On the rise and can't pull out....

thedreamhazer
thedreamhazer Posts: 1,156 Member
edited September 27 in Health and Weight Loss
I was down to 160 lbs. Then, I started preparing to make a big move to a new city, in a new state, to start a new job. Needless to say, the stress of the situation got to me. I put on 6 lbs. Now, I've been working hard to get back down to 160 (and lower) and I can't seem to shed the weight! I have my calorie allotment at 1200/day, but I vary what I actually intake to net between 1200 and 1800. Which should still be low enough to help me lose weight (slowly). But I'm wondering, since the weight's not coming off, if it's because I'm eating my exercise calories.
I know this is a big debate, and it's not one I'm trying to open back up. But I'm looking for input: I burn a LOT of calories. As a runner, I try to hit 3-9 miles running at least 4 days a week (plus strength, plus stretching). Please my walking to a from work, my burns are around 500 calories on a low day, typically between 700-900. Since my burns are so high, this means that I intake between 1800-2300 calories to hit my desired net.
So, my ultimate question is this: since my burns are so high, should I avoid eating all of my exercise calories since I'm not losing weight?

Replies

  • beccarockslife
    beccarockslife Posts: 816 Member
    If I have a big day (600-700 for me) then I only eat about half my calories and am doing ok.
  • AmberMagdalena
    AmberMagdalena Posts: 461 Member
    Topic: On the rise and can't pull out....







    Thats what she said :)
  • ChrisStoney
    ChrisStoney Posts: 479 Member
    No that's what he said!.....LOL
  • RunHardBeStrong
    RunHardBeStrong Posts: 33,069 Member
    Topic: On the rise and can't pull out....







    Thats what she said :)


    hahaha glad I'm not the only one that went totally south when I read the headline!!
  • FierceFox81
    FierceFox81 Posts: 89
    Are you using a personal HRM or just going off from what MFP says? I ask this because MFP is just an estimate and typically when people use their own HRM to track their calories they realize that typically the number is close to 1/2 of what MFP estimates. Plus having such a huge range of calorie intake from day to day maybe very confusing to your body and metabolism. Only because one day it gets so much, then a few days later so little. It makes the body go into starvation mode on the few calorie days. Which slows your metabolism which as you know, slows down the rate in which your body burns calories...PLUS then the days you are taking in the higher amounts of calories...your body holds on to them and the fat because it has been trained to, so when the lower calorie intake days come, it has stored up fat to burn. That make sense?

    I'd say try and stick with a number between those two so that your body knows what to expect. And invest in a personal HRM so the number calories you burn is more accurate. :)

    Good luck! And I hope your move goes good!
  • RunHardBeStrong
    RunHardBeStrong Posts: 33,069 Member
    I honestly don't have a great answer for the OP. You can play with numbers and see if it makes a difference. Are you using a HRm to get your burns that way you know you aren't overestimating?
  • BarnDogBob
    BarnDogBob Posts: 104 Member
    Maybe some of your weight loss is being offset by muscle toning. Sounds like you are working out hard and getting more lean muscle. Also, it is not uncommon for your body to just plateau for a while. Plateaus are frustrating until one day the pounds start dropping again.
  • thedreamhazer
    thedreamhazer Posts: 1,156 Member
    I don't have an HRM, I've never really understood how to use one to get an accurate calorie count.
    Also -- I've heard that cycling your calories (varying throughout the week) is a good idea. It's hard to figure things out with so many competing theories :\

    (Side note: My size hasn't changed, which is a good sign. But I also don't feel like I can honestly say that 6 lbs. gained is all muscle!)
  • pdxwarrior
    pdxwarrior Posts: 16
    Some people have already mentioned a plateau, which is possible. Sometimes you can break through a plateau by completing a 'cleanse' and such. On the other hand, you may need to look at how and when you are eating. Do you snack throughout the day? Many times eating small meals (snacks) throughout the day helps to keep your metabolism going and fights to keep your body from going into a 'starvation' mode. Trying eating a handful of nuts during a break, or maybe a granola bar late in the afternoon. I try to eat small portions of something about every 3-4 hours. Nothing too much, 100-200 calories. Just enough to fight off any hunger strikes.

