Need some serious help, been at this for so long
Girl_Bomb
Posts: 195
Ok so here's my situation...
Current weight: 157
Height:5'7
Body fat %: 18 (according to my caliber but I don't see how this is possible)
22 (according to a machine at the gym a few months back)
32 (according to a diff machine at the gym about a year ago)
Began at over 200lbs over two years ago, lost 30lbs using the elliptical and watching what I ate, took me about 3 months
Slowly over the next year I lost another 20lbs,not doing anything special, mostly cardio, some running, kickboxing etc Started using MFP around that time, started at just over 1500 calories (what MFP suggested for me)
Reaching 147lbs never reached a plateau, I was still losing
discovered EM2WL so upped calories to 1700-1800 because i understood the health benefits and logic behind it all Eventually upped it to 1900-2000, consistently gaining to about 153lbs (inches not changing)
Eventually got frustrated with the gaining so a friend suggested another theory so I began eating just over 1700 for a couple months and pretty much maintained.
Added in a lot more weight training and have basically lost 3 inches off my calves and that's about it (obviously if gotten stronger but nothing visibly different ), lifting heavy less reps etc, even had a trainer for a bit who taught me what to do/how to do it
So I'm very frustrated with what's going on so just over a month ago I upped my calories to 1900 again gaining another 2lbs 155now
then I got a bodymedia fit about 2 weeks ago which told me I was burning about 2700-3000 calories a day so now iv upped my calories once again too 2200-2400 still continuing with my weight training and now I'm up to 157lbs gained an inch under my bust and in my arms and see some more chin then I used to have.
I think I'm doing everything right, I'm eating healthy (with the exception of a couple weekends away although I try to make good choices)
I feel like other people see there muscles and bodies change so much faster then me, iv been stuck for countless months and now I'm just gaining, gaining, gaining.
I do not rely on the scale, I dont let it depress me I just feel like if I'm consistently gaining with my inches barely changing (changing for the worse recently) then I'm obviously getting bigger
Yes iv gotten stronger (for example i started at 8lb bicep curls and am now at 20lbs) but that's taken like 6months, I don't think it's possible to have gained 10lbs in muscle and not seen any change in my body.
(But I do believe my butt is looking nicer and fuller I would like to make my legs and butt bigger)
There is absolutely no way I can handle gaining all my weight back, my self esteem and wallet can't handle it
I'm just so lost, I need help seriously, any suggestions? Words of encouragement? Ideas? Related experiences?
:sad: :huh: :yawn:
Current weight: 157
Height:5'7
Body fat %: 18 (according to my caliber but I don't see how this is possible)
22 (according to a machine at the gym a few months back)
32 (according to a diff machine at the gym about a year ago)
Began at over 200lbs over two years ago, lost 30lbs using the elliptical and watching what I ate, took me about 3 months
Slowly over the next year I lost another 20lbs,not doing anything special, mostly cardio, some running, kickboxing etc Started using MFP around that time, started at just over 1500 calories (what MFP suggested for me)
Reaching 147lbs never reached a plateau, I was still losing
discovered EM2WL so upped calories to 1700-1800 because i understood the health benefits and logic behind it all Eventually upped it to 1900-2000, consistently gaining to about 153lbs (inches not changing)
Eventually got frustrated with the gaining so a friend suggested another theory so I began eating just over 1700 for a couple months and pretty much maintained.
Added in a lot more weight training and have basically lost 3 inches off my calves and that's about it (obviously if gotten stronger but nothing visibly different ), lifting heavy less reps etc, even had a trainer for a bit who taught me what to do/how to do it
So I'm very frustrated with what's going on so just over a month ago I upped my calories to 1900 again gaining another 2lbs 155now
then I got a bodymedia fit about 2 weeks ago which told me I was burning about 2700-3000 calories a day so now iv upped my calories once again too 2200-2400 still continuing with my weight training and now I'm up to 157lbs gained an inch under my bust and in my arms and see some more chin then I used to have.
I think I'm doing everything right, I'm eating healthy (with the exception of a couple weekends away although I try to make good choices)
I feel like other people see there muscles and bodies change so much faster then me, iv been stuck for countless months and now I'm just gaining, gaining, gaining.
