Exercising like a madwoman, losing NOTHING

2

Replies

  • 7elizamae
    7elizamae Posts: 758 Member
    I'd go to the doctor. I'm 5'9", 48 yo, weigh around 145-147. My waist is 29.
    I will say it has gotten harder lately -- my maintenance calories are lower.
    But if you're really at that deficit (and it sounds like you are) and not losing, maybe something is up.
  • donsred
    donsred Posts: 16 Member
    Not worried at all about bulking up, and would be very pleased with more muscle. I will take all advice: will increase calories, do more weight lifting and less cardio, chill, and get a medical workup. I started on protein shakes today, which are AMAZINGLY high in calories, but that and eating a bunch of seitan got my protein up to 20%. Not sure what I should be shooting for, but I hear you that I may be failing to transform fat to muscle at least in part because I'm not getting enough protein and possibly not enough calories. Will post in a month, and let you know if things have changed. Thank you each for all of your help -
  • Orphia
    Orphia Posts: 7,097 Member
    You just look like you're slouching to me.

    Strike a pose!
  • mmapags
    mmapags Posts: 8,934 Member
    donsred wrote: »
    Not worried at all about bulking up, and would be very pleased with more muscle. I will take all advice: will increase calories, do more weight lifting and less cardio, chill, and get a medical workup. I started on protein shakes today, which are AMAZINGLY high in calories, but that and eating a bunch of seitan got my protein up to 20%. Not sure what I should be shooting for, but I hear you that I may be failing to transform fat to muscle at least in part because I'm not getting enough protein and possibly not enough calories. Will post in a month, and let you know if things have changed. Thank you each for all of your help -

    For protein for weight training, and macro setting in general, you want .8 to 1 gram of protein per lb of lean body mass. Fats at .35 to .4 per lb of body weight, carbs for the rest. This helps with adequate protein for muscle building/ retention.
  • Muscleflex79
    Muscleflex79 Posts: 1,917 Member
    donsred wrote: »
    Not worried at all about bulking up, and would be very pleased with more muscle. I will take all advice: will increase calories, do more weight lifting and less cardio, chill, and get a medical workup. I started on protein shakes today, which are AMAZINGLY high in calories, but that and eating a bunch of seitan got my protein up to 20%. Not sure what I should be shooting for, but I hear you that I may be failing to transform fat to muscle at least in part because I'm not getting enough protein and possibly not enough calories. Will post in a month, and let you know if things have changed. Thank you each for all of your help -

    what kind of protein shakes are you drinking that are "amazingly high" in calories???? I have a good whey isolate that is about 130 calories for 30g protein - not bad at all!
  • RavenLibra
    RavenLibra Posts: 1,737 Member
    Also switching your routine up... diing the same thing over and ovef expecting different results is???... I would also suggest checking out a gym for a body composition analysis... fat% vs. Lean muscle mass%... switching your routine up... find other ways of getting your sweat on... ditch the bike... climb some hills... get your yoga on once/ week... buy a 35 lb kettle bell and do some circuit training with it... swim laps... create functional strength and endurance so you can participate in other healthy activities... the body has a way of adapting to routine... stop falling into the rut of complacency...

    Ultimately I think you are too focused on a single part of your anatomy and your punishing yourself needlessly...increase calories and work on strength training...
  • Unknown
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  • ugofatcat
    ugofatcat Posts: 385 Member
    @donsred would you be able to open your food diary?
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,052 Member
    edited July 2017
    Muscleflex79 wrote: »
    donsred wrote: »
    Not worried at all about bulking up, and would be very pleased with more muscle. I will take all advice: will increase calories, do more weight lifting and less cardio, chill, and get a medical workup. I started on protein shakes today, which are AMAZINGLY high in calories, but that and eating a bunch of seitan got my protein up to 20%. Not sure what I should be shooting for, but I hear you that I may be failing to transform fat to muscle at least in part because I'm not getting enough protein and possibly not enough calories. Will post in a month, and let you know if things have changed. Thank you each for all of your help -

    what kind of protein shakes are you drinking that are "amazingly high" in calories???? I have a good whey isolate that is about 130 calories for 30g protein - not bad at all!

    I had the same question. My protein smoothies are only "amazingly high" in calories if I add peanut butter to them.

    bce577b9ec9fa077f618d4ddabf074f9.png

    I eliminate the flax seeds in this one when I need less calories in it. It has the calories of a (small) meal, because it is as filling as a meal:
    8cb69b433f3590d053447d3730243bf2.png
  • MaddMaestro
    MaddMaestro Posts: 405 Member
    Woah, you're taller than me and have the weight I want. Good job!
  • donsred
    donsred Posts: 16 Member
    edited July 2017
    Food diary is open if you care to look. Note that it is refusing to show my exercise calories on Friday and Saturday, but the exercise shows on the activity page. Also, this was "recovery week" in P90X, so I did more yoga and less cardio than in past weeks (and I totally disagree that deathcamp yoga with Tony Horton isn't a workout, but MFP insists it's worth very few calories).

    As for the protein shake being high in calories, the one I tried Saturday was 160 calories for 30 grams of protein, and I drank it with oat milk, so, it was almost 300 calories. That's a lot of calories IMHO. Still, going for it, since you all advised increasing cals and protein. Had one today that was less, but also had lower protein. Have also added a scoop of protein powder to the morning green smoothie - adding 10g to each smoothie.

