Fitness help please? Extreme weight loss

[Gizmo]

As some of you will have worked out my life has gone to the dogs lately and is causing a few stress and depression problems. The result of this is unless I have the lodger around to push me to I will barely eat 500 calories a day, if he's pushing then maybe 1200 at most. I just can't eat anymore.

Even worse I've just had a stomach bug which has meant a few days of practically water and pineapple only so thats not helped.

In all I've lost about 45-50lbs in body weight in less than 8 weeks. Resultingly the weight loss has been the wrong kind (although I still am overweight, BMI 29 something now instead of 33 something) and I'm finding that my back and rib muscles have very little support and ache from the slightest thing. Sitting in one position for more than half an hour and my back will start to ache.

TLDR: I've lost lots of weight and too much of that is muscle

Question: Anyone got any ideas on how to solve this issue? My doctors don't care because I'm still 'fat' (UK size 14-16 now). I'm not sure whether there are certain exercises I can do to rebuild those muscles specifically or if I should be trying protein shakes etc and seeing if I can increase my calories intake that way?

(I am working with the Doctors and seeing them Tuesday when I will bring up the appetite again and push for them to do something about it btw. I *know* this isn't healthy but have the problem of appearing competent to them so they tend to take a back seat even when I ask for serious help.)

[Aislin]

On sign of diabetes is weight loss and rapid weight loss in particular. Glucerna or another nutritional shake is a good idea. I am not a health care professional bit I did deal with my fathers rapid weight loss due to illness and his was a combination of depression and diabetes. He was told to increase his protein and to increase his activity.

[mjr]

Question: Anyone got any ideas on how to solve this issue? My doctors don't care because I'm still 'fat' (UK size 14-16 now). I'm not sure whether there are certain exercises I can do to rebuild those muscles specifically or if I should be trying protein shakes etc and seeing if I can increase my calories intake that way?

Burpees, skipping rope, and crunches.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burpees

Though, with Burpees, some people will incorporate a push-up between steps 3 and 4, and a jump at the end. so instead of the progression being this:

1. Begin in a standing position.
2. Drop into a squat position with your hands on the ground. (count 1)
3. Extend your feet back in one quick motion to assume the front plank position. (count 2)
4. Return to the squat position in one quick motion. (count 3)
5. Return to standing position. (count 4)

It could be this:

1. Begin in a standing position.
2. Drop into a squat position with your hands on the ground.
3. Extend your feet back in one quick motion to assume the front plank position.
4. Perform a push-up
5. Return to the squat position in one quick motion.
6. Return to standing position.

or this:

1. Begin in a standing position.
2. Drop into a squat position with your hands on the ground.
3. Extend your feet back in one quick motion to assume the front plank position.
4. Perform a push-up
5. Return to the squat position in one quick motion.
6. Jump straight up
7. Return to standing position.

[Aethian]

Dont forget you still need to drink a ton of water. For basic function of life you should follow this equation...

weight in lbs / 2 = amount in ounces

It's easy to get a conversion of kilos to pounds through Google. That will help your skin start to pull back in.

[dalesys]

Dont forget you still need to drink a ton of water. For basic function of life you should follow this equation...

weight in lbs / 2 = amount in ounces

It's easy to get a conversion of kilos to pounds through Google. That will help your skin start to pull back in.

Or Body weight / 32 = water weight

160 lb /2 => 80 oz. (A pint's a pound, the world around). pint = 16 oz. So 5 lb.

72 kg /32 -> 4.5 kg

Or close enough for waterworks, anyway.

[Gizmo]

Thanks all. I will check the diabetes but I'm sure its the stress and depression causing me not to eat and the weight loss.

I am drinking quite a bit of liquids but its the plainer, little calorie stuff. Anything richer isn't going over too well.

I've been surprised that my skin isn't as loose as I expected actually - maybe because I have been keeping up the fluids.

[Aethian]

Or Body weight / 32 = water weight

160 lb /2 => 80 oz. (A pint's a pound, the world around). pint = 16 oz. So 5 lb.

72 kg /32 -> 4.5 kg

Or close enough for waterworks, anyway.

I was talking about how much water you should drink not how much one weighs in water....

[dalesys]

I was talking about how much water you should drink not how much one weighs in water....

Just adding muttrick conversions... And Murkan weight to weight also.

[Pixilated]

I'm wondering about your doctors! Yeah, weight loss is great, but not when it's from the equivalent of starvation!

Many years ago I had a cookbook titled "Something's Got to Taste Good." It was for cancer patients, but it included liquid "meals" that were concocted to keep up the patient's basic levels for vitamins, minerals, calories, essential fats, etc. If you can find something similar, or even recipes if a similar sort, that might help. You wouldn't have to eat a huge meal to be eating healthy.

There's also supplements like Ensure in grocery stores and drugstores.

[Der Cute]

Ok.
This is logic thinking out of my ass, but *DISCLAIMER GET YOUR BUTT TO NUTRITIONIST"
You have lost muscle mass; protein has more calories per oz than fat does. Body eats fat then muscle so you've really hurt yourself. Ok.
To replace muscle you need to USE it, but have the food/calories/stuff to re-make it. Protein shakes, protein in general is what you need. But also fat to help you have energy.
Veggies with some protein but lots of vitamins are good for you, good fats too. Avacados? Broccoli? Things liek that. Lots of fruit too.
But you can't eat straight fat stuff, it'll run right through. That's a gradual thing.
Idea: do you know any comfort foods, from child hood? One of mine is mac and cheese. Or chicken noodle soup (only one kind!)
But no, go to nutritionist. I would bet my bippy you've lost a lot of other important nutrients besides muscle.
Hugs. Waaaay too fast weight loss...but I'll donate some of my flab if you want.

[Gizmo]

Thanks. Got the docs Tuesday and will be pushing for nutritionist as well as more help. Plus another couple of weeks off as I know I need at least a week to rebalance after hubby is back at work coz I can't handle both or the stress of the travel alone right now.

I do still have another 20lbs or so spare which I'd love to redistribute right now... lol.

[42_42_42]

You have lost muscle mass; protein has more calories per oz than fat does.

You've got this backwards!

There are 4 Calories per gram (113.4 Calories per ounce) for carbohydrates and proteins.
There are 9 Calories per gram (255.15 Calories per ounce) for fats.

So, fats have more than twice the number of calories for the same mass.

[Seshat]

As well as a nutritionist, get thee to a physiotherapist who understands rapid weight loss issues, and building up weakened and/or atrophied muscles.

If you're starting from muscles that can barely properly support your standing weight, then you need to start with careful exercise. Perhaps ones done lying down, sitting down, or supported by water.

"standard" exercises are fine, but presuppose a basically healthy body. Right now, you seem to not have that.

[PizzaDrone]

What about asking your doctor about potentially having some high-calorie nutrition drinks? Think there's a brand called Build Up or something. They're frequently given to older people who are unable to cook to the same level they once could to keep their strength up, but it sounds like with your current stress/depression you could do with an easy way to get your calories in. After a bit of time on those you should be able to regain your appetite and also have the energy to maybe do some workouts to build muscle. Maybe even something calm and quiet but really beneficial like swimming.

Really hope you get it sorted and feel better soon.

[mathnerd]

My first inclination was to suggest nutrition replacement shakes as a way to get your calories up and make sure you get a better balance of the nutrients you need. If you're having trouble drinking those and own an ice cream maker, you can easily turn them into ice cream, which, when we were having trouble with my son eating after surgery, worked very well for him.

As for exercise, I wouldn't try anything more than short, slow walks until you can see a therapist who's trained to help with these sorts of issues.