Why? Why? Why? No progress makes no sense!
ilovefitness36
Posts: 31
I'm trying to figure out WHY I haven't made ANY progress in losing INCHES and I've constantly worked out for over a year with my new trainer doing sled training, HIIT, and now circuit training. I'd like to think my diet is 80-20.
I am 36 y/o, I work out 4 times per week, I currently weigh 129 (from 127 when I first started MFP), and my waist has ALWAYS been 27" and my hips 39".
I have fluctuated my caloric intake between 1200-1500. Sometimes I am under my cals and sometimes I am over, and I try not to eat too many of my cals back after exercise. BUT EVEN WITH THAT BEING SAID - even if I am NOT EATING enough or whatever the case may be. NOTHING IS BUDGING. How is that even possible??
I'm having a hard time believing "you aren't eating enough". Because regardless if I was or wasn't - MY INCHES ARE NOT BUDGING. **AT ALL*** and it's been like this for over a year! You would think that with even the slightest amount of cheat treats and all the good stuff that I eat, and the weight training that I would even see an INCH or even 2 INCHES!! BUT NOTHING?!?!!? I don't understand. It seems physiologically impossible.
Someone else on here one time said that perhaps my fat is being replaced by muscle, but is taking up the space. But what they failed to remember is that MUSCLE is more DENSE than fat, and takes up LESS SPACE!
So not the case for me. My clothes still fit the same. My upper body looks slightly different (improvement?) but my waist size is ALWAYS the same. My weight goes UP! But my measurements do not go down.
Am i doing something wrong here?
I am 36 y/o, I work out 4 times per week, I currently weigh 129 (from 127 when I first started MFP), and my waist has ALWAYS been 27" and my hips 39".
I have fluctuated my caloric intake between 1200-1500. Sometimes I am under my cals and sometimes I am over, and I try not to eat too many of my cals back after exercise. BUT EVEN WITH THAT BEING SAID - even if I am NOT EATING enough or whatever the case may be. NOTHING IS BUDGING. How is that even possible??
I'm having a hard time believing "you aren't eating enough". Because regardless if I was or wasn't - MY INCHES ARE NOT BUDGING. **AT ALL*** and it's been like this for over a year! You would think that with even the slightest amount of cheat treats and all the good stuff that I eat, and the weight training that I would even see an INCH or even 2 INCHES!! BUT NOTHING?!?!!? I don't understand. It seems physiologically impossible.
Someone else on here one time said that perhaps my fat is being replaced by muscle, but is taking up the space. But what they failed to remember is that MUSCLE is more DENSE than fat, and takes up LESS SPACE!
So not the case for me. My clothes still fit the same. My upper body looks slightly different (improvement?) but my waist size is ALWAYS the same. My weight goes UP! But my measurements do not go down.
Am i doing something wrong here?
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Replies
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No advice but I have the same issue. I'd really love to buy some new clothes. My weight is going down, but not my size. :frown:0
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It's so frustrating isn't it?? I *WISH* my weight was going down. Instead its creeping up, but my inches are not moving.
Makes no sense at all. I would figure if my weight was creeping up, that my inches would be too!
I measure myself correctly. I measure my waist above the belly button (to do this I 'bend' sideways to find the natural bend in my waist and measure from there). And much to my chagrin - NO change.
Things that make me go "Hmmmmmm...."0 -
When I was working my butt off and staying within 1200-1400 calories a day I stalled out for two months. What finally broke my plateau was eating more. Eat back more of your exercise calories or lookup your TDEE and take a moderate cut from that (about 20%). And give it time to work.0
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Am i doing something wrong here?
Yes...9 times out of 10 this is due to estimation error. You're either underestimating your intake and/or overestimating your burn. Probably both. Do you use a food scale? How do you estimate caloric output? Do you make adjustments for estimation error? Do you have "cheat days" or whatever? Do you drink alcohol?
