I think I've hit a bit of a slump. I know most here are trying to lose weight, but wondered if anyone can help me out of my doldrums...
I started here two weeks ago with the hope of gaining weight (after several years of chronic illness and two dangerous pregnancies that drained me, I am skeletally underweight).
My first week I gained a full kilo after years of never seeming to be able to, I was very gung-ho and excited.
This week I barely gained .05kg and I've hit a bit of a motivational wall. I guess I'm a tad depressed. It was made worse today by me taking photos of my sons and, when I tried to get me in them, I just ended up deleting each of them because I was horrified at how bad I looked (seriously, I look like a junkie on withdrawal trying to hold up a 7/11 for her next hit).
I know I look awful (every time I see family, they waste no time in pointing out how awful I look), but it's just really bad when I can't even stand to be in photos with my kids.
Jacqui, I don't have your problem but I know you are not alone in your experience.
I have an aunt who always sheds kilos as the first sign of any stress and does get worryingly thin and has to work to keep weight on. And my husband's cousin was like you and had dangerous pregnancies leaving her too skinny and drained.
Edit- I just read your other post that you are breastfeeding too - I also had a friend who had to give up breastfeeding on doctors orders because she was losing too much weight. Hopefully you can gain some weight and keep BFing.
I could give you the 'old fashioned' advice that my mum was given (back in the day when healthy meant curvy) as a skinny teenager. Her doctor told her she was too skinny and she should eat a mars bar every day. I think most people here trying to lose weight will agree that yes, that makes you put on weight! But it won't help with your energy levels!!!
I would make sure to be including lots of nutrient rich, calorie dense foods like nuts, avocado and oily fish. If you have trouble fitting much food in your stomach, split your meals into many 'snacks' through the day.
I would try to include some very light weights/resistance work to build some muscle (you will be able to do heavier weights down the track) and possibly take a protein supplement after your workouts (like a bodybuilder).
Also make sure you are taking some good multivitamins and, being in Melbourne, you might want to take some vitamin D. I have a lot of family in Melbourne and quite a few have either had a blood test that has shown low VitD or started taking it and started feeling better. Because it's been such a rainy year no one is getting enough sun exposure to create their own VitD, this would be multiplied for you because your body may be too busy/tired to produce this at the moment. Deficiency symptoms include lethargy and depression. (Sorry, spend a winter in Canada where the government has made it law to fortify all basic foods with VitD due to the problems they were having with Seasonal Adjustment Disorder - so have this strange info in my head)
It must be frustrating for you because it's easy to assume that putting on weight is easy, but if you want to do it in a healthy way, it's really not. So hang in there, keep at it and I'm sure that soon you will start to feel healthier and this will start to show in your body.
Don't be disappointed that you didn't gain much in your 2nd week as that is what happens to us overweight people. We lose a lot in the first week then taper off after that so it might be the same for you.
I can't offer any advice & what Kaybee has said is very sensible so I wish you the best.
Author:
BELLA41083
Rank: Gold Poster Location: Victoria
Date: 5:38am WST, March 26th 2011
if you are having trouble fitting in enough food each day have you tried nutritional supplements like resource or 2cal? they are regularly given to patients in hospital who are malnourished (every second person over the age of 70 really ) they are drinks packed with the vitamins minerals and calories that they arent getting in their diet due to illness etc. You can get them from chemists or from a dietitian. Otherwise try to nibble on nuts as snacks
A bit off topic but do your family know how awful it is to be telling you that you look awful???
I just wanted to let you know that I think it is mean and unwarranted. I don't know why people think it is ok to tell underweight people that they need to gain weight?
I don't know for certain but I would think that the protein powders would be good as mentioned above.
As far as motivation goes I always stick the 'fake it till you make it' slogan. Like losing, gaining in a healthy way will take time and habit so hang in there and just keep going. Like Kel said you may have had a big first week and will settle into more regular, smaller gains. If the overall trend is good then that is what matters. So your average so far is half a kg a week and that is a good healthy gain.
Good luck and just picture yourself as a dog with a bone, don't let go of it no matter what!
** I am not discouraged, because every wrong attempt discarded is another step forward **
81.6kg ......... 75.2kg
Would love: 67kg and all the fun clothes in my wardrobe to fit again!
I agree with you Milly. It upset me when I read that. Its like a family member pointing out that you have put on weight. You know how you look and you know how you feel about yourself. You dont need them to pointing out the obvious.
Jacqui I reckon if you stop stressing about it and just drink plenty of water to keep your skin hydrated you will be ok. As long as you eat healthy that is the main thing. Kaybee has offered good advice.
I am sorry to hear you feeling this way about yourself in the pictures.
Remember, you already have a little 1.5kgs of triumph.
It might take some time, you might even lose some weeks but you are not lost.
Few things...
Are you having enough in between snacks?
When was the last time you consulted your doctor about overall screen and are you on absolute best on type of insulin?
When was the last time or time that you had episode or things got out of control?
I ask these things because I often find lots of people who lived with certain illness for long time often overlook how there might be new methods of administering the needed drugs or new drugs out there.
Some doctors can be just too comfortable or down right lazy unless patient tell them so.
Try to eat good quality protein would be must without over straining your kidney...
Finding low fat or none animal base protein would be better in your situation.
