Did my doctor starve me???

Hello all.  I'm new here, but definitely not new to weight loss.  I've yoyo'd 45 lbs every other year since I was 12!  Nice to meet everyone and congrats on your successes!

I wanted to ask you opinions on something.  Let me start off by saying that all my life, my preferred method of weight loss was eating eggs, chicken, and salads, plus walking/jogging 4-6 miles daily, every single day of the week.

Well, one day I get on birth control pills.  My hormones become crazy and I gained weight (45 lbs).  I became very depressed and stopped taking them.  I was still having trouble losing weight, even with me jogging 5 miles each day, because the hormones stayed in my system longer than they should have, so I went to my doctor crying for help.

He put me on phentermine and some kind of mad starvation diet.  This is how the diet went:

1/2 cup cereal for breakfast

3 oz. of meat with 1/2 cup of green beans for lunch (in case anyone doesn't realize, 3 oz. of meat equals half of a tiny can of tuna fish!)

Same as lunch for supper

So, this is it.  No snacks allowed.  Eating the equivalent of half of a can of tuna and half a handful of green beans for lunch and supper.  If I had to guess, I'd say the calories per day here must have been lwhat?  600, wouldn't you say?  The food portions were so small, it was insane.  I followed this diet for 3 months straight, religiously.  I lost 45 lbs in those 3 months and went from being overweight, to very much underweight.  I am a very muscular person naturally, and on this diet, I watched my body actually EAT it's own muscle!  I literally lost all of my strength.

Needless to say, I couldn't help but gain it all back immediately after going back to eating normal.    Up to 10 lbs a week, then 20 lbs one month, another 10 lbs, until I eventually became an overweight person without muscles, and zero strength.  Even as an obese child, I was always very strong and now I am so jellyfied!

Now, I am trying to go back to my old way of losing.  Walking each day, and living off of chicken salads (no croutons, only vinegar dressing, and a chicken breast).  Hah, yeah.....right.  Instead of losing weight, I'm actually gaining on this strategy!

For the first time ever, I think my body is so ruined that I won't be able to get healthy again.  I believe that the diet destroyed my metabolism and muscle mass.  I trusted my doctor and I didn't believe he would put me on anything that would hurt me.  Even my family watched me wither away in 3 short months.  They were calling me names like popcicle head and karen carpenter (yeah, some support group I have here).  The once rounded and strong muscles in my arms were reduced to BONE, and I lost energy and wanted to sleep all of the time.  I wish I could share pics of it.  I literally had insane muscle loss.  I'll be perfectly honest that the only other person I've known to go from having muscles to being boney was a lady I knew who had AIDS.  I lost muscle like a person with that terrible disease.

So now what?  I read all of the time about how you don't want to go into starvation mode because it's bad for your metabolism.  But what I would like to know, is how to lose the weight and get healthy once someone has already done the damage.  Remember, I am already eating salads, lean meats, veggies, and exercising LOTS.  My body has been so messed up that I'm only steadily gaining here.  I wants my muscles, strength, and metabolism back!  Can anyone tell me what to do?  I am a stickler for the rules (which is what got me into this mess in the first place) and I can follow any diet/workout routine.  It just seems that eating a normal amount of food and working out a normal amount is getting me nowhere :(  I want to feel like myself from 2 years ago!  Please help me out!

Yes, he did put you on a starvation 'diet'. That is horrible, and I am so, so sorry. Honestly, you might have a lawsuit here. He could lose his medical license for doing that to you.

Your metabolism has been damaged, and your muscles have atrophied. The best advice I can give you is to continue eating a healthy, proper amount of calories - 1200 a day. Make sure you are eating a lot of protein, fruits, vegetables, and fiber. Aim for mainly healthy foods. Also, do 10 minutes of weight-training a day. Start with light weights, 2 lbs, and gradually increase the number as you feel stronger.  Add in some daily cardio, ten minutes of jogging, dancing, or bike riding. And continue doing the walking that you have been doing. If you can, I strongly suggest going to a gym and getting a certified trainer to work with you on building your muscle mass back up.

It will take time. It took time and hard work to break down your body, and it will take time and hard work to build it back up. I'm not going to lie, it could very well take up to a year to get your metabolism back to a healthy functioning level. But it will get there. And your muscles will come along with it.

And stick to it. Do NOT weigh yourself for the next four - five months, your body needs time to adjust and realize that you are treating it better and nourishing it now. If you weigh yourself, you will see a number gain. This will freak you out, so please, do not weigh or measure. In about two months, you can start taking measurements, and you will see them shrinking as your muscle increases and your fat decreases. Remember - muscle weighs more than fat, so while gaining muscle back, you will see a number increase on the scale - this is why it is best not to weigh.

Good luck!

