Please Help

ashten23
ashten23 Posts: 8
in Health and Weight Loss
I need help, encouragement, advice, etc...I am 20, weigh around 130lbs and about 5'3

I've been working hard at a program I found on simplyshredded.com. I am in my 3rd week of the program. On Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, I do 30 min of HIIT on an eliptical as soon as I wake up. I do 4 min of moderate intensity then all out sprint for a minute and repeat for the half hour. Later on those days, I do weight training that usually lasts around an hour. On Wednesdays and Saturdays, I do light cardio: 20 min on a stationary bike, 20 min on the elliptical, and 20 min on the treadmill.

I'm usually eating around 1300 calories a day. Nothing I eat is "terrible for me." Very restrictive on processed foods. No hydrogenated ingredients or unnecessary sugars. I eat 5 small meals a day, every 2-3 hours.

Problem is...I've gained weight! Nothing fits looser, in other words not seeing much of a difference in my overall physique.

Replies

  • zithan
    zithan Posts: 6 Member
    I am not familiar with the program you are doing. But at a glance, you are physically active 6 days a week and not eating alot of calories. Being a guy, I do not know what 1300 calories means for a woman ( I am 5'7, 219 pounds, and get to eat 2000 calories a day to lose 1 pound a week).

    Just a couple thoughts:

    1) It seems like you are heavy into leg exercise (eliptical/cardio everyday) and also weight training. With muscle being heavier/denser than fat, is it possible your weight gain is muscle mass and you just haven't lost enough fat to make you take notice? Perhaps someone who doesn't see you on a regular basis can give you an honest evaluation?

    2) Obviously, I do not know your medical history, but a thyroid on the blink would wreck havoc on (amongest other things) your ability to lose weight.

    **EDIT** One last thought...
    3) Do you measure what you eat? If you don't, you might be taking in more than you think.

    Anyway..just food for thought.
  • astrampe
    astrampe Posts: 2,169 Member
    You are three weeks into a new workout program...I can see two things - one - the weight gain is water retention - your body is holding on to water in order to help with muscle repair...It is temporary and will go away.
    Two, you do strenuous exercise six days a week while not fueling your body...
    Work out your TDEE and eat 20% less - or eat back your exercise calories before you do damage to your metabolism....
    I am more than twice as old as you - do heavy weights 3x per week and cardie 3 times, and eat between 1700 and 1900 calorise a day - and still lose weight....
  • ashten23
    ashten23 Posts: 8
    Thanks for the info! I'll definitely give myself more time.

    Any advice on how to better fuel my body? Supposedly supposed to be taking in around 1500 cal a day, but I'm having a hard time eating that much. I tend to get full pretty quickly and stay full feeling for a while after( good thing I guess).
  • astrampe
    astrampe Posts: 2,169 Member
    If you go according to MFP, you need to eat some of your exercise calories back... Throw in some nuts for snacks, full fat cheese, avo's, or a protein shake after your workout or before bed....

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