Maintainers, I need help!

[LBishop]

I don't know if anyone else ever feels this way, but I get very frustrated when I constantly over months of time read the same people struggling to lose the same 5 to 10 pounds. I know we're human and this is what makes boards like this so helpful because it's a "we're all in this together" kind of thing, BUT, I need to surround myself with those of you who have made it. I need to quit reading the boards of those who "just keep trying" but never (or so it seems) ever get to goal no matter how long they try. I'm becoming one of those people and I need it to stop NOW. Here's my story:

I have never been terribly overweight. I'm 5'4", 46 year old mom of 3, and I currently weigh 133. 2 years ago, I hit 130 and it lasted about 10 minutes and I slowly crept back up to the higher end of the 130's. I've maintained in the 130's (mid to upper) for 2 years. In late December 08 I got serious about my low carb eating (have been lowcarbing for years though) and went back to induction. On January 1 this year, I weighed 139.4. I have gone up and down between that and 131.8 (my lowest so far) at the end of March. Issues that probably affect my loss are hypothyroid and perimenopause. I've recently taken up running and have also joined a Callanetics challenge to get in several of those in April. I still have fat that needs to go in my stomach mostly but also arms and upper thighs. I know that toning will do alot for me in those areas, but I would really like to be at 125 before I really stop "trying" to lose. If I lose a little more after that, that will be fine also.

My biggest question is, after maintaining for two years at this weight, does this sound incredibly slow even for a pre-maintenance person? I have been keeping my carbs at around 20 grams since January. the last time I ate anything off-plan was Feb 18, my daughters birthday. I would really like to quit playing around with this last 8 pounds or so and move on to maintenance. Do any of you have any advice or wisdom that you can offer from your experience? I figure the best advice comes from those who have done and are maintaining! Thanks!

[TheWildHaggis]

Originally Posted by LBishop

I don't know if anyone else ever feels this way, but I get very frustrated when I constantly over months of time read the same people struggling to lose the same 5 to 10 pounds.

I've been maintaining for 9 long days. Do I count?

As it was pointed out to me recently, most peoples' weight bounces around a bit. I believe this is true as I'm nearly 10 pounds heavier after dinner than I'll become 8am the next day. That's all water weight due to my love/addiction to coffee. So it's no big worry.

On the other hand, if you reach your goal weight, enter into maintenance and see a trend in regaining the weight, it sounds like you never figured out your CCLM or CCLL is. This is key, IMHO, to the successful 5% that maintain for the long term.

[LBishop]

Originally Posted by TheWildHaggis

I've been maintaining for 9 long days. Do I count?

As it was pointed out to me recently, most peoples' weight bounces around a bit. I believe this is true as I'm nearly 10 pounds heavier after dinner than I'll become 8am the next day. That's all water weight due to my love/addiction to coffee. So it's no big worry.

On the other hand, if you reach your goal weight, enter into maintenance and see a trend in regaining the weight, it sounds like you never figured out your CCLM or CCLL is. This is key, IMHO, to the successful 5% that maintain for the long term.

yes, but could it be that less that 20grams is my ccll? Maybe? Congrats on 9 days of maintenance!

[TheWildHaggis]

Originally Posted by LBishop

yes, but could it be that less that 20grams is my ccll? Maybe? Congrats on 9 days of maintenance!

Sure. You might even want to try Dr. Atkins' Fat Fast if things don't start moving. On the other hand, if it's your thyroid, I'd want to rule that in or out first.

[LBishop]

Originally Posted by TheWildHaggis

Sure. You might even want to try Dr. Atkins' Fat Fast if things don't start moving. On the other hand, if it's your thyroid, I'd want to rule that in or out first.

I was diagnosed with hypothyroid about 6 years ago, but am on Armour and doing well with it. I was just saying that it might be slowing me down, but this much?! sheesh! I think I'm going to try really upping my fat today and see what happens.

[dae_tona]

You said you'd been at 20 g of carbs per day...honestly, I would increase it by 5 g. Believe it or not-sometimes this is the very thing that will get the scale moving again. Of course, it's always about trial and error. Also, remember-if you started taking up running, you could be losing inches but not pounds. I would not get caught up too much in the number on the scale as that can just lead to frustration and erractical behavior (from my own experience with my own body) Good luck on your journey and I hope you find what works best for you.

Dyan

PS Also-from my understanding-if you are hypo-you should not be eating less than 30 g carbs per day.

[LBishop]

Originally Posted by dae_tona

You said you'd been at 20 g of carbs per day...honestly, I would increase it by 5 g. Believe it or not-sometimes this is the very thing that will get the scale moving again. Of course, it's always about trial and error. Also, remember-if you started taking up running, you could be losing inches but not pounds. I would not get caught up too much in the number on the scale as that can just lead to frustration and erractical behavior (from my own experience with my own body) Good luck on your journey and I hope you find what works best for you.

