If you're eating very little, you may have dropped your metabolism down into essentially starvation mode. Weird paradox here - when you do get to that point, you actually need to eat a little more in order to lose weight.

Everybody has a different way of managing this - a plan that worked for me was Body for Life. You'll eat three meals and three snacks every day. Every time you eat you'll have a portion of protein and a portion of carbohydrate. You probably already know how to make the healthy choices you should - so use lean proteins and more fibery carbohydrates.

The Body for Life exercise plan might be too much for you now, with the pain you're dealing with. But I really do believe that using a different eating plan - smaller, balanced, more frequent meals - will help equalize your blood sugar and insulin, and will also give your metabolism the boost it needs.

Getting started is the hardest part, at least for me. I'll be happy to tell you more about my experience, either here or privately. Just let me know what you need.

I would make sure that you have your thyroid checked. Have them check the T3, T4, and TSH levels. It is very common for the thyroid to go along with the ovaries. I would also have your vitamin D level checked. If it is low, it can impact how you feel including making you feel achy.

Another thing that can jump start your metabolism is exercising in small amounts throughout the day along with spreading your calories out throughout the day. I agree with Katherine that if you eat too little you can slow your metabolism down into starvation mode!

Are you sound like me, I have been suffering from fibromylasia, and tendonitist. High protien works, its keeping it off, but still slow going.

If you want to boost your metabolism, don't forget, exercise is key. Sometimes you need to do it a couple of times a day.

here's a question (and I'm asking without any judgment because I do this): do you watch a lot of TV or sit in front of the computer all day?

because I think those habits make a big difference in my metabolism. a few years ago, I took some time off from working full-time so I could be a stay-at-home mom. I was always out at a park, or running errands, or shuttling the kids... and man, I could eat pizzas and fried chicken all day and a large bowl of ice cream every night and not gain weight. but this last year, I went back to work (and I sit in front of a computer all day) and I noticed my pants getting tighter and tighter and that "muffin top" growing and growing. and even when I ate less, it didn't help. so now I'm trying to move around more... and at least not sit in front of the TV (my most favorite thing to do) right after dinner and just flop there.

Hi Lora, I think that has a lot to do with our weight issues. In addition, when we are stressed by work our stress hormones will also cause us to hold on to every little calorie. Running around after kids is usually fun and can be exhausting but is (in most cases) less stressful than what goes on at work.

How about yoga? I think its really useful for helping us improve metabolism.

Or you may try to walk fast as possible as you can. Keep doing so for two weeks, you will see the amazing effect.

Good luck!