POO! Disappointed

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Well I just remeasured since the my first week. This is the end of week 6. Nothing has change except my adbomen and waist have gone up .5. Same weight (although that is good I suppose)

Here I am making sure I am lifting 3 days a week and I don't see any change. I see pictures of women by this time with some change. Me nothing, which makes me worry about when I do cut that nothing will happen.

Feeling down. I am getting ready to go lift again and feel like it doesn't matter. I momentarily feel stronger, and this just deflats that thought since there is no change nothing. I feel like something should be happening and I have no evidence other than I gained 11 pounds that first 1.5 weeks.
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Replies

  • athenalove46
    athenalove46 Posts: 182 Member
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    Girl, I am SO THERE with you! I've been at this since the beginning of July and I have done nothing but gain weight and inches and that's it. :/ Kinda depressing. Though, I do believe that this will work so I'm going to keep chugging along until I find that sweet spot where my body says YES and starts to do SOMETHING different! lol
  • Kristendcampbell
    Kristendcampbell Posts: 786 Member
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    I still sticking with it, but I really have felt firmer that last few days, almost lighter, but there is no difference. Weird

    I partly wish someone would say well your building muscle and losing fat at the same time but that isn't true since muscle is smaller so I would be shrinking. Oh well. Its just a bummer
  • heybales
    heybales Posts: 18,842 Member
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    What type of lifting program are you doing?

    Are you able to have the means of hitting almost failure (I mean like no injuries) with the reps that are in range 15 to 5?

    No weight gain would imply not eating above TDEE at least.
  • Noor13
    Noor13 Posts: 964 Member
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    6 weeks might not be long enough to see any changes.
    Not everyone has the same results
    Did you take progress pictures?
    Sometimes we just think there are no changes and sometimes the changes are just covered and can not be seen immediately.
    Just keep lifting as heavy as you can and you will see results eventually
  • AnitraSoto
    AnitraSoto Posts: 725 Member
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    6 weeks might not be long enough to see any changes.
    Not everyone has the same results
    Did you take progress pictures?
    Sometimes we just think there are no changes and sometimes the changes are just covered and can not be seen immediately.
    Just keep lifting as heavy as you can and you will see results eventually

    I agree - just stay strong and give it some more time. Since you are not gaining, chances are, you aren't above TDEE. Keep lifting and working on building that muscle. Eventually you *will* see those changes.

    There was an excellent post on my newsfeed yesterday by someone who finally felt ready to start her cut after 15 MONTHS - not weeks, months! She had come from a history of VLCD and felt that this was how long it took for her body and mind to be fully healed and ready for a cut.

    As everyone says, just trust the process and give it the time it needs.
  • Kristendcampbell
    Kristendcampbell Posts: 786 Member
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    I did take a picture near the first week. I haven't taken one as of yet.

    I am struggling finding a lifting program that is 3 days a week. I am able to do a 9minute warm up jog to the gym and have 30 minutes at the gym to lift and then 9 minutes home. Life if just busy, but I am very conistent, even one of the trainers mentioned that we they saw me yesterday how impressed that I show up

    So had the new rules for lifting and I didn't feel I was getting any workout. So I have been looking at programs on bodybuilding.com
  • Darryl4126
    Darryl4126 Posts: 267 Member
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    I had the same issue with not losing weight I went from 243 down to 223 . At 223 I had 22% BF I have currently got back up to 235 and I have 15.2% BF. Start checking your BF%
  • heybales
    heybales Posts: 18,842 Member
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    I did take a picture near the first week. I haven't taken one as of yet.

    I am struggling finding a lifting program that is 3 days a week. I am able to do a 9minute warm up jog to the gym and have 30 minutes at the gym to lift and then 9 minutes home. Life if just busy, but I am very conistent, even one of the trainers mentioned that we they saw me yesterday how impressed that I show up

    So had the new rules for lifting and I didn't feel I was getting any workout. So I have been looking at programs on bodybuilding.com

    30 min 3 x weekly fits the StrongLifts 5 x 5 program exactly.

    Now the progression will be fast while at TDEE, well at the start no matter what, but it'll slow when you take your deficit.
  • conniedj
    conniedj Posts: 470 Member
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    I was going to recommend SL 5x5 too! And don't be afraid to push yourself! Also--have you considered going up in calories again to see what happens?
  • Kristendcampbell
    Kristendcampbell Posts: 786 Member
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    so if I google strong lifts 5 x 5 I should be able to see that information right? I take it that's 5 sets of 5 at the heaviest weight I can do per exercise. How do you determine that? Or should I say how would I tell is that with lets say a curl that I can barely do 5 times?

    I was thinking of paying the 15 dollars for the BF test at the gym. I have had that done in a very long time. I know some people have the omron and then the body fat scales but I have only had the one done by a gym years ago that you blow into.
  • heybales
    heybales Posts: 18,842 Member
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    Yep. http://stronglifts.com/stronglifts-5x5-beginner-strength-training-program/
    Don't worry about weight, you start light to get the movements dead on correct, muscle memory, though it is the central nervous system (CNS).
    You'll move up quick enough probably you'll wish you could stick on light weights. But always good form.
    It's free, get the info and assistance material.

