lots of Inches and weight up...5 weeks in...Help!!

Zylayna

Ok, so I know I'm in for the long haul.-my metabolism is messed up...I've been to nutritionists, drs, personal trainers, you name it and NO ONE can help me get my weight down (I don't have a thyroid problem or any medical issues they can find either and I'm very determined and persistent so it's not failure to follow through). So, I found this group and figured it's the one thing no one has tried, it must be what's wrong! I will tell you some NSV's to start so that you have a full picture. I no longer suffer from depression, insomnia, or constant tiredness. Yah!!

However, here's my trend over 5 weeks of eating more.
Start weight: 161
Weight now: 164.2
Max Weight since EM: 165.8

Not so bad right? I mean I'm only 5 weeks in...this is to be expected. However, it's not trending down according to 'the Hacker's Diet' Graph...it's trending UP!

Inches: (here's where I'm starting to freak out.

April 23 - May 8
Neck: 13 3/4 to 13 1/2 (1/4 loss)
Right Bicep: 28 to 29 (1 gain)
Right Forearm: 10 to 10 1/4 (1/4 gain)
Over Bust: 36 to 38 (2 gain)
Under Bust: 36 to 36 1/2 (1/2 gain)
Bust: 41 to 41 (no change)
Waist: 36 to 36 1/2 (1/2 gain)
Hips: 102 to 104 (2 gain)
Right Wrist: 6 to 6 (no change)
Right Thigh: 60 to 59 (1 loss)
Right Calf: 15 1/2 to 15 3/4 (1/4 gain)

That's a 4 1/4 inch total GAIN once you subtract out the small loss in the thigh and neck. You see why I'm freaking out??!!!

Here's my stats. I've run these numbers so MANY times, I don't know what I've done wrong.

Age 38
Height 5'5"
Weight (current) 164.2

Here's my weekly exercise:
Desk job Mon - Fri
P90X 6 days/week (this is 3 strength, 3 cardio workouts of 1 hr each
Walk the dog 7 days a week for an hour each at a pace of 3.5 m/hr
One 'rest' day.

When I'm at home in the evenings, it alternates between constant cleaning/cooking etc for about 3 hours or I just chill after supper with my family.

According to the Scooby's Workshop calculator (http://scoobysworkshop.com/calorie-calculator/) this is my info:
TDEE: 2590
BMR: 1501
TDEE - 15%: 2202

I currently tend to average about 1600 NET calories over the course of a week and my protein is decent (if not perfect). I get about 8 glasses of water a day, plus other drinks (I just forget to log them...sorry) My sodium is average (although I may have a bad day once in a while if we eat out or something - which is rare) I have not had a jump in energy, just a shift from exhaustion. I am 4 days past my TOM. (in case you are wondering if it's causing any issues)

I'm really thinking I need to go DOWN in calories....but I'm scared I'll ruin any progress I might be making with my metabolism, but at this point I think I'm going in the wrong direction!

Please help??? My diary is open.

ANewLucia

Ok, would you please wait 3 more days and take your measurements again. I say this because for me TOM water weight just doesn't disappear that quick, it is more like a week before I am back to "normal".

Also, I feel like you may not be eating enough, you literally do 2 hours of exercise everyday except one and on that day you still walk. You never rest. You body is constantly holding water because it is constantly trying to repair. You don't have a down day.

Based on your exercise, I really wouldn't go down at all in calories. Please wait 3 days, and can you take two days off from exercise to weigh and do the measurements....yes, nothing at all for two days for a true measurement and weigh-in eating the cut val ofcourse.

witrixie2011

After I read your post I thought exactly the same thing about your activity level. Because if you're only "moderate" then I'm definitely not doing enough.

Maybe you need to bump up to the next level and see what happens? You seem crazy active to me. (Which is a good thing!!)

