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  • Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners

    Why am I struggling to lose weight?

    Related Topics
    Nutrition Weight Management
    For 3 weeks now I've been eating healthy (vegetarian, veggies & fruits & yoghurt & all bran cereal for breakfast only and water, occasionally a white tea) walking for 1hr 4 times a week (all up hill) and 30mins exercise 5days a week but only lost 2kg? I am breastfeeding too!
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  • Shirley Chan

    Dietitian

    Shirley is an Accredited Practising Dietitian with 16 years clinical experience in large public hospital and in private practice. She has extensive specialised experience in … View Profile

    The weight loss rate that most health porfessional would recommend is 1 kg a week, and so that fact that you have lost 2 kg in 3 weeks is a safe and healthy way of losing any weight gain associated with pregnancy. At the time of extreme or dramatic weight loss, you may feel your own weight loss is inadequate. However given the information provided, I am quite happy with your weight loss, provided your meals provide all the daily requirmenet for all essential nutrients for yourself and during breastfeeding. If you need further support, it may be a good idea to contact your local Accredited Practising Dietitian with special interest in vegetarian eating for support and guidance. 

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  • Kirsty Woods

    Exercise Physiologist

    Hi I’m Kirsty Woods,I would like to use my experience, expertise and passion to help you reach your weight, energy and health goalsI have been … View Profile

    It may also be worth taking measurements to see what they are doing :) 

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  • Dr Jason Wong

    Bariatric (Obesity) Surgeon, General Surgeon, Laparoscopic Surgeon, Upper GI Surgeon (Abdominal)

    Jason Wong is a skilled Laparoscopic and Bariatric Surgeon with expertise in sleeve and gastric bypass surgery, gallbladder, hernia, endoscopic pilonidal, antireflux and emergency general … View Profile

    Unfortunately your body will often try to oppose changes, hence why it can be difficult to lose weight and why a "yo-yo" pattern is commonly seen amongst patients who try to lose significant weight.

    Too often, people will be in the very same situation you are in and weight is not falling as fast as they were thinking it would - and after two or three weeks and not the expected result - they quit.

    Achieving weight loss isn't purely about a number - and that is what I tell many of my patients.  It is very normal to have a "goal weight" and getting demoralised when you don't get to your goal weight.  However, what is more important is that you have a "goal lifestyle" that you manage to achieve.

    It is advisable to see a dietician for education on food groups and meal planning.  If you are not able to see a dietician, one thing to consider is the composition of your diet.  It is very common for people to be eating for too much carbohydrates for their level of physical activity.

    Weight-loss surgery is the most effective and reliable way to achieve significant and sustained weight-loss.  If your BMI is over 35 + comorbidities or BMI is over 40, then bariatric surgery such as a sleeve gastrectomy or gastric bypass may be something to consider.  In some cases, surgery is appropriate for patients with a BMI between 30 and 35 where comorbidities are also present.  Other options such as a gastric balloon is an option for patients with a BMI below 28, however tolerability of this device over 6 months can be variable with some patients having the balloon removed prematurely.  Otherwise a supervised weight management programme is a good option.

    Dr Jason Wong

    www.lapsurgerybrisbane.com.au

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