Burn rate of 1790? I would gain 20lbs in a week!

Ok, long post and I apologize, but there are many details here that need factoring in. Please don't freak about the calorie totals you see here and tell me how low they are, I already know. I really just need some insight and maybe a little help.

Ok, my thing here is a little complicated. I already know very, very well about starvation diet, etc, and that is not the case here.

I got very sick when I was 13. My throat swelled up to a pinhole and I *literally* did not eat for a month. I don't really remember that month, just that I had to drink a lot of Sprite and water, and Sprite now grosses me out forevermore.

After getting sick, within 6 months I was dry-heaving and vomiting all the time. Maybe 3-4 times a day. Half of my hair also fell out. Doctors say its in my head (what?!). Goes on for years, accompanied by a too-many-painkillers-and-turned-my-head-too-f ast feeling. The vomiting turned to blood eventually, and I pretty much vomited blood daily for a period of a couple years. 4 Upper GIs and 7 pills later, because they can't find anything "it must be in my head". Right. It lasted until I was about 17 or 18, and sort of tapered off. Now I maintain with a certain decriminalized substance that has proven to be the *only* thing keeping me from feeling like that. And no, that's not a factor, I used it before I was sick, no metabolism problems. So anyway.

So anyway, ever since then I have also had severe thyroid symptoms..my hair falls out (and is thinning very much so, and has for years; my bf was concerned when he saw it), my nails are dry, brittle and literally peel off, I have pretty much no eyebrows on my outer third (hallmark symptom of hypothyroid), my skin is dry, my temperature regulation is awful, my mind is foggy and I feel very lethargic. Yet, every doctor (the 3 out of 8560945 that would listen and test me) tells me "my levels are fine" but when I get my hands on some meds, I feel *incredibly* better. But you know, as long as the tests say nothing, just like me vomiting blood (can you tell I am disillusioned with the medical system? and i am pre med!).

So through the years. by trial and error, I found I could no longer eat more than 1000 calories a day without gaining a tremendous amount of weight *every week*, as much as 5lbs in some cases. I even tried raising it to 1200, then to 1500, and resulted in over 30lbs of weight gain. Literally had to starve myself to get it off, less than 600 calories a day (I know that is absurdly unhealthy) and exercising 6 days a week, I was still barely, if at all, losing weight. Maybe a pound a week on 600 calories a day and 6 times a week of exercise. That is absurd.

After a year, I got back to 120. My body was happy, I was happy, I felt great, my thyroid conditions seemed to really ease off, and I was happy and not so insane anymore. I was eating about 8-900 a day (all good stuff, lots of multivitamins etc) and working out lightly 6x a week while being active normally, and I felt the best I had ever, ever felt. Even ended up eating close to 1200 a day after a little while, didn't have to think about it, it was just natural.

However, in the following February, about 6 months later, I started feeling awful again. All the thyroid symptoms came back. One week, still doing what I had been doing for a long time, I noticed I had gained about 4lbs that week. I shook it off, but the next week, I gained 5lbs. And this continued for months until I went from 120lbs to about 168, where it sort of leveled off. I am covered in cellulite, something I have NEVER had, even on my arms and knees, I went from a size 3/4 to a size 13/14 in about 3 months. I was a 34B, and now a 38D. My waist went from 25.5inches to 33 inches, and I am now a 27.5 BMI. Very unhealthy, no matter how you cut it.

And now I am back to the point I was before, all but having to literally starve myself to get this weight off. I eat very, very well, lots of protein and some healthy fat, moderate carbs, lots of lean meat, lots of vegetables and moderate fruit. I watch my sugar and fat intake, as well as sodium.

My issue comes when the Burn Rate calculator says that based on me, I burn 1790 calories a day. I find this to be impossible since I gain on more than 800/day now (but do not lose - I have to drop to almost 500 calories a day to lose). Honestly, this sort fo massive calorie restriction has put me an inch from an eating disorder for years. It is frustrating and obsessive, and i hate having to limit myself this way. No doctor will even listen to this full story, and if they do they blurt "starvation diet " at me as if I hadn't thought of that. I took about 6 months to work myself up to 1200 calories a day, and I gained over 30lbs. That's not normal.

