PLEASE Help!!

I'm a 45yr.old mom, 5'2" and (today) 186lbs .I can't seem to get to a healthy weight. I was 200lbs at my highest but I can't seem to get below  180 and stay there.  I was so excited 4 days ago, I was at 179!!  Continuing to diet and exercise since then, this morning I am back to 186...and so frustrated.  I do cardio30-45 min. 3-5 times a week and circuit train 3x a week. The healthier I eat, I seem to gain and if I eat more sometimes I lose weight.  Obviously, I don't know the correct way to get the weight off, I've battled this since middle school and my doctor has been no help.  Any advice would be appreciated.  

[S. Kaul, MD]

Hi there!

If you are aiming at losing weight, it is important to calculate your current BMI and the target BMI. The target BMI should be in a healthy range. Aside indulging in moderate amounts of physical exercise it is also essential to maintain a healthy diet plan. A healthy diet should consist of adequate amounts of calories with carbohydrates, proteins, fat and plenty of fruits and vegetables to supply vitamins and minerals. Skipping any of the food components is not considered healthy. Also when aiming at losing weight the protein intake may be slightly increased and the carbohydrate intake slightly lowered. The calorie requirement should also be adjusted for ones physical activities as well. Lower than adequate calorie intake can also cause weight gain, due to the stress hormones kicking in. Start with a healthy breakfast, moderate lunch and light dinner. Also keep a track of calorie intake and your work out. 0.5-2 pounds a week is decent weight loss. The weight loss may be slow initially due to the muscles building and would gradually gain pace. With gradual consistent efforts, you should be able to lose weight as desired in a healthy way. If despite these changes you still experience difficulty in losing weight you may consider an evaluation by a doctor to rule out hormonal/ endocrine issues.
Hope this helps.

Take care!