Something isn't working....

Lorna0405
Lorna0405 Posts: 2 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Hey all,

I've been doing the My Fitness Pal for quite a while now (on and off for about a year). I've also started a regular work out schedule. First 3 days a week and I have now increased to 4-5 times a week. I have been doing this for about 2 years now. I do 2-3 bootcamps a week and 2 nights of zumba. I have completely changed my diet. Stopped eating 'crap' and got healthy. I have almost completely eliminated carbs from my diet and increased my protein intake. As per My Fitness Pal I am allowed 1200 calories a day. I rarely go over my daily calorie allowance.

So doesn't sound like I should be having any problems....however....I am gaining weight...like crazy! I have gained about 15lbs in the last 18 months and gone up about 2 pant sizes. I started working out regularly because I wanted to get in shape and be stronger. I keep upping my work out routine and its getting me no where. This is SO frustrating and really upsetting. I feel like everyone looks at me as some lazy person who doesn't care about my appearance, where in fact I give up a lot of my life to spend it in the gym.

I have been to the doctor and had my thyroid checked twice and it is completely normal. My doctor even suggested trying a lower calorie diet between 800-1000 but I do not think that is healthy.

Any advice....is anyone else having the same problem. I am getting really frustrated.

Thanks for any input.

Replies

  • nubiennelady
    nubiennelady Posts: 14 Member
    What do your measurements look like? If your measurements are changing but the scale is staying the same, I wouldn't fret.


    However, if you are consistently eating 1200 and doing vigorous workouts, it sounds like your muscles are catabolizing (basically your muscles are breaking down from under-nourishment). You may have screwed up your metabolism by eating too low for so long. I'd try to contact Leigh Peele www.leighpeele.com as her Fat Loss Troubleshoot program is designed for people in your possible situation.

    Good luck
  • geekyjock76
    geekyjock76 Posts: 2,720 Member
    What are your stats? Weight, height, age, body fat %? You may be creating too large of a sustainable deficit by eating 1200 calories and all that exercise.
  • Lorna0405
    Lorna0405 Posts: 2 Member
    I'm 28, 5'3" and BMI is 25.7...overweight. I am starting to try and eat a bit more than normal as I am starting to think that I am eating too few of calories to keep up with my work out schedule. But eating more of the right thing. I do not eat any fast food, eat out at restaurant or have junk food in my house so hopefully I start seeing some kind of result soon. Its very discouraging.
  • Gramps251
    Gramps251 Posts: 738 Member
    No carbs, all proteins and fats. Will you show your diary?
  • SarahSmiles2004
    SarahSmiles2004 Posts: 66 Member
    Sounds like you may be in starvation mode. If you're working out vigorously and not eating enough your body will start to hold on to anything and everything it can get it's hands on. You will start burning muscle befcause your body doesn't have enough of anything else to get.

    Also, carbs are not the enemy (I had to learn this, I stopped eating them back in 2005 and realized that was stupid) As long as your carbs are whole grain and not processed like Wonder White bread, it's ok to have a serving at each meal. I avoid processed carbs like cookies, white bread, etc. Not that I don't indulge now and then but that's where I am . Everything in moderation.

    For numbers on how much to eat are you going off the numbers MFP provides or the TDEE? (which can be found here: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/8017-in-place-of-a-road-map)

    If you're going off MFP and you're burning up all the calories you eat you're putting yourself into starvation/survival mode for sure. So if you're eating 1200 and burning 1000, you net 200 and then your body holds onto that like a dog with it's favorite chew toy. Not letting go and will start to be detrimental. Start adding in about 100 extra calories and see where that takes you, up 100 - 150 calories a week until you get to a point where you are netting 1000-1200 instead of netting less than that. I know it sounds counter productive but you have to fuel your body. That 1200 that MFP has placed for you is for you to lose weight WITHOUT working out. That's your resting exergy expenditure (if you sit around and do nothing but eat, work and sleep, you'll lose weight. You start working out and you're in deficit (check this link out too: http://dl.irpdf.com/ebooks/Part9/www.irpdf.com(4291).pdf )

    There are a lot of resources. Check out the in place of road map group. A lot of great people there to help too.
  • klacount77
    klacount77 Posts: 270 Member
    100% agreed! You have to find the solution that works for you, and this regimen you are on is not working! Try increasing calories. If that doesn't work try cutting back on carbs. just try on different diets until you find one that works for YOU!
    Sounds like you may be in starvation mode. If you're working out vigorously and not eating enough your body will start to hold on to anything and everything it can get it's hands on. You will start burning muscle because your body doesn't have enough of anything else to get.

    Also, carbs are not the enemy (I had to learn this, I stopped eating them back in 2005 and realized that was stupid) As long as your carbs are whole grain and not processed like Wonder White bread, it's ok to have a serving at each meal. I avoid processed carbs like cookies, white bread, etc. Not that I don't indulge now and then but that's where I am . Everything in moderation.

    For numbers on how much to eat are you going off the numbers MFP provides or the TDEE? (which can be found here: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/8017-in-place-of-a-road-map)

    If you're going off MFP and you're burning up all the calories you eat you're putting yourself into starvation/survival mode for sure. So if you're eating 1200 and burning 1000, you net 200 and then your body holds onto that like a dog with it's favorite chew toy. Not letting go and will start to be detrimental. Start adding in about 100 extra calories and see where that takes you, up 100 - 150 calories a week until you get to a point where you are netting 1000-1200 instead of netting less than that. I know it sounds counter productive but you have to fuel your body. That 1200 that MFP has placed for you is for you to lose weight WITHOUT working out. That's your resting exergy expenditure (if you sit around and do nothing but eat, work and sleep, you'll lose weight. You start working out and you're in deficit (check this link out too: http://dl.irpdf.com/ebooks/Part9/www.irpdf.com(4291).pdf )

    There are a lot of resources. Check out the in place of road map group. A lot of great people there to help too.

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