At My Wits End

Question
Good morning!

I'm 28 years old and weigh approximately 262lbs. I lost 100lbs two years ago and I'm trying to get back on track. I did this by cutting out all "bad" carbs and only eating vegetables and meats. My consistent day meal looked like: Egg whites + turkey sausage/bacon for breakfast. Salad with vinegerette for lunch. Light yogurt for a snack, or any fruits... and for dinner it was always a variation of turkey or chicken. After ten months of eating the same thing over and over I couldn't take it anymore. My all time low was 249 lbs. I've gained back about 15.

I work a very high stress job, and I take care of my mother and grandmother. My life is extremely hectic, and I started to not care so much about what I ate. If I wanted to go out and have fun and a nice meal I'd have one... but I started to resent my turkey and chicken, I really don't feel like it's a good or mentally healthy way to live. I count every little calorie and carb I intake, it was so bad that the first time in a year I had gone out to eat, I contemplated making myself vomit it up (I didn't)...

When I get home from working and running around on my feet all day, my body is literally killing me. My legs hurt, my feet hurt, my arms hurt from lifting all day long. I lift minor weights and do some dance cardio, and an exercise bike, all of my friends tell me I need to start walking and jogging... I simply do not want to do that... not only do I hate the cold weather, but I don't want people looking at me while I exercise... I didn't walk or run before when I dropped the weight... I feel like 45mins+ a day of exercising ON TOP of what I do at work should be enough... My body is usually in so much pain by the end of the night I pass out early but wake up from body spasms.

I was thinking about trying a system like Ediets or nutrisystem... but I just don't know... I don't want to use all of my time exercising and being in pain, and I don't want to not enjoy what I eat... I'm running out of options and patience with this... Any suggestions?  (on average I eat between 1100-1500 cals a day tops, and during my exercise regime I try to burn an additional 400-500cals)

Answer
Jaclyn,

I am sorry to hear that you are in so much physical pain each day.  I hope that I can help.  I have to say that I recommend you eat more calories, 1100-1500 is not enough and your body will feel it is starving and then hold on to all the calories you eat.  I recommend a balanced diet of 2000 calories, lowering to 1700 once you reach 200 pounds.  This will also make it easier for you to stay on the diet as you won't feel as hungry.  You could even do 2300 calories steady day to day and lose weight!  I also recommend adding complex carbohydrates like fruit, vegetables, potatoes, whole grains.

Best of luck,
Lea

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