Scale won't budge

cedder1

I was successful 10 years ago in losing about 100 pounds. Within the past year and a half, I took up running and seemed to have gained about 5-6 pounds. My legs feel bigger. My clothes still fit, however I can't figure out how to lose this 5-6 pounds. I have cross training class twice a week and run 4-5 days a week for a weekly total of 20-28 miles per week. I used the Harris formula to figure my BMR and my TDEE. My BMR is about 1369 calories then when I figure in my weekly activity, it is about 2100 calories. I have been eating 1500 calories for the past few months and cannot get this weight off and it is frustrating. Can someone advise? I am at a loss.

JennyBilyeu

Being that muscle weighs more than fat, it may actually be an increase in your muscles. Since you have started running, you have increased your muscle mass...hence your thighs being thicker. Other than that, the only other thing it could be is the dreaded last 5 lbs...but I don't really see that being the problem since it was a gain. I hope you find your answer somewhere. Congrats on the fantastic loss!!! You're an inspiration to me, as I have 100 to lose!

cedder1

Thanks Jenny. Good luck to you in your journey!

4legsRbetterthan2

My opinion (wich you are more than welcome to ignore): Your clothes are still fitting so I assume you did not gain any real fat. It might be more muscle as mentioned above or it might be something to do with glycogen stores or water retention changing since you started running. You don't seem unhappy with the way you look, just that number, so try to forget about it and be happy that you are now this awesome runner

If you are really set on losing the weight: It sounds like you have maintained this weight for a while now so that means you are eating at maintenanace. Take another 50-100 calories a day off and you should lose it, slowly, but I would not suggest trying to lose it fast. Calculators online give you a starting place but its just an estimate, it might be a little off.

_Waffle_

My opinion (wich you are more than welcome to ignore): Your clothes are still fitting so I assume you did not gain any real fat. It might be more muscle as mentioned above or it might be something to do with glycogen stores or water retention changing since you started running. You don't seem unhappy with the way you look, just that number, so try to forget about it and be happy that you are now this awesome runner

That's pretty much what I was going to say. You're going to pick up a few pounds for the recovery water and glycogen stores your muscles need. I bet if you stopped for a week or two those pounds would disappear. I wouldn't worry about the number on a scale. If you were 300 lbs and still had a rocking body would you care? Na. I doubt it. Measurements supercede weight. Weight is only one tool to measure fitness not the end-all.

cedder1

You guys are really encouraging! I guess its just that insecurity monster rearing it's ugly head.

Serah87

Muscle does NOT weigh more than fat. A pound is a pound, just different density.

OP if you are not losing you are not in a deficit.

Do you weigh ALL your food? If not, that maybe the reason. Get a digital food scale.

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

4legsRbetterthan2

Muscle does NOT weigh more than fat. A pound is a pound, just different density.

While true this is just nit-picky and not particularly relevant.

I would still encourage you to look into your reasons for wanting to lose those 5lbs and if it really needs to be done.

golden6911

I ALWAYS gain about 5 lbs when I first start running, but then lose it and then some - I think it is a combo of muscle development in my legs, and my body wanting to hold onto fluids.

Serah87

Muscle does NOT weigh more than fat. A pound is a pound, just different density.

While true this is just nit-picky and not particularly relevant.

I would still encourage you to look into your reasons for wanting to lose those 5lbs and if it really needs to be done.

Yes because correcting wrong information we should never do!! *rollingeyes*

ETA: But hey what do I know. JS :laugh:

FauxFoxx

Muscle does NOT weigh more than fat. A pound is a pound, just different density.

While true this is just nit-picky and not particularly relevant.

I would still encourage you to look into your reasons for wanting to lose those 5lbs and if it really needs to be done.

How is this not relevant? Lol. A pound is a pound is a pound.

MelodyandBarbells

Yikes! This is the most detailed diary I've seen in a while. But like someone asked, do you use a food scale? I see a lot of cup and tablespoon measurements. You could be eating more than you think

If you decide you do want to lose more weight you should get a food scale and log accurately. I thought the extra water retained by muscles for repair would typically dissipate after exercising for a while, like a month to six weeks. If you keep at it and are in a deficit, the scale should start to move

Is your deficit set for .5 lb a week? Even more important there to log very accurately as 250 calories is not much of a daily deficit at all

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1296011-calorie-counting-101

ahoy_m8

OP lost 100 lb and kept it off 10 years! WAY. TO. GO!

I can't touch that, but I have kept my weight within a 5 lb range for 30 years (not counting pregnancy). I totally understand the 5 lb rule mentality. When I'm up 5, I lose it. Otherwise it becomes "the new normal" and my range will creep up. Also, I do think that last 5 is a totally different game than a huge loss--not harder by any means, but different. It's all about caloric deficit (that part is the same), but the deficit is so small to spare muscle that it requires precision, patience, and scale weight averaging over a week (or more!) to really see what's going on. I've never lost 5 lb in less than 3 months.

Is running the only thing that changed in that year and a half that the scale move up? Have you checked your BF%? 5lb rule notwithstanding, I would love, love, love to put on 5 lb lean body mass, but I haven't bellied up to the considerable effort that would take. If you have gained LBM, I would definitely try to keep that!

cedder1

I don't have a food scale to weigh meat products, however, I do use cups and tablespoons to accureately measure. I am apprehensive on cutting my calories even more because I do tend to be on the hungry side and increasing my protein does nothing for me. I also eat single portions of many things and try to eat alot of fruits and veggies, except the most processed food i eat is cereal, but that is either shredded wheat, kashi or special K.

MelodyandBarbells

So the food scale is for all solids, not just meat Even the cereal , you could set your cereal bowl on the scale, Tare it to zero, add the cereal - not the half cup measurement provided as a serving size, but the XXg listed beside the half cup. This can be really eye opening as measurements do not always match the weight. Anything that isn't a freely pouring liquid can be weighed. Do this to whichever extent you can without being turned off from the process. A digital scale with g and oz measurements, as well as a Tare button can be had for ten bucks. You definitely shouldn't need to spend more than 25

These may have already been posted (possibly even by me) but I'll just add them again. They have tips on recording accurately using a food scale:

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1296011-calorie-counting-101

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

115s

Hit it hard! Ok joking. Please do not harm your poor scale! Put the scale away. Take it out in a month. Count religiously for that entire month and take measurements. I bet you will see the difference in the month.

AliceDark

Over the past year and a half, when you were starting to run and were gaining those pounds, were you eating at a deficit, at maintenance or a surplus? Any weight lifting during that time? Running is a weight-bearing exercise, so you can sometimes see an increase in bone density, but it's dependent on a lot of variables (and wouldn't happen if you were eating at a deficit).

cedder1

Yes, my weight went up when I started running. I have always tried to eat a deficit, I tried cutting my calories to 1,300 but I was very hungry. According to the manual way to lose 1/2 pound a week I should eat 1,650 calories per day and I am eating 1,500 so I should be losing. I do have occasional cheat days, but nothing out of control. I have always lifted weights before I started running and after running, 2 days a week

cedder1

Well, I have dropped my calories from 1,500 to 1,375 to see what happens...........this is just slightly above my BMR....