Why No Change Since Lifting? Weightlifters Opinions Needed

2»

Replies

  • wibutterflymagic
    wibutterflymagic Posts: 788 Member
    As people have touched upon, if your previous training was vastly different to NROLFW (ie not progressive, not heavy) then technically, you've only been strength training for 2 weeks.

    Your attitude of "The number isn't important, though, if I look thinner" is spot on, though, so have faith and you will succeed.

    My previous workout wasn't too much different but yes, it appears I may not have been increasing often enough.
  • rose228822
    rose228822 Posts: 186 Member
    I'll further recommend looking at diet. From October-February I was working out regularly (4-6 times a week) doing weights, P90X and running. Lost two pounds, slight, if any difference in appearance. I was getting stronger and in better cardiovascular shape, but that was it. From March until now? Lost 26 lbs, huge difference in appearance and fitness. March 2nd was the day I decided to get my diet under control. Started eating a proper number of calories for my size and activity level (Started with the MFP recommendation + eating back exercise calories, then switched to TDEE - 20%, both worked equally well for me) and the weight just started falling off.

    I was glad you posted this comment because I was not showing signs of weight loss on the scale though I was working out with weights and once I started eating the proper number of calories instead of exceeding (and quite alot) I started seeing the weight loss. I really do believe it's a combination of both eating healthy/right and working out whether it's with weights or cardio:)
  • darrensurrey
    darrensurrey Posts: 3,942 Member
    As people have touched upon, if your previous training was vastly different to NROLFW (ie not progressive, not heavy) then technically, you've only been strength training for 2 weeks.

    Your attitude of "The number isn't important, though, if I look thinner" is spot on, though, so have faith and you will succeed.

    My previous workout wasn't too much different but yes, it appears I may not have been increasing often enough.

    What you may find is that you are increasing the load every 2-3 weeks.
  • wibutterflymagic
    wibutterflymagic Posts: 788 Member
    I'll further recommend looking at diet. From October-February I was working out regularly (4-6 times a week) doing weights, P90X and running. Lost two pounds, slight, if any difference in appearance. I was getting stronger and in better cardiovascular shape, but that was it. From March until now? Lost 26 lbs, huge difference in appearance and fitness. March 2nd was the day I decided to get my diet under control. Started eating a proper number of calories for my size and activity level (Started with the MFP recommendation + eating back exercise calories, then switched to TDEE - 20%, both worked equally well for me) and the weight just started falling off.

    That's the thing, I don't have any type of monitor to figure out what I am truly burning during my week. I'm currently at about 1900 cal which is my TDEE -15% with activity calculated between light to moderate.
  • wibutterflymagic
    wibutterflymagic Posts: 788 Member
    As far as "seeing" a difference, as others have stated, it's hard to see that gradual progress w/o pictures. And this is not to sound the least bit mean or rude, just honest-- you are still "overweight", so w/o losing the fat that is covering your muscles it will be harder to see them. You should be taking your measurements weekly. If you are eating at a modest deficit and truly following NROLFW (lifting as much as possible and eating the proper proportion of carbs/protein/fat), the numbers should be dropping even if you can't actually see the muscle definition yet.

    Nope, not mean. I know I'm still overweight. This is one of the things that I've been wondering since I still have a lot of body fat.
  • PikaKnight
    PikaKnight Posts: 34,971 Member
    I'm doing Stronglifts and have never bought the NROLFW book, but even those that are doing NROLFW that I've seen are increasing their lift weight a lot more often/regularly then you seem to be.

    Did the program not mention how often to increase weights?

    With stronglifts, I try to increase every session (or at least once a week for one of my workouts). If not increase the weight amount, at least push to make sure I get my full 5x5 done with the current weight.
  • manic4titans
    manic4titans Posts: 1,214 Member
    I did NROL4W last year. I did not see a difference at all.

    I am doing it again now THE RIGHT WAY. Are you engaging muscles? are you squeezing/tightening the working muscle? Take the time and feel the movement. Don't just go through the motions . Place thought and work those muscles.

    That's what I am doing this time around. I hope to get more out of it this time.
  • timbrom
    timbrom Posts: 303 Member
    I'll further recommend looking at diet. From October-February I was working out regularly (4-6 times a week) doing weights, P90X and running. Lost two pounds, slight, if any difference in appearance. I was getting stronger and in better cardiovascular shape, but that was it. From March until now? Lost 26 lbs, huge difference in appearance and fitness. March 2nd was the day I decided to get my diet under control. Started eating a proper number of calories for my size and activity level (Started with the MFP recommendation + eating back exercise calories, then switched to TDEE - 20%, both worked equally well for me) and the weight just started falling off.

    That's the thing, I don't have any type of monitor to figure out what I am truly burning during my week. I'm currently at about 1900 cal which is my TDEE -15% with activity calculated between light to moderate.

    I don't have a monitor either. How accurate is your logging? Are you weighing/measuring everything to make sure your numbers are accurate?

    I'd suggest sticking with the NROLFW and the weight progressions for a few weeks, I would be willing to bet that you'll start seeing a difference with that. I was going to suggest that you drop your calories by a couple of hundred, but decided against it because you'll need the fuel to support the weight program. If you still aren't seeing progress after 4-6 more weeks, I'd suspect that your metabolism may be a bit on the slow side and you could try dropping your calorie intake to maybe 1700 or so, but don't do that now.
  • Hexahedra
    Hexahedra Posts: 894 Member

    Wait, are you saying that you didn't increase the weight progressively until 2 weeks ago? If you use the exact same weight for 3 months, you're not going to see much change.

    No, there was one other time I increased. And on this new routine I'll be increasing more often(I hope).

    One time increase in 3 months? I increase my weight once every week or two.
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    Yes, I'm trying to lose. I'm 5'3" and currently 167. The number isn't important, though, if I look thinner.

    Yes, I think I've gotten a little stronger. I increased my weights a tad in the last couple weeks although my legs still get tired just walking up the stairs to my apartment
    that's one thing that seems really odd to me.

    My logging is what you see. I know my sodium can be high at times and I don't know how I can get more protein. I have it in every meal and I've started drinking a protein shake after workouts in the last 2wks.

    If you're trying to lose but you aren't seeing any progress, the issue is your diet, not your exercise.
  • wibutterflymagic
    wibutterflymagic Posts: 788 Member
    Thanks everyone for your thoughts! I'm very new to lifting and don't have a trainer so I knew I'd probably make some errors to begin with. I"m just glad I asked now rather then later. I'm going to add a short cardio warm up back into my routine and with NROWLFW I will be increasing my weights much more regularly.
  • yuliyax
    yuliyax Posts: 288
    I only just started lifting but maybe this will help:
    There 3 body types : Endomorph, Mesomorph and Ectomorph. Maybe you are an Endomorph
    Typical traits of an Endomorph:
    Soft and round body
    Gains muscle and fat very easily
    Is generally short
    "Stocky" build
    Round physique
    Finds it hard to lose fat
    Slow metabolism
    Muscles not so well defined

    When it comes to training endomorphs find it very easy to gain weight. Unfortunately, a large portion of this weight is fat not muscle. To keep fat gain to a minimum, endomorphs must always train cardio as well as weights.
    Here is a test to find out your body type : http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/becker3.htm
    I'm not saying body types don't exist, but it's primarily used as an excuse "OH IT'S MY GENETICS!" If people just STFU about how hard it is for them and easy it is for others while spending that energy being disciplined.. maybe they wouldn't have aesthetic problems.
    Wow, what an attitude you've got :noway: I am not saying to use body type as an excuse, I am saying to adjust training according to your bodytype.

Categories