New to MFP, struggling to lose weight in spite of INSANITY

MyLittleHell
MyLittleHell Posts: 2
in Introduce Yourself
Hi guys, I'm 31 years old, I weigh 158 lbs and I have approximately 25 % body fat. I'm currently doing week 8 of the INSANITY program, and so far I haven't lost any weight. I chose this program, because I thought I would be losing a ton of weight, shredding fat and getting fit at the same time, but I am really struggling trying to figure out the proper diet.

I almost gave up yesterday, but I just couldn't... It's now or never, and I'm not willing to accept NEVER as an option just yet.

As I said, I'm new to MFP, so I'll have to figure out how everything works, but every bit of help is appreciated.

Emi

(I'm aiming for 132 pounds and 15 % body fat.)

Replies

  • Greywalk
    Greywalk Posts: 193 Member
    Without knowing the calorie intake it is difficult to know what is not working for you. From personal experience some days I exercise playing soccer and running for about 3600 calories. Now if I do nothing but eat maintenance calories about 2200 I should lose 1 pound. Normally it works. However some days I workout that much and then eat about 5000 calories. Total weight lose, zero. A few people do the same they exercise then eat the calories they exercised off about 350 - 500 plus their maintenance about 2000-3000 and cannot figure out how come their is no weight lose. Others need a nutrition and I am headed toward that as well only because I have lost enough weight it is time to start thinking in terms of keeping it off while supporting my running/soccer lifestyle. Feel free to add me as a friend if you would like support, encouragement, and a fellow traveller.
  • RachyLovesRattys
    RachyLovesRattys Posts: 143 Member
    Hello there! I was wondering if you had taken your measurements at the beginning of this, or perhaps a "start" photo? Doing a program like Insanity- despite the incredible amount of cardio- will still cause you to gain muscle, which weights substantially more than fat. Perhaps you have lost inches (or gained them in the right places)? You food intake could be carb heavy and lacking protein, which also would negate a lot of your hard work (I'm notorious for doing this myself!) but I truly think it may just be a NSV for you right now :)

    Good luck with your journey and wishing you the best! Stay strong :)
  • YesIAm17
    YesIAm17 Posts: 817 Member
    Hi, welcome to MFP :)

    Has your Body Fat % gone down at all? Have you checked?

    What is your TDEE?

    What is your NET calorie intake/day?

    Are you logging your calories in MFP?

    I highly recommend you check out "In Place of A Road Map" if you haven't yet: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/912920-in-place-of-a-road-map-3-2013
  • wrests
    wrests Posts: 84 Member
    It's pretty important to both take measurements/starting photos, and to really make sure you're eating enough. You may gain a slight bit of muscle from the program, but people struggle to gain even a pound a month, and that's WITH heavy lifting and consuming vast amounts of protein.
    Also, be careful accepting what MFP says as the burn for it- most people log it as Calisthenics, I think, but when I got an HRM I found I burned a full one hundred calories less than what MFP had allotted me. Also, this is basic, but food scales and accurate logging are SO important! I couldn't believe how terrible I was at guessing serving sizes until I pre-logged eating a 4 oz steak and weighed it out to be 11 oz! That kind of jazz adds up very quickly
  • wilsoje74
    wilsoje74 Posts: 1,720 Member
    You will need to monitor your calories and eat at a deficit to lose weight. Exercise alone is not enough.
  • alanmonks
    alanmonks Posts: 115 Member
    How far are you into insanity?

    Regardless of the scales, have you taken basic measurements? Waist, Chest biceps and thighs?

    you may find the weight is going down slowly but clothes start to fit better.
    Dont be too disheartened, its a marathon and not a sprint, (cliché i know) but don't look for the quick result, its the long sustained ones that your after.
  • MyLittleHell
    MyLittleHell Posts: 2
    Thank you ALL for being so nice. I really appreciate it.

    @alanmonks: I'm on day 52 (week 8). I have taken measurements, but I haven't lost that much. I do see a difference in my ankles, arms and shoulders.
    It just feel like it's not nearly enough for the amount of hard work I'm putting in. INSANITY is crushing me every time. :-/
    You're right though, of course. It's a marathon and not a sprint. I should really be taking it one day at a time. Thanks for reminding me of that.
  • alanmonks
    alanmonks Posts: 115 Member
    Just keep it going.
    also, if your not changing much, change up teh exercise routine as you may have reached the "plateau".

    Make sure your eating clean too, no sugar or crap.

    keep going.

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