5wks hardcore workouts = NO results!

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Replies

  • zaithyr
    zaithyr Posts: 482 Member
    I would agree with the general sentiment to make sure you are eating enough to fuel your body. Also- you mentioned you don't think your hormones are doing well. Have you been tested for insulin resistance and metabolism issues? I have had insulin resistance since I was a teenager and told I basically have zero metabolism and would need to work out 4x harder than the average person to lose weight. However, now I take metformin to control my insulin resistance and now I'm finally starting to lose weight like a normal person. I'm not an expert but that's just something I would suggest to look into based on my own experience!
  • Chris_acc_can
    Chris_acc_can Posts: 83
    Eat your calories burned. At 1200 calories, netting out your workout, your body is only functioning on 800ish calories a day. Stop trying to lose 50lbs in 1 week. Set up your weight loss to lose max 1.5 LBS a week.

    After a bit of time, once your body is no longer fighting to hold onto calories, you will drop LBS.

    This 1200 calorie mark (which is not recommended) is based on calories required for the body to function at rest. Since you are active your minimum calores goes up to 1600 or 1700.

    MFP does all the hard work. It will set your defecit, follow it!!! Too many ppl on this site try to rush their results and sabatoge themselves. I bet you put the weight on over an extended period of time (years even), so why are you trying to lose it all in 1 month?? Personal health/fitness is a marathon not a sprint. Putting on weight is easy, taking it off is slow and difficult (unless you are on the biggest loser ranch and have a team of experts working for you).

    Set a realistic goal (maybe 5 LBS a month)... in 10 months (or less) you will have reached your ultimate goal.
  • messymutt
    messymutt Posts: 24
    Muscle weighs more than fat. It's possible that you've lost fat and gained muscle. That will not show on a scale.

    Also, you need to properly nourish your body, keep your calories consistent. If you fluctuate your caloric intake and your eating times, your body will hold onto your fat and not let you lose it.

    As for losing 40 lbs after giving birth, it does have to do with hormones and breast feeding and all that. You should go to a doctor and have your hormones levels checked. Having my hormone levels regulated helped me lose weight years ago.

    You also need to keep in mind that your metabolism and body have changed in the years since you had your child.

    Just keep it consistent and do not get frustrated.
  • Articeluvsmemphis
    Articeluvsmemphis Posts: 1,987 Member
    An inch is huge,
    That is NOT what she said.....

    I see what you did there
  • kjerstenkipp
    kjerstenkipp Posts: 139 Member
    Yeah I hate to use the word "only" because working out for 5 weeks is an accomplishment to be proud of. But there is a quote, “It takes 4 weeks for you to notice your body changing, 8 weeks for your friends to notice, and 12 weeks for the rest of the world to notice. Give it 12 weeks. Don’t QUIT!”

    So you reached the first milestone (you said you lost an inch and you feel stronger!)...press on my friend. I promise you that if you keep this going for 7 more weeks it will be really noticeable...you should need a belt (or quite possibly new pants).
  • Articeluvsmemphis
    Articeluvsmemphis Posts: 1,987 Member
    Muscle weighs more than fat. It's possible that you've lost fat and gained muscle. That will not show on a scale.

    JUST NO :noway: :noway: :noway: :noway: :noway: :noway: :noway: :noway: :noway: :noway: :noway: :noway: :noway: :noway: :noway: :noway: :noway: :noway: :noway:

    a pound of feathers, pound of lead = it's that argument in weight form, muscle is denser.

    You're welcome
  • ASaxe23
    ASaxe23 Posts: 158 Member
    1200 calories seems pretty low especially for working out 4x a week.....from everything I've read on here you should be eating around your BMR. Im not an expert by any means, but there are many discussions about eating more to lose. Hopefully you find a solution....good luck!

    This....You probably aren't eating enough. If your workouts are as tough as they sound you've gotta make sure you're fueling your body right!
  • GasMasterFlash
    GasMasterFlash Posts: 2,206 Member
    Muscle weighs more than fat. It's possible that you've lost fat and gained muscle. That will not show on a scale.
    JUST NO :noway: :noway: :noway: :noway: :noway: :noway: :noway: :noway: :noway: :noway: :noway: :noway: :noway: :noway: :noway: :noway: :noway: :noway: :noway:

    a pound of feathers, pound of lead = it's that argument in weight form, muscle is denser.

    You're welcome
    Is this going to turn into a "muscle weighs more than fat" thread? YES!!!
  • gailosborne
    gailosborne Posts: 435
    This link has great advice for eating well for weight loss.

    http://body-improvements.com/2011/09/20/gremlins-pareto-food-rules-–-oh-my/

    Good luck with it all, don't give up!
  • jenngi620
    jenngi620 Posts: 51
    I'm in the same boat as you. I lost 8lbs first month, then gained 3 back over these last 5 weeks. Last week I upped my calories from 1200 to 1380. Working out 4-6x/week, including Spinning, jogging, Zumba, ultimate frisbee, and tough hours-long hikes. Have started weighing all food and not allowing unhealthy options even if I have enough calories left. It seems like pay day is over due. :(:sad:
  • Articeluvsmemphis
    Articeluvsmemphis Posts: 1,987 Member
    You can exercise all you want, but if you are eating too much you aren't going to lose anything.

