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Author: jen
Date: 11-05-02 10:23
I need help, I am SOOOOOOOO frustrated!
I am a former bulimic. I had the disease for nearly 10 years (middle school - beginning of college) and over the last few years, have (proudly) beaten my horrible habit. However, since I have actually been digesting food - I have been putting on the weight at a warp speed....I swear, I SMELL an apple - and gain 5 pounds! I realize that I probably MAJORLY screwed up my metabolism, so how do I fix this? A few months ago I changed my eating habits (I am not eating more fruit and veggies, and have cut my carbs in HALF....which is hard for a carboholic like myself...AND have stopped my coca-cola habit, all together!!!) I drink well over 100 oz. of water a day, and have begun exercising (45 minutes on the bike 5 times a week, is all the time I can spare right now, w/ my job and rehearsals) and I have actually been GAINING inches! Pants that I recently bought are tighter, I am seeing more "rolls" - I am going CRAZY!!!! Why give up bread and beer if I am not losing any weight? I know that it will not come off over night....but GEEZ!!!
*My mother has had thyroid problems in the past, does anyone know if this is hereditary?
Any advice? I am an actress, and am losing roles because of the extra 17lbs I am carrying! (I am 5'3 at about 137lbs)
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Author: jen
Date: 11-05-02 10:25
I meant to write "I am NOW eating more fruits and veggies" :) Oops...
*Also, has anyone tried Hypnotherapy? I think it is the only thing I HAVEN'T tried...
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Author: Melanie
Date: 11-05-02 10:35
Hi Jen,
Have you seen a registered dietitian? Since you have a history of eating disorders, I think you need to consult a professional for weight loss advice.
A registered dietitian specializes in creating customized nutrition plans and giving professional weight loss advice.
To find a dietitian near you, go to http://www.eatright.org/finddiet.html (or ask your doctor for a referral).
Best regards,
Melanie
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Author: Michelle
Date: 11-05-02 17:02
Hi Jen -
For most of us, your weight at your height is really quite acceptable. But I do have an idea of what a pressure it must be for you in the induxtry you are in.
You seem to be on the right track though, in that you've began exercising and eating healthier. I suggest that so far as your diet is concerned, go on a rather strict calorie-restricted diet - yes, I mean the dreaded counting of calories and keeping a journal. It might be tedious but it is really the best way to go, especially since you have a history of bulimia and are at risk of under-nutritioning yourself. It will also give you the option of a more "open' diet - nothing totally banned, so long as it is within your calorie allowance. Of course, quality should be aimed for as well but certain situations make it difficult to be downright choosy about what to eat all the time (aka social situations).
As for the exercise part - try to do some exercise with free weights. Maybe do only 30 minutes on the bike alternate days, and do weights for 15-20 minutes. It will do a lot for your tone, whatever weight you may be. Lastly, a lot of people in your industry swear by Pilates. It takes only as little as 10 minutes a day and it results to a flatter tummy and longer limbs, also at any weight. I've been on it for 2 months now (on top of cardio and weights), and although I haven't changed much weight-wise, I seem to be getting more complements.
As for the hypothyroidism question - there is a certain form of hypothyroidsm that is hereditary - pretty rare, and usually occurs with insulin-dependent diabetes and other endocrine disorders. More commonly though is the fact that a lot of women over 50 (how old was your mother when she was first diagnosed with it?) get it just because women above 50 are found to be predisposed to it (aka reason yet unknown, but is the reason why women above 50 should get their thyroid tested regularly). Women who get them younger are usually cases from an immune-related thing occuring with pregnancy, or a silent viral infection causing an inflammation of the thyroid with destruction of thyroid tissue.
Hope this helps.
Michelle
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Author: Newbeee
Date: 11-06-02 00:17
I'm a carb freak too. I made a compromise and eat carbs within limits to 5pm--then no carbs after that time. I just have protein and vegies and if I feel hungry later, I have a high protein shake flavored with whatever I like in the way of fruit. It fills my tummy up if it is grumbling @ bedtime.
