Can NOT lose!!!!

emiliewright
emiliewright Posts: 148 Member
edited September 24 in Health and Weight Loss
ANY AND ALL SUGGESTIONS PLEASE???

I have been at this for 1 full month, hard at it. I work out 20 minutes (average 220 cals burned according to the machines) 6 days sometimes 7 days per week. I eat very, very clean with minimal cheating. I drink insane amounts of water, to the point where I am spending a lot of my time in the bathroom lol...I CANT LOSE ANYTHING!!! NOTHING is happening and I could just cry! I feel like I am taking time away from my daughter for myself and it is doing me no good.
CW 188
GW 130
«1

Replies

  • megtisdale
    megtisdale Posts: 4 Member
    Why don't you share your food diary with us, and maybe we will have some suggestions? :)
  • How many calories are you eating per day? Are you weighing and keeping close track of the food you eat? Are you meeting your fiber reccomendations?
    Maybe you are not eating enough calories. I know, this seems like I am going the wrong direction, but sometimes if I don't enough when I am active I don't lose either. It's because your body goes into storing mode if you are not eating enough.
  • xXAlana21Xx
    xXAlana21Xx Posts: 183 Member
    are your measurements changing? maybe your losing inches, not pounds
  • Why don't you share your food diary with us, and maybe we will have some suggestions? :)

    +1
  • sayuri1
    sayuri1 Posts: 111
    you should try to up it a bit? instead doing 20 minutes why not do 35 minutes? Your body gets used to it and your muscles wont be working as hard as it did the first day =)
  • From what I can see in your food diary, you are WAY over on sodium pretty frequently. Seriously cut back on your sodium and I'm sure you'll start to see a change.
  • gaeljo
    gaeljo Posts: 223 Member
    Hi There, I have lots of suggestions, my first one is, don't listen to the calories burned by fitness pal, I find them to be a gross over estimate. When you work out, think about that you are really burning about 200 calories per half an hour. Off hand, make sure you are eating no less than 1200 calories per day and don't increase your calories with your workouts. Unless you are buring like a 1000 calories a day, you don't need to increase your calories with your workouts. Also, without looking at what you are eating, remember that sugar in an actual piece of fruit doesn't count towards your sugar grams, (unless you are a diabetic) so don't be afraid to eat a couple pieces of fruit each day. For weight loss, it is normal for your body to "reset" 'itself and plateau every few weeks. That is normal. ESPECIALLY if you are female. In terms of meat, you should not be eating more meat than a piece the size of the palm of your hand, or a deck of cards, 1 time per day, every other day. Most people over eat meat. If you want to be friends on here and share your food diary, I'll see if I can make some suggestions more specific to you. I've lost 42 pounds so far and have consulted a sports dietition and I feel I know a little bit about weight loss. I'm no expert, not even close, but I've definately figured out some good helpful tricks along the way. Gael
  • All of the above is true. Communicate with us, maybe we can help.:smile:
  • I see you going over your sodium intake a lot, this can cause water retention. Otherwise, your diary looks pretty good. Do you have a Heart Rate Monitor to accurately log how many calories you burned? If not, I would highly suggest one.
  • eglass64
    eglass64 Posts: 180
    I think your not eating enough for the amount of excercise you do.
  • young1726
    young1726 Posts: 347 Member
    I don't have a lot of advice to offer except DON'T GIVE UP!!! Sometimes it is hard for your body to leave it's "comfortable weight". Keep at it and tell your body who is BOSS!!! You can do it!! If you know you are eating enough/not too many calories and you are eating most, if not all of your exercise calories it WILL start coming off. Just give it time and again KEEP AT IT!
  • Click on her profile. Food diary is public :o)

    I am not a professional by any means, but maybe you're eating too much processed food? And I agree about trying to push yourself to do a little more exercise.
  • Hi Emilie -- My suggestion would be to eat more veggies and foods high in fibre - cut down on potatoes, breads & rice. It's not easy but it's easier to take baby steps and set a more attainable goal -- try setting your goal for 5-10 lbs. at a time instead of 50 lbs. to lose. You'll have more incentive and feel better :) Good luck!
  • emiliewright
    emiliewright Posts: 148 Member
    How do I do that? Its open I thought? :)
    Thanks!!!
  • Hey there,

