This is a long post but advice would be priceless

FiftyShadesofRed
FiftyShadesofRed Posts: 2
edited December 27 in Health and Weight Loss
I'm new to this site and to communities but I'm quite stuck and my motivation is...well to say low would be putting it mildly; but fortunately for my diet it so happens that it takes a lot for me to give up, so I'm trying something new.

I'm 5' 6.5'' and 143 lbs. This might not seem like a lot but here is my dilemma: between last Christmas and the end of May I gained a 18lbs. I was doing exams, which isn't anything new. My diet didn't change drastically; I ate pretty much the same foods but I was studying for almost 18 hours a day so I was awake longer and ate during the hours I was up. I did stop going to the gym though because I was pretty tired from studying.

I knew I was gaining weight but I was wearing loose clothes for comfort and didn't want to step on the scale because I didn't think I needed the added stress of fretting about my weight. The day after my exam though, I weight in and almost had a heart attack. 8 years ago I went on a diet and lost almost 40 lbs and I remained between 130 and 135 ever since, so this is the 1st time that I have weighed this much in many years.

Fine, not one to cry over spilt milk for too long I dug my heels in and I dieted. And when I put my mind to something I am totally focused. From the 1st of June I re-started the gym. I worked out for 5 - 6 days a week; mostly boot camp and circuit training using the Wave machine. I did the 6-day protein diet express from Beachbody, I lost about 4 lbs. This was great, a good start. After the protein diet I calorie counted, which is what I did before, keeping my calories around 1200. I added back fruits and vegetables and some whole grain bread in the AM. No dice: I have lost zero weight after loosing the initial 4 lbs after the protein diet.

I have read almost every blog and every motivational site on plateauing that I can think of. Although I was at loss at how you can plateau after only 1 week, I said fine. I did what people suggested:

1. I did an organic fruit and vege 3-day cleanse - I lost 1 lb then put it back on
2. I zigzagged calories, keeping my weekly average around 1200 calories
3. I changed my fitness routine - this was actually easy since I changed gym about 3 weeks ago and so all their routines are new to me. I even have been exercising twice a day on some days
4. I added lemon to my water and keep well hydrated
5. I went to bed a bit earlier to get more rest
6. I only drink water and wine but I cut out the wine anyway
7. I had complete blood work done and no concerning issues
8. I upped my calories to about 1500 about 10 days ago - I've actually put on weight since, which is where I am now.

I know I'm not on the heavier side of life so some people might be rolling their eyes but gaining 18 lbs in 5 1/2 months is so not okay; not for my health nor my confidence, especially considering I can't wear half my wardrobe

I'm pretty much stumped and I'm trying to stay motivated, I truly am. But I'm not going to lie, I'm ready to say 2 very bad words and literally throw down a towel for dramatic effect.

Any helpful advice, tips, insights, even personal experience may be helpful.

Thanks.

P.S. I am not having any additions to my family (if you ken my meaning :) so we can rule that out too. And the only medication I'm on, I've been on for about 3 years.



For those who want to know, here is an example of a day for me:

Breakfast: A protein smoothie with 1/2 a banana (i use the Pro-ISL brand), 1/2 c skim milk, and ice

Snack: A protein bar (180 - 200 calories)

Lunch: 4 oz chicken or salmon, mixed greens, a cup asparagus boiled, 1/2 cup raw brocolli and carrot julienned, 2 T low-fat honey mustard dressing, 1 slice wheat bread. 1 Werther's sweet (I need a little sugar)

Snack: Non-fat greek yogurt (110 - 150 calories)

Dinner: 4 oz meat, 1 cup of some green vege, and a small potato

Replies

  • DanaDark
    DanaDark Posts: 2,187 Member
    We'd need to see your diary and have several days listed there at least.

    When resuming exercise, you're likely to gain weight as more water is stored in the muscles.

    Diet "tricks" and temporary "diets" are simply not the answer. Life long balanced eating is better.
  • LouiseRose92
    LouiseRose92 Posts: 112
    I don't have any advice, but I wanted to say that lots of people are on this site to lose small amounts of weight (not myself, unfortunately) and not to be embarrassed about it. You'll still get support.
  • FireBrand80
    FireBrand80 Posts: 378 Member
    Stay on 1500 calories for a month. If you don't lose anything, cut calories by 10%, or add some activity to your routine.
  • dortress
    dortress Posts: 28 Member
    1. Showing some of your food diary would help.
    2. cleanses / fastings / etc. are waste of time, energy and screw your metabolism. Don't do that again.
    3. Figure out your RMR and what you need to eat at a deficit to lose here: http://www.caloriesperhour.com/index_burn.php
    4. What are you doing to 'work out' at the gym? Does it include resistence training? Are you doing HIIT or intervallic work? Are you doing the same thing you've always done? I
  • DixiedoesMFP
    DixiedoesMFP Posts: 935 Member
    Do you have any idea what your TDEE is? Your BMR? Why were you only eating 1200 calories and what made you pick 1500?
  • littlewitch1973
    littlewitch1973 Posts: 139
    Aside from the scale - have you lost inches? Clothes fitting better?

