About ready to give up
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AlliSteff
Posts: 211 Member
I started my 'get in shape journey' last September just to get rid of some flab. My wieght had been stable for years, I just wanted to lose a tad. After a few months of actually getting in shape (and eliminating evening glasses of wine/beer during the week at home), I upped my workout game and really started tracking calories (though one would think if my weight had been stable, and I then started eating less and working out, I would maybe lose a few).
At the beginning I was referencing here but really tracking on another site, too...so the records are spotty at best. In March I met with a trainer at my gym to get a body fat percentage done (I was at 35% when I started) and have a general assessment made regarding my goals and ways to get there.
In late March, my body fat measured in at 30.3%...but no weight lost (at this point aiming for 1200 net per day). Not great, but movement in the right direction. This drove me to really start tracking (and measuring) my caloric intake. I used 2 different TDEE sites (Scooby and IIFYM), and took the lowest point as a goal. This upped my goal to around 1600 per day (based on 20% calorie reduction from Maintenance). The trainer still thought this was a bit low to me, but I did follow this for a few weeks. When the scale didn't move, I followed her advice and bumped up to 1700 then 1800 (truly the average of the two sites). The scale didn't move.
By late May my body fat % had dropped to 26.2%, and still not a pound lost. I kept my caloric goal at 1800 and started adding in heavy lifting (Stronglifts).
I have noticed my body change...but still, no weight lost. At all. WHen I see a drop, the next day it is back up to 'normal'. I can only assume my body fat has dropped even further by now and will be getting that re-tested soon.
I weigh almost exactly the same as when I didn't do anything (watch what I ate or exercised), as wehn I ate 1400 calories a day, as when I ate 1800 calories per day....it is MADDENING.
I DO have other health issues- Type 1 diabetes (which means even before I started weighing my food, I was really really good at eyeballing servings since my insulin doses depend on figuring out what I am ingesting) and Lupus, and have read anecdotal evidence that the higher your bloodsugar runs, the harder it is to shed weight...but I am in very good control (any insulin dependent diabetic will usually still have sugars running a tad higher than normal) and my doctor says that probably isn't true.....
So a few weeks ago, I moved my goal back to 1700...and nothing
So two weeks ago, the week of my sister's wedding, I logged (except the night of the rehearsal dinner, day of wedding, and day after wedding)...but kind of lived it up with family that came into town. I assumed that I might see a small weight increase...but nope. Still just holding steady.
Surely, I still have some days where I go over, and some where I stay well under...I just give up. I do not know what to do anymore.
Workouts are typically as follows
Monday: 1 hour kickboxing, this includes some pushups, etc
Tuesday: 1 hour of TRX, Kettlebell work, and Medicine ball work
Wednesday: Usually a heaving lifting day
Thursday: 45 minute kickboxing
Friday: Usually heavy lifting day
Saturday: Usually off, unless I missed a day during the week- then I go to Spin class
Sunday: Usually heavy lifting followed by 45 minute spin class.
I also live in NY without a car, and walk about .75 miles each way for work, plus walk pretty much everywhere else (gym, grocery store, etc)
I do wear a HRM, I do own and use a foodscale (any concerns about 1 cup, etc- please know that if the serving is 1 cup and it also notes in in grams on the label, often when I scan the barcode only the cup quantity shows- so I weigh in grams and convert to cups). I do drink more than 8 glasses of water per day (other than black coffee, it is all I drink on a regular basis)
And yes, there are 'not great' days- mostly when I am traveling for work, but I have really been trying to keep it in control- those days usually involve me waking up at 3:30 AM for an early flight and getting home at 8 PM...so a very long day.
I just do not know what to do anymore
At the beginning I was referencing here but really tracking on another site, too...so the records are spotty at best. In March I met with a trainer at my gym to get a body fat percentage done (I was at 35% when I started) and have a general assessment made regarding my goals and ways to get there.
In late March, my body fat measured in at 30.3%...but no weight lost (at this point aiming for 1200 net per day). Not great, but movement in the right direction. This drove me to really start tracking (and measuring) my caloric intake. I used 2 different TDEE sites (Scooby and IIFYM), and took the lowest point as a goal. This upped my goal to around 1600 per day (based on 20% calorie reduction from Maintenance). The trainer still thought this was a bit low to me, but I did follow this for a few weeks. When the scale didn't move, I followed her advice and bumped up to 1700 then 1800 (truly the average of the two sites). The scale didn't move.
