Frustration! ugh...

BigDaddyRonnie

Before joining this site/forum I have been successful in trimming 40 lbs. Pretty exciting huh?!
However, now that I am actively watching my caloric intake along with protein and other items, and participating in a very regimented excercise and bodybuilding program, I cannot lose 1 lb! I have been the same weight for a few weeks. And this past week while observing a strict 2000 calorie diet, I thought at least 1 lb would come off...but no! Sheesh!

Ok, frustration has been let out...but seriously...is there something I should try?

Teemo

First off, without knowing your starting weight and activity level it's difficult to evaluate your question! Generally, however:

(1) What was your caloric intake when you successfully trimmed 40 lbs?
(2) What is the bodybuilding program that you are following?
(3) Have you had any additional non-weight measurements taken? For example: waist size, bodyfat, cholesterol level.

BigDaddyRonnie

You're right...I need to clarify.

My prior caloric intake was approximately 2500. I say approx because I did not watch as close as I am now. Currently my intake is 1850-2000. The bodybuilding program is 3-4 days per week @ 1.5 hours on a rotation to focus on specific areas (ie - chest, arms/shoulders, legs,abs...) and 6-7 days cardio @20-40 mins. I unfortunately have a desk job during the day, but I coach wrestling and football. Ironic, isn't it?...

Beyond weight, no other measurements have been taking. Are you suggesting with that question benefits could be occuring without being known?

Is it possible with the low caloric intake my body may be hoarding?

sweebum

That sounds like an awful lot with not enough caloric intake. I think your body has you figured out :laugh:

I would take measurements too, with that amount of lifting it may very well be gain in lean muscle mass (which is good!)

Add 200 calories a day for a week and see if that alleviates the stall

Just noticed you're male- definitely not enough calories (1800 if you were doing nothing)

Teemo

You're right...I need to clarify.

My prior caloric intake was approximately 2500. I say approx because I did not watch as close as I am now. Currently my intake is 1850-2000. The bodybuilding program is 3-4 days per week @ 1.5 hours on a rotation to focus on specific areas (ie - chest, arms/shoulders, legs,abs...) and 6-7 days cardio @20-40 mins. I unfortunately have a desk job during the day, but I coach wrestling and football. Ironic, isn't it?...

Beyond weight, no other measurements have been taking. Are you suggesting with that question benefits could be occuring without being known?

Is it possible with the low caloric intake my body may be hoarding?

What's your current weight? I ask because there are a number of possibilities which come to mind. Take it with a grain of salt. :bigsmile:

(1) You were actually eating LESS before. In my experience, most people tend to be wildly off the mark when it comes to estimating calories.

(2) Based on your current weight 2,000 calories/day may be too few or too much which could result in fat loss plateauing or stopping altogether respectively.

(3) Without knowing what your current weight is and current bodyfat percentage we can't tell if you -should- be losing fat/weight.

(4) Weight, in my opinion, is the worst of the possible measurables. There are too many variables to make it a reliable indicator of anything other than the force of gravity on your current level of mass. I would look at some of the other measurables before concluding that your progress has halted.

BigDaddyRonnie

I am male...at 220 and looking to get to 200.

Bodyfat calculates to 33% (trust me, I look nothing like your profile pic, but aspire to be that in the near future!) but for some reason I don't feel I look like the percentage...oh well.

Calories calculate to 1850

This is one heck of a plateau I have hit. I have considered the fact that there are other positives happening as you suggested, and I am also not taking any mass gainers right now, but do supplement my diet with both protein (whey and cassein) and creatine.

tater8589

You said you are bodybuilding... (please don't take me as rude) You shouldn't be losing weight! You are building muscle, which weighs more. You might start, if not already, taking measurements instead of worrying about the scale so much. You could just be replacing fat with muscle which is a very good thing because the more muscle you have the more fat gets burned. I assume you are going to a gym, see if they have a bod-pod and can give you your fat percentage. Don't get down

Teemo

I am male...at 220 and looking to get to 200.

Bodyfat calculates to 33% (trust me, I look nothing like your profile pic, but aspire to be that in the near future!) but for some reason I don't feel I look like the percentage...oh well.

Calories calculate to 1850

This is one heck of a plateau I have hit. I have considered the fact that there are other positives happening as you suggested, and I am also not taking any mass gainers right now, but do supplement my diet with both protein (whey and cassein) and creatine.

Understood. Correct me if I'm mistaken, but you have been tracking your calories for the past few weeks -- meaning you have been on the current 1,850 calories/day + workout regimen for a few weeks now? (Call it 2-3 weeks?) Is the creatine supplementation recent as well? It is common with creatine for water retention to take place which may also lead to misleading numbers -- but it's just water.

That being said, if you are at 1,850 net calories per day you should be losing weight... even if you aren't trying to! Please take this opportunity to keep a log of your measurements; specifically (1) waist, (2) chest, and (3) arms flexed -- just for the hell of it. as well as the weights you are lifting. That will help with both troubleshooting in the future and also with keeping track of your progress. Also, make sure you are exact with your food diary until you figure this out -- keep track of EVERYTHING, it's too easy to let hidden calories sneak in. If you are supplementing with whey + casein that is an additional 200-300 calories per day already (assuming one scoop of each). Also include all drinks, including Gatorade, etc., marinades + dressings if you eat salads.

What is a typical day's meal plan for you?

BigDaddyRonnie

First of all...thank you all for your replies!

Tater - no offense taken at all! And I go to the gym so much I should just live there!

Sweebum and Teemo - you are correct, I might not be taking in enough calories.

Teemo - thanks for the insight. The good news is I cut out all sugar based drinks and that is what helped me lose my initial 40. Its amazing that when just sticking to natural drinks how much the sugar retains and adds weight.

You're right, I need to begin measuring. The creatine I was on in the past and went off right before holidays, and started again this week.

A typical meal day:

Breakfast
OJ, Protein Powder mixed with milk, piece of fruit
Lunch
Turkey sandwich, plain on wheat bread
2nd Lunch
Salad w/very little and light dressing or 2nd turkey sandwich, piece of fruit
Dinner
Modest - most calories at this time, but nothing fast food, depends but mostly grilled chicken w/vegetable
Snack
After workout - protein 2 scoops, milk

I am consuming approximately 150 grams of protein/day.
Approx. 1850-2000 calories/day

Teemo

Teemo - thanks for the insight. The good news is I cut out all sugar based drinks and that is what helped me lose my initial 40. Its amazing that when just sticking to natural drinks how much the sugar retains and adds weight.

Definitely -- sugar-based drinks are a killer... also congratulations on losing your initial 40 lbs btw! I don't see anything in your diet that looks off-the-mark. Sugar might be a little high (with the milk + orange juice + fruit) but other than that... if anything, given your weight and workout routine I think you might be undereating.

BigDaddyRonnie

Woohoo! 2 lbs down today! Patience is a virtue, I know...

Teemo

Woohoo! 2 lbs down today! Patience is a virtue, I know...

It's a lifelong journey.