Anyone else exercise like crazy but still can't lose weight?

theredqueentheory
theredqueentheory Posts: 10
in Introduce Yourself
I work out for 15 minutes in the morning before work; 10 mins cardio and 5 minutes of crunches, pushups and leg lifts. After work, I run 5 miles at 10 minutes per mile. I cook all of my meals at home and eat a high protein and low carb/no sugar diet, and find that I only lose about 0.15 lbs per week. I am insulin resistant and have had my genome sequenced, and have 3 different variations of genes that promote obesity, which also is in my family.

It is SO frustrating to be working so hard and getting such slow results! Is anyone else in this situation?
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Replies

  • victoriadw84
    victoriadw84 Posts: 77 Member
    Same!!
  • meshashesha2012
    meshashesha2012 Posts: 8,329 Member
    how are you measuring your loss?

    i havent lost a single pound for the past 2 months but i've gone from a size 16 to a size 12 and there's significantly less fat on my abs, thighs and butt
  • waronmyfat
    waronmyfat Posts: 322 Member
    your not exercising long enough.... make your workouts 30-45mins long and you will start to see results, also what do you have you calories set at?
  • demhareis
    demhareis Posts: 35
    What does your nutritionist say?
  • TheFunBun
    TheFunBun Posts: 793 Member
    your not exercising long enough.... make your workouts 30-45mins long and you will start to see results, also what do you have you calories set at?

    5 miles at 10 mph = 50 minutes.
  • mgobluetx12
    mgobluetx12 Posts: 1,326 Member
    I work out for 45-60 mins, 4-5 times a week and burn 450-600 cals per workout using my HRM and have lost 1.2lbs this entire month. i'm always under my calories too - SO frustrating!!!
  • theredqueentheory
    theredqueentheory Posts: 10
    Wow, that is amazing! Good for you! I've been going by the scale. But I did notice that my pants are a bit looser. I just remember how happy I was when I was thinner, and have been weighing myself every day and it makes me ARGH! :)
    how are you measuring your loss?

    i havent lost a single pound for the past 2 months but i've gone from a size 16 to a size 12 and there's significantly less fat on my abs, thighs and butt
  • funkyspunky872
    funkyspunky872 Posts: 866 Member
    Two words:

    Eat more.
  • theredqueentheory
    theredqueentheory Posts: 10
    Hi! I think that you did not read my entire post... as it says I exercise twice a day, 15 minutes in the morning and 50 minutes at night, for a total of 60 minutes a day. :)
    your not exercising long enough.... make your workouts 30-45mins long and you will start to see results, also what do you have you calories set at?

    5 miles at 10 mph = 50 minutes.
  • meshashesha2012
    meshashesha2012 Posts: 8,329 Member
    your not exercising long enough.... make your workouts 30-45mins long and you will start to see results, also what do you have you calories set at?
    she is already working out that long even longer if you add everything up.

    oh yeah another thing i think is making a huge difference with transforming my body is lifting heavy weights. i've been severely slacking off in cardio over the last 2 months but it seems i've gotten the most change in fat% loss whereas before it took me 4 months to drop 2 sizes (when i was doing more cardio) but i was dropping scale weight.

    personally i'm happier to fit into smaller clothes even if that means i lose hardly anything on the scale. once i hit my goal of a size 6 my weight can just be a surprise to whatever fool decides they can just pick me up :laugh:
  • theredqueentheory
    theredqueentheory Posts: 10
    Oops, sorry for the bad math. 65 minutes per day. Silly me.
    Hi! I think that you did not read my entire post... as it says I exercise twice a day, 15 minutes in the morning and 50 minutes at night, for a total of 60 minutes a day. :)
    your not exercising long enough.... make your workouts 30-45mins long and you will start to see results, also what do you have you calories set at?

