[nichalps]

I'm sorry, I probably sound extremely whiney and annoying, but I seriously, seriously need to vent. I have quite literally tried everything under the sun and simply cannot lose weight, period. At first I wasn't eating enough, went to a nutritionist, follow her instructions to a tee, gained weight from it, kept at it since I was expecting to gain weight since I hadn't eaten enough for a very long time, eventually lost that weight (I was/am going to the gym basically everyday) and am right back where I started months ago. I don't eat too much or too little, I don't go to the gym too much or too little and nothing about my body or weight is changing. My measurements are exactly the same, my weight is exactly the same and I still feel awful about myself...even moreso because my doctor told me that I was overweight and then proceeded to lecture my mother on "why she let me get like this" (which was heartbreaking on a completely different level because, although I knew I wasn't exactly thin, I never considered myself to be "overweight" or "obese" by any sense of the term). And now I really, really don't know what to do.<br><br><br><br>
Opinions? Advice? Inspirational stories? Anyone?

 

[karenlovessnow]

How about a <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/hug.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title=":hug:"> It's about all I can do since I'm having the same problem. I know I eat enough. I don't think I eat too much either. Considering before I went vegan I was eating 1-2 donuts a day, candy bars, and tons of cheese, you would think I would be losing weight now. I have been exercising faithfully for two years also. For me, I think it's an age/hormonal thing. I don't have anything else to blame it on. Sorry. I thought perhaps misery would like some company.

 

[nichalps]

Yes, misery enjoys company a lot. At least I know I'm not alone...if you don't mind my asking, what are your weight-stats and all that?

 

[karenlovessnow]

I'm just under 5'5" and 138 lbs. I don't have all that much to lose, 10 would be great, but I'd settle for 5-6. It's just frustrating considering how healthy I eat now compared to what I was eating less than a year ago. Seriously, I think the beans/legumes are doing me in, even though they are supposedly complex carbos and good for you. It's how I get most of my protein. I don't like to eat too much soy. And I go heavy on the green veggies as well.

 

[GhostUser]

<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>nichalps</strong> <a href="/forum/post/0"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a><br><br>
Yes, misery enjoys company a lot. At least I know I'm not alone...if you don't mind my asking, what are your weight-stats and all that?</div>
</div>
<br><br><br>
you really can't go by what someone else weighs. everyone has different frame sizes and muscle density. weight, BMI etc.... it's all subjective.<br><br><br><br>
do this: eat fresh, whole foods(no processed junk like no fat yogurt, etc), and a good mix of fat, carbs and protein at every meal. eat between 1500-2000 calories a day, depending on how active you are.<br><br><br><br>
exercise regularly at a activity you enjoy. everything will even out, just be patient.

 

[nichalps]

I've been patient for months...and it's getting hard to believe that everything will even out when absolutely nothing about me/my body has changed at all. I know I sound cynical, but at this point, I'm not too sure I can be anything else but. Oh well, I guess I'll just keep doing what I've been doing. It's not really hard work for me because I generally don't like any types of junk food and enjoy working out a lot, it's just so frustrating to see absolutely no results whatsoever. And I can't even blame it on some type of thyroid problem, because I got bloodwork done for all that. I'm hopeless haha

 

[LadyFaile]

are you sure nothing's changed? the first things you'll notice if you pay attention is your energy levels will go up. you'll find it easier to get out of bed, stay alert through the day etc.<br><br>
if you're working out as well as eating healthy, you'll gain muscle while you burn fat. muscle is heavy, and the fat hides it. so you won't notice a difference in appearance right away. make sure you have a good balance of strength building and fat burning excercises. as the fat goes the muscles will be more visible. you may not lose lbs or inches right away but you will look more toned and healthy. keep at it. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/smiley.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="">

 

[nichalps]

Hmm, yeah I'm pretty sure I have a good balance of fat burning and strength building exercises...but do you have any advice about that? I don't really have a solid workout routine when I go to the gym, so I think maybe that might be a problem.

 

[angaustinbrody]

maybe you are at YOUR ideal weight. i've read that if your eating healthy and working out..once your body hits the perfect weight for YOUR body, you will maintain.

 

[nichalps]

I'd believe that if my doctor didn't tell me I was overweight and then proceed to yell at my mother for letting me get like this.<br><br><br><br>
Again, I'm sorry I'm being cynical and impossible, but this really sucks.

 

[Dirty Martini]

What does your workout look like?<br><br><br><br>
When I was going to the gym, I went 3 time a week for an hour at a time. 30 minutes of treadmill (running as much as I could) and 30 minutes of circuit (weights, situps, etc).<br><br><br><br>
I cut out second helpings, I cut out soda, I cut out chips & fried foods... I watched my portion sizes and any time I still felt hungry, I got some water or did something else (worked in the garden, watched TV, went for a walk). It worked.

 

[Sauteedbeans]

Running or jogging.<br><br>
Weight will drop for sure.<br><br>
You didn't mention your current weight and height, or did you already and I missed it? Start by walking and then go into lite jogging.

 

[Poppy]

I hope this is okay to post, but here's a website that I really like. <a href="http://www.MyFoodDiary.com" target="_blank">www.MyFoodDiary.com</a>. It's basically a lot like Fit Day, but a LOT easier to use. It costs $9.00 a month, and you can drop out anytime. I think if you go to the site you can brouse through the various pages. It really helps me track my calories in and calories out because the calorie needs are based on my stats - not just generalizations. I was basically in your boat, Karen, not really overweight but wanting to drop a couple of #s, and this site really helped.<br><br><br><br>
MFD gives you a calorie quota for losing .7 #s per week and a calorie quota for maintaining your present weight. You get extra calories for exercising. So as you log your food and your exercise, as long as you stay within the parameters, you lose weight - at a slow and reasonable speed. It works surprisingly well, I think.<br><br><br><br>
Warning - the forum on the site is pretty silly, and there are hardly any vegetarians, so I rarely even look at it anymore.

