metabolism

[Storm]

Hi Cathe,
After reading many posts on how consuming only 1200 calories a day with an active lifestyle can sabotage your metabolism I am scared that I have done just that. About four years ago I needed to lose some weight and I started eating 1200 calories a day. I was running about 25 miles a week and lifting weights. While I lost the weight and felt great when I became pregnant the weight came back. Since then I have been struggling to lose weight again even though I am running and lifting weights again. I also crosstrain with your tapes, (which I love)
I am now eating 1800 - 2000 calories a day. So I guess my question is do you think that I ruined my metabolism and can I somehow fix it now? If so how do I go about doing this? Thank you so much. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[lis1]

I would recommend seeing a professional about this, like a dietician, since they deal with this and know medical info us average folks don't.

Let me say congrats though for realizing that damage can be done from eating too little and working out too much. Most of my college friends did this and it's sad to say that they are now eating very little and continue to workout a lot just to maintain their weight. It'd be really hard for them to lose any now. I'm not sure if they don't realize this, or just don't want to. I'm thankful now that I didn't fall into that even though I felt like a pig for eating normally.

Anyway, I'm sure there's a way to even out your metabolism!! I've read recently that the 'damage' isn't permanant. I'm sure your body can return to normal with some healthy strategies.
Good luck and keep us posted!

 

[LauraPinWA]

Storm, how long ago did you have your baby, and are you still breastfeeding? For some women it can be hard to lose weight while breastfeeding because the body needs to hang on to its fat reserves in order to produce milk. Or so I have heard, anyway. I'm not an expert by any means!

I doubt you've done irreversible harm to your metabolism. For one thing, you were weight training when you dieted. That means you maintained and even increased your muscle mass, and it's your muscle mass that keeps your metabolism high. Possibly if you had been eating more you would have added more muscle and achieved even better results . . . but I certainly don't think you should be worrying about having ruined your metabolism. More likely its the hormonal changes that the body goes through during and after pregnancy that are keeping the weight on temporarily.

Congrats on becoming a mom!

Laura

 

[Storm]

Thank you lis1 and Laura for your replies It's good to know that you both don't think the damage would be permanent if I did alter my metabolism in the past. Laura, I had my baby 10 months ago and I am still nursing so maybe like you said my body is holding on to some of my weight. Thanks again.

 

[Bobbi]

Hi, Storm!

Although you burn an extra 500 calories per day while breast feeding, I never dropped those last pounds until I quit and that was when my son was 15 months old.

Metabolisms bounce back. Just keep eating, keep working out and enjoy your baby! I know it's hard when the weight comes off slowly but that's the best way to drop it and you have got to fuel your body so you'll ahve the energy to work out and good nutritious milk for your bambini.

Bobbi http://www.plauder-smilies.de/chicken.gif Chicks Rule!

 

[Kath]

Ditto to what everyone else said. I think you can rev up your metabolism any time you want by building muscle. I too have had slumps in the past where I was not in terrible shape, but also couldn't eat much without gaining and having it stick. Weights are the answer imho. Then you can eat more (your body will DEMAND more) and be smaller. Worked for me!

 

[tmrclvlnd]

Hi,
I'm new here but I thought I would just add that while I breastfed I lost weight at first but my body hung on to those last few pounds until I stopped. Please don't let that keep you from breastfeeding. My vanity made me stop when he was six months old and I still regret it. I'm so glad you are still doing it!
Tami