Bit of a problem, requesting help. Please read.

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Pandasarecool
Pandasarecool Posts: 508 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
So, lately I have been feeling really overwhelmed and like I can't do anything. So, I have a few questions

1) Am I exercising too much
Here is what I do just about every day: 30 day shred (I am on level two and DYING), Be fit in 90 on you tube (Here is the link, I am almost done with month two http://www.youtube.com/user/BeFitin90 ), and some days I walk 45 minutes with my dog.
Do you think I should stop doing 30 day shred, and finish up be fit, and then move on to 30 day shred from the beginning? I am not seeing a whole lot of progress, and I wonder if I could be overdoing it. Does this seem like too much? Or am I Overestimating how hard this is.

2) How are my macros?
My diary is open, how do my macros for a typical day look? Sugar, carbs, fat, protein, sodium?

3) Should I be seeing at least some progress?
I am on month 2 of 3 of be fit in 90, and I can tell I am stronger, and my arms are looking quite a bit more toned, but that is it. Is this normal? Will it take a LOT longer till my stomach doesn't hang, and I have a bit of visible abs? What about my flabby legs? Is it possible to not be seeing as much progress as I should if I am overdoing it?

4)How are my food choices? (Stupid question, is an ounce of almonds a serving size? Does it really matter as long as it fits my macros?) (I love almonds and nuts.)

5)Why am I always so tired and feel so run down? I am trying to eat more, and sleep 8 hours a night, but I am really feeling depressed and miserable lately.

60 I haven't had my period in about 5 months, is this normal? Or am I overdoing exercise or something?

FYI. I am 18 years old, 5'7" 127 pounds female. I would like to see a toned 125 pounds. Haven't lost hardly any weight in a month or so.

I appreciate any honest answers/opinions. Please try not to be horrible and mean, I am just trying to figure out what is wrong with me. I have always hated the way I look, I still think I am fat, at 127 pounds. I didn't feel nearly as bad when I was 160 pounds. I was happy then, but now I'm miserable almost every day. I wake up dreading working out and how I am going to eat right. No matter how much exercise I get in I always tell myself, now that CAN'T be enough to make me look good, especially if I wasn't drenched in sweat and in excruciating pain.

Sorry for the long post, I've just been feeling like I am doing something wrong lately and would like to get everything cleared up and get some expert-ish advise.:frown:
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Replies

  • smantha32
    smantha32 Posts: 6,990 Member
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    You probably are exercising too much if you're not getting your period. But you should probably go get a physical. There might be something wrong that someone here couldn't possibly tell you.
  • AMHouse85
    AMHouse85 Posts: 285 Member
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    Looking at your foods I would think you need to eat more if you are exercising as much as you say.
  • Pandasarecool
    Pandasarecool Posts: 508 Member
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    You probably are exercising too much if you're not getting your period. But you should probably go get a physical. There might be something wrong that someone here couldn't possibly tell you.

    My doc. told me that if I don't get it next month, I have to go to a specialist. Thanks for the help though.

    Also, how much exercise is considered too much??? I normally get an hour to an hour and a half each day. I don't do a lot else during my days though, as I am a student and only work as a waitress 3 nights a week. I feel that I should be doing more though...
  • erickirb
    erickirb Posts: 12,293 Member
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    You are not eating nearly enough. with so little to lose your weekly weight loss goal should be to lose no more than 0.5lbs/week and on top of that you should be eating back the cals you burn from exercise.

    Too large of a deficit will lead to the loss of lean muscle, not just the fat you are looking at losing.
  • itgeekwoman
    itgeekwoman Posts: 804 Member
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    For the amount that you are working out, you aren't eating enough to keep your muscles fed. You stated that you have muscles, defined abs and so forth. Re-evaluate your calories to ensure that you are eating enough.
    Good luck
  • ditalini
    ditalini Posts: 7 Member
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    Definitely consult a doctor. You are on the lower end for your height/weight and burning a lot of calories in exercise. You may actually be in starvation mode instead of being in that fat burning zone. Good luck!
  • Pandasarecool
    Pandasarecool Posts: 508 Member
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    Looking at your foods I would think you need to eat more if you are exercising as much as you say.