    Don't feel discouraged - it sounds like you've plateaued. Your body has become accustomed to the nutrition and exercise regiment you're subjecting it to, so in order for things to change...you must change something. It's good that you're doing 20 mins of exercise but you may want to kick it up a notch if even a few days a week instead of everyday. Instead of stationary exercise, you could try weights or resistance training for additional fat burn. As for the water, you may actually need to cut back or you'll get water logged. Keep going - it's worth it!
  • teacher4380
    teacher4380 Posts: 25 Member
    You also need a rest day (or two) to allow your body to recover! My personal trainer has been very particular about this with me! Also, you may need to modify and change up your workout routine. Good luck!
  • Martha_VH
    Martha_VH Posts: 386 Member
    Wow, I don't know what to tell you Emilie.
    My only suggestions would be to cut down on the sodium, because sodium can cause bloating and make it hard to lose. The only other thing I think I would say is consider going vegetarian? Maybe you should also talk with your doctor if you have not yet. He or she might have some good advice that we can't offer, and will know your past medical issues.


    For everyone else, her food diary is open to view.
  • hippo_hips
    hippo_hips Posts: 45 Member
    your body could be used to the routine. change the diet up a little bit.
    and no, don't eat "more". if you're seriously trying to lose weight, don't re-eat the calories you burn.

    maybe eat smaller meals more frequently, or lower your carbs and fat.
  • I agree, cut back on the sodium and look at your sugar intake. Also, switch up your workouts often. Don't do the same thing every week. It took me forever to figure this one out. I would run everyday for 30 minutes, count my calories and nothing happened. One year later I started doing interval training, measuring my portions, cut back on sodium and sugar, and I finally lost 3 lbs. It is hard work, but you can do it!
  • strandedeyes
    strandedeyes Posts: 392 Member
    Have you tried changing up your exercise to include something else maybe? I switch mine between cardio on the machines as well as the 30 day Shred...

    The other thing is (and I am not an expert) to talk to your Doctor. Your thyroid may honestly be off and keeping you from losing the weight. Again, I am not an expert, but I had my doctor check mine to make sure.

    My other suggestion, have a quick peek at your food diary, is to cut out all the "white" things from your diet. Such as regular pasta, white bread, as much regular cheese (if you need cheese, stick with low fat and low sodium. That may help. Whole grains can be found in most bread and pasta options.

    I hope this helps...good luck!
  • steveoath
    steveoath Posts: 3 Member
    Try to exercise for longer periods (1 hour) less often.

    My schedule is:
    Monday - Strength and Conditioning (usually weights/bodyweight exercises)
    Tuesday - Thai Boxing drills/bodyweight exercises
    Wednesday - Off
    Thursday - Circuit training
    Friday - Thai Boxing Drills/Bodyweight exercises

    Here is a video made by one of the guys that runs the class (and Cathy, the "volunteer") of some examples.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqdj6BKYRcM

    Its based on short sharp exercises routines.

    Hope that is useful.
  • levi1964
    levi1964 Posts: 2 Member
    Try working out with free weights.
  • melodyg
    melodyg Posts: 1,423 Member
    +1 for watching the sodium for a few weeks and seeing if that changes things... I know that I have eaten out way too much this week and was up a pound after losing or being steady for the past few weeks. Pretty sure it is from all that sodium! I'd limit eating out and try some other options besides lunch meat (which is really high in sodium) for a couple of weeks and see if that helps get the scale moving. :)
  • You say you are eating "very, very clean," but in reality you are not. There are a lot of processed foods, cereals, and sandwiches/deli meats in your diary. Trade out oatmeal for the cereals (and not the instant or packaged junk - you can add boiling water to a bowl of oatmeal, place a plate on top of the bowl as a lid, and it will "cook" in about 8-10 minutes). Also, get off all the deli meats - they're not good for you. Try whole meats, lean chicken and turkey instead. These are actually clean eats, and will take care of your sodium issues as well.