    My first guess is you aren't being very consistent. If you want it to work like a science you have to treat it like a science and be ACCURATE with your intake, including using measuring cups and weights and logging EVERYTHING (and this should go without saying, but NO CHEAT MEALS/DALS). Also, 1,200 does sound a bit low for someone who has 50 lbs to lose.

    You need a 500 cal defecit from your TDEE to lose 1 lb a week no matter your age, sex, race, etc. Age only makes a difference in that your BMR is slower when you are older, but MFP takes your age into account when calculating your goal, so that can't be the issue. HOWEVER, your BMR may be lower than average for your age/weight/height.

    Upping your intake may or may not be the answer, it is hard to say with the info given. But my suggestion is to follow your goal religiously for 3 more weeks (with NO cheat meals/days) and THEN start trouble shooting. Also, if you DO eat back your calories burned make sure you are being very conservative unless you are using a HRM because average estimators overestimate.

    I don't agree with this advice at all. The term cheat implies it's wrong to eat certain foods. any food you like should be allowed. i look at it this way, if I'm losing weight, there's no food i am eating now that i won't be eating after my goal nor is there a food I'm eating to lose weight that I will stop eating once I reach my goal. Being strict isn't always necessary, just saying.
  • Articeluvsmemphis
    Articeluvsmemphis Posts: 1,987 Member
    Give it 12 weeks. Don’t QUIT!”

    OR give it a lifetime. I can understand wanting the results here and now, but changing your eating HABITS and exercise HABITS will do you well for a LIFETIME of feeling good, and looking good as a bonus.

    HABIT = regularly followed behaviors
  • megleo818
    megleo818 Posts: 595 Member
    EAT YOUR EXERCISE CALORIES! 1,200 - 1,500 should be your NET goal -- that means if you work off 800 calories, you need to add those to your total and eat closer to 2,000 that day. Your body will rebel and turn your metabolism against you if you eat too little. It's all about balance.
  • ArroganceInStep
    ArroganceInStep Posts: 6,239 Member
    I don't agree with this advice at all. The term cheat implies it's wrong to eat certain foods. any food you like should be allowed. i look at it this way, if I'm losing weight, there's no food i am eating now that i won't be eating after my goal nor is there a food I'm eating to lose weight that I will stop eating once I reach my goal. Being strict isn't always necessary, just saying.

    The point is that if you're not making the progress you're expecting, adhere to your program strictly for a period of time long enough to determine if the issue is your program or if it's the times when you don't follow the program strictly.

    Cheat days and such are a great thing...as long as you can still reach your goals with them.
  • Luvmyhubby222
    Luvmyhubby222 Posts: 149 Member
    An inch is huge...
    Sometimes. :smokin:

    LOL! :bigsmile:
  • grex1949
    grex1949 Posts: 125 Member
    I'm going to go out on a limb and agree with the majority of the posters here. I think you might not be eating enough calories. The number choose means nothing. I've looked at your diary, and you consistently (one exception in two or three weeks) log under the calorie goal. Meet the net calorie goal you have set, not some arbitrary number 500 or 600 calories below that goal. Continue to work hard in your workouts. You will see results. Be patient; this is going to be a new lifestyle for you, not some crash diet that will be over in a month or two so you can gain all that weight back again. Be in it for a lifetime.
  • xeyemon
    xeyemon Posts: 6 Member
    A few people noted that you need to watch what you log or simply put you're eating too much. I had this problem and couldn't figure out why I was not losing as mfp.com predicted I would. I started measuring all portions and including every morsel that went into my mouth and realized I was a "Big Cheater!" After I got the reality check weight fell off! Tighten up on logging. You can't gain weight if you are not eating.
  • jsapninz
    jsapninz Posts: 909 Member

    I don't agree with this advice at all. The term cheat implies it's wrong to eat certain foods. any food you like should be allowed. i look at it this way, if I'm losing weight, there's no food i am eating now that i won't be eating after my goal nor is there a food I'm eating to lose weight that I will stop eating once I reach my goal. Being strict isn't always necessary, just saying.

    By cheat, I meant not logging or going over your goal. There is nothing wrong with eating "bad" foods occasionally as long as you stay under your goal (as long as you are eating healthy otherwise).
  • thelovelyLIZ
    thelovelyLIZ Posts: 1,227 Member
    And inch is pretty god actually. The number on the scale not changing may be because you've been adding muscle, or your body may have been retaining water those first few weeks. When you start a exercise routine, you body will sometimes hold on to water to help heal the muscles you're working. That usually goes away in 2-4 weeks though.

