Exception to the rule
You often talk about knowing how to lose weight, but stumbling on maintaining. I feel like I'm the exception--I have obsessed about losing weight for years, but I have been the woman who has gained the 2 lbs/year from perimenopause on for 25 years or so, creating my 50 lb weight gain that I need to lose, now in my late 60s. I really don't have any successful history with losing weight. I was stable for my adult life until I started that gain. Despite being concerned in my mind with weight gain, any actual attempts to lose weight would be over in less than a day, given my internal rebellious reaction to restriction. How do I get started?
The last 20 pounds
Hi Heather, People always talk about "the last 10 pounds", but I've been stalled with 20 pounds left to lose for about a year now. I religiously count calories using MyFitnessPal and find it difficult to stay at 1500, which mathematically is the only way for me to lose a quarter to a half pound per week. I find myself going over by about 250-300 calories 3 to 4 days a week, which basically keeps my weight at a standstill (and that's with 10,000 steps every day). I'm not looking for fast weight loss, but it's frustrating to be on a hamster wheel with no progress for so long. The calories add up so fast - one extra snack and I make no progress. You're always so helpful, so I'm wondering if you have any suggestions for this dilemma. Thanks so much! Sharon
Conquering the weekends
Hi Heather, thank you for everything you do! My question is about conquering the weekends when you're trying to lose weight. I find that I do extremely well during the week, but tend to trip on the weekends, eating excessively, eating out of plan and adding in a glass or two of wine. Come Monday, the scale has moved up. It feels like taking one step further and two steps back. Although I still manage to stick to my workouts over the weekend, I still notice a sizeable gain. Any tips that can help me be more disciplined over the weekends and continue on the downward trajectory? Alternatively, any episode you can point me to for more help? Thanks again!
Cancer treatment and weight loss
I have been undergoing some cancer treatments, and those involve taking Letrozole, which has as a side effect “weight changes”, which seemingly can include either gain or loss. I’m trying hard to eat at a deficit because I know that excess fat increases estrogen, which can affect breast cancer cells. How can I structure a diet so that it doesn’t have to be super restrictive (because I will sabotage that) and yet is healthy and at the same time low calorie? My maintenance calories are probably about 1500. I am finding it hard to reconcile all the things I “should” be doing. Any suggestions as to how I might best approach this for the long term? Thanks.
Pregnancy or Fitness?
Hi Heather, love your show and your booklets. I'm 37, 5'4 and started at 191 lbs back in November 2018 and have been maintaining around 138 for the past year, rather comfortably. I was never one of those people who dreamed about having children, but now I am thinking about it. Though given my struggles with overeating, and my older age, I am very torn about if I can get pregnant and not gain too much weight while pregnant and be able to lose it afterwards. I know about all the joys of motherhood, and that I must sound shallow, but I have worked so damn hard. I have beaten years of bulimia (only through replacing it with healthy habits) and work out and track all my food just like you say to do. I am afraid of becoming extremely depressed if I gain weight back and am not able to lose it. I wonder, have you seen women my age be able to maintain their fitness during and after pregnancy? And if I did not take your advice as medical advice, do you think it would help if I hired you for coaching during and post pregnancy? I just don't want to gain it all during... I want to stay very fit throughout.. Thank you.