Trying to lose body fat...any help?

Enginette

I seldom post topics on here, but I see the great responses from so many people, I thought maybe I could beneft from the vast knowledge out there.

I just don't know what to do anymore...I eat very healthy and exercise regularly yet, not only does my scale not budge (which doesn't bother me so much) but I do not lose inches on my body nor % body fat. I used to worry so much about the scale that I would get discouraged by it going up; however, with strength training, I am realizing that weight should not be my gage for success.

I carry my fat in my waist and belly and my thighs. I believe the answer for me is to reduce my carb intake, but then I worry about working out and having enough energy to do the high intensity workouts (P90X and Insanity).

How do I lose the body fat yet, eat enough to get me through my workouts?

engineman312

with the exception of a day last week, you're eating about 1,000 calories a day. why?

robin52077

Well, if you are only eating 1000 calories a day and doing P90X then you are starving yourself and have screwed yourself over big time. That's why you're not losing.
I eat 1600-1800 a day WITHOUT exercise, more if I do.
You NEED to fuel your workouts.
Sorry but your metabolism is f*ed up now.
Add more healthy calories every day until you hit a normal level (250 below maintenance) plus eat your exercise calories.
In a month or so you MIGHT have fixed your metabolism and start losing again.

engineman312

Well, if you are only eating 1000 calories a day and doing P90X then you are starving yourself and have screwed yourself over big time. That's why you're not losing.
I eat 1600-1800 a day WITHOUT exercise, more if I do.
You NEED to fuel your workouts.
Sorry but your metabolism is f*ed up now.
Add more healthy calories every day until you hit a normal level (250 below maintenance) plus eat your exercise calories.
In a month or so you MIGHT have fixed your metabolism and start losing again.

and look how hot she looks!!

orby8960

Have you heard about Hcg diet?

engineman312

Have you heard about Hcg diet?

obvious troll is obvious.

robin52077

Have you heard about Hcg diet?

just FYI:
promoting UNSAFE and DANGEROUS diets is PROHIBITED on MFP

This is HORRIBLE HORRIBLE advice.

She eats too little as it is and you want her to cut it in half, STOP exercising, and get injections of hormones found in pregnant lady pee?!?!?!? WTF?

jetscreaminagain

Have you heard about Hcg diet?

just FYI:
promoting UNSAFE and DANGEROUS diets is PROHIBITED on MFP

This is HORRIBLE HORRIBLE advice.

She eats too little as it is and you want her to cut it in half, STOP exercising, and get injections of hormones found in pregnant lady pee?!?!?!? WTF?

No. I'd totally do what Robin is doing and not what obvious troll is doing. In fact, I AM doing what Robin is doing--lifting heavy and running. Don't look like her yet, but my back WILL look like that. I eat at least 1500 calories plus whatever I exercise unless something is wrong. I would never consider abusing and misusing my body by starving it and then demanding it work hard. That's not fair. My body would unionize and rise up against me. Seriously, treat yourself better than 1000 calories and all the aerobics you can do. Lift some weights eat some food, get some protein in. Good luck :flowerforyou:

Enginette

with the exception of a day last week, you're eating about 1,000 calories a day. why?

I normally eat 1800-2000 calories per day on workout days. I have been eating less lately to mix things up. I definitely am not trying to starve myself intentionally.

My metabolism is f*kd up because it has ALWAYS been incredibly slow. I hoped by eating more frequently through the day that I would speed it up some. I just haven't found my niche.

Enginette

Have you heard about Hcg diet?

Sooooo not interested.

ninerbuff

Have you heard about Hcg diet?

Yeah, and it shouldn't be even considered for healthy weight loss.


A.C.E. Certified Personal Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

ninerbuff

I normally eat 1800-2000 calories per day on workout days. I have been eating less lately to mix things up. I definitely am not trying to starve myself intentionally.

My metabolism is f*kd up because it has ALWAYS been incredibly slow. I hoped by eating more frequently through the day that I would speed it up some. I just haven't found my niche.

Eating more frequently hasn't been scientifically shown to speed up metabolism. To do that you have to train intensely. My advice is to lift heavy, stay in calorie deficit, get enough protein, and make sure to get enough rest.


A.C.E. Certified Personal Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

myofibril

How long have you been dieting for and when was the last time you took a break from it?

If you are at a true fat / weight loss plateau which isn't explained by under estimating calorie intake / over estimating calorie burn or possible body recomp then take approximately 10 days - 2 weeks off. Eat at maintenance, par down your workouts to something minimal (say a couple of light cardio sessions per week.)

Your scale weight might spike but unless you are binging very little of that will be actual fat. Then get back into it. It may sound counter intuitive but going backwards in this way will eventually make you go forwards a lot faster as it allows for an upregulation of certain hormones etc (such as the magical leptin) which may be holding you back.

The leaner you get the more important it is to either incorporate diet breaks or have free meals / refeeds to make your routine efficient.

I would also suggest moving towards a more traditional strength based routine mixed in with cardio to optimise your results.

Enginette

How long have you been dieting for and when was the last time you took a break from it?

If you are at a true fat / weight loss plateau which isn't explained by under estimating calorie intake / over estimating calorie burn or possible body recomp then take approximately 10 days - 2 weeks off. Eat at maintenance, par down your workouts to something minimal (say a couple of light cardio sessions per week.)



Your scale weight might spike but unless you are binging very little of that will be actual fat. Then get back into it. It may sound counter intuitive but going backwards in this way will eventually make you go forwards a lot faster as it allows for an upregulation of certain hormones etc (such as the magical leptin) which may be holding you back.

The leaner you get the more important it is to either incorporate diet breaks or have free meals / refeeds to make your routine efficient.

I would also suggest moving towards a more traditional strength based routine mixed in with cardio to optimise your results.

Honestly...I've been dieting my entire life! Now I like to call it a change in lifestyle. To truly answer your question, I have been going gung ho with the eating healthy and exercise since March 2011, although, I have always done some sort of circuit training and cardio, just not as intense.

Since March, I have not seen any net change in weight (I lost 8 pounds the first month of Insanity and gained it back with the second month) and I have lost minimal inches in my body. If my measurements are correct, I did lose 2% body fat, but it was the first time I ever used my body fat calipers.

I like the DVDs because it gives me a what I need to complete the workout. What I mean is, if I were to do my own strength training and/or cardio, I am not certain I would push myself as hard. I know I have to finish the workout to get to the cool down, whereas doing it alone, I can make the cool down whenever I want. I have to believe the system works, I just need to figure out what is not working with me.

Thank you so much for your time to read and respond. I truly appreciate your insight!