Due to some medical issues I have, I am really trying to shed excess pounds. Two of my issues are hypothyrodism (which I'm being treated for with Armour) and had emergency gall bladder removal a couple of years ago. I've researched weight loss sites, thyroid sites and have come across several articles on diet and metabolic set point. Apparently if you don't find your 'magic balance' i.e. eating enough of the right calories to fuel your metabolism you may end up slowing your metabolism down and won't lose weight. Also underactive thyroid will slow metabolism down, taking thyroid meds may make you retain weight, exercising excessively while boosting metabolism (muscles burn more energy) the body has a wonderful adaptive capability in adjusting to the new stress of exercise or the reduction of calories to make it hold the fat its got. Anybody have comments or insight on how to overcome weightloss plateau and kick body into higher metabolic burn?

That is why they reccommend that you eat many times during the day at at least 1200 calories so that you don't starve yourslef and mess up your metabolism. WEight watchers has a good plan that many follow here with much success!
I wish you wellness
bizi

I did weight watchers and lost 15 pounds.
I eat several time a day, keeping between 1200 to 1700 calories. I've tried switching calories around...low 1200 some days and high the next. I've been to nutritionist (waste of money) I gotten more information for WW and from sparkpeople.com

Hi Queen Mary, welcome! You've asked a good question that I have been pondering lately myself and, to which, I have no answer. Have you discussed this with any doctor and what was the response? If not and you have kind of a history behind you, do you plan on seeing a doctor? Also, when you went on Weight Watchers, how many weeks did it take to loose the 15 lbs? Did you loose it fast all at once or?

Sorry for all the questions but as I said, I'm interested in hearing the answers for my own use.

Best Regards;
Nancy

Urgh I just spent 30 minutes writing you nice long reply and history only to have site timeout on me! To answer your questions, I have seen primary doctor who sent me to nutritionist and endocrinologist. I did WW and lost 15 lbs in 6 mos, as well as ruined foot with all the walking I was doing. Foot surgery knocked me down for almost year. I back to full exercising now, spent year with personal trainer. I have muscles now which is a good thing as muscle will increase metabolism, eventually. I'm not a patient person. I will be seeing endocrinologist next month to check thyroid again. Most all the doctors I see are happy with my new outlook on exercise and weight training, plus I've completed five 5k speedwalk races in the past year. WW is a good program but there is another one which is online Sparkpeople.com which also offers nutrition, exercise and motivatiional information and the site is FREE TO JOIN. I find it to be very similar to WW. Hope this has been helpful. Mary

QueenMary, I haven't been on much lately due to physical problems and mental confusion from a wreck. Just wanted to say hello and welcome! Froggie

I like that site http://sparkpeople.com/ the menus and suggestions are do able for me.
And the videos/demos of the excercises is nice too.

I joined jo...liked it too.!!!
bizi

Thanks for the link to Sparks! I just joined. Maybe it will help me make the lifestyle changes I need to make. My cholesterol is very high, according to my doctor. I believe it's mostly due to the Effexor I've been on for almost 3 years. For instance, I don't eat much red meat, maybe once a week. Eggs, maybe once every two weeks. If I can get the cholesterol and my weight down at the same time I'd be very happy.