Cannot lose weight

psu1975

Hi everyone! I've been working out since last august (2013) and have not lost a pound. For 5 months straight I religiously did an eliptical for 30-35 minutes monday through friday with no weight loss. I took a month off and then hired a trainer. I worked with him w days a week for a month with no weight loss. Now I have been going to the gym on my own, concentrating on weights with about 10-15 minutes of cardio 5 days a week for the last month with no weight loss. And I mean not one single pound.

I thought maybe I wasn't doing the right exercises, so that's why I changed my routine and even hired a trainer. I'm 38 years old, female and am frustrated. I've changed my diet completely over 4 months ago to cut out most carbs and eat mostly protein rich foods. I don't drink or smoke and I only drink water. I went to an endocrinologist and was told that my thyroid function is just fine.

I don't know what to do at this point. I've actually gained weight since I started working out almost a year ago. My clothes don't fit any better, which would be expected if I was gaining muscle and losing fat (no weight loss, just muscle being heavier than fat). In fact, they fit worse and I look like I have a super fat back and my stomach is sticking out over my pants.

Has anyone else experienced anything like this and if so, what did you do?

I know there's a lot of holes in my story that if asked, I'll happy fill them in, but I just wanted to give you all the gist of my situation.

Help...

jadethief

How many calories do you eat?
Do you weigh and measure your food?
Height?
Weight?
Age?
TDEE?

manda1978

How many calories do you eat?
Do you weigh and measure your food?
Height?
Weight?
Age?
TDEE?

Yep need this info

psu1975

I generally eat around 1700 cal/day. Somedays, depending on the intensity of my workout, I will eat up to 1900 cal. I do not weigh my food or measure, but I do watch what I eat very closely.

I am about 5"5", 175lbs, 38 years old. And I'm sorry, I don't know what TDEE is.

jarrard6

i would love to talk to you about your troubles, i know its hard!

serindipte

1. http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/819055-setting-your-calorie-and-macro-targets

2. You have no true idea how any calories you are eating. If you aren't losing weight, you are eating more than you are burning. Weigh all solids. Measuring cups/spoons are not accurate:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVjWPclrWVY

3. http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants

4. http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1235566-so-you-re-new-here

5. http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/872212-you-re-probably-eating-more-than-you-think

6. http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1234699-logging-accurately-step-by-step-guide

jadethief

Go here http://www.fitnessfrog.com/calculators/tdee-calculator.html to find your TDEE.

For a 1lb per week loss, eat 500 calories less than your TDEE.

Open your diary and people will be able to help you more.

AJ_G

I generally eat around 1700 cal/day. Somedays, depending on the intensity of my workout, I will eat up to 1900 cal. I do not weigh my food or measure, but I do watch what I eat very closely.

I am about 5"5", 175lbs, 38 years old. And I'm sorry, I don't know what TDEE is.

DING DING DING! We have a winner! There's your problem.

lynn1982

I do not weigh my food or measure,

I would start here.

agunya59

Even though Endocrinologists are specialists, they usually just test TSH in regard to thyroid function. This is not enough. Do you have a naturopath that you could see? You need to check your Free T3 and Free T4 numbers as well to determine if your thyroid is working properly. Also, check your iron and adrenal function. Check out Mary Shoman on About.com or on FB.

psu1975

Thank you all for the info so far. I think my biggest concern is that I work out, and not in a sloppy manner. I have a very strict workout plan designed by a trainer, leave the gym feeling fully worked out, sweaty and tired, so I know I got a good workout in, yet I still have the same body I had last August. What could I be missing. I eat only whole foods, little to no fruit, with the exception of berries here and there, so I'm not eating those hidden sugars, in fruits. Also, I hardly eat any carbs.

psu1975

I do not weigh my food or measure,

I would start here.

I did this for 3 months with no results. I am very careful with what I eat.

kruserk

do you lift weights? muscles burns fat faster than cardio.

AJ_G

I do not weigh my food or measure,

I would start here.

I did this for 3 months with no results. I am very careful with what I eat.

It's not the only thing, it's a combination of things. To get results you need to be as accurate as possible. You need to get accurate TDEE numbers and don't exceed your daily calorie goal, you need to weigh and measure your food. People are terrible at estimating food intake.

In some cases, people who claim they can’t lose weight by cutting calories underestimate their food intake by 47%, and overestimate their exercise levels by 51%. Other data has shown that people can under report their food intake by up to 2,000 calories per day. This is true even for people who are paid to track their calorie intake.

QuietBloom

Losing weight is all about a calorie deficit, not cardio exercise (although it can help to create a deficit).

Editing to add: I see you have gotten some good answers from folks. I'm sure that once you get a handle on your intake, you will find success! :drinker:

jayelle92

Have you tried a paleo diet? you don't have to measure or watch what you eat just cut out the bad things. It worked for me, I lost 16 pounds in a months and a half...Either it makes you more healthy or less healthy is what I basically live by
Hope this helps!

AJ_G

do you lift weights? muscles burns fat faster than cardio.

What? Weight lifting absolutely does not burn more calories than cardio. Weight lifting is very important, but the only way to gain muscle mass is when you're eating at a surplus and gaining weight, so weight lifting during a calorie deficit and weight loss is for muscle preservation, but isn't meant to burn calories.

bpotts44

Thank you all for the info so far. I think my biggest concern is that I work out, and not in a sloppy manner. I have a very strict workout plan designed by a trainer, leave the gym feeling fully worked out, sweaty and tired, so I know I got a good workout in, yet I still have the same body I had last August. What could I be missing. I eat only whole foods, little to no fruit, with the exception of berries here and there, so I'm not eating those hidden sugars, in fruits. Also, I hardly eat any carbs.

You can overeat even on the highest quality foods.

AJ_G

Have you tried a paleo diet? you don't have to measure or watch what you eat just cut out the bad things. It worked for me, I lost 16 pounds in a months and a half...Either it makes you more healthy or less healthy is what I basically live by
Hope this helps!

Please stop with the Paleo propaganda...

yeahfu2

I generally eat around 1700 cal/day. Somedays, depending on the intensity of my workout, I will eat up to 1900 cal. I do not weigh my food or measure, but I do watch what I eat very closely.

I am about 5"5", 175lbs, 38 years old. And I'm sorry, I don't know what TDEE is.

i am 5' 7', 1900 Cal seems like quite a bit, I normally eat around 1400-1600 and VERY SLOWLY am losing weight. Maybe double check what your cal intake should be.

jayelle92

How is it propaganda?
It's a healthy way to lose weight and works? I can personally vouch for it lol...