    Also, 1200 calories might be a bit low, specially with that much running/walking. You might try setting a goal of say 1500-2000 per day. I realize that's upping it a bit, but spreading it out through the day should help keep things consistent. Also, be mindful of what you are eating. Carrot and celery sticks are cheap, easy and low calorie, but keep your body working. Nuts and such are good for some proteins and healthy fats.

    Another thing, don't go completely by the scale (even biometric scales that read fat vs muscle), they don't tell the whole picture. Although more time consuming, measurements are a great way to track progress. I measure every Monday morning and do photos once a month. Helps keep the progress moving along.
  • RunHardBeStrong
    RunHardBeStrong Posts: 33,069 Member
    I don't have an HRM, I've never really understood how to use one to get an accurate calorie count.
    Also -- I've heard that cycling your calories (varying throughout the week) is a good idea. It's hard to figure things out with so many competing theories :\

    (Side note: My size hasn't changed, which is a good sign. But I also don't feel like I can honestly say that 6 lbs. gained is all muscle!)

    unfortunately you're right...no way you've gained 6 lbs of muscle in a calorie defecit and without concentrating on lifting extremely heavy for several months. I always thought I don't need a HRM, I lost 80 lbs through diet and exercise without one but I came to a stand still and started gaining, gained 15 lbs. so I invested in one and it's the best thing I've done for myself. Turns out MFP was overcalculating by up to 100 cals burnt. I got the Polar FT4 it was $90 and it is very simple to use, I love having a better estimate of what I've burned and seeing those numbers pushes me harder to get the number higher. If you purchase a HRM just make sure it has a chest strap, which the FT4 does, they give a much better estimate. Good luck!!
  • thedreamhazer
    thedreamhazer Posts: 1,156 Member
    I don't have an HRM, I've never really understood how to use one to get an accurate calorie count.
    Also -- I've heard that cycling your calories (varying throughout the week) is a good idea. It's hard to figure things out with so many competing theories :\

    (Side note: My size hasn't changed, which is a good sign. But I also don't feel like I can honestly say that 6 lbs. gained is all muscle!)

    unfortunately you're right...no way you've gained 6 lbs of muscle in a calorie defecit and without concentrating on lifting extremely heavy for several months. I always thought I don't need a HRM, I lost 80 lbs through diet and exercise without one but I came to a stand still and started gaining, gained 15 lbs. so I invested in one and it's the best thing I've done for myself. Turns out MFP was overcalculating by up to 100 cals burnt. I got the Polar FT4 it was $90 and it is very simple to use, I love having a better estimate of what I've burned and seeing those numbers pushes me harder to get the number higher. If you purchase a HRM just make sure it has a chest strap, which the FT4 does, they give a much better estimate. Good luck!!

    Okay, message received! Time to invest in a HRM. I've been wanting to, but this might just be the kick in the butt that I needed.

    What HRMs are recommended?
  • fteale
    fteale Posts: 5,310 Member
    You are probably overestimating your calories burned, sadly. Try only eating back half, with a base line of 1200.



    Not that it is working for me at the moment, so I don't know why I am giving advice!
  • fteale
    fteale Posts: 5,310 Member
    You are probably overestimating your calories burned, sadly. Try only eating back half, with a base line of 1200.



    Not that it is working for me at the moment, so I don't know why I am giving advice!
  • Mommyof3texans
    Mommyof3texans Posts: 347
    Looking at your diary, I see some days not even filled out and the days that are...you could be eating better foods to get your calories. I didn't notice if you're tracking sodium but you may want to watch that.

    Workout wise, it's possible you need to change something up a little with your current plan if you've been doing the same workouts for awhile.
  • thedreamhazer
    thedreamhazer Posts: 1,156 Member
    Yeah, I don't fill in my journal when I'm out of town. I should, but it's not something I've managed to get the willpower to do yet (I don't take my computer anywhere and I find it too interfering to log in a journal when I'm out and about.)

    I do try to watch my sodium --- especially recently. I've started cooking without adding any salt and using other seasonings instead. I think where I have the biggest problem is what I do at lunch time: so easy to grab food on the go and then ... BAM! Sodium overload.


