squirrell

I hope someone on here can provide some possible answers to this but I am now completely lost, frustrated, and ready to give up.

I have lost 65 pounds so far since April 1 and have 75 pounds to go to goal. I track my calories every day, note exercise, etc. etc. I go a net caloric intake of between 1300-1400 calories a day, which should provide enough of a deficit to see a 1.5 to 2 pound per week loss. For the last 3 months, my weight loss has slowed to about 5 pounds a month.

At the first of September, my doc put me on diuretics--I lost almost 6 pounds in 3 days. Since then, I have not lost anything--not an ounce!

Now this--from Saturday to Sunday, I gained 1 pound. This morning, I showed a 2 pound gain. That's 3 pounds gained in 2 days!

I ride at least 5 days a week, anywhere from 90-130 miles a week or more. Friday, I rode 27 miles; Saturday, I rode 45 miles. Both were fairly fast paced rides, too.

Some may know I've asked about this issue before and got suggestions, which I've followed.

I've tried varying my calories; I've tried intervals in riding. I've tried longer slower rides and faster shorter ride. I've tried eating WAY OVER on calories one day a week. I've tried everything!

Now, this 3 pound gain in 2 days. I know it has to be fluid of some kind, doesn't it? BUT, I'M ON A DIURETIC! So, how in the world could I be retaining fluid still?

To regive basic facts: I'm 45, woman, pre-menopausal, diabetic (type 2 on pills), High blood pressure (on pill). I'm 5'4" tall, weigh currently 216 (was 213 on Saturday ). I ride 5 days a week and do some light weight training 1-2 times a week, although I haven't been able to get to the gym in a week for that.

I hope someone can help because I am seriously lost here now--this gain of 3 pounds with being in diuretics has me seriously concerned. I really don't know the answer. HELP!

Neil_B

I think you need to step back and take a deep breath. A three pound fluctuation in weight over a couple of days isn't something to be upset about. It might even be something as simple as oversalted cooking helping you hold water, despite the medication.

forrestt

Ask the Doctor for his ideas. Maybe the meds need regulating.

lil brown bat

I think I already said this in another thread, but consider where you are in your menstrual cycle. And what Historian said. It's a blip; you need to not regard this as The End.

squirrell

It's not just the 3 pound gain--it's that for over 3 weeks prior to being put on the diuretics that I lost a total of about 8/10 of a pound. Then, dropped due to the diuretics, now back up. That's what makes it all so frustrating, that I lost nothing for so long and now this gain.

I just can't seem to find the key to losing and am beginning to wonder, as I've some on hear also, if doing a lot of cycling is weight-loss "friendly." I was losing very steady until I increased my cycling time/distances--that's when the loss seemed to slow to a crawl to nothing. It's been almost 3 months since I've seen steady loss now and am wondering when my body will adjust or if it will adjust to my cycling regime.

I've asked before for suggestions, like I said, and tried what was suggested then but it hasn't seemed to help.

Smallguy

like others said don;t worry about the 3 pounds

I can fluctuate 5-10 pounds just based on the food I eat and the quantity

if you think the increase in cycling is causing the issue back off a bit on it and try another form of cardio.. something that will recruit slightly different muscles and maybe shock your body slightly

some people find that droppnig all carbs after say 6pm has helped them out

Neil_B

Plateaus are part of weight loss. I went through the same thing when I was beginning. From alt.support.diet:

**********
The Historian wrote:
> Week three in the construction of Neil 2.0., and already there has been
> a bug discovered. I've dropped 18 founds so far, until this morning when
> I discovered 3 of them returned! My calories for the past two weeks have
> been 2200 a day (at least 1000 a day less than a man my size usually
> consumes), which should promise a loss of at least two pounds a week. My
> exercise routine is 20 minutes on a recumbent bike six days a week, and
> lifting weights for 15-20 minutes four days. Unfortunately my bad knees
> prohibit me from taking long walks or using a treadmill, so the cardio
> time I am getting is limited to how long I can tolerate the bike - my
> seat is larger than the bike's. I'm 6'1" and 40 years old, if that helps.

