Under-eating and over-exercising?

curlylocks224

I'm sure this has been asked and answered dozens of times before, but I thought I would seek some input from all of you as to my particular situation. I am 32 yrs old, female, 5'3, and currently weigh 148 lbs. This is up in the past 2 months from 140 pounds, which is incredibly discouraging, given that I don't think anything has changed for me.

A bit of history: I am a long-time calorie counter. My current routine is 1500 calories per day, consisting mostly of vegetables, egg whites, and Quest protein bars. I have celiac and a rather sensitive stomach/digestive system, so I tread cautiously with most food, including meat and dairy. I work out six days per week and burn, according to my HRM, 600 doing cardio (usually steady-state), which is about 60-70 minutes of activity. Twice weekly I work out with a trainer for 30 minutes doing heavy weights. My weight seems to be in a constant state of flux, although this recent jump is the most severe and discouraging. I am rather disappointed in myself.

I do allow myself "cheat days," although I have really tried to curb this to a "cheat meal," and try not to go over 2200 calories on that day.

My trainer absolutely hates the amount of cardio I do, but it is like some sort of safety blanket for me, a total mental block. I originally lost 55+ pounds with cardio and calorie-counting alone (some 7-8 years ago), and I am so reluctant to let that go. Now, the other half of my brain realizes, of course, that what I am currently doing doesn't exactly seem to be working.

I am petrified of not burning 600+ calories per day and keeping my intake at 1500. Any thoughts/advice/suggestions? Thanks in advance!

SezxyStef

hard to comment on intake since your diary is closed. But typically when you gain weight it is due to under estimating food intake..and over estimating your burns.

But if you truly are eating 1500 and working out 600 x2 and then weights I suspect you aren't eating enough to fuel your workouts.

But that being said does your HRM have a chest strap???

I would suggest lifting more but that's a personal choice...my sister is similar to you and she is loving her new workouts which are circut training that incorporate weights.....

DizzyLinds

I did this for many years....cardio for two hours per day, 6 days per week and eating 1000 calories or so with a bit of a binge on the weekend. I was lighter than what I am now by about 9lbs but I was also depressed, hungry, agitated, cold and tired. I think doing this to my body has ruined my metabolism as I now struggle to lose whatever I do. I still exercise, but more strength training and less long cardio. My calories are now higher and I am much more relaxed about food...not completely but better than before. I think I had mental health problems about it all and ended up seeing a psychologist for CBT as my relationship with food and exercise was unhealthy. I'd also say my obsessiveness caused my relationship with my ex to suffer too and we split up.

What I'd say is try not to focus on numbers...this is what I did and still kind of do. I wouldn't quit at the gym if I didn't do a certain number...whether it be a distance or calorie burn. I didn't use a hrm then so had no idea what I was burning.

SLLRunner

But if you truly are eating 1500 and working out 600 x2 and then weights I suspect you aren't eating enough to fuel your workouts.

But, this would not cause weight gain. She would be losing weight instead, or perhaps retaining a bit of water.

OP, I think your HEM is way overestimating your calorie burns. Any chance you are underestimating your calories eaten, including those cheat days? It sounds tome like you are eating at a surplus.

Cheeky_and_Geeky

Do you weigh your food or are you ballpark estimating your portions? I also suggest opening up your diary so you can get accurate feedback. Additionally, I suggest listening to your trainer. Your trainer works with you twice a week & knows your body better than us. Hang in there. Good luck!

curlylocks224

I do, indeed weigh everything I eat. And my HRM does have a chest strap, which is where I get my "calories burned" numbers from.

SLLRunner

I do, indeed weigh everything I eat. And my HRM does have a chest strap, which is where I get my "calories burned" numbers from.

your HEM could be overestimating calories burned. If you are not losing weight you are not eating at a calorie deficit OR you have a thyroid problem or other medical issue. Have you talked to your doctor?

Most of the time when we don't lose its because we are eating too much, but in rare cases it can be caused by a medical issue.

heybales

Cheat meal with a suppressed metabolism doesn't cause a one day rise in metabolism - you just ate excess over your real current suppressed TDEE for that day or meal.

Fat stored.

Besides finally eating enough and refilling probably tapped out glucose stores from all that cardio.

But really, with the bad setup you've got, you should be losing some muscle mass still, so weight should be dropping.

That'll suck big time down the road obviously, but if weight is all you are concerned with and not what it is, that should do it.

Only improvement to get that muscle mass off - start eating low carb too, 50 grams or below daily.

Because less muscle, less glucose stores and that's with water. So getting rid of 2 good sources of weight. It's also LBM and that means increased metabolism - but it is weight.




Ya, speaking sarcastically but truthfully, I'd hope no one would purposely want to go that route.

yoovie

just out of curiosity - with your increase in weight over this long period of time - have you also gained size/inches?

Mr_Knight

It's virtually impossible to under-eat and do that much exercise for that length of time, unless the cardio is very low intensity.

At 140ish pounds, a 700 calorie burn is roughly equivalent running 8 miles in 40 minutes. That is...pretty aggressive. IMO, the usual cause is in play - small planned deficit being swamped by small under-estimate of food intake + over-estimate of exercise calories.

yoovie

It's virtually impossible to under-eat and do that much exercise for that length of time, unless the cardio is very low intensity.

false - dont listen to people who speak in absolutes like this.

deksgrl

What is your GOAL?

If you want to drop fat, and limit the amount of lean body mass that you lose, then listen to your trainer. You may end up a smaller size, but still weigh the same or a few pounds more with heavy lifting.