On the right track?

abbym919
abbym919 Posts: 23
edited December 18 in Health and Weight Loss
Hi, I've been on here for about a week, and I just want to make sure I'm on the right track... I'm working out 5x/week for 30-45 min, usually just on the elliptical, and I'm keeping right around my 1200 calorie goal if not slightly below. So far I'm not noticing anything -- I was hoping working out would start feeling better, and I'd start having more energy, but that doesn't seem to be happening yet. I'm trying to stick with cardio to start out with, then start working on strength training once I've gotten in the habit of regular cardio. (Also, I'm a little worried strength training will be difficult for me, and I'm trying not to make myself miserable right off the bat -- one thing at a time.)

Any tips would be appreciated, even if it's just that I need to chill out and wait for a few weeks to see/feel results!

Replies

  • johnallen12
    johnallen12 Posts: 46 Member
    If you could provide a bit more information? Are you just one week into the program? Does this mean you've only just now started working out this past week? If that's the case, I think you're right-- you should chill out a bit. I see you joined back in July though, so are you saying you don't feel any better now than almost a year ago? Is the 1200 calorie goal you've set for yourself about 500 calories a day less than maintenance level or did you set an even lower calorie goal? And when you exercise on the eliptical for 30 - 45 minutes, do you add the calories you expended back into your diet?
  • abbym919
    abbym919 Posts: 23
    Of course, sorry, I thought I was being thorough but clearly not :)

    I started working out about a week and a half ago (Sunday April 22), and started logging on MFP just over a week ago (Tuesday April 24. I worked out 5 days last week, and so far 4 days this week -- in my mind that's two weeks' worth since I'm about to hit my 5th day of working out for this week, though it's not a full two weeks.

    I joined last July and honestly didn't do it right, I was eating too little and so of course that didn't last long. But I'm trying to do it right this time. I suppose i just meant I don't feel any better than I did when I started working out -- I was hoping by working out 5x/week, I'd start having more energy faster, and my body would get used to it faster.

    The 1200 calories is what MFP set for me based on my goals -- I'm not sure what my maintenance level would be. I usually try to eat back my exercise calories, but since I work out at night and don't like prematurely eating my exercise calories during the day, it doesn't always happen. But I've seen that that's definitely something people recommend, so I'm trying to!

    The more I type this out, the more I realize I just need to give it some time -- I just notice people on here saying how much weight they lost in the first month, and I feel like I'm almost halfway through my first month with no results yet.
  • johnallen12
    johnallen12 Posts: 46 Member
    Yep. More time. The best way to look at long term goals is to realize that time will pass regardless of whether you're working toward a goal or not. A year will go by whether or not you work on your health. Just keep in mind where you want to be at the end of that time and put in the work today that will get you there. This can work with all types of goals- financial, educational, career, or fitness to name just a few. Good luck!
  • shaycat
    shaycat Posts: 980
    Just give it time and keep at it.
    You can plan on having a protein shake or bar after your workout so your are eating back some of your calories.
    Are you using a HRM to track how much you burn? If not beware that the machines and MFP tend to overestimate calories burned.
    If you find yourself growing bored of the elliptical, switch it up a bit. Try zumba or maybe 30 day shred.
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