By late May my body fat % had dropped to 26.2%, and still not a pound lost. I kept my caloric goal at 1800 and started adding in heavy lifting (Stronglifts).
I have noticed my body change...but still, no weight lost. At all. WHen I see a drop, the next day it is back up to 'normal'. I can only assume my body fat has dropped even further by now and will be getting that re-tested soon.
I weigh almost exactly the same as when I didn't do anything (watch what I ate or exercised), as wehn I ate 1400 calories a day, as when I ate 1800 calories per day....it is MADDENING.
I DO have other health issues- Type 1 diabetes (which means even before I started weighing my food, I was really really good at eyeballing servings since my insulin doses depend on figuring out what I am ingesting) and Lupus, and have read anecdotal evidence that the higher your bloodsugar runs, the harder it is to shed weight...but I am in very good control (any insulin dependent diabetic will usually still have sugars running a tad higher than normal) and my doctor says that probably isn't true.....
So a few weeks ago, I moved my goal back to 1700...and nothing
So two weeks ago, the week of my sister's wedding, I logged (except the night of the rehearsal dinner, day of wedding, and day after wedding)...but kind of lived it up with family that came into town. I assumed that I might see a small weight increase...but nope. Still just holding steady.
Surely, I still have some days where I go over, and some where I stay well under...I just give up. I do not know what to do anymore.
Workouts are typically as follows
Monday: 1 hour kickboxing, this includes some pushups, etc
Tuesday: 1 hour of TRX, Kettlebell work, and Medicine ball work
Wednesday: Usually a heaving lifting day
Thursday: 45 minute kickboxing
Friday: Usually heavy lifting day
Saturday: Usually off, unless I missed a day during the week- then I go to Spin class
Sunday: Usually heavy lifting followed by 45 minute spin class.
I also live in NY without a car, and walk about .75 miles each way for work, plus walk pretty much everywhere else (gym, grocery store, etc)
I do wear a HRM, I do own and use a foodscale (any concerns about 1 cup, etc- please know that if the serving is 1 cup and it also notes in in grams on the label, often when I scan the barcode only the cup quantity shows- so I weigh in grams and convert to cups). I do drink more than 8 glasses of water per day (other than black coffee, it is all I drink on a regular basis)
And yes, there are 'not great' days- mostly when I am traveling for work, but I have really been trying to keep it in control- those days usually involve me waking up at 3:30 AM for an early flight and getting home at 8 PM...so a very long day.
I just do not know what to do anymore
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Replies
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You are obsessing about weight, not overall health. Obviously, if your body fat is going down, you are getting healthy. It’s the fat that is going to kill you, not the muscle.0
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ok, I am sure you already thought about this, but are you using the same scales everytime? Maybe that is just broken.
And would your goal not better be the outlook of your body, in stead of the weight on the scale?
Your body is changing, so that is a good thing, no?0 -
You know, it seems like you've done everything possible to get that scale to budge. I'm no fitness expert, but with all of the activity you're logging, it seems like you may need even MORE calories than the 1800. Also, do you look at grams of sugar or carbs in your nutrition breakdown? Calories in/out works, but if there is too much fat or too many empty calories, that can affect weight loss. I know with diabetes and insulin issues that other hormones in the body can be affected. Have you had a thyroid panel done recently?
I would check in with your physician and let him/her know what is going on. Can a diabetic be insulin resistant?
Good luck on your journey...and try not to give up. As frustrating as it may be, you'll be more frustrated undoing all of your hard work.0 -
How are your clothes fitting? Have you taken progress pics or measurements?
Your body fat has gone down a lot-if your appearance is improving, which I imagine it is with those drops in your BF %, why does it matter what the scale says?
No one is going to know your scale weight by looking at you!0 -
Nah, I like to walk around with my scale weight displayed for everyone to see. Kidding! Kidding! But seriously, it is not like I don't have 10-15 lbs to lose!
Clothes are fitting better, old jeans that didn't fit do fit now....but I have hit a stalling point where I am not getting smaller. And I don't think I can get much smaller without some weight loss. Not talking a ton- around 10 lbs to put me around 130 lb and muscular for my 5'-3" frame. My arms, while I can see muscle, are definitely still on the bigger side and that is what is really kind of depressing to me. Everyone proclaims heavy lifting is the answer! And while yes, I have seen some small changes- I am over 5 weeks in, and am not seeing a huge body change.
