Weight Loss Week Four
Weigh in: 282.4
> - 1 lb
Ok. So one pound down. I'll take it. It's better than a gain!
If I'm being completely honest, I'm still having a hard time not feeling discouraged. I've been working really hard, and I thought at my size the weight would come off faster. I guess, in some ways it proves to me that I wasn't eating so terribly before. I used to second guess my diagnosis. Thinking that my size had more to do with my diet than my hormones. Evidently, that's not the case. And, a part of me already knew that. See, for years I dieted. I tried quite a few. For example:
*Atkins - worked for about a month, then stalled and never worked for me again. I only lost maybe 5-10 pounds. Then nothing. Plus the first two weeks were murder without milk!
*Diet Pills and appetite suppressants - Not a good idea. I don't have much of an appetite to begin with. I honestly don't know what hunger feels like, because I don't feel it. I just eat whenever I'm supposed to eat according to the time of day, or when someone tells me I need to. With these types of pills, I wouldn't eat all day. Just the thought of eating made me sick to my stomach. I remember taking Slimquick, and I would go a couple days just drinking water because I would actually forget to eat. So unhealthy. And, still it didn't work. No significant amount of weight lost.
*Slim Fast - Didn't lose a single pound. Not even one.
*Nutrisystem - the food literally tasted like cardboard. I was not a fan. And it was the only food I really had in the house since I was living by myself. The only thing I would buy was fresh fruits, veggies, and water. I would choke down about half the meal, none of the "snacks" and that was it. Less than 900 calories a day. Lost maybe a total of 10 pounds over a few months. But it was still not healthy for me. And it was too expensive. My family had offered to pay for this program, because they wanted to help. I still felt guilty over how much it was, and the fact that I had so many left over snacks because I didn't like them.
At one point, I even went to my doctor and asked for a referral to see a specialist. He sent me to a Gastroenterology center to see a dietician and a nutritionist. The first appointment, they asked me to keep a food diary of everything I ate for one month. I did. I recorded everything, down to a half a stick of gum I had to freshen my breath after lunch. They told me not to tally up the calories. They were just trying to get a baseline for what I typically ate. They assured me that they would tally up the calories themselves when I came back. Sure enough, they did. And they said I wasn't eating enough! They were also concerned that my metabolism was too low. Maybe I was deficient in B vitamins. So, they gave me a B12 shot. It was supposed to give me energy. It didn't. It knocked me out for three days. I was so tired I could barely move. I followed their diet and exercise plan. Even going so far as to do MORE exercise than they recommended. I walked to the gym, worked out for at least an hour, and walked home six days a week. On the seventh day, I went for at least a 2-3 mile walk. I had people who did this with me, though they ate whatever they wanted. And they lost quite a bit of weight. When I went back to the center, I had gained weight. Roughly 20 pounds if memory serves. They were floored and accused me of lying in my food journal. Luckily, I wasn't alone. I had brought the person who had been with me every day! He knew I wasn't lying. Eventually they believed me, but they couldn't figure out what was wrong. They told me to keep trying. I was so hurt by their disbelief, I never went back.
So there was my proof. Eating less than 900 calories a day, working out 7 days a week, and still nothing. But it wasn't enough for doctors to believe me. I knew nothing about my thyroid. I didn't even know our bodies had a thyroid! Now, it's different. I know what it is, and what it does. I know mine is damaged. I know that I will need medication for the rest of my life. It's not the end of the world. But that doesn't make it any less frustrating.
Note: This blog isn't to meant to put down any of these diets or weight loss products. If they worked for someone else, I think that's great! I know several people who have had success with each of them. They just didn't work for me personally.
On the positive side, I did push myself this week to take a longer walk than I have in years. It wasn't the easiest thing. And boy did I pay for it later! The pain is excruciating. But, I did it.
I'm hoping to see my doctor soon. I haven't received news about the blood test I had last week. But I do need to speak with him about my Fibromyalgia symptoms. I feel they are getting in the way of my work outs and I'm wondering if there is any way I can alleviate some of their severity with a multi-vitamin. That sounds silly when I see it typed out. But, that's what doctors are for, right? To answer questions about our health, no matter how silly.