So, there is NO way I burn 1790 a day, or I would be a skeleton by now. My thyroid levels always are "fine" and I can't get a doctor to listen long enough for them to get past the food and take a look at secondary or tiertiary hypothyroidism (the hypothalamus or pituitary), plus I have state health insurance so my options are very limited.

I know this was absurdly long, and if you read the whole thing, thank you. I know most of us aren't doctors and can't really help here, maybe I just wanted to vent. This started at 13 and I am 24 now and still am not allowed to eat normally, or I pay for it with 5lbs at the end of the week.

I read the whole thing, and I can just feel your frustration.

There honestly is a lot going on here, and I ceratinly don't feel qualified to tell you what to do, however I do hope that you listen to whatever advice you are given here, and stick to something very healthy.

As sucky as it is to gain a lot of weight, it is even suckier to feel awful becuase your body is malnourished. Your body sounds like it has been ging through hell for years, so I would think that getting it to a happy, healthy, normal place is the most important thing. And then, you will be able to focus on a goal weight. Aesthetics are truly secondary to feeling great.

I am not going to judge u becuase of the choices you've made in the past. You are here now. Sometimes we make poor choices out of a lack of knowledge, or out of fear. But since you love yourself, I hope you get more knowledgeable and start to treat your body as well as you can. That you put all that aside, and start to live your life better. Losing weight when your body has had time to get stronger, and doing it the healthy way is really going to feel so much better than staying on a starvation diet to not gain weight. I really hope someone who really understands your situation a little bit better comments on this as well.

Good luck and God bless. Message me if you ever want to talk, k?

ironically I still have good proportions. Even though my waist is huge now, it was about 36-25-38.. now 39-33-42.. ugh! Oddly enough I still have my "shape" somewhat, regardless of the weight gain, which is encouraging. I just need to figure out what happened to my body that it runs like this. Malnutrition is a factor, but I try to supplement where-ever and whenever I can.  I often go over my 800-limit, because I refuse to let half a pound keep me from feeding my body. Thing is, thats another 6-8lbs by the end of the month if I do it. It's so annoying! DFNGKJDSFNGKJSD lol sorry ;c When I was comfortable at 120, I ate what I wanted, when I wanted, exercised and felt great.. I was happy there, and don't know what happened to make that happen, but I want THAT back. You're right, looks are second to health, but here they are going hand in hand. Time for a new doctor, maybe..

I read the whole thing... sorry for all the troubles you seem to be having with your weight/health. I don't really have any solid advice, I would just keep in regular contact with yoru doctor and a nutritionist. Good luck!

Your proportions are very good. You carry weight well. that is simialr to mine...37-29-40.5 Why are you giving yourself an 800 cal limit? There is no wayyyy that is enough. Why are you so afraid to eat the minimum? Your body may not be strong enough or ready for you to be in weight loss mode yet, and too little calories is just gonna keep you on the same up and down cycle. You might have to gain some weight short term so that you can be healthier and with a more normal metabolism long term...

It probably is time for a new doctor...

How tall are you?

are they just running the thyroid test, or are they doing a full panel?

my understanding is the basic test has such a wide range of "normal" that they don't catch true hyper/hypo thyroidism. The tolerances are too wide.

I'm really sorry you've had such an awful time. I hope you can get the help you need (=good doctor!)

Good luck!

Your case actually sounds very similar to a one of my relatives.  She had so many problems for years and years until she was finally diagnosed with Celiac disease.  Have you been tested for all food allergies?  They never even though to test her for food allergies until someone brought it to her attention and she finally brought it up to about the billionth doctor that she went to.  They put her on a special diet consisting of mostly all meat.  She is finally able to live a normal life.  Just as a side note to this...another weird thing that could cause something like this could maybe be Lyme Disease.  Just another one of those weird things that doctors may not think to test for.

I read your whole post also, do what CDC and K-Loo say and NEVER give up.  There is a doctor out there that will listen.

Godd Bless

You know what this reminds me of?  Trying to get diagnosed with food allergies.  I knew I had them, I'd be violently ill or going into anaphalactic shock WAY too often (from the time I was 16/17 until I was about 21).  My family doctor, who is like a member of my family, wrote me a prescription for an epipen and referred me to an allergist--or a group of allergists.  One of them would see me.  They had an excellent reputation.