Stick with the diet. Sometimes when your exercising at the same time as dieting, you can gain say 10lbs muscle, and lose 10 lbs of fat and it seems like you haven't lost anything on the scales. Also, as it says, the tummy is the first to bloat out and the last to go back in. Murphy's Law. ;) LOL!
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Author: Newbeee
Date: 11-06-02 00:24
Are special exercises that help to develop strength and flexibility. They are done with a specific breathing pattern to help direct energy to the areas being worked while relaxing the rest of the body.
Pilates is sometimes compared to yoga, but they are quite different. For starters, yoga is religion-based while Pilates is not. Yoga practitioners also stay in one position for some time, while Pilates students are always on the move.
You can do a combination of pilates, yoga and tai chi and it is quite neat to do. helps to vary things so you don't get board and the yoga is good for stretching your body and making it more flexible.
Do a search online for the words "Pilates" or Yoga or Tai Chi for more information about it. Google is a good search tool. www.google.com.
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Author: GymMachine
Date: 11-06-02 02:05
yes its true u can lose 10 pounds of fat and gain 10 pounds of muscle, however gaining 10 pounds of muscle would easily take a year and thats if everything is done corectly....plus u need weight training to do so and adequate protein to grow..i do like your idea of cutting carbs after 5pm...there really is no need for them after that time unless u work out late or are eating veggies for dinner like i tend to do.
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Author: jen
Date: 11-06-02 10:23
Wow - thanks so much for all of your ideas!
It is nice to hear that other have the same tendencies as I sometimes have.
Take Care!
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Author: Michelle
Date: 11-06-02 12:42
Pilates is a system of exercise pioneered by this German guy, Joseph Pilates. He lived around World War II era and was an accomplished all around athlete, and was in fact recruited by Hitler himself to train his troups. He managed to escape to the United States (being opposed to Hitler's principles) where he opened his exercise studio in New York City. He is now most known for his exercise method originally called "Contrology," now simply named after him as Pilates.
It is basically a discipline involving exercises that streghten the "core muscles of the body (from below the ribs to just below the hips)" through a series of precise movements combined with precise breathing techniques. It focuses on utilizing all body musculature, big and small, and thus tone the whole body. The overall effect is that of a longer, leaner and more flexible body. On first glance, they seem easy enough. But done right, they are really challenging, and quite effective. Even 10 minutes a day of well-executed movements can give results - and yes, this is from personal experience.
I happen to be in an area where there is no certified Pilates instructor around. I base my exercises on a book I found at Borders. It's called "Pilates Body in Motion" by Alycea Ungaro. The author is a New York City-based instructor, and she directly trained under the late Mrs. Joseph Pilates, a ballet dancer, who succeeded her husband after his demise.
As Newbee said, there are a lot of web sources for the discipline. Of course, a lot of them are also "hacked" up version of the original method and will require you to buy some stuff or the other (balls, bands, etc.). The original method only needed a mat to be performed. Pilates although made machines for a "machine-version" of his methods, but they are by and large really expensive, and are pretty much equal to the mat exercises.
Michelle
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Author: Newbeee
Date: 11-06-02 20:13
I am just thinking here, if it takes so long to lose 10lbs of fat, is that the same as losing 2lb's of weight every week? I sort of had this widh that as I worked out and ate right that I would lose at least that much a week. Isn't that all fat? Then if your exercising a great deal and lifting weights and building up muscle it weighs more than fat--so technically you don't see the weight loss for some time whilst still building muscle. Who knows...I am doing more than I ever have and just no weight loss as yet after 2 and half weeks. But then like I said no aerobic workouts until this week. Maybe that will kick things into action?
I think when you throw yourself into exercise and diet at the same time, the combination can confuse things when your looking at the scales.
I do feel better and have more energy and my fitness level have increased enough to put a spring in my step. I can visually see the muscles under my ribs pulling in at this early stage and expect to see some fat loss from this week onwards hopefully. :)
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