And yes, I use my same digital kitchen scale for food and same bathroom scale for me.
Type 2 diabetics often are insulin resistant (the pills that are often taken help to reduce that resistance), but Type 1 diabetics usually are not....the amount of insulin that I take on a daily basis would definitely fall into the category of 'not insulin resistant'- someone who is resistant can often take upwards of 150-200 units per day. I usually end up around 35 units per day.
My current macro breakdown is 40% carb (about 170 g), 35% protein (about 145 g), 25% fat (about 40g)...and I am very close most of the time.0 -
Wow
I just sent a 30 day log to the nutritionist who works at my endocrinologist's office to see if she could spot anything that I was missing.
Her response
"I reviewed the nutrient distribution and totals. Excellent work at tracking and measuring.
If no weight loss has been achieved, I would consider a more drastic Calorie restriction between 1200 - 1500Cal per day, 120 to 140g of carbs per day"
That is borderline starving when working out 5-6 days a week? Right? That would have me netting, at 1200 calories per day, approximately 920 calories per day (on average). At 1500, I would be netting 1220 calories on average per day. I am lifting heavy 3 days a week, doing cardio/HIIT stuff 3-4 days a week.....my jaw literally dropped reading this0 -
That response is pretty nuts from the nutritionist, but theoretically he or she is an expert, so I can't argue.
The workouts that you do - are they mostly weight lifting? I have been dieting at 1200 net calories (1400-1500 consumed, 200-300 exercised) and I originally lost weight and am now stabilizing at this weight - but I have put on visible muscle.
Exercises that promote muscle growth may inhibit your "weight loss" through muscle development. More cardio type exercises may promote "weight loss" through calorie burn only and not as much muscle growth.0 -
My original post had my general workout week- mix of cardio (mostly kickboxing/spin) mixed with weights (Stronglifts 3x per week plus one day of HIIT/circuit type training)0
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ew, yeah, don't do that. try a different "specialist's" opinion.0
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If your weight is staying the same, but your body fat is going down then the only explanation is that you're maintaining muscle while losing fat.
This is my goal! Who cares what the scale says!!! You're doing an awesome job. Start taking measurements and pics for progress. Water retention, hormones, digestion, etc all plays a role in weight. It's bogus.
Just keep up the good work.0 -
If your weight is staying the same, but your body fat is going down then the only explanation is that you're maintaining muscle while losing fat.
This is my goal! Who cares what the scale says!!! You're doing an awesome job. Start taking measurements and pics for progress. Water retention, hormones, digestion, etc all plays a role in weight. It's bogus.
Just keep up the good work.
Yeah- I just noticed a nice difference in early June...but since then, not much. I just do not know what else to do! Adjust macros?0 -
She didn't mention anything about eating back calories? or that was supposed to be your NET?
1500 I can see- 1200 is pushing it.
I mean my goal right now for gradual loss is hitting 1500- but I eat back a portion of my workout calories- so I'm aiming for 1800-1900 total- net well over 1000 still.
no way you should be under 1000 net. Just waking up and doing dishes and functioning requires more than that.
I would fuss less about the scale and appreciate what you're doing with your body and watch lifting numbers change. Unless you can be more objective about the scale- just stay off it for the time being. Keep tracking- keep lifting- keep logging- but slide the scale away for at least a month or two. don't be hopeful about losing- just shift focus- that should help. The last 10 pounds is usually the hardest and most stubborn.0 -
Hahaha, they were the ONLY 10 lbs!
I lately have been 'aiming' for 1700 per day total (TDEE)...so some days I am at 1650, some at 1800...but averaging to about 1700 per day for the week.
On a brighter note, I was able to deadlift more than my bodyweight this Sunday, and I am closing in on my bodyweight with squats (15 lbs away)- though I am stalling on those Overhead Presses0 -
I'm in the same boat. I've been working out and eating better. Tracking the things I do, and I have not lost a SINGLE pound. It's the most frustrating thing there is. I am 5'3" and 170. I'm not supposed to weigh that much, but I am way more muscular than others my size.
I'm not sure what else to do. I feel your pain.0 -
I'm in the same boat. I've been working out and eating better. Tracking the things I do, and I have not lost a SINGLE pound. It's the most frustrating thing there is. I am 5'3" and 170. I'm not supposed to weigh that much, but I am way more muscular than others my size.
