flogging myself and getting nowhere...

loopstheloop

Hi folks!

I'm carrying too much weight and I'm trying to shed it. I'd usually aim to exercise 4 times in a week, but focussing on weight lifting. And that goes great- I put on muscle and make gains consistently. Now I'm trying to lose weight I'm finding it difficult.

I've been at it two weeks seriously, which isn't that long. I'm counting all my calories from food and drink, eating sensibly and drinking less. And I've put the weight training secondary, so I do 15 to 30 minutes 7 days a week. Primary is the cardio, and I'm doing a minimum of 60 minutes high tempo 7 days a week. Occasionally I do a hike for 90 to 120 minutes.

Net result: I'm still exactly 94kg. It's maddening.

Does that mean I'm going about this all wrong? I can't eat any less, but I'm not under-eating. I could eliminate the couple of glasses of wine and that would make it easier... but according to my numbers, that shouldn't be necessary. I still finish well under my goal every day, so was allowing myself a tipple.

Is there any chance weight-loss will kick in suddenly? My body aches, but I keep going each day regardless. It's just very hard to ignore the aching and put in the effort to sweat for another workout if you're not seeing results. I'd even take half a kilo of loss... but nothing.

Any advice would be much appreciated! Thanks

Phrick

When you start a new exercise routine (or for seasoned exercisers, when you switch it up or increase intensity), your muscles will protest. They will hold on to water to both cushion and repair themselves. This will often show up either as an actual GAIN of weight, or as a "no-loss" situation as you are describing (where you have lost some but you can't see it on the scale due to the retained water weight). It will dissipate as your muscles get used to the new level of cardio you are doing, and you will see the loss show up.

loopstheloop

Thanks Phrick,

I feel like I'm losing weight, and looking in the mirror it looks to me like I'm losing weight. What you say makes a lot of sense about water retention in the muscles. Actually, now that I think of it, I'm still on creatine for the weights, and that might be contributing too. I'll just keep going as I am. My muscles are likely adapting to endurance cardio again, so once that happens the scales might start to tell me some good news.

Cheers for that

LessHeavyVeggie

Have you taken measurements? With all that strength training you may find your weight has stayed the same but your measurements have gotten smaller?

loopstheloop

Thanks LessHeavyVegg,

I took a measurement when I started, of which you just reminded me, and I've lost an inch and a quarter off the waist. That's great. All I needed to see. Thanks again