Forgive me MFP for I have sinned....

SarahCW1979
SarahCW1979 Posts: 572 Member
in Motivation and Support
(First time Ive asked for advice in the scary forum, please be kind!)


I stepped on the scales :(

Frucking things tell me I am STILL the same weight I was 6 weeks ago so are back behind the toilet sulking. If Im perfectly honest Im a liiiittle bit pissy about that. Sure I can brave face it and say I feel better and look better so it doesnt matter but really... I think it does.

I mean, am I meant to find this really hard? Because I dont... its not 'hard' to not eat crap anymore, logging is pretty much habit and I really enjoy all the different kinds of exercise Im doing. Im just really disappointed because I see everyday that my friend list is full of losses and Id love to be one of them. Even if its a quarter pound!

Ive got my settings at half a pound a week, I am set at sedentary because besides workouts and housework I dont do much else (housework didnt stop me gaining so I dont account for that in my daily activities) and Im not tired or strung out so I know (well, think) Im eating enough. I know Im not a snowflake and that all the BMR, TDEE and that should work. Im not tempted to go below 1200 (thats just silly) but 3 weeks ago I ate at 'maintenance' for a week and GAINED! Ill be frucked if I was logging that! Maybe my BMR is lower than average?

OK, ENOUGH WITH THE MOANING!
Ive lost inches, my skin is firmer all over, cellulite... WHAT cellulite? Im so much stronger and I feel fitter. I have muscle definition in my arms, shoulders, abs and legs.

Its probably because Ive only 11lbs to go. This last 11lbs is just going to haunt me for a while until I find what works eh?

For anyone thats interested I workout 4 days a week and I put my ALL into it.

Mondays = Circuits inc cardio 35mins.
Tuesdays = Strength training, heavy as I can go 40 mins
Thursdays = Circuits and cardio again 35 mins
Fridays = Strength training again, heavy as I can manage 40 mins

I have a weights bench now so I can really get down and dirty with my bad self. If any of you want to chime in with some advice please feel free!! My diary is open so go check it out.

Replies

  • LexyDB
    LexyDB Posts: 261
    Exercise is only a small percentage of weight loss.

    Diet is 80% of achieving your goals. An effective balance is 40% protein, 40% fats and 20% carbohydrates. This is what I have used and look at the progress I've made.

    Restrict carbohydrates to post workout for a few weeks, rearrange your diet to cater for this eating protein and good fats until you work out the carbohydrates post workout.

    This will solve most of your issues.
  • lauren3101
    lauren3101 Posts: 1,853 Member
    You have your settings set a sedentary but you workout to a high intensity 4 days a week. I would count that as light activity personally, so it could be that you aren't eating enough. If you've been eating at too high a deficit for a while and then eat at maintenance, a small gain in the beginning is normal. You need to stick it out for longer than a week. Patience, my child!

    What I would think it is however is the gain of muscle. You do 2 days of HEAVY lifting, and you say you've lost inches and look a lot better - hell, if I weighed 30 stone but had an *kitten* that could crack walnuts, I wouldn't care about my weight.

    My best advice is to ditch the scales when weight lifting and take measurements. I've seen countless women on here that weigh a fair bit more than they did when they were originally slim, but have much fitter and nicer bodies, because they lift. It's just a number on the scale. It's not as important as how you look or feel.
  • sho3girl
    sho3girl Posts: 10,799 Member
    This -

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/758160-reminder-the-scale-does-not-define-you
  • beccarockslife
    beccarockslife Posts: 816 Member
    You have your settings set a sedentary but you workout to a high intensity 4 days a week. I would count that as light activity personally, so it could be that you aren't eating enough. If you've been eating at too high a deficit for a while and then eat at maintenance, a small gain in the beginning is normal. You need to stick it out for longer than a week. Patience, my child!

    if she logs her exercise separately though then she's covering that. Settings are for general lifestyle, what she does outside of workouts. I (when I'm not injured) workout 5 days a week, I'm set at sedentary because outside the gym I'm likely to be sitting down.
  • lauren3101
    lauren3101 Posts: 1,853 Member
    You have your settings set a sedentary but you workout to a high intensity 4 days a week. I would count that as light activity personally, so it could be that you aren't eating enough. If you've been eating at too high a deficit for a while and then eat at maintenance, a small gain in the beginning is normal. You need to stick it out for longer than a week. Patience, my child!

    if she logs her exercise separately though then she's covering that. Settings are for general lifestyle, what she does outside of workouts. I (when I'm not injured) workout 5 days a week, I'm set at sedentary because outside the gym I'm likely to be sitting down.