Zylayna

Yeah, I can wait three days. I've been waiting years to lose some weight...three days I can do. I can skip P90X, throw the dog on the treadmill so she gets her walk and I guess the house can fall apart for a few days...LOL

Although, I do have to plant my garden in the next two days.....it's small and I already hauled the six 75lb bales of peat moss yesterday and got those mixed in so that's done haha...it shouldn't be a problem for me to do a little gardening for about 2 hrs will it?

Zylayna

After I read your post I thought exactly the same thing about your activity level. Because if you're only "moderate" then I'm definitely not doing enough.

Maybe you need to bump up to the next level and see what happens? You seem crazy active to me. (Which is a good thing!!)

I'm starting to think it'd be easier to figure all this out if I was totally sedentary!!! But unfortunately, I don't know how to be sedentary! We went to Mexico a few years back and I could only sit on the beach for about 1/2 hr before I was dying to get just get up and DO SOMETHING!! LOL, maybe I'll get better at being sedentary as I get older. :laugh:

ANewLucia

Yeah, I can wait three days. I've been waiting years to lose some weight...three days I can do. I can skip P90X, throw the dog on the treadmill so she gets her walk and I guess the house can fall apart for a few days...LOL

Although, I do have to plant my garden in the next two days.....it's small and I already hauled the six 75lb bales of peat moss yesterday and got those mixed in so that's done haha...it shouldn't be a problem for me to do a little gardening for about 2 hrs will it?

LOL, whew, you don't know how to relax...wow, your activity level is too low, but I don't want you to fall over telling you to bump up to the next, but man, you do a lot...WAY MORE THAN ME! I am at moderate...I lift 3 days and zumba once (I try to get in a HIIT but usually doesn't happen).

If you have to garden, that is fine, keep it light, drink plenty of water the entire time and eat your cut cals.

rebekahgo

dude, i think they are right...the only thing that needs to go down at this point is your butt in a big comfy chair in front of the tv or with a nice book.

our stats are actually kind of similar. i'm 4 weeks in, 36 yo, 5'5" and our starting weights are only 8.5 pounds apart. BUT, i am not nearly so active as you, and my net is a good bit above yours. my cut value is 1900 and with my eating to tdee after lift days, i might actually be netting above that cut value. and, it just so happened that when i started this process, i ran into a period of about 2 weeks where i was able to exercise very little, and that may have actually worked out very well for me because my results seem to indicate that i hit my sweet spot as far as cals and exercise and converting flabby fat to muscle are concerned.

i think you need to cut down your activity. and then maybe even up your cals too....but one step at a time for now. netting 1600 per day is only 100 above your BMR. something's gotta give because you sure aren't laying around in a coma or sleeping all day...you are active and burning burning burning a whole lot more than just what you are registering as exercise.

your NSVs really show that this is the right path for you, imo. it's put the screws to depression and insomnia and lethargy. you just need to find the right balance for you to reach your other goals.

Zylayna

Yeah, I can wait three days. I've been waiting years to lose some weight...three days I can do. I can skip P90X, throw the dog on the treadmill so she gets her walk and I guess the house can fall apart for a few days...LOL

Although, I do have to plant my garden in the next two days.....it's small and I already hauled the six 75lb bales of peat moss yesterday and got those mixed in so that's done haha...it shouldn't be a problem for me to do a little gardening for about 2 hrs will it?

LOL, whew, you don't know how to relax...wow, your activity level is too low, but I don't want you to fall over telling you to bump up to the next, but man, you do a lot...WAY MORE THAN ME! I am at moderate...I lift 3 days and zumba once (I try to get in a HIIT but usually doesn't happen).

If you have to garden, that is fine, keep it light, drink plenty of water the entire time and eat your cut cals.

Ok, I will do my best not to break a sweat! haha

If I need to go up in calories, it'll be hard physically and emotionally (I've barely gotten used to eating what I am!) but I want to do this RIGHT. So, I am prepared to take whatever steps I need to get me moving in the right direction. and to work through whatever fears, setbacks and tears that may come. I honestly feel like this is my last hope, so I'm going to give it all I have. It's all or nothing right?