I went, I saw and was seen, and I was poked, prodded, and generally made uncomfortable ALL afternoon.  At the end of the torture session, I was informed that I had no allergies, and that meant that all of my problems were a) in my head, b) not something he could diagnose/cure, since it wasn't allergy related, or and this is my personal favorite, c) a function of portion (I was a big girl, but I wasn't obese at the time).  I left discouraged and didn't pursue an answer.

Meanwhile, my mother, who is a nurse, whose job it is to believe the doctor, set about trying to "reintroduce" the foods I "thought" I was allergic to.  Talk about a nightmare.  Anyway, one day I asked a restaurant if they used peanut oil, and apparently that was too much for her.  She told me I needed psychiatric help to deal with my "problems."  As an extra precaution, she also made an appointment to go back to the allergist.  To the same group of specialists.

A different doctor saw me, and after running every test known to man, with the same result, he threw down the results and informed us that there is no FDA approved allergy test because apparently there are a lot of cases like mine, where the allergy is clearly present, but neither the skin test nor the blood test can produce a reaction.  He offered to send me to some fancy lab in Chicago (half the country away), but told me that based on my descriptions of what was happening, he believed I was allergic. 

Moral of the story:  You know your body best, and your doctor is out there--somewhere.  Hang in there.

I really feel for you, it must feel like you're trapped in this vicious cycle with no light at the end of the tunnell.

My two thoughts are this. First off, you need to get not just your thyroid tested, but all your hormones. This includes estrogen, progesterone, etc. If you are not on anything for your thyroid, why not get an iodine supplement? It certainly won't hurt.

(I think the medical system in America is disgusting. I am in Australia and a single mum to two, I can go to the Doctors for free, my medicines are heavily discounted. Mind you, when you go to specialists, you have to expect to pay the price. Getting all my hormones tested cost me a fair bit, but I got nearly half of it back.)

The next avenue you might consider is going to a Naturopath with a good reputation or even a Chinese Herbalist that incorporates acupuncture. They are really great at finding the things that doctors overlook. Sometimes though, it takes a few before you find the right Naturopath.

Because your body has been through alot, I also tend to agree with someone above that said you're body probably needs to heal from the abuse first. You may have to try and get your head around putting on some weight at first. It will be very hard to accept. Once you've given your body proper nutrition and the amount of calories it needs, it will adjust-even if it is a slow process. You will be able to lose weight in the proper way, without the stress of starving (been there) and it will be for good.

Getting your cals to 1200 is a start. ( I won't preach to you as I'm still trying to up mine to 1500) Try and get your cals up to where they should be. I think maybe keep doing your weight training to build your muscles which will in turn help your metabolism and maybe walking. The aim is to not stress your body out, give it a break. Eat well, weight train, walk, you shouldn't need to do mad cardio untill your body is ready for fat loss. In other words, don't go cardio crazy because you see yourself putting on weight. Know that it is temporary and once you heal, you will be able to lose again safely.

You can't live on 600 cals for the rest of your life, it will be miserable. Do the hard work now, so you can set your self up for life.

Good luck, I wish you the best!

Definitely keep trying to find the issue, I know that it's going to be frustrating with the limited insurance that you have, perhaps you can get additional coverage since there is apparently nothing wrong with you?  You should be able to eat 1700 calories and lose weight and since you cannot there is something wrong with how your body is functioning.  Also your symptoms indicate that something is severely wrong.

In the short term I think you might have to deal with going up to 200 lbs even as nutrition is much more important than the weight.  Weight training is a good idea as it will make the weight feel and look like much less as you gain muscle mass.

For food allergies, I've heard of one of our members who was allergic to raw vegetables but cooked were fine.  It's bizzare and as far as I know the only test is trial and error.

I kinda know what you mean... My burn rate (with my activity level and workouts included) is like 2500 calories and depending on my workout up to 3000 calories a day.  Now, I have always been somewhat active, but eating calories that high is what has put me in the situation of wanting to lose 60 lbs.  It is frustrating.

