I can't lose weight

Hmm. It seems that everyone has a different approach that works for them to lose weight. Have you tried a high protein, low carb diet, with most carbs coming from fresh fruit and vegetables and avoiding processed foods and sugars? That, along with some supplements, worked for me after years and years of working out and working out and not losing a pound. Lost about 25 pounds and have lately started bulking up on the muscle (was pretty muscular before, but now there's more).

From what you've said in other posts, I know you're aiming to lose more than just 20, but you might give it a try.

Hope this helps,

Todd

 

Hello.

First let me just say that I don't condone surgery of that sort unless it's absolutely necessary. Why? Because while it may "fix" (it's basically not allowing you to absorb as much nutrients as you normally could) the problem, it doesn't address the cause of the problem.

I have to agree with Todd here, I suggest cutting carbs. I know someone who recently (about a year ago) cut carbs and so far she's lost over 90 lbs. I'm a strong advocate of strength training, so I also suggest going to the gym regularly.

Best of luck to you with whatever your choice is.

 

I can assure you losing weight is possible for everyone. Your mom is right, that money is better spent elsewhere. If you are gaining weight, you are consuming more calories this week than last week, it is really that simple (absent any other medical conditions).

Changing your body IS NOT EASY. It is really hard work, and takes a lot of dedication over a very long period of time.

Sorry to be harsh, but eating less and walking more is probably not going to cut it. You need to come up with an eating plan, track your calories and weight train. It is also best to do cardio first thing in the morning so your body uses stored fat rather than glycogen. Waking up earlier and going for a run? Yeah that blows, but that is the commitment it takes.

Best of luck, I assure you that you can accomplish this if you set your mind to it.

 

I am sorry but I don't believe the surgery is the answer. Get a nutritionist (or get a better one). Loosing weight is always possible, although I know it's not easy.
You are young and you don't say that you are seriously ill, you can move. With the right specialist you can do it.

 

Getting surgery actually does not necessarily help the health aspect of it; even if it may affect the aesthetic appeal side. Why? Because clogged arteries can be a problem and you likely wouldn't get that fixed with plastic surgery,for example. I advise you to be very careful with these "diet" pills for two reasons (1) side-effects and (2) financial reasons. The pharmaceutical industry is a huge business with a lot of power; a lot of these "magic" pills are really just rip-offs (not even FDA approved) that have not shown any plausible proof of curing in actual non-bias scientific trials. So be smart about your choices.

Lastly, I will give you some losing fat advice that many people probably don't know. Exercising in the morning before you have eaten breakfast burns fat directly from, well your fat storage and will have better results. Why? To keep this short, it has to do with differing biochemical cycles.

I'm a chemist with experience in biology as well as medicinal research; so trust me when I say that.

I wish you all the best whatever decision you make.
hugs

 

Nope. It's quite easy and results start to show very quickly.

The best thing any fat person can do is eat less and walk more. Anything above that is a bonus.

 

Like AKTodd, I'm hesitant to say too much without knowing more particulars...would you mind sharing how much you've gained? It's pretty normal to gain at least a little weight when you start college - the "freshman fifteen" isn't just a myth. Plus - though again, I don't know the particulars - a person can usually put on more weight than most people would think before it becomes a health issue, aside from blood pressure.

That said, a couple thoughts. Eating less, from what I know, actually doesn't help lose weight all that much, as when you deprive your body of nutrients it breaks down muscle tissue first to make up for what's lost, and converts it to fat cells (disclaimer - I'm no doctor, so don't take me as the sole, or even a major, authority here). Eating differently might be a better idea, and if you drink pop or any coffee smoothie deals at all, cutting them out completely is a fantastic first step.

Secondly, getting used to working out regularly is HARD. I've only managed to do it twice in my life, and it was mostly by accident both times. But if you can find someone to walk/run with, or go to a gym with (there are lots of places around that won't be filled with gym snobs), it could make it a lot easier. Do you know anyone who's looking to work out more too?

Finally...try not to be too hard on yourself. Seriously. If nothing else, you're not the only one - I very unexpectedly packed on 15 pounds recently, it was quite a surprise! But feeling like you *have* to work out because if you don't you won't be attractive or whatever will make it even harder to work out in the first place. Go to the gym, run, swim, or whatever all you want - but don't forget that everybody is somebody's type. Keep it about your own health and your own goals.

 

You are 18 years old... you don't need lapband surgery. Weight is simple, yet difficult, calories out need to be higher than carlories in. Excercise and diet my friend. It just takes will power. You are taking the easy way by thinking about all this surgery stuff. And Stop pigging out on dorm food.