Just think, if you and Kiki can help me to lose weight, you'll have accomplished something that others have deemed impossible! :flowerforyou:

Zylayna

dude, i think they are right...the only thing that needs to go down at this point is your butt in a big comfy chair in front of the tv or with a nice book.

oh, my gosh I laughed so hard at this I started crying...stress relief tears I think!! :laugh:

your NSVs really show that this is the right path for you, imo. it's put the screws to depression and insomnia and lethargy. you just need to find the right balance for you to reach your other goals.

These NSV's are definitely the things that I cling to that I must be doing something right. Thank you for confirming that. :happy:

rebekahgo

i feel like i need to add this though....if decreasing your activity leads to a return of depression or effects your mood or brings the insomnia back, maybe you need to look at the eating more solution first. OR a combo of eating more and decreasing the intensity of your activity. you know yourself best, and you seem attuned to your needs well enough to tailor this lifestyle to your own needs. this isn't an exact science and not everyone fits into the same mold.

Zylayna

i feel like i need to add this though....if decreasing your activity leads to a return of depression or effects your mood or brings the insomnia back, maybe you need to look at the eating more solution first. OR a combo of eating more and decreasing the intensity of your activity. you know yourself best, and you seem attuned to your needs well enough to tailor this lifestyle to your own needs. this isn't an exact science and not everyone fits into the same mold.

Absolutely - I agree! I have no desire to end up back in that state! It's awful!

Zylayna

Ok, how does THIS happen....now I'm really confused!!

I just plugged my numbers in to the fat to fit Fat 2 Fit Radio Covert Bailey Body Fat Calculator. If you recall from the original post, my weight is up and my inches are up a LOT. But, apparently my body fat is down???????? WHAT? I don't understand!

April Body fat was 27.5% and May's Body Fat is 26.5%

How do I gain weight AND inches and lose BF????? (oh, and I made sure to put all inches into the calculator since I sometimes tend to measure in inches or cm for some reason)

fiveohmike

Ok, how does THIS happen....now I'm really confused!!

I just plugged my numbers in to the fat to fit Fat 2 Fit Radio Covert Bailey Body Fat Calculator. If you recall from the original post, my weight is up and my inches are up a LOT. But, apparently my body fat is down???????? WHAT? I don't understand!

April Body fat was 27.5% and May's Body Fat is 26.5%

How do I gain weight AND inches and lose BF????? (oh, and I made sure to put all inches into the calculator since I sometimes tend to measure in inches or cm for some reason)

Lean muscle mass and/or water weight

Zylayna

Ok, how does THIS happen....now I'm really confused!!

I just plugged my numbers in to the fat to fit Fat 2 Fit Radio Covert Bailey Body Fat Calculator. If you recall from the original post, my weight is up and my inches are up a LOT. But, apparently my body fat is down???????? WHAT? I don't understand!

April Body fat was 27.5% and May's Body Fat is 26.5%

How do I gain weight AND inches and lose BF????? (oh, and I made sure to put all inches into the calculator since I sometimes tend to measure in inches or cm for some reason)

Lean muscle mass and/or water weight

but if I'm trading muscle for fat, wouldn't the inches go down? and if water is causing the inches to stay up, wouldn't that affect the calculator somehow? I thought for the BF % to go down, either weight or inches would have to decrease, but for both to go up, it confuses me....

fiveohmike

At least for me, if my weight AND measurements go up, its usually attributed to water weight (but I dont have the issue of the TOM) I think it was a weekend ago, I had a bad weekend where I at massive amounts of sodium, I was like 5 or 6 lbs heavier and my measurements were up across the board. Waited until Friday to measure again, I was down on weight and measurements .

Zylayna

At least for me, if my weight AND measurements go up, its usually attributed to water weight (but I dont have the issue of the TOM) I think it was a weekend ago, I had a bad weekend where I at massive amounts of sodium, I was like 5 or 6 lbs heavier and my measurements were up across the board. Waited until Friday to measure again, I was down on weight and measurements .