What I'm getting at is there is an estimation error in there somewhere and you are consuming basically maintenance level if everything is staying the same. If yo're spot on with everything then you need to go see a doctor. It could be serious or it could be something as simple as vitamin D deficiency.0 -
What exercise do you do? Have you been doing the same thing for the last year?0
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Looking back in your diary, I'm seeing a lot of quick add calories labeled things like "Binge Eating/Drinking", as well as days where it looks like you might not have logged everything. Forget the quick add calories, and do an honest accounting of what you're eating and drinking. Then you can get a better idea of what's really going on. (Not judging, just speaking from experience.)0
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I have fluctuated my caloric intake between 1200-1500. Sometimes I am under my cals and sometimes I am over, and I try not to eat too many of my cals back after exercise. BUT EVEN WITH THAT BEING SAID - even if I am NOT EATING enough or whatever the case may be. NOTHING IS BUDGING. How is that even possible??
Sounds like your doing alot, your probably not eating enough.. You say how is it possible your body isn't doing anything.. cause it adapts to what you give it.. you give it 1200 calories, you better believe its not giving anything up. Figure out your TDEE with a correct activity level, reduce by a percentage and eat that everyday.. I am sure your BMR is probably over 1300 with your exercise you should be higher. Or you could just try eating all of your exercise calories too.0 -
Google "adaptive thermogenesis", or if you're up to a tough slog through some technical reading, try this link:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3673773/0 -
What the cat said. You also might want to cut down on the processed foods. You never know what is added to them. You do need to start adding what you are actually eating.0
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If you're eating at too much of a deficit, you won't gain muscle, ie, won't lose inches.0
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My waist and stomach WILL NOT budge if I am eating sugar, grains, drinking alcohol, or caffeine - even if my calories are where they should be. Basically now I just eat Paleo, and that shrinks the belly and waist. For me it's not just the number of calories, but the kind of calories. Read Wheat Belly for an interesting take on this.0
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I hate this answer and you're going to hate it too, but maybe you are just at the right weight for you? I think you look fantastic in your pics.
That said, log like it's your job. No excuses.0 -
What the cat said. You also might want to cut down on the processed foods. You never know what is added to them. You do need to start adding what you are actually eating.
I try not to eat processed foods too often. If by processed you mean "Healthy Choices frozen meals", they've never been a problem for me, and they are within the recommended daily sodium intake. I mainly eat really well during the day, complex carbs, protein etc. I have a nut allergy so I'm very limited to the amount of foods I can eat for protein. So, I often eat eggs for breakfast (i've changed it up over the last two weeks and started eating some mixed berries and yogurt for brekkie).
I allow my self a cheat day (or two), because if I don't I will binge. My boyfriend is a hefty man so he eats a lot of junk and I've discussed with him to NEVER OFFER ME any because I will cave. I actually have to leave the room when he eats junk food!
He LOVES ordering out. I will order out on a weekend, but nothing too terrible. I like more of a sit down meal at a nice restaurant rather than McDonalds, or BK etc.
I JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND WITH EVEN ALL THE WORKING OUT I'VE DONE THAT THE NUMBERS HAVE NOT BUDGED. It just seems like I am working hard for nothing.0 -
I JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND WITH EVEN ALL THE WORKING OUT I'VE DONE THAT THE NUMBERS HAVE NOT BUDGED. It just seems like I am working hard for nothing.
Diet for weight control; exercise for fitness. You can't out-exercise a bad diet. Just because you're working out doesn't mean you have a solid deficit of calories. Exercise is actually a very inefficient way of creating a calorie deficit. Working out is great for maintenance and will generally keep people from gaining, even if they're over consuming a little...but it's a really ****ty way to create a calorie deficit.
You need to get your **** together in RE to diet...like I said before, you're most likely underestimating your intake. Looking through your diary it is easy to see how...lots of quick adds, etc. As others have stated...start logging accurately. Go out and get a food scale and start weighing your food and ingredients. Make sure you're getting your proper nutrition...try to get as much in the way of vitamins and minerals as you can through food...get 1 gram of protein per Lb of LBM or 0.80 grams of protein per Lb of total body weight...make sure 20-30% of your diet is good, healthy fat. Dietary fat is essential for shedding body fat and of course, serves much more important purposes than that.
