help for daughter

[qltmom]

I am not sure where to post this question.No topic seemed perfect.This was the closest I guess. I need help for my 18year old. I tried calling our doctor all day and never was able to get through. I am sure I will tomorrow but I need to feel like I am doing something now!

My dd is 18 about 5'7" and I would say about 40-50 pounds overweight. The truly heartbreaking thing about this is that she dances 5 days a week. They are not easy classes either, very intense. We have tried everything and I do mean everything. For the past 2 months we have been only eating 1200 calories a day. I always do the diets with her to support.

Has anyone else experienced this or might have an idea of what to do? I hate medications but at this point in her life I dont know what else to do.Someone mentioned that her thyroid might be a problem. Whatever we do it will be through a doctor but I just feel so helpless and sad for her.She works so hard.

TIA for any help.

[stlmom]

Please take your daughter to a dietition. Call your area hospitol/clinic and have them refer you to someone. She is probably consuming food outside of home BUT you do not want to confront her without support since this will cause her shame and make things worse!  Also look at her mental health...we tend to only see the physical....good luck!---she is fortunate to have a mom that cares!

[rio_reason]

Atkins!  It works hard and fast if you're strict about it, and you get to eat all the bacon you want!  I wouldn't suggest it for long term though, that'd be a good way to **** up your cholesterol.

[AZbby]

My sister had the same problam all the doctores and everyone one would say shes eating food that we dont know bout. Well what fianaly worked was eating this soup made with cabage,peppers,carents,tomato slice and just eat this and only this it really worked for her also if she gets tired of that eating spice foods burns fat so whatever she eats put hot sauce on

[Evie1963]

I agree with RockRose You're probably not getting enough calories. You need to speed up your metabolisms by eating 5 or 6 times a day, small portions but the right foods. It's a whole lifestyle change. Restricting calories and going hungry wont work. Like RockRose said, you'd benefit enormously from seeing a nutritionist who can reeducate you on what foods to eat, portion sizes, exercise etc. I really hope your daughter is successful.

[bowlingchick]

Have you tried going to a weight loss center?  Something like Weight Watchers would be a good place to start.  It is a very healthy way to lose weight.  It's a lifestyle change, you learn how to eat healthy and lose weight.  You aren't deprived, you eat what you want only in smaller portions.  Once you met your weight goal, you can continue to attend meetings to learn how to maintain your weight.  It worked for me, I love the program and the results were amazing!  If you follow their guidelines and work the program, attend the meetings and get the support from others in the same situation, it's great motivation.  Good luck to you and your DD.

[RockRose]

I'm surprised that after two months of this you've only lost 6 pounds - and you indicate you have some more to go,  and that's really a surprise to me.  Six pounds on this very restrictive diet is so little!

There is a condition where your body goes into "survival mode" and hangs on to calories if you don't get enough to eat for a long period of time.  The metabolism slows WAY down,  and your body stops doing unnecessary repairs and expending unnecessary energy,  and you won't lose weight quickly if this happens.  It sounds like that's what's happened to both of you - you KNOW you're not cheating,  and you're not losing weight either.  

Are you drinking a lot of diet sodas?  I read a study a couple years ago that drinking 1 or zero calorie soft drinks resets your metabolism somehow,  and although the drink doesn't give you caloric energy it keeps you from burning the calories you eat.

I think maybe she needs the help of a nutritionist.  Losing weight should be this hard . .

Best wishes.

[qltmom]

I have definitely considered that she is eating food when not at home.I just have to trust her on this one because I cant prove it.

1200 calories is actually quite enough. I have been doing it with her for 2 months. I havent gone hungry and I can eat a lot. We eat more then 3 meals a day but they are small. I have her on protein shakes for the extra dance. I have lost about 6 pounds and have a few to go. She has lost a few but she gets tired after stalling and then I know she does cheat as she tells me. I cant blame her.

[RockRose]

qltmom - I think you need to seriously consider that she may be  eating food that you aren't aware of.  

Also,  on 1200 calories yourself,  you should be in decline and not able to  vigorously perform daily living  tasks.

[qltmom]

I meant to also say that it is starting to cause her problems emotionaly. She spent all day on Friday crying. Personally I think she is drop dead gorgeous and am very proud of her.But if it is hurting her emotionally then I want to do something.