<3

First of all, patience. I hate to tell you this, but it took almost 3 months for me to get my body out of starvation mode. I ate healthy every day, for 3 months. It was so frustrating, but it has paid off. What really helped me to not give up and to keep trying, was this article:

http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/core_march_8. htm 

It really saved my sanity and gave me courage to not give up, to believe in being a healthier person and not not obsess over the pounds. I decided that my goal was to be healthy and if I was healthy, then it was only natural to lose weight. My main goal, is more healthy choices than unhealthy choices this year. Surprising, even to myself, I just past the 50 lbs lost mark. Here is my story at the 3 month point. When it all just started to click.

http://www.calorie-count.com/forums/post/8460 .html

Also, I threw together a post a while back with all the little things I learned when I first started. Little tips to help figure out the numbers, information on water, protein, fiber and a link to the list of what is considered the world's most healthiest foods. You are more than welcome to check it out.
http://www.calorie-count.com/forums/post/8532 .html 

You need to see a (better!) doctor. The damage that has been done is something only a professional can advise on.

Are you still on the birth control pill? (Which bc is tht?) o.o....
I would probably see a nutritionist also. You may need something different than your usual regular healthy food u took when you were in tip-top condition. And be patience. Your body took a harsh beating and the come back won't happen over night.
unfortunately, yes, Family is not always the best place to seek support. They are more subjective and probably felt like they are suffering together with you. Being in that similar state of mind as you even without the physicality, they hardly can provide support. So just forgive them. Focus on yourself & your goal. Always check back here to seek inspiration. Cheer up & good luck. ^^b

Nice to meet you.
There really are no rules.  Everyone is the same and yet we are all different.  So your calories are going to be different from everyone else's on this site. Just because your lifestyle is different. 
Please just start eating healthy for right now.  Whether you eat 1200, 1400, 1600, 1800, or 2000 calories every day that is your choice. 
Hormones are a b****.  They do whatever they want to your body and don't ask you if it is alright.  Wait until you get into your forties and fifties they will get you again.
Good luck!

Yes I did get off of the hormones when I started that diet. 

I haven't been on any sort of diet for almost one year (I gained the weight back fast and have just been eating a normal amount of calories ever since).  Why hasn't my body aknowledged the non-starving for this past year and just revved itself up?  Do you guys think that I might not be in starvation mode anymore and that now I just need to get into a new routine of counting calories and increasing my workout to include weight-lifting? 

I wish I could see a specialist about this, but I don't have the money to do it.  That's why I'm trying to figure it out on my own using the internet. 

The calorie counting is so confusing to me.  I am not good with numbers.  For instance, what is a good daily meal plan?  I do remember eating a lot, and often, when I was super-fit.  But I don't remember what I was eating.  I am at a loss as to what to eat.

I have aproximately 2 outfits in my wardrobe that fit me (and money is tight, as I mentioned).  It is so tempting to get back on that diet again to lose some pounds fast and then to worry about the consequences of having to build my metabolism back up later, once I am thinner and in a better mood.  If I start off slowly and only lose 1 pound a week, I will end up having a crying fit in a month and hating myself. 

So where do I start?

Hey there, Whew.

Good for you for taking charge of your own health. It sounds like you've had some seriously challenging moments with your weight!

You haven't mentionned when you went on this starvation diet, so I can't say what kind of damage has been done in the short-term, but I feel pretty comfortable saying it's NOT permanent.

I grew up in a community of Jewish holocaust survivors. (The key phrase here is "survivor.") The only people who did not regain normal health were the ones who had been experimented on.

In short, I seriously doubt you've got permanent damage. Besides, you have indicated that you're gaining again, which is a sign that your body is trying to get back to a safe weight. (Meaning that you need enough padding that you're not going to blow away in a light breeze.)

You asked for opinions on what to do, so here's mine:

Given your ability to follow rules so rigidly you can ignore your body's own warning signs, I'd strongly recommend you seek the assistance of a dietician. From what you've written, you need someone who can monitor your diet and your health on a very consistent basis and who can help you adjust as needed.

On another aside, if you prefer hormone birth control, there are some very low-dosage options, particularly the NuvaRing, which may be a better option. Progesterone causes you to mainain fat pads, so the less hormone you have in your body, the better. (Besides what added hormones can do to your body.)

I've been done with the birth control pills since I did that diet, over a year ago.  I'm not even interested in lower doses because my body reacts so severely to them.  Contraception is officially my husband's problem now, lol.

I did this diet for 3 months straight around August of last year. 

Ugh, I should mention now that I am 180 at this time :(  I would give my right arm to be 140, where I should be.  I wish I could hire a dietician, but that's not possible right now.

Like you said, I definitely can ignore my body once I hit desperate.  I am considering using this diet once my TOM is over, and getting back to being small enough to jog again.  One idea I am thinking of is adding a small healthy snack between each of these pathetic meals on the diet to give me extra calories and a boost to my metabolism.  I am sure I could still lose weight doing that, plus it would be way healthier.

Could that be an option?

Yes, that was wrong, but hopefully it hasn't caused permanent damage.  If I were you - and I'm not, so this is really just an idea - I would do as much as you can to rebuild your muscle.  It will then help you metabolize the food you're eating.  Stick with a *reasonable* eating plan, as someone said, high in fiber and protein, low in salt and fat (and what fat is included, aim for good fats like omega-3 fatty acids and no trans fats).

