You're running? No weight change? ~Jully

I've been running 2x/week for the past 2 months and my weight has not decreased, not even 1 pound. I know people don't believe me. I almost think that without my nikeplus gadget, I really have no proof, except for my sweaty clothes. Granted my eating habit hasn't changed dramatically, but I don't eat hamburgers & french fries, actually, most days I have salads for lunch (and no, I don't have it with ranch dressing, cheeses, and any fattening items), I don't snack on sweets and I don't binge. So what could be the problem? My metabolism IS completely shot.

Let's see where this all started, shall we?
When I was in high school, I did slim fast for a few days, tried herbalife (aka shakes for meals), also I did Nutrisystem too (pre-packaged food). I liked Nutrisystem because I didn't have to go anywhere, just ordered the food and just had to eat what was given to me, but I just ended up eating more than I should have. My weight was probably in the mid to high 150's during that time.

While in college, I gave Weight Watchers a shot. It worked while I was committed to it, but it was difficult to go in and get weighed in (and talk about it, too!), work out just for 30 minutes, and keep track of the food. I also attempted to do the Atkins, but was not successful the 1st time around. My weight then was around 160 to 170's.

After college, I bloomed... and eventually reached 194 lbs. At that point, a doctor in Brazil prescribed a medication to suppress the hunger, and in exchange, all I had to do is not drink 2 hours before a meal, during a meal, and 2 hours after a meal. Now, for someone who drinks about a gallon of water with each meal, this was quite difficult, but I did it. I would lose several pounds per day at times, and reached 150lbs. I don't think I stayed there very long, maybe 2 weeks? The drug made me feel like a zombie, and I knew it wasn't something good, but it worked. Eventually, I decided to see if I could maintain the weight without the drugs. I wasn't successful. I gained 1lb here and 2lbs there, and in my mind I was ok with that, because I just wasn't 194 anymore. Before I knew it I reached 160's, then 170's and eventually 180's. But in my head, I really believed that I could always go back to 150, IF I really wanted to.

In my mid 20's I tried Atkins, and it was the perfect diet for me. I would have eggs, cheese, and hamburgers with no bun and no guilt. Within the 2nd day, I would lose 2 lbs. When I followed the plan, I would lose up to 14 lbs after 2 weeks. Of course, I had no idea how to maintain it after those 2 weeks, so i would gain it back, and then go on it to lose it again. In between, I also tried the South Beach diet, I was also a vegetarian for about 4 months, and I may also have tried the cabbage soup diet. Obviously, none of it worked.

In my 30's, I would just laid off the carbs and decreased my salt intake for a few days if I had an event to go to. This was how I managed my weight. The final diet that did it was the Lemonade fast (lemon juice, cayenne pepper, and maple syrup). I managed to not eat anything, but drink the lemonade for 10 full days. I really did feel great during and afterwards. I know it's hard to believe, but I did like it. My mind was clear and knowing that I didn't have to eat, or worry about eating was a great relief. I probably lost about 8lbs on it, BUT ... my body has not been the same since. To know that you can go 10 days without eating did give me a sense of empowerment, but... the weight came back, and before I knew it I was 194lbs again. Of course, my emotional state has gone up and down as the weight has moved up and down. Let's face it, that's really the problem to begin with.

Now, after almost 2 months of pilates and running 2x a week... I've not lost a single pound. So if you EVER wonder what yo-yo dieting can do... think of me. My body has grown tired of me playing with it. No liquids, no meats, no carbs, no eating... I'm not even sure if I can reverse the effects of the past 15 years of abuse, but I'm going to keep trying. It's all I can do.