Aa
Help
I thought I knew how to do this, but apparently not!! I was browsing through several websites that have calculators for how many calories are required daily. What they tell me ranges anywhere from 1200 calories/day to 2466 calories/day.
I am a 59 yr old, female, 5' tall, 144 lbs, moderately active (walk 2-3 mi/day, work out at least 30 min/day, yoga, etc), hypothyroid, vitamin B-12 deficient. I am trying to lose about 30 lbs - and having no luck. If I weight a pound less today, I'll weigh 2 pounds more tomorrow. Have been trying to keep calories < 1200/day, but maybe that's too many? I eat several times/day rather than 3 large meals and stick with "healthy" stuff (veggies, whole grains, lean meat, fruit, etc), so I'm doing everything pretty much right, except now I'm confused about the number of calories I should be consuming and wonder if I'm really not getting enough, which could make my body hold onto the fat.
I recently joined this community and visit it regularly, so I know everyone has some really good ideas and I would appreciate your thoughts. Thanks and hope everyone has a great weekend.
I am a 59 yr old, female, 5' tall, 144 lbs, moderately active (walk 2-3 mi/day, work out at least 30 min/day, yoga, etc), hypothyroid, vitamin B-12 deficient. I am trying to lose about 30 lbs - and having no luck. If I weight a pound less today, I'll weigh 2 pounds more tomorrow. Have been trying to keep calories < 1200/day, but maybe that's too many? I eat several times/day rather than 3 large meals and stick with "healthy" stuff (veggies, whole grains, lean meat, fruit, etc), so I'm doing everything pretty much right, except now I'm confused about the number of calories I should be consuming and wonder if I'm really not getting enough, which could make my body hold onto the fat.
I recently joined this community and visit it regularly, so I know everyone has some really good ideas and I would appreciate your thoughts. Thanks and hope everyone has a great weekend.
COMMUNITY LEADER
Thanks for your comments. It's encouraging to know that I haven't been doing EVERYTHING all wrong!!
I've been on the B-12 since Aug 07 & synthroid since Jun 08. My last labs were done in Sep 08, at which time my TSH was 0.03 and synthroid was dropped from 100 to 88 mcg. Am scheduled for labs again this coming Friday and dr appt on the 19th.
I've had a physcially active job for the last 5 yrs so that's not new. I started actually working out for a minimum of 30 min/day about 2 months ago. I have not tried Skailark's measurement idea, but I will; however, I'm pretty sure that I probably have gained more muscle, as I can tell by the way my body reacts and also some of my clothes fit a bit different. Although the tape measure is not a real good friend right now, I promise to give it a try!!
No, Skailark, I'm not a quitter, so will continue on and hope that I start seeing results on the scale soon. I just wanted to make sure I wasn't sabotaging myself by eating too many/not enough calories. I'm not looking for anything fast and because of my familty history of heart problems and diabetes, I do not want to do anything drastic. I'd just like to see some results of my hard work and have a slow, steady loss. I pretty much stopped eating sugar months ago, but am looking into switching over to a mostly diabetic diet. After my labs are done, I'm hoping my dr will let me bump my B-12 shots to once a week rather than every 2 weeks and I'm not totally convinced that I'm on the best thryoid med for me. I'm also planning to talk to my dr about possible insulin resistance.
For the most part I feel pretty good most of the time, except the week prior to a B-12 shot, I start feeling run down. Only other problem is that I wake up every hour or so during the night, so not getting much uninterrupted sleep.
Any other comments or suggestions are more than welcome and I'm happy to be in the land of the "turtles".
I've been on the B-12 since Aug 07 & synthroid since Jun 08. My last labs were done in Sep 08, at which time my TSH was 0.03 and synthroid was dropped from 100 to 88 mcg. Am scheduled for labs again this coming Friday and dr appt on the 19th.
I've had a physcially active job for the last 5 yrs so that's not new. I started actually working out for a minimum of 30 min/day about 2 months ago. I have not tried Skailark's measurement idea, but I will; however, I'm pretty sure that I probably have gained more muscle, as I can tell by the way my body reacts and also some of my clothes fit a bit different. Although the tape measure is not a real good friend right now, I promise to give it a try!!
No, Skailark, I'm not a quitter, so will continue on and hope that I start seeing results on the scale soon. I just wanted to make sure I wasn't sabotaging myself by eating too many/not enough calories. I'm not looking for anything fast and because of my familty history of heart problems and diabetes, I do not want to do anything drastic. I'd just like to see some results of my hard work and have a slow, steady loss. I pretty much stopped eating sugar months ago, but am looking into switching over to a mostly diabetic diet. After my labs are done, I'm hoping my dr will let me bump my B-12 shots to once a week rather than every 2 weeks and I'm not totally convinced that I'm on the best thryoid med for me. I'm also planning to talk to my dr about possible insulin resistance.
