Medical related weight gain

ace_irl

Hi Guys

I am wondering if anyone has any advice or experience on this.

When should you consider seeing a Doctor/Consultant about your weight?

The reason why I ask this is I just can't seam to lose weight. I was 74/75Kg in May and now I am about 71/72Kg. I have been going to the gym 5 times a week and I've noticed my stamina improve but I just can't get below the 70Kg mark.

I've been going to the gym regularly since January and I eat healthy everyday.

I'm 5ft and I have suffered with health related weight issues before, but it was the opposite end, I weighed 5 stone at 18, but since I've gotten into my 20's my weight has gone the other way. I am just wondering if there is a point when you should stop and consider underlying health issues as a reason for the weight or should I just keep going and give it more time?

Hey,
I think it's no harm going to gp and getting a thyroid test.
However... You should also make sure your GP knows your history if they don't already. I don't know if you count calories and i don't know if you should if you went so extreme in the other direction. I think talking to a gp would be a good idea

Alf Veedersane

Would agree with what bluewolf said above.

Also, don't disregard the fact you've lost 3-4kg since May. If you're eating healthily and exercising sustainably (ie not overdoing it for the sole purpose of losing weight) trust the process. Anything outside of that will just involve a tweak

I wouldn't necessarily be looking to go to a doctor just because of weight loss stalling but given your past, it's no harm to go

ace_irl

Hi Bluewolf, thank you for the reply.

I use my fitness pal to keep track of my calories but I don't obsess over them.

When I was underweight, it wasn't an eating disorder. I just never really ate because i was never hungry and I would get full very easily on small amounts of food.

I will have a look at a thyroid test. the hardest part will be going to the doctor. I hate them!

How "overweight" are you? You've lost a bit of weight in the space of two months while hitting the gym and possibly adding some muscle, have you noticed a reduction around your waist?

ace_irl

Hi Buttonftw,

No not really, everything seams to fit the same. Going to the gym has made me feel a bit more comfortable but I am still wearing the same size clothes and not noticing much of a difference in the fit of them.

Mellor

Medical issues can make one more prone to weight gain. But you still need to over consume calories to put on the weight. Including in situation where the medical issue causes a reduced metabolic rate.

But most importantly, you've lost 4kg (almost 9 lbs) in c.2months. That's a completely normal rate of loss. Sounds a bit like you are expecting too much.
In early May I was 77kg, now I'm 73kg. I wouldn't want to lose any faster than that. I'd always eat healthy, but I really have to get into the little details to get consistent results.

Nervous Wreck

Yep. Sounds like normal weightloss and a normal plateau.

Pterosaur

Body can only sustain a calorie deficit for so long (it places a stress on the body) May vary depending on circumstances.

So a plateau in your weight loss can be expected. You could try some more intensive group training of some sort to push you along a bit quicker towards your goal.

ace_irl

Hi Guys,

Quick update on the above.

I stuck with the gym for awhile longer and tried to different exercises (walking, horse riding) to see if it would help. Unfortunately I was getting nowhere and starting to become a bit depressed with it all.

Finally plucked up the courage to go to the doctor and shes confirmed I have a thyroid disease. Hypothyroidism to be exact.

So now we start the lengthy process to getting better. I've been told that even with the medication I may not lose weight any easier, my doctors told me it's impossible to know, some people lose weight quickly once they regulate the hormone levels, others struggle.

I'm not sure if I should start a new thread on this or not but I was wondering if anyone has any advice/tips on weight loss with hypothyroidism?

CathyMoran

I have been hypothyroid since I was a teenager (I was the opposite as a young child) - I am a healthy weight (I have other health issues as well), do not give up hope. I do exercise but would only spend 15-30 minutes most days on that.