Last 4 Pound Troubles.

jenniferb_00
jenniferb_00 Posts: 81
in Health and Weight Loss
So i have weighed in at 117 for about 2 months now. I started doing about 1.5 hours of cardio about 5 days a week about 2 months ago. Heres the thing, I can't seem to stop eating. I am very aware that my eating patterns are someone what disordered and that a lot of my eating/not eating enough is emotional, but i feel if i could get rid of these last 4 pounds, my goal being 113, i could make some progress in dealing with these issues. But i constantly feel like its a never ending cycle. I wake up and eat fine during the day, go to the gym, and then i come home and eat, and sometimes a little, or alot over the amount i should. The last two days i was quite over my daily limit, having said this during the week last week i was under almost everyday (not by a lot, but still under). My problem is at nighttime when i get home and settled down, thats when i do the majority of my eating it seems.

Im not sure if anyone has any helpful advice. I seem to be stuck in a cycle of restricting/overeating that i can't kick, and its taking somewhat of an emotional toll. I cant help but think that if i had smartened up 2 months ago this wight would have been long gone and i would have been maintaining already. It also doesn't help that thanksgiving and halloween are coming up and there is more junk food in the house then usual (I live with my family, all overweight and none of them being on any sort of diet).

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Replies

  • jenniferb_00
    jenniferb_00 Posts: 81
    Im only 5'3 by the way, forgot to mention that. Hence why i'm playing with low numbers here.
  • Mokey41
    Mokey41 Posts: 5,769 Member
    That's a lot of cardio and your goal may not be realistic. A better idea would be to do some strength training and reshape your body instead of just trying to get down to a really low BF% by doing tons of cardio.
  • LiveLoveLift67
    LiveLoveLift67 Posts: 895 Member
    Maybe you could keep the junk temptations out of the house so when night comes you cant make bad choices. have fruit instead. If you are exercising that much each day your body probably needs the extra food. Try embracing the fact that you are 117 , do a little less cardio a day and eat a some extra protein during the day to help the hunger and give up the late night bingeing and i bet those last 4 lbs will be gone in no time.
  • jenniferb_00
    jenniferb_00 Posts: 81
    My wight has been as low as 104. Long story short thats an unhealthy weight for me so i hat to gain some and was up to about 129 which felt like too much for me, so i started losing again with a new goal of 113.

    I feel like its alot of cardio i agree, but i think its the cardio thats helping me to maintain my wight right now rather then gain considering my horrible overeating. I have never done any sort of strength training and am quite hesitant to start, just because i don't know what i would do...i know thats a bad reason, but i have some anxiety.
  • I_Will_End_You
    I_Will_End_You Posts: 4,397 Member
    How about stop restricting yourself so much, & eat at TDEE -10%. If you aren't under eating most days, then maybe you'll be less likely to go crazy and binge on other days. You only have 4lbs to lose, you don't need to be eating super low calorie.
  • jenniferb_00
    jenniferb_00 Posts: 81
    This sounds super positive, thank you. I do my best to keep the junk food far away but i have a family where no one watches their wight and they pretty much just sit around lazy all night with said junk food. Its hard when its right in front of you like that. I sometimes even overeat/binge on good foods, so its unfortunatly not just the junk food holding me back :(
  • jenniferb_00
    jenniferb_00 Posts: 81
    I try and eat 1200 calories a day, thats a good day for me in my eyes. When i add my excercis (i only log half the time so the calorie count isn't crazy big) it says i should be eating 1500 a day to lose 0.7 lbs a week i think. MFP wont even set my goal to a pound a week i don't think.

    Im no expert but does 1500 calories with my cardio sound right? Should i aim for 1500 a day instead of 1200?
  • I_Will_End_You
    I_Will_End_You Posts: 4,397 Member
    Read this: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/912920-in-place-of-a-road-map-3-2013
  • jenniferb_00
    jenniferb_00 Posts: 81
    Thanks, i will. I just scanned it now ( i have to run to work) but it looks like it might be helpful and clarifying.
  • NYCNika
    NYCNika Posts: 611 Member
    I'm 5'3, and I can't help but wonder how did you come up with that goal?

    I think it is a complete "vanity" number, and your body does not feel comfortable at that weight.
    You would achieve much better look at a higher weight with some resistance training. If you had toned lean muscle, you would be happier with the way you look.
  • TeachTheGirl
    TeachTheGirl Posts: 2,091 Member
    I'm where you're at too! I'm trying to lose the last 4lbs and I'm 5'3". Uncanny. =) (My goal is 115.)

