Need help with weight loss!

mdrenaughty
mdrenaughty Posts: 1 Member
edited November 17 in Health and Weight Loss
Hi!
I've been doing a pretty intense interval training program for seven weeks now, in addition to running a few miles here and there. There are no weights involved with the training, it is a purely calisthenic program that involves a lot of explosive movements, cardiovascular training, and stretching.
In those seven weeks, I have somehow managed to gain four pounds. I understand and even expect to gain some weight in the beginning, but by now I should have seen some weight loss. My diet has only gotten better as I've been doing this program.
Any ideas why I'm not losing any weight?
PS, PLEASE do not respond with telling me "it's not on the scale that's important, it's how I feel." I am VERY aware of that. And I feel great. I am just wondering why weight has not started to come off yet.
Thanks!

Replies

  • juggernaut1974
    juggernaut1974 Posts: 6,212 Member
    mdrenaughty wrote: »
    Hi!
    I've been doing a pretty intense interval training program for seven weeks now, in addition to running a few miles here and there. There are no weights involved with the training, it is a purely calisthenic program that involves a lot of explosive movements, cardiovascular training, and stretching.
    In those seven weeks, I have somehow managed to gain four pounds. I understand and even expect to gain some weight in the beginning, but by now I should have seen some weight loss. My diet has only gotten better as I've been doing this program.
    Any ideas why I'm not losing any weight?
    PS, PLEASE do not respond with telling me "it's not on the scale that's important, it's how I feel." I am VERY aware of that. And I feel great. I am just wondering why weight has not started to come off yet.
    Thanks!

    Specifically - what do you mean by the bold?

    Unless it means "you're eating less calories than you burn", you won't lose weight, regardless of exercise programs.

    Weight gain is common when a new exercise regime is introduced, as your body will retain more water.

  • Skycakey
    Skycakey Posts: 3 Member
    Weight loss at its simplest is expending more calories than you take in. Are you being careful about tracking your calories?
  • galgenstrick
    galgenstrick Posts: 2,086 Member
    Water retention from the new program. I'd bet you lost some fat during that time if you were really in a deficit. When I first started I only weighed myself every week or two for that reason. After the first month I started to lose pretty predictably.
  • wkwebby
    wkwebby Posts: 807 Member
    With only 13 lbs left to lose, you should have a relatively small deficit in your diet. Agreeing with both previous posters, you're probably eating more than you think. Weigh your food and log it honestly. Make sure you're within goal, and then see what your body thinks. Maybe you are binging because you aren't eating enough before your workouts? Can't tell you definitively until your diary is open.
  • SueInAz
    SueInAz Posts: 6,592 Member
    edited April 2015
    If you aren't losing weight after 7 weeks then you are not eating less calories than you are burning. It is almost always as simple as that.

    Are you being careful with logging all of your food and beverages which have calories? How are you verifying portion sizes? Do you own a kitchen scale and use it?

    How are you calculating your exercise calories? Are you entering the exercise into MFP and then eating those calories in addition to your daily goal?
  • 999tigger
    999tigger Posts: 5,235 Member
    SueInAz wrote: »
    If you aren't losing weight after 7 weeks then you are not eating less calories than you are burning. It is almost always as simple as that.

    Are you being careful with logging all of your food and beverages which have calories? How are you verifying portion sizes? Do you own a kitchen scale and use it?

    How are you calculating your exercise calories? Are you entering the exercise into MFP and then eating those calories in addition to your daily goal?

    +1 water retenion is all well and good, but id agree with sue that its a case of the sum total of efforts meaning they arent in deficit. We know very little about the accuracy of logging or what level its at. Some might be water retention, but if i was to bet then id say they arent at deficit for at least part of it.
  • beemerphile1
    beemerphile1 Posts: 1,710 Member
    Have you reduced calorie consumption or are you hoping that exercise alone will take off the weight?
  • galgenstrick
    galgenstrick Posts: 2,086 Member
    999tigger wrote: »
    SueInAz wrote: »
    If you aren't losing weight after 7 weeks then you are not eating less calories than you are burning. It is almost always as simple as that.

    Are you being careful with logging all of your food and beverages which have calories? How are you verifying portion sizes? Do you own a kitchen scale and use it?

    How are you calculating your exercise calories? Are you entering the exercise into MFP and then eating those calories in addition to your daily goal?

    +1 water retenion is all well and good, but id agree with sue that its a case of the sum total of efforts meaning they arent in deficit. We know very little about the accuracy of logging or what level its at. Some might be water retention, but if i was to bet then id say they arent at deficit for at least part of it.

    Thanks, I misread the 7 weeks parts and I agree with this. Water retention is likely not the issue after the first week or two. Not being in a deficit is the issue at this point.
  • flippy1234
    flippy1234 Posts: 686 Member
    Hi there,
    I have had the same issues in the past. I've heard it all...water weight, muscle is heavier than fat, etc...blah blah blah.
    I think I have FINALLY cracked the code, for me anyway. I am sure many will disagree with this and I know everyone is different but I will tell you what works for me.
    Keep exercising. Drink tons of water.
    I eat the same things pretty much every day with a few variations. i.e.: greek yogurt for breakfast, a salad with chicken for lunch. No more than 3 oz. of chicken. afternoon snack of almonds and fruit (half banana, raisins, strawberries) and then a dinner of a protein and vegetables. By keeping things really simple, I know what I am putting into my body. Also, log at the beginning of the day so you know where you are. Eating simply makes this easy. Make sure you have a calorie deficit. And I disagree with those that say it does not matter what you eat as long as you don't exceed your calories. A cookie is very different from a piece of fruit.

    I hope I have given you some good advice. Good luck. Give it time and it will happen. But, be honest with yourself as to what you are eating.
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