frustrated, confused, and ready to quit. HALP!!

yksdoris

I got stuck a while ago on my weightloss journey (just 10 lb grom goal) and I'm a shortie too - 5'1. So, what helped me was tweaking the carb/protein proportions

I *try* to hit my protein marks by eating lots of cottage cheese, chicken, tuna and salmon, beans, broccoli, eggs etc. Whenever I eat carbs I try to combine that with items that are also high on fiber as that makes it easier for the food to get processed.

(you can take a look at my diary, it's open to all IIRC. except please skip the last 2 weeks, I was on vacation and ate whatever I wanted though I did try to guesstimate how much it was. When I got back from my vacation the scale said I was 4 lb heavier than when I went but in just 3 days I'm back to where I left off, guess it was all just water weight or the body still processing all that food)

squigglypuff

You have to recognize that most of what everyone is telling you is constructive criticism. If you just make excuses for your choices, you'll not get anywhere.

you're not eating clean and you won't lose any real weight until you cut out the denny's, mc donalds and other fast food...buy lean meats and chicken and eat fresh veggies and fruit. stay away from salt.

the thing is, i DID lose 30 pounds while eating "dirty." i thought i was doing it in moderation (and choosing "healthy" options when out), but i guess i was just fooling myself. i realize it's constructive criticism, that's what i was asking for, and i appreciate the input. it's easy to make excuses, i'm sure everyone has done the same at some point, but i'm definitely going to keep all of this in mind next time i want to inhale some salty fatty things.

squigglypuff

Your long term commitment to food logging sucks! It looks like for the last few weeks you may have been logging your food...But prior to that...wow!...lots of nothing. No wonder you are confused.

i did mention that i stopped logging for months and i know that's a huge problem. i'm trying to track again. thank you for your helpful comment -___-

NewChristina

You may not be as big as you think you are. Lower your sodium intake for a couple of days. Drink plenty of water and see what happens. You may be just bloated.

MTBrob

Ok ok .. fine you say you are not eating those on a consistent basis.. thats good.. However.. the choices are still bad.. Replace what I said STOP with Bad Process food and still follow what I said to Start and your issue is still resolved..

graceylou222

Pretty simple fix to your issue..

STOP

eating pizza

McDonalds,

Ice coffee drinks ..

and other un healthy foods


Start

Eating more fruits and veggies and LEAN protein like Turkey Chicken lean beef....

Drink more water instead of sugary drinks..


work out 3- 5 days a week and be consistent... issue is now resolved.

I agree with this. Sometimes we all have bad days, weeks, but you can't let it get out of control. Honestly my biggest thing is alcohol, I don't ever log it, but I bet if we didn't drink any for 2 weeks we would notice a small difference.... And pizza, ah pizza. lol

squigglypuff

I agree with the others. You're eating too many sweets and processed foods. Smoothies are not necessarily your friend, either. Eliminating wheat and sugar from your diet can make a big difference. I read an article today that recommended exercising before you eat. Your body will burn your fat stores. You might want to try that. Concentrate more on aerobics for fat loss than on weights for strength, at least for now. It might help you get in that dress. I would not eat back all the exercise calories. I would only eat half of them if even that many. Best wishes.

i've read that too much cardio is not the best way for short people to lose weight because it increases the appetite too much. i've also read that too much weight training is bad because it makes short people bulk up. i'm seeing a lot of conflicting information when it comes to what sort of exercise would be best for me, and that's another reason i'm so confused. thanks for the help!

rlouise14

Also, careful eating back those exercise calories. I'm 5'0, when I go over my recommended 1200, I stay the same weight or go up a pound or 2 (water gain, carb gain I know). Unfortunately, we petites have to be mindful of our calories and from where they come. The guy above is right with WHAT your eating. You have to eat clean. (And those fancy coffee's are a killer, take it from someone who LOVES them)

would you suggest not eating back the exercise calories? after i work out, i want to eat EVERYTHING.

If you feel hungry after a work out try just drinking a couple of glasses of water. It will fill you up in no time or have a piece of fruit.

kls13la

Are you using a HRM to calculate your workout calories? You've got 900+ and 700+ in your diary, which seems like a lot for a person of your size and the workouts you described. Eating back too many calories could definitely throw you off.