> I understand that sooner or later I would hit a plateau, but I had hoped
> it would be later. Any suggestions, fellow losers?

Neil
385/370/200

The Queen of Cans and Jars wrote:
You're not going to lose two pounds a week every week. Relax and
remember that you're going to be doing this (eating less, exercising
more, lather, rinse, repeat) for the rest of your life.

Doug Freyburg wrote:
You aren't even a month in and you're 15 down. Relax and
admit your success already. Start denying your own success
and you're toast. Start complaining about plateaus when you're
a month from the possibility and you're toast. Now jump up
and down and shout with glee at your level of success. And
keep on course.

*********

I suggest you remain patient, and shout with glee. You've had a lot of success.

lil brown bat

...and, of course, that couldn't also have coincided with any other events in your life, medical or otherwise. Cycling must be the culprit!

Squirrell, I don't envy you, you're trying to deal with a lot of different issues at once. You're dealing with a lot of interactions of medications and biochemistry, and it means that for you, weight loss just isn't gonna be that simple. You're just not going to find a formula that's going to give you steady weight loss of the kind that's going to make you happy (in your present state of mind). As I see it, you have two choices: stop trying, or learn to handle setbacks and changes.

Cycling is plenty weight-loss friendly. So are a lot of other things. If cycling isn't doing it for you emotionally, or for practical reasons (like, it snows two feet a day where you live, or your bike broke and you can't afford to fix it), that's a reason to switch to something else. I wouldn't switch for any other reason, however. The laws of physics won't be any different if you're doing some other form of exercise.

You can't change the laws of physics. You can't change your biochemistry. You can change your mindset. Put "weight loss" aside for a moment, and ask yourself: are you becoming more healthy, or less healthy? If you're dealing with significant health issues, it's common that you can't always advance on all fronts all the time. In your case, weight loss may need to wait (or not advance as fast as you'd like) until some other issues are resolved first.

squirrell

Ok, you guys are all right. As much as I almost hate to admit it, I really guess I have to admit that I'm just not going to see the pounds come off at a steady rate like I would like. Doesn't make me happy but it's probably the truth.

I am not giving up cycling though--that's for sure! That is the only bright spot right now, as I have really found a passion for riding. There is absolutely nothing like getting on that bike and just going!

I've threatened to put the scale away before and not weight for a bit, and I think this time I will really do it!

Thanks all for the good advice and sympathetic ear. The ride this morning helped with my mood too--21 miles with little to no wind, cool but not too cool. Great ride!

ctwxlvr

have you given the thought that the "gain" or plateau is because fat is being replaced by mussel?

Richard_Rides

I wonder if that diuretic is really a steroid with diuretic properties. What is the name of that medication?

Neil_B

Ewww, that sounds gross. I'd hate to have my fat replaced by mussel.

squirrell

It's called hydrochlorothiazide. I take 1 capsule a day.

deraltekluge

Indeed...I go up and down by that much or more during one day.

squirrell

I asked a lady I know who is in her final year of studying sports medicine and nutrition about this as well. She said that it sounds to her to be a matter of my body "replenishing glycogen."

Here's part of what she sent me:

"Sounds to me like you've just replenished glycogen. Your body after a 45 mile ride is going to be glycogen depleted. You probably didn't see a gain right away because you were well hydrated. Now you've been eating enough and your glycogen levels have increased, resulting in a moderate gain. I'm actually surprised you didn't gain more.

Your fluid retention is in the muscles and liver, and it's BOUND to glycogen. You can't get rid of that until you break down the glycogen into glucose. Diuretics don't do that, they are based on solute levels in the blood. "

So, if that's true, too, than that could also be the reason I have seen such quick drops in weight before.

