Nothing's happening!

sarahthecamper

I am so darn frustrated. After a month of exercising (usually singles tennis, sometimes 2x/day), being pretty good about logging and staying on calories and making generally good choices, I have lost a total of.....1 pound! Tah-dah! I feel good, but my jeans aren't any looser. I know my body has changed a little, but seriously? 1 pound? I'm 5'8", 176#, fairly muscular but that muscle is coated with a nice cushy layer of fat.

What do I need to do to break this? Lift weights? I usually eat part of my workout calories back, sometimes all. Wine, although counted in my calories, is frequently present. I do not cut back on sodium at all (my BP is not only fine, but low). I am pretty good, but not great, about drinking my water (I don't always log that).

I'm just starting to run in small bits, like 5 minutes at a time.

My diary is open. I would really, really appreciate any suggestions. Thanks MFPians!

NubianSpirit

you and i are in the same boat - 5' 8", hoovering between 172/168, and fairly active - i just did half-marathon #5 on sunday (although admittedly, i had never been consistent in my training until this last race). i have watched friends start up a diet & exercise program and drop 10-15lbs. just like that! as much as i am happy for them, it equally pisses me off that i can't see those same results...

i have had a couple of discussions on this subject with my husband and my mom - their take on it is that because i (we) are already at a certain activity/fitness level that minor changes aren't going to do the trick for us in the same way that they do for others who aren't already there. so in an attempt to jolt my body out of its comfortability zone, i am doing the jillian michaels 30 day shred (using a mfp group to keep me motivated) and i am diligently watching my calorie intake (something that i haven't always been so good about).

the other thing that i am doing is psyching myself into being thinner, mind over matter, if you will. i have photoshop on my computer at work, so i'm attempting to learn how to use it by manipulating my before 30ds picture to a smaller version of me with a goal weight & measurements. the hope here is that the brain truly is powerful enough to see that image and transform into it. it sounds a little crazy as i write it here (but i know that top athletes use visualization to train all the time...this is similar, right) ... i'm hoping that having an after to look forward to will motivate me to finally transition into the slender, athletic body that i have chased all my life (my mom too for that matter...curses to genetics & heavy hips)

myopus

Definitely drink your water. Keep in mind that many of the success stories on here describe a painfully slow first and/or second month before the real loss starts happening. Stay positive, for if you keep at this, it is not a matter of if but of when.

NubianSpirit

in my previous comment i forgot to mention plateauing ... good, bad or otherwise, our bodies get used to a routine pretty quickly. so when it comes to calorie decreases or exercise we see results at the start of the change and then they taper off. at a previous job, we had an onsite gym & a trainer - he set up an evening circuit training group and would change the routine about every 6-8 weeks because that was about the time frame it would take for the the plateau to hit. based on that - i am doing the 30ds now and at the end of the session will switch to something else for a month or so (because i am my mother's daughter i have a fine collection of fitness dvds to choose from!) the videos will be done in conjunction with running or rollerblading because i feel like i need the additional cardio to actually see results, plus my fur-baby needs her exercise too.

:glasses:

myopus

Above poster has excellent suggestions!
Here is something that has helped me: Tae Bo, free on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BfoekNVgqPU&list=PL3FA89FBE3B417C3A&index=1&feature=plpp_video
I thank God for this playlist. The workout leaves me totally drenched every single time (but easier on my joints than 30DS & some others) but it moves so fast, I don't glance at the clock. I feel like it is sculpting me. I do it at least 2x a week, do Leslie Sansone's Walk at Home sometimes, and go to gym sometimes. I exercise 3-4 days a week usually.

Tae Bo, free on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BfoekNVgqPU&list=PL3FA89FBE3B417C3A&index=1&feature=plpp_video (worth 2nd paste, lol)
Leslie Sansone Walk at Home (scroll down for free YouTube video links):
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/432035-swat-january-walk-with-leslie-sansone-workouts

crazybeautifulkittie

1) do you take your measurements? If not, please start, also start a picture diary of yourself every week so that you truly can look at your transformation over time

2) cut out the alcohol, I'm guilty of it too, but it does so much not cool things to our bodies. Causing dehydration, probably causing water retention of the water we do have in our bodies because our bodies are so thirsty.

3) Also try taking out a bit of the carbs, add a bit more protiens. (ie switch out the tortilla chips for something else)

ogreswife

If your stress levels are high or you aren't getting adequate sleep you can have trouble shedding weight. Good sleep is very important!

I'm guilty of drinking wine in the evening too. (small glass with dinner) But then, I have two little kids and feel I earn my wine, lol. And it helps me relax so I can get good sleep.