    I think you might get some luck from lifting, although I'm currently at a point where I'm trying more cardio (I don't do a lot of cardio, but 1.5 hours 5 times a week seems excessive) but I'm trying to find out what works for my body.

    Good luck. Tagging thread so I can see some suggestions too~
  • LaurenNEW1015
    LaurenNEW1015 Posts: 5
    Try adding some weight training in with your cardio. you really should be doing a max of 30 mins of cardio a day. If weights aren't your thing I would suggest signing up for some classes. They will have you working your muscles and doing cardio at the same time.

    Also, don't be hard on yourself as you get older your body may not want to be under 115. Hope this helps. Best of luck!
  • jenniferb_00
    jenniferb_00 Posts: 81
    Although it may appear as a 'vanity number' iv been at 113 before and was pretty ok with it. Iv never been entirely comfortable with how i look but at 113 i can relax a bit and feel somewhat comfortable.

    Everywhere i turn people are recommending strength training though. And i know its probably a smart idea but i know nothing about this stuff and will have to do a fair bit of self educating. And i'm hesitant to try it just because i don't know how it all works. But some classes might be a good idea, i know they have different classes at my gym that are drop-in so i will definitely check those out.

    Thank you to everyone for the suggestions.
  • magerum
    magerum Posts: 12,589 Member
    You're already at goal if you're talking about 4 pounds.
  • jenniferb_00
    jenniferb_00 Posts: 81
    I wish i felt that way, i do. But it sure doesn't feel like it. I feel like i have a long way to go, and it sounds stupid i know, but its the truth.
  • TeachTheGirl
    TeachTheGirl Posts: 2,091 Member
    I agree, it's odd how 4lbs of fat is so much more noticeable when you get down there.

    It may as well be an arbitrary number, but if I still have visible fat on my body, obviously that number means SOMETHING?
  • cafeaulait7
    cafeaulait7 Posts: 2,459 Member
    If your lean body mass isn't high enough, then you could try to get rid of the last little bulge by having to eat so little, though. If you are finding that you have to eat at what most people diet on, I really do recommend adding lean mass. Then you'll get all your nutrients and not be so hungry every day.

    I think sometimes the problem is that folks don't have the lean mass that makes things so much easier. I really do :)
  • jenniferb_00
    jenniferb_00 Posts: 81
    At least i'm not the only one who sees 4 pounds as being a lot. Im down 1/2 a pound! Yay! So all this cardio must be doing something.

    But i do lack in the lean muscle department i know. Im just not sure i would find strength training enjoyable...but i probably wouldnt hurt to give it a shot either.
  • stealthq
    stealthq Posts: 4,298 Member
    You say you've never quite been happy with your body, even when you were 113 lb. I think you should reconsider whether the number on the scale should really be your goal. Mine's not (I'm 5' 3", too) - I'm stopping when I'm happy with certain problem areas. 115 is just a guess where that might be.

    I'm with the rest - heavy lifting will make you look better at whatever weight and let you eat more for maintenance. Plus, as any woman who lifts will tell you, knowing you are strong is awesome. A real confidence booster. Just concentrate on your form - the above mentioned programs will tell you what that should be, and follow the prescribed number of sessions and weight progressions so you don't over-train. You'll be fine. Beginner/intermediate lifting is not rocket science.
  • PippiNe
    PippiNe Posts: 283 Member
    As far as your cravings go, brush your teeth. When my breath is fresh, it kills the craving desire at least for a little while. Sometimes it works to keep my cravings at bay for the whole night, sometimes it doesn't, but it doesn't hurt to try. I also try to stay out of the room where the goodies are. Spend time in the living room, office, go to bed and read a book or the newspaper, do your workout in the evening instead of eating, take a long bath. Anything to physically stay away from the temptations. Also, if your temptations are left out on the counter, ask if they can be kept in a cupboard instead. Out of sight often equals out of mind.
  • nelinelineli
    nelinelineli Posts: 330 Member
    I'm 5'4'', 123lbs (my initial goal) and realized I'm not quite there yet - aiming for 119, so I can easily understand the "last 4 pounds" issue:)
    I do think that you've received very good advice there with strength training instead of cardio - it will slightly boost up your caloric needs and help you maintain or lose fat much easier. It will make you strong, lean and confident.
    I also echo the fact that your snacking and light binging are a result of over-restriction. If you're feeling that way, it's not maintainable - so you should increase your intake.
    I'm not sure of your actual goals, but theoretically the best solution out of this would be to eat at maintenance and start lifting :D

    In a nutshell, if your weight is too hard to maintain but still have some fat to shed, you need to add lean mass:)

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