Weight problems

I would suggest focusing on small changes that you can make in your daily routine. This could be something as simple as taking a short walk every day or incorporating more fruits and vegetables into your meals. It's important to listen to your body and take things at a pace that works for you. I also wanted to share this article I came across on LA Weekly laweekly.com that talks about some of the legal steroids for weight loss. Remember that your worth is not determined by your weight. You deserve to feel happy and comfortable in your own skin, and I hope that you're able to find some peace and energy soon.

I have lost weight through calorie restriction, which was difficult and annoying and made me more tired because by definition one is not getting enough energy. I tried partial fasting where for two days a week one eats a quarter the calories and then the other five days one can eat anything, which was a bit better, but those two days never got easier! They never got harder, but just never easier. Some people do it by keeping a narrow eating window every day, but I couldn't try that as I have to take meds with food about 12 hours apart so I could never make the window much less than 12 hours.

I have also lost weight by taking up exercise, the weight loss felt as if it was by accident as I did not increase my calorie intake to take account of the increased calorie output of the exercise, neither did I decrease my calorie intake, but ate 3 healthy meals a day. I started gradually and built up to more. I joined a gym for the swimming pool, but found I could use some of the gym equipment too (I am physically disabled so had not expected any of it to be accessible so it was a nice surprise). What I found most helpful was doing HIITs which effectively was just a couple of minutes of really hard exercise a week! The idea was, on an exercise bike or the cross trainer, or it can be done running or possibly by doing situps or whatever, you warm up then do 20 seconds of absolute max exertion so hard and fast you think you might die, then warm down for a few and mins and do it again, then warm down and you're done for the day, three times a week. I also did a longer slower session which might have been swimming lengths or maybe half an hour at more of a jogging pace on the machine. Over time I was able to go faster and on a higher effort level on the machine for my 20 seconds and I felt so much better for it. It gave me more energy over time, and as I mentioned I lost weight though my intention was to get fitter rather than weight loss. After a year at the gym I got my trike so now my exercise is cycling.

I still don't have as much energy as I would like, but I have more than I did when i started exercising, and it is good for my mental health as well, getting out of the house and moving more.

Hi, I struggle with the opposite issue mostly, desperately trying to gain weight/ struggling to maintain (related to IBS, stress/anxiety and ARFID). What I have learnt is that at least for me the most important is to make sustainable and long-lasting changes- everything else (at least for me) will not last. And at least for me, focusing on weight is not very helpful. I thought I could fix a lot of things if I gained weight and after trying to go about it in a healthy way I would just gain weight at all cost in not a very healthy or comfortable way (awful digestive issues, lots of junk food etc). Then I would unintentionally just slowly loose it again. This happened a few times and it does not work. 

I think the weight will optimise when you are eating well, fit and have good mental health. It's very hard to give dietary advice as it is very individualised. I can recommend my dietitian though who is great- if you want I can send you the link for her website. In general though, a good guide is to make sure to have protein with every meal (it is healthy and helps keep you full), have mainly whole grains, plenty of fruit and vegetable. I personally do better with small meals and regular snacks but other people do better with fewer larger meals, I think it really depends. And occasional treats can be nice too :). 

Can you maybe find some kind of exercise you enjoy? or join a club or gymn or go for regular walks or runs or cycling- whatever you fancy? 

I would try to not focus much on the number on the scales but instead focus on healthy eating and fitness if you want to change something- that's the most important- and I believe the weight will optimise and that might or might not be lower than what you are now. 

I've been at both ends of the scale: anorexic in my late teens (late 1970s/early 1980s) then low-range obese (not morbidly obese) between 2016-2019. 

I got psychotherapy for anorexia. In 2017, I got diagnosed with diabetes. Over the next few years I lost close to 5 stone to reach a normal weight. However, my diabetes got worse since it's inherited from my dad and his family. In 2019 I was diagnosed with Reactive Hypoglycaemia. I have to drastically restrict carbs and eat no sugar.

To answer your question, the low carb diet with eating protein really worked to lose the weight and keep it off - as long as your health status would be ok with this. There are many food products with zero or low calories. Skinny Food is brilliant with sauces, syrups, biscuits, sweets, etc. Eating only at set times each day helped me. I have to eat small amounts every 2-3 hours to keep level blood sugar. That helps me not to pig out on food!

I can't exercise due to severe physical disabilities, but you could walk as exercise if you're comfortable with that. Also, taking a nap helped - I'm not eating because I'm tired and crave energy from food. Keeping hydrated with water or sugar-free/zero calorie drinks is important. Sometimes thirst can be mistaken for hunger.

I'm also on meds that can put weight on and/or cause fatigue. There's an injection to help people lose weight. However, research shows they gain weight back when the injections stop. I'm not an expert, but what I wrote helped me. Other people may have additional suggestions. Of course if it's a drastic diet, please discuss it with your GP.

Good luck!