Yeah, Lucia has me being lazy for 2 days, eating my cut and then remeasuring. So hopefully I will see the numbers go down. I just redid the BF% because I realized I forgot to change the weight between months, but it still has me down 0.5% BF which still puts me in a state of slight shock! :noway:

If I'm actually still losing BF, then I guess it's shifting but I can't quite picture in my head what on earth my body is doing...it just doesn't compute in my head for some reason. :ohwell:

Cclancaster

Did you use the same calculator as you did the last time? You lost a little bit off of some areas so maybe it is taking those areas into consideration?

Zylayna

Did you use the same calculator as you did the last time? You lost a little bit off of some areas so maybe it is taking those areas into consideration?

yep, ran the numbers through the same calculator. Even did both calculations today with the same calculator just to make sure I didn't screw something up last time or something. I think the only two measurements that didn't go up that the calculator used was thigh (which is down 1 inch) and wrist (no change). Does an inch in the thigh counteract everything else that much?

tabinmaine

I think someone like yourself would really benefit from a BodyMedia Fit, to see what you are really burning, you are very active

roro73

I think someone like yourself would really benefit from a BodyMedia Fit, to see what you are really burning, you are very active

I completely agree. The BMF is really eye opening. I have a desk job but stairs at work which I have to use throughout the day. Most online calculators I use give me a TDEE of approx 2000 but I've consistently worn my BMF for a little over a week and average 2500 a day (and I hate to admit it, haven't worked out once during that time). You are probably in the 3000's and don't even realize it. You can buy one at Costco.com even if you aren't a member and it comes with the 12 month subscription.

Kooopons

My stats are very similar to yours! I'm 38, 5'5", starting weight was 157, and I started eating more on April 11. I was doing a VLC diet since Jan and lost a great deal but it was lean mass. I was looking thinner but not looking good and I knew I couldn't keep at it with that few calories a day. My weight loss was slowing and that's when I found this group. I started eating more on about April 11- just under 4 weeks.

My weight has fluctuated from 155 to 160. I pretty much have lost nothing on the scale (kind of frustrating) but I have lost in inches. Off the top of my head I've lost 3in from my waist, 1/2in from hips (FINALLY), 1in from bust, 1/2 in from my calf- that's in under 4 weeks. Now my big difference is that I'm WAY WAY WAY less active than you. I'm doing NROLFW and that's it. I lift 3 days a week. I was thinking of throwing in one day of something else, but haven't yet. I'm fairly active chasing after young kids and walking and a lot of up/down all day, but no dedicated routine other than weights.

I eat 1800 a day (20% cut from mod active), some days I eat up to 2000. I rarely go lower than that. Since I'm only weight lifting I don't have big burns to drop below my bmr (1457).

So I agree, you aren't eating enough. I mean we are practically identical except I eat more than you and do less!

Mommyof3texans

I took a look at the last three days and couldn't find a single vegetable in there, I think maybe you are missing out on the benefits of various veggies on fat loss and in getting your nutrients. I know many say calories in/calories out but there are foods that are way better at getting you to your goal than others are.

Steam up some veggies for dinner, add some baby spinach to a sandwich or wrap or have a salad with tomatoes, cucumbers and bell peppers.

Zylayna

I took a look at the last three days and couldn't find a single vegetable in there, I think maybe you are missing out on the benefits of various veggies on fat loss and in getting your nutrients. I know many say calories in/calories out but there are foods that are way better at getting you to your goal than others are.

Steam up some veggies for dinner, add some baby spinach to a sandwich or wrap or have a salad with tomatoes, cucumbers and bell peppers.

hmmm, strange since there are veggies in there. I also tend not to list small portions like a leaf in my sandwich or a bite of cucumber or exactly all of what goes in my salads. I sometimes just kinda lump those things together, but I can assure you, I do eat vegetables. I love veggies! (although I do see that I missed them totally today. I took some steamed veggies for lunch but was so NOT hungry I barely got through what I did eat...they kinda came home with me. I assure you that is not the usual though)

Zylayna

I think someone like yourself would really benefit from a BodyMedia Fit, to see what you are really burning, you are very active

I hadn't really thought about it...I will look at that option! Especially since I'm starting to get the sneaky suspicion ya'll think I've underestimated my exercise and need to eat more.... :laugh:

Zylayna

sigh....one day of doing nothing and my weight jumped up to 165.6 (1.4lbs up). and yesterday I had to buy a pair of hiking pants...2 sizes larger than normal.

