Hi, I'm a new woman here... Would very much appreciate your advice, thanks kindly.

Hi there
I'm new here so would love any advice please.
I went through a really hard time these past couple of years, as I was diagnosed with too much cortisol being produced by a tumour (which I had removed), however the changes it made were devastating to me...  Stretchmarks all up my tummy, a loose hanging over tummy and skin just stretched almost like I had a baby but I have not (I'm mid 20's).  It crushed my confidence as I used to be really happy with my curvy/hourglass body shape.
 
I gained about 5 stone through no fault of my own :(  It really sucked, because at the moment nothing has changed.  Im still doing tests to check meantime wanting to embark on a health fitness regime, hence why Ive joined here.  I believe in coming to a forum that really understands nutrition and exercise and not 'fad diets'.
 
I do understand a lot of it however I'm having zero results and its making my motivation weaken...  I see programmes like the biggest loser (Im not that big) but I think how do they do it.  & also if someone like that can lose the equivolent of a person, I can lose some stones. 
 
Can anyone offer me sound advice to lose this fast/the right way/strengthen my body?
 
My routine at the moment, is eat healthy - by that I mean lots of veg, fruit, proteins and water and get some exercise - cardio and lifting some light weights.  It really is making zero difference, I dont know what to do.
 
Thanks xx

Candice
 
Welcome and yes you have come to a place where there is lots of practical experience of what works, and what doesn't.
 
It would be useful if you could post a typical days food intake and the training/activity you take part in over the week. Quite often people think they eat 'healthily' but actually are not aware of the good or bad dietary habits they fall into.

Hey gingernut
 
Thanks for your reply!  You have amazing legs oh my goodness.
 
For breakfast I take some organic oatmeal and either put some milk or water in it and a little agave syrup to sweeten.
 
Orange juice, water all day long (about 10 glasses) & maybe 3 cups of green tea.
 
Snack of a banana.
 
Lunchtime I'll have some more water, tea and I'll do a turkeybreast/salad sandwich with a sliver of dairy free mayo & soya spread on wholemeal bread.  Piece of fruit/handful of almonds.
 
Dinner time I'll maybe do steak/salad/veg or a homemade veg soup and a baked potato with soya spread/maybe some low fat cheese.
 
Nighttime if I'm peckish I'll have more fruit or some dates. 
 
Not sure if that's enough but I think Im doing ok healthy eating wise it's the exercise...I just cant get any results.  I do about an hour of cardio (treadmill/ski machine), I go swimming once a week.  xx

Where abouts do you live Candice? It might be worth locating a biosignature coach to help you out.
 
The basic way to loose weight would be simply working out your calorific needs, and aiming to eat around 400 to 500 less a day, combined with a good GBC style weight session 4 to 5 times a week, the weight will fall off.
 
If I was advising you, I would look to reduce the cardio and increase the weights but that's just me.
 

Candice3


Hey gingernut

Thanks for your reply!  You have amazing legs oh my goodness.

For breakfast I take some organic oatmeal and either put some milk or water in it and a little agave syrup to sweeten.

Orange juice, water all day long (about 10 glasses) & maybe 3 cups of green tea.

Snack of a banana.

Lunchtime I'll have some more water, tea and I'll do a turkeybreast/salad sandwich with a sliver of dairy free mayo & soya spread on wholemeal bread.  Piece of fruit/handful of almonds.

Dinner time I'll maybe do steak/salad/veg or a homemade veg soup and a baked potato with soya spread/maybe some low fat cheese.

Nighttime if I'm peckish I'll have more fruit or some dates. 

Not sure if that's enough but I think Im doing ok healthy eating wise it's the exercise...I just cant get any results.  I do about an hour of cardio (treadmill/ski machine), I go swimming once a week.  xx

 
Thanks for the compliment, I'm pretty lucky really but do train quite hard.
 
It's still difficult to tell how many kcals/the nutrients you are taking in. For example I have 25g (1oz) of oats in the morning with 30g whey powder mixed in, but you could be having 3 times that amount(of oats) for all we know.
 
Orange juice isn't great if you are drinking it all day, despite it being touted as 'healthy' it's sugar in a glass and can add up on the kcal score too. I'd cut it right out. I know plain water is dull at first but these days I find I naturally WANT to drink water.
 
I'm hoping someone more qualified will come along soon, but I think you need some more protein, fruit at breakfast time and possibly some slow release protein in the evening.
 
Are you doing a total of 1 hour of cardio across the whole week?or more often than this?I'm a bit of a swimmer, or at least have used it as part of a fitness & weightloss plan, how far do you swim each session in what sort of time period? Ideally you would perform cardio at least 3 days a week, with weights on 3 other days and a full rest day.
 
Sorry if this feels as if I'm picking, or coming across as eliteist - I know swimming is  is easily under/over estimated. Swimming needs to be pretty constant, and intensive in order to get your heart rate up and some energy expenditure(my swim workout is 1200-1600m and that only makes up 25-35 minutes!), and it is hard work.
 
By the way I have subjected myself to watching the biggest loser a couple of times, I found it pretty awful but if it's inspirational that's good. Beware of applying things that work for others to yourself too.

Hi Candice,
 
Are you still having the cortisol issue - has this been ruled out?  Just wondering if this is still a contributory factor or not.

Thanks to everyones replies :)
 
I definitely dont overeat I dont know exact grams but I have the recommended allowance I guess, not 2 portions, just 1.  Maybe I should be measuring, thats where Im going wrong perhaps.
 
With cortisol levels, thats where Im at, currently testing and waiting results...  Its very confusing because some are normal, some high in the past and none of the weight gain has budged but you would think it would given what Im doing..
 
Gonna read some more posts on here for inspiration thank you all xxx

Hi Candice,
 
Good on you for coming on here and seeking help. It sounds as though you're very determined and open to suggestions and I'm sure you're going to succeed with the right support and the right advice.
 
Keep reading the forums and changing small habits one at a time - they all add up!
 
I would suggest you definitely start measuring everything and writing down everything you're eating and adding up the calories - otherwise it's just guess work. You could use a website like www.caloriecount.com and keep track on a spreadsheet.
 
If you came to me as a client I would suggest you cut right back on the carbs like bread, potatoes, orange juice, dates (very high sugar before bed you don't need fuel - go for a protein option instead if you're hungry).

You definitely need to add in some more omega 3's like oily fish, small servings of raw nuts, flaxseeds / flaxseed oil and increase your lean protein - turkey, chicken, fish etc.
 
All the best and keep positive - it will happen if you keep going and don't give up!
 
Kat