Drinking up to 800ml of fruit juice a day even it's no added sugar... I am not sure with gastroparesis and ulcer, if it would be absolute best...( I looked over your food diary)
You are a busy mum of two young children.
I just want you to feel better and truly feel better with your health along the way.
Just remember.
Where there's a will there's a way.
Kaybee: that's very good advice. I haven't really gotten into regular excercise much, other than taking my son for a walk in his pram for 30 mins every day. Low impact, but I'm organising to get my ex's weight/gym equipment, so I can start some low impact resistance training. I was on a series of vitamins last year, I really should get back on them, too. Thanks!!
Thanks also, Kel
Bella: I have the hospital grade sustagen, but it's really difficult to make that palatable. I probably should try to eat that one more. (*makes face*)
MillyJane: This happens to be the worst for me. I think there's a growing trend in society where it is becoming a no-no for people to remark on others being overweight (though it still happens!), but nobody really thinks the same about saying stuff to underweight people. There are people in my family that literally, every time I see them, tell me I am looking awful. Like I don't know. It's worse, I think, because these are close family members that know it's not because I'm over-dieting, but that I've been sick.
Net: Thanks! I agree. I have a fairly healthy diet, but like everything, I know I could improve on it.
Cellout: What a wonderful response, thank you. I try to get snacks in, as much as I can (running around after a 3 yr old and an 8 month old doesn't always leave time!) I am in fairly regular contact with my endocrinologist and we are pretty thorough with my care. I'm currently on an insulin pump and am in the process of updating that within the next few weeks. I was under the care of a pretty specialised team last year during my pregnancy that included dieticians, endocrinologists and the like, so I'm fairly confident I've got the best care I can right now. Good points, though.
I know the juice isn't the best, but it seems to be an easy way to make my calorie limit (I'm requiring upwards of 2,600 a day!). I'm a recent joiner, so I'm still adjusting and finding the right foods to boost me up without having to add things like extra juice. I'll get there.
The ulcers are pretty dormant right now, so that's not a great worry, and the gastropareisis has been much better since the baby was delivered, it just that sometimes i have a bit of a slow morning when it comes to feeling hungry.
Again, thanks everybody, for the support and advice. You're all just underscoring what a good choice I think joining this site was. Not just because of the diary and sticking to a plan, but for the community of it.
2600 is a lot, having to make that up each day is a big chore so you are doing well. Some of the full cream yogurts are pretty high and the soft cheese like brie. Oooh, maybe a brie and advocado toasty. Yum. Could you dip some bread into a really nice olive oil or have semi dried tomato and olive omlettes? Anyway, that was sliding away from what I was going to say, I just got excited at food ideas!
I try to think of some people as being ignorant and then I usually just feel sorry for them that they are stupid, hehe. At the end of the day you know now that you have support and understanding here at least and we probably count more as far as opinions go because even though most of us are here to lose weigh we still understand having to count each day, moniter our health, find a balance with exercise and put up with the 'outside' world.
I've heard a few people say how rude it is that people feel free to comment to people who are thin and it affects them as much as it affects people who are overweight. Like those of us that are bigger you will get there in the end and they can all eat their butts.
** I am not discouraged, because every wrong attempt discarded is another step forward **
81.6kg ......... 74.7kg
Would love: 67kg and all the fun clothes in my wardrobe to fit again!
I am glad to hear that you are in great care of professions and have faith in them.
Moving on to 2600 calories/day...
I don't get how anyone can say that is a lot or not in black and white...
Don't be driven by the number if it's high or low.
It's not the point.
The point is if that's enough or not for each individual.
I am somewhat trying to maintain and most of the times, trying to gain.
I do have to try so hard to keep up to keep the weight other wise it just takes a down spiral really quick.
I try to be on anywhere between 2500 to 3500 any given day.
I do work out fair bit but there are days, I just can't eat back everything.
For some, who wants to lose weight, 1200 might be all they need but it's different to many.
I just wanted to stress the point.
Don't burden yourself with doing the numbers.
Be bit more focused in consuming the good stuff.
As per fruit juices...
I can't really make a comment but if you are just trying to fill the day worth of calories to drink the stuff, please do look for some alternatives.
Things like avocado is great and some nuts?
By the way, how are you and how you feel about your motivation level?
Author:
LOUBELL
Rank: Party Animal Location: Logan
Date: 12:09pm WST, March 28th 2011
When we were looking after my nana with cancer we gave her resource with cream or ice cream in it, she loved it and it gave the drink the extra calories she needed, we also made sure she always had nuts wherever she would sit so she could pick at them.
I just had a thought my friends daughter suffered cancer. The chemo and radiation drained her and damaged her body quite badly. To the point she was a skeleton and in a wheel chair. The doctor did blood tests and she was lacking adrenalin. She is now on injections and walking and putting on weight. Maybe you can get that checked. Good luck.
I just had a thought my friends daughter suffered cancer. The chemo and radiation drained her and damaged her body quite badly. To the point she was a skeleton and in a wheel chair. The doctor did blood tests and she was lacking adrenalin. She is now on injections and walking and putting on weight. Maybe you can get that checked. Good luck.
) they are drinks packed with the vitamins minerals and calories that they arent getting in their diet due to illness etc. You can get them from chemists or from a dietitian. Otherwise try to nibble on nuts as snacks
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