    5 miles at 10 mph = 50 minutes.
  • Daniellerepetti
    Daniellerepetti Posts: 1 Member
    Too much cardio. It's putting too much stress on your body and its holding onto your fat. Try taking away one or two days of the cardio and adding circuit training with weights for an hour instead. Crunches dont do much - do planks if you want to see any type of definition in your mid section. It will pull everything in.
  • NewAngel35
    NewAngel35 Posts: 182 Member
    I work out for 15 minutes in the morning before work; 10 mins cardio and 5 minutes of crunches, pushups and leg lifts. After work, I run 5 miles at 10 minutes per mile. I cook all of my meals at home and eat a high protein and low carb/no sugar diet, and find that I only lose about 0.15 lbs per week. I am insulin resistant and have had my genome sequenced, and have 3 different variations of genes that promote obesity, which also is in my family.

    It is SO frustrating to be working so hard and getting such slow results! Is anyone else in this situation?




    Can i ask how much you have to loose??.I j have this very problem but for me I think its because I am already around the weight I want to be
  • theredqueentheory
    theredqueentheory Posts: 10
    I don't have a nutritionist, but I do have a doctor and genetic counselor who are helping me combat my insulin resistance and obesity genes. They say to be patient and continue with my exercise and low carb diet. It's just frustrating to be working so hard and eating less than my recommended caloric intake but still losing so little weight.
    What does your nutritionist say?
  • cragen01
    cragen01 Posts: 22 Member
    Like a lot of other people have said, you would do better to do a longer workout versus several shorter ones.
  • californiagirl2012
    californiagirl2012 Posts: 2,625 Member
    That was ME for 15 years. The only way to lose weight is to eat less. My full story here --> http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/740340-i-lost-60-lbs-at-age-51-anyone-can-any-workout

    Seriously, I ran marathon after marathon after marathon thinking this time would finally work. Nope.

    Eat Less to lose (Eat less when you are fat, Eat more when you are lean << that's where starvation mode happens)

    Exercise to look good when the fat is gone.
  • theredqueentheory
    theredqueentheory Posts: 10
    15 lbs...I was once at 145 before my injuries and am now 160.
    I work out for 15 minutes in the morning before work; 10 mins cardio and 5 minutes of crunches, pushups and leg lifts. After work, I run 5 miles at 10 minutes per mile. I cook all of my meals at home and eat a high protein and low carb/no sugar diet, and find that I only lose about 0.15 lbs per week. I am insulin resistant and have had my genome sequenced, and have 3 different variations of genes that promote obesity, which also is in my family.

    It is SO frustrating to be working so hard and getting such slow results! Is anyone else in this situation?




    Can i ask how much you have to loose??.I j have this very problem but for me I think its because I am already around the weight I want to be
  • VogtAndrea
    VogtAndrea Posts: 236
    I'm in the same situation. Plateaus aren't fun and they leave you wondering what's happening.
    This week I'm back swimming laps and doing aquafit every weeknight and walking on the weekends, doing weights too.
    Zippo.... I haven't lost an ounce in 3 weeks. In fact, I've gained half a pound. My calories are over 1200 a day and under 1500. One might think the weight would still be dropping but NOPE.... not happening.
  • lovinmomma
    lovinmomma Posts: 77
    Yes! I am in your boat! I run 30 mins in the morning and do 45 minutes of strength/ cardio in the after noon sometimes up to an hour. so i am averaging 60-90 mins a day 6 days a week i eat super well and CANT lose a pound!!! my dr said i gained the wieght due to hormones and for some reason i just cant lose it and it is so frustrating but i feel amazing when i work out! my day is easier and my fitness level has never been better! keep at it and remember you are improving your health
  • redraidergirl2009
    redraidergirl2009 Posts: 2,560 Member
    I tried that once. My friend said working out too much can stop you from losing weight because the body doesn't have time to recover and also burning too many calories can be counter productive. I was working out burning 1000+ and eating maybe 1800 and I didn't lose any weight. I actually gained like 2lbs and I'm fairly sure it wasn't muscle. Probably fluid.
  • meeper123
    meeper123 Posts: 3,347 Member
    Too much cardio. It's putting too much stress on your body and its holding onto your fat. Try taking away one or two days of the cardio and adding circuit training with weights for an hour instead. Crunches dont do much - do planks if you want to see any type of definition in your mid section. It will pull everything in.

