what do you think?

[kryptychyck]

Hello,

I would like to solicit some opinions and view points on feedback I received from my doctor today.

I went to a top endocrinologist today to get some answers on why I cannot lose weight. I am 160 lbs. That is 15 lbs more than I weighed in August. Now, my clothes fit fine, which is nice. I was a size 4 before quitting smoking and now I am a 10. I have been a 10 for 2 years. I didn't even know I weighed that much since I don't step on the scale. I know it is muscle. I am not really concerned about the number on the scale. However, I went to the doctor to find out why after I quit smoking that I gained weight. 25 lbs to be exact. I have tried for 2 years unsuccessfully to lose this weight. Nothing works.

His answer was that the nicotine triggers the brain to metabolize calories differently than a non-smoker. He said that unless I started to smoke again, or take the drug phen-fen, or do some drastic and dangerous dieting, my body is what it is. He told me that I need to accept that and be healthy.

Now I am just fine with the way I look. I am muscular and athletic with a little padding here and there. I just wanted to know why no matter what I did nothing worked to lose weight. He went on to explain that the body has its own mechanisms that determine what your ideal weight is and that the body will work to maintain this homeostasis - as long as I continue to exercise and eat right. The homeostasis is what keeps the brain and organs functioning at optinmal levels. Very cool - what a machine!

Despite all of this, I do feel pressured to be a skinny stick - when I am at the gym mostly. I enjoy lifting weights, heavy ones too! But every now and then I feel like I am the exhibit in a freak show when I am working out at the gym. I can lift heavy. I also lift lighter as well. I do cardio several times a week. This month I am doing pyramids for my weight training, running/interval training on the treadmill, spinning, and of course my boot camp and body conditioning classes. I noticed I am not shaped like the other females in my classes. They tend to be leaner and lithe. I am thick and muscular. I am also A LOT stronger than them.

Is there anyone else out there who feels like this or who is like me?

Thanks for listening!

 

[bethj]

I would agree that my body seems to have a "set" weight that it is easy to maintain within a wide variety of diet and exercise. I can cut back calories and not lose; I can increase calories and not gain. Its just weird. And every decade that set weight goes up about 5 pounds. The nictoine theory is interesting. I always thought it was because nicotine surpresses your appetite, but maybe it does speed up metabolism.
Looking at your 1 repmax on your profile I think you must have a LOT of muscle mass! Believe me, as you get older you will be thankful, even though right now you may look chunkier than the skeletons in your aerobic classes. I am 51 and it is a constant battle to keep the muscle tone and mass up, which was so easy for me in my 40s. You lose it so easily at this age, especially when you hit menopause. So be thankful you are a mesomorph!
Beth

 

[melimcn]

I have to say that the nicotine info from that endocrinologist sounds a little strange. I quit smoking 10 yrs ago and it had no impact on my weight whatsoever. Nor did I lose any weight when I started smoking.
But, I'm not a doctor, so I certainly have no business questioning him.

My body is fixed at a weight. I've been 140ish for YEARS. Through pregnancy and everything, I fel back to that weight. Like you, I'm mostly muscle, and my weight doens't fluctuate that much with what I eat. I have found that lifting really heavy has been helpful for leaning me out (adding heavy legs has been huge, as well as the 4DS rotation). But, overall, my weight doesn't budge. My clothes fit roughly the same all the time, and like another poster said, every decade, that # seems to creep up just a bit. But my overall size doesn't change.

Feel good about where you are and how hard you work! You're doing all you can do, and your genetic makeup is what it is. Heck, I'd love to have skinny girlie arms that looked nice in capped sleeves. At this point I'd be happy for a tidbit of definition. But that's just not in the cards for me, so I focus on everything else.

The skinny girls don't look as good as we think they do. And most men I know prefer curves on a woman anyway!

 

[Pearlstrand]

Odd...

I'm not going to comment on the nicotine aspect of your doctor's answer, but I am a little puzzled about the phen-fen part of it. First of all, phen-fen is two drugs, not one. Secondly, they were pulled from the market by the manufacturer years ago when they were linked to a rare lung disorder called pulmonary hypertension. I can't imagine why your doctor would throw out a remark like that!

As for the weight gain, could it be age-related? Are you near peri-menopause age? And have you been monitoring your diet? Because it's easy to slowly gain as you get older. It doesn't take many extra calories a day to add up over time!

If you are healthy and happy with the way you look, I wouldn't worry about being stick thin. If you are concerned that you may be carrying a few extra pounds, keep a food journal for a couple of weeks to see what you're eating. You may also want to get an accurate idea of your body composition before you start worrying about the pounds. You may find that your extra weight is in the form of muscle, not fat, and that's a very good thing.

It's so easy to have your self-esteem battered by scale numbers and clothing sizes, but if you're fit and healthy, you're far better off than somebody who is scrawny and weak!

Okay, off my soapbox and back to work!

 

[sparrow13]

I love how we curvy, strong women look! You're beautiful, don't sweat it. I'm 5 ft and around 125. With lots more work and starvation I could get back down to 100 which is where I was about five years ago but what's the point? I'm happy, I enjoy food AND being fit, and my muscles often get complimented. I like being strong.

Sparrow

 

[kathryn]

Sounds like you may be a mesomorph or meso-endomorph trying to fit into an ectomorph ideal. Don't let the skinny sticks at the gym get you down!

Beauty and fitness come in all shapes and sizes. Your "thick, muscular" body is just one variation of beauty.

 

[My2girls]

I have a doctor's appointment next week and am already dreading the weigh-in part! I don't own a scale and do not rely on one to let me know how healthy I am, but it is amazing how that blasted number can get to you! I am ready to give the nurse and/or doctor an earful if they tell me I'm considered overweight I am 5 feet 1 inch and have no real idea what I weigh, although according to charts I am sure I would be considered overweight. But I know I am just short and "sturdy" (as my DH likes to say ) which to me = STRONG! I am one of those padded fit gals too!!!!

It sounds like you are happy with your body, you just get hung up on that skinny image like we all do at times!

 

[kryptychyck]

thanks everyone!

Hello again,

I just wanted to say thanks to everyone who replied. I am usually confident about the way I look, but I guess we can all have our down moments. You all helped me feel good again and I am grateful for that. It is nice to know that I am not the only padded fit girl out there! haha!

I will keep on lifting and I think I will do some research on being a mesomorph too.

Cheers!