Anything I can do to speed this process up?

caity165

Okay okaayyyy I know, I need to be patient. But while I'm working on THAT skill, how can I magic this fat away faster?

It's my first week of getting serious. Like, seriously serious. I've been tracking 1500 calories a day in my journal and despite a big occasion, my organisation's Christmas party, I lost 4.5lbs. I also lost 1/2 inch off my waist and 1/2 inch off my hips.

Workout wise, I see a trainer who has given me a tough weights workout (actually, a couple that I rotate). Plyometrics done in intervals (plyometric squats, lunges and jumping off boxes and stuff - 15 seconds jumping, 15 seconds rest, x 3), lifting heavy weights (squatting 100lbs currently and bench pressing, um, 65lbs). On non weight days I run sprints for 15 seconds and jog for 25, repeat x 8. I'm also working on some choreography, which gives me 1/2 hour of cardio 2 or 3 times, and I'm generally being more active with walking and taking the stairs.

I really, really want to get my hip measurement down. it's currently 46.5 and my waist is 35.5. It just seems to be so much work for such little gain!

Phoenix_Warrior

You don't want to go fast, that increases the chance of muscle loss which therefore increases the odds of the dreaded skinny fat. In regards to deficit. Resistance training is a great way to reduce BF %. I've been at it for 6 months, so I understand feeling impatient but looking back a year from now, you'll be glad you started when you did. Just keep pushing forward!

caity165

Hmm - I do understand that fast isn't always good, but in the beginning it would be nice to see some good progress especially where measurements are concerned to keep me motivated while good habits begin to form and become second nature...

jwdieter

Hmm - I do understand that fast isn't always good, but in the beginning it would be nice to see some good progress especially where measurements are concerned to keep me motivated while good habits begin to form and become second nature...

Then congratulations, as you've achieved those initial objectives. Now settle in and be consistent, and you'll see long term results.

Ninkyou

how can I magic this fat away faster?

David Copperfield, David Blaine, Houdini, Penn & Teller and Harry Potter combined could not magic away the fat, and neither can you.

In all seriousness, you're only a week in and have already seen a great loss. Granted, that's mostly water/glycogen, but now is the time to keep being consistent and keep logging as accurately as possible. It will take time, but the weight will come off. Though, to be honest, you cant pick where you're going to lose the weight. It come off wherever it will.

handyrunner

Mirror what everyone else says...but you'll see changes sooner than you think if your consistent.

Nate0047

David Copperfield, David Blaine, Houdini, Penn & Teller and Harry Potter combined could not magic away the fat, and neither can you.

Where's the 'like' button?

I think we've all wanted to magic away the fat at one point, but none of us have. That's why we're on MFP. It's certainly the closest I've ever come to magicking away the fat.

caity165

I know I'm not going to magic any fat away. But I'm wondering if perhaps certain things can help me along. For instance, more steady-state cardio? Less reps of heavier weights or lighter weights done in a more interval-style way? Go easy on carbs? Eat more fat and protein? Calorie cycle? And so on....there might be tools that I'm missing, things that others have found useful along with lower calories and more exercise.

Unknown

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TR0berts

But I'm wondering if perhaps certain things can help me along.

For instance, more steady-state cardio?

No.

Less reps of heavier weights or lighter weights done in a more interval-style way?

Hell no.

Go easy on carbs? Eat more fat and protein?

Eh, if you want.




In your OP, you stated that this was your first week of getting serious. And that you've lost 4.5 lbs. You don't want to go any faster than this, trust me.

Mr_Knight

You've been at for a week and already want to speed things up?

You're doomed.

caity165

You've been at for a week and already want to speed things up?

You're doomed.

Wow, thanks for the positivity. I just want to make sure I'm doing everything I can for myself, that's all. My asthma has gotten worse which is part of what got me serious. I know it's the extra weight - I'm 10lbs heavier than the last time I can remember my asthma symptoms didn't bother me. So excuse me for wanting to get as much off as soon as possible. And actually, some people, my doctor included, are starting to believe from studies that losing weight faster in the beginning can actually be a good thing.

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/188045.php

Phoenix_Warrior

You've been at for a week and already want to speed things up?

You're doomed.

