Diets for Multiple Problems  Page 1  2

I have been dieting and exercising since the 6th of January of this year, I have lost 15 pounds but for the last week or so am not losing anything, nor am I gaining, but I do exercise everyday, could it be possible that I am gaining muscle mass and losing the fat.  I know they say that muscle weighs more than fat, but normally I lose more than this and have not had a plateau so early in a diet, but my clothes are feeling looser and I can get into clothes that I have not been able to get into in a few months.  I have some health problems, diabetes, high blood pressure, a bad thyroid and take Lipitor (cholesterol) and Aggrenox as a blood platelet thinner.  I am 54 and wanted to lose about 50 pounds.  I intake about 1500 calories a day with emphasis on vegetables, some carbs and some protein.  I eat a 6 oz container of yogurt in the evening for the calcium.  Right now I am 5'3 1/2 and weigh 213.  I would  appreciate any input you may have.  Thank You

Hey, 15 pounds in five weeks is pretty impressive!   You've probably just hit a plateau.  I have done so myself, and am presently finding it difficult to lose.   Both my husband and I realized that due to stress, family problems (deaths, grandkid visits, son with us for a year and a half), overwork, etc. over about 7 years time, we were under-active and overeating and both needed to lose about 40 pounds.  In the past year and a half, we've lost almost 20, and due to grandkids, holidays and overwork, plus being unable to exercise as normal due to two bad colds this winter, we have hit a plateau, in fact, gained two or three back.  We've started to drop again, but it's hard work, isn't it?

Keep up the exercise - it will improve your blood sugar and pressure, and help conserve muscle mass, something that Lipitor sometimes causes problems with.  Considering your weight and medical problems, if you have access to water-based exercise that might be a good choice.  You also should have your thyroid function, clotting rate, cholesterol and blood sugar and pressure checked frequently, and I would say after every 15 pounds or so of loss.  Why?  As you exercise and lose weight, your medication level may have to change.   In fact, if you get down to 135 or 140, you might find radical changes for the better and even be able to go off some medications, a very good thing.  But don't do it too fast - that's BAD.  Your body has to adjust.  In fact, right now your body (what does it know?) probably thinks that food is very scarce and is trying to conserve, slowing your metabolism.  It'll give up sooner or later and start burning fat, if you don't get discouraged.

Be sure you eat a wide variety of healthy foods.  I would certainly recommend vitamin and mineral supplements, but consult your doctor on this since you have various medical problems.  Be sure you control your salt (sodium) intake.  Also, two or three cups or glasses of tea, preferably green tea but black will do, either sugarless or with artificial sweetener, will help rev up your metabolism and is a healthy choice.  Do NOT give in to the hype about diet pills, diet "teas" and other drinks, laxatives and diuretics, etc.  This is not the way to go, especially with your other problems.  It could even be fatal for someone who is diabetic and with high cholesterol and blood pressure. 

Concentrate on a good diet, controlling the calories, and continue the exercise, and eventually everything else will fall into place.  Keep us posted.

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