low carb

Question
QUESTION: Hello,
I have been having issues with IBS and have been seeing a Dr. I have had my gallbladder taken out also. I  have fibromyalgia and take Lyrica for that. I noticed if I miss my pills my stomach hurts so I feel there is a connection with that.  The last time I saw my gastrologist he asked me to do a all protein, fruits, and vegetables diet for three months. I have cut out all the carbs. and sugar and do don抰 cheat. I weighed 191 and I keep going from 185 back to 191. I can抰 seem to loose and keep it off. Or go lower than 185. For about 5 weeks norw
I feel better yes, but part of this is to lose weight to help with other aches and pains that I have been dealing with for years. I had gestational diabetes when I was pregnant with my last child, number seven.
I am confused why I can抰 lose the weight. I try to walk a mile while at work, as I go to school at night and just crash when I get home. I know stress plays a part in all of this. I have to work and need to go to school as my husband is disabled and cannot work. I am looking for any suggestions you might have.

ANSWER: Hi Tammy,
I can understand issues with IBS. I struggled with it for many years. Ironically it wasn't until I changed the way I ate and lost 60 pounds that it subsided. No doctor in any of the years I suffered could figure that out.

when you say you cut out all carbs you need to realize that fruits and vegetables are in fact carbs. Anything whose natural source is from the ground is a carb. Everything from fruit, to wheat, to sugar all come from the ground, thus are carbs.
What you have done is cut out starchy carbs which is still ok.
The one thing that comes to mind is that you are not eating enough to lose weight. Common sense says that if you take in less you will lose. However this is not true as the body is very adapt to changes. Cutting out say 100 calories a day from a poor diet can help. But when you limit calories too much the body panics and slows down the metabolism to compensate for the lack of incoming fuel. It also stores as much fat as possible. This is a defense mechanism that is ingrained in everyone and impossible to stop.

Without knowing your diet I can't say how limited your calories may be. I also wonder if you are getting in any fat. Fat is an important macronutrient.
While I don't believe in calorie counting, you should have a target. A general way to figure this is to take your current weight and multiply by 12. 185 x 12 = 2220.
If you are just eating chicken, fruit, and vegetables I'm estimating you are only getting maybe 1600-1800 calories a day.

Can you tolerate any starchy carbs? You might be ok adding in foods like oats, quinoa, brown rice,  and sweet potatoes. Do this in moderation though, reserve them for breakfast and lunch.

A sample breakfast:
3 eggs scrambled
1/2 cup dry oats (make oatmeal)

Sample lunch:
4 ounce grilled chicken breast with olive oil
1/2 cup quinoa or brown rice
1 cup dark greens
1 Tbl olive oil and 1 Tbl balsamic
-or 1/4 avocado

Sample dinner:
4 ounces beef or fish
1 cup steamed vegetables
1 Tbl olive oil and 1 Tbl balsamic  
-or 1/4 avocado

And put a snack between meals.
-A cup of Greek yogurt and 13 almonds
-A banana and 1 Tbl natural peanut butter
-Brown rice cake with natural peanut butter
-1 cup Greek yogurt and 1/4 cup berries
-A whey protein shake (blend in a banana or berries)

Optimally you should eat 5-6 meals a day every 3-4 hours.

Try to incorporate some of these things into your life.
Also look into digestive enzyme supplements and probiotics. You can buy both for under $10.00 for a 30 day supply. These are safe supplements that aide in your digestion. Take an enzyme with each meal and a probiotic (at least 2 billion count) with breakfast and dinner.
There is no reason these should be an issue with your medications, still though ask the doctor. Many doctors are anti supplement, but I'd be irresponsible to not advise you do so.






---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hello,

Thank you for taking the time to help.
It has now been 2.5 months with no weight loss.

One day I am down 4lbs and the next day I am back up the 4lbs.
I can see why people give up on losing weight.

What is the cost of the nutrition and workout plans?  

Answer
Hi Tammy,

Four pounds is a pretty big fluctuation. Can I ask what kind of scale you are using, digital or analog? I usually advise against digital scales because I've never seen one that gives an accurate reading.
Also the time of day and what you are wearing causes differences.

In regard to the nutrition and workout plans they are $75.00 each. This would include a full examination of your current eating and workout habits, a new diet plan based on your goals, a custom workout, supplement advice, and e mail access to address questions and/or concerns.
If the cost is an issue I can break it up week by week. And I also offer a discount if you join with a friend.  

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