Where is the support?

First off, let me say hi.  I'm new to CC.  I had been on a high calorie diet once before, in 2007.  A month after I started, we found out I was pregnant, so, needless to say, I was already gaining weight.

I gained 40 pounds in my pregnancy.  I was so excited, especially since everyone told me that it would be at least 6 months before I started to lose weight.  I just thought that once our baby was born, instead of working towards losing it, I would start working out to tone it, and continue to eat more calories.

I can now say that my body was not meant to cooperate with that plan.  The day after I gave birth to our son, you would never have guessed that I just gave birth to a child if it hadn't been for the bundle I was toting around that resembled me in so many ways.  I lost all 40 pounds with the birth of our son.  It was definitely all baby.

As a new, nursing mom, I didn't seem to have the energy to keep up with a diet and how many calories I was taking in and not taking in.  In fact, when he was sleeping, I was sleeping.  When he was awake I was nursing or changing diapers.  I often forgot to eat anything until my husband got home and made dinner.

Now, my son is 16 months old, and though I'm good about making sure he has breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a few snacks, I'm still on the bad cycle I got into after giving birth.

Now, I weigh myself again today, and I realize that I've lost 5 lbs in the span of 2 weeks.  My husband knows that I need this diet, but he didn't like the diet when I first went on it 2 years ago.  At the time it was easier for me because he was eating the foods I made for the diet, and this time he just doesn't want the foods and asks for something else when I explain what's for dinner.

It's not that he doesn't want to be supportive.  He's very supportive other than not wanting to eat the foods with me.  He likes his junk foods too much, and the last time I was very strict that we weren't eating junk foods or eating out more than once a week.  I can't blame him though, he doesn't need to be on a diet.

So now, I search this site every day for ideas for my next grocery trip.  I just wish that I had the support that I need.  It's hard to get support when you're the only one in the  house is in need of this diet.  And none of my friends understand.  They all think that I have the perfect scenerio.  Who wouldn't want to be underweight?!?  Unless you are overweight, there is no need to be on any type of diet, at least in their minds.

They just don't understand, I've had to deal with this my whole life.  Skinny people get picked on just as much as overweight people.  I can't even say how many times throughout middle school, high school, and beyond that I've had people ask me if I know or tell me how bad an eating disorder is.  They always assume that I have an eating disorder.

I have had people randomly walk up to me to tell me how disgusting I look and that I should think about nourishing my body.  What does one say to that?  I mean I eat food.  I don't always eat healthy food, and at that time, I was eating 3 meals and a few snacks. 

So, I ask, where is the support?  Where are the people that understand what it's like to be skinny?  Where are the people who understand that even though they may not need it, you do need the support to keep you on a diet, even if that diet is an unconventional one?

I am a 30 year old woman, and I weigh in at 95 pounds and 5'6".  How do I get from that to 125 pounds at 5'6" when everyone around me tells me I should feel lucky that I am able to eat whatever and whenever I want without worrying about gaining any weight?

I can't relate but I hope you can find the support you need.  Have you tried talking to your doctor about the best plan of action?  Maybe you should have your thyroid and pituitary checked.  Good luck!

I was checked for everything while I was in the military.  They found nothing wrong with me, medically speaking.  Sometimes I wish it was as simple as a thyroid problem, then it would explain my inability to gain weight.

I know I'll gain the weight eventually.  Right now, it's hard for me to see it though. 

I did use to work with a nutrionist.  Though I wasn't able to gain weight with her help either, it was great to get some ideas.  Now, unless you're overweight, our health insurance will not cover a nutrionist.  I'd love to get involved with a nutrionist again.  I think I didn't have enough time with my last one to make any progress.  But, it seems they way insurance works, they'll only cover something if it seems like it would be a problem for them.

But thanks for the advice and well wishes.  Anything is much appreciated.

I'm at the other extreme and morbidly obese and I do understand how you feel with the comments.

I was once thin in my teens and remember older women trying to push food on me all the time and I would get in trouble for forgetting to eat. Ha!

People can be so cruel.

I'm overweight and my insurance will not cover a nutritionist either!

Have you tried drinking protein drinks or shakes?

I wish you well dear. I know it's not easy no matter what end of the spectrum we are on.