You definitely want not to eat less than 1200 calories per day, or your body will continue to eat itself from the inside out, as you put it.

I'm sure with a positive mental attitude, proper nutritition and hard work you can rebuild.  I'm guessing the road will be longer than you would like and bumpier - just like for all the rest of us.

My prayers are with you for success!

To build muscles, you need to feed your body, nourish it properly. I'm sure if you search (and/or ask in the fitness forum), you will get links to sites that will give you exercise ideas, ways to use your body for resistance, for example, so you don't need to buy any equipment for working out.

While you may lose only 1 pound a week, you will be GAINING muscle and tone and strength, and THAT'S what you really need. You didn't mention how tall you are, but I know if I weighed 180 toned, strong pounds, I'd look mighty fine.

So.... I would like to suggest that you NOT focus on the number on the scale. Focus on how you feel and what you can do and how your clothes fit. Feed your body well, and enough (I'd bet you should be eating more than 1200 calories), and exercise to build muscle. (And yes, as others have said, keep walking, too.)

I wish you an excellent and healthful recovery and weight loss!

Hi Whew,

I just re-read your original diet because it had caught my attention initially. The diet your doctor suggested isn't at all that different from what I eat - except that I ALSO snack. These were my meals yesterday and the day before:

My lunch is half a can of tuna. (I mix the whole can with 1 tsp of lite mayo, then use half one day; the other half the next day.) I usually eat it on a split english muffin. No butter, no cheese - it's very satisfying. I never limit the amount of raw veggies I eat, but there's really only so much broccoli I want to eat in one sitting, so it probably works out to a whole handful.

Supper is a small chicken breast (about the size of the half can of tuna), baked potato, more broccoli (steamed this time).

Throughout the day, I also snacked. Half a cup of Silhouette yoghurt, three mandarins (I LOVE these!), a couple of low-fat wheat thins and a teaspoon of no-fat cream cheese, plus the occasional bowl of Red River cereal or oatmeal when my blood sugar dipped.

Usually, I hit about 1250 - 1350 calories per day. If I've been active, I increase my caloric intake, but because my job usually involves sitting on my backside, I don't go too crazy on the calories. Obviously, this diet would be dead boring if I did this 365 days per year, but my variety isn't huge. Black bean soup, tofu & veggies, a chicken quesedilla made with fat-free cream cheese instead of cheddar - it's all a variation on a theme. When I had pms and thought I'd fall apart without chocolate, I added a tablespoon of chocolate chips to my oatmeal. Admittedly, it wasn't the same as embracing a Hershey bar, but it did the trick.

It would be worth revisiting your doctor's diet, only this time track your calories here and add snacks. You've already proven you can follow it once and, although grossly inadequate, the food was healthy enough.

Have you looked into NFP for birth control rather than leaving it entirely to your husband? NFP (natural family planning) can be a good addition to barrier methods because it costs nothing, adds nothing to your body and is realy simple. Besides, it can have a 98% effectiveness rate, which is higher than any barrier method.

It's just food for thought because nothing causes a weight gain quite like pregnancy. :-)

Thanks CM, that's a great idea!  I will try adding the snacks.

Yes, I have tried every kind of birth control known to womankind.  I can't do NFP because my cycles are so irregular.  I've also had a copper IUD, but I had to get it pulled out because it started to hurt too bad.   I used to live in women's health and contraception forums until I decided to go with barriers instead.  The husband doesn't mind, and besides, it's his turn!  LOL!  But we used to use them even when I had the IUD or BCP or anything else, just because we are both so paranoid.

LOL, yes pregnancy would be a very bad thing.  For me, it would cause more dilemmas than just the pregnant part.  We've managed to avoid it for a combined total of 2 years by using barriers.  I'm still interested in reading NFP books, but I doubt it could work for me (cycles ranging from 15 days to 40 days). 

I would like to do some weight training again.  I have a Bowflex and some dumbells.  Which is better?  I rather the dumbells honestly.

Thank you for all your support everyone!

Hello again, Whew.

I'm glad the diet looks possible for you. Learning to eat to lose weight is challenging enough without the added pressure of not know where to start!

Birth control is a funny thing, especially if you have such irregular cycles. I wonder if temp charting & mucous charting would be a good thing for you because even with irregular cycles, you would still have temp changes with progesterone and you'd still produce mucous of some sort. Charting may give you more information about what's going on. Obviously a calendar method wouldn't be adequate, but the other info may be interesting.

I actually don't chart for birth control. My hubby has been "fixed" so charting is something I do for interest and for more information about my body, particularly about my diet. I know that I get bloated with pms, so rather than feel morose about a slow weight-loss week, I look at my chart and know that in a few days, I'll shed an extra pound or two just for breathing in and out. It makes me enthusiastic about NFP. :-)

In any case, if barrier methods currently work, I say don't fix it if it ain't broke. I'm looking forward to seeing how your diet works and how your weight loss goes!