    For some reason though, I feel like I should be exercising MORE because I see people on here burning a TON of calories...
  • auddii
    auddii Posts: 15,357 Member
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    *Not an expert*

    Looking through your diary, you appear to be eating between 800-1200 calories a day and not eating back your calories burned through exercise. Toned abs seem to come from a combination of working out the muscles, feeding your body enough to allow your muscles to get bigger, and dropping body fat percentage. My guess is that you are not eating enough.

    Granted, I'm in the eat at least your BMR camp. It seems about half of the forum thinks that's a horrible idea and half thinks it's the best thing ever. Take your pick, but I would say you are under eating, and your muscles aren't going to get bigger (having a "toned" look means you can actually see your muscles, which means they need to be bigger than what they are now).
  • erickirb
    erickirb Posts: 12,293 Member
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    Looking at your foods I would think you need to eat more if you are exercising as much as you say.

    For some reason though, I feel like I should be exercising MORE because I see people on here burning a TON of calories...

    The amount you burn has nothing to do with weight loss, or fat loss, it is the caloric deficit that matters. the smaller your deficit the slower your loss, which is good, as slower weight loss tends to come from a higher % of fat loss vs. muscle loss.
  • Pandasarecool
    Pandasarecool Posts: 508 Member
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    Definitely consult a doctor. You are on the lower end for your height/weight and burning a lot of calories in exercise. You may actually be in starvation mode instead of being in that fat burning zone. Good luck!

    Is 250 a day really a lot? I actually don't know if this is the correct number. For 30 day shred, I always just put in 150 calories, don't know if this is too much or too little. I see some people burning as much as 250 on 30 day shred per their HRM (I want to get one, but don't have money at the moment.)
  • mabelbabel1
    mabelbabel1 Posts: 391 Member
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    You are just not giving your body enough fuel/food to function....that about sums it up.

    You really must eat more, that's why you're feeling so exhausted and fed up......your body is running on empty.

    Eat a normal healthy well balanced diet, increase your cals. I would suggest weightloss is not what you need right now, but a greater understanding of food and how your body works is.

    Look after and love yourself x
  • jbwegner
    jbwegner Posts: 254 Member
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    I am certainly no expert, but it seems like you need to eat a bit more for the amount of activity you are doing. That is a lot of exercise for one day, and on many of those days you are eating less that 1200 calories. I think you should add in some more lean proteins and healthy carbs. Plus 127 is quite thin for 5'7''. I bet you have a beautiful body. Don't kill yourself trying to get to that magic number. Just focus on your health! A big part of that is giving your body the nutrition it needs! :flowerforyou:
  • Pandasarecool
    Pandasarecool Posts: 508 Member
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    *Not an expert*

    Looking through your diary, you appear to be eating between 800-1200 calories a day and not eating back your calories burned through exercise. Toned abs seem to come from a combination of working out the muscles, feeding your body enough to allow your muscles to get bigger, and dropping body fat percentage. My guess is that you are not eating enough.

    Granted, I'm in the eat at least your BMR camp. It seems about half of the forum thinks that's a horrible idea and half thinks it's the best thing ever. Take your pick, but I would say you are under eating, and your muscles aren't going to get bigger (having a "toned" look means you can actually see your muscles, which means they need to be bigger than what they are now).

    Will doing the same program that I am doing (Maybe even a bit less) But upping my calories, help me to get more toned?
  • AllonsYtotheTardis
    AllonsYtotheTardis Posts: 16,947 Member
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    First - love the profile picture. ;)

    Please remember that most of the people who are burning a ton of calories - they are at a much higher body weight than you are. The heavier you are, the more calories you will burn for the same activity level. Don't compare yourself with someone who weighs more than you, it's not a fair comparison.

    I took a look at your diary, and for the amount of exercise you are doing, you really are not eating enough. That's most likely why you are tired.