    Since you re strength training, I would bet you are retaining water to help repair muscles, but you are losing inches. If you arent tracking those, you might want to start... do the basics - neck, chest, waist, hips, thighs... if you see those measurements goinig down every couple of weeks, and the weight staying the same, dont worry - you might look and feel better at a higher weight. Afterall, the scale is only one tool to measure - tape measures, clothing sizes and Body fat are much better things to look at overall.
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    First of all, I have lost 18lbs, mainly vanity pounds, so I know how you feel!

    As for all the diets..... STOP!!! You may not have much to lose but you still need to make lifestyle changes in order to get the weight off and most importantly keep it off....

    Unless you do a lot of strength, ditch the protein supplements and eat proper food, this is sustainable, shakes and bars are not, and generally u can get all ur protein needs from real food.

    Use the figures MFP gives you for losing 1 lb per week, and be patient!! good luck!
  • drewbird911
    drewbird911 Posts: 117 Member
    Why don't you set a goal with the help of the MFP tools and see if you can stick to it?
    Log your food and exercise.
    Do it for a while and see what happens.
  • myofibril
    myofibril Posts: 4,500 Member
    Stay on 1500 calories for a month. If you don't lose anything, cut calories by 10%, or add some activity to your routine.

    This.

    The one thing you sound more than anything else is inconsistent. Sometimes it takes a while for weight loss to start kicking in (mostly because it is masked by water balance issues if the scale is the only measure of success.)

    Bouncing around from routine to routine won't get you anywhere other than spinning your wheels.

    Pick a sensible calorie deficit level and exercise routine. Be consistent. Add time and patience. You'll get it done.
  • JodieChampoux
    JodieChampoux Posts: 17 Member
    Two things...your scale may not be telling you "the whole truth" and you might be battling a slight problem with inflammation. After several months of inactivity, then suddenly starting in at the gym and w/high protein diet, you might be packing on a bit more muscle than you are losing fat, so in that case you want to just be patient and keep with it, you will start to see results eventually, then it will go pretty fast.

    If you are having a slight problem with inflammation, (or suspect you might) you might want to have your doctor check that out. Signs of inflammation would be slight swelling of your hands and feet. The problem isn't really fat, it could be water retained from a mild food allergy, a problem with an auto-immune disorder, or any number of things. Good luck, and I am glad you didn't wait until your weight was worse before you decided to address the issue, good for you!
  • runzalot81
    runzalot81 Posts: 782 Member
    I'm kind of in the same boat. I never stopped exercise but I have started gaining in the last yearish.

    Here's what I've figured out:

    I need to cut the crap sugar. I'm not getting any younger. I've actually known this for several years but just now committing to it. For me, good sugar from fruits and whatnot are fine but crap sugar is NOT fine.

    I actually need to eat more. I had been fighting so hard to keep my calories low when I was working out. Turns out, I was doing more to hurt my metabolism. I'm willing to bet money that you need to eat more as well.
  • sweetteacher123
    sweetteacher123 Posts: 178
    I think you are expecting big results too fast. Pick a strategy and stay with it consistently for six weeks or so. It took you five months to put on that wright, it may take at least that to take it off. Slow and steady wins the race!
  • FiftyShadesofRed
    FiftyShadesofRed Posts: 2
    Thanks to you all for taking the time to respond. I'm just going to through each response and I'll respond in kind; hopefully this is okay, even though it might be a little choppy.

    1. I did consider that my calories were too low, which is why I upped it recently. I chose my calorie deficit from this website: http://www.freedieting.com/tools/calorie_calculator.htm. From their calculation, my calories for maintenance weight is 2043, Fat loss is1634, and Extreme fat loss is 1226. I wanted to up slowly so I could see what effect it had. I've gained a few lbs since I upped it so I'm not sure what that means

    2. If anything I thought I was too consistent. I had about 2 - 3 options for BLD and Snack and I did whatever group exercise my gym offered at noon. I followed that for about 6 weeks with no results before I started switching things up. I have lost absolutely nothing since I did the protein express the 1st week. It's not that I don't want to be patient but after 9 weeks, shouldn't I see something? I know 1/2 - 1 lb a week is normal and 2 lbs is extreme. Isn't it strange to not see any loss?

    3. I do write down everything I eat, how much water I drink and what exercise I did that day. Everyday. The example I gave what just an example. I will use the tools but I'm just starting MFP so it's taking me a while to compute things since I'm so accustomed to writing things down. I take my book everywhere.

    4. My shirts are fitting a bit better but my upper body has never been the issue. It's the lower body, which as yet hasn't had any improvement that I have noticed. I haven't tape-measured though, so I will do that.

    5. Since I lost the weight 8 years ago, I have eaten well and exercised 3 - 4 days at the gym. I mean I was 130/135 lbs for 8 years before I gained the weight this year. I only tried the fasts, etc because I read that toxins can build up which can lead to water gain, poor digestion, etc. I wasn't looking for a miracle

    6. I do group exercise, which is usually a mixture of weights and cardio. Each instructor is a bit different, some use the shaky ball that you stand on (sorry, I forget the name) or biometrics (I think that's the name), more than others. But generally they do a mix of bursts of cardio, followed by some kind of weight or resistance, with "active rest periods" i.e. you never get to just walk it out. I do swim once a week for rest, though.

    Thanks again for responding
This discussion has been closed.

Categories