Signigicant weight gain

[alk1978]

I am 29 years old and I have gained 23 pounds over the last year and a half, despite a healthy diet and exercise program. I gained a few pounds after "de-stressing" my life which sent my weight from 127 lbs to 135 lbs. I was only a 1-2 per week exerciser at this point so I decided to increase my weekly exercise to shed the extra pounds. I then gained 7 more pounds up to 142 lbs (the most I have weighed in 10 years) and since January I have gained an additional 8 pounds, putting me at 150 lbs. I exercise 3-5 days per week, mostly running, and I eat a balanced diet high in fiber with only lean meats and plenty of fruits and vegetables. I have also started having sever stomach pains, which my doctor has attributed to my acid reflux (although the symptoms are not anything like my previous GERD symptoms). Also, I am a pear-shaped person and a great deal of the weight that I have gained is in my abdomen which is weird because I have NEVER had a large stomach in my life. Any suggestions as to what the problem might be? I am afraid to go back to my doctor because he always treats me as if I am crazy or making up these symptoms. I am worried about all of the weight gain, not just from a vanity stand point, but because it is so unhealthy for me to continue to gain weight and put additional stress on my body.  Thanks for any suggestions that you may have!

[Renee Radenberg]

Recommend having a full check-up with blood work including your thyroid levels. If the thyroid levels are normal, then use a tape measure instead of a scale to indicate if you are advancing in getting healthy with your exercising and eating healthy. Measure your waist and hips as a guide for trimming down. As we exercise we build lean body muscle mass which weight more than fat so the scale reflects no weight loss when in fact the body is trimming down fat. The tape measure will measure loss of inches and your clothes will start to feel looser. Hope this helped you.