    ALSO -- Going to try planning my food a day ahead and see what happens.
  • 123456654321
    123456654321 Posts: 1,311 Member
    @ TOPIC SUBJECT: Bwahahahahaha
  • anubis609
    anubis609 Posts: 3,966 Member
    I hope there's a prophylactic in use. LMAO
  • TheNewLK
    TheNewLK Posts: 933 Member
    **hangs head** DAMN.....**climbs out of gutter**
  • SimplyFreckled
    SimplyFreckled Posts: 444 Member
    :huh:
    I came because the little minons in my head made me.... I have nothing of use to add......
  • mishelnkiki
    mishelnkiki Posts: 775 Member
    **hangs head** DAMN.....**climbs out of gutter**
    i too was hoping for something amazing with a title like that. sigh.
  • ladybg81
    ladybg81 Posts: 1,553 Member
    I'm sorry but that title is just killing me!!!

    That's what she said...
  • Thomasm198
    Thomasm198 Posts: 3,189 Member
    :huh:
    I came because the little minons in my head made me.... I have nothing of use to add......
    th_lipssealed.gif So much innuendo with the start of that sentence.

    ***Climb out of gutter***
  • Life0nMars86
    Life0nMars86 Posts: 155 Member
    :huh:
    I came because the little minons in my head made me.... I have nothing of use to add......
    th_lipssealed.gif So much innuendo with the start of that sentence.

    ***Climb out of gutter***

    I just couldn't not click it....:embarassed:

    That is all....
  • UpToAnyCool
    UpToAnyCool Posts: 1,673
    DOH - yet another MFPer with their head in the gutter. :ohwell: :laugh:

    :flowerforyou: I do have a suggestion for you, though. I'm not a fitness, nutrition, medical professional, nor do I have an inspiring success story.
    I am, however, addicted to a podcast called Fat2Fit radio. The hosts are sometimes corny, but the show covers all things related to fat loss and it's interesting because they have a nice rapport with each other. The trainer/coach host tends to do a lot of background cross 'checking' in terms of research studies, trials, etc.

    They recently did an episode on 'Running and Weight Loss Plateaus' - one caller's problem was not eating enough (leading to serious gain) and another caller's problem was a combination of not eating enough and not doing enough weight training.

    They claim that the weight training is crucial once you bump up your mileage.

    If you're curious, give it a listen (it's free):
    http://www.fat2fitradio.com/2011/03/fat-2-fit-121-running-and-weight-loss-plateaus/

    - - - - -

    PS: I'm not interested in debating here whether the weight training point is true or not, I just wanted to offer the OP another point of view. Obviously you don't have listen to me. :wink: But best of luck!
  • BluebellBaby
    BluebellBaby Posts: 10
    Lmfaoo:')
  • thedreamhazer
    thedreamhazer Posts: 1,156 Member
    DOH - yet another MFPer with their head in the gutter. :ohwell: :laugh:

    :flowerforyou: I do have a suggestion for you, though. I'm not a fitness, nutrition, medical professional, nor do I have an inspiring success story.
    I am, however, addicted to a podcast called Fat2Fit radio. The hosts are sometimes corny, but the show covers all things related to fat loss and it's interesting because they have a nice rapport with each other. The trainer/coach host tends to do a lot of background cross 'checking' in terms of research studies, trials, etc.

    They recently did an episode on 'Running and Weight Loss Plateaus' - one caller's problem was not eating enough (leading to serious gain) and another caller's problem was a combination of not eating enough and not doing enough weight training.

    They claim that the weight training is crucial once you bump up your mileage.

    If you're curious, give it a listen (it's free):
    http://www.fat2fitradio.com/2011/03/fat-2-fit-121-running-and-weight-loss-plateaus/

    - - - - -

    PS: I'm not interested in debating here whether the weight training point is true or not, I just wanted to offer the OP another point of view. Obviously you don't have listen to me. :wink: But best of luck!

    Thanks, I'll check it out!



    (Also --- to those of you who find the topic title funny.... oops! Lol. You'd think as an English major I'd be more tuned in to the innuendo and puns! I swear, though, the reason my friend hang out with me is because I'm a treasure trove for unintentional "That's what she said" set-ups.)
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