I do not rely on the scale, I dont let it depress me I just feel like if I'm consistently gaining with my inches barely changing (changing for the worse recently) then I'm obviously getting bigger
Yes iv gotten stronger (for example i started at 8lb bicep curls and am now at 20lbs) but that's taken like 6months, I don't think it's possible to have gained 10lbs in muscle and not seen any change in my body.
(But I do believe my butt is looking nicer and fuller I would like to make my legs and butt bigger)
There is absolutely no way I can handle gaining all my weight back, my self esteem and wallet can't handle it
I'm just so lost, I need help seriously, any suggestions? Words of encouragement? Ideas? Related experiences?
:sad: :huh: :yawn: 0
Replies
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BUMP.
Don't have answer, but curious about what your answer could be.0 -
I've heard several of MFP friends discuss their BMF and fitbits over-estimate calories, especially when worn during exercise. Scooby says to eat ~2300 calories to maintain for moderate exercise based on the stats you posted. Sometimes it's a trial and error. Honestly though I would do trial and error with how your clothes fit and inches lost, rather than paying attention to the scale. The scale will be a terrible indicator for you while you are weight training. I can gain 4 lbs or so when I'm doing a lot of lifting, and lose all of it when I take a rest week. Also my weight has stayed the same for about 4 months, but I've continued to shrink in clothing size. Again another reason the scale doesn't tell the story (I only mention this because despite you saying you don't pay attention to the scale, the main focus of your post seems to be you gaining lbs.)0
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bump0
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just an FYI in my situation, totally *gained* using BMF! my burns were about the same as yours (i'm also 5'7"), between 2700-3000 cals...and even if i ate around 1600-1700, i'd gain. ended up gaining 5lbs during the whole ordeal. since sold it on eBay...
good luck to you!0 -
If it were me, I'd go back to just over 1500 and see what happens. Eating more doesn't work for everyone.0
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I feel your pain, and would also like to say that BMF did not work for me. My average was 3000 according to it, so even though I was eating at a cut...I'd just gain. Takes some wiggle with numbers. It's a trial and error process!0
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Agree with the other posters^^. I used the BMF for over a year and it just didn't seem to give me accurate numbers either. I maintained but didn't manage to lose much. First few questions:...are you drinking enough water every day? I drink around 3 Litres/day. That could be one of the reasons why you aren't seeing a loss on the scale or your clothes...water retention. Are you able to get 7-8 hours of rest a night? What are your protein values in your diet? I know that for me, focusing on protein has helped my body begin to change shape for the better (average 120g/day). Are you taking pictures during your journey? According to all the reading that I have done, lifting heavy isn't going to guarantee a loss on the scale, but depending on when you weigh in, it could be water retention as your muscles try and store more glycogen after a workout. Sorry you are struggling, I know what it's like to feel a bit lost, but maybe your metabolism is still healing? Did you actually RESET? Hoping that you can get to the bottom of this. :flowerforyou:0
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^^^this^^^ A lot of important things to considerAgree with the other posters^^. I used the BMF for over a year and it just didn't seem to give me accurate numbers either. I maintained but didn't manage to lose much. First few questions:...are you drinking enough water every day? I drink around 3 Litres/day. That could be one of the reasons why you aren't seeing a loss on the scale or your clothes...water retention. Are you able to get 7-8 hours of rest a night? What are your protein values in your diet? I know that for me, focusing on protein has helped my body begin to change shape for the better (average 120g/day). Are you taking pictures during your journey? According to all the reading that I have done, lifting heavy isn't going to guarantee a loss on the scale, but depending on when you weigh in, it could be water retention as your muscles try and store more glycogen after a workout. Sorry you are struggling, I know what it's like to feel a bit lost, but maybe your metabolism is still healing? Did you actually RESET? Hoping that you can get to the bottom of this. :flowerforyou:0 -
I'm another former BMF user.....I gained while I was on it as well. I use a FitBit now but only to validate my TDEE calculations (it's spot on with Katch-McArdle).
I am currently eating at 10% under TDEE for 1 month. I'll see what my weight/measurements are and then make an adjustment. I will need to keep in mind that I'm doing a heavy lifting program so I fully expect some water weight and or PMS to strike at some point.
Keep at it. The other option is to drop calories out of desperation and it will set you back. :flowerforyou:0
