why I never eat it.

[Gatormaniac]

Thanks for your help. So whole grain cereal is low in carbs? How do I know which ones are who grain and which ones aren't? I alwasy thought cereal was REAL high in carbs thats why I never eat it.

 

The absolute best is wheat germ, but it's expensive. It's soooo tricky to find real wholegrain cereal. Manufacturers try to fool you by adding a bit of whole grain and calling it made with whole grain. A perfect example are breads that say they're made of whole grain and have a few oats sprinkled on the top. The best way to find out which are truly whole grain is to read the label. The first ingredient should be whole grain flour. You can also look for a " whole grain stamp " on foods. these are the best of the best. You can also visit www.wholegrainscouncil.org which provides a ton of information.

[Lauriebell82]

The absolute best is wheat germ, but it's expensive. It's soooo tricky to find real wholegrain cereal. Manufacturers try to fool you by adding a bit of whole grain and calling it made with whole grain. A perfect example are breads that say they're made of whole grain and have a few oats sprinkled on the top. The best way to find out which are truly whole grain is to read the label. The first ingredient should be whole grain flour. You can also look for a " whole grain stamp " on foods. these are the best of the best. You can also visit www.wholegrainscouncil.org which provides a ton of information.

 

Wow thanks for the website. I listed some whole grain bars that they sell in the stores. I know you said there are good carbs and bad carbs but these brands are soooooooo high in carb content. Are you sure I wont gain weight from that?

[Gatormaniac]

Wow thanks for the website. I listed some whole grain bars that they sell in the stores. I know you said there are good carbs and bad carbs but these brands are soooooooo high in carb content. Are you sure I wont gain weight from that?

 

Laurie, the carbs in whole grain are " good " carbs and easily digested. They also score very low on the glycemic ( blood sugar ) chart. On the other hand, bad carbs are difficult to digest and score high on the glycemic chart, which is why bad carbs contribute so much to obesity. Any food that scores higher than a 70 on the glycemic chart should be avoided. You should be able to search the 'net to find a glycemic index that scores different foods. I used to have a link, but I can't find it. I think once you identify the good from the bad and read up on carbs, you'll find that good carbs are one of your bodies best friends!

[Gatormaniac]

Laurie, just found the website:

 

http://www.glycemicindex.com