The Struggle is Real
tj0861
Posts: 48 Member
Hey, folks. I've been on EM2WL since June 2016, and started lifting in November 2016. Up a total of 20 pounds since last June, but the inches have begun to drop since the lifting began. Just creating this little thread to keep myself accountable and remind me where I was and where I am going.
Since starting with the weights, the amounts I'm lifting have increased dramatically. I'm feeling stronger, and even if I can't SEE them, I can feel the muscles under the fluff. And of all things, my BUTT has grown. Whaaaaat? Okay, I know, it's the muscle pushing the fat out, but my initial reaction was stunned surprise.
I think I'd gone beyond TDEE, which is interesting, since I started in June 2016 living on 800-1000 calories a day, 5 years out from vertical gastric sleeve (bariatric) surgery in 2011. Now I can knock out 2300 in a day easily if I plan well. So I've cut back a little, and while I'm still not seeing any poundage lost, at least it's stopped going UP. Whew!!! Let me tell you, seeing the numbers I have for the last year have frightened me; I do not want to go back to that 300-pound person I was 6 years ago.
Since starting with the weights, the amounts I'm lifting have increased dramatically. I'm feeling stronger, and even if I can't SEE them, I can feel the muscles under the fluff. And of all things, my BUTT has grown. Whaaaaat? Okay, I know, it's the muscle pushing the fat out, but my initial reaction was stunned surprise.
I think I'd gone beyond TDEE, which is interesting, since I started in June 2016 living on 800-1000 calories a day, 5 years out from vertical gastric sleeve (bariatric) surgery in 2011. Now I can knock out 2300 in a day easily if I plan well. So I've cut back a little, and while I'm still not seeing any poundage lost, at least it's stopped going UP. Whew!!! Let me tell you, seeing the numbers I have for the last year have frightened me; I do not want to go back to that 300-pound person I was 6 years ago.
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Sounds like you are making great progress!0
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Wow insipiring work. I am new here and starting my journey this week0
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Massive progress! Don't discount that at all.
If you keep lifting, if you keep fuelling, you won't go back to the 300 pound person of 6 years ago. You may put on 'weight', but you aren't going to be the same shape. What matters? I can totally relate to feeling muscle under the fluff. I look at my upper arm and it is big, but it's changing shape.
This thought often messes with my head - what if I never lose another pound in my whole entire life, I stay at 250lbs until I die, but I eat 3200 a day, I am stronger, I sleep better, I keep adding weight to the bar and lifting more, I stop the lifelong habit of biting my fingernails because they are so damn strong and healthy now that I physically can't, my hair is healthy, my blood work is good, I weigh the same but look COMPLETELY different....would that be good enough for me?
There is so much going on inside our skin. One number can't tell you how well you're doing. Keep going!!5 -
Very positive post Firefly. Do you got pics you'd like to share to motivate doubters...including me at times.1
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Today I bought a fitbit. Hopefully it will be a useful tool.0
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With Fitbit, just make sure you are manually entering your Weight Lifting workouts on Fitbit, and take their calorie estimate - it's low, and that's right.
And be aware if HR-based device, the first 2 weeks is it trying to figure out your resting HR and how much you workout, so it knows when to start using HR-based calorie burns for exercise, and your figures to use.
So right now it may apply HR-based for easy daily walking if HR goes up too high - and that's inflated calorie burn.2 -
Well, according to it, I burned less than 2100 calories yesterday, so I'd say my TDEE has been inflated. Will watch it over the next couple of weeks and see what it does.1
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And not everyone is going to hit a rough 5 level TDEE chart.
Not when there can be a range of 150 - 250 between levels, majority of course are going to be somewhere in-between, and it fluctuates, as you'll likely notice as we come into spring.
As they mention snow forecast for tomorrow after 65 F 2 days ago.0 -
Well, according to it, I burned less than 2100 calories yesterday, so I'd say my TDEE has been inflated. Will watch it over the next couple of weeks and see what it does.
Use the fitbit to help gauge your tdee.. but remember if it is saying 2100, it is NOT able to account for the calories burned with your weight training. If you have been eating 2300 and stabilized in your weight after a year, then 2300 is likely closer to your TDEE and dropping to 2100 will be a cut amount
Kelly
Team EM2WL1 -
True ... but I seem to be stabilizing at 2100, so not going to complain, and will sit here for a little bit and see what transpires. Meanwhile, I keep doing what I've been doing as far as working out, increasing weights a little at a time, and getting in a bit of cardio when I can. I'm not obsessing over the treadmill or the elliptical, I really prefer that walk on my afternoon break. And looking forward to gardening some soon!!0
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True ... but I seem to be stabilizing at 2100, so not going to complain, and will sit here for a little bit and see what transpires. Meanwhile, I keep doing what I've been doing as far as working out, increasing weights a little at a time, and getting in a bit of cardio when I can. I'm not obsessing over the treadmill or the elliptical, I really prefer that walk on my afternoon break. And looking forward to gardening some soon!!
Oh I am SO happy when gardening season comes around!
Still my favourite form of exercise! (aside from weights of course!)
Ichel
Team EM2WL0 -
@tj0861 This update is incredible! I love that you started your thread and you lifting results, BAM! Hello young and perky bootay! You will definitely need new jeans!
You came a long way are are doing such an amazing job, be proud of yourself!
Fitbits are fun little gadgets, can be truly helpful, but they don't always are 100% accurate when you lift (they don't know how much muscle you built and how much it takes to maintain that muscle, for example). Watch the trend, listen to your body and experiment with different calorie levels. Remember when always want to start higher so we have leeway to move if we don't see the results we want. The goal is to be your strongest and leanest self while eating as much as you can, right?
I'm thrilled for you!!!
Tereza
Team EM2WL Certified Trainer and Coach3 -
And please, keep updating!
Tereza
Team EM2WL Certified Trainer and Coach0 -
Been a busy week .... still at 2100-ish, but I was sick and whiny and missed Wednesday at the gym. Yesterday I was so fried by 5 that I barely made it through the weights, and said to heck with the cardio; I just could not make myself do that as well. Tonight I will probably blow through every calorie I can find; we're going with friends to a buffet dinner at Harrah's Casino in Cherokee (it's Celtic food this month, so experimentation is the word of the day). Anyway, I'll know more end of month when I face the scales again and run measurements. Still, the lifting is going well, and I'm happy. It's spring again this week, so let's play in the yard tomorrow ...
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"The lifting is going well and I'm happy"
Nothing more to say really!
Enjoy the buffet!
Ichel
Team EM2WL2 -
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How's Celtic food like?
How are you feeling?
Tereza
Team EM2WL Certified Trainer and Coach0 -
empressichel wrote: »Enjoy the buffet!
Ichel
Team EM2WL
Buffet was interesting.
Oh. That good eh?
Maybe you need to create one in your own home?
Hate food disappointments.
Ichel
Team EM2WL0 -
I wasn't too impressed with the food. I was happier with the American foods. Other than having some sort of crud the last 2 days, I'm feeling great.2