This is what my trend looks like (and coupled with the inches going up) I'm feeling very, very discouraged today. Yesterday I freaked, today I'm just sad.

Hopefully tomorrow is better. I think I'll go cry now....it's a good stress reliever I hear. :sad:

https://www.fourmilab.ch/cgi-bin/HackDiet?q=histchart&s=K0707KJW6K89800494K91631FF4WFJ211077KQKF&width=800&height=600&start=2012-4-16&end=2012-5-9&qx=QG1K&HDiet_tzoffset=360

(hopefully the link works...I don't know how to add an image...)

Zylayna

I just read this from Kiki...wow. You guys really are nailing things on the head....I have a lot of the symptoms listed in this article of over-training so between you guys and this article, I think I'm starting to REALLY understand what I'm doing wrong. Only problem now is....how do I adjust food and exercise again...sigh. back to the drawing board!!!


http://www.shapefit.com/overtraining-exercising-too-much.html

ANewLucia

I just read this from Kiki...wow. You guys really are nailing things on the head....I have a lot of the symptoms listed in this article of over-training so between you guys and this article, I think I'm starting to REALLY understand what I'm doing wrong. Only problem now is....how do I adjust food and exercise again...sigh. back to the drawing board!!!


http://www.shapefit.com/overtraining-exercising-too-much.html

For right now, until figured out, just don't adjust food down....

Zylayna

I just read this from Kiki...wow. You guys really are nailing things on the head....I have a lot of the symptoms listed in this article of over-training so between you guys and this article, I think I'm starting to REALLY understand what I'm doing wrong. Only problem now is....how do I adjust food and exercise again...sigh. back to the drawing board!!!


http://www.shapefit.com/overtraining-exercising-too-much.html

For right now, until figured out, just don't adjust food down....

I won't...promise. I've stopped all exercise as prescribed and will report in with weight and measurements tomorrow morning so that you can take a peek. Then, I'll see what you say and adjust accordingly!!

Zylayna

Ok Lucia, I've chilled for a couple of days and on the third day 'rose again' and took my measurements/weight. Here's what I have for you:

Weight Today: 165
Start weight: 161
Weight 2 days ago: 164.2
Max Weight since EM: 165.8

Inches (Today, May 10)
Neck: 13 1/2
Right Bicep: 11.5 (or 29 cm)
Right Forearm:10 1/4
Over Bust: 39 (1 inch gain)
Under Bust: 36 1/2
Bust: 42 (1 inch gain)
Waist: 36 1/2
Hips: 41 (or 104cm)
Right Wrist: 6 to 6
Right Thigh: 23 1/4 (or 59cm)
Right Calf: 15 1/2 (1/4 loss)

This equates to 2 inches gained in chest area and a 1/4 inch loss in the calf. :sad: now, I'm sure some of you don't mind extra in the bust, but I've got plenty...don't need any more!!!

Below is a recap of the first set of gains I had so you can see how much I've upped in inches...it makes a total of about 6 inches or so up?!


