Eating less and gaining! :( page

[NYCNoir]

Someone help, I'm going nuts here. I've been doing Primal since last April, and by now I know it's for me (would never consider going back), but right now I'm feeling very discouraged. I was
135 lb last summer, now I'm 145 (I'm 5'5"). My clothes still fit, which is confusing. Muscle gain? If so, why do I see fat bulging everywhere? Ugh. The thing is, I've been eating less in the last few months. First meal around noon, eggs, bacon or steak, avocado, tomato. Second meal at around 7, meat (steak, chicken, salmon) & salad. Drink only coffee w/cream and water. Occasionally have a Greek yogurt or fruit or nuts. Eat no grains except sushi maybe twice a month and potatoes also once or twice a month. I tried giving those things up and... Nothing!

My carbs are in the 40-60 range, calories in 1400-1600s, and have been for months. I do high intensity cardio once a week, light aerobics once a week, and weights whenever I can. I walk a lot. I don't want to be ridiculously thin, I just want to look lean, not like a frumpy mom with granny arms! I'm 36, and I'm healthy (had a thyroid test, but it was clean). I'm beginning to wonder if some of us are just meant to remain chubby for life. :/

[Knifegill]

Add breakfast to the schedule and see if your body is more confident about burning those calories instead of storing them.

[peril]

A lot of thyroid tests check out negative when there is a problem. If you have a problem it can be very hard to shed weight. You have to be well to do it. Did you have a full thyroid panel? If so, post your numbers and someone will comment.

Another problem is that you need to balance your macros within your calorie target. Don't skimp on the protein. Some also find it easier to lose when their carbs are in the 50-100g/day range rather than lower

[HeatherJ]

I find sometimes if I'm stalled, upping my calories for awhile gets my body burning fat again.

And ditto on the protein thing. Don't know if you've seen the post by Paleobird/Bodhi (not sure of originator) discussing protein needs when losing, but basically your goal weight (135?) should be the amount of protein you're eating (135g/day). It has personally helped me a LOT, and Paleobird chronicled her (great) experience in her personal journal on here.

[NYCNoir]

Thanks for the input, guys! I appreciate the advice.

Knifegill: I've tried eating breakfast, even when I didn't feel like it. There was no change.

peril: I was just told it was negative. I'll request a full panel next. Should I consider PCOS? I do have mild acne, but no other related issues.

HeatherJ: That's just it, I'm not stalled. I wasn't losing then stopped losing, I lost then gained back. I don't really have a weight goal, I have a look goal: no flab! Whatever weight I'm at when I get there, I'll be OK with it. Of course I care about health above all, but I feel pretty darn healthy right now. Didn't even get sick this winter (woo-hoo!) I'm going to the Carribean in August and I want to look great in a bikini, sue me. Great advice about protein, though. I checked my FitDay, and my protein is on average in the 60-70s, most of it from meat and eggs. Eek! Too low? Any ideas on how to get more? Thanks!

[MalPaz]

maybe try MUFA fats plus coconut fat over SFA from meat and eggs.... obviously dont rule out health problems but if you didnt have any before i doubt your suddenly suffering after being primal

up your protein maybe if its as low as you say, try maybe more seafood and pork as opposed to fatt beef


JUST THROWIN OUT A THOUGHT, i think MUFAs are outstanding from a nutritional and weight loss perspective

[marcadav]

I was just told it was negative.

It'd important to get copies of all medical test results. Call and ask for a copy of yours. In the US, you are legally entitled to your records. They can charge a minimal fee for making copies (never happened to me) but they must give you copies.

[HeatherJ]

To get more protein, I've just been prioritizing that over everything else. Whereas before I'd rather have some almond or fruit based snack, or more veggies at dinner, now I fill those with protein.

example- Today I didn't feel like eating much so I made sure what I DID eat was mainly protein. one of my meals was 2 hard-boiled eggs, a package of biltong (like south african jerky), and 2 venison sausages. also, whereas before I'd have a chicken breast with half a head of broccoli for dinner, I now have 2 chicken breasts with my veg. It's a challenge to get adequate protein, but I seem to be managing around 130g a day now, versus the 80-90 I was getting before.

[jswanz1]

Maybe try re-prioritizing your exercise schedule. Just 1 day of high intensity cardio, and "weights when you can" may be the problem. It doesn't seem like you are exercising for optimal gene expression.

PB law #4: "Lift Heavy Things" - with solid intensity for at least 25 minutes twice a week
and #5: "Sprint Once In A While" - at least once per week

Also maybe try not worrying so much about what and when you are eating. Just eat when you are hungry and what you are hungry for...sometimes we make things MUCH more complicated than it needs to be. If you just want a BIG salad eat a BIG salad. If you just want a nice BIG steak eat that. Course they don't have to be big...they can be small too! Just look at the big picture as opposed to the daily grind. I definitely don't get the same macros every day. Some days I eat virtually nothing and other days I eat myself out of house and home eating like 4-5 pounds of meat and every single fruit and veggie in the fridge.

I also love Mark's advice for this type of thing. Just look back at the PB laws and make sure you're not off the mark on one or two. Each law serves its purpose and each is just as important as the next for inducing optimal gene expression. Hope this helps...Good Luck!

[Chaohinon]

Calorie reduction + low carb is a recipe for down-regulating your thyroid and telling your body to cling to its fat stores.

I'd recommend having at least one carb-up day a week, and seeing what happens.

Also, what's your pro and pre-biotic intake like? Be sure to have onions, garlic, starchy vegetables, yogurt, saurkraut, etc. as often as you can to really get your gut in shape.