Not losing weight page

[klawler9]

I've done the low carb thing many times and each time I've lost weight initially then fell off for one reason or another. This time around I am committed to seeing what kind of health and vitality I can achieve and, moreover, I just don't want to eat the SAD diet anymore.

I've been doing the no carb thing for a couple of weeks with barely a break other than a couple of beers with two soft-shell tacos one night.

Something is different this time. I am not having that daily "my pants are even looser today than yesterday" feeling.

The only thing that is different now than before is that after five years of hard work I have finally gotten my digestive system back to what it should be after 25 years of gut trouble. A combination of limited diet, probiotics and alot of vitamin D have all helped to fix my "leaky gut". All digestive issues are gone, anxiety is gone, energy levels are well above the chronic fatigue place I lived for years but not what I would call optimal.

So I am confused. I am not exercising at the moment but have never needed it in the past to jump start the weight loss. I'll stick to the primal way this time no matter what but I am not understanding why I appear to be holding or possible even gaining a bit this time. (also, I'm eating less calories than usual and am not over eating and am not hungry)

[Digby]

The only thing that works for me is counting the calories and carbs, and being careful with the fats. I know many people on this blog don't have to do this, but if the weight isn't shifting, then chances are there is too much of something happening. If you have a sluggish metabolism or are insulin resistant, then it all matters.

[Moochy]

you have to be active, that is...exercise. I find that when I miss/skip my exercise routine, I will gain weight and my body just doesn't feel right.

[Dragonfly]

Read this: The Blog of Michael R. Eades, M.D. » Low-carb and calories

[peril]

PB has 10 laws. If you want to get to your ideal weight you have to observe all of them

[DFH]

The only thing that works for me is counting the calories and carbs, and being careful with the fats. I know many people on this blog don't have to do this, but if the weight isn't shifting, then chances are there is too much of something happening. If you have a sluggish metabolism or are insulin resistant, then it all matters.

This was my experience too. Having an extended illness like leaky gut, and the resulting fatigue matters a great deal too. This can change your hormone balance, just like insulin resistance will. I don't agree that the answer is simply to "exercise it off." Blood chemistry comes first. PB is the right choice, and if something is making it stall, investigate that in light of past medical history.

I had major troubles finding a doc that could sort everything out, and one in 2007 found hypothyroid, adrenal fatigue (low testosterone, cortisol actually low due to fatigue), and chronic fatigue all at once. His first prescription was VLC eating, PB style, and the right hormones. It all had to work together and weight loss started right away. I tried exercising many times to speed up progress and this never worked. Blood chemistry comes first. You can figure it out and do fine. It may require a hormone doc, but you can do it. Good luck!

[klawler9]

I just went outside and pulled both quad muscles doing sprints with the kids felt good doing it too!

I really think I need to exercise totally differently now. I am a competitive swimmer and a novice mnt and road biker but I think the sprints and the weights are going to be the only way to go until I drop the 25 pounds. I think I'll move up on the mnt bike from novice to competitive if I do lose the weight.

[klawler9]

Thanks DFH. Sounds like you understand what I went through. I see it all the time with people around me now and it's tough to reach them.

Now that I am healthy I want to look like this Mark character who I am not entirely sure is real

[klawler9]

I thought about this alot last night. My best guess is that when my gut wasn't working properly and I had a fair amount of inflammation throughout my body that a by product of that was water retention. In the past when I would stop eating foods that caused inflammation and water retention I would probably be losing that water over a period of a few days which would show up as dramatic weight loss and looser fitting clothes. In time actual weight loss would occur at a steady rate so the weight loss would continue.

I'm committed. Quads hurt this morning though..

[BarbeyGirl]

How's your sleep? 8+ hours nightly in a dark room?