Wow, thanks for the positivity. I just want to make sure I'm doing everything I can for myself, that's all. My asthma has gotten worse which is part of what got me serious. I know it's the extra weight - I'm 10lbs heavier than the last time I can remember my asthma symptoms didn't bother me. So excuse me for wanting to get as much off as soon as possible. And actually, some people, my doctor included, are starting to believe from studies that losing weight faster in the beginning can actually be a good thing.

If you're dangerously obese. I don't get that impression from you, OP. You just seem impatient. If you want to race there, do it. But you might not like the results or the way you have to approach it to get there. We're trying to give you the best way you can but you have to follow through.

Mr_Knight

You've been at for a week and already want to speed things up?

You're doomed.

Wow, thanks for the positivity.

Telling you unrealistic fibs because that's what you want to hear is not "positivity" and won't do anything good for you. This process is going to take a long time, and there is no way to get around that. Anybody telling you otherwise is trying to sell you something.

Good luck!

caity165

You've been at for a week and already want to speed things up?

You're doomed.

Wow, thanks for the positivity.

Telling you unrealistic fibs because that's what you want to hear is not "positivity" and won't do anything good for you. This process is going to take a long time, and there is no way to get around that. Anybody telling you otherwise is trying to sell you something.

Good luck!

I was referring to the 'you're doomed' comment. I come here for support, not to be told I'm 'doomed'.

No_Finish_Line

it seems like your going pretty fast too me.

I can completely understand wanting to speed things up... one might think that it betrays a desire to return to your old habits tho.

Accept that it never ends, you will forever be responsible for your health and apperance, and will always have to take steps to perserve them.

When you really accept that, it might not feel like your in such a rush.

SherryTeach

While I do think that intention is difficult to convey in text, many of us who have been here a while, have seen many, many impatient people hop on here looking for magic, feel discouraged about the slowness of the process and just quit. No one wants to see that happen.

Just plan your calories, get plenty of fruit and veggie and protein, exercise moderately and get on with your life.

emdeesea

The thing to keep in mind is that you didn't gain that weight overnight, so it's not going to come off overnight either.

Of course, by "overnight" I don't mean that literally. But you get the idea.

Unfortunately the only road to success is the long haul. There's no quick way to this.

Kevalicious99

Patience my child. You will be just fine .. and you will be thankful in the end that you did it in a sensible fashion.

First .... it is a LOT of work. Don't kid yourself into thinking otherwise.

Second .. it will take time. Probably lots of time. There are no shortcuts, no good shortcuts anyways. Stay away from the fads, low carb crap etc. Eat as needed at a reasonable calorie deficit .. and just do it, over and over and over again. You will make progress this way. If anyone tries to sell you something to do it faster ... resist as being skinny fat is not a pretty thing, you don't want to go there.

I don't know your stats, but it is all about being consistent with what you do and having patience .. lots and lots of patience. You probably didn't gain the weight overnight .. so it will take time to come off. If losing fat was an easy thing .. there would be a pill that we would all be taking and we would all be a normal weight. Well guess what . . that doesn't exist, so it means that hard work is the only answer.

In my own case .. i lost 4 inches from my waist in my first month .. then nothing for 2.5 months, and finally just today another inch. So .. what did it teach me, patience and the fact that I need to be consistent and work hard cause I will get there eventually.

You will get there too .. just do the work, log your calories accurately (get a food scale if you don't already have one) .. and USE IT. You are doing great on the exercise .. but just don't get discouraged when the loss of those inches plateaus .. cause it will most likely happen. Inches are a way way way better way to determine success .. so don't worry about the scale, just concentrate on doing the plan (both in the kitchen and at the gym).

You are doing fine .... just work, repeat and repeat again. It is not a fast process.

Kevalicious99

Well I see that the OP doesn't have much willpower .. as she deactivated her account already after a week. She needs to be a lot stronger than that .. to make it in this thing we call fat loss.

Sashoi

If you are feeling like this after one week, how will you handle a plateau? If you want to be on death door and do crazy things just to lose it fast by all means go ahead and do it. You will only have yourself to blame in the end. This a marathon not a sprint so relax and enjoy the journey.

Kanyon17

Don't bother answering anymore, she deleted her account... There goes the week of effort!

scottkjar

I saw Santa at the mall, and I asked him to take away my fat. He said he only GIVES things, he never takes them away.

togmo

People don't get fat overnight and they don't get thin overnight either...

