Why am I stuck?

JoJ74

I'm running for 2-3 hours a week and steadily increasing that, plus eating 1200 cals a day roughly for 5-6 days and slightly more 1-2, but I can't seem to consistently lose weight. The running isn't making that much difference to my physique either and lately I'm feeling tired and achey, not to mention fed up. Where am I going wrong? I've been low carbing as an easy way to reduce calories too. I don't know what to try next.

SaintOnEarth

You may not be eating enough calories? I am not an expert in this, but 1200 seems to be the minimum a woman should eat, based on what I read on the forums. If you are doing running a lot, you should probably up your daily calorie intake.. if your body isn't getting enough fuel, it may be holding on to what you eat.

AmyLRed

I didnt check your diary, but i am hoping you net 1200 and eat your exercise cals from all that running. Also be sure you are getting enough protein, your muscles need it!

Di3012

OP, I don't know exactly how low your carbs are as your diary is private, however, you need carbs for running, they are very important, it will be those carbs that give you the energy to run. The protein (which is also very important) is needed to repair the tiny tears in your muscles that you will get everytime you workout.

You will need to up your carbs if they are low, otherwise you will not have any energy to complete your runs and that would be a shame.

thetiwi1890

Are you eating a total of 1,200 calories, and then exercising, or 1,200 net calories? You should open your diary so we can give you better feedback :flowerforyou:

My1985Freckles

What others said about NET 1200 calories as your minimum. And that runners need carbs.

That being said, make sure those carbs are "good carbs" and not just carbs from processed junk with loads of sugar. Sugar can really impede weight-loss. And how's your sodium? Keep the sodium low and drink lots of water.

cdnclovr

THIS!

I didnt check your diary, but i am hoping you net 1200 and eat your exercise cals from all that running. Also be sure you are getting enough protein, your muscles need it!

JoJ74

Thanks for replies, didn't realise diary was private, will sort it out! I don't usually eat back my exercise caps to be honest, although I have gone over today. I might relax diet til after race - half marathon in 30 days!!

rjt1000

I'm running for 2-3 hours a week and steadily increasing that, plus eating 1200 cals a day roughly for 5-6 days and slightly more 1-2, but I can't seem to consistently lose weight. The running isn't making that much difference to my physique either and lately I'm feeling tired and achey, not to mention fed up. Where am I going wrong? I've been low carbing as an easy way to reduce calories too. I don't know what to try next.

you say for 5-6 days. You're not going to see any big change in a week. What are you doing wrong? Nothing except maybe being impatient.

lovinmysoldier

Tired and achy... sounds like you might be overtraining. Take a day or so off! Or at the most just go for a walk. You may even want to up your daily calories. There are mutliple places you can check what your estimated daily calorie expenditure. I personally like www.intense-workout.com . That's also where the article on overtraining is. It sounds as though you aren't enjoying your running right now so maybe you should start cross training. Not only will it help your run it'll help work on other muscles running doesn't get to. IE: bike is great exercise to help increase your run. Walking uphill is KILLER, I get more burn walking at 10% incline than running.

Just remember, if you keep doing what you've always done you'll keep getting the same results.

JoJ74

I meant 5-6 days every week, and am training for a half marathon in 4 weeks, can't just stop!

Di3012

I meant 5-6 days every week, and am training for a half marathon in 4 weeks, can't just stop!

Jojo a thought just popped into my head, start tracking your sodium, now.

This is not to see if you have too high a sodium reading, on the contrary, it is to see if you are not taking enough sodium in, I have a sneaky suspicion here.

Are you drinking loads and loads of water? If so and you were not taking enough sodium in, what with the amount of running you are doing, you may find your sodium levels a little depleted and that can be dangerous.

xxx

JoJ74

Thanks for the tips ) xx