    Oh didnt know that x.x your abs are AWESOME
  • meshashesha2012
    meshashesha2012 Posts: 8,329 Member
    yeah if you're that close to your weight goal, you're going to get better results hitting the weights than running.

    new rules of lifting for women, strong lifts and starting strength are all excellent programs
  • theredqueentheory
    theredqueentheory Posts: 10
    Wow, a 5 mile run is considered a short workout? What is considered a long workout then?
    Like a lot of other people have said, you would do better to do a longer workout versus several shorter ones.
  • quiqui21
    quiqui21 Posts: 19 Member
    Yep. So I went to the local body supplement shop and asked them what the heck was going on. Apparently I wasn't eating enough! Haha. I had my calories around 1500 a day, while still exercising 5 days a week, and lost nothing. I was also eating too many protein shakes instead of clean food. (I was drinking 3 a day, and apparently your body digests liquids differently than solids..who knew.) Well, I've upped my calories to around 1,700, and eat more natural clean foods, and I lost 2 lbs in 2 days. :) Give it a go..worked for me. :)
  • hausofnichele
    hausofnichele Posts: 531 Member
    I am doubly insulin resistant (pre-diabetic/PCOS) and eating low carb/low sodium/low sugar. Mostly lean meats, low G.I. foods. I am losing and doing well (however, I do weigh much more than you).

    I'd love to see your diary to see if there is something that could be triggering your stall :) Good luck, I know how frustrating health problems are!!
  • IronBerserker
    IronBerserker Posts: 1
    Not nearly enough exercise. How is your diet? I would recommend very low to no sugar (no refined sugar), moderate carb intake - complex carbs. Eat your body weight in protein meaning, say for instance you weigh 130lbs; you need to eat 1-1.5 grams of protein per pound of body weight.
    I would put all your exercise into one routine. Start out with a light walk say 10 mins, then a 10 min light jog to warm up. Then stretch. Never "cold stretch" before you work out, you will end up making yourself weaker, also putting yourself in higher risk of injury.
    Exercise for at least 1 hour, DO NOT lift heavy weights. If you’re not use to it, i.e. your ligaments and tendons you will severely injure yourself.
    Do cardio routines such as stationary bicycle, treadmill, elliptical and Stairmaster. Try interval training such as walk 5 mins sprint 2, jog 3, and then walk. Do this for 20 mins.
    You can add some weight training in but after your cardio, since you goal is weight loss. Do "Light" reps with moderate light weight to max out at 12-15 reps for about 4-5 sets. When you start with weights do a whole body routine to condition your body to the stress of lifting, say about 2 months and no more than 3 workouts a body part. Doing this you will tone your body.
    It's all about diet as well; if you have further questions or comments you can message me.
  • heybales
    heybales Posts: 18,842 Member
    I work out for 15 minutes in the morning before work; 10 mins cardio and 5 minutes of crunches, pushups and leg lifts. After work, I run 5 miles at 10 minutes per mile. I cook all of my meals at home and eat a high protein and low carb/no sugar diet, and find that I only lose about 0.15 lbs per week. I am insulin resistant and have had my genome sequenced, and have 3 different variations of genes that promote obesity, which also is in my family.

    It is SO frustrating to be working so hard and getting such slow results! Is anyone else in this situation?

    So what several studies have shown for those with a propensity to get fat again, their body slows metabolism far too easily, and then causes less daily activity calorie burning by slowing down what else you do.

    Don't assist that effect by eating too little for your level of activity.

    Also, diet is a stress on your body.

    Hard cardio is a stress on your body.

    Stress is handled by hormones, cortisol being the one that will backfire on you and cause more problems.

    Also, if not eating properly for that level of cardio, you can slip far too easily into burning muscle. You mention eating lots of protein, and doing 10 min miles. How many calories does that burn for you?
    If 15 cal/min, then you are probably burning easily 80% carbs during that workout.
    If you don't replenish that before the next workout, after 4 days probably, your muscles are low on glucose and muscle is going to be broken down to help convert to glucose for energy use.