    If you can do the BF test first thing in the morning, normal hydration levels, no high sodium or workouts day before, not still sore retaining water, ect, then it's probably worth it, with realization it's likely 5% accurate. Combine with other 5% methods like the spreadsheet calc, you got yourself a great average.

    But using your breath? That doesn't make sense. Unless they gave you an RMR test, and based on that calculated what the LBM and Fat Mass (FM) must be. That might be worth it for the RMR part, to see if in expected range.
    Combined with a real BF test of decent accuracy, it'll tell you if on target.

    Just remember that a metabolism willing to burn full steam doesn't mean a stressed out body willing to move it lower fast if need be - depending on prior eating levels. That's why the reset idea for VLCD prior, metabolism may go up, and be more than willing to go right back down quickly when you take a cut too.
  • Kristendcampbell
    Kristendcampbell Posts: 786 Member
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    The breath test must have been RMR, it has been many years ago. I will looking to the bf testing.

    I have eating VLCD for MANY years, in fact I went to a nutrition specialist over 3years ago when I was eating a out 700 a day and still gained when I ate (clearly know why now) I wasn't hungry and I was walking 4-5 days a week.

    Then I started to increase calories and gained 17 pounds in 2 months. I gave up and didn't understand this process so I did a major VLCD off and on for the next two years. So I know I have to reset.

    I didn't do so great on eating last week, I am mentally tired from other things not this eating stuff. I am very happy to eat now and I have learned over the last couple of years about food, balance and new ways to cook.

    So although the measurements didn't go up much I did weigh today and it was way up from last sunday, but I wasn't eating at TDEE this week so it is water retention and lots of beers and chinese yesterday.

    I started reading and due to a surgery where they cut my chest muscles, the doctor said not to workout the chest. So I wonder about the bench press on this program. Any thoughts on that?
  • abrnchood
    abrnchood Posts: 29 Member
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    No thoughts on the bench press but I can tell you that chinese food is killer for water retention! Sodium through the roof...take heart. I am right there with you with the scale gain, but I surely do enjoy eating more food than I was this summer (and prior)!
  • heybales
    heybales Posts: 18,842 Member
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    No chest workout at all ever? Or limits for long and so much weight?

    Because almost everything will use the chest, pecs specifically, as a stabilizer. That is giving them a workout too.

    Well, good news, the lower body muscles are bigger and the biggest bang for your energy anyway, but still, bummer.

    Might you get some clarification on that limit? Because even the overhead press uses them as stabilizer. I guess you could do some isolation only exercises upper body, confirming exactly what is being worked.
    Time-wise, still biggest muscles first - back upper and lower, shoulders. That's about it there.
  • Kristendcampbell
    Kristendcampbell Posts: 786 Member
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    I had to have a double mastectomy with total reconstruction. So they cut my chest muscle from the side into a cavity for the implant. I can tell I have much less strength and when I attempt lat pull downs and swimming its a bit uncomfortable and a bit painful. She said if I work on developing the chest muscles it will change the shape of my breasts and cause possible unwanted appearance. If this had been just an enhancement below breast tissue and the muscle no bit deal. So I do things I am sure that work some of the chest, but I really need to keep from building it.

    I would like to work the arm and some back, but as per any of us the lower body is key and needs help.
  • heybales
    heybales Posts: 18,842 Member
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    My aunt had that done too, I never did find out the final restrictions like that, but still workable.

    Since you can't have balance, indeed you shouldn't workout the upper body too much. Stick with 12-15 reps at heavy weight, pecs at 20 reps.
    And I mean balance between front and back, shoulders can still be improved, upper and lower back, and then you decide how much on the chest.

    http://www.exrx.net/Lists/WtFemale.html

    Start here, probably the back or side view, and click on the muscle, find the dumbbell workout in the list, and confirm the pec is not listed as being engaged.
    There are actually several compound lifts you can still do that do not use the pecs. Your angle can improve no pec engagement.
    Bent-over row for upper back. Horizontal back.
    Pull-downs wide grip for lats. Slight lean back.
    Good-morning for lower back.
    Overhead press for front delts. Vertical back.
    Upright row for side delts. Vertical back.

    Tricep is the only thing short changed with pushing motion, so at the end add in whatever tricep isolation you could do that doesn't stretch you too much or use the pecs. There are few, like good ole kickback.
  • Kristendcampbell
    Kristendcampbell Posts: 786 Member
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    Fabulous! thank you. I tried googling for something like that I and didn't know quite what I was looking for.

    Should I still attempt the 5 x 5 for the lower body?
  • heybales
    heybales Posts: 18,842 Member
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    Squats and deads with that routine will be good still.

    With doing upper 12 to 15 reps, I'd limit it to 2 sets though, otherwise it's very difficult trying to discern a good working weight, and takes a lot longer time-wise.
  • sweiland1
    sweiland1 Posts: 183 Member
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    Great information links. Thank you.
  • Deanna_garnermommy
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    wow that is a cool site!