Why can't I lose weight.

[beaton]

I did a healthy weight programme at the beginning of the year. 12 weeks of nutrition, eatwell plate and exercise. I lost some weight and continued to lose weight steadily. I've still got some way to go. It's now six months and I went for my weigh in last Thursday. Since then regardless of having done an hour of weights and circuits walking and working I have managed to put on a kilo.

My diet did change, even though it was considered healthy. I have given up the pleaser of chocolate and crisps. My exercise has increased.

I have Hashimoto's thyroiditis (underactive thyroid.) I'm a vegetarian on a gluten free diet (I'm a 62 year old female.)

My last print out showed a slight weight gain over 3 months, a small loss of visceral fat and 10 cm off my waist. My BMI has dropped from 31 to 28.

So why can't I lose the weight and fat ???

[Portlandprincess]

Looks very positive on the stats...were they overall stats?

[Escape]

It sounds like you've lost weight but gained muscle, which is fantastic- I'm sure the weight will drop if you keep it up (or mix around the exercise a bit)- I wouldn't worry about weight so much though, if your waist is smaller etc.

[Penel]

Hi Beaton

10 cm off your waist is a great result. BMI is only an approximate guide, waist to hip measurement ratio may be a better guide to how well you are doing. Do you feel healthy at your weight? Can you do everything you want to do?

I find the Eatwell plate has too much carbohydrate for me to lose weight. I try to stick to a wide variety of different vegetables and high fibre veg like sweet potato for my carbs. I've cut out refined carbs, so no gluten free bread or breakfast cereals.

[beaton]

These are my printouts :-

Jan: July: Sept:

Weight, 77.9 kg 71.5 71.9

Fat, 33.3 kg 28.4 27.4

Muscle 42.3 kg 40.9 42.2

So from those figures look good in the fat to muscle ratio, but like I said for the last few weeks every time I lose weight I put it straight back on.

I weighed on Thursday morning walked and exercised, walked Friday and worked (physical) Saturday. I did not over eat but then when I weighed this morning I've put on a kilo. This keeps happening, like one step forward two back. I expected losing weight to be hard, but this is getting the better of me.

[Penel]

It's very common to plateau when losing weight, have a Google of adaptive thermogenesis.

You could try a different calorie intake for a while, up/down, or you could try changing the kind of food you eat. Perhaps have a look at Intermittant Fasting or the Low Carb diet.

[beaton in reply to Penel]

Penel, thanks for all your advice. It does seem that I have to change things. I also find the eat well plate too high in carbs. but do struggle finding alternatives. I try to limit GF bread or cereals to breakfast, lunch times is veg or salad with cheese sprinkled over then I run out of ideas for teatime.

I think it's time to replan my meals and exercise, with the weather being not so good now perhaps I should find a vigorous alternative to walking.

Thanks everyone for your help and encouragement.

[Penel in reply to beaton]

This might be a useful site.

authoritynutrition.com/low-...

[beaton in reply to Penel]

Thanks Penel, looks interesting. x