 

[DJ Nitro]

<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">I'd believe that if my doctor didn't tell me I was overweight and then proceed to yell at my mother for letting me get like this.<br><br><br><br>
Again, I'm sorry I'm being cynical and impossible, but this really sucks.</div>
</div>
<br><br><br>
Let me state this as plainly as I can: DOCTORS ARE NOT INFALLIBLE!! They are sometimes right and sometimes wrong--like mechanics, or plumbers. They have a specialty, but they are not god. There is massive weight hysteria in the medical community of late (you can see that in many threads that have happened in this board alone) and you sound like a casualty of that. What is most important is that you eat healthily and exercise and that you maintain a weight that is healthy for you. You can seriously screw yourself up trying to "diet" as you will probably yo yo up and down, which is worse for your body than being slightly overweight.<br><br><br><br>
The chart weights are bullsh** and doctors are often full of sh**. Think about it this way: many doctors would tell you (especially in the past) that you cannot be a healthy vegan or veggie. Are they right? Would you get so down on yourself if the doctor lectured your mom about that?<br><br><br><br>
Seriously, girl. You gotta live your life the way you know you need to. F that doctor. Be healthy. Be happy. Feel good about the healthy, young, strong, disease free body that you have. Seriously.

 

[bstutzma]

My best guess: Try eating a little less - if you need to lose weight, and aren't, you're either eating too much, or not exercising enough. One of my dearest friends has this problem - she eats very healthy foods for lunch - pita sandwiches, fruit, cottage cheese, etc. - and exercises 3 times a week. But her portions are too big. Yeah, fruit isn't bad for you, but if you eat too much of anything with calories, you'll gain weight. A banana as a midmorning snack and an apple and pretzels as a snack in the afternoon will really add up.<br><br><br><br>
The other thing that works WONDERS: Don't drink ANYTHING but water. Soda and juice, smoothies, lattes, etc, are PACKED with calories. You don't need them.<br><br><br><br>
My husband was the same as you - eating very healthy food, exercising - but just slightly too large portions. He watches what he eats pretty carefully now, and exercises almost daily - and he's lost a ton of weight and looks great. hang in there, it will happen for you!

 

[nichalps]

<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>bstutzma</strong> <a href="/forum/post/0"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a><br><br>
My best guess: Try eating a little less - if you need to lose weight, and aren't, you're either eating too much, or not exercising enough. One of my dearest friends has this problem - she eats very healthy foods for lunch - pita sandwiches, fruit, cottage cheese, etc. - and exercises 3 times a week. But her portions are too big. Yeah, fruit isn't bad for you, but if you eat too much of anything with calories, you'll gain weight. A banana as a midmorning snack and an apple and pretzels as a snack in the afternoon will really add up.<br><br><br><br>
The other thing that works WONDERS: Don't drink ANYTHING but water. Soda and juice, smoothies, lattes, etc, are PACKED with calories. You don't need them.<br><br><br><br>
My husband was the same as you - eating very healthy food, exercising - but just slightly too large portions. He watches what he eats pretty carefully now, and exercises almost daily - and he's lost a ton of weight and looks great. hang in there, it will happen for you!</div>
</div>
<br><br><br><br><br>
I can't eat any less than I already do. That was my problem in the first place - I wasn't eating enough (less than 500 calories a day to be exact). And I don't like anything but water anyway. In a way, I wish I always drank soda and all that other stuff because I know so many people who dropped 10 pounds by just eliminating soda and juice from their diets...but I've never drank anything besides for water. Occasionally I drink tea, but with nothing in it.<br><br><br><br>
I really appreciate all of you responding to me, but I can't be any more right in what I'm doing. I don't eat anything unhealthy, I eat healthy portions and just the right amount of food, I exercise (which includes cardio and weight training), I drink enough water etc etc. I keep an eating journal, an excercise journal, etc etc. And still I'm exactly the same as I was months ago. I want a magic pill, that would be nice haha. I just don't understand how people can be so thin. I know, I know, celebrities starve themselves and do cocaine, but I've tried that too (the starving myself...not the cocaine part) and that didn't work either. I'm probably just stuck at this weight/body for the rest of my life. Until I get older, then it will get worse!

 

[Sunny]

You said you've been working out for months and have reached a plateau. Have you been doing the exact same routine for months? That could be your problem. If you haven't changed up your routine or increased your intensity, your body will get used to the workout and not burn calories as efficiently.<br><br><br><br>
Have you tried circuit training, as OregonAmy suggested, or interval training? Body for Life is an excellent program that incorporates these. I know I probably sound like a broken record since I'm constantly recommending this workout on VB, but it really works.<br><br><br><br><a href="http://www.bodyforlife.com/exercise/index.asp" target="_blank">http://www.bodyforlife.com/exercise/index.asp</a>

 

[Vegan Joe]

My thought is this: and please don't take me wrong or let this upset you,<br><br>
but maybe your expectations are to high. It took you a lifetime to get were you're at. Have patients, my daughter is much like this, in that she always expects instant gradification. Give it some time possibly the rest of your lifetime. Be persistant, don't expect big changes overnight. Don't give up.

 

[LadyFaile]

you need more than 500 calories a day. your body is in starvation mode and holding any fat it takes in.<br><br>
eat more to lose weight