Running out of ideas - weight not budging

chanm93
chanm93 Posts: 1
in Health and Weight Loss
Hi

I'm female - 5ft 3in - 21 - weight 140.6 - body fat % 39.2

In the past year I have gone to the gym every week for at least 4-5 time and each time I go I burn around 700-800 according to my polar ft7 heart rate monitor which takes me about 1hr 20 to burn

Start of last year I was 136lb and 37.2% body fat and now as mention I'm 140.6lb and 39.2% body fat and my main aim is to get my body fat in a more healthier range as 39% is classed as overweight and near obese but my weight loss isn't consistent I just gain more than I lose one week I might lose 0.4lb next I gain 1lb it's very frustrating as I know I put the effort in the gym and having a boyfriend that does athletics and comes gym with me I know I'm working out right in cardio and weights this is an example of January into February weight and body fat change on 5 days a week gym at 800 calories

138.2 - 38.2%
140.2 - 39.7%
140.6 - 39.6%
139.4 - 38.2%
139.8 - 39.4%
140.6 - 39.2%

As you can see that is just not right what what I'm doing in the gym it's all over the place

Now I know some of you are itching to ask what are you eating are you eating back your calories you burnt and so on this I know is my down fall because I'm a vegetarian but get this I don't like fruit or veg or many foods yes I'm very fussy when it comes to food start of last year my calorie intake would be less then 1000 YES I KNOW STARVATION MODE but because theirs very little foods I like its hard for me to consume more and my main intake is carbs carbs carbs bread being the main source or cereal but thanks to my boyfriend I have been able to up the intake to 1200 in the past 3-4 months and he's introduced me to tofu and quorn and getting me to eat egg more but again I don't eat them regularly I have started to eat a bit more fruit in my cereal or yogurt

So like the topic suggest im running out of ideas to lose weight one thing me and my boyfriend want to know is it possible that I'm exercising too much (I didn't think their was such a thing) but because I'm eating so little and exercising a lot it's like a double whammy to my body it's like paying tax but then the government asks for £800 more but then we tried this some time last year I didn't go gym for 2 weeks and I end up gaining 4lbs then week after went back to normal routine but I gained 0.5lb

Now I know most will say it's your calorie intake but for someone as fussy as me it's hard to find foods I like

So should I cut my calories burnt in the gym to give my body more energy to use to survive should I go less times
I am trying to up my calories but making sure calories ain't junk oh also I used to guzzle down diet pepsi like their no tomorrow but for the past 3-4 months iv only had either water or ronisons diluted orange juice

Thanks in advance I know this is long comment but I wanted to give as much info before people tell me stuff I know and have tried

Replies

  • JoelleAnn78
    JoelleAnn78 Posts: 1,492 Member
    I don't know how your body fat went up a full % if you are eating only 1200 calories and burning 800 at the gym.You will probably have to open your diary for people to look before anyone will bother commenting.

    Edited for a typo correction.
  • erickirb
    erickirb Posts: 12,294 Member
    I would suggest dropping cardio by a lot, and increase the amount of strength training you do. Set your goal to lose no more than 1lb/week, better yet would be 0.5lbs/week, and on days you do cardio eat back most of the cals you burn from it.

    As for diet try and get 0.8 grams of protein per lb of body weight and 0.35 grams of fat per lb of body weight, both of these should be minimums to reach daily.

    For strength training I would suggest Starting Strength, stronglifts 5x5 or new rules of lifting.
  • SezxyStef
    SezxyStef Posts: 15,267 Member
    The only way to gain weight and BF is to eat more than you are burning. That means you are either underestimating intake by not weighing, not logging and not choosing the correct entries and/or over estimating burns during your exercise.

    But without an open diary it's hard to say for sure.
  • koberna
    koberna Posts: 6 Member
    How are you measuring your body fat? Even scales are inaccurate. The ones you stand on only measure body fat in your lower body. The ones you hold only the upper half. It seems you really need to be consuming more food,and a healthy variety to keep your body from storing fat(to save you). Try smoothies! You can research recipes and add so many different ingredients to balance your diet. Protein powder would add some much needed calories and building blocks to a healthier you. Incorporate some flax oil also. Although it seems high in calories it's consumption can help you lose as well as being a good supplement,you do need some fats also and that can help. Make sure the flax seed oil is cold pressed, FRESH as possible. Good luck!
  • yarwell
    yarwell Posts: 10,477 Member
    I'm female - 5ft 3in - 21 - weight 140.6 - body fat % 39.2

    That puts your LBM at 85.5 lbs which seems a bit low to me. Are you sure ?

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