Need help with loosing inches please!

alycat1990

Hey fellow MFPers!!

So I have been doing MFP and exersizing since July. When I started I was 227 now I'm 202.8 - I have comfortably lost 25lbs since. I am also 22 years old and 6ft tall.

Although I see the numbers on the scale steadily decrease - I have not really noticed a decrease in inches around my body. I was wearing a size 16-18 or a XL-1XL. My clothes do fit a bit looser - but I wouldnt asay enough to decrease down a size - I have a feeling a 14 may still be too tight.

I usually work out 2-3 times a week - I am a nurse full-time so my schedule consists of 12 hour shifts with alternating days and midnight shifts - so I do find it hard to exersize everyday. When I work out I try to do 30 mins of cardio and 5 minutes of cooldown getting my heart rate up to about 190BPM (recommended by my doctor) and I do about 4 sets of 20 on about 5 machines each time. (usually anywhere 20-35lbs depending on what part of my body).

Can anyone tell me why I havnt seen any changes in my body size? You would think 25lbs would be a major difference - yet I still feel like my body looks the same - and I cant seem to loose inches (I mean my number on the scale looks good for now - but I'd really like to buy smaller clothes as well.

Anyways, any tips or advice would be welcomed!!!
Also I ALWAYS eat over 1200 calories. so I dont believe I am loosing any muscle mass - and I always eat close to my carb and protein limits

And sorry I dont really have progress pictures - as I really didnt like taking pictures at my size I was.

ash190489

I am not sure why you're not loosing the inches around your body, I have lost about 27 lbs and going from a size Australian 12/14 to an Australian size 8. The only thing I can suggest that I noticed that when I initially lost all my weight, I only went down to a size 10-12... as soon as I started to lift heavy weights I found that's when the biggest inches fell off! That's what got me down to a size 8! So I feel a combination of both cardio (High Intensity Interval Training) and weight training (lifting heavy) is what worked for me. I also spent a lot of time with a trainer discussing my food and to take my measurements etc to find out my body fat percentage (I haven't ever done any Personal Training - just on my own).

Cardio makes you look good in clothes... but weights make you look good NAKED!

I'd also like to suggest making sure you get in your 30mins of exercise daily. To ensure I get mine in, I have recently purchased the Michelle Bridges home DVD workouts for the days I wake up earlier than normal or the days I don't feel like going to the gym (they're about 45mins long and a mix of high intensity (aerobics kind of thing) and toning exercises). Doesn't take much to do a quick session (you can shorten or lengthen the workouts according to the time you have available) as soon as you wake up or before you go to bed.

amnsetie

Have you tried a smaller size?
I lost 25 pounds and about 6 inches from the waist.
Get out the old tape measure and find out.
The clothes don't really look all that loose to me, but other people have noticed.

apocalypsepwnie

I was 226 and now 197. I've only really noticed inches off my hips, a little on my thighs and bust only recently. I was an 18-20 which I think is the same as 16-18. My 18s are a little loose and I can fit into some 16s but not in pants/skirts or fitted tops.

I realised that I was probably wearing the wrong size and should have been a 20-22 and my clothes were just too tight.

It'll happen, you are losing weight in places that may not contribute to a whole size yet but it's happening. I thought I'd be a 14 by christmas but my waist just wont budge and that's keeping me off the smaller sizes right now.

alycat1990

Thanks for the help guys! Yeah I do try to get exersize in as much as I can... lol I just find its really hard working 12 hour shifts 7am-7pm or 7pm to 7am id what I usually work - Ive been thinking I may invest in a elliptical at home to use on those days I dont have time to go to the gym - or doing a work-out DVD just to try and get some more exersize in.

Also another concern - I know they say lifting heavy is good but I dont want to look bulky lol.. I may have a misconception on that - but i was told that women should not lift as heavy to tone - instead of building bulk.. please correct me if I'm wrong

you guys are all so helpful!

and no I havnt tried another size on yet - maybe I should I wanted to wait as long as I possibly could before I go shopping

one other thing, when I was a teenager I was the same height and I was about 155-160lbs. My goal is to be 155 for my height. However when I was that weight I was still a size 13-14, and still always found that I had a tummy and larger love handles LOL.

