Not happy

[Kiran666]

I have just weighed myself and it is now 10 and a half. I did weigh 10stones and that's what the doctor said to me. I just don't understand how I have added on weight, I have been eating healthy and I am exercising a lot and my clothes feel baggy on me. I don't understand how I have added on weight, I'm so upset.

[Hidden]

Hi Kiran don't be upset. I put on weight very suddenly a couple of years ago, due to a problem with my stomach. I questioned the doctor again and again about what she thought was causing the weight gain. I came up with a very long list of possible reasons, including:

Water retention

Side effects from medicine

Increased muscle, which weighs more than fat

Finding it easier to eat more due to my medicine easing my stomach problems

I had to give up alcohol, so I had a theory that alc-free drinks were more sugary and more fattening

Plus many more reasons, all things which were 'outside my control'

Now, two years later, I can see why the doctor kept reminding me to focus on eating healthily and doing exercise. The stone I put on has since turned into two stone, and I'm now finally focusing on healthy eating and exercise to try and fix it, rather than trying to blame something that's out of my control.

I suggest you

1. Keep things in perspective. Half a stone is not so bad. Focus on not putting on any more weight (I wish I had done this).

2. If your clothes feel baggy, then focus on how your clothes fit rather than what the scales tell you. For example, is your waist measurement within a healthy range for your height? There is useful advice here: nhs.uk/Livewell/loseweight/...

3. Try to always weigh yourself at the same time. Some people find a mid-week morning, as soon as you wake up, once a week, is good. Use this as your guide from week to week if you are trying to get back to the 10 stone point. Also remember that your scales and the doctor's scales may be working differently. Theirs may be wrong, or perhaps yours needs a new battery.

4. Focus on staying positive. Don't forget your mind and body are connected. Dress confidently, look after yourself, and take responsibility for your own happiness.

[Kiran666 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for that.

[Hidden in reply to Kiran666]

You sound quite young. I think I may be speaking from the perspective of someone about 10 years older than you. Imagine yourself in 10 years time - what advice would you give to your younger self? I think this works at any age to be honest. The answer is normally to enjoy being young and be easy on yourself.

[jo1971]

Hi Kiran,

this is really heartbreaking to read and I'm sure a lot of people on this site can completely relate. I think we do focus a bit too much on the weight at the expense of other things. If your clothes are feeling baggy and you are happy with what you are eating and enjoying your exercise, i would focus on those things.

I read in your previous posts that you are 17 - which is a difficult age to feel like you do. when I was 17 I probably weighed the same as you, but because there were girls that must have weighed about 7 1/2 stone, I always felt like a whale and let's face it, some young people are not especially kind, so i was teased a fair bit. My advice to you would be to see whether you actually do need to lose weight, or whether your BMI is actually within the healthy range. If it is, then maybe you just need to tone up with exercise and eat healthily - as you are doing and not think about weight.

There is something that concerns me about your posts which do seem quite anxious. You seem to put yourself down a lot and say some quite negative things about yourself. I was also a bit concerned when you said you tried to make yourself sick after you ate something and felt guilty. This is very worrying indeed and i wonder if you have talked to anyone about this? If not, it is perhaps worth seeking some advice about this and trying to develop a more sympathetic relationship with your body.

Good luck and I hope next week proves rewarding and enjoyable. Take care xx

[Kiran666 in reply to jo1971]

Thank you for that

[Hidden]

I agree its heartbreaking. Mostly because i have been exactly in your shoes too. How you feel is not unusual at all. Throwing up your food does not work. You expose your teeth to acid, which will make them rot. It makes your face puffy and it damages your oesophagus. Whereas healthy exercise and concentrating on your emotional wellbeing will give you a great basis for future health for the rest of your life. I hope this encourages you and I hope you have thought of some ways to cheer yourself up

[Kiran666 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you so much for your advice

[secondhandrose2]

If you are exercising a lot then you are probably developing muscles and muscle weighs more than fat. Your weight may not be going down but your general health will be improving as you are converting fat to muscle.