Now, I do not have to go as low as you do, but I do need to stay around 900-1200 and NO MORE than 1200 calories a day to even see a weight loss at the end of the week.  And the thing is, I feel better at that.  I do not have the afternoon low, I sleep better at night and I have great energy to sustain me through the entire day. I do take supplements and really monitor the nutritional value of what I eat. 

I think the burn meter is WAY off.... I still have not figured out how to use it to accurately create a picture of my day or how best my body feels.

I have tested all of my 'levels' and everything is in line with normal.  So, I can not figure it out either.  Although, I know that I can not go anywhere near RMR of 1700 calories to even come close to maintaining my weight.  I, too, have put on 5 lbs and more in one week.  Mix that with birth control pills and trying to quit smoking, I can really pack them on. 

I have to have that 1000 caloriee deficit in my day... even a tad more... to see any results in a 7 day period. 

I agree, I think you know your body best....

meandmillie2, what are your stats?  If you truly aren't losing weight eating at your RMR, do get your thyroid checked out, also see if you might be insulin resistant or any other test your doctor can think of.  I'm not talking about a week of no weight loss, I'm talking over at least a month. 

If you have been eating low calories for a long time it really messes with your metabolism.  Some of our members recovering from anorexia have gained weight at ridiculously low calories when they've been restricting for long periods but then after going through a medically supervised refeeding period have had to eat 3500+ calories to put weight back on.

See, that is where I think that every single body is different. 

Me: I am 35, 5'2" and currently 200 lbs (started the program on my own at 216 and started this website at 202).  Even at that 200 lbs I fit firmly into an misses' size 12.  Now, the LOWEST I can go is 145 (below that, I do not like the way I look). At that 145 I am a size 4 with muscle tone... And all that weight at 5'2" still put me in the overweight category (which makes no sense).... Since, I am a medium build with a lot of muscle tone.

I work out and I tone up really easily.  My weight has been up and down (I am at my heaviest EVER) and I got really fit and toned in my mid 20s (to the point that I battled a slight exercise addiction -- worked out on average 3 hours a day and I did seek counseling for it). However, I did have a healthy diet of around 2000 calories a day (but maintained with a lot of exercise). 

I just think each person is different.  For example I know someone who is 5'3" and weighs around 180 and is a woman's size 16... Yet, am almost 20 lbs heavier and over 2 sizes smaller. 

I have just discovered that as I hit my mid 30s, my dietary needs have changed.  I put on weight in the past 4 years and actually put on 30 lbs since last January, alone.  I know the reason for that weight and have just decided to do something about it. It was not health related, just flat out laziness and poor food choices. 

As you lose weight you RMR lowers.. We also have to keep that in mind. 

So, I do not think that stats mean anything, really.  I see my doctor regularly... I have had complete physicals (I work for a government organization that does have fitness and health requirements). 

It is just something I realize.... I can not go above 1200 calories a day and expect any scale fluctuation.  And the thing is, I am completely satisfied on 900 (which is seldom)-1200 (I stick in the middle) calories a day and seldom, if ever, go to bed hungry knowing what kind of foods to mix together. 

Before that and putting on that 70 lbs, I have built my typical day of meals and came out with an average of 1900-2500 calories.  I was putting on weight with that when that and my current base "Burn Meter" number when I consider myself sedentary is 1900.  And I am no where near sedentary.

Believe me, mixing the food choices that I do... I could not imagine allowing myself any more.

Thanks for the feedback!  I appreciate your response and question.

My mom has hypothyroid too. I don't think hers was quite so bad as yours is but she has been on medication for it for a few years so that is probably why. The medication seems to work really well for her, she doesn't have any problems with it now.

I would definatly recommend going to a different doctor, clearly your body is not functioning the right way. Someone has got to be out there who will help you out and figure out what's wrong.

meandmillie2, I agree, every single body is different.  However, they're also the same in that our organs do very similar things with very similar input.  The exact calorie intake will vary.  When the difference is huge it usually means something is out of whack. 

f your car got 9 miles to the gallon but everyone else's was getting 25+ you'd probably wonder why unless you were driving a tank or a hummer.  Spark plugs misfiring, clogged filters, dead body in the trunk, etc.  All are different problems that have the same symptom.  If it's something that can be altered it's worth looking into.

Strange! Have you ever seen the show mystery diagnosis? Maybe you coudl be on that show? You should call them seriously!