    So now you are making your metabolism worse too. If you have genenic predisposition to obesity, don't be doing all these things that will make it worse.

    Reasonable deficit caused by diet and/or exercise.

    Lifting weight to maintain muscle mass.

    Appropriate rest days so your body can actually get stronger. Day after day isn't useful either, especially at deficit.

    Get the stress level down by applying above points.
  • theredqueentheory
    theredqueentheory Posts: 10
    Thanks for replying! But I think maybe you are replying to the wrong post...65 minutes a day is not nearly enough exercise? And my diet is low carb/no sugar...maybe you misread something. I know you mean well though! :)
    Not nearly enough exercise. How is your diet? I would recommend very low to no sugar (no refined sugar), moderate carb intake - complex carbs. Eat your body weight in protein meaning, say for instance you weigh 130lbs; you need to eat 1-1.5 grams of protein per pound of body weight.
    I would put all your exercise into one routine. Start out with a light walk say 10 mins, then a 10 min light jog to warm up. Then stretch. Never "cold stretch" before you work out, you will end up making yourself weaker, also putting yourself in higher risk of injury.
    Exercise for at least 1 hour, DO NOT lift heavy weights. If you’re not use to it, i.e. your ligaments and tendons you will severely injure yourself.
    Do cardio routines such as stationary bicycle, treadmill, elliptical and Stairmaster. Try interval training such as walk 5 mins sprint 2, jog 3, and then walk. Do this for 20 mins.
    You can add some weight training in but after your cardio, since you goal is weight loss. Do "Light" reps with moderate light weight to max out at 12-15 reps for about 4-5 sets. When you start with weights do a whole body routine to condition your body to the stress of lifting, say about 2 months and no more than 3 workouts a body part. Doing this you will tone your body.
    It's all about diet as well; if you have further questions or comments you can message me.
  • theredqueentheory
    theredqueentheory Posts: 10
    Thank you, good advice. I avoid carbs like the plague...but you have a good point. Will take it into much consideration!

    I work out for 15 minutes in the morning before work; 10 mins cardio and 5 minutes of crunches, pushups and leg lifts. After work, I run 5 miles at 10 minutes per mile. I cook all of my meals at home and eat a high protein and low carb/no sugar diet, and find that I only lose about 0.15 lbs per week. I am insulin resistant and have had my genome sequenced, and have 3 different variations of genes that promote obesity, which also is in my family.

    It is SO frustrating to be working so hard and getting such slow results! Is anyone else in this situation?

    So what several studies have shown for those with a propensity to get fat again, their body slows metabolism far too easily, and then causes less daily activity calorie burning by slowing down what else you do.

    Don't assist that effect by eating too little for your level of activity.

    Also, diet is a stress on your body.

    Hard cardio is a stress on your body.

    Stress is handled by hormones, cortisol being the one that will backfire on you and cause more problems.

    Also, if not eating properly for that level of cardio, you can slip far too easily into burning muscle. You mention eating lots of protein, and doing 10 min miles. How many calories does that burn for you?
    If 15 cal/min, then you are probably burning easily 80% carbs during that workout.
    If you don't replenish that before the next workout, after 4 days probably, your muscles are low on glucose and muscle is going to be broken down to help convert to glucose for energy use.

    So now you are making your metabolism worse too. If you have genenic predisposition to obesity, don't be doing all these things that will make it worse.

    Reasonable deficit caused by diet and/or exercise.

    Lifting weight to maintain muscle mass.

    Appropriate rest days so your body can actually get stronger. Day after day isn't useful either, especially at deficit.

    Get the stress level down by applying above points.
  • janlee_001
    janlee_001 Posts: 309 Member
    Try switching up your exercise if it is not longer strenuous for you and just because your body has become accustomed to working the same muscle groups.

    I think what most ppl are saying is in the shorter work-outs you are not getting your heart rate to where it needs to be for a long enough period of time.

    Try some pilates, weight lifting, using resistance bands.

    Just my thought.s.

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