For the most part I feel pretty good most of the time, except the week prior to a B-12 shot, I start feeling run down. Only other problem is that I wake up every hour or so during the night, so not getting much uninterrupted sleep.
Any other comments or suggestions are more than welcome and I'm happy to be in the land of the "turtles".
Hi there,
Sounds like you know your stuff and are going about things in a healthful way. I was wondering how long you've been at it? Maybe you just need to give your body a little more time to adjust? We joke here about being "turtles," because lots of us agree that sudden drastic weightloss or fads are not the way to go.
Skailark has a good idea there to take some measurements. If you've recently increased your activity, your body could be shifing more weight to muscle. Lean tisse is more dense than fatty tissue, so your weight could be the same (or even a little higher!) but you could still be building a more healthy bod.
Ha, of course I don't practice what I preach--Me and the measuring tape don't get along too well!
Good luck and hang in there!
Sounds like you know your stuff and are going about things in a healthful way. I was wondering how long you've been at it? Maybe you just need to give your body a little more time to adjust? We joke here about being "turtles," because lots of us agree that sudden drastic weightloss or fads are not the way to go.
Skailark has a good idea there to take some measurements. If you've recently increased your activity, your body could be shifing more weight to muscle. Lean tisse is more dense than fatty tissue, so your weight could be the same (or even a little higher!) but you could still be building a more healthy bod.
Ha, of course I don't practice what I preach--Me and the measuring tape don't get along too well!
Good luck and hang in there!
Hey Barb!
Listen! I know it can be hard, frustrating, annoying at times and even you will go to a point where you might wanna give up..but that's not waht we do at times of difficulties.
Losers quit and you are not one them! You are one of us and we fight and keep moving forward till our last breath!
I am pretty certain that 1200- 1500 calories a day and 3 meals and 3 snacks is the way to go..Please donot be saddened at the fact that you are not losing weight and fluctuating. Partly it can happen due to the meds but it will continue to improve i am sure!
Please always dont depend on the scale take measurements of your arms, thighs,chest and see if you are losing inches...I am sure if you take these measurments you will see changes, positive changes each week!
If you have hit a plateau then there are certain things i woud like you to do..
Please follow this article - How to survive a plateau - http://tinyurl.com/6dcepn
You will find loads of info there...
Hey know that we are here to help you and know no matter what we will stand by you!
Listen! I know it can be hard, frustrating, annoying at times and even you will go to a point where you might wanna give up..but that's not waht we do at times of difficulties.
Losers quit and you are not one them! You are one of us and we fight and keep moving forward till our last breath!
I am pretty certain that 1200- 1500 calories a day and 3 meals and 3 snacks is the way to go..Please donot be saddened at the fact that you are not losing weight and fluctuating. Partly it can happen due to the meds but it will continue to improve i am sure!
Please always dont depend on the scale take measurements of your arms, thighs,chest and see if you are losing inches...I am sure if you take these measurments you will see changes, positive changes each week!
If you have hit a plateau then there are certain things i woud like you to do..
Please follow this article - How to survive a plateau - http://tinyurl.com/6dcepn
You will find loads of info there...
Hey know that we are here to help you and know no matter what we will stand by you!
The calorie info probably is correct.....wondering why you cant loose is the question.
I am hypothyroid..(I can loose and gain like others change their socks) and Vit B12 (I am too goes with thyroid stuff) deficient. Both of those little buggers screw up your metabolism. Lately my plan has been to eat from all food groups, (a little lighter in the carb department), exercise daily and make sure that I am taking my supplements.
Another question is when did you have your labs checked last, you may need a med change for your thyroid.
Dont be frustrated, I know its hard. Hang in there you are doing all the right things. Look me up if you want to talk.
Have a good weekend,
Red ( julie )
I am hypothyroid..(I can loose and gain like others change their socks) and Vit B12 (I am too goes with thyroid stuff) deficient. Both of those little buggers screw up your metabolism. Lately my plan has been to eat from all food groups, (a little lighter in the carb department), exercise daily and make sure that I am taking my supplements.
Another question is when did you have your labs checked last, you may need a med change for your thyroid.
Dont be frustrated, I know its hard. Hang in there you are doing all the right things. Look me up if you want to talk.
Have a good weekend,
Red ( julie )
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Weight Loss and Fitness Community
14 super-healthy foods that are worth the hype
Small changes make a big impact with these easy ways to cut hundreds of calories a day.
Forget the fountain of youth – try flossing instead! Here are 11 surprising ways to live longer.
From STD tests to mammograms, find out which screening tests you need - and when to get them.
Tips and moves to ease backaches
Here are 12 simple – and fun! – ways to boost your brainpower.
