Expert: Gerri Helms - 10/1/2009

Question
QUESTION: I'm 15, and my metabolism is broken, about 9 months ago i went on a diet, and ate about 200-400 calories a day for about 3 months. Excercised for an hour everyday- power walking. Then after i ate normally most days, however went back to this low calorie diet on and off.
During the summer, i ate normally and put almost all the weight back on.
I'm now trying to loose the weight again, and have got almost all of it off, barr 3 pounds. But, i never do a number 2? And, i'm worried. I eat more than i did last year, but still not a lot. Only about 600 calories.
i really want to speed my metabolism up, and fix it. And, still continuing loosing weight.
Please help!!!

ANSWER: Mary, you didn't say what your weight is right now. Do you need to lose more? Often, we are at a normal size but don't necessarily see ourselves that way. Would you write back and let me know your height and weight, also what you are eating now?

If you are only eating 600 calories, you probably won't lose weight - the body goes into a sort-of protective mode. It's like trying to run a car without enough gas for the trip, if you go slowly, you'll use less gas. That is what our bodies do when we do not eat enough.

When I wish to lose weight, I drop my calories down to somewhere between 1,200 and 1,400. You will never speed your metabolism up at 600 calories.

To help with the constipation, try adding two tablespoons a day of milled flax seed to your diet. This will help tremendously, but again, if there isn't much going in, not much can come out either. Your body is trying to absorb everything it can.

You might also check into Overeaters Anonymous, for the obsessive thoughts about food, diet and weight. They really help, not just overeaters but those with anorexia or bulimia. Your email reminds me a bit of anorexic thinking.  Their website is www.oa.org.

Good luck to you.
Life Coach Gerri Helms
www.lifecoachgerri.com

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I'm 5"1 and 105 pounds.
I'm very small boned, so look slimmer than i am, i have  more fat that first appears, which is why i would like to loose weight. I know that i think like a person with anerexia, i was slightly obsessive before but i have overcome this.  But i would really like to get down to 7 stone, and then just eat normally, with a regular metabolism, and excercise regualarly.
I fear that if i eat that many calories i will put so much weight on, which is true is'nt it?
I do eat normal meals, i just normally skip out lunch.
Like today, for example; one bowl of porridge with skimmed milk, a banana, then for dinner, i ate salmon, broccolli, spinach, and a few new potatoes. And, lot's of water. And for the past three days, i have gone running for half an hour in the morning, and power walking for an hour at night.

When i dieted before i use to cut out carbohydrates, and just eat a banana, a peice of meat and a few bits of broccolli. Could this be the reason why my metabolism is now broken?

Answer
Dear Mary,
I believe that 7 stone is too thin. Your metabolism is not broken - 105 lbs is probably a very good weight for you. Please do not try to lose any more.

Please find someone locally to talk to about this. Your desire to lose to 7 stone can be a symptom of anorexia. Again, a free resource is Overeaters Anonymous, at www.oa.org. They help all peple with eating disorders, not just those who are overweight.

I don't think I can help you much past what we've already talked about.

Life Coach Gerri Helms
www.lifecoachgerri.com