I'm waiting for an answer back to see if there is a way to speed up the process somehow so that my weight will drop back down.

lil brown bat

Think you could resize that image, Historian?

Neil_B

Sorry, I don't know how.

Pamestique 

I would suggest you discuss this with your dietician however, this may sound weird, but I believe your caloric intake is too low especially if you are active. If you over a long period of time take in too few calorics, your body will shut down; slow down the metabolism in order to preserve calories. With a active lifestyle you probably should be taking in around 1600- 1800 calories a day. Your body will find a "set-point" i.e. a level at which your dieting efforts will become a struggle. Jump start your body by upping your exercise level or do some cross-training. If you aren't lifting weights you need to start. Muscle brings fat and calories faster than fat and flab.

Not certain where you believe being on a diuretic is going to help with weight loss. It doesn't. It's intended to flush out salts in your system and lower your BP (I take the same thing). Make sure you are drinking adequate amounts of water and limit salts in your diet. Also have you ever thought the gain is not water weight, but muscle? Again, muscles weighs more than fat. Instead of tracking your weight, start measuring inches. You might be surprised!

CliftonGK1

Why, isn't it big enough already?


OP, in one of your responses, you mentioned threatening to put away the scale and weigh yourself less frequently.
It's a good idea. I recently started using a nutrition and exercise tracking program, and I only take data readings for weight and body measurements once a week. On a daily basis, (heck, within a day) I can see variability of up to 3 or 4 pounds depending on how much water I drank, food I ate, and the amount of time I spend on the bike.

Dantebfd

It is important to know what you are eating as well. I don't know enough about being diabetic and exercise to have an opinion, I am not diabetic but I am a "high insulin" producer and I really have to avoid simple carbs in order for me to lose weight. I went from 215 to 160 by doing some serious mileage but, more importantly, I really watched my intake of high glycemic foods. Your calorie intake does seem too low based on your activity level too. Keep at it and stay positive.

Richard_Rides

This medication prevents your kidneys from metabolizing salt, thus reducing water retention. A common side effect is a depletion of potassium. It would not be a bad idea to take a multivitamin with potassium to elevate your electrolytes. Also pump up your tires, oil your chain and pedal real fast!

Whoop! Whoop!

bakerjw

I lost 3-4" on my waist and only dropped like 8 to 10 pounds. My face is slimmer and I am generally skinnier looking. The fat went away and muscle took its place. Someone told me that muscle is 7 times as dense as fat.

When I drop another 35 I'll be content.

TechKnowGN

Im down 70 and have plateaued 3 times. the trick to remember is that plateaus are called that for a reason, they arent the great plains of america, just a short flat spot before you (or actually your weight) falls off a cliff.

JoelS

I've plateaued twice now, and "only" dropped 38. After each one, I drop a bunch quickly. Looking at my chart, the weight loss is steady if the graph is normalized. It just goes in fits and starts instead of steady.

Missbumble 

Hey Squirrel - If you are sure about your caloric intake - I say try the following:

1. Weigh once a month
2. Add in some work on the stair stepper or elliptical - Anything where you get your heart rate up 5 times per week and sweaty
3. Ride bike in evening or on weekend - but depoend on food intake and exercise machines for weight loss

Basically - I lose more weight when I concentrate on hard exercise in additon to my fun/long rides. So yes I burn a ton on the bike - but right now as I am on the road - i hit the gym in the AM on the nasty stair stepper. It's good because this winter I can keep going when I am not bike riding...

Aim for 1 pound a week - so you won't be disappointed. Ok takes a ton of faith - I definitely gain 3 pounds every so often or so - since I eat more sodium .... or refuel with a long ride - Have to look at this long haul. And for me a food addict as Lance would say it is not about the Bike. It's about the food - about the exercise... DO NOT GIVE UP - That is giving up on a new way of life.... Forget about a diet just eat better - and sustain this path for your life. So there's nothing to give up - just keep on.... Ok - so weigh in one month.... Whaddya say? Keep on Ridin!