difficulty in looding weight

Question
I have always had a tendency to gain weight, but in the last 25 years it has become increasingly difficult to keep the weight down.

I have tried many diets, only two had any significant result.

One diet that resulted in a 130 lbs. weight loss was a doctor supervised 480 calorie a day liquid diet, but when the doctor raised my intake to between 1200 to 1500 calories per day I started to gain weight.

The other diet, which I personally developed, mimics our evolutionary past (feast and famine) fasting Monday to Friday (that means zero calorie intake for five days) eat on the weekend.

This may sound extreme but it is highly effective and amazingly easy. On the weekend I attempt to have balanced meals as well as supplemental vitamins, though an occasional treat is allowed. There are some interesting effects associated with this diet, all week long I have incredible energy but on weekends experience that sleepy effect of a big thanksgiving dinner.

As to exercise I scuba dive for a living, two 45 min. dives per day six days a week for over 30 years, according to several books scuba diving is rated as a high level activity.

I have been on expeditions with other people who eat two plates of food to my one plate and they constantly snack, I don't snack and they loose weight on a three week trip, while I gain weight!

Any suggestions as to what causes my tendency to gain weight?

Other than genetics I have one other suspicion, I had my appendix removed 25 years ago and my weight gain (in retrospect) seemed to accelerate since then. After my 130 lbs. weight loss ten years ago, I noticed a post-operative hernia in my lower right abdominal quadrant, where the incision was made. Is it possible this hernia may cause a partial obstruction slowing the speed at which food moves through my intestines and thus leading to increased caloric uptake?

Any suggestions you can provide are appreciated.

Sincerely,

John Birk

Antigua & Barbuda
West Indies  

Answer
Hi John,

You are definately a puzzlement.  The diet your physician had you on was very dangerous.  He most likely increased your caloric intake to prevent doing permanent damage to your body and experiencing deficiencies and malnutrition.
The diet you tried is also extreme.  I don't think having your appendix removed would slow down your metabolism causing a weight gain.  To answer the last portion of your question, it doesn't matter how slow food moves through your GI tract, the calorie amount does not increase.  It may cause a bloated and uncomfortable feeling if your digestion is very slow due to constipation.  I'm not sure how much fluid you drink but try drinking about 24 - 32 ounces of fluid before going to bed (in addition to drinking calories free beverages throughout the day) to assist with this and consume at least five servings of fibrous fruits and vegetables.

You may possibly have a slow thyroid, if this is the case you will need to have some lab work done to verify this.  Another possibility is your body not burning calories effective being in a cool to cold enviroment (in water), also when you do the same activity your body has a tendency to become adjusted to it and doesn't respond.  In addition to your swimming try doing some aerobic activity outside of the water that will produce a sweat.  I really think you need to retrain your body.  Try consuming at least 1200 calories daily consisting of lean proteins (fish, chicken, lean beef, legumes for example) and whole grains (brown rice, various grains, various cereals) and a variety of fruits and vegetables.  I would recommend breaking this down into 3 small meals about 400 calories per meal.

Keep a journal of what you eat and your activities.  It may be a slow process but I feel you will see some positive results when you add new routines to your exercise regimine.

Warm Regards,

Helen

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