Do I cut back?

lovingmeinmyskin
lovingmeinmyskin Posts: 12 Member
edited September 24 in Health and Weight Loss
I tend to gain muscle easily, I am working out 5 days a week nothing under 40 minutes per session. I am eating suggested calories. I am losing at the rate of 1lb a week. I want to know do I cut back on my workout days to see the scale go down. I am losing the inches if nothing else, the way my clothes fit have definitely changed. I started about 4 weeks ago, the first week I lost 1lbs, the second week I lost 4lbs, but that was without working out, and now that I have been working out 5 days a week for the past 2 weeks it has gone back to 1lb a week. I was lucky to get 2lbs this week. I did this journey about 4 years ago, and I noticed that I lost weight faster without working out then I did working out, but I decided to work out at that time to tone. I am wondering do I lose as much as possible first then work on toning.
Tried to post photos, but couldn't quite get it right but they are posted on my page.

Replies

  • kdiamond
    kdiamond Posts: 3,329 Member
    WOW good job in over a month! I can tell! I would not cut back on the exercise! You're becoming stronger and losing weight (albeit slowly, but the right way). The scale is deceitful! Keep on doing what you're doing!
  • edorice
    edorice Posts: 4,519 Member
    Don't forget that one of the reasons that we should be exercising is for our health. I know you want to get to goal faster, however keep in mind the health benefits. What type of working out are you doing? Are you lifting weights and how much cardio?
  • lovingmeinmyskin
    lovingmeinmyskin Posts: 12 Member
    I am only doing cardio at this time, and its anywhere form 40 minutes to an hour 5 days a week.
  • edorice
    edorice Posts: 4,519 Member
    What calories are you taking in? Are you tracking your sodium and keeping it under 2,400 mg per day?
  • rachpiper720
    rachpiper720 Posts: 204
    Congratulations on your progress thus far! I too have struggled with your same problem, but ultimately came to the conclusion that my goal is to be fit and to heck with the scale! It is all about how you feel. I know I feel better about myself physically and mentally when I take the time out to exercise. On top of that though, I have been reading up on this topic quite a bit. I have been reading about the benefits of increasing your muscle and the effects it has on your metabolism. Mind you, I am not a trainer or a dietitian. Basically the more muscle you have, the higher your calorie burn, which in the long-run will help you lose weight and maintain a healthy weight. Plus, you get the increased benefits of the exercise "after burn" where your metabolism can burn at an increased rate up to 36 hours.

    I understand it is really hard to get hung up on the scale number, but if you are getting measuring tape results, I say just go off of that and keep up with what you are doing.

    Here is a good article by Mark Lauren who wrote "You are your own gym" which is a fantastic book, by the way, which explains in a little more detail.

    http://www.bodyrock.tv/2010/08/26/9231/

    Also, EAT YOUR EXERCISE CALORIES!!!! If you don't, then your weight loss will slow down. It has happened to me! Good luck!
  • Tiffanyluvsaaron
    Tiffanyluvsaaron Posts: 219
    EVERYBODY RESPONDS TO EXERCISE AND DIFFERENT FOODS IN A DIFFERENT WAY...I WOULD TRY MAYBE CUTTING BACK THE EXERCISE JUST A BIT MAYBE AND MAKE SURE YOU ARE WATCHING YOUR SODIUM AND DRINKING PLENTY OF WATER..EITHER WAY 1 LB A WEEK IS FANTASTIC! YOU ARE DOING VERY WELL
  • lovingmeinmyskin
    lovingmeinmyskin Posts: 12 Member
    What calories are you taking in? Are you tracking your sodium and keeping it under 2,400 mg per day?

    I am taking in close to anywhere between 1200-1400 a day, and I am definitely keeping an eye out for the sodium. I also drink in between 8-10 glasses of water a day.
  • edorice
    edorice Posts: 4,519 Member
    You might want to check this out:
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/61706-guide-to-calorie-deficits

    Are you tracking your calorie burn with a heart rate monitor. It sounds like you're putting yourself into too much of a deficit each day.
  • lovingmeinmyskin
    lovingmeinmyskin Posts: 12 Member
    Thanks for the advice, come to find out I was not getting the recommended calories daily. I was working out alot more than I originally planned, and in turn was putting myself under my calorie goals.
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