    You are right, I didn't look at the food diary. I just assume everyone works on 20% below their TDEE ha. My apologies OP.

    I still think it's due to building muscle though,
  • SarahCW1979
    SarahCW1979 Posts: 572 Member
    This -

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/758160-reminder-the-scale-does-not-define-you

    :heart: Lorina! Thanks for linking!

    Can someone really be 'healthy' at 158lbs though? My BF is 25% (as accurate as calipers can be) and Im 5'2", dress size UK 12.

    And thanks guys, I realise its another one of 'those' posts but cheers for the input :drinker:
  • LivingtheLeanDream
    LivingtheLeanDream Posts: 13,342 Member
    ....I THINK YOU ARE ME!!! your journey sounds soo much like mine!!! I know its because we're on the last leg, you have 11lbs to go, I have 8lbs...its slow going when it gets to this stage..I have not lost in 4 weeks, in fact last week I eat 200 cals less/day to shake up my metabolism and I GAINED 1/2 lb!!! I, like you, see my other MFP buddies consistantly loss each week and think, why not me??why?? sigh...LOL We should be happy with our trimmer more tones bodies, but no, we want the scales to show a lovely loss each week...!! Anyway I've not looked at your diary, perhaps like the OP's have said, you should up your cals, I know thats what I'm doing this week, I'm eating at 1300 this week instead of 1200 and tomorrow is weigh in day..!! I always dread yet long for weigh in day!! Hmmm!! I'm really hoping tomorrow I'll lose :)

    just keep on going, up your allowance a bit, eat back most of your exercise cals and I do feel you will get great results.

    Ruth :flowerforyou:
  • SarahCW1979
    SarahCW1979 Posts: 572 Member
    Thanks Ruth :happy: It sure is frustrating but Ive done a few measurements and Ive stopped sulking now lol
    Not gonna quit, just got to keep on truckin' eh? Let me know how your weigh in goes :flowerforyou:
  • LivingtheLeanDream
    LivingtheLeanDream Posts: 13,342 Member
    Thats great Sarah, measuring is where we see the differences, I know for me I've lost several inches off all over, I have the same waist size I had in my 20's when I was over 15lbs lighter!!! go figure eh!! LOL

    Glad you're not giving up, and neither am I

    Have a great day

    R xo

    Sarah I'll send you a friend invite so I can keep you posted ok :)
  • LivingtheLeanDream
    LivingtheLeanDream Posts: 13,342 Member
    ps I WISH MY TUMMY WAS AS FLAT AS YOURS!!!! you are one lucky gal :)

    Ruth
  • mogletdeluxe
    mogletdeluxe Posts: 623 Member
    Yup, the link provided above is pretty much gospel for me!

    I hear you loud and clear. If it's any comfort, for the past few months I was in spitting distance of my goal weight (I was 16 stone/224lb to begin with, with a target weight of 10 stone/140lb).

    A few months ago, I started regular heavier lifting in addition to my cardio, as well as running (primarily a zumba freak; decided to hit the treadmill for something different). And started eating more - 1750 calories, and eating most of my exercise calories back.

    EEEEEEK THE SCALE WENT UP WATDAFUQ. But! My shape has changed significantly, my clothes fit far better, and I just generally feel pretty boss.

    My BMI, depending on the day, is on the very top of healthy...or overweight.

    But sod it. I know I'm stronger, fitter, and yes...heavier.

    So. I've kind of thrown my goal weight out of the window, and focussed more on the numbers at the end of my dumbbell!

    All the best; I know this can be the most frustrating journey in the world sometimes x
  • sho3girl
    sho3girl Posts: 10,799 Member
    This -

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/758160-reminder-the-scale-does-not-define-you

    :heart: Lorina! Thanks for linking!

    Can someone really be 'healthy' at 158lbs though? My BF is 25% (as accurate as calipers can be) and Im 5'2", dress size UK 12.

    And thanks guys, I realise its another one of 'those' posts but cheers for the input :drinker:

    Your most welcome whenever I have a scale blip and my clothes are still looking good I re-read it! Think we are all too focused on the scale..

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