How can I lose 5-10 lbs?

S

SusanF

New Member
Hello Everyone,

I'm hoping someone can help me out.

I've been trying to lose 5-10 lbs for the last 6 months. I was recently diagnosed with hypothyroidism---which probably has something to do with my inabilty to drop the 10 lbs that have accumulated over the last 2 years. I've been on 100 mcg of Synthroid for the last 6 weeks.

I am currently 127 lbs at 5'6". My bone structure is very small---every pound shows on my frame.

My workout routine consists of cardio 5x a week (usually Cathe, CIA, or kickboxing) and weight-lifting 3-4 times per week (one body part per week--usually PS Series or Slow Heavy). I have been working out (as mentioned above) for about 7 years.

I've tried the Atkins Diet, South Beach Diet, etc... and the weight doesn't budge. I am guessing that my calories "in" are greater than or equal to my calories "out".

So, I've decided to start counting my calories. I hate to do this (it seems so cumbersome), but nothing else is working. How many calories do I need a day to drop 5-10 lbs? I keep a journal of my diet and it seems pretty good. Chicken, fish, veggies, fruit, no white flour, no potatoes, I avoid sugar--for the most part, and only eat high fiber grains. I do not count calories. What more can I do!?!?

Thanks for the help!
Susan




:7
 
Hello and Welcome Susan,

You may want to consider if you are eating enough. You sound like a very active and fit person and if you are not eating enough you may be inadvertently shutting down your metabolism so it will hang on to any fat as a means of survival. While I would feel uncomfortable recommending a specific amount of calories per day, I would encourage you to eat 5-6 times a day at regular intervals. Each time does not need to be a big meal, but just so that you are giving your body the message that you will fuel it and so it does not need to hang on to body fat for fuel. I used to eat two meals a day and probably not even 1500 calories and was a lot heavier than I am today (I am 5'7" and 133 pounds and an hourglass figure shape). When I started the Zone and started eating 5-6 times a day I lost 28 pounds!!!!! Since you do have hypothyroidism to contend with I would recommend discussing any changes in diet, etc. with your physician to make sure it is safe.

BTW, my sister has hyprothyroidism as well and eating more frequent mini meals has helped her lose 18 pounds.

There are lots of very knowledgeable ladies here that can offer their insight. This is just my .02.

Take care,
Sabine:7
 
Susan,

If you drop 10 pounds you will be underweight. This is why it's probably hard to drop it.

You're journalizing and eating all the right things.

Maybe all you really need is to tone up and not drop weight? 117 is awfully low for someone at 5'6''.

I also agree with the other poster also about not eating enough calories. This can also make you stay at the same weight.
 
Confer with your doctor, but it sounds to me like you should just keep on doing what you're doing and forget about weight loss. You just don't need to lose weight. Do a reality check with people who know you to confirm this, as well as with your doctor, and perhaps a therapist. You may have a distorted body image, which is more common than you may think among women. Good luck!
 
Thanks for the good advice! I will keep track of my calories for a while and see if my caloric intake is too low. I'm already eating 6 meals a day. :eek:

I honestly don't think I have a distorted body image. Two years ago I was a loose size 6 and now I am a tight size 8 x( .

I'm sure my hypothyroidism has something to do with it. Maybe the extra weight will drop as soon as my thyoid is regulated.

Thanks Again!
Susan
 
Susan,

A size 8 is a good size to be IMO. ;)

If you really want to drop a pants size, replacing fat with muscle, will definitely do it. Even if the weight doesn't drop the inches will and you'll be fitting into smaller sizes. Maybe try adding some more strength training to your routine as well?

Good luck to you!!
 
>Thanks for the good advice! I will keep track of my calories
>for a while and see if my caloric intake is too low. I'm
>already eating 6 meals a day. :eek:
>
>I honestly don't think I have a distorted body image. Two
>years ago I was a loose size 6 and now I am a tight size 8 x(
>.
>
>I'm sure my hypothyroidism has something to do with it. Maybe
>the extra weight will drop as soon as my thyoid is regulated.
>
>Thanks Again!
>Susan
>
Susan, please give yourself a solid three months on the appropriate dosage before you start trying to change your weight. Since you were just diagnosed (I have had Hashimoto's since early childhood), you will need to go back to the doctor and have blood tests done to see if the dose you are taking now is working properly. If it is, then you should expect your weight to respond to your eating habits and exercise, but it is entirely possible that a change may need to be made. Thyroid function is pretty sensitive and doses can change frequently. Good luck!

Carole
 
Susan,

I am in the same situation as you. I am 5'5" and weigh 118. I have been exercising for months now and the scale will not budge. On another board, someone pointed me to the Cathe videos and they have helped with sculpting, but the weight is still not moving. 2 years ago I did the "Body for Life" program and it worked fabulously. Unfortunately for me, I did not keep it up and am worse off than before. I have restarted the program as of yesterday and hope to get back on track. I recommend it because it will help you with the management of your meals and making sure that you are getting enough to eat and, equally important, NOT overexercising. Cardio should be 3 times a week, weights 3 times a week, and a free day where you can eat anything and not exercise. Check out these websites for more info:
Body for Life: http://www.bodyforlife.com/ and this for more detailed info on why the program works: http://www.hussman.org/fitness/index.htm

Good luck :7
 
Hello Again,

Carole, I started taking Synthoid about 10 weeks ago. I have a lot more energy! I'm due to go back to the doctor in a few weeks... I appreciate your advice. I need to be a little more patient :) .

Shopgirl, 5'5" and 118 lbs seems really good to me! I have tried body for life. I think it is a good plan. I'll read through the diet portion again. Have you used Cathe's videos with the BFL program?

Thanks!!
Susan
 
Susan - thanks for your kind words. I am not so concerned about the weight number except that most of the 118 pounds in in my rear and hips! arrrgh.

Yes, I have used the Cathe videos with the BFL program. Mostly I use her Pyramid Upper Body for upper body days and boot camp for a cardio day. I mix in the rest of the intensity series, along with some Firm tapes and Tae Bo for the rest.

Today is day 3, and so far so good. I have been looking at the Physique Transformation site, but don't think I will do the program. The calorie count seems way too high for me.
 
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