I'm doing Insanity (60 day) & no weight loss

megster2715
megster2715 Posts: 2
in Fitness and Exercise
Hi, I need some advice please.

I'm into week 2 of the second month of Insanity and I cannot believe I have not lost any weight, if anything I am a couple of pounds heavier.

I'm 5ft 7 and weigh 136 pounds so don't have heaps to lose and everyone is telling me that muscle weighs more than fat etc but it's starting to get slightly de-motivating! Admittedly I have lost inches but the scales are not working for me at the moment, perhaps I need to ignore the scales and focus on the inches lost?

I worked out my BMR today based on how much exercise I'm currently doing and it's 2385 (seems so high) so now I'm thinking I'm not eating enough and my body is holding onto fat??!! It's such a minefield that I'd be grateful if anyone has any advice as to what's going on!

Thanks!

Replies

  • soechsner09
    soechsner09 Posts: 119 Member
    You definitely want to make sure you're eating enough during Insanity. Your body needs it. I was eating around 1900 calorie or more. Also, You won't get the majority of noticeable loss on the scale until month two. The same thing happened to me during the first few weeks because of the muscle I was gaining. Definitely look to the inches lost here. You're shrinking, the scale is just a jerk.
  • AmyRhubarb
    AmyRhubarb Posts: 6,890 Member
    If you're losing inches, then congrats! Who cares what the scale says? No one sees it but you! But lost inches is visible progress that translates into smaller clothing sizes! Woohoo!

    The scale is a silly thing - give it time, it may get with the program and show a loss soon, but if you're losing inches, you're still having success.

    As for your BMR number - yeah, that does seem way too high - are you sure you're not confusing BMR with TDEE? :huh:
  • MikeyM1982
    MikeyM1982 Posts: 47 Member
    Scales are for big people who need to get down to a healthy weight. Once a healthy weight is achieved, concentrate on inches, bodyfat % and body composition instead. Say to yourself "I dont care what weight I am as long as I achieve xx% bodyfat".
  • chargers8709
    chargers8709 Posts: 103 Member
    I didnt lose much weight either but I became stronger and more toned.
  • amgerbin
    amgerbin Posts: 49 Member
    I had the same issue. It frustrated me enough to quit before I finished the 2nd month. I need to see changes so why work that hard at something I didn't love? Went back to weightlifting and spinning and working with a new trainer. You have to find what works for you. Insanity isn't the be-all-end all for everyone.

    hang in there!
  • diannethegeek
    diannethegeek Posts: 14,776 Member

    I worked out my BMR today based on how much exercise I'm currently doing and it's 2385 (seems so high) so now I'm thinking I'm not eating enough and my body is holding onto fat??!! It's such a minefield that I'd be grateful if anyone has any advice as to what's going on!

    Thanks!

    BMR calculations shouldn't include any sort of exercise or activity modifier. Are you sure you worked out your BMR and not your TDEE?

    I've not done Insanity myself, but I know a lot of people around here have said that they didn't lose much weight the first month. Insanity is tough and your muscles are going to retain some water to help cushion and repair them. This can mask the fat loss that's happening in the background, but should go away as your body gets used to it.

    It could also be a logging issue causing you to eat more than you realize. Are you logging everything (including things like veggies, cheat days, cooking oils, etc?) Have you considered getting a food scale to help make sure your portions are accurate?
  • grimendale
    grimendale Posts: 2,153 Member
    Hi, I need some advice please.

    I'm into week 2 of the second month of Insanity and I cannot believe I have not lost any weight, if anything I am a couple of pounds heavier.

    I'm 5ft 7 and weigh 136 pounds so don't have heaps to lose and everyone is telling me that muscle weighs more than fat etc but it's starting to get slightly de-motivating! Admittedly I have lost inches but the scales are not working for me at the moment, perhaps I need to ignore the scales and focus on the inches lost?

    I worked out my BMR today based on how much exercise I'm currently doing and it's 2385 (seems so high) so now I'm thinking I'm not eating enough and my body is holding onto fat??!! It's such a minefield that I'd be grateful if anyone has any advice as to what's going on!

    Thanks!

    Insanity is much better about taking inches off than weight. I don't think I lost more than a pound the entire program last time, but I saw definite improvements on inches. It's an intense workout, and you tend to eat a lot (and in my case, more carbs than I normally would so that I could meet my calorie needs), so your body has ample opportunity to replace glycogen, which can lead to retained water weight. So long as you are losing inches, you are losing fat. As others have said, ignore the scale. The tape measure is a much better indication of progress.
  • carolineat111
    carolineat111 Posts: 97 Member
    I'd focus on inches lost and forget about what the scale says. (This is what I'm having to doing right now, so trust me I know it's tough!) Like others have said, you're the only one who sees the scale, so it's far more important to be fit and toned than a certain number on the scale.
    Plus, you can be "skinny fat." Like say you weigh 130 and have very little muscle and a high body fat %, versus weighing 130 and having a decent amount of muscle and lower body fat %.
  • megster2715
    megster2715 Posts: 2
    Hey thanks for the replies!!!

    I'm not sure what TDEE is but the BMR I put earlier included an activity modifier. Without that it's 1382 which is probably more like the right number.

    My aim was always to tone up and fit into my clothes better after baby number 2 came along a year ago. I'd say that's definitely the case since I've been doing insanity, but for some reason I get hung up on the scales which I really need to try not to do. The retained water is an interesting point; it seems such a delicate balance to ensure you get the best results!

    I'm due to finish the programme in 3 weeks so I'll see how I'm looking then....and then I just need to find the right maintenance!!!

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