    Next point... You should consider getting into bodyweight strength training, and then lifting weights. At your size, you are at a good weight - sounds like you just want to change your body composition, and cardio alone will not do that for you. If it was me, I would trade the 30day shred for strength training.
  • christabel6
    christabel6 Posts: 173 Member
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    It sounds like you're doing too much exercise to be honest and perhaps cutting back to just a dog walk and one workout a day would be plenty. Have you had a fitness assessment and someone look over your diet plan, and are you eating all your exercise calories back? You will probably need to up the level of protein in your diet if you're exercising so intensely.

    You haven't said what is a realistic weight goal for your height and frame size. You need to make sure you're getting enough to eat because you might be putting your body into starvation mode and that's why you're not losing weight.

    Bear in mind if you're not eating enough protein your body will be using muscle to keep you going rather than burning fat. Like the above poster I think you need to get some proper advice. It's demoralising working so hard and seeing no reward for it.
  • auddii
    auddii Posts: 15,357 Member
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    Looking at your foods I would think you need to eat more if you are exercising as much as you say.

    For some reason though, I feel like I should be exercising MORE because I see people on here burning a TON of calories...

    Everyone is different. I weigh a lot, and so I burn more calories walking down the block than someone else might jogging down the block. I also need to lose 70 lbs. Don't compare yourself to others. Work to make yourself healthier. From the description of the problems you are having (tired, no period, etc.) it sounds like what you are doing is not healthy for YOU. I'd listen to your doctor and possibly contact a nutritionist as well. Does your doctor know how much exercise and how many calories you eat?
  • kwest_4_fitness
    kwest_4_fitness Posts: 819 Member
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    I would agree with getting a physical. I would also question losing additional weight. If your doctor indicates you’re at a healthy weight for your height (which based on much of my own research you are - I’m 5’7 and shooting for 139 lbs on a medium size frame), then maybe try for more strength training/toning and less focus on weight loss. I applaud you for your focus and commitment. And congratulations on going from 160 lbs to 127 lbs!! Time to get your happy back, girl!!
  • erickirb
    erickirb Posts: 12,293 Member
    Options
    *Not an expert*

    Looking through your diary, you appear to be eating between 800-1200 calories a day and not eating back your calories burned through exercise. Toned abs seem to come from a combination of working out the muscles, feeding your body enough to allow your muscles to get bigger, and dropping body fat percentage. My guess is that you are not eating enough.

    Granted, I'm in the eat at least your BMR camp. It seems about half of the forum thinks that's a horrible idea and half thinks it's the best thing ever. Take your pick, but I would say you are under eating, and your muscles aren't going to get bigger (having a "toned" look means you can actually see your muscles, which means they need to be bigger than what they are now).

    Will doing the same program that I am doing (Maybe even a bit less) But upping my calories, help me to get more toned?

    most likely yes, as you will lose less muscle by eating more
  • jnetholmer
    jnetholmer Posts: 30
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    I suggest seeing your doctor too for a check-up. Also you seem to be getting yourself depressed over the situation and that could really be bad for you. I think sometimes your body hits a plateau where it gets used to doing something and you stay in a holding pattern for a while. You could try changing something up to try to burn fat in different areas. I am no expert when it comes to what yo uare eating or how you are excercising, so I can't really give any more insight than that, but I think you need to do what makes you happy. Maybe take a break and let your self relax for a day or two to let your body recover. When your body is tired and stopping your period, it seems that it is trying to tell you something is wrong. I hope you find the answers you are looking for.
  • Pandasarecool
    Pandasarecool Posts: 508 Member
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    I am certainly no expert, but it seems like you need to eat a bit more for the amount of activity you are doing. That is a lot of exercise for one day, and on many of those days you are eating less that 1200 calories. I think you should add in some more lean proteins and healthy carbs. Plus 127 is quite thin for 5'7''. I bet you have a beautiful body. Don't kill yourself trying to get to that magic number. Just focus on your health! A big part of that is giving your body the nutrition it needs! :flowerforyou:

    Thanks for the advise, the days that it is so low was by accident, as I was SUPER busy those days. I just wish I could see my body as 'beautiful' I still feel fat...

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