Gained a pound!

Good morning BOTTers. I am so grateful for this group.  You are in my boat.  Other forums frustrate me to no end.  People are eating 6 peanut butter crackers and can't eat another bite.  Or they eat 1600 calories and weigh 50 lbs. less than me.  You guys seem to eat the same calories as me and many of you are trying to lose 40 lbs. too.  Well I gained a pound this morning.  I don't really know what to do.   Any suggestions?  Do any of you drink alcohol?  Wine?  Does that slow the metabolism?  I have been keeping it at 1600 calories for over 2 weeks.  I did eat too much a couple of days but the average is 1600.  I really don't think I can eat less.  I have noticed that when I don't drink wine I still eat the same amount of calories.  I have not been consistent with exercise lately.  I have been in the past and sometimes I even gain weight when I exercise.  I have a huge appetite so the 5 day pouch test has never worked for me...I have tried it many times over the past 4 years. 
I drink a lot of crystal light and coffee.  I am 187 lbs. (32 BMI) to get this last 40 lbs off I really have to make some major changes but I don't know where to begin.  I was hoping that eating 1600 calories consistently would work but to not lose for 2 weeks means that I am maintaining my weight on 1600 calories.  Oh dear!  Just me

Hey Just you.

(((HUGS)).  First - let  me tell you that my told me that I need 1400 cal for maintenance. 
based on him - on 1600 - I would gain weight, unless I exercise like crazy.  He is kind of right.  I have not been exercising  (long story) and I gained almost 10 lbs.
 
And IMO - the wine and alcohol does make me gain weight.  Like crazy.

So.... eat less - or exercise more?  But... that also mean eat less "effective calories".
some people think that the whole calories counting is not correct.  That we can theoretically eat more... but eat less "effective (or real)" calories.  that means that 100 cal in carbs - may result in 100 cal in the body... or... 70 calories only - if the carbs have fiber, or are less "digestible". 
i.e. 100 cal apple is less that 100 cal cookie.
And 100 calories of nut butter are worth more than 100 cal in raw nuts (that you have to chew...) 
They say that the calories are more 'available' to the body the more the food is processed or longer cooked.  I.e. carrots - raw carrots will have less effective calories than shredded carrots and much less than well cooked carrots (cooked carrots are mainly starches - sugars)
That  may indicate why some people can maintain or even lose weight while eating more calories.

Also - wine affects the liver and it may block glucogen response and also increase the insulin level - thus blocking release of the fat from fat cells, while the same time cause a mild RH, and hunger.

BTW: the green font color is very light... difficult to read - I had to highlight the post to read it.  How about dark green - if you like green so much?

http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&aq=0h&oq=&ie =UTF-8&rlz=1T4GGLL_enUS326&q=calories+are+not+equal

I guess my wine has to be limited more...too bad, we find it relaxing before bed or with dinner.  I agree with the RH.  If I have more than 1 glass I can count on a low blood sugar at 3am.  I suspect you are right on a couple of counts.  I always subtract the fiber carb number from the total carb when I look at carbs from a diabetic point of view.  I just don't know how I am going to get 200 calories off my total every day without binging on day 3 or 4.  I know that is what I have to do though.  Because I check my blood sugar so often over the years I know what I can eat and not eat.  It fits perfectly into line with everything you said.  I have so many body injuries now exercising is getting more difficult and you know we can't take those ibuprofin products.  I just have to eat less.   Sounds so simple doesn't it?  Thanks for the search...very interesting.  Take care and good luck with your 10 lbs.  Sometime that last 10 can be really difficult!  Just me

I eat more... but different stuff, but when i drink wine... I gain.
I limit soups, crackers and etc.
I try to eat meat and veggies.  salad a day.  I eat hard boiled eggs.   2 eggs + 2 cucs  is a meal for me.  If I want to lose weight I limit fruits and get more fiber. instead  of fruit - I do get 1-2 oz of nuts. raw nuts.  they do not absorb that well. 
I chose undercooked veggies instead of stew.    sausage - is processed - but chicken - just  a bit dry - stay in my pouch longer, and keep s me full.
I use a lot of pickles.  "free calories"
Spicy food - made me full faster... and takes longer to eat. 

Limit my fruits to 1 or 2 small a day and get a handful peanuts with it. 
Hot tea.   Ginger tea. 
Having BM daily - if not 2 times a day. Lots of fiber. The longer the food stays in  -the more we will absorb.   Eat something with color (like beats ) to see if you can tell how long the food takes to travel. If more than 36 hr - you need to do better than that.  lol. 

Small steps allow you to eat more - yet lose weight.   I lost 2 lbs this week already, yet feeling full.  With no exercise... 8 more to go... with 4 at least - to get below 150...
will do that for sure in next 2 weeks... lol. I have my ways - and that eating 1200-1400 calories (theoretical) per day.  But no alcohol, lots of water, greens, etc.  

BTW: When I want to lose weight - I do 1 to 2 meals a day (veggies + proteins) and the rest are low carb protein drinks.   Do that for 3-4 weeks, can lose over 10 lbs that way.  usually try to lose 2-3 extra lbs, since they come back when I (slowly" introduce more carbs.  i keep my insulin low - on a good calorie level.  Many days (after the first 3-4 days getting off carbs) I have to force feed myself.   You are right the 3 and 4 day (for me the second also) are really challenging. 

Hala,
Congrats on the 2 lb. loss!  I never thought of eating pickles, great idea!  I'm always looking something crunchy.
Deb

Congrats on 2 pounds lost and helpful suggestions!

Hello Just me,

Since you are smaller now, I really recommend quality calories to get your 40 pounds off.  My quality calories I am talking about the same things Hala mentioned to you in a way.  Lean protein 1st, complex carbs if any.  If you eat lean meats 1st, veggies, and 1 to 2 fruits within 1600 and exercise 60 min a day at least 5 days a week, your weight should move. 

If you are eating 1600 calories a day you will at least have to 45 min of exercise 5 days a week to see movement.  And believe me I have tested it.  If I eat 1600 calories with junkie foods and a lot of processed refined carbs, the results are not as good.  I weigh much more than you so I can get away with some of this stuff but since you are in the 100's you will have to eat as clean as possible and get in more protein and less carbs or even no carbs to jump start your weight loss.  Carbs are the enemy when trying to lose and even in maintenance they have to be limited.  Especially processed white carbs. 

It is not easy stuff but I know you can do it!  We can do it!  I just set in on a telephone support group yesterday and I know I have to clean up and out the carbs to re-lose my weight and keep it off.  I have to go back to the mindset in the honeymoon stage.  No white carbs. 

Last night I went to do my groceries and I was putting these fiber bars, uncle Ben's wild rices and Kashi bars in my basket.  When I got to the register I took them out.  I only left the meats, fruits and veggies.  I have to stop buying the carb stuff. 

BTW- 1 pound gain in 2 weeks is not that bad.  Let it go and move forward.  I fluctuate too.  But I am making progress. I am not where I thought I would be but I am down for the year and believe it has taken MUCH effort and bouncing back and forth to be down 33 pounds this year.  I am shooting for 17 more by Jan 1st and to I know I can do it but I have to eat cleanly and exercise to get my 50 for 2010.  This already will be the 1st year in 3 years that I have not gained weight.  And believe me I am taking all measure to keep this weight off and make these habits lifestyle changes. 

Have a good weekend!!

Sorry I am late to this!

I agree with the others- either stepup the exercise or make enough small adjustments to your eating to take in less than 1600.

Right now I weigh 201 (I was fluctuating between 212-215 for the longest time) and I take in between 1000-1450 calories and its honestly amazing what just a few calories take out can do.


Also, I was wondering... when you had the pound gain... had you taken in a lot of sodium? My body flipps out if its too high and I've not taken in enough liquids to compensate.

Is your coffee regular-- does it have caffeine? Did you know caffeine can increase your appetite? :)

I am not a saint. I am sitting here typing to you with 8 ounces of iced decaf Coke Classic (the REAL STUFF!) right next to me. But I am slowly learning what works for me and what doesn't. For my Coke I took away the pasta was eating like a fiend!  I know if I stopped drinking this soda, I'd probably lose another half pound a week.  Eventaully, I am going to have to cut it back even more, but right now it fits into my regulated intake.

You *can* do this...I get a small vibe from what you write that you think you can't ("I have a huge appetite"). 

I couldn't do this until I was willing to really concentrate on it. Back in my mind I called myself a failure because of my gain. That I was weak. That it was just too hard.

So I started with something small-- like no more pasta. I can't begin to tell you how hard that was for me. I was eating it twice a day.

Pick somethng you know isn't working for you and find a better alternative. Just one small step to start.  And tell yourself you CAN do it. I didn't really believe it, until it started working for me.