Weight Gain - 10 Lbs in 6 Months!

You are the only one who can figure this out. I suggest you keep a food diary to know how much you're actually eating. Are you eating more than before you gained weight? Know that breastfeeding does require more calories so figure that into how many calories you should be eating. The average adult women needs approximately 2000 calories to maintain their weight.

As to a healthy diet, knowing what that is takes some study. Making meal plans is the best way to ensure good diet. Unless you've consciously planned a good diet it's likely your diet has too many carbs, not enough protein or fruits and vegetables.

Are you getting less exercise than you were before you gained weight. If so that will cause weight gain. What medication are you taking and did you start it 6 months ago. Some antidepressants do cause weight gain. My daughter's doctors told her to stop the antidepressant meds when she was pregnant and nursing. Have you checked with the doctor about taking it?

You mentioned the possibility of a medical cause. Talk with your doctor about that.

I've gained 10 lbs in 6 months more than once. When I consistently ate less and did more exercise I lost it. The older I got the harder it was to lose it.

you have my sympathy. i found it hard to lose weight when i was nursing, i was SO hungry. now that i'm decades past it, i have other reasons for it<G>.
keep a food diary. it's a drag, but it's also very, very eye-opening. once you realize where all those extra calories are coming from, it's easier to tweak. in your case it's pretty clear- and understandable!
khairete
S.

You probably are eating more than you realize. Lots of carb laden foods will cause you to gain if you are not active. Bread, fries, pasta and crackers... those are probably all empty calories, and are carbohydrates (which your body turns into sugar just like any other sugar...) So, mentally, when you see bread, SEE sugar instead. Instead of a handful of crackers, SEE a handful of cookies... b/c your body will turn that refined flour (which are simple carbs) into sugar and treat it just like it was a cookie or slice of cake.

I wouldn't jump straight to hypothyroidism if your only "symptom" is gaining 10 lbs over 6 months. I have gained 10 lbs over 6 months. All it takes is getting lax in your eating habits and not being active. Boom. 10 lbs.

I'm there too, it's such a battle! I started using the MyFitnessPal app and was amazed at how calories add up faster than I thought! One special weekend of a friend in town : extra Happy Hour stops, more full meals - I can see how I'd gain almost a pound a week! It's one way to track what you're eating (if you're perfectly honest on it), and that might help. I'm trying to exercise more, but not seeing much improvement yet. If you find the magic solution, let me know!! :-)

You kind of answered your own question. You are overeating on high calorie foods while not getting regular physical activity. More calories taken in than expended in your day equals weight gain. Your medication may have something to do with it but unless you change things up you'll continue to gain weight.

Sugar and carbs. That's what you need to cut. I'm finally losing weight and it's because I cut out grains and sugar. It helped me when I started thinking about food as medicine. Crackers and sweets don't do anything for my body and wellness. Vegetables, berries, nuts and fish are so healthy and make me feel my best. You won't be as hungry if you eat less carbs too. You won't get the highs and lows with your blood sugar, so you don't need to eat as often. One other thing, when I was breastfeeding, my metabolism was amazing. If you are slowing down with that, you could be burning less calories and need to eat less to compensate.

On the anxiety front, healthy eating can cut way down on your anxiety symptoms. I have reduced mine significantly with my healthy diet. I feel calmer than I ever have. It's reduced by at least 75%. If I do feel a little anxious, I'm able to take a breath and regain my composure and clear thinking instantly.

You have way too many carbs. Pasta and breads have more complex carbs but they stick to you like glue and don't go away.

Try looking at a low carb cookbook or a Cave Man diet cookbook.

These are NOT diets but a lifestyle choice. If you like meats and protein foods and can do without all the carbs then it might be that your body just doesn't process the carbs and they increase your weight.

If you live for pasta and it's the best food your mouth wants then you might need to find some different recipes of fixing it so it's not too much for your body.

Eating a new way shouldn't be hard. If your body is getting what it needs then it should be easier to eat foods you like.

Exercise more and eat less junk. Cut out (or drastically reduce) the amount of what products in your diet.

Hi L.,

If you're only gaining weight in those two areas, the gain is caused by toxicity. If your meds are the only thing that has changed (other than your anxiety) it's from the chemicals you are absorbing into your system. Your baby is getting them in the breast milk as well. Is your anxiety extreme? There are natural alternatives to pharmaceuticals.

Other toxicities are found in processed foods as well as bath and body products that absorb through your skin. The added toxicity just jump started the weight gain process. If you want to go a natural route, Ill be glad to direct you!

Regards,
M.

Oh I know how you feel! I was totally there about 10 years ago. Thank goodness my dear friend Paulette introduced me to a nutritional program that changed my life. I was overweight, exhausted and I had terrible eating habits. But I knew no other way. Then she introduced me to what she was doing and she even helped me every day to figure it out. It was a life saver! That was almost 9 years ago...and today I have kept the weight off, I have more energy than most teenagers AND I am me again. I will send you a PM with what she showed me.
I just know it is what you need too!

B.