I’ve Never Been Able to Lose Weight

By January 23, 2013

I’m writing because I’ve always been overweight (according to that BMI and doctors) and have never been able to lose the weight in my life. I think the most I’ve ever lost was five pounds in a period of six weeks and that was on Weight Watchers, which I couldn’t eat all they wanted me to eat on that plan. I don’t overeat, although I probably don’t make the best choices since I’m not a big fan of fruits and veggies. I’m 33, a mom of three, happily married, God is so good. I scheduled a doctor’s appointment because I cut out all junk food and ate six small meals for two months. I exercised the most I ever did in my life with a 1/2 hour on the elliptical alternating running and walking, and stretches and toning exercises. I lost absolutely nothing. NOTHING. My husband did the same thing and he lost 22 pounds and he’s 38. Could I have no metabolism at all? I’ll admit that I feared so many foods as a kid that I rarely ate anything healthy. I remember telling my friend I had Doritos for dinner and a slice of bread for lunch. I was just so busy playing and nobody ever made me sit down to eat a normal meal. As a teen, I would skip breakfast and only have a bowel movement once a week, which nobody told me that was abnormal either. By the time I was in college that all changed: I try to eat breakfast everyday or at least grab a granola bar or toast or something. I don’t know what the deal is, but I’m just shy of 5 feet tall and *** pounds. My thyroid is normal. One doctor said I’m at risk for metabolic disorder because my good cholesterol was up a point, which just means I don’t exercise. Does it take more than two months for even just a pound to fall off? What else can I try? Thanks for your help! – Christine

Christine,

This may seem too simplified a response, but have you ever consulted with a registered dietitian (RD)? RDs are trained to assess your current intake and activity and provide recommendations to meet your specific needs.  It may be that you are trying too hard to limit your intake and expend calories and all that is happening is that you are slowing down your own metabolism and getting nowhere.

That might not be the case, but a RD can help evaluate if that is what is going on.

FINDINGbalance has a helpful article about Finding a Nutritionist that could guide you in the right direction.

In the meantime, focus on the fact that you do take care of yourself.  Health isn’t about a number. Good health is most often associated with behaviors such as feeding your body regularly with wholesome foods, moving the body that God has given us to work and play, and minimizing stress (such as stress about our body weight).

I hope the RD referral is helpful.

Eileen Stellefson Myers, MPH, RD, LDN, FADA