difficulty in loosing weight

Question
I have always had a tendency to gain weight, but in the last 25 years it has become increasingly difficult to keep the weight down.

I have tried many diets, only two had any significant result.

One diet that resulted in a 130 lbs. weight loss was a doctor supervised 480 calorie a day liquid diet, but when the doctor raised my intake to between 1200 to 1500 calories per day I started to gain weight.

The other diet, which I personally developed, mimics our evolutionary past (feast and famine) fasting Monday to Friday (that means zero calorie intake for five days) eat on the weekend.

This may sound extreme but it is highly effective and amazingly easy. On the weekend I attempt to have balanced meals as well as supplemental vitamins, though an occasional treat is allowed. There are some interesting effects associated with this diet, all week long I have incredible energy but on weekends experience that sleepy effect of a big thanksgiving dinner.

As to exercise I scuba dive for a living, two 45 min. dives per day six days a week for over 30 years, according to several books scuba diving is rated as a high level activity.

I have been on expeditions with other people who eat two plates of food to my one plate and they constantly snack, I don't snack and they loose weight on a three week trip, while I gain weight!

Any suggestions as to what causes my tendency to gain weight?

Other than genetics I have one other suspicion, I had my appendix removed 25 years ago and my weight gain (in retrospect) seemed to accelerate since then. After my 130 lbs. weight loss ten years ago, I noticed a post-operative hernia in my lower right abdominal quadrant, where the incision was made. Is it possible this hernia may cause a partial obstruction slowing the speed at which food moves through my intestines and thus leading to increased caloric uptake?

Any suggestions you can provide are appreciated.

Sincerely,

John Birk

Antigua & Barbuda
West Indies  

Answer
Hello John,
My first recommendation, if you haven't already, is to get a complete medical check-up including thyroid to make sure there are no underlying problems.  Your appendix or scarring should have nothing to do with weight loss.

I would in no way recommend the diet you have developed for yourself of "feast and famine"!  There is no way you are getting the nutrition you need, supplements or not, for good health in two days.  By doing this you are probably slowing your metabolism down terribly, which will only make it even more difficult for you to lose weight as you continue with this.  This type of eating pattern can be both dangerous and unhealthy!  To be fasting and than scuba diving like you do can be extremely dangerous and risky!  

My recommendation is to find a registered dietitian in your area that can help you out on a one-to-one basis.  You have done so many extreme methods of weight loss that you need to learn how to do it in a more sensible manner.  You need to learn to eat a balanced diet each day, eat the right kinds of foods, watch portion sizes, and drink water.  Eating the way you do can be extremely dentrimental for you now and in the future.  You are missing out on so many nutrients that protect our health and are highly needed by the body.  Just getting them on weekends is not going to help you!  There are many nutrients that you need on a daily basis.  You need to eat food and balance out your intake all week long!  You are sacrificing YOUR health just to lose weight and that is NOT the right way to go about weight loss.  Get some professional help for your weight loss efforts!  You can check out www.eatright.org to find a dietitian.
Kim Tessmer, RD LD
www.Nutrifocus.net

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