 

That only happens if you are making very drastic reductions to your intake and generally only kicks in once your fat stores have been (almost) completely depleted.
If you are undernourished then you may lose muscle mass because your muscles aren't being maintained by your body as protein intake is used as an energy source instead of for muscle repair, but this is quite different to your muscles being broken down for energy. This can also happen if you are consuming enough energy but your diet doesn't contain sufficient protein.
Reasonable intake reduction and correct diet won't lead to muscle loss.

Making reasonable (but significant) changes to your diet and sustaining them for a decent period is the most effective way to drop fat. Exercise comes in second. Anything else is a distant third.

If you are putting on fat then you are consuming more energy than you need - fat doesn't come from nowhere. Sure, there are factors at play for how readily your body will store fat, but regardless of how much it stores it is only going to be storing fat if there is an excess of energy. All gastric band surgery is doing is forcing you to consume less energy by reducing your appetite, so it's not doing anything you can't potentially do yourself without it.
Now there's no shame in requiring surgical intervention to control your appetite, because appetite is a very powerful adversary, but make sure you have had an honest attempt at trying to control it yourself before you decide to go ahead and get it done.


Here's a simple litmus test for whether you've made a proper, honest attempt: what do you drink?
If the answer if anything other than water, then you haven't made a proper attempt.
(yes this makes me look like a dick, but it's true)

 

Ah, thanks - that does sound better. Possible article of interest on the subject here if anybody's interested.

Anyways, as we were.

 

I couldn't ever seem to lose weight either. I now have a calorie counting app, you put in you height, gender, weight and exercise and it tells you how many calories you should eat a day.
I've lost 8kg (17.6lbs) in 6 weeks using it

 

I don't know about your current diet, but doing this will help at least:

Drink only water or liquids without sugar.(No soda drinks, not too many fruitjuices (not more than 1 at least)).
Only eat things you cook yourselves, no processed foods anymore, especially not when it contains high-fructose corn syrup, or things like 'natural sugar' from apple juice (it's still sugar, whatever the source). Use enough vegetables. Don't have a breakfast either with processed foods, things like plain muesli and such are allowed but don't have to much dried apple/chocolate and other sugary things in it.
Only eat whole-grain bread and not too much either.

If you eat a lot of processed foods, take your time with changing your diet. Learning how to cook good tasting stuff will take time and it's really hard to maintain a diet with bad-tasting food and low variety. For example search for good tasting vegan recipes and learn to cook them as a start (they're generally healthy). Recipes with a lot of spices and fresh herbs (like Indian) are probably best as they have a lot of flavour. But start with switching to water instead of soda drinks if you drink those right away.

 

I know you said you were eating less, but it really depends on what you are eating. Ensure that you are eating a balenced diet... fruit, veggies, lean protien, complex carbs and healthy fats. When you walk, make sure you are going at a reasonable clip... while a slow walk is better than no walk, a brisk walk is best.

 

I was 250lbs at one point...I'm a 5'8 woman so...let me be clear I was a hefty girl

It does NOT take surgery to lose weight. I don't condone it because its risky, it doesn't always work...I had a friend get surgery and she gained it all back... and it doesnt get at the key of weight loss.

Weightloss is as simple as calories in an calories out. You have to eat less than what you burn each day, and make sure you are eating above you BMR, basal metablic rate. Being that you are overweight, your BMR is high because your body is carrying more mass.

its not always about WHAT you eat, but how much. When I was losing weight, nothing stopped me from going to Checkers and getting a burger and fry, but I only got a regular burger and a small fry. I still loss weight because I stayed within my calorie range.

If you want to eat a Whopper with cheese, do it, but walk for 30mins to burn off any extra calories.
Best bet is to TRACK EVERYTHING that you eat, and limit it to however many calories equal 1/5 to 2lbs a week lost

Free BMR Calculator For LoseIt! Users

I use that calculator.

Everything has a calorie amount except water. Even a grape you put in your mouth.
Track it...limit..lose.
If you want to exercise...that's great. it gives you some leeway. If not....then...don't. I didn't exercise for the first 3 weeks...then I started walking because I had more energy. Then I did a little more.
You can do this without surgery, pills or anything.

 

Get your thyroid checked!

 

Really? Don't think I've ever heard a person say "yeah lost 50 pounds it was so easy". And clearly for the gentlemen who started this thread, it isn't easy. So saying that it is, and that eating less and walking more is all it takes, isn't going to help. Because it hasn't worked for him.

 

Given that you're in college and in the dorms IIRC, cooking may be a bit of a challenge. If so and eating out is sort of a requirement, consider checking out the Eat This, Not That books. I haven't used them much since I don't eat at chain reastaurants much, but a friend of mine who does really likes them. I've got one and can see how it could be very helpful if the places you eat at are listed. They may have a website as well, not sure.

Todd

 

I ate less than 1,500 calories and walked for an hour (or more) a day, and only lost 3 or 4 pounds in 3 months. Yeah, it's so easy...:rolle: