I'm quite certain I have low metabolism and it's something I think I've always had . I've read information on how to deal with it...many sources advise against dieting of any sort because it allegedly slows down the metabolism (which i think is crap). So, people with low metabolism are pretty much doomed to remain fat because exercise does nothing and dieting is bad? If someone has low metabolism and eats three meals a day, they'll balloon up like no one's business, so how are people with this condition expected to lose weight (if they want to, that is)?
I know low metabolism can be linked to thyroid problems - is there any way I can boost my thyroid function at home? I've tried telling my mother (whose insurance I am still on) that I might be hypothyroid, but she dismisses my concerns as hypochondria, so I don't think I'll be getting tests done for this anytime soon. I figure if raising my thyroid function myself doesn't even my weight out some, I'll go from there and try to figure out what's going on with me.
hi,
I understand what your saying but my advised would be see a Dr.
Do you have trouble eating low calories? portion size it ect,,ect,, and your staying hungry to much?
walking is great exercise and helps with the metab, but if your having trouble lowering your food intake and its to hard for you do that, maybe you should see a Dr, or maybe reserch this on the net.
I know for some people lowering there calories is not good for them, but with that said thats the only thing you can do to lose weight, unless you go on Atkins or the meat diets.
If you find your problem let us all know what you found out.
I Wish you the best.
Chevyman, let me see if I can answer your questions:
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Do you have trouble eating low calories? portion size it ect,,ect,, and your staying hungry to much?
Yes - I get hungry about every 4-6 hours (as in 4-6 hours after I wake up or eat my previous meal), which I assume is normal. If I don't eat until I'm satiated - which my portions may vary depending on how hungry I feel - then I will continue to have the munchies until I satisfy my cravings. So...yes, I have trouble eating few calories and yes, I do still feel hungry at times.
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walking is great exercise and helps with the metab,
I would do this, but I sweat more than the average person, and I absolutely loathe when my shirt sticks to my back and I haven't another one to change into.
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I know for some people lowering there calories is not good for them, but with that said thats the only thing you can do to lose weight, unless you go on Atkins or the meat diets.
Yes - I think the people you speak of are those who are severely underweight. I have found through my own diets that the only way I can lose weight is if I cut calories significantly (as in less than 1000 a day, with some days eating nothing at all). I don't trust conventional diets, especially after hearing the Atkins diet is rather bad for you (no carbs, but unlimited fatty meats? I'm not convinced it works).
I'd consider gastric bypass, but I would not meet the requirements even for that because I'm not morbidly obese - I believe I'm right on the margin between overweight and obese.
I have researched thyroid problems, and I seem to have only a couple of the symptoms of hypothyroidism (sensitivity to cold, brittle nails, dry skin only on the legs, low metabolism) and I know there are loads of symptoms...which is why I'm reluctant to get my thyroid tested. I know if I talked my mom into getting me tested and it turned out to not be my thyroid, I'd never hear the end of it.
Does anything else cause low metabolism besides thyroid issues? I know all the women in my family are short and heavy-set, so perhaps I have some kind of genetic predisposition to weight problems? My diet is really not all that bad - I eat ramen (college student, so this is pretty much a staple), cereal, Pop Tarts, occasional junk food like a cupcake or a can of soda (no more than one a day), and I usually have pizza at least once a week (bad habit, I know)...sooo, it could be a lot better, but it could also be a lot worse. I try to limit my soda intake to a can a day - I drink lots of water, milk, and juice, both artificially sugared and naturally.
Hi. I just wanted to address some of your issues in your last post.
Getting hungry every 4 to 6 hours is normal. So, it sounds like that part is good.
If you don't like to have a sweaty back, walk before you start your day and then shower afterwards. Chevy is right about the exercise. It's a great metabolism booster. For every mile you walk, you burn about 100 calories.
Your diet is where your weight issues are coming from. Here's what you said you eat every day and how many calories your consuming.
soda: 140 calories (I'm assuming it's a can of sugared, not diet)
pop tarts: 400 or so depending on the type. I couldn't find one under 203 calories per pop tart and they come in packs of 2
ramen: 380 calories per package, but that's not the scaryiest part. The sodium is 1820mg per package. That's terrifying to me.
cereal: That depends on the brand, but even something considered healthy like Cheerios has 120 calories per cup. A standard bowl holds 2 cups. So, without milk, that's 240.
milk: 1 cup is 80 for skim. I don't know what the others are.
juice: this has as many calories as soda. For 8 oz(1 cup) of apple juice, you get around 120 calories.
So, if you were to add up one can of soda, a cup of juice, a bowl of cereal with skim milk, a package of ramen and a 2 pack of pop tarts, you're looking at 1320 calories. That's not counting the cupcake or the pizza. Nowhere in this list was a natural food. Where are the fruits, veggies, and meats? Trust me, I know what it's like to be a struggling college student. I've been there. But, there are choices to make.
Anyway, before I started looking at my thyroid, I'd try changing some other things about my life. It scares me to think of people taking thyroid hormone supplement who may not need it. Even those of us who do, have to get our levels checked every 3-6 months to make sure we're still taking the proper dosage.
Ehh, 100 calories isn't a whole lot. If exercise is a must, I can play Dance Dance Revolution in my apartment. And just for the record, DDR has a special 'exercise mode' that counts the calories you burn based on how many steps you hit...and, according to this, I can easily burn 100 calories. I'd consider swimming, but whoever said swimming is 'an easy way to lose weight that isn't tiring' is full of crap, because I'm huffing and puffing for air after a single lap.
I also don't drink soda every single day - I, however, do not allow myself more than one can a day (not only because of the sugar content, but because too much caffeine in a day triggers headaches).
Pop Tarts, I only will eat one in one sitting, since that is the serving size. Can't really get away from ramen, though - sometimes I need to settle for it when I'm running low on money, and I go to the supermarket rarely because of how far away it is (no car).
For cereal, sometimes I eat the sugary kinds like Apple Jacks or Oreo O's, but I also eat bran...I know some people here are convinced that bran is as awful for me as the commercial sugary brands, but I still eat it because I like the taste and it offers far more vitamins than XYZ Sugar-Frosted Flakes. Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but don't high-fiber foods like BRAN cereal burn calories faster than simple carbs? Also, I drink reduced fat milk (don't like skim).
As far as fruit...I sometimes get 100% grape juice (don't eat much real fruit), I eat rice, broccoli and onions, and sometimes I'll get chicken tenderloins or ground turkey (or eat chicken-filled Hot Pockets - not the best option, but it's still meat). Also, I've tried the whole 'eat 4-6 small meals every 2-3 hours' crap, and it made me gain weight.
Perhaps when I go back home, I'll just talk to my doctor about this issue, because, as said, I don't envision my mother taking me seriously about my thyroid getting checked. But thanks for the advice anyway.
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