Feeling discouraged and hopeless :(

zekerella
zekerella Posts: 58 Member
in Motivation and Support
Hello! I've had a really hard time losing weight for the past 6 months so in sept I went and had my metabolism tested.

Turns out according to the test, I was way under eatting. I was eatting 1700 a day and burning 400-500 cals everyday. MY REAL bmr is 1900, and tdee 3000 (that is including exercise...it would be 2500 without but I'm very consistent with my exercise)

So I've been eatting 2200 calories a day for 2 weeks. No results. It's amazing because I'm not hungry finally! But absolutely no results....wtf? I feel so hopeless.

Why can't I reach my goal? I want to have 16% body fat. I am at 22%. I am 5'5 female.

Replies

  • LoraF83
    LoraF83 Posts: 15,694 Member
    2 weeks isn't long enough. Keep going.
  • pontystac
    pontystac Posts: 1
    from your picture i can see you are female - 16% body fat for a female is unhealthy low, the healthy body fat percentage is 21-33%, if you are trying to get that low you could be making yourself very ill and your body will fight it. Being under weight/ underfat can cause fertility problems and health probs like osteoporosis. Perhaps you should visit your GP and chat about what is a healthy weight goal instead of beating yourself up about reaching an unhealthy one! (this is tough love xxxx)
  • kenazfehu
    kenazfehu Posts: 1,188 Member
    from your picture i can see you are female - 16% body fat for a female is unhealthy low, the healthy body fat percentage is 21-33%, if you are trying to get that low you could be making yourself very ill and your body will fight it. Being under weight/ underfat can cause fertility problems and health probs like osteoporosis. Perhaps you should visit your GP and chat about what is a healthy weight goal instead of beating yourself up about reaching an unhealthy one! (this is tough love xxxx)

    Up to 33%? That can't be right. I got something like 31% body fat, which classified me as obese (only slightly). Obese isn't healthy.

    But 22% is great! Females need more fat than men because of the reproductive cycle.
  • kristen6022
    kristen6022 Posts: 1,923 Member
    No one on this website will promote you attempting to be 16% BF. I think starting to life heavy will help tighten up the spots that trouble you. Eat a maintenance and lift heavy things 4 days a week.
  • pastryari
    pastryari Posts: 8,646 Member
    rbnHi.gif
  • ChristieisReady
    ChristieisReady Posts: 708 Member
    Are you sure you want 16% body fat? How are you calculating body fat?

    Either way, I'd make sure I was lifting weights and not just doing cardio in a workout. That, with concentrating on high protein consumption will promote lean muscle development.
  • MotiV8m3
    MotiV8m3 Posts: 1 Member
    i hear you :( im feeling the same way...ive tried every diet and exercise routine out there...my problem is consistency :( help?
  • Mama2JAK
    Mama2JAK Posts: 9
    What kind of exercise program are you doing?
  • deksgrl
    deksgrl Posts: 7,237 Member
    It is going to take some time for your metabolism to "catch up" especially if you were eating too little for a long time. Your hormones and a lot of things have to adjust. Keep at it, be patient.
  • zekerella
    zekerella Posts: 58 Member
    Ok. For the record I'm not a newbie to the whole fitness and health world. I'm an ironman athlete who was 2% away in my age group to qualifying for kona.

    I am trying to lose body fat to increase my athletic performance to qualify for kona this upcoming year (as other athletes suggest)

    Before accusing someone of having an unhealthy goal maybe you should all do some research. http://www.healthchecksystems.com/bodyfat.htm

    No way is 16% unhealthy. Your saying that every female athlete is unhealthy if you are.

    I was just looking for some encouragement or some comradory from people who have experienced similar.
  • chubby_checkers
    chubby_checkers Posts: 2,352 Member
    Ok. For the record I'm not a newbie to the whole fitness and health world. I'm an ironman athlete who was 2% away in my age group to qualifying for kona.

    I am trying to lose body fat to increase my athletic performance to qualify for kona this upcoming year (as other athletes suggest)

    Before accusing someone of having an unhealthy goal maybe you should all do some research. http://www.healthchecksystems.com/bodyfat.htm

    No way is 16% unhealthy. Your saying that every female athlete is unhealthy if you are.

    I was just looking for some encouragement or some comradory from people who have experienced similar.

    If you had posted that originally, you would have gotten different responses. No one here knows what your goals, accomplishments, etc. are until you tell them. Chill out. :flowerforyou:
  • zekerella
    zekerella Posts: 58 Member
    Oh! And my exercise routine is:

    3 days a week Nike training club class (60 minutes of nonstop calisethics, strength, core, and agility)
    3 days a week I run 5 miles with one day of hill work
    1 day a week I bike 10-20 miles
  • zekerella
    zekerella Posts: 58 Member
    Sorry -blushes-

    Got a little carried away there ha
  • ChristieisReady
    ChristieisReady Posts: 708 Member
    You're right. The "fitness" level is higher, but "Athlete" is 14-20% body fat and "essential" is 10-16%. I mean, it still sounds awfully low, but if that's the goal, then you CAN do it! But I agree, your body takes a while to recover from under eating. Keep at it!
  • zekerella
    zekerella Posts: 58 Member
    rbnHi.gif

    this is amazing. ha!!
  • angelina2585
    angelina2585 Posts: 273 Member
    I think you need to bump your calories more. Try for a smaller cut from your TDEE. If your TDEE is 3000 (wow!) deduct a maximum of 500 although I'd shoot for a 300 calorie deduction. Just my opinion of course but I see in your profile that you only want to lose a few pounds so yes, cut fewer calories.

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