Once again...diet for weight control; exercise for fitness.0 -
You need to get your **** together in RE to diet...like I said before, you're most likely underestimating your intake. Looking through your diary it is easy to see how...lots of quick adds, etc. As others have stated...start logging accurately. Go out and get a food scale and start weighing your food and ingredients. Make sure you're getting your proper nutrition...try to get as much in the way of vitamins and minerals as you can through food...get 1 gram of protein per Lb of LBM or 0.80 grams of protein per Lb of total body weight...make sure 20-30% of your diet is good, healthy fat. Dietary fat is essential for shedding body fat and of course, serves much more important purposes than that.
Once again...diet for weight control; exercise for fitness.
SOMETIMES I JUST NEED TO BE TOLD
*licks my whip wounds* 0 -
I JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND WITH EVEN ALL THE WORKING OUT I'VE DONE THAT THE NUMBERS HAVE NOT BUDGED. It just seems like I am working hard for nothing.
Diet for weight control; exercise for fitness. You can't out-exercise a bad diet. Just because you're working out doesn't mean you have a solid deficit of calories. Exercise is actually a very inefficient way of creating a calorie deficit. Working out is great for maintenance and will generally keep people from gaining, even if they're over consuming a little...but it's a really ****ty way to create a calorie deficit.
You need to get your **** together in RE to diet...like I said before, you're most likely underestimating your intake. Looking through your diary it is easy to see how...lots of quick adds, etc. As others have stated...start logging accurately. Go out and get a food scale and start weighing your food and ingredients. Make sure you're getting your proper nutrition...try to get as much in the way of vitamins and minerals as you can through food...get 1 gram of protein per Lb of LBM or 0.80 grams of protein per Lb of total body weight...make sure 20-30% of your diet is good, healthy fat. Dietary fat is essential for shedding body fat and of course, serves much more important purposes than that.
Once again...diet for weight control; exercise for fitness.
^This0 -
How tall are you?
Also, lift heavy. See results.0 -
Try giving up all grains and legumes for 3 weeks and eating more good fats.if you keep your carb levels low, you will start to see results. I am about your same body size and had not been below 127 in years UNTIL I got off grains. Check out 'The Practical Paleo
Book by Diane Sanfilippo, or www.perfecthealthdiet.com if paleo is too intense for you.0 -
If you eat too many calories and exercise, you will still gain muscle but it will be hidden under your fat.0
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Eat 25% less. Exercise 25% more. Watch your sodium intake.0
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My stats:
5"2'
36 y.o
Waist: 27
Hips :39
CWeight: 129
Goal weight: 115
My weight creeps up weekly. For the amount of times I work out vs. the amount of times I have a handful of 'forbidden snacks' (and I swear it's just a handful) It makes no sense. My inches do not change. I'm so frustrated.
When I had my physical in April nothing showed up in my blood work that gave any indication that my thyroid is suffering.
My B12/iron/D levels were low, but I diligently take vitamins/drops to bring them back up and have been since April.
I used to be a fit and toned small butt tiny girl who worked out 5 days a week, and still had occasional treats (was still with the same guy who ate junk food) this was 2-3 years ago.
I went through something very traumatic 3 years ago and stopped working out altogether. I had lost SO MUCH weight, and went down to a measly 109. Part of me liked it but part of me was upset because all that muscle tone was lost. I could barely eat. My anxiety was skyrocketing. BUT INSTEAD, I turned it around and started EMOTIONALLY EATING. OMG. That was part of the culprit.
But now, I'm working out hard 4x per week with a trainer, and I haven't really seen results in the lower half of my body, which is where I want to see it.
I could keep rambling on and on about this, ***but my eating habits haven't changed from now since a few years ago (before my trauma event) , and I still lost weight and became toned.****
Please don't tell me its age!!! LOL0 -
I JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND WITH EVEN ALL THE WORKING OUT I'VE DONE THAT THE NUMBERS HAVE NOT BUDGED. It just seems like I am working hard for nothing.
Diet for weight control; exercise for fitness. You can't out-exercise a bad diet. Just because you're working out doesn't mean you have a solid deficit of calories. Exercise is actually a very inefficient way of creating a calorie deficit. Working out is great for maintenance and will generally keep people from gaining, even if they're over consuming a little...but it's a really ****ty way to create a calorie deficit.
