Ideas?!?....just kind of frustrated.

CoryArcher1975
CoryArcher1975 Posts: 1 Member
edited November 20 in Motivation and Support
I will be 40 in December and have set a goal- lose 60 lbs in 6 months. I'm 5'1½ and fluctuate between 240-245 and can't seem to get below the 240 mark. I am into my 2nd weeknof my C25K workout and really try to watch what I eat. I'll admit that I gave eaten a few things I shouldn't have and went over my calorie allotment. I have a crazy work schedule and have been only able to get to the gym 3 days a week and just do the run/walk. Do you need to use the calories that you gain from going to the gym?

Replies

  • Jenkorp72
    Jenkorp72 Posts: 103 Member
    I'm not sure. I want to say yes if you're not anywhere near your daily allotment. But I think if you're on the high end of calories and workout in the evening then I don't think so.
  • malibu927
    malibu927 Posts: 17,562 Member
    60 pounds in six months is quite aggressive. Maximum recommendation for weight loss is 2 pounds per week, which would come to 52 pounds.

    The way MFP is designed, you should be eating your exercise calories back. But since the database and exercise machines often overestimated what you burn, only do 50-75% at most. Not eating them back won't cause you to not lose weight...that would come from inaccurate logging, usually.
  • AllOutof_Bubblegum
    AllOutof_Bubblegum Posts: 3,646 Member
    10 pounds a month is not really a reasonable goal. Aim for no more than 2 pounds a week, otherwise you're setting yourself up for failure and disappointment. Make sure your goals are within an achievable range.
  • AllOutof_Bubblegum
    AllOutof_Bubblegum Posts: 3,646 Member
    edited June 2015
    I will be 40 in December and have set a goal- lose 60 lbs in 6 months. I'm 5'1½ and fluctuate between 240-245 and can't seem to get below the 240 mark. I am into my 2nd weeknof my C25K workout and really try to watch what I eat. I'll admit that I gave eaten a few things I shouldn't have and went over my calorie allotment. I have a crazy work schedule and have been only able to get to the gym 3 days a week and just do the run/walk. Do you need to use the calories that you gain from going to the gym?

    Worry about this more than going to the gym. How much you eat is WAAAY more important that exercise in terms of weight loss. If you are going over your calorie goals consistently, it probably won't matter how hard you're working out, because you can't out-train a bad diet. Make sure you are accurately logging your calories (meaning WEIGHING your food with a scale, not measuring cups!) every day.

    Get your food intake under control, then worry about the gym.
  • Kalikel
    Kalikel Posts: 9,603 Member
    60 pounds n 6 months may be overly ambitious. Keep in mind, while you go along, that you may not hit that number. I'm not trying to discourage you, but don't want you to feel discouraged later, if it doesn't work out the way you think it might, Remember that any loss is progress!

    You should try eating the extra calories you get for exercise. It's the easiest way. If you don't lose weight, then drop down to half of those extra calories and see how that goes,

    Don't beat yourself up for eating something you shouldn't have. Bad habits ARE hard to break. It takes time. It takes work.

    Keep plugging along and as time goes by, you'll get better and better.

    You're going to be dieting for a looooong time. Don't get discouraged!!
  • dinobomp
    dinobomp Posts: 170 Member
    malibu927 wrote: »
    60 pounds in six months is quite aggressive. Maximum recommendation for weight loss is 2 pounds per week, which would come to 52 pounds.

    The way MFP is designed, you should be eating your exercise calories back. But since the database and exercise machines often overestimated what you burn, only do 50-75% at most. Not eating them back won't cause you to not lose weight...that would come from inaccurate logging, usually.
    Kalikel wrote: »
    60 pounds n 6 months may be overly ambitious. Keep in mind, while you go along, that you may not hit that number. I'm not trying to discourage you, but don't want you to feel discouraged later, if it doesn't work out the way you think it might, Remember that any loss is progress!

    You should try eating the extra calories you get for exercise. It's the easiest way. If you don't lose weight, then drop down to half of those extra calories and see how that goes,

    Don't beat yourself up for eating something you shouldn't have. Bad habits ARE hard to break. It takes time. It takes work.

    Keep plugging along and as time goes by, you'll get better and better.

    You're going to be dieting for a looooong time. Don't get discouraged!!

    This is right on target. You are going too fast, and it may not be possible. You have to be patient. I started on Jan. 6 2015 and have now lost about 28#. This is at 1350 calories/day. Most days I don't eat that many. I am older, though, and things are really slow for me. But I've not given up, and am resigned to the fact this takes time. And I have over 100# more to go. Just don't give up, whatever you do! The older you get, the harder it is. TRUST ME.
    Diane
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