Tonga32

OMG. I felt like i was reading my history. My story is the exact same. I thought it was just me but guess not . Hopefully we get answers soon. I too have a wedding coming up and I want to look my best.

squigglypuff

Also, careful eating back those exercise calories. I'm 5'0, when I go over my recommended 1200, I stay the same weight or go up a pound or 2 (water gain, carb gain I know). Unfortunately, we petites have to be mindful of our calories and from where they come. The guy above is right with WHAT your eating. You have to eat clean. (And those fancy coffee's are a killer, take it from someone who LOVES them)

would you suggest not eating back the exercise calories? after i work out, i want to eat EVERYTHING.

If you feel hungry after a work out try just drinking a couple of glasses of water. It will fill you up in no time or have a piece of fruit.

i don't think "hungry" adequately describes the way i feel after working out. it's more like ravenous to the point of feeling faint.

squigglypuff

Are you using a HRM to calculate your workout calories? You've got 900+ and 700+ in your diary, which seems like a lot for a person of your size and the workouts you described. Eating back too many calories could definitely throw you off.

no, i wrote that i don't have an HRM yet. i use the calculations that MFP comes up with. the machines at the gym tell me i burn three times what MFP says, and that can't possibly be accurate. i am going to try to eat back half the exercise calories until i can afford an HRM.

squigglypuff

OMG. I felt like i was reading my history. My story is the exact same. I thought it was just me but guess not . Hopefully we get answers soon. I too have a wedding coming up and I want to look my best.

we can do this together! i'm going to send you a friend request

Maryaly40

Also, careful eating back those exercise calories. I'm 5'0, when I go over my recommended 1200, I stay the same weight or go up a pound or 2 (water gain, carb gain I know). Unfortunately, we petites have to be mindful of our calories and from where they come. The guy above is right with WHAT your eating. You have to eat clean. (And those fancy coffee's are a killer, take it from someone who LOVES them)

would you suggest not eating back the exercise calories? after i work out, i want to eat EVERYTHING.

What has helped me the most.....PROTEIN! Seriously, protein shake, greek yogurt with an apple or strawberries/raspberries (that's my favorite). Eggs, if your super hungry, make an egg/egg white omelet with veggies some fruit. Lots of water. I'm stuck too, but I know what my problem is.....going over my calories on a binge (been worrying alot lately life stuff in general). Also, concentrate more on the weightlifting. Don't kill yourself with cardio, the more cardio I do, the hungrier I get. If I do a 10 min warmup cardio then my weights then I stretch and go home, I'm not so hungry. There's a book I got too The Petite Advantage Diet by Jim Karas was very helpful to me. I don't follow his suggested diet, but loads of great tips for us shorties. Feel free to add me as a friend too. Hope this helps!

MTBrob

What you said about short people applies to tall people.. Just because people are taller doesn't mean they have bigger stomachs etc .. We're all different..

Weight training isn't going to bulk you up unless you want to bulk up .. Don't lift heavy .. Lift light with cardio involved..

My Wife is 4'11 105lbs.. Very tone and I am very jealous ... She runs about 12 miles a week and wight trains with nothing heavier than 10 lbs..

Her diet consists of a protein and carb rich breakfast ... A larger salad for lunch with protein ( usually chicken or tuna ) she works out in the afternoon and has a protein shake after work out

For dinner its a leaner protein like chicken and veggies with usually a piece of fruit.

We are all ravenous after a work out.. This is a GOOD thing it means you really worked your system .. Feed it something right... IF you eat larger HEALTHIER meals while staying in your metrics you will be less hungry all the time and less prone to grab something not good for you.

squigglypuff

Also, careful eating back those exercise calories. I'm 5'0, when I go over my recommended 1200, I stay the same weight or go up a pound or 2 (water gain, carb gain I know). Unfortunately, we petites have to be mindful of our calories and from where they come. The guy above is right with WHAT your eating. You have to eat clean. (And those fancy coffee's are a killer, take it from someone who LOVES them)

would you suggest not eating back the exercise calories? after i work out, i want to eat EVERYTHING.

