Cardio everyday, and not losing much weight

BrownEyedJerseyGirl

My job is having a Biggest Loser competition. We weigh in on Fridays. I have gone to a 60 minute aerobics class every day and on some days done a double class. I am staying in my calorie range and within range of protein, fat, carbs, sodium, etc. However, I only lost 0.8 pounds this week and only 0.2 last week. While I am happy that I lost 1.0 pound I felt it should have been more considering I been busting my butt for the past 2 weeks and a pound isn't much. The MFP setting indicates I should be losing 1.6 per week. I know some will say "muscle weighs more than fat" but muscle doesn't weigh so much more that in that period of time I gained a pound or two of muscle. Very frustrating.

seekingstrengthX2

I cant see your diary...but experience with these types of posts suggests to me that you are probably not eating enough. Your calorie goal is a NET goal...meaning you need to eat your exercise calories. Second, there is no need to do cardio 7 days a week. Your body needs a few days of rest to recover properly.

jesz124

Ignore anything to do with muscle weighing more than anything else. You won't be gaining muscle eating at a deficit and doing loads of cardio anyway. Maybe you could open your diary as that would help with your question.

concordancia

Do any of your classes use weights? If not, drop the extra classes and add in resistance training - you will notice on the show they do a lot of work with weights!

mmapags

First it's only been 2 weeks. Waaaay too early to get discouraged. Second, you are doing far too much cardio and probably overexercising. That is causing your body to retain water in an effort to repair so any fat loss is not reflecting on the scale. Lighten up on the cardio, unless you are specifically training for a sport? Like maybe 2 days per week and add in some resistance training so you retain lean muscle mass. And give it some time!!

gabiinacio

Do any of your classes use weights? If not, drop the extra classes and add in resistance training - you will notice on the show they do a lot of work with weights!

Yes, incorporate weights and cardio and you will see results much faster. You will also be happier with your overall body as well in the end. Dont expect results overnight.

BrownEyedJerseyGirl

The classes do incorporate toning with hand weights (5 lbs) although I know that isn't much. I have been considering joining a gym to use the weight machines. I really enjoy the aerobics class but maybe next week I won't attend as many and go to the gym instead for weights. I do try to eat back all my exercise calories. I am also considering trying to do the C25K.

shining_light

The classes do incorporate toning with hand weights (5 lbs) although I know that isn't much. I have been considering joining a gym to use the weight machines. I really enjoy the aerobics class but maybe next week I won't attend as many and go to the gym instead for weights. I do try to eat back all my exercise calories. I am also considering trying to do the C25K.

Oh lord... pick up some heavy weights and get to work, for goodness sakes! I've ceased cardio entirely and started lifting heavy, and my weight has never been so easy to control. I'm eating more than I ever have in my life and my weight is absolutely stagnant for the first time in my life... no swings or crazy roller coaster.

MCLA4mom

I was in your situation and it was not until I added weights to my routine that I saw a big difference.

AlsDonkBoxSquat

You're doing cardio, you will not gain muscle doing cardio.
1) track your sodiuim. You want to keep your sodium in a reasonable range for 2 days before you weigh in, I find that the mfp guides are fine.

2) eat at net not gross, mfp already has the deficit build in

3) i don't know about men and water retention, but I can put 5 - 6 pounds on the scale a week before my period, that's just how hormones work sometimes

4) drink water

5) new activity can cause water retention and swelling in the muscles and it may take a few days to bring it back down

6) when are you weighing? if you're not weighing first thing in the morning before you shower or eat and after you potty the scale is showing the additional weight of the food and beverage you've consumed. Ditto for clothes, on a cold day you're going to wear heavier clothes then on a warm day, which will probably weigh more (for example one of my sweaters is going to weigh a lot mroe than one of my blouses.

BrownEyedJerseyGirl

Thank you everyone for the input. Greatly appreciated.