Weight Loss

Hi guys, I've been using CC irregularly for over a year, and recently I "rejoined" properly because I found that I could not fit into my favourite pair of jeans that I've been wearing for 2 years now... I've recently had important exams so I've just been sitting on my butt and given up my dance class, other forms of exercise etc... so I'm hoping that its nothing but inactivity and calories adding up, because I'm 15 lb heavier than december!! Does that sound excessive to you guys? I can't tell you how freaked out and depressed I am... and I just found an "advanced" BMI calc that says I'm obese.. when all others say I'm overweight... When I read that, god, I couldn't breathe for a second... Obese!

I've always entertained the idea of the possibilty of having hypothyroidism, mainly as an excuse I think, as I've been overweight my entire life (I'm 16 now).. so this recent weight gain has made my mind up: this summer I'm vacationing in the US (I live in Singapore) and I've decided to track everything I eat and make sure I stay under my BMR, so I should not find that I've gained weight when I return (after a month). If I haven't gained, I know I don't have hypothyroidism and will kick myself in the butt and get down to exercising and have no excuses...

Please tell me what you think, I am such a supreme idiot who is so cruel to her body :(
I was 163 in November, slowly creeped up a couple of pounds each month, so I kinda didn't realize how much I was becoming till I came here and saw my november weight... I am now 179 lb..

I think you're fortunate to not have gained even more! Dance class is pretty intense exercise, and dumping that would've really hurt your waistline if you didn't decrease your calorie consumption.

Start getting at least 30 minutes of exercise a day, even start with just walking if you have to, and try to slowly make substitutions. For example, skimmed milk instead of 2%... diet coke instead of regular... try not to eat out, etc. You'll get back down there now that you've caught notice. =) Just remember; PATIENCE.

Thanks for the quick reply :)
I totally hear you... the thing is, I do all those things. Skim milk, diet coke, order child portions when eating out, stick to lean meats, etc etc. I'm the type of person who hoards diet info from the web, subscribes to a billion weight loss newsletters and podcasts, etc... It's completely obssessive, but I'm still so, so unhealthy. I'll draw up a detailed exercise plan and never even start it... I'll have a super healthy breakfast and lunch, then blow it on a whole box of cookies later that day just because I'm bored... I'm an excessive AND emotional eater, and always have been...

I've never been this scared about how heavy I am though. And I hope it'll motivate me for real this time!

Two suggestions -

1) Don't think of this as "all or nothing" - you don't have to be "super healthy" every meal - you don't have to give up on everything you like. You can have a cookie, just not the whole box. I know it is easy to get into the mentality of "well, I had two cookies, so f*** it, I'll just eat the rest," but try to resist!

2) Remember that at 16, you are still growing, and need more calories than adults do. Since this website gives recommendations for adults, you'll need to adjust that for your needs.  I think the recommended minimum for teenage girls is 1800, but someone else will know better than I.

Also, you mention always eating below your BMR. While people go back on forth about whether this is ok (my opinion is that people can aim to eat at least their BMR just as a starting point when they start dieting, to see how that level works), you should know that BMR is not how much you burn in a day, but how much you burn if you are in a coma - so assuming you actually have calculated your BMR (which this site does not do, but www.phord.com/cc does), you are actually burning more than that - a sedentary lifestyle burns about 1.2 times your BMR, more activity increases that burn.

Hope that helps.

I lost 60 pounds (low carb) and kept it off for two years... then in just over one semester, gained back 20. It had everything to do with dropping my exercise routine. I got an "A" in my classes - so what. I would have rather received lower grades and not have gained the weight. I learned my lesson. I'm back on track with the exercising, and I don't care what class(es) I'm taking - exercise will be my priority.

My advice: Try to get as much exercise on vacation as you can to compensate for all the good food you're going to want to try (seek out the fitness center at the hotel, walk to your destination instead of driving). Food is part of experiencing any foreign country's culture, so don't pass things up, just be mindful of portions - split entrees with your traveling companion, for example. For more control over what you eat, breakfast in your room and picnic at lunch. Plan your snacks, and don't eat dinner too late. Whatever you do - stay away from fast food. I'm convinced it's the reason American's are so overweight. 

Here's hoping you have a great trip!