Failing

Hey guys,

In the last few years I feel like I’m failing all the time: I really want to lose weight, not because I am unhealthy but because I just don’t like my body as it is right now and I don’t feel comfortable. However, everytime I am living pretty healthy (like eating very well and doing lots of sports) I don’t get the right results (and I patiently waited for months sometimes) and then I just give up.

This is like a vicious circle because then I gain extra weight again and get even more self conscious.

And it’s not because I eat way too less or too much when I eat healthy. I eat good portion sizes but nothing changes and I am getting really frustrated at the moment. And I haven’t been on a diet either.

Moreover, it is so hard to contain a healthy lifestyle when everyone around you is eating whatever they want and not get fat while doing so. That really wears me down.

Maybe some of you can relate and I would really like to hear your opinions or maybe tips on this matter.

Thank you in advance

Sarah

[Cooper27 Administrator]

Does anyone else in your household eat the same diet, and how does it influence their weight?

There can be medical reasons we find it difficult to lose weight (thyroid is a problem for me), but very often our gut health is a big influencer. Poor gut bacteria can make it difficult to lose weight. Have a look at gut healing diets, to see if that might help you.

[Hidden in reply to Cooper27]

Thank you for your response. That might be the problem since I had trouble with my digestion in the past.

I will look into that!

[Hidden in reply to Cooper27]

Oh and I forgot to respond to your first point: My father eats rather unhealthy but does LOTS of sports so he is almost too thin even though he eats a lot and mostly sweets.

My brother can eat however he wants and does not gain weight.

And my mother tries to eat healthy but doesn’t always do it because she has a very limited time to cook. She also does a lot of sports so she has a “normal“ figure.

[Cooper27 Administrator in reply to Hidden]

Always hard to gauge ourselves against others, but there is the saying that you an't outrun a bad diet (I know many who try to though!)

I know the frustration when you feel like you're trying so hard, and not getting results. The thing that's helped me the most is working on my gut health and nutrient deficiencies.

[Hidden in reply to Cooper27]

Yeah that’s probably true. You can get sick even if you’re not thicker.

That is a very good idea. I will look into that and maybe it really was the thing that was preventing me from having success.

[andyswarbs]

Hi Sarah, could you summarise your current diet please?

[Hidden in reply to andyswarbs]

Hi,

The last few months I had this „I-don’t-care“-phase and ate everything I wanted. That meant I ate lots of sugary things and fast food and it resulted in weight gain and bad skin.

Then a few days ago I started to eat healthy again: I am eating lots of fruits and vegetables, sometimes meat (mostly chicken), eggs and milk. I try to eat less carbs but that’s not always possible since I find way too few recipes.

Now and then I eat some nuts or dark chocolate just to satisfy my cravings but it’s not always enough.

And I am also not counting my calories because I had problems with that in the past.

[andyswarbs in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for the update. My advice probably goes counter to what you are eating. My advice follows nutritional scientific research which shows that animal foods which are always high in saturated fat and cholesterol will lead to long term health challenges. If you want to find out more goto nutritionalfacts.org for what I consider impartial advice, reporting on good science. The website has a search box, so just type in chicken for example.

[Hidden in reply to andyswarbs]

I‘m already trying to eat less animal products but it’s very difficult especially if I have to cook by myself since my whole family eats animal products. So I think I’ll never eat none of them at all.

However, I consider trying a juice fast after I just watched the movie “Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead“ and maybe afterwards it will be easier to go without meat etc.

Anyway, thanks for your advice!

[andyswarbs in reply to Hidden]

Most supermarkets have non meat alternatives that are outselling meat ones! They're not for me but might be worth a try for your family.

[Hidden in reply to andyswarbs]

My family sadly doesn’t like them either, tried a lot of these already. But thank you though!

[Cooper27 Administrator in reply to Hidden]

If you are looking for ideas for lower carb snacks, look up energy balls (like Deliciously Ella protein balls), or you could try looking up some paleo/whole 30 snack ideas, as they are normally low-ish in carbs, sugar free and higher in protein - I love Pinterest for this!

[Hidden in reply to Cooper27]

Thanks for the tip!

[TheAwfulToad]

If you're overweight, then almost by definition your diet can't be "healthy".

The problem is that we've been given such bad advice, for so long, that we now accept a whole bunch of deeply dysfunctional habits as 'healthy', without question.

As mentioned above, people are all different and react in different ways to similar diets. However, the bottom line is that if you wish to lose some excess fat then you must eat in a way that tilts your metabolism towards fat-burning. I would encourage you to join the LCHF forum, or to read more about low-carb dieting online.

[Hidden in reply to TheAwfulToad]

Hey TheAwfulToad,

thank you for your response!

I have heard of LCHF before and I have tried it for a while, however I find it very hard to contain. Moreover, my mother cooks often and my family won’t change their diet so extremely.

I also have no time to cook because I come home from school very late and have to go working soon after. Sometimes I prepare my food beforehand but it’s not always possible.

[Midnightwolf1]

I can relate on the part not feeling comfortable with your body. I think I'm healthy but I feel a like I look a little on the heavy side when I know that my weight is fine. I'm about 106 pounds at 16. My eating habits changed a lot about 2 and a half years about. I couldn't eat as much and food started to make me sick. I know this might not be helpful but maybe knowing that I can relate to you helps.

~Sky

[Hidden in reply to Midnightwolf1]

Wow, your weight really sounds just fine.

Sometimes we really have a false perception of ourselves. Like I remember that when I was about 12 years old I thought I was thicker than all the other kids but now when I look at photos of myself at that time I realize that I imagined all of it and I was perfectly normal.

Sometimes it’s just all in our heads but in my opinion eating healthy can never be bad even if you don’t need to lose weight.

[Midnightwolf1 in reply to Hidden]

Yeah, I'm trying to eat heathier and my Dads girlfriend is helping me with that. Cause I usually eat stuff like pizza, and chips, but I drink water and some juice. I'm trying to eat more fruits and veggies.

[Hidden in reply to Midnightwolf1]

I really wish you the best!

Just know you can do it!

[Midnightwolf1 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks I hope everything works out for you.

[Hidden in reply to Midnightwolf1]

Thank you!

[Hidden]

Watch Dietland on Netflix. It’s about you (me/ us/ etc)!

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Will watch it straightaway, thanks for the tip!