Weight Frustration

[Meaux]

I have gained 40 pounds in the last year, most of it rather quickly. This is the kicker, though. I am more active than I have ever been in my life before, I am cycling and doing Pilates. I have also been making a concerted effort to eat better (not so much in the way of sweets, portion control, etc.) In any case, I spoke to my OB/GYN today about it, and asked him if there was something wrong with me metabolically, and I just sort of felt like he blew me off. He just told me I was eating wrong and gave me a sheet with a diet on it. I don't know, there are other things going on with my body, other than the weight gain, but I felt like he wasn't even listening to me. I can accept the fact that I may not be eating what I should, but why can't he accept that there may be something else wrong? I'm just incredibly frustrated. Can anyone help?

[Velobambina]

Find another doctor. Forty pounds in a year sounds like a lot, especially since you've been mindful of your food intake and are active. I've heard that thyroid problems sometimes cause weight gain.
By the way, do you lift weights or do any strenth training? I found it actually keeps my metabolism going at a good clip. Plus it's good for your bones.
Good luck--let us know what happens, ok?

[Meaux]

No, mostly I've just been on the bike and have recently started with the Pilates. I was told that it's important to have a strong core in cycling. Thanks for the support. I came home and cried for about 20 minutes because I felt so bad and was so frustrated.

[maillotpois]

When you say "there are other things going on" with your body... like what? Your doctor needs to consider all of those factors - not just the weight, though 40 lbs in one year seems crazy when you are active and watching your intake.

I have an autoimmune thyroid disorder, and it can lead to weight gain/difficulty losing weight, but there are other effects as well. Get a list of ALL of your issues and see your doctor again - or see a DIFFERENT doctor. There are VERY simple blood tests that can determine if something is going on that needs treatment.

[KnottedYet]

Chiming in on the thyroid: my aunt gained a bunch of weight when she started having thyroid problems, and she was training for marathons at the time!

[indysteel]

I would definitely talk to another doctor. Have you noticed anything else that seems off with your body? For instance, have you noted any changes in your menstrual cycle? Do you feel fatigued, bloated, moody? Do a physical and mental inventory and share that with your doctor. Also, keep a food journal for a couple of weeks to track your diet more specifically. I find it difficult to believe that you'd gain 40 pounds from sheer overeating in a year's time. I would insist on having a full blood and urine workup as a starting place.

In any event, I'm sorry you're dealing with this. I hope you figure something out soon,

Kate

[indysteel]

I would add that sometimes medication--if you're taking anything new--can cause a weight gain. Interestingly, my sister gained a bunch of weight years ago from various meds she was on for anxiety. She didn't to go off of them because of the side effects and ended losing all the weight and then some. I turned out that she's had Grave's Disease (hyperthyroidism) that has presented itself as panic attacks and the meds had masked the most obvious sign of the disease--rapid weight loss. If she hadn't gone of the meds, she would have eventually gotten even sicker. Kind of crazy!

[Eden]

Lots of women (and some men too) are hypothyroid - symptoms: (you don't need to have all of them! some people only have 1)

Fatigue
Weakness
Weight gain or increased difficulty losing weight
Coarse, dry hair
Dry, rough pale skin
Hair loss
Cold intolerance (can't tolerate the cold like those around you)
Muscle cramps and frequent muscle aches
Constipation
Depression
Irritability
Memory loss
Abnormal menstrual cycles
Decreased libido