Fed up, need help, please

I'll start this by a very brief background.  Growing up, I was overweight, becoming obese by high school.  I'm 5'3", and when I graduated, I weighed 195 lbs.  My sophomore year in college, I made a major lifestyle change (I didn't eat a ton, just didn't exercise at all) and got down to 127 over about 9 months.  I traveled abroad, got up to 135, and hovered there for about a year.  Still, nothing major to complain about--I'd like to be tiny, but my frame just doesn't allow it.  After getting married, graduating from college, and finishing my first, very stressful, year of teaching 6th grade, I'm now up to 145.  ACK!  It's not that I feel terribly overweight (although I don't feel as pretty), it's that I'm afraid I will eventually wind up at 200 lbs again and have nowhere to go.  I eat between 1200 and 1400 calories a day, sleep between 7-9 hours a night, run or otherwise exercise for about 30 minutes a day every day.  If I have a day of hard work, I will eat more, if I have a day of sitting around, I will eat less.  My diet is generally pretty balanced, I eat a bit too much starch and fruit, not quite enough vegetables, but, really, not bad at all.  Basically, what's your advice?  What am I doing wrong?  I would happily hover between 130-140 (honestly), although I'd really like to be 130 again.  My body was happy there.  I have a few months off before school begins again, and I consider this a time that I can "fix" whatever I've been doing wrong.  I worry that my birth control (Loestrin 24) or my family history of thyroid problems might be causing this very slow, gradual weight gain, but I don't know.  Please help!  Thanks so much.  I really appreciate it!

Well, where do I start? Ok, well I am also 5'3 and currently weigh 132 with a goal weight of 115 (if my body allows). Your current exercise and eating habits are very similar to mine so I can say we are basically doing the same thing. I can honestly say that one thing that has helped me stay at this weight, and has helped me loose some, has to do with meal distribution.

Some might believe that 1200 cals consumed in one sit-down does the same if distributed throughout the day but research shows it does not. Yeah, 1200 cals is 1200 cals no matter what time of the day....but our bodies use up calories at a steady-constant pace throughout the day. Our bodies do not follow our calorie intake pace. So that means that we have to intake at our bodies pace by distributing somewhat evenly throughout the day. This also means that 3 meals a day might not be a fair enough distribution for our bodies so this is why research recommends to do about 5-6 meals.

I have been distributing calories as 300-150-300-150-300 (1200 cals) and when exercising, I add those extra calories on the 150's. No, I never get those numbers to be perfect but the distribution is basically around there. I have to say I never feel hungry, always have energy and have been able to loose the weight.

I hope this helps. Best wishes.

Thanks for the advice!  I've been trying to do that (the calorie distribution) this summer, although during the school year, I'm lucky if I get to eat lunch at all, let alone snacks. :P  Does anyone else have suggestions?

i saw results when i started lifting weights

from what you said, it sounds liek its the one the thing you're missing.

maybe you could start w/ a personal trainer if u can afford it - when i hired one i was about 140 and after 6 weeks i was 125. 

if you cant afford one then you can try getting a resistance band and doing some training with that.  and then maybe hitting the gym yourself to lift weights - you'll defn see a difference.  good luck!

I have thyroid issues and it's no fun.  Have you had blood work done to see if you have a problem?  I would check with your Obgyn about your birth control pills too.  Those things can play a big part in weight gain.

Try swithching up your exercise routine and do some weight training.  Toneing up is great.  I'm currently doing P90X, but i also use my Wii Fit and walk or run.  Don't give your body a chance to get used to your work outs.

i don't think that loestrin is slowing down your weight loss, it's an ultra low does of hormones and it shouldn't impede the process, but your thyroid could definitely cause things to be more difficult for you! good luck and just keep at it, persistence and consistency is key!! also make sure to change up the intensity, reps, and type of workout that you're doing, that keeps your body constantly adapting and prevents plateaus!!

If it is possible, I would stop the birth control pills.  I had a hard time with all of the pills my doctor put me on and eventually decided the convenience was not worth the side effects.  I had a hard time with gaining weight and my periods actually were worse while on the pill.  But that is just me, I know most people have wonderfully easy periods and no other issues while using the pill.