What has helped me the most.....PROTEIN! Seriously, protein shake, greek yogurt with an apple or strawberries/raspberries (that's my favorite). Eggs, if your super hungry, make an egg/egg white omelet with veggies some fruit. Lots of water. I'm stuck too, but I know what my problem is.....going over my calories on a binge (been worrying alot lately life stuff in general). Also, concentrate more on the weightlifting. Don't kill yourself with cardio, the more cardio I do, the hungrier I get. If I do a 10 min warmup cardio then my weights then I stretch and go home, I'm not so hungry. There's a book I got too The Petite Advantage Diet by Jim Karas was very helpful to me. I don't follow his suggested diet, but loads of great tips for us shorties. Feel free to add me as a friend too. Hope this helps!

have you found a protein powder or shake that you would recommend? i don't remember what kind i tried but it tasted very "dusty" to me. i've been trying to use the carnation instant breakfast mixes as a way to re-introduce "dusty" tasting drinks to my diet, in hopes of one day being able to tolerate a protein shake.

for strength training, do you suggest doing more reps with light weights, or fewer reps with heavy weights?

i will definitely check out that book and add you as a friend.

thank you so much for your help!

knowwhentoshutup

If you are serious about losing weight. Start here: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/654536-in-place-of-a-road-map-2-0-revised-7-2-12

Figure out your BMR and TDEE, and eat around 20% below your TDEE. It is more accurate to eat at this rate (rather than adding in estimated calorie burns when you don't have a heart rate monitor to calculate those). The heavier you are, the more calories you are able to burn. Obviously, I can burn more calories running around carrying my weight (~185) than you can.

Sodium will be a hindrance to weight loss, and can cause bloating/water retention. Cut back anywhere you can and stick to the 2,500 or less a day. Although this will make the scale go up, it is just water weight. The real loss you should be concerned about is losing fat.

Good luck.

sherisse69

You have to recognize that most of what everyone is telling you is constructive criticism. If you just make excuses for your choices, you'll not get anywhere.

you're not eating clean and you won't lose any real weight until you cut out the denny's, mc donalds and other fast food...buy lean meats and chicken and eat fresh veggies and fruit. stay away from salt.

the thing is, i DID lose 30 pounds while eating "dirty." i thought i was doing it in moderation (and choosing "healthy" options when out), but i guess i was just fooling myself. i realize it's constructive criticism, that's what i was asking for, and i appreciate the input. it's easy to make excuses, i'm sure everyone has done the same at some point, but i'm definitely going to keep all of this in mind next time i want to inhale some salty fatty things.

We are all guilty of justifying our indescretions - don't feel alone there! Keep going! You can totally do this! You did it before - "with dirty eating" - so to mix it up - "clean it up"

Best of luck to you!!!!

squigglypuff

What you said about short people applies to tall people.. Just because people are taller doesn't mean they have bigger stomachs etc .. We're all different..

Weight training isn't going to bulk you up unless you want to bulk up .. Don't lift heavy .. Lift light with cardio involved..

My Wife is 4'11 105lbs.. Very tone and I am very jealous ... She runs about 12 miles a week and wight trains with nothing heavier than 10 lbs..

Her diet consists of a protein and carb rich breakfast ... A larger salad for lunch with protein ( usually chicken or tuna ) she works out in the afternoon and has a protein shake after work out

For dinner its a leaner protein like chicken and veggies with usually a piece of fruit.

We are all ravenous after a work out.. This is a GOOD thing it means you really worked your system .. Feed it something right... IF you eat larger HEALTHIER meals while staying in your metrics you will be less hungry all the time and less prone to grab something not good for you.

thanks again! so trying to do more reps with lighter weights would be a better way to go? from what you can see in my diary, i don't really eat defined "meals" ... it's more like i'm munching all day (mostly on crap). bigger "meals" with better foods ... i got it.

squigglypuff

If you are serious about losing weight. Start here: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/654536-in-place-of-a-road-map-2-0-revised-7-2-12

Figure out your BMR and TDEE, and eat around 20% below your TDEE. It is more accurate to eat at this rate (rather than adding in estimated calorie burns when you don't have a heart rate monitor to calculate those). The heavier you are, the more calories you are able to burn. Obviously, I can burn more calories running around carrying my weight (~185) than you can.

Sodium will be a hindrance to weight loss, and can cause bloating/water retention. Cut back anywhere you can and stick to the 2,500 or less a day. Although this will make the scale go up, it is just water weight. The real loss you should be concerned about is losing fat.

Good luck.

but but but ... MATH?!?!?! i will try this also.

so many good tips today! just what i was hoping for. thanks so much!