Do you guys think I just really need to focus more on weight training?

kdeaux1959

The only real way to tell if you are losing inches is with a tape measure; If your clothes are fitting looser, that is a really good indicator. The best way to lose INCHES is WEIGHT RESISTANCE TRAINING. No, you won't bulk up because you are female. you don't have the hormonal basis for bulking ... By bulking I refer to he-man muscles... testosterone plays a major role in developing that and unless you are on testosterone supplements (I certainly hope not) then you should not blow up like Charles Atlas... However, it WILL cause you to start increasing your muscle mass... and muscle weighs much more per cubic inch than fat... therefore, without seeing a decrease in scale numbers you will see a decrease in body size... I started a relatively sensible weight training regimen back in January... I have lost from 344 to 232 lbs AND from size 48 to size 34 pants and 2X shirt to Large... The big thing though is that I am wearing the same pant size I did when I was last 170 lbs... that is the difference that a sensible weight training regimen can provide. Best wishes on your journey.

alycat1990

thankyou!!! your words are very inspiring and smart!!!

Also I just bought a tape measure and have started measuring myself recently!!!! thanks so much guys!!

Kaiukas

Best quote of MFP Cardio makes you look good in clothes... but weights make you look good NAKED! Thank you, ash190489 :flowerforyou:

I have to admit that I also had the misconception that women don't need serious weight training or, indeed, that it would not make them look good. After having read around here, I have changed my views completely and started to do heavy weights and I can already see some small very desirable results Now I am planning to get some sessions with a personal training to take it to the next level.

I very much recommend you will do your cardiovascular exercise and definitely get some serious weight training as well. By 'serious' I mean as heavy as you can do, not cute pink dumb bells :laugh: I recommend starting with supervision to make sure that you learn the correct safe techniques.

If you are short of time, do all your cardiovascular training at home on your elliptical (maybe 30 minutes 6 times a week), so you can leave the precious gym time primarily for weights.

Best of luck! :flowerforyou:

mccbabe1

strength training /weights is what greatly helps you loose inches! ive lost 29 pounds.. and i was blowing outta size 18 and now in a 14!!! i can wear a pair of pants and comfy/not tight.. that i havent been able to wear for about 5yrs.. but when i wore them 5yrs ago i was about 10-15pnds LESS then now! and there more comfy now.. THAT is INCHES lost vs 'pounds'...
dont do 'just' cardio

alycat1990

that is a really good idea!
I will look into doing that!! I am def going to start lifting heavier - and will hopefully see some of the results I want. Like people around me have started to notice a change - mainly everyone at work says its in my face and chest - which is nice but its not my body. My boyffiend thinks he sees results in me lol but he's also my boyfriend and is content with me the way I am.

How many sets and reps would you guys say is reasonabke for a heavier weight?:happy:

Csitri

bump to read later

osualex

Starting out at over 200 lbs, you may have to wait longer to see a difference between sizes. I've heard there's 20-25 lbs between sizes over 14 (or maybe 12, not sure) and only 10-15 between sizes smaller than that. I've been stuck at a size 12 for almost 30 lbs now...since I have a big butt/hips it takes me FOREVER to go down a size. Don't give up, you'll get there!

kelly101386

Have you tried Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred at all?

I have done that for 30 days, admittedly on and off and have had about a 17 inch loss over all and dropped a dress size. It combines cardio with strength and toning.

alycat1990

Thanks! I have never heard that information before, but now that you say it kinds of makes sense
I definatly will not give up! my goal is to be in a size 12 in the new year - which having a looser 16 pant size may be possible I hope

jesz124

I totally second the weight lifting advice. It's helped me go down at least 2 dress sizes. I generally eat around 1800-2000 cals a day. Weight train 3 times a week with a 12-15 min sess of HIIT cardio after. Weight lifting has really helped me lose weight in my problem areas (hips, bum and thighs) I'm almost certain it will help you lose the inches as well!