Getting back on track...

onedayatatime12
onedayatatime12 Posts: 577 Member
edited November 18 in Health and Weight Loss
It's been almost two years since I last logged my daily macros/stats on MFP and I was comparing my stats then to my stats now - apparently, I've gained about four pounds and a few inches in my trouble areas but I *think* I look leaner despite gaining inches. But I've also been told lately that I look 'too skinny', etc. I've meant to get back in shape since the New Year so I've been counting calories for the past few months now and I'm probably overestimating my macros, rather than underestimating. I try and make sure I workout every other day (weights + 40 min cardio) and I've cut out artificial sugars entirely - I get frustrated if I eat wrong/don't get to working out.

The point of all this working out, and particular calorie counting is to get leaner (not bulkier) legs and a flatter stomach. I'm not, nor have I ever been interested in fad diets, etc., but it doesn't seem like anything I do works. And I don't exactly 'go hard' when I go to the gym. I get tired easily, even though I think I eat the right amounts and kinds of food. I lack energy nowadays and I don't know why! Any suggestions, tips, etc.?

Thanks. :)

Replies

  • elphie754
    elphie754 Posts: 7,574 Member
    Tip/suggestion: be 100% honest with yourself about what you are eating.

    Second- so you have a good scale? If not, go buy one. Target/Walmart/Walgreens etc sells them. They are not that expensive. Then weigh all your food before eating it.
  • atypicalsmith
    atypicalsmith Posts: 2,742 Member
    How tall are you? What do you weigh now? How many pounds do you want to lose?
  • Liftng4Lis
    Liftng4Lis Posts: 15,151 Member
    When was your last physical?
  • onedayatatime12
    onedayatatime12 Posts: 577 Member
    edited May 2015
    @elphie754 There are no scales on my campus (because our college thinks that weighing only reinforces body image issues), but I weighed myself with a reliable scale yesterday, and given my busy lifestyle I can't weigh all of my foods before eating them unfortunately. @atypicalsmith I am 5'9" and weigh ~132 lbs. My GW is ~125 lbs. but I want to be lean more than anything - so the number isn't too much of an issue. Ideally, I'd like to fluctuate between 125-127 for the next several years. @Liftng4Lis My last physical was in January and my physician said I didn't have to lose any weight, and could actually gain some. I have a small frame (relatively slim upper body, but large hipbone), however, so additional weight does not suit my body well.
  • girlviernes
    girlviernes Posts: 2,402 Member
    Hey there, it sounds like you definitely do not need to lose weight. You are also really focused in on a particular number range, and that can get you into trouble since our health and happiness can't be pegged to a specific number. Since you are feeling tired, I'm guessing that you are not eating enough food. You might also want to check out the main signs that your body fat is getting to be too low: feeling cold, lack of energy, irregular or loss of menstruation, getting ill more often, losing hair. Be on the lookout for these as well. Hopefully you aren't too low, but you probably don't want to go any lower than you are now. If your worries about your weight and shape are taking over or causing you to do things like skip meals, restrict, over exercise, etc., then you should see an eating disorders specialist.
  • atypicalsmith
    atypicalsmith Posts: 2,742 Member
    onedayatatime12 wrote: »
    @elphie754 There are no scales on my campus (because our college thinks that weighing only reinforces body image issues), but I weighed myself with a reliable scale yesterday, and given my busy lifestyle I can't weigh all of my foods before eating them unfortunately. @atypicalsmith I am 5'9" and weigh ~132 lbs. My GW is ~125 lbs. but I want to be lean more than anything - so the number isn't too much of an issue. Ideally, I'd like to fluctuate between 125-127 for the next several years. @Liftng4Lis My last physical was in January and my physician said I didn't have to lose any weight, and could actually gain some. I have a small frame (relatively slim upper body, but large hipbone), however, so additional weight does not suit my body well.

    You are fine, don't need to lose weight. Sounds almost like you are obsessed. Obsess on your studies instead.
  • Liftng4Lis
    Liftng4Lis Posts: 15,151 Member
    onedayatatime12 wrote: »
    @elphie754 There are no scales on my campus (because our college thinks that weighing only reinforces body image issues), but I weighed myself with a reliable scale yesterday, and given my busy lifestyle I can't weigh all of my foods before eating them unfortunately. @atypicalsmith I am 5'9" and weigh ~132 lbs. My GW is ~125 lbs. but I want to be lean more than anything - so the number isn't too much of an issue. Ideally, I'd like to fluctuate between 125-127 for the next several years. @Liftng4Lis My last physical was in January and my physician said I didn't have to lose any weight, and could actually gain some. I have a small frame (relatively slim upper body, but large hipbone), however, so additional weight does not suit my body well.

    Then did she tell you the reason you're so fatigued? Could it be because you weren't eating enough?
  • onedayatatime12
    onedayatatime12 Posts: 577 Member
    @girlviernes I think maybe I am overestimating calories and actually eating a lot less than I should. I want to gain lean muscle so I should eat more and exercise accordingly. I realize it's a false notion that if you eat less and exercise more, you will gain lean mass. So, I am going to increase my caloric intake with healthier foods, and try to exercise every other day, but not worry about it too much. @atypicalsmith My first priority before anything else, is academics (even before health). I'm maintaining grades that I want and am fortunate to be graduating with the 1st rank in my class. I appreciate your concern and will not worry so much about this. @Liftng4Lis I have some other health conditions that cause me to be fatigued and am taking vitamins, etc for them; I'll increase my caloric intake accordingly. Thanks for the input all. This was a much-needed 'intervention' of sorts.
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