Another week down. A pound less than my starting weight. Again, it's something. :)
> - 1 lb
Ok. So one pound down. I'll take it. It's better than a gain!
If I'm being completely honest, I'm still having a hard time not feeling discouraged. I've been working really hard, and I thought at my size the weight would come off faster. I guess, in some ways it proves to me that I wasn't eating so terribly before. I used to second guess my diagnosis. Thinking that my size had more to do with my diet than my hormones. Evidently, that's not the case. And, a part of me already knew that. See, for years I dieted. I tried quite a few. For example:
*Atkins - worked for about a month, then stalled and never worked for me again. I only lost maybe 5-10 pounds. Then nothing. Plus the first two weeks were murder without milk!
*Diet Pills and appetite suppressants - Not a good idea. I don't have much of an appetite to begin with. I honestly don't know what hunger feels like, because I don't feel it. I just eat whenever I'm supposed to eat according to the time of day, or when someone tells me I need to. With these types of pills, I wouldn't eat all day. Just the thought of eating made me sick to my stomach. I remember taking Slimquick, and I would go a couple days just drinking water because I would actually forget to eat. So unhealthy. And, still it didn't work. No significant amount of weight lost.
*Slim Fast - Didn't lose a single pound. Not even one.
*Nutrisystem - the food literally tasted like cardboard. I was not a fan. And it was the only food I really had in the house since I was living by myself. The only thing I would buy was fresh fruits, veggies, and water. I would choke down about half the meal, none of the "snacks" and that was it. Less than 900 calories a day. Lost maybe a total of 10 pounds over a few months. But it was still not healthy for me. And it was too expensive. My family had offered to pay for this program, because they wanted to help. I still felt guilty over how much it was, and the fact that I had so many left over snacks because I didn't like them.
At one point, I even went to my doctor and asked for a referral to see a specialist. He sent me to a Gastroenterology center to see a dietician and a nutritionist. The first appointment, they asked me to keep a food diary of everything I ate for one month. I did. I recorded everything, down to a half a stick of gum I had to freshen my breath after lunch. They told me not to tally up the calories. They were just trying to get a baseline for what I typically ate. They assured me that they would tally up the calories themselves when I came back. Sure enough, they did. And they said I wasn't eating enough! They were also concerned that my metabolism was too low. Maybe I was deficient in B vitamins. So, they gave me a B12 shot. It was supposed to give me energy. It didn't. It knocked me out for three days. I was so tired I could barely move. I followed their diet and exercise plan. Even going so far as to do MORE exercise than they recommended. I walked to the gym, worked out for at least an hour, and walked home six days a week. On the seventh day, I went for at least a 2-3 mile walk. I had people who did this with me, though they ate whatever they wanted. And they lost quite a bit of weight. When I went back to the center, I had gained weight. Roughly 20 pounds if memory serves. They were floored and accused me of lying in my food journal. Luckily, I wasn't alone. I had brought the person who had been with me every day! He knew I wasn't lying. Eventually they believed me, but they couldn't figure out what was wrong. They told me to keep trying. I was so hurt by their disbelief, I never went back.
So there was my proof. Eating less than 900 calories a day, working out 7 days a week, and still nothing. But it wasn't enough for doctors to believe me. I knew nothing about my thyroid. I didn't even know our bodies had a thyroid! Now, it's different. I know what it is, and what it does. I know mine is damaged. I know that I will need medication for the rest of my life. It's not the end of the world. But that doesn't make it any less frustrating.
Note: This blog isn't to meant to put down any of these diets or weight loss products. If they worked for someone else, I think that's great! I know several people who have had success with each of them. They just didn't work for me personally.
On the positive side, I did push myself this week to take a longer walk than I have in years. It wasn't the easiest thing. And boy did I pay for it later! The pain is excruciating. But, I did it.
I'm hoping to see my doctor soon. I haven't received news about the blood test I had last week. But I do need to speak with him about my Fibromyalgia symptoms. I feel they are getting in the way of my work outs and I'm wondering if there is any way I can alleviate some of their severity with a multi-vitamin. That sounds silly when I see it typed out. But, that's what doctors are for, right? To answer questions about our health, no matter how silly.
Another week down. A pound less than my starting weight. Again, it's something. :)
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