    Thanks to all of those who know body comp stuff, I did shift from more cardio to weights, and will hope that helps too. Thanks very much for help on knowing how much protein to eat - that helps a lot.

    And I am doing my best to chill, bbell1985. Honest. ;-)
  • dendryite
    dendryite Posts: 1 Member

    ksyrnyk wrote: »
    I suffer the same weight loss issues as you. I'm a female 52 year old woman. Last week I weighed in at 173.5 pounds. This week I kicked into gear. I have been doing 45 min to an hour of weights and 35 min of cardio, and I am eating VERY clean. Organic, whenever I can. I take very good supplements and a fat burner morning and night. I have had great success this week, having a good regimen, and have lost over 10 pounds on my 6th day. Today I weighed in at 164.2 For my body, it's all about proper supplements, food combinations, and exercise. When I leave one element out, I gain weight. Happy to be on track. Good luck to you!

    Thank you ksyrnyk for inspiring me. I'm 5'10" and 195, age 58. I made the mistake of quitting smoking while going through menopause -- while at the same time my thyroid was starting to go (runs in the family). 30 lbs. later.... In my defense, I have a lot of muscle so that at 165 I look fit & trim. Would like to get back there & your post inspired me. I used to be able to lose 10 lbs. even when I didn't want to (I actually got "too thin" a couple of times back in my 20s & early 30s). Now I must wait for the metabolism to "kick in." (I cycle 1.5 & sometimes 2 hrs. a day; weight lift a couple of times a week.)
  • donsred
    donsred Posts: 16 Member
    edited July 2017
    Thought these might help.

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    mvdthowjk7kb.png
  • dragon_girl26
    dragon_girl26 Posts: 2,187 Member
    ^^ same here

    @middlehaitch always has great posts and helpful advice for newer people!
  • donsred
    donsred Posts: 16 Member
    Yes, those are AWESOME pics. And again, great advice. Thanks!
  • rheddmobile
    rheddmobile Posts: 6,840 Member
    edited July 2017
    Have you asked your doctor specifically about Cushings and other cortisol related issues? Like you I have a large weight circumference and mine was at least partly caused by cortisol coming from a benign ovarian tumor. The tumor and ovary were removed and my waist is coming down, but slowly compared to the rest of me. I am 5'8" 187 and 38" waist. My legs and the rest of my body are pretty muscular, I just have a giant fat pad on my stomach - which is specifically caused by cortisol, that is what excess cortisol does.
  • donsred
    donsred Posts: 16 Member
    edited July 2017
    BTW collectingblues - you had a great idea to measure somewhere other than my tummy. I looked back at my start measurements for P90X (they have you measure EVERYTHING!), and while it's true that around my tummy hasn't shrunk at all, my chest and thighs have. So evidently I am changing some fat to muscle, just not the fat I was hoping for!
  • clicketykeys
    clicketykeys Posts: 6,589 Member
    @middlehaitch what kind of protein shake do you buy? Or do you make your own?
  • middlehaitch
    middlehaitch Posts: 8,486 Member
    It's the Costco kaizen vanilla powder mixed with water. It is palatable. Oh and it isn't bad mixed with a cup of cold black coffe either.

    I don't use it every day. Before bed I just do a rough estimate of of my protein for the day and throw back the amount of grams I need to make up if I am short.
    I worked out the weight per 25 and 30 gram drink so I wasn't always sloshing a 35g drink down. That (35g) can leave me still feeling satiated at breakfast.

    NB: I am older and protein absorption in amounts between 25-35 g is said to work best for my age.

    (Please realize I have been in maintenance so long I am quite laksidasical about most things, adequate protein is the only thing I even mentally track )

    Getting protein through diet (I like food) is still the best, drinks are good for topping up- just the way I look at it.

    Cheers, h.

  • rachelsambrown8
    rachelsambrown8 Posts: 20 Member
    I know this sounds counter intuitive, but cut down on cardio and replace it with heavy lifting. Cardio defeats a lot of the lifting work you're doing.
    Also, my body has trouble digesting meat - so I do 30-60 day spurts of fish only.
    These are the most abstract things I've tried which have worked during severe plateaus. Hope this helps!
  • brandiuntz
    brandiuntz Posts: 2,717 Member
    deannalfisher wrote: »
    at 5'8", 146 you are in the normal range for your height - maybe focus on recomp rather than weight loss (building lean muscle, while losing fat)

    ^^THIS. I'm 5'8", 46, and 155lb is as low as I can really go. You are well within normal. If you don't like your appearance, work on the recomp (build more muscle to look trimmer).
  • tomteboda
    tomteboda Posts: 2,171 Member
    I'm concerned that you may have a medical issue, such as fibroid tumors, if your waist is that large at your current weight. You should get a complete checkup and discuss this with your doctor
  • CharlieBeansmomTracey
    CharlieBeansmomTracey Posts: 7,682 Member
    tomteboda wrote: »
    I'm concerned that you may have a medical issue, such as fibroid tumors, if your waist is that large at your current weight. You should get a complete checkup and discuss this with your doctor

    I agree with this as Im shorter at 5'6 1/2 and atm weigh 170 lb and my waist is 27 1/2 inches.im about to be 43 and going through perimenopause and have fibroid cysts that I get from time to time.
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