200+ lbs ladies in gym

Chrissy_Ivers

I'm currently at the weight of 216lbs and I go to work out in gym almost everyday, while sincerely tying to maintain the diet recommended by MFP. My level of physical activity, aside from gym, is very minimal. On the worst days, the max I can do is 200 calories, and then some strength machines. On an average day - 500. But I've been doin from 700-1000 calories burned, for a couple of days. While I can see the result quickly on the scale by doing so, I can't handle doing it everyday. Any advice as to what to do? With a BMR of about 1800, how many calories would I have to burn on cardiovascular machines to see a result after a week of burning that amount of calories?

Any help is much appreciated.

malk2651

Not quite sure what your asking but keep in mind,

It's a marathon, not a sprint.

Callmecookie88

If you let your weight loss live and die on immediate, instant results, you won't get anything accomplished. It's not like your pants fit too snugly in the morning, so you go work out in the afternoon, and then you can wear them that evening. Just like it takes your body a couple days to show the weight from eating second helpings of lasagna and then a piece of cheesecake for dinner, it takes your body a couple days to show that you burned some fat. When you first start working out regularly you will lose more quickly, but the longer you work out the less marginal utility you will get. It's got to be a rewarding experience, not a quick fix.
BTW, it is more effective to use weights BEFORE you do cardio. You want to get the most out of your time and efforts.

howardheilweil

I don't think that anyone could really answer that question without a lot more information, but keep in mind that a healthy weekly weight loss would be between 1 and 2 pounds, probably closer to 1. I don't know how you have set up your MFP settings, but I suggest setting a 1 pound per week goal and follow the recommended calorie goal and see how you do. You can always tweak it later. Take your time and don't worry too much about how many calories you are burning. That will increase as you become healthier. Good Luck!

Francl27

I don't really understand your question.

Set your MFP goal for 'lose 1 lb a week', then log your exercise, it will give you extra calories to eat. Remember that the machines at the gym often overestimate your calories, so if it says you burned 300 calories, log 200 or something. And eat them back. That's how MFP works... exercising more isn't supposed to give you a bigger deficit, it just gives you more calories to eat, because you need fuel for the exercise you do.

And don't kill yourself trying to work out too much to lose faster. It's not really going to help, and you'll just burn out. You want to try and set an activity level that you can maintain for a long time. Heck when I was 210 lbs I was barely working out 20 minutes a day. Eat whole nutritious foods and you'll see that you don't really need that many calories anyway (my goal was 1700 calories when I started MFP).

Chrissy_Ivers

Thanks everyone.
I didn't exactly mean how many calories I need to burn for a fast, and temporary, shift on the scale. I just mean, with the amount I eat, and the BMR and all, and the luxuries of a gym, how much would be a good amount to burn in the gym to boost the weight loss process, instead of remaining on the same spot.

LittleCulturedPearl

It appears that you are just beginning your "healthy living" journey. Congratulations! Now, do not overdo. It is important to moderately--that is, VERY SLOWLY, lose weight at your stage because if you lose more than .5-1.5 pounds a week, you will not give your body the chance to tighten your skin, and you will have a lot of excess and begin to look saggy.
My best advice for you is to monitor your calorie intake-- regardless of how much you work out, you will benefit from keeping your calorie goal at under 2000. Keep your workouts about 30 minutes or so; try walking on a moderate incline on the treadmill, and hold 2 2-lb dumbbells or anklets for muscle strengthening.
Also, don't just weigh yourself. You will not always see the number go down on the scale, so monitor your other measurements, i.e., waistline, thighs, neck, wrists.

If you do this, you will see steady improvement (on and off the scale) within two weeks.

Good luck!!! :flowerforyou:

candylilacs

What most people are saying -- it takes time to build a habit. Exercise needs to be a habit and that means committing to it X times a week for at least 90 days. After 30 days it should become part of your life, but after 90 days, you're committed.

