Why can't I go low???

Just wondering? Had the VSG August 2014. My high was about 350 lbs. After about a year I was down to 247 lbs and really thought I could at the very least get to 225lbs which I would of been happy with since I have always played sports and when young was a muscular big guy. In the Army I actually got down to about 185 lbs but that was 0ver 40 years ago! As I mentioned at my lowest I was down to 247lbs. I'm now about 262 lbs which I have been for the last 2 years ago-I hurt my back about a year ago and did not exercise or watch my diet-not an excuse, just reality. Now, no matter what I do it just seems I cannot go lower. I've done low carb, intermittent fasting, low calorie and I exercise!??? First I was into cardio and then I tried weight training. I just started intensity training this week. Admittedly I've had spells of just not paying attention and eating whatever but never really anything crazy, just a lack of focus on diet and exercise but really no pigging out and I've logged my food with MFP-I think I'm being honest. The good thing is that I haven't went much over what I am now for the last year, I just seem to remain in the mid 260's. Could it be that my age that is making it so hard for me to get below 240lbs. I mean I am 59 now and of course that means I've lost testosterone.. All my blood work came back normal, low BP, cholesterol higher than it used to be but not dangerous. Dr said exercise should be enough to get it down. I'm not on any medicines. I'm ok where I am as far as how I look and my health but a loss or 30-40 more lbs is where I really need to bees, its only been 5 weeks since I've begin exercising again Any ideas? I'm not giving up but obviously I am doing something wrong or I am just impatient and unrealistic. Thanks.

Honestly it all comes down to what and how much you are eating. Are you weighing/measuring/tracking every single thing you put in your mouth?

I know it sounds crazy, but unless I physically measure stuff out it is a crap shoot as how much I am truly eating. Ok yogurt is easy because the nutrional info is on the container, but grilled chicken with a sauce needs to be measured and any sauce accounted for. Some of the smallest things can really add up in calories.

What does your daily menu look like?

How is your water/fluid intake?

Are you taking your vitamins?

If you're not losing weight, you need to eat fewer calories. Bottom line.

I always gain weight when I exercise. Always.

I would suggest you get body DEXA scan to see what is your body composition. How much fat you still can safely lose.

I have a large frame, strong bones and muscles. When I lost weight to be in high normal BMI- 24, I was skin and bones. With a very low body fat %. Rather unhealthy for me.

Why unhealthy? Because not having reserves put my body into a stress, and I had no luxury of not eating food for more than 6-7 hours. Plus I was weak, I had very low energy.

I need to be app 150-155 to be healthy enough. But that put me in 26-27 BMI. This is the way my body is build.

To lose weight - you may have to go to 800 Cal diet, and do that very consistently. Day after day after day even when you don't see results for a couple of weeks.

800 calorie diet sounds too low. Your body will shut down metabolism to preserve energy!

Actually nope.

Our bodies do not work like that. It's a common belief in some populations, but it's an error.

If that were the case, those who are starving wouldn't starve. Or they would starve differently rather. You can see I'm not very good at articulating the reasons so I'll go try and find someone who is, and get them to check in right here.

edited because I always forget we can google these things. You'd find plenty of information in a quick search for "starvation mode" or similar.

You can't out run (or weight train etc) a poor diet. It definitely helps with health and fitness but weight? Not so much!

We vintage peeps (I'm 55) really need to cut our calories every year. I used to maintain on 2400, now I can barely lose llb per week on 1200 max! Getting old sucks!

You need to cut back your calories until you find at what point you can lose.

I found a system that works for me. If you're interested message me and I can share it.

Thanks all. I realize that we are not on auto pilot-it's a program that we have to "work", each and everyday. Gonna keep working out and I will cut my calories until I see what works for me.

Even though I'm not getting the results I want-at least for now-I do enjoy the discipline and self-accountability in working on myself. This is something we never did before and for the most part why most of us ended up at such an obese morbid weight.

Funny, in connection with the weight gain, hurt back, and lack of discipline, was also coupled in with neglecting coming online for support. I'm sure if I would of at least have done that I would have dealt with it much better.

Anyway thanks, appreciate the support, suggestions and comments.