Dyan

PS Also-from my understanding-if you are hypo-you should not be eating less than 30 g carbs per day.

yes, I've been telling myself not to obsess and then I start obsessing again. I didn't know I should up my carbs for hypo. hmmm.....all so confusing but I think I will up my carbs instead of going lower. I've had some really low days already that don't seem to really be working. THanks!

[Prairieprof]

I think I've read repeatedly on this site that people with hypothyroidism need more than 20g a day of carbs to lose. Heck, I'd move up to 40-50g and see how you do. I am your same age (OK a year older!), same height, and hypothyroid, and lost my weight at a considerably higher carb level (I can't be more precise, since I only got fully educated about low-carb and really counted [for a while, not at the moment] when I had pretty much reached maintenance stage). I've maintained with little difficulty in the 116-119 range for about a year and a half now.

Serious resistance training (weights) seems to help too.

[LBishop]

Originally Posted by Prairieprof

I think I've read repeatedly on this site that people with hypothyroidism need more than 20g a day of carbs to lose. Heck, I'd move up to 40-50g and see how you do. I am your same age (OK a year older!), same height, and hypothyroid, and lost my weight at a considerably higher carb level (I can't be more precise, since I only got fully educated about low-carb and really counted [for a while, not at the moment] when I had pretty much reached maintenance stage). I've maintained with little difficulty in the 116-119 range for about a year and a half now.

Serious resistance training (weights) seems to help too.

Thanks! I really appreciate the help and insight in here! What about calories? Do you watch your calories? Yesterday I upped my carbs to 30 grams and ended up with 2000 calories! I'm up a little today which I would expect anyway, considering that I upped them and considering that all the extra carbs were consumed late last night.

[Prairieprof]

I'm really not counting anything at present, as I haven't been having trouble maintaining. I cut back high-calorie extras like nuts and cheese when I need to bring my weight down a little. I'd be surprised if I often eat under 1,500, though, and I bet I'm a good bit higher on many days.

I'm not sure why increasing carbs would greatly increase calories. Try to get most of the carbs from veggies and fruit. A carrot or an apple, for example (both of which I snack on) has more carbs than a handful of nuts but a LOT fewer calories. (FWIW, I rarely eat any form of grains, though I do eat a good bit of cultured dairy.)

[Leo41]

If you're hypo and in perimenopause, I suspect that you need to watch calories as well as carbs. As everyone has commented, you should aim for at least 30g of carbs a day, but that should not add calories. I get my carbs almost entirely from veggies--very low cal.

Just experiment to see what calorie level works for you. Be prepared because as you advance into menopause, you may discover that you have to cut calories further to maintain, but for now, just try to find the number that lets you lose.

[LBishop]

Originally Posted by Prairieprof

I'm really not counting anything at present, as I haven't been having trouble maintaining. I cut back high-calorie extras like nuts and cheese when I need to bring my weight down a little. I'd be surprised if I often eat under 1,500, though, and I bet I'm a good bit higher on many days.

I'm not sure why increasing carbs would greatly increase calories. Try to get most of the carbs from veggies and fruit. A carrot or an apple, for example (both of which I snack on) has more carbs than a handful of nuts but a LOT fewer calories. (FWIW, I rarely eat any form of grains, though I do eat a good bit of cultured dairy.)

Thanks PrairieProf, I added an apple in yesterday and added in extra veggies today. I haven't tallied my carb level yet, but I will try upping my carbs some and see if it helps. THanks!

[LBishop]

I just tallied todays food in fitday and I had 53.7 grams of carbs. Makes me really nervous! At the same time, I excited to see what happens. My calories were probably a little high....1700...sigh.....trying to balance this out.

[roxy015]

LBISHOP not sure if you remember me stalling a few weeks back? well i started upping my carbs (unintentionally, on holidays haha) last week and ive lost 2.2kg! i def recommend it... ive gone from 3 months at 20g carbs or less right up to 50g carbs overnight, mostly from dairy but i tried muesli today so i will c how that goes... you can only try

[LBishop]

Originally Posted by roxy015

LBISHOP not sure if you remember me stalling a few weeks back? well i started upping my carbs (unintentionally, on holidays haha) last week and ive lost 2.2kg! i def recommend it... ive gone from 3 months at 20g carbs or less right up to 50g carbs overnight, mostly from dairy but i tried muesli today so i will c how that goes... you can only try

Thanks Bianca, Today I had a whopping 79.4 grams of carbs. Not the ideal and I won't do that again, but I was out and bought some trail mix and meant to stop at a more reasonable amount, but we KNOW how that goes sometimes. I did 4 miles on the treadmill tonight though so maybe that will help counteract the carbs.

[roxy015]

how did you go after eating 53.7g of carbs yesterday? did you weigh?

[LBishop]

Originally Posted by roxy015

how did you go after eating 53.7g of carbs yesterday? did you weigh?

This morning, I was the same, BUT, I ovulated yesterday and I always bloat up during this time. I felt myself losing the bloat today, but I did a dumb thing and drank an Atkins shake and I'm bloated again. I just found out that it has soy in it and that's a no-no for hypothyroiders and I'm really bloated from it. Who knows what will show tomorrow. Before I drank the shake I was at the same weight as I was this morning, so I figure I have lost some, but it may not show up tomorrow. We'll see.