    If you really want to "Eat Clean" you might try the book by Tosca Reno, the magazine called Clean Eating, or looking at some body building magazines such as Oxygen. They will show you what clean eating actually is, and give you more ideas for recipes.
  • emiliewright
    emiliewright Posts: 148 Member
    Wow, you are all so helpful- I am speechless! Thank you!
    Okay so I need to:

    Decrease sodium
    Get a heart rate monitor
    Measure myself
    Decide if I am eating too many or too little calories

    Whoa!
  • From what I looked at just one day on your diary, you eat many things that come from a package, and your sodium level was over 2000 mg which is very high. Eating a clean diet you normally to not eat processed or package foods, or sauces. The daily intake of sodium in Canada is 1600 mg. If you stick to that you will see a huge difference. Eat whole foods instead of pre packaged. try making these small changes and see the difference.
  • BrightonChick
    BrightonChick Posts: 48 Member
    I agree with seemichellerun.

    Your sodium input is off the scale on some days and it RETAINS water! Get rid of the processed stuff and replace with fresh produce. Your weight should then reduce. Hope this helped! X
  • Have you ever thought about doing a body detox? Basically if you go thru out your life eating the foods that are available, breathing in the dirty air, the pollutants of your house and daily consumptions you are retaining large amounts of toxins. Those toxins build up inside your organs-- especially your liver, kidneys and intestines. In so doing your body becomes sluggish, not being able to break things down efficiently, and get rid of what it should not be retaining. You will feel tired alot more, no matter what you eat or how much you sleep, you wont lose weight, you will overall not feel your best.
    I have done detoxes before and i think that they are great, it is recommended to do a detox every 3 months and a full body detox once a year.there are many types of plans, some have detoxifying foods that you eat for a certain amount of days to flush the system and organs, and some are pill systems that do the same thing. it just depends on what would work for you. I have done both. the pills are easy-- but you have to pick something that is easy to take-- some have way to many pills that you have to take 3 times a day!
    look on line and there are lots of sites about it, also your library would have some detox books. one that i am looking into right now that has been recommended to me is the fat flush plan.
    detoxing for me has helped me drop almost 10 pounds in a few weeks and jump start my metabolism before...... good luck!!
  • reddcat
    reddcat Posts: 314 Member
    I am probably not the one to ask since I have lost 1.4 pounds since starting this.....but want you to know you are supported. Do NOT quit! You NEED to do this for your daughter. I, myself, and working for my son. I would be perfectly happy eating McD's and sitting on my *kitten*.....but he needs me to be healthy.
    Couple things....1) have you done measurements??? I have lost some inches, even though the damn scale won't budge. I met a woman at Zumba class who literally has not lost any weight....but is down two dress sizes.
    2) I took a look at your food diary very quickly. You might want to cut back on the pre-packaged stuff. Yes, it is 100-calories, but the sodium and other stuff in it will have you holding weight like crazy. I saw a lot of days you were over on sodium. I struggle with this too. I just read in Health Magazine that it should be under 2300.
    3) Vary your work out. Why not try 3-4 days a week for an hour vs. 20 a day???
    4) If you have a child, then you are familiar with "just keep swimming, just keep swimming" (Finding Nemo). Keep at it! Maybe you don't look like you want to on the outside...but the inside is thanking you. (lower cholesterol, lower body fat, lower blood pressure......there are so many benefits). YOU CAN DO IT!!!
  • zacherybinx
    zacherybinx Posts: 215 Member
    ANY AND ALL SUGGESTIONS PLEASE???

    I have been at this for 1 full month, hard at it. I work out 20 minutes (average 220 cals burned according to the machines) 6 days sometimes 7 days per week. I eat very, very clean with minimal cheating. I drink insane amounts of water, to the point where I am spending a lot of my time in the bathroom lol...I CANT LOSE ANYTHING!!! NOTHING is happening and I could just cry! I feel like I am taking time away from my daughter for myself and it is doing me no good.
    CW 188
    GW 130

    *minimal cheating* What exactly does this mean? lol
    And drink less water would be a thought.
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