I'm conducting an experiment- weight loss is MEGA stalling

squirrelzzrule22

So, my weight loss is really stalling despite the fact that I do BOATLOADS of cardio (nearly done training for half marathon) and incorporate strength training (lifting free weights or machines or doing JM No More Trouble Zones) on average 3 times a week. So that's 5 long runs per week PLUS 3 strength-y workouts mixed in. Prior to this experiment I've been eating 1200/ day PLUS 200-300 exercise (so about 1400 or 1500 5 days a week) BUT I basically never log my weekends because they're too unpredictable. My darling boyfriend eats like a pig so my weekends at his place aren't nutritious but I keep my portions very low and I've been logging long enough to have a rough idea and I really don't think I'm going over much, certainly not into "gaining" territory, at worst maintenance. During the week I eat very healthy- salads, veggie burgers (patty chopped into a salad, no bun), cottage cheese, chicken, greek yogurt, and oatmeal are staples of my diet. With the exception of fruit I've cut obvious carbs out of my life (no pasta, bread only the occasional piece of whole wheat toast.) I take an adult gummy multivitamin because apparently I'm not the only weirdo out there who doesn't like to swallow pills. I won't cut alcohol out of my social life but its never more than two days a week, usually more like one.

Anyhoo, this is my "experiment"- I've notice that my carbs, while not out of control, might be too much. A lot of this is due to sugar- low fat chocolate milk is my favorite snack and while I always fit it into my calories the amount of sugar really adds up. SO for the next TWO WEEKS I am going to focus RIGIDLY on meeting my macro goals and up my calories to 1700 and be RIGID with it- tracking religiously EVEN ON THE WEEKENDS. Every glass of wine or post-run indulgence is getting logged! This 1700 is what I got using the TDEE- 20% method (only a couple hundred more than 1200 plus exercise so I'm not sure I see any difference....but that's just my two cents on that issue). My hope is that upping cals will allow me to meet my protein goals while watching my carbs and sugar better. ALL I WANT IN THESE TWO WEEKS IS TO LOSE THREE POUNDS OF FAT AND CLEAR THE 160 MARK THAT I HAVE STALLED AT (at 162.)

Throughout this time I will drink boatloads of water, half of it with a dandelion tea bag tossed in to help me not retain water (I actually like the taste and its extremely mild so please don't get on my case about that.)

What are your thoughts? Will this work? Did you actually make it through that deluge of information?? I promise to report back two weeks from today!!!

Age: 24 (female)
Height: 5'8"
SW: 174
CW: 162
(short term) GW: 145
UGW: 135

ALL ADVICE (provided its presented in a relatively polite manner) APPRECIATED!

evileen99

I don't think you're eating enough. What's your BMR? I imagine that with your level of exercise, you're netting below your BMR and not properly fueling your body, so it's hanging onto fat because it thinks you're starving.

foleyshirley

I don't think you are eating enough for the amount of exercise you are doing.

foleyshirley

I don't think you are eating enough for the amount of exercise you are doing.

Ok, I just finished reading your post (oops). 1700 calories is a good place to start, but you might be able to go higher given your workouts. Good luck. I think you will like upping your calories. I did.

CaddieMay

I think your plan is great - and I think it will work! Good luck and keep us posted!

majope

I agree that you should log everything--could be you're going over more than you think. Exercise, too--you've only logged exercise on 6 days this month. I'm guessing your long runs have been on the weekends, where they went unrecorded along with the food?

I would NOT go low carb if you're training for a half-marathon, though--you need the glycogen for your running. In fact, if your race is coming up soon, consider going to maintenance calories for several days before to make sure you're properly tanked up for the half.

CaddieMay

I agree that you should log everything--could be you're going over more than you think. Exercise, too--you've only logged exercise on 6 days this month. I'm guessing your long runs have been on the weekends, where they went unrecorded along with the food?

I would NOT go low carb if you're training for a half-marathon, though--you need the glycogen for your running. In fact, if your race is coming up soon, consider going to maintenance calories for several days before to make sure you're properly tanked up for the half.

Ooh, yeah, I didn't think of the carbs. You do need them for training. Pump up those calories, those.

ThickMcRunFast

At your height, with so little to lose, you should be eating more than 1200. Throw in some distance running on top of that, and you're way under eating.

I am 5'9", and when marathon training can easily lose weight on 2500 a day. When out of training, I can lose at 1800-2000.

DavPul

The main thing I got from your post is you don't think weekends count. People can easily blow their deficit on the weekend, especially if they drink alcohol.

Before I go revamping my entire plan, I'd start logging Saturdays the same way I log Tuesdays.

3dogsrunning

The main thing I got from your post is you don't think weekends count. People can easily blow their deficit on the weekend, especially if they drink alcohol.

Before I go revamping my entire plan, I'd start logging Saturdays the same way I log Tuesdays.

Who are you? Really?

matt2442

The main thing I got from your post is you don't think weekends count. People can easily blow their deficit on the weekend, especially if they drink alcohol.

Before I go revamping my entire plan, I'd start logging Saturdays the same way I log Tuesdays.

Who are you? Really?

the question is...who are you?

kristafb

Cutting sugar out, or even down, may be what you need. a couple of years ago I cut sugar out completely and lost 50lbs in 5 months. It literally just fell off of me. As soon as I started eating sugar again the wait slowly climbed back on. So I'm starting over and I try to keep it under 20g a day but its hard. If you can do it, its worth it though.

pspetralia

The main thing I got from your post is you don't think weekends count. People can easily blow their deficit on the weekend, especially if they drink alcohol.

Before I go revamping my entire plan, I'd start logging Saturdays the same way I log Tuesdays.

This. I would also add two weeks isn't enough time to see if a plan is effective or not. Good luck!!

squirrelzzrule22

I don't think a 40/30/30 type deal even qualifies as "low" carb so I'm not too worried about that, but the point is taken about training, I understand carbs are necessary for that.

No, I don't always log my runs. They're such a repetitive part of my life now that I often eat around 1400 without considering them. Especially on a long run Saturday- last Saturday was 9 miles, I'm sure that's close to 900. I just made sure to be full the rest of the day.

Err, I'm concerned that the "main point" of my post seemed like "weekends don't count." Not what I intended to say, and I even mentioned that my "new plan" is to be more devoted to weekend logging.

As for me "not having much to lose" to me, 28 pounds is "much" so I am trying to be strategic! But I definitely appreciate the idea about not eating 1200...if you look back at what I initially wrote I never only consumed 1200 and then worked out. Always ate at least something back. And interestingly, was never hungry, Increasing to 1700 today involved sprinkling chia seeds, cooking with olive oil, and other sneaky ways to get the calories because I'm honestly pretty full on a day of workouts and 1400. Hoping the increase in cals will change that.

I appreciate the sugar advice- that was the most surprising thing to me upon reflecting on my diary- how much sugar!!!

3dogsrunning

Glad you are going to start logging weekends. As a runner I made the mistake of thinking that I can't out eat (and drink) my long runs.