Can't find balance - diet/exercise

klybarger

I just can't figure out how to balance this diet and exercise. I do really well when I'm focusing on my diet without adding strenuous exercise to the mix. Any exercise beyond walking, I'm either over/under estimating the cals, try eating some/all of the potentially incorrect exercise cals and results vary greatly - sometimes I lose, sometimes I stay the same, and sometimes I gain. I've told myself that I'm looking in the long term so it's not anything I'm going to throw in the towel over . Not that I'm trying to find an excuse for not going to the gym, but it's confusing and a little frustrating.

tayner

you need exercise for your overall health, not just weight loss. I know it can be hard, i struggled with that balance early on myself. I would suggest a HRM. It will help you get closer to knowing what your true exercise calories are, making it easier. For me I used a HRM religiously for the first 6 months, then switched to the bodybugg (someone gave me as a gift). I like both, and both seem to work. I think the HRM over estimated my calorie burn most of the time though. I ended up using half the number it gave me, and things seemed to level out and work for me after that. The key is to keep trying different things, you will eventually figure out what works for you. Just make sure when you change something give it time, like 1-2 weeks, before deciding if it doesnt work. and changing again, your body needs time to adjust to changes.

Good luck to you
Dana

kaytbognar

I understand your frustration! It's really hard to find that precarious balance between eating too much and not enough, and likewise with exercise! If you're having trouble, perhaps just stick to walking right now. I know it can feel like you need to exercise rigorously every day in order to progress, but you can lose weight effectively with just a calorie deficeit and gradually work your way up to more strenuous exercise.

Dana's advice re: a HRM is sound; I do not have one but everyone I have talked to that uses one loves it and finds it hugely beneficial. This may not be accessible for you, either becuase of financial or some other reason, and if that's the case maybe you could try calcuating your estimation of things. Do you have a pedometer/step counter? They used to give ones away in cereal boxes. That could give you an idea of how much walking you do.

For other forms of exercise, I like this calculator: http://www.triathlontrainingblog.com/?page_id=483 it feels slightly more accurate that just the "what's your weight, what activity are you doing" type. There are links there, also, to calculate your HR/bpm and your VO2 Max, both of which are used in that calculator.

Anyway, I know that it can all seem very overwhelming at times, especially when you feel like you're working SO hard and making no progress at all. You're not alone, though, everyone here is going through or has gone through the learning curve and if you keep at it, you will succeed.

My moms always gives me this reassurance when I'm feeling stuck, I find it helpful: Weight loss, health and fitness takes years, not days. Be patient, be persistent and you will get where you want to go. Look how far you've already come!

klybarger

Thank guys - I just feel a little "challenged" on this topic. I was trying to do this weight loss thing with minimal expense; felt I needed to go this route so it would be a true lifestyle change, not just "using" gadgets or pre-packaged food to get to my weight loss goal. But I think I've matured enough in this journey to know I can't do it by "eyeballing" it anymore. I need to become familiar with how exercise is affecting me in order to change things up a bit!

I am going to look into a heart rate monitor. I want something extremely easy to use. Because I know my stubborn self, if it's cumbersome or complicated I WON'T stick with it. I am truly intrigued with the Bodybugg thing. Do you have to subscribe to the website after you've set it up? Would love to know more.