Don't burn yourself out by working out too much. If you're starting, a 30-45-minute session should be fine as long as you are working out during that time. Try to commit to 4 times a week. After a month you will up your sessions or intensity.

lsorci919

I started at 218. I weigh myself once a week, I'm happier with my weigh ins then and my caloric intake is between 1200 - 1600 depending on if I do my workout and how much I burn when I do. I workout 5 days a week. My minimum goal for working out is 4 days a week. With my past "diets" I have always dropped the first 20 lbs with in 1 to 1 1/2 months and then it slows down. My goal is 1 pound a week. If I lose more then yay me! My advice is to not only weigh in but do your measurements. Sometimes you wont lose weight but you'll lose inches. It's really best to go by how you feel. Try not to burn yourself out and reward yourself with a non-food reward when you reach a mini goal.

derekj222

Easiest formula is to burn 3500 a week to lose 1 pound, whether that be killing 500 calories in the gym, or a diet reduction. If you want to lose 2 lbs a week, cut 7000 calories from diet a week. so maybe an hour of cardio everyday and eating a healthy diet of 1600-1700 or something like that.

3500 calories = 1 pound
500 calories burned each day x 7 = 1 lb weight loss a week

Wouldn't advise trying to lose over 2, if you do lose more, your body was ready for the change. Good luck!

Chrissy_Ivers

That's really all what I wanted to know. Thankfully, MFP has given me 1200 calories a day due to my weight and inactivity, and 500 calories burned every day in gym is just about what I can handle. So it's good to know that I've been doing great in gym - now I just need to suck it up and start being more honest with the diet.

Thanks a lot.

loneaffliction

I've always heard that you won't really start to see results for at least the first month or two. Especially because you lose weight but gain muscle. I think everyone is different, and it will take some time to find out what is working best for you. If you are making your best effort to stay under your calorie goal and exercising daily, you should begin to see results, even if they are small at first. If you're concerned about your caloric intake, share your diary, let your friends hold you accountable. MFP should set your goal, but I'd say 1200-1500 calories a day is ideal. I agree with what everyone has said as far as moderation. You shouldn't expect to see dramatic results right away, and I don't think there's really a formula for losing a large amount of weight quickly. When you burn more than 2 pounds a week, you can rebound and put the weight right back on. If you start losing too much weight too drastically or cutting yourself back too far on calories, your body will go into starvation mode and store everything it can to maintain your current weight. Eating healthy and staying active are always the safest bet. Don't be afraid to give yourself a rest day. You don't want to injure yourself, but if you're feeling the hurt, that's a good sign. Your body needs time to recuperate between workouts. It doesn't have to be the gym everyday. Give yourself an easy day once or twice a week and just take a walk or do some serious cleaning/gardening. Physical activity = burning calories. If you work up a sweat and get your heart rate up, you've done good. If there's a day you don't feel up to the gym, stay home and try finding an alternate activity that'll be easier on you. Youtube has tons of great fitness videos of exercises you can do at home, like these: https://www.youtube.com/user/runtasticFitness?feature=watch. Basic strength training can (sometimes) be less punishing, and it helps you build strength and endurance to push through your workouts. But any good cardio will help you kill calories, be it yardwork, dancing, a long walk.

seamonkey789

I would NOT eat the 1200 MFP recommends. if your BMR is 1800 that is too low

taso42

Exercise 20-60 minutes, about 3-6 times per week. Find the balance point where it's sustainable. When you exercise, it's not about how many calories you burn. It's about becoming better, faster, stronger, fitter.

sylviatx

What you are looking for is a sustainable New Lifestyle. One you can live for the rest of your life, at normal weight. I recommend searching for the thread called "In Place of a Roadmap", it is full of excellent tips.

I had MFP set at 1 lb a week, and that worked for quite a while. But as I got closer to my goal weight, MFP kept lowering the amount of calories I was allowed until finally I was at 1200 a day. I was at a plateau, not losing, and feeling just so deprived and frustrated. I went back to the IPOARM thread and upped my goals, switched to 1/2 lb a week, which upped my calories... also I upped my weight lifting. It is working and I am no longer feeling deprived, and have started losing again.

It's a lifelong journey you've embarked on. I wish I had started when I was young. But I didn't. I'm glad I finally did it though. You can do it! You just need to want it, and then keep after it. A normal weight is within our grasp! We just have to reach for it, and keep reaching. Good luck!

lilpoindexter

PACE YOURSELF!!!!
Don't burn yourself out early into the game..this is going to take a while...slow down, you don't have to go to the gym everyday, go 3 or 4 times a day...Try to build up to 225 calories, then 250 etc...every week.

shelbysp8

look here:

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/974889-in-place-of-a-road-map-short-n-sweet

candylilacs

Unfortunate, reducing is about 80/20 diet and exercise. Exercise is merely the fine-tuning, but the diet is doing the heavy lifting (OK, bad pun!)

