In desperate need of advice regarding weight loss.

the_devil_made_me_do_it

I have been going to the local council run gym since early August. It has been a real hard slog trying to get the weight off.

I have lost just under a stone in that time & just can't seem to lose anymore.

Been dieting as well & I take my dog out twice a day & cover about 3 miles each walk. I have been loosely following WW old points system at home as I acquired the old points calculator & points book.

Initially I was doing high intensity interval training, then after a while included some resistance training. I have recently started to do customised cardio on the elliptical machine & the stepper. Can't use the treadmill at the moment as I have strained the ligaments in my ankle & it's also affecting the arch of my foot. So have decided to not use the treadmill until my ankle feels better.

Part of my problem is I take two lots of medication which are documented to cause weight gain, so I'm fighting against that.

I am thinking about trying to eat little & often. However, not sure what I should be eating. I am a veggie who doesn't eat any meat or fish. So any advice on foods stuff would be appreciated.

Also, does anyone know know of any cardio/resistance training routines that I could try? As it's a council gym, the personal trainer only goes to the gym on a Wednesday mid morning & I can't get there on that day, so am training blindly at the moment. The gym equipment is good, it's technogym machines. I have sent a message to the trainer, however I've got to wait until she gets the chance to message me back.

I'm feeling so low at the moment as I feel I'm fighting a losing battle & really need to try and keep motivated, but it's hard when your putting in the effort & getting nothing back.

miduck

First, stop blaming the meds. With a few exceptions, the weight related effects of meds can be managed by eating healthily. I honestly doubt it is the meds causing your lack of weight loss (and yes, I blamed my meds for a long long time!).

You say you have been loosely following WW, what is your food intake? WW/ SW etc only work if you stick to them, WW + extras is not going to work!

podperson

It sounds like you are doing plenty of exercise so I would be looking at the diet side of things more. Do you need to reduce your points if you're doing ww? Also I must admit that I'm not a big fan of the points system full stop as it's still possible to eat fairly unhealthy foods and still stay within your 'points' - do you have a lot of processed foods, larger portions or a high carb diet? (I'm not suggesting an Atkins type diet but do you have a good balance between them. I'm veggie as well and when I was younger I found it quite easy to end up with a lot of carbs in 'veggie' options). Also, is it possible you might have food intolerances, eg wheat or dairy, as these can often contribute to problems with losing weight.

the_devil_made_me_do_it

I'm not blaming the meds, I am just giving a relatively in depth profile of what I have been doing to lose the weight.

I haven't been following WW + extras, I have been using the old WW points system as a guide.

An example of my food intake is: Bran flakes & oat milk. Then a quorn bacon sandwich (usually in 5 grain bread, or a medium bun). For my main meal I kind of alternate between a few things for instance: today I had a quorn mince bolognaise with correct amount of dried spaghetti. I usually have a desert which could be a low fat yoghurt or similar. I generally also include a low fat hot choc drink. That's pretty much it. In fact, I haven't really changed my diet that much to be honest. I was never really big on snacking, so haven't really needed to address that problem. My meal sizes have never been an issue either.

My mind tells me that I may not be eating enough & that eating little and often might be the way to go.

I have asked for advice not judgement.

the_devil_made_me_do_it

podperson wrote: »

It sounds like you are doing plenty of exercise so I would be looking at the diet side of things more. Do you need to reduce your points if you're doing ww? Also I must admit that I'm not a big fan of the points system full stop as it's still possible to eat fairly unhealthy foods and still stay within your 'points' - do you have a lot of processed foods, larger portions or a high carb diet? (I'm not suggesting an Atkins type diet but do you have a good balance between them. I'm veggie as well and when I was younger I found it quite easy to end up with a lot of carbs in 'veggie' options). Also, is it possible you might have food intolerances, eg wheat or dairy, as these can often contribute to problems with losing weight.

I haven't been diagnosed with any intolerances, however milk doesn't agree with me at all, that's one of the reasons I have oat milk instead. I can just about tolerate milk in tea or coffee, but that's about it.

I don't even have treat days either. I pretty much stick with pretty healthy food.

One of things I think I need to do is drink more water. However, I've got to say I've never been a big water drinker as I find it a bit bland. Need to find something to liven it up abit

miduck

Don't be so sensitive - you are not being judged, you are being given constructive advice.

You're right, you're not eating enough, and you're eating lots of carbs and little (no?) fruit and veg. Cut out all the processed rubbish and base your meals around fresh food - stir fries, salads etc. The weight will come off in no time.

Jox

Maybe eat more fruit and veg, they are filling.

You could input everything you eat for a couple of weeks in a website like http://www.livestrong.com/myplate/ it is quite eye opening to see how many calories you are intaking and the proportions of carbs, protein and fat.

Drink more water as well (maybe add a slice of lemon / lime if it's too bland)

the_devil_made_me_do_it

I wouldn't say I'm being sensitive. However, an abrupt attitude is not really appropriate. I am on a combination of meds, which when I was prescribed these the professor who diagnosed me at the time, did give me a warning that these tablets do cause weight gain, so for the past couple of years, I have been very aware of what I eat.

As for processed foods, & I'm suspecting you mean quorn. I have eaten quorn for years & it's never caused me weight problems. I do eat fruit & particularly like pineapples & apples. Although, I do eat other fruits, especially seasonal ones.

My choice of foods I have listed here are just an example, they are by no means included everyday.

My partner, who pretty much eats the same as me has lost over 2 stones since we both started dieting & exercising.

aylithuk

eating little and often is the winner here with working out
To give you an idea of what I used to do and what I will be doing again
1, Porridge and half a Banana
2, Protein shake
3, Tuna salad or Mackerel on brown toast
4, Carrots and Hummus
5, Hassia coated Chicken with Chickpea salad (not sure what veg alternative you could have?)
6, Some nuts before bed. (No puns please )

the_devil_made_me_do_it

Jox wrote: »

Maybe eat more fruit and veg, they are filling.

You could input everything you eat for a couple of weeks in a website like http://www.livestrong.com/myplate/ it is quite eye opening to see how many calories you are intaking and the proportions of carbs, protein and fat.

Drink more water as well (maybe add a slice of lemon / lime if it's too bland)

That livestrong website looks very interesting & I will register. Just got to work out how to input calories burned.

the_devil_made_me_do_it

aylithuk wrote: »

eating little and often is the winner here with working out
To give you an idea of what I used to do and what I will be doing again
1, Porridge and half a Banana
2, Protein shake
3, Tuna salad or Mackerel on brown toast
4, Carrots and Hummus
5, Hassia coated Chicken with Chickpea salad (not sure what veg alternative you could have?)
6, Some nuts before bed. (No puns please )

Is protein shake something akin to slim fast? Also, are protein shakes suitable for us veggies?

I reckon I could follow your food ideas & just replace the fish/meat with veggies alternatives.