[roxy015]

ok keep me updated

[Prairieprof]

OK, but remember, it might take a week or so for your body to adjust to the higher carb level . . . don't make yourself crazy by expecting results on a daily basis. (Easier to say than do, I know.) FWIW I've never noticed all that clear of a correlation between what I eat one day and what I weigh the next, though I've certainly looked for it.

[karenann33]

I'm slowly adding carbs in (will go up to 30 on Sat) and while my weight loss has slowed I AM losing a little bit. But I am watching calories. For me I try to stay under 1,400 and how I do that is by eating lean meats (fish, chicken, seafood) for one meal and red meat for the other. My extra carbs come from salads, veggies which are lo cal to start with and they are filling.

I also don't eat a lot of bacon or sausage. Moderation is key on those things. A slice or two on a burger is one thing but to eat an entire package will definately show up on the scale for me.

[LBishop]

Well, I have given myself a little too much leeway on the carbs, I think......OR maybe not. Strange thing is, I've eaten more carbs than I meant to two days in a row, but my weight seems to be moving in the right direction. I'm bloated though and I attribute it to the carbs. Strange that I could feel so bloated and yet still be in deep ketosis and be eating so many more carbs. Today it was about 70grams. I'll lower that some tomorrow though as I'm afraid it might backfire. If I lower it and the weight goes back up, I'll know I need to increase again. Who'd have ever thought I wasn't eating enough carbs. Anyone know the science behind hypothyroiders needing more carbs?

[LBishop]

Originally Posted by karenann33

I'm slowly adding carbs in (will go up to 30 on Sat) and while my weight loss has slowed I AM losing a little bit. But I am watching calories. For me I try to stay under 1,400 and how I do that is by eating lean meats (fish, chicken, seafood) for one meal and red meat for the other. My extra carbs come from salads, veggies which are lo cal to start with and they are filling.

I also don't eat a lot of bacon or sausage. Moderation is key on those things. A slice or two on a burger is one thing but to eat an entire package will definately show up on the scale for me.

I'm doing the same thing, but did better today. Kept my calories at around 1100. I have also stopped having my bacon and eggs for breakfast which was a staple for me for months. I now have an egg cream.

[roxy015]

Originally Posted by LBishop

Well, I have given myself a little too much leeway on the carbs, I think......OR maybe not. Strange thing is, I've eaten more carbs than I meant to two days in a row, but my weight seems to be moving in the right direction. I'm bloated though and I attribute it to the carbs. Strange that I could feel so bloated and yet still be in deep ketosis and be eating so many more carbs. Today it was about 70grams. I'll lower that some tomorrow though as I'm afraid it might backfire. If I lower it and the weight goes back up, I'll know I need to increase again. Who'd have ever thought I wasn't eating enough carbs. Anyone know the science behind hypothyroiders needing more carbs?

im the same... been having wholegrain bread the last few mornings, still sitting at around 50g of carbs a day and i am down to 60.2kg today cant wait to be in the 50's!

[LBishop]

Originally Posted by roxy015

im the same... been having wholegrain bread the last few mornings, still sitting at around 50g of carbs a day and i am down to 60.2kg today cant wait to be in the 50's!

wtg! I overate yesterday...all legal stuff, just way too much of it. Today has been much better!

[Chef]

Originally Posted by LBishop

wtg! I overate yesterday...all legal stuff, just way too much of it. Today has been much better!

Hi LB,

I did great all day but after my dinner. I ate more like you all good but to much. I always say that I heard that it is good to have extra on a regular basis so the body doesn't go on starvation. I like thinking this beecause then I don't feel so bad about being bad...

Best of luck.. I have enjoyed your thread here. Please feel free to join Mary and I in the Exercise Board for the Fat Burning/Strength Training Thread if you want.

Cheers,

Jim

[sugarless4life]

IMO, its best to "mix things up" to keep your body guessing. That's what works best for me and I've been a successful maintainer for the past 6 1/2 years. There are days I eat alot more carbs and then days I eat very few. Depends on my activity/exercise plan for the day. Weight fluctuations are NORMAL unless you're dead .. so relax and let your body "do its thing". Focus on eating healthy non-starchy carbs, nothing refined or starchy and you'll be fine.

Betty

[LBishop]

Originally Posted by sugarless4life

IMO, its best to "mix things up" to keep your body guessing. That's what works best for me and I've been a successful maintainer for the past 6 1/2 years. There are days I eat alot more carbs and then days I eat very few. Depends on my activity/exercise plan for the day. Weight fluctuations are NORMAL unless you're dead .. so relax and let your body "do its thing". Focus on eating healthy non-starchy carbs, nothing refined or starchy and you'll be fine.

Betty

Hey Betty! Thanks and coincidentally, I have begun the JUDDD woe which I'm finding I really like and have increased my carbs some and am still losing. Also, I wanted to tell you, I ran 4 miles last night! My farthest so far!