Lleldiranne

Thanks everyone.
I didn't exactly mean how many calories I need to burn for a fast, and temporary, shift on the scale. I just mean, with the amount I eat, and the BMR and all, and the luxuries of a gym, how much would be a good amount to burn in the gym to boost the weight loss process, instead of remaining on the same spot.

Keep in mind that weight loss is something like 85% diet. So if you are eating the calories as explained, don't worry about how much you're doing at the gym. I mean, go and work out, but don't push yourself to burn more calories than you can reasonably do. IMHO 30 minutes on the treadmill or elliptical, giving it all you've got for that 30 minutes, followed by 30 minutes of weights, done regularly, is enough if you're eating at a proper deficit. Or you could alternate, 60 minutes of cardio on one day and 60 minutes of weights on the other.

Working out at the gym is going to help tighten up and help maintain your LBM while you lose weight. It makes you healthier in general, and helps you look good when you've lost the weight. But don't burn yourself out and exercise to the point you can't do anything else. As you continue to exercise, you'll get stronger and be able to do more (go faster, lift more, etc), but don't focus so much on the calories burned as on your progress and how you feel.

Mokey41

Don't count on exercise for weight loss especially if you are eating the calories back. 90% of your weight loss will be from eating at a calorie deficit. That said, having your budget set at 1200 is ridiculously low for your stats. You might want to rethink your loss plan instead of trying to make up the difference with exercise. 1200 is as low as MFP goes so you must have chosen the 2 lb a week goal. You really shouldn't be eating below your BMR which is definitely going to be more than 1200.

curlyteetee

Maybe not go everyday, maybe try 3 to 4 times a week. You could also try doing cardio without doing weights. With the machines start off with a low weight and increase the weight by 5lbs every 2 to 3 weeks. I hope this helps!

ecmorales

also, your daily steps really add up. you mention you've been inactive, and that can change a little everyday by taking more steps which burns more calories. When I began I burned around 250 calories a day on steps alone (not counting exercise), now my steps can account for a calorie burn of anywhere from 400 to 800 caloriesa day all before I hit the exercise hour. Little things matter like parking the car a little farther away (it used to sound silly to me), jumping up to get something for someone else instead of having others do for me, etc. Best of luck, you're asking the right questions ;-)

Chrissy_Ivers

First of all, thank you all for contributing, because although everyone's journey to their goal is different, it does help to hear how you got over the obstacles.

I guess I've just got to admit that I've an unstable and unhealthy relationship with food. I love it and I dread it, going from one extremity to another - fearing the four digit number when it comes to calories, and overeating the next day. I understand now about working out and activity, thanks to you all. All along, gym had never been the problem, because I could spend hours there when I had the time, because of how good I felt afterwards. The point is that I go home and eat back all of that hard work no matter how hard my muscles burn as a reminder.

The problem , I realize, is the food. It's always the food. I'll either eat a few carrots and apples during the day and then burn 1000 calories, tiring myself entirely. Or I'll stuff myself with pasta and junk and stay at home with an over-full stomach. The major problem with low budget, I guess. All I can afford most days is a few vegetables, or foods that can last forever until eaten, eg. pastas and porridge grains and quick noodles and what not.

So maybe the real question is how to sustain yourself on healthy food with a ridiculously low budget? Keeping in mind that I need low carb and high protein foods. Anyone gone through the same situation in their college years? Any advice? Or specific foods or even brands of food for this situation?

BellaGettinFit

bump

mkakids

seamonkey789 wrote: »

I would NOT eat the 1200 MFP recommends. if your BMR is 1800 that is too low

^^^yeah... I'm 209 right now and eat 1800 every day AND eat back exercise calories (200-400 depending on the day) ontop of that. still losing 1.5# a week.

mkakids

Chrissy_Ivers wrote: »

So maybe the real question is how to sustain yourself on healthy food with a ridiculously low budget? Keeping in mind that I need low carb and high protein foods. Anyone gone through the same situation in their college years? Any advice? Or specific foods or even brands of food for this situation?

eggs are cheap. check your dollar store for frozen veggies cheap. buy reduced produce. bone in chicken is also pretty cheap.