April 23 - May 8
Neck: 13 3/4 to 13 1/2 (1/4 loss)
Right Bicep: 28 to 29 (1 gain)
Right Forearm: 10 to 10 1/4 (1/4 gain)
Over Bust: 36 to 38 (2 gain)
Under Bust: 36 to 36 1/2 (1/2 gain)
Bust: 41 to 41 (no change)
Waist: 36 to 36 1/2 (1/2 gain)
Hips: 102 to 104 (2 gain)
Right Wrist: 6 to 6 (no change)
Right Thigh: 60 to 59 (1 loss)
Right Calf: 15 1/2 to 15 3/4 (1/4 gain)

We've been talking about the fact that my workouts are too much for what I'm eating so I've considered the following:
Desk job Mon - Fri
Strength/lifting (P90X style) 2x/week for an hour each
Plyometrics (jump training) 1hr/week (or substitute a leg strength day for an hour)
Walk the dog 7 days a week for an hour each at a pace of 3.5 m/hr
One 'rest' day plus all the regular gardening, cleaning, cooking etc I tend to do during the week.

Set my exercise to 5-6 hours strenuous which would keep me eating at the same tdee cut I am now (so my food wouldn't change but my exercise would decrease considerably?)

According to the Scooby's Workshop calculator (http://scoobysworkshop.com/calorie-calculator/) this is my info:
TDEE: 2584
BMR: 1498
TDEE - 15%: 2196

BUT, here's what I don't know for sure...is my food intake just too high??? Will just decreasing my workout not help? Do I need to drop calories a bit too - maybe use a 20% cut instead of a 15%?

SOOZIE429

Hi there, I'm pretty new to this EMLW, but I've been reading a lot about it and am on my 2nd week. I've also been reading the Fat2Fit book and have used their tools. I think they are the most accurate. I plugged in your information and here's what I got for you. Also, I just guessed at your goal weight to be 130. Here you go:

Custom BMR Calculation

Thanks for checking your BMR here on Fat 2 Fit Radio. If you're not already subscribed to Fat 2 Fit Radio, consider doing so today. Please visit the Subscribe page to get the podcast delivered automatically to your iTunes, Juice, e-mail inbox or the podcatcher of your choice for FREE.

Entered information: 38 year old female, 65 inches tall, weighing 165 pounds.

From the information that you entered, you'd like to weigh 130 lbs.

Harris-Benedict Formula

There are a few different methods to calculating yourbasal metabolic rate (BMR). One of the most popular, developed in the early 1900's is called the Harris-Benedict formula. Based on this formula, your current BMR is 1500 calories.

Katch-McArdle Forumla

The numbers above are fairly accurate, however they don't take into account your lean body mass. A more accurate formula that does take your lean body mass into account is the Katch-McArdle formula. Since many of us have scales that will tell us our current body fat, this formula may yield more accurate results. Based on the information you provided, body fat percentage of 26.5%, you have a lean body mass of 121 lbs., and your BMR is 1558 calories.

How Many Calories Should I Eat?

Based on your goal weight, the following chart was generated. The chart shows the number of calories that you should eat on a daily basis to reach your goal weight. At Fat 2 Fit Radio we advocate eating like the thin, healthy person that you want to become. The calorie levels you see in the chart are not extreme, but they do create that all important caloric deficit that is required to get you to your goal weight in a safe manner. Once you reach your goal weight, you will continue eating the same number of calories for the rest of your life to maintain that weight. You'll never be on a diet again.

Based on how much activity you do on an average day, the calories in the right column will be the number of calories that you will be able to eat at your goal weight. If you start eating those calories right now (eating like the thinner you), you will eventually become that thinner person. As you get closer to your goal weight, your weight loss will start to slow down. It is OK to eat a few hundred calories less per day (200-300) to speed up your weight loss at this point.

Activity Level Daily Calories

Sedentary (little or no exercise, desk job) 1616
Lightly Active (light exercise/sports 1-3 days/wk) 1852
Moderately Active (moderate exercise/sports 3-5 days/wk) 2088
Very Active (hard exercise/sports 6-7 days/wk) 2324
Extremely Active (hard daily exercise/sports & physical job or
2X day training, i.e marathon, contest etc.) 2559

If you have any questions on what you've read here, please contact us.

SOOZIE429

So I would classify you as the Very Active person. That's about 200 more calories a day than you are eating now, right?

But I really agree with the others for you to get a BodyMedia Fit. That's how I figured out my TDEE.

Good luck!!