Explanations or a little help?

fitmek

When we moved to our new home in May, I varied between 137-138, depending on fluid, time of the month, etc etc.

4.5 months later, I'm stuck at 142. Most people may not think this is a big deal, but 139 was my "danger, retreat retreat" number.

For the first 2 months, I did not have a lot of time to devote to cardio or weights, and I was able to stay around 138-139

Last month I was just a little lazy, and the number moved to 139-140

The last month I have been getting cardio in 3-4 times a week, plus lifting very light weights 2 times a week (just a few reps for my arms).

It's frustrating that when I dedicate myself to working out and TRYING to drop the last 5 pounds....I only find myself GAINING weight. I pick recipes from Hungry Girl's cookbooks, and websites like Skinny taste and Eat Yourself Skinny.
When eating out, I have salads that are low in calories, like Chick Fil A's Grilled Chicken Salad or Grilled Southwest Salad, with light italian dressing (30 calories) and no croutons. Sometimes I eat 6 inch ham and turkey subs from Subway, with NO cheese and spicy mustard as dressing.

I know, that some days I'm at 1700 or 1800 calories before working out, and I should be more like 1400 or 1500 before a workout, but I am finding that I'm starving 24/7 lately. Regardless, even after a workout, I am at about 1500 calories, sometimes less. That should still be at a point where i can at least MAINTAIN and not GAIN weight.

I'm just ultra frustrated. I worked so hard to get down to the 130's with a goal of 135. I was 2 pounds away and now I'm 7 away. I am scared to death it's only going to get worse with the Holidays coming up. Because, even with healthy versions of my favorite treats out there and available....I feel like I can't even enjoy them in moderation.

Anyways, just bummed. Suggestions? Thoughts?

nklunk

I've so been there when I first started my journey. Fist off on your food are you eating foods that will fill you up...High in protien and fiber? Second are you taken your measurments? I'm a few pounds heaver now but I'm smaller.

fitmek

Haven't measured myself. I haven't really noticed things fitting terrible or anything, but the number on the scale scares me, because it's only going up.....I have been down this road many many times and I want this time to be different.

GauchoMark

I'd say there is a combination of things.

1) moving is one of the most stressful things you can do. You pretty much change everything and your routine goes to hell. As you continue to get settled in, the stress will decrease. Until then, don't skip workouts because they will help with the stress.

2) being hungry all the time can be from a lot of different things, but if you aren't killing yourself at the gym, it is probably a mental thing. Like stress, boredom, etc. Unfortunately, if you eat a lot for a while, your stomach will get used to that quantity and when you try to cut back, you feel a lot hungrier. No matter, as the food thing goes, you are just going to have to have a gut check and tough it out for a week or two until you get used to the deficit.

3) How well are you tracking sodium/water retention? Part of the increase could be from that. Chick-fil-a and subway have a lot of salt. If you are eating out more frequently (Every time my routine changes, I eat out constantly), you could just be retaining more water.

4) finally, are you weighing often enough that you can trend your weight? There is so much error in weighing yourself that if you don't trend it over long periods of time, you can get fooled pretty easily. Here is a great explanation of how to get your "real" weight: Steps 4,5, & 6 http://scoobysworkshop.com/calorie-calculator-calibration/

kayc06

I'm really no expert when it comes to losing weight. I've been having the same problem as you for the past few weeks. All I can really suggest is keep working on it. You just started cardio/weights in the last month. Patience, it will pay off. . Perhaps changing your workout?

nklunk

Always make sure to measure yourself....muscle weighs more than fat!!

Jenada79

Haven't measured myself. I haven't really noticed things fitting terrible or anything, but the number on the scale scares me, because it's only going up.....I have been down this road many many times and I want this time to be different.

Step away from the scale, ditch the scale if you can for the time being Get a tape measure and find out your body fat and measurements. Go by that and how your clothes fit. Muscle does way more than fat and how you look and feel in your clothes is important not a number on a scale. My scale has been stalled for weeks but I look trimmer, my clothes fit better and I can train harder than I ever have been able to im my life.

fitmek

I'd say there is a combination of things.

1) moving is one of the most stressful things you can do. You pretty much change everything and your routine goes to hell. As you continue to get settled in, the stress will decrease. Until then, don't skip workouts because they will help with the stress.

2) being hungry all the time can be from a lot of different things, but if you aren't killing yourself at the gym, it is probably a mental thing. Like stress, boredom, etc. Unfortunately, if you eat a lot for a while, your stomach will get used to that quantity and when you try to cut back, you feel a lot hungrier. No matter, as the food thing goes, you are just going to have to have a gut check and tough it out for a week or two until you get used to the deficit.

3) How well are you tracking sodium/water retention? Part of the increase could be from that. Chick-fil-a and subway have a lot of salt. If you are eating out more frequently (Every time my routine changes, I eat out constantly), you could just be retaining more water.

4) finally, are you weighing often enough that you can trend your weight? There is so much error in weighing yourself that if you don't trend it over long periods of time, you can get fooled pretty easily. Here is a great explanation of how to get your "real" weight: Steps 4,5, & 6 http://scoobysworkshop.com/calorie-calculator-calibration/

Thank you...this is really helpful.
It was a big move and it did drastically throw off my routine, a lot more than I ever thought that it would.

I really don't have a huge problem with sodium. I have naturally low blood pressure and my dcotor actually told me to use salt more often, so it stays even all day and I don't feel lightheaded.