I'm not sure what else to do. I feel your pain.
Maybe it has to do with being 5'-3"
I had one magical day when I woke up at 140.8....but I've been back in the 141.5-142.5 world ever since.0 -
I'm with the person saying 'are you sure you actually need a lower number on the scale'? You've been doing an amazing job of changing your body by getting a lot more muscular. You must look so much more toned and healthy (and be much healthier) so well done you!
You look completely healthy and gorgeous in your profile pic. You're not model-skinny but we all know that's an unhealthy and unsustainable look for most people.
Enjoy your progress so far and keep up the good work of being strong and fit!0 -
I know!!! Girl I hear you.Hahaha, they were the ONLY 10 lbs!
I lately have been 'aiming' for 1700 per day total (TDEE)...so some days I am at 1650, some at 1800...but averaging to about 1700 per day for the week.
On a brighter note, I was able to deadlift more than my bodyweight this Sunday, and I am closing in on my bodyweight with squats (15 lbs away)- though I am stalling on those Overhead Presses
I'm finally closing in on my Pre- Bulk weight (Tipped around 180 for bulk weight) finally almost back down to where I was- that was in April- I thought I was going to drop weight MUCH faster. But it's ALWAYS those last pounds!
1700 TDEE sounds about right. I mean you have two options.
keep going, see what happens.
change something, then keep going and see what happens.
I tend to be very reserved with timing and changes- I usually have 3-4 weeks of data before I'm willing to make a change- sometimes you just never know if it's a bad day- an off day- a salty day- or you had a bad weekend. So you give it the best chance of really having a good trend line by waiting it out for 3-4 weeks- which sucks- means a slow process is even slower, but the biggest two reasons people fail at this
1.) they bite off more than they can chew
2.) they never EVER give it enough time.
I mean- at worst- say you keep going- nothing happens- then you haven't "given up"you're just maintaining- and now you have learned- what maintance looks like- and that you can do it- and maybe you're okay with how you are RIGHT NOW.
Or after another 4 weeks- you lose another pound or two- then you know- it's a slow small deficit. Easy peazy lemon squeezy.
Giving up isn't worth the hassle when if you just put in more time- you could figure out where you stand- or if you need to make adjustments.
Don't get so frustrated you toss your hands up- that is NOT the way this works- for anyone- all of us play trial and error with this stuff. I promise you.0 -
My weight has remained pretty constant over the last few months but my clothes are fitting looser at the waist so I am assuming I am also losing fat though I haven't measured. Sounds like you are losing fat and gaining muscle. Just another unprofessional opinion that's all. :bigsmile:0
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If your weight is staying the same, but your body fat is going down then the only explanation is that you're maintaining muscle while losing fat.
This is my goal! Who cares what the scale says!!! You're doing an awesome job. Start taking measurements and pics for progress. Water retention, hormones, digestion, etc all plays a role in weight. It's bogus.
Just keep up the good work.
This. And....Never give up!0 -
Workouts are typically as follows
Monday: 1 hour kickboxing, this includes some pushups, etc
Tuesday: 1 hour of TRX, Kettlebell work, and Medicine ball work
Wednesday: Usually a heaving lifting day
Thursday: 45 minute kickboxing
Friday: Usually heavy lifting day
Saturday: Usually off, unless I missed a day during the week- then I go to Spin class
Sunday: Usually heavy lifting followed by 45 minute spin class.
I also live in NY without a car, and walk about .75 miles each way for work, plus walk pretty much everywhere else (gym, grocery store, etc)
I do wear a HRM, I do own and use a foodscale (any concerns about 1 cup, etc- please know that if the serving is 1 cup and it also notes in in grams on the label, often when I scan the barcode only the cup quantity shows- so I weigh in grams and convert to cups). I do drink more than 8 glasses of water per day (other than black coffee, it is all I drink on a regular basis)
And yes, there are 'not great' days- mostly when I am traveling for work, but I have really been trying to keep it in control- those days usually involve me waking up at 3:30 AM for an early flight and getting home at 8 PM...so a very long day.
I just do not know what to do anymore
The only thing I can think of that hasn't yet been noted is rest. Are you getting enough sleep and rest? Your workout routine seems quite strenuous with heavy lifting, HIIT, and hard cardio six days a week. Mix that with traveling and subsequently working long hours, your could just be exhausted. Recovery is very important for health and seeing results.0
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