Looking for some feedbackq

clovr24

Hello there... I am looking for some feedback because for the past several months (years actually..) I have been reading so much and I think I am just looking in to things too much.

Basically, I started out with WW about 4 years ago (on for about 6months, lost 15lbs). I then switched to sparkpeople last year after gaining back the weight, and have been using that since. I have lost about 10 pounds total..but am trying to get to 140-145lbs (currently 158). I am almost 26, and 5'6".

I just added in my diary for last week on here, and am slightly confused by how MFP works. I understand the concept of net calories, but it seems like that would have me eating so much more than on spark. I tend to eat about 1350-1600 calories during the week, and then on Saturday closer to 2500-3000. Saturday is also my long-run day so I normally burn around 1200 calories (though this was not the case last week/in my diary so I wanted to mention it). Sunday last week was also not the best, but again, it is not typical (i just finished half-marathon training, and this week I start again...)

I am worried that up-ing my calories during the week, when they are already higher on the weekend will lead me to gain. I could say I will eat 1600 cals on the weekend, but I know it won't happen...so I guess I'm wondering if that makes it impossible for me to lose?

I have lost 5lbs in 4 months of strict eating/working out and am beyond frustrated. Though my diary only lists cardio - I combine the calories burned from running and weight training (I do Chalene Xtreme 3 days a week). I have tried eating more, eating less and am just at a loss.

Any help is appreciated! Thank you!

myfitnessnmhoy

Weight loss is all about experimentation. What works at first might suddenly stop working. What works for one person might not work for another. There are many ways to lose weight that work for a lot of people, but many are stuck on a single method because that's what works for them, and they think there's no other way.

So my advice is this - if your current eating plan is working for you, set your numbers here on the site accordingly. If you are happy at an average of 1500 calories during the week and you eat 2500 calories on Saturdays but burn 1000 calories, then set 1500 calories as your daily level here on the site.

But you've indicated that what you are doing today is not working for you. Fair enough - why not take a break from the "information overload" and just TRY using the site exactly as the authors intended? Increase your calories if that's what the site is calling for, and count (and eat) all the calories you "earn" by exercising. Give it a few weeks at that level.

What *should* happen is that your base metabolic rate should come up, and you'll start burning more calories and losing weight. What *might* happen is that you'll temporarily gain a pound or two while that's happening - don't panic.

Now, I also wanted to mention - weight is a poor indicator of health, and the "last few" pounds are the hardest. Your BMI is currently 25.5, and 25 is in the "healthy" range - so even by that crude standard you are darned close to your ideal weight as it is. But BMI is already an inappropriate measurement for athletes. Muscle weighs a lot more than fat.

Have you actually checked with a doctor or nutritionist to see if you are overweight (based on a rational measure like body fat percentage, not a poor one like weight)? Because, honestly, if you're running half-marathons, you probably have legs of solid cast iron.

If you've got any flab concerns anywhere, it may be that you need to tone some specific areas rather than trying to lose weight.

I'd submit that anyone capable of running a half-marathon really shouldn't be worried about what the scale says. What does the body-fat-indicator say?

clovr24

I wish I had cast-iron legs! I run half marathons, but slowly..working on speedwork now for the next one.

Though calipers are not the best means of measuring body fat, they came with my purchase of Chalene Xtreme, and off those my body fat is between 22-24. I definitely have a belly and am looking to get more muscle definition which is why I added the strength training.

I think I will do what you said, and just try the MFP program as is...I am worried about my Saturdays, but it's a start (again..)

Thank you!