Expert: Gerri Helms - 10/25/2008

Question
Gerri
I am not anorexic but I have a similar problem.
I am a healthy 50 year old guy with no medical issues.
My problem is that I have always had a very slow metabolism.
I am 5'8" and 240 pounds,,but just to stay at this weight and not gain I only eat between 1000 and 1500 calories a day. Still the weight creeps up along with my waist size (43").I would like to get below 1000 but I cant eat much less trhan I already do.
I have been checked for thyroid issues (nothing),and I have spent a small fortune on supplements with no improvement.
I tried cutting out carbs,fats, nothing helped.
The only time in my life when I had a normal weight was in high school,and I drank coffee and chain smoked cigarettes with barely any food while my friends ate huge amounts like teenagers are supposed to.
I run for 45 minutes a day and lift weights and even that doesnt help,but I keep doing it for the other benefits of exercise.
The only people that believe how little I actually eat and how active I really am are my wife and kids.
I must have the worlds most efficient metabolism-I feel like one of those cars that can go for miles on just a little fuel while everyone else is a gas guzzler!
Any thoughts appreciated.

Answer
Dear Bud,
You did not mention that you've checked with a nutritionist and I's strongly suggest you do that. Perhaps you are not eating the right combination of food.  A nutritionist can probably help you to establish a food plan that will help you eat the proper amount of food for weight loss or maintenance.

You may also want to investigate Overeaters Anonymous, which helps with food obsession that so many people experience (you don't have to be overweight to receive help). There are no dues or fees. For more information, visit their website, www.oa.org.

Let me know if I can offer any other assistance. If you are interested in a complimentary coaching session, please write back to me. I coach on the telphone.
Gerri Helms,
lifecoachgerri@aol.com