What am I doing wrong?

ZoeyRobinson

So I have been working out for years. Actually, my entire life. However, back in 2007 I changed my diet completely and kept up with my workouts. I have lost 20 pounds and kept it off. However, the last 25 pounds will not budge. I make sure I burn 800-1,000 calories a day 6 times a week. I eat anywhere from 1200-1400 calories 6 days a week. I do allow myself one day of rest and a cheat day. But my cheat days always include some kind of physical activity and my calories never go over 2,000. I eat healthy foods. Vegetables, fruits, gluten free grains (I have celiacs) and I never have anything fried. I make my meals so I know whats going into my body. I just cannot seem to lose weight or inches. I am very muscular but I want to get rid of the layer of fat. Oh I am a 28 year old female. Does anyone have any tips or advice? Thanks a lot.

erikatoth

I may be controversial here, but I think the only thing you're doing wrong is the cheat day/rest day; not even that, but the attitude this implies. It impliest that it's a diet, its a temporary thing, it's a bad thing, so I have to cheat on it to feel good. You may think I sound really dodgy, but your head can make wonders.

My advice would be, eat around 1300-1400 calories, (lessif it's enough for you, but listen to your body), have a half an hour (even light) exercise each day and forget cheat days. Eat a pizza if you fancy , but eat half and stay within the daily cal allowance. heck your fruits - they are good for you but can spike up your cals (sugar) fast. Other than that I really dont think you're doing anything wrong at all. The only advice I can share is what I learnt myself - don't diet, change your attitude forever. Which is: eat and burn calories at a corresponding rate, and make it a lifetime commitment,. Dont cheat, dont overindulge (ever), if you want something, have a little, or medium sized portion freely. Drink lots of water. Exercise a bit every day.

Hope it helps a bit, not sure if it will, it looks like you've already done tremendously well (25 pounds, wow!)

Also as a side note, celiacs can make you be heavier than you usually would be, anyhow - not sure why! - so just keep it in mind before beng too hard on yourself, it may be part of the reason for your weight, which means you are a bit unlucky and have to work a bit harder than others

The one mantra that works for me is every time I want to e at something I know I really shouldnt, I ask myself the question "This is going to delay me. Am I ok with that, yes or no?" the answer is always such a surprisingly easy no!

(for background, I was 68 kilos and just lost 11 kilos, following the above simple principles and eating what i fancied.)

mikem45

If the cheat day is important I would change it to a cheat meal and just choose one meal a week to eat whatever you want.

tjk71

If your burning that many calories a day you may not be eating enough! Surprising I know.....but that stalled me out. Once I upped my calories a bit with healthy foods it got me going again. Your body needs fuel to burn!
I would cut back on carbs, eat your fruits before 2p.m. so your body has time to burn the sugar off , vegetables & lean protein. Try keeping your cal. around 1400-1600 & see what happens......always keep in mind though they need to be healthy calories!

nikki8marie

Maybe try changing things up on your body. For example, one day have a higher cal day followed by a lower one (as long as you aren't starving yourself). Or you could try a different type of physical activity. If your always doing the same exercises switch it up. Good luck.

ELM1414

Make sure to increase your calories every 3rd day. Example: Day 1 1300 cal, Day 2 1200 cal, Day 3 1800 cal, and repeat. Be sure to add some resistance training as well.

Sheila_Ann

I agree with tjk71. Everyone is different, but for me, I tend to eat back my calories. At one point I was working out 5 days straight and eating my 1200 calories a day. On my neight weigh in..I didn't even lose an ounce!!! I was shocked and upset. I had worked out so hard and nothing. I met with my nutritionist and she said I was probably netting 300 calories a day after my workout. Now I make sure I add my workout and eat them back. The following week I had lost 1.2 lbs. There are days that I don't eat them all back because I'm just not hungry and I refuse to eat just to eat. Def keep an eye on fruits as they are high in sugar!

Best of luck to you!
Sheila :flowerforyou:

wahmx3

you will never lose the last 25 pounds unless you up your calories by at least 500 a day and keep them there every day. You are literally staving your body by eating so little compared to what you are burning.

ZoeyRobinson

Thanks for the tips. My cheat days are still healthy I just allow myself to eat out at a restaurant like chipotle or have some greek yogurt and home made air popped popcorn with a little salt. So my cheat days are still healthy. It's not like I am eating pizza, ice cream or other unhealthy foods.

I think I am going to up my calls to 1300 and back off on the workouts. Walking 10 miles in 2 hours may be causing me to burn out? I will stick with 5 miles and some other fun activities.

Thank you all for your help.

Jo2926

Your cheat days don't sound too much like cheats! You are only eating 2000 calories but burning off about half.

it sounds like you are not eating enough most days - 1200 cals and burning 800+ - leaves only a few to fuel your body. Maybe try eating back exercise calories for a few weeks and see what happens.

nancyki

I agree with erika... change your mindset and avoid using the term "cheating". Your plan should allow for a few more higher calorie items that you enjoy, just less frequently than before. You might increase those calories, too. Go for closer to 1400. I worked in the medical VLCD business and can say that your system may consider itself starving on the very low calories and reacts by holding onto fat cells for protection from starvation.
And don't forget to congratulate yourself for what you have achieved!