    Just make sure you're eating enough and you're logging accurately. As others have said, 1200 may be too low for you, especially if you weren't always eating back your exercise calories after an intense bootcamp session. Slow and steady wins the race. Keep as it and I'm sure you'll see some results.
  • bisky
    bisky Posts: 1,090 Member
    I think you are gaining muscle and pretty soon you will start seeing results as your new muscles will start burning fat. Hang in there, don't starve yourself or over eat and you will get your results. Dam scales.
  • berra2k
    berra2k Posts: 5
    Training hard doesn't necessarily = training smart.
    Very true. Eat the biggest meal of the day after your training session, get lots of protein, and adjust your macro nutrient needs. High protein, med carb-low carbs, low fat. Remember one rule of thumb, 20% of you're results will come from the gym while 80% will come from the kitchen.
  • SuzyLy
    SuzyLy Posts: 133 Member
    Looks as tho' you are leaving alot of uneaten calories "on the table." For the exercising you are doing, you should eat more of them. Good luck !
  • chenrytc2
    chenrytc2 Posts: 48
    You are doing GREAT! The most significant accomplishment you have made so far is NOT GIVING UP! Most dieticians do not recommend going below 1100-1200 calories for dieting. You are at the bare minimum. This causes some concern because you are working out and pushing your body into an area where it will not burn fat.

    1. First, be sure you are NOT over training. If you started this boot camp from a long lay off then you could be doing to much. Overtraining can cause your body to use protein for energy instead of carbs/stored fat. When this happens, you muscles are sacrificed and fat is retained. Yes, Mother Nature is very cruel. Take some time off to fully recover. During your workouts, once you reach muscle exhaustion, not muscle fatigue/failure, there is nothing more you can do to stimulate growth. So stop.

    2. You are going to use what you eat, so eat. A few years ago, the Cincinatti Bengals were the team on HBO's football show. Chad Ochocinco ate McDonald's for breakfast and lunch almost daily. He knew he would burn all those calories during workouts, training, and games. I am not telling you to eat McDonald's, eat as clean as you can and your exercise program and MFP will guide you.

    3. Keep detailed notes. Keep a log of how you feel before and after workouts. Also note daily occurrences and how you feel. This will help you get better focus and know how to maximize your intensity during workouts. You will be surprised how much this helps.

    Lastly, KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!
  • PearlGrey
    PearlGrey Posts: 23 Member
    Training hard doesn't necessarily = training smart.
    Very true. Eat the biggest meal of the day after your training session, get lots of protein, and adjust your macro nutrient needs. High protein, med carb-low carbs, low fat. Remember one rule of thumb, 20% of you're results will come from the gym while 80% will come from the kitchen.

    ... and weekend calories count too, your food diary is "empty" every Sat/Sun. Try logging them too, you may be eating a lot more then.
  • dalmiechick45
    dalmiechick45 Posts: 164 Member
    I joined a bootcamp w/ a professional trainer (former NFL player) knowing I needed someone to push me past my own limitations and not take any excuses that I came up w/. I'm on week 5 of 6, 4x a wk.

    I have cried several times during workout b/c it's soooo hard and it hurts! but yet, I am "loving" these workouts. I do feel I'm getting stronger (I can now bench 10lbs more than when I started) and I feel empowered by working out so hard. My moods are better, my stamina and energy have improved and I look forward to the next morning for class.

    Thing is, I haven't lost ANY weight (goal is to lose 50lbs) and other than 1inch on my waist, I haven't lost any inches!!! I was introduced to MFP 3wks into camp and since then I have been keeping up w/ my food logging. I had it at 1200cal. and depending on the day (how hungry I was or not), I would or would not eat back my calories burned. Today I changed my goals from 2lbs a week to 1lb which upped my calories for the day. We shall see if this makes any difference.

    The point of all this is this: I'm frustrated that I'm working soooo hard and yet see NOTHING !! I don't get it! I'm 32yo and when I lost my preggo weight I was 27 and lost 40lbs in 4mo. Does age really make a difference? I'm pretty sure my hormones are not well (haven't gone to the dr. though) and wonder if that is what's keeping me from losing??!!!

    What am I doing wrong? what am I NOT doing? I need to SEE results in order to keep encouraged. As of now, I feel everything I'm doing is pointless and therefore I am tempted to EAT b/c what difference has NOT eating made????

    I totally vented! Thanks for hearing me out peeps. I look forward to the May challenge, but I wonder if I will change any of my #'s (I'm restarting the bootcamp class for another 6wks once this one is done). Thanks for any advice or pointers, I need anything I can get!! ~ Elaine


    have you had your thyroid checked?
  • Mommyof3texans
    Mommyof3texans Posts: 347
    Just wanted to say you're not alone. I started a women's fitness bootcamp 3 weeks ago as well as tracking my food. I upped my calories about 12 days ago and I haven't seen any results yet either.. I feel like I'm working hard and trying to have patience! Make sure you're eating enough and just ride it out.. if you're doing all the right things... it will happen!

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