Starting next week and have a few worries/silly questions

Charlenelindsay5

So I am meeting with a trainer at my gym on Friday this week and Wednesday next week to go over the lifts and form. I'm looking forward to this (though I realize I'll still have to get over my anxiety when it comes time to actually do the workouts lol)

I've enjoyed reading through this group but I'm seeing one thing over and over.... that's inches lost but weight gained or maintained... uhhh, I'm 50+ lbs heavier than I probably should be for my 5'3" frame. I'm around the 170 mark right now. Inches lost and strength gained is WONDERFUL but I also need to lose weight! Definitely don't want to look bulky forever, which I will until I lower body fat %.

I work a desk a job and am currently doing cardio based workouts, 30-60 min, 4-5 times most weeks. I've lost 9lbs since the beginning of the year. I eat 1300-1600 calories a day. I will likely ease off the cardio but not completely... a short jog clears my head and I fully enjoy it, though when I open my pool in the summer I will likely switch to swimming laps.

Any thoughts on calorie/deficit amounts to be able to successfully complete the lifts but still lose weight?

canadianlbs

wtg on the 9 pounds \o/

i'm awful at calorie math. when i was doing it that way, i just lied to mfp about my activity level, and let them give me a nice brutally low number that would more or less guarantee loss. which it did, but after a couple of months i was starving and also kind of didn't have anywhere lower to go, so then i got more interested in the strength than the scale and gave up logging.

but fwiw, stronglifts starts out pretty light, and so for a while you're still able to keep progressing even though you're eating at a deficit. the muscle gains are really gradual for women - like even with optimal everything you might gain a pound of muscle a month. which you won't, if you're restricting calories at the same times :tongue.

just saying this to reassure you about the 'bulky' thing. your shape changes for sure, but it is HARD to grow actual brand new muscle mass.

jen_092

My weight loss slowed after starting, which happens to lots of people from water weight. I'm eating 1650 calories to lose weight and kept doing that. Our muscles retain water for a while after starting (I've read maybe a month) so please don't be discouraged by the scale if that happens!

mustb60

When just eating under calorie budget and walking around 12000 steps every day I saw scale moving down fast but when I restarted lifting I saw my stomach shrink and thighs less flabby. Although scale went almost in static mode. So now I have added running to my regime and crossing my fingers to balance both lifting and running. One thing is sure weightlifting changes the shape. When eating at deficit and lifting + cardio I am seeing the gradual little changes. Pics are greater help than scale most of the time.

Charlenelindsay5

Thanks ladies! I know it's a silly question but still had to get it out there. I know that with a considerable amount to lose I will not stay this weight forever and any stalling should be temporary. Definitely taking measurements and pictures this weekend so I have something to refer to other than the scale... different mindset for sure.

krokador

Charlenelindsay5 wrote: »

Thanks ladies! I know it's a silly question but still had to get it out there. I know that with a considerable amount to lose I will not stay this weight forever and any stalling should be temporary. Definitely taking measurements and pictures this weekend so I have something to refer to other than the scale... different mindset for sure.

What others said, there will probably be a slight gain at first where your muscles will be retaining water from the new stimulus. If you're 50lbs overweight and sticking to a decent amount of calories and being consistent with working out, though, you'll definitely lose fat, probably faster than you're building muscle, but it won't really show for a few weeks or a month. Stick with it, though, it'll be worth it

rhileyschubbygranny

Charlenelindsay5 wrote: »

So I am meeting with a trainer at my gym on Friday this week and Wednesday next week to go over the lifts and form. I'm looking forward to this (though I realize I'll still have to get over my anxiety when it comes time to actually do the workouts lol)

I've enjoyed reading through this group but I'm seeing one thing over and over.... that's inches lost but weight gained or maintained... uhhh, I'm 50+ lbs heavier than I probably should be for my 5'3" frame. I'm around the 170 mark right now. Inches lost and strength gained is WONDERFUL but I also need to lose weight! Definitely don't want to look bulky forever, which I will until I lower body fat %.

I work a desk a job and am currently doing cardio based workouts, 30-60 min, 4-5 times most weeks. I've lost 9lbs since the beginning of the year. I eat 1300-1600 calories a day. I will likely ease off the cardio but not completely... a short jog clears my head and I fully enjoy it, though when I open my pool in the summer I will likely switch to swimming laps.

Any thoughts on calorie/deficit amounts to be able to successfully complete the lifts but still lose weight?

Oh my gosh I think we are twins! You are describing be in every way except I an inch shorter. I

Katiebear_81

jen_092 wrote: »

My weight loss slowed after starting, which happens to lots of people from water weight. I'm eating 1650 calories to lose weight and kept doing that. Our muscles retain water for a while after starting (I've read maybe a month) so please don't be discouraged by the scale if that happens!

I'm eating the same (5'7", 172 lbs). What I did notice, though, is that I looooooove my legs. They are still flabby and have tons of cellulite, but just being active, and seeing the weight I can squat go up makes me think they're just hot *kitten*. I was showing them off to my boyfriend last night, as if you can actually see anything different. I know you can't really, not yet, but I FEEL like I can, just because I'm being active and seeing improvements in my ability.