You need to get your **** together in RE to diet...like I said before, you're most likely underestimating your intake. Looking through your diary it is easy to see how...lots of quick adds, etc. As others have stated...start logging accurately. Go out and get a food scale and start weighing your food and ingredients. Make sure you're getting your proper nutrition...try to get as much in the way of vitamins and minerals as you can through food...get 1 gram of protein per Lb of LBM or 0.80 grams of protein per Lb of total body weight...make sure 20-30% of your diet is good, healthy fat. Dietary fat is essential for shedding body fat and of course, serves much more important purposes than that.
Once again...diet for weight control; exercise for fitness.
This!
Also, try taking a rest break every 6 week for an entire week of no intense workouts. (walking, yoga etc. only) When you get back to working out, you become a BEAST!
Good luck!0 -
If you eat too many calories and exercise, you will still gain muscle but it will be hidden under your fat.
It's funny you mention this, but my upper body is toned. My shoulders have squared off, I've gained quite a lot of strength since I first started (which equates to muscle gain ...how else?) and someone else told me the same thing.
I just need to get rid of the fat LOL0 -
I just looked at your dairy from Thursday, you are not eating the right kinds of foods. high sodium , sugar ect.... try to simplify what you are eating, more lean protein, (chicken, fish shrimp) complex carbs, (oatmeal, brown rice ect ) healthy fats, nuts , avocado and lot's of fresh green veggies, spinach, green beans, asparagus, kale...0
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Hey, check out www.venusindex.com
They think a bit differently there. I have been on the program for six months. It is more about shape and getting to your best body, not about how much weight you lose.0 -
Looking at your diary, no wonder you're not losing! I could not eat all that and hope to lose weight. I would be GAINING for sure!0
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You lose weight in the kitchen. You get fit in the gym.
You eat like crap.0 -
I just looked at your dairy from Thursday, you are not eating the right kinds of foods. high sodium , sugar ect.... try to simplify what you are eating, more lean protein, (chicken, fish shrimp) complex carbs, (oatmeal, brown rice ect ) healthy fats, nuts , avocado and lot's of fresh green veggies, spinach, green beans, asparagus, kale...
But that's just it. I WAS EATING more. I was eating whole grains, brown rice, quinoa, avocado, (I have a nut allergy), but I changed it up. I was eating, chicken, corn (I'm not a fish lover often, I need to be in the mood, and I HATE TUNA lol)
But I was finding that my lunches (VERY HEALTHY LUNCHES, I might add), were almost 500 cals in!! Look at my diary in June (the "WARRIOR BOWLS" i ate for lunch were a big bowl of brown rice, chicken breast, edamame, carrots, avocado, onions, tomatoes). What I ate for breakfast and lunch was something I often ate, and I GAINED. I don't understand how the meals I was eating couldn't have been healthy. Every ingredient in them was healthy!!!
So I chaulked it up to perhaps eating TOO MUCH.0 -
This is the same thing that happened to me. Every week I was eating at a deficit yet I gained weight. Gained back the 50 pounds I lost. Nothing I did seemed to stop the 1 pound or so per week I would easily put back on. None of the doctors I went to could help me (or probably cared to help me).
After a lot of research and much came from articles and web sites people on here pointed me to, I realized for years I was underfeeding my body. Working out 2 hours a day, burning 1,000 calories and then eating only 1500 calories left my body with just 500 calories to live on. Definitely not eough. I have learned that I ruined my metabolism and it needed a lot of work to be fixed.
I would suggest looking up your BMR and your TDEE. You are close to goal so the healthy weight loss for you would be 1/2 pound per week. If you eat at TDEE - 10% you should be good.
Good luck.0 -
Hey, check out www.venusindex.com
They think a bit differently there. I have been on the program for six months. It is more about shape and getting to your best body, not about how much weight you lose.
I will definitely take a look at this. I don't believe I eat like crap 100% of the time, I believe for me it's 80-20. But with the weight I'm at now, all I really want to do is tone.
I'm understanding of the concept that muscle is more dense than fat, and that could be making the scale go up. But if I could be at the same weight but look trimmer, I would be satisfied. Even if I didn't make it back down to 115 ever again.0
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