Mr_Knight

Don't bother answering anymore, she deleted her account... There goes the week of effort!

Damn.

And I'd just figured out where they stock rainbows and unicorn farts!

emdeesea

No one told her what she wanted to hear.

Boo! You mean I have to work for it??

cmira5ol

funny how she deactivated her account

caity127

Wow. I'm so glad I deactivated my account. Looking at all the replies - some of them mocking: "boo, you mean I have to work for it?" "And I'd just figured out where they stock rainbows and unicorn farts!" and all the rest - it was the right decision.

I started another account specifically to come on and reply to this. So listen up. I work my butt off in the gym and log my calories in a notebook whether I'm active on MFP or not. So no, I have not given up. And my week's work is not undone. (And actually, I've ALWAYS worked out in the gym - I'm a hip hop dancer. Exercise and hard work are not my problem - food is. So please don't insult me with the 'boo, hard work' comments.)

The reason I'm on MFP is so that when I have questions I have a place to come to find knowledge. This has been unpleasant, and anything but supportive.

I actually asked my trainer the same question today. He suggested mixing my schedule up so that my body doesn't get used to doing things in a certain order all the time. To lift heavier weights and lower the reps to confuse my muscles (I have been lifting seriously for months now - started bench pressing 32kg today up from 27kg). He suggested trying the 8/16 method of intermittent fasting, and adding more cardio in the form of incline walking, 3-4 x per week.

Would it have killed y'all to come up with similar suggestions, of things I might not have been doing that worked for YOU? Instead I got a ton of sarcastic and some insulting remarks instead.

But thanks to the people who didn't do that - appreciated.

Good luck y'all.

Siansonea

If the goal is to lose weight, then your calorie intake vs. output is the only equation you need to look at. The larger the deficit, the more quickly you lose weight, but you can't go too crazy or you'll compromise your health. There's a practical limit to how quickly a person can lose weight, that process can only be hastened so far.

I don't get where your trainer gets all this "confuse your muscles" stuff from. Our bodies aren't easily confused, it sounds like broscience of the "confuse your metabolism" variety. But whatever, it probably won't do any harm, or good for that matter. Exercise isn't the key to weight loss, calorie deficit is. Exercise just burns calories, aiding in calorie deficit. But you should know that already.

I'm sorry if you don't find this community supportive enough, but it sounds like you have a chip on your shoulder to begin with. Sometimes people who think they need "support" actually need an unvarnished dose of reality. And the reality is there is no quick way to lose weight that is safe and healthy. When people ask questions like this, it just shows that they have unrealistic expectations and a poor attitude. Naturally that can bring out the snark in people's responses. And all of your follow-up responses have only reinforced the idea that you have unrealistic expectations and a poor attitude, so it's no surprise that you're not being cocooned in sympathy. And people who demand support rarely receive it, though perhaps you've noticed that already?

If what you're doing is showing results, then keep doing it. What's your hurry, anyway? :huh:

randomtai

Wow. I'm so glad I deactivated my account. Looking at all the replies - some of them mocking: "boo, you mean I have to work for it?" "And I'd just figured out where they stock rainbows and unicorn farts!" and all the rest - it was the right decision.

I started another account specifically to come on and reply to this. So listen up. I work my butt off in the gym and log my calories in a notebook whether I'm active on MFP or not. So no, I have not given up. And my week's work is not undone. (And actually, I've ALWAYS worked out in the gym - I'm a hip hop dancer. Exercise and hard work are not my problem - food is. So please don't insult me with the 'boo, hard work' comments.)

The reason I'm on MFP is so that when I have questions I have a place to come to find knowledge. This has been unpleasant, and anything but supportive.

I actually asked my trainer the same question today. He suggested mixing my schedule up so that my body doesn't get used to doing things in a certain order all the time. To lift heavier weights and lower the reps to confuse my muscles (I have been lifting seriously for months now - started bench pressing 32kg today up from 27kg). He suggested trying the 8/16 method of intermittent fasting, and adding more cardio in the form of incline walking, 3-4 x per week.

Would it have killed y'all to come up with similar suggestions, of things I might not have been doing that worked for YOU? Instead I got a ton of sarcastic and some insulting remarks instead.

But thanks to the people who didn't do that - appreciated.

Good luck y'all.

Phoenix_Warrior

I like the confusing your muscles part.