Just not feeling motivated...Want to lose 10 lbs but still build muscle.

bnmoyler

Even to the best of us, it happens. We fall off the horse and lose motivation. At one phase of life, I seemed to have it all together. I was motivated and things were moving in the right direction. Now, I'm lost and have no idea where I'm going or what the hell I'm doing. I try not to fall subject to such things as weight obsession because I'm a recovered bulimic. I know what my triggers are and I try my hardest to steer clear. I've been doing well for so many years that I almost forgot that it was like until I find myself staring it in the face. Over the past year, I've tried not to obsess over every little calorie and just focus on being healthy. My health was deteriorating as I pulled the rope tighter and restricted more and I finally hit a wall. I was always dizzy, nauseous, confused, shaky, etc. until I started eating more. Then I would magically come to life. This didn't happen right away but over about a year's time. This put me in a horrible place- I could keep going on the path that I was; losing weight but feeling like crap or start eating regularly and risk binging or even worse, gaining. Then I'd really slip back into my old ways and just be screwed up. The deficit I was on really slowed my metabolism and eventually, my running came to a halt because I was too weak. I was mortified. This was a tough place for me to be in. I decided to focus on my health and just try to feel better at whatever cost. I didn't eat bad; just more and I focused on my more low impact exercises such as the elliptical. Recovering from the abuse I had put my body through took a while but I eventually got to a better place. I tried not to focus on counting calories so much and eat until I was satisfied. I chose to listen to my body and follow cravings which weren't really that bad; again I'm very health conscious. I ended gaining a few lbs... but again, weight constantly fluctuates so it's to say if the 5 lbs are real. Weighing often is not something I do because it can really take me downhill. At the same time, I don't want to be in the dark. So here I am, a new phase in life. Really focusing on toning, flexibility, and strength. However, I would still like to drop 10 lbs. I'm so afraid though because I don't really know where to place my deficit. I still run, but most of exercises are strength and I know I don't really burn that much. I honestly can't afford a huge deficit while lifting either. I tried and I was unable to perform. BUT at the same time, I still want to lose. What should I do?! I'm a little bummed out. I know scales don't matter but at the same time, they do. I definitely feel better and look better eating more and lifting, but I still want to lose. Any advice? I know there is some science behind this...

amyn73

I can relate to almost everything you are struggling with and i can tell you that I am as perplexed by it when it happens to me as you are in your situation! You were absolutely right to up your calories in order to feel better. At my lowest weight I had starved myself to the point you were at. Here is the hard news....you may need to be patient for a bit. Your body is in a strange place. It may need to recover from that period of deprivation. You can still do really awesome things during this recovery time. You can weight train. It's great for building strength and you will see differences in your body. Check out 5 x 5 stronglifts. It is a really amazing starting program. You may find that you lose some of that added weight if you switch things up and do some different forms of exercise. Just don't give up. This thing you are going through is a defining moment. You can choose to continue away from the healthy lifestyle you've established or you can fight your way back. It's a much easier fight now than it will be 40 pounds from now but it's harder too because it's a mental battle. Get tough! Make a plan and stick to it. Don't get discouraged if it doesn't resolve itself immediately. Some of our greatest accomplishments come from getting back on the horse. I wish you all the best and hope you feel great soon.

capaul42

I'd say the best thing would be a small deficit, between 100-200. Similar to what you would do during a recomposition. Keep lifting and everything else you're doing and make sure you get plenty of protein.

It will be a slow process but healthier and you should get the results you're looking for.