Anyone else not much to lose but struggling?
Dannigreen31
Posts: 557 Member
I'm 5'9 and only need to lose 10 pounds. I go to the gym very often and I don't go over the calorie but I'm struggling to shift just these couple of pounds! Any advice would be great. Also any adds. I'm trying to be really motivated! 
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Replies
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10 lbs is rough. It's the hardest amount to lose, I think. Set your goal to lose 1/2 lb/week, weigh all your food and be patient. Eating that close to your maintenance level means that even small miscalculations can hinder your progress, so weigh and log accurately.
Be patient. It will happen. You can do this.3 -
10 lbs is rough. It's the hardest amount to lose, I think. Set your goal to lose 1/2 lb/week, weigh all your food and be patient. Eating that close to your maintenance level means that even small miscalculations can hinder your progress, so weigh and log accurately.
Be patient. It will happen. You can do this.
Thankyou! It really is so hard!
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Hang in there. It will happen.0
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It's only natural, the less you have to lose, the slower it will come off. (One pound of body fat can only metabolize 31 calories per day.) You have to be even more persistant and accurate and patient. The good thing about this is that you are at a good/normal weight already, and "the last ten" are no big deal, neither for health nor for appearance, in fact it's up to you to decide which those last ten pounds are (=your ultimate goal weight).0
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It's that last 115lbs I am struggling with,
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Yes... i'm down to my last 15 pounds. I'm so proud of what i've done but i just want these last couple pounds off me already!
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Remember muscle weighs more then fat. So if you have gained muscle weight that can be the reason behind struggling with the last few lbs. don't let the scale get you down you will achieve your goal just be patient.0
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Remember muscle weighs more then fat. So if you have gained muscle weight that can be the reason behind struggling with the last few lbs. don't let the scale get you down you will achieve your goal just be patient.
This is not true at all. Muscle is more dense than fat but a pound of muscle and a pound of fat both weigh one pound. Besides, if she's eating at a deficit she's not going to be gaining muscle.
The last few pounds take longer because you have a smaller margin of error with your calories. Without the use of a food scale, it's going to be even harder as well.2 -
Who said anything about a pound of fat vs a pound of muscle? The truth is Muscle is denser but it does weigh more then fat if you compare the same size portion of the two. The density of fat is on average about 0.9 g/ml while muscle is on average about 1.1g/ml.2
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Who said anything about a pound of fat vs a pound of muscle? The truth is Muscle is denser but it does weigh more then fat if you compare the same size portion of the two. The density of fat is on average about 0.9 g/ml while muscle is on average about 1.1g/ml.
If she is eating at a deficit then she is unlikely to have gained muscle as you can't create something without any energy0 -
Remember muscle weighs more then fat. So if you have gained muscle weight that can be the reason behind struggling with the last few lbs. don't let the scale get you down you will achieve your goal just be patient.
No! Just No! It is very difficult to put on muscle, even more so if one is a woman, and even more so if they are eating at a calorie deficit. The OP is not putting muscle on, at least not enough to counteract any fat loss.
For the original poster, you need to learn patience. A small deficit (half a pound a week) with carefully measuring what you eat, ideally with a digital kitchen scale to the gram and it will come off. It will, however, take time. A good progressive weight lifting program would help as well.1 -
Thankyou for replies. I do know the last few pounds are the hardest and I have to be very strict. I think sometimes I under eat and my body is holding on for dear life to anything. (Bad I know!)0
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dannijordan30 wrote: »Thankyou for replies. I do know the last few pounds are the hardest and I have to be very strict. I think sometimes I under eat and my body is holding on for dear life to anything. (Bad I know!)
Starvation mode is a myth, if you are under eating you will still lose weight, your body doesn't hold on to anything, not enough to make any difference anyway.
The only way to lose the last few it to makes sure your logging is as accurate as possible.2 -
dannijordan30 wrote: »Thankyou for replies. I do know the last few pounds are the hardest and I have to be very strict. I think sometimes I under eat and my body is holding on for dear life to anything. (Bad I know!)
Starvation mode is a myth, if you are under eating you will still lose weight, your body doesn't hold on to anything, not enough to make any difference anyway.
The only way to lose the last few it to makes sure your logging is as accurate as possible.
Yeh iv read so much about starvation mode. People going crazy at others because they under ear. I always assumed if you are under eating then u lose..I read so much conflicting stuff it's hard to know.
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dannijordan30 wrote: »dannijordan30 wrote: »Thankyou for replies. I do know the last few pounds are the hardest and I have to be very strict. I think sometimes I under eat and my body is holding on for dear life to anything. (Bad I know!)
Starvation mode is a myth, if you are under eating you will still lose weight, your body doesn't hold on to anything, not enough to make any difference anyway.
The only way to lose the last few it to makes sure your logging is as accurate as possible.
Yeh iv read so much about starvation mode. People going crazy at others because they under ear. I always assumed if you are under eating then u lose..I read so much conflicting stuff it's hard to know.
Do you see overweight starving African children in the charity ads? If starvation mode was real then you would.0 -
dannijordan30 wrote: »Thankyou for replies. I do know the last few pounds are the hardest and I have to be very strict. I think sometimes I under eat and my body is holding on for dear life to anything. (Bad I know!)
You definitely do have to be strict. I am 5'3" and I went from 139 pounds to 109 pounds. Getting from 115 to 109 took me the same amount of time that getting from 139 to 115 did because after taking a week to eat at maintenance, I went back to cutting and slowed my rate of loss to a half pound per week. I just came off of a two month mini-bulk and I'm working on my final cut from 112 to 108 pounds. My food scale is my best friend for achieving this.1 -
I'm kinda in the same boat...ten pounds would be great but it looks like I'm going to have to get real strict for it to come off. I'm thinking no booze, more veggies and less red meat.2
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I only have about 3 pounds left and it's a real struggle. Just when I think I'm getting ahead the weight shifts back up. I'm thinking that a lot of what the numbers on the scale say is just a reflection of the chemical reaction my body has with food. I feel that I'm better off gauging my weight by the way my clothes fit than the number I see on the scale so as not to get discouraged. I'm 5ft4 and every little increment makes a difference for me. I already feel better in my clothes and I feel lighter when I exercise. But I'm starting to lose it will-power wise, I just don't know what to eat anymore. Good thing I did today was to buy a nice digital food scale. It's true what people are saying; the less you have to lose the more accurate you have to be in your measurements. So I'll hang in there if you hang in there 3
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Originally I set a goal for 10 pounds too! Getting back to my pre-pregnancy weight was really important to me (plus an extra couple pounds). Now that I'm here (took me about 7 weeks no working out just walking when I can). I'm not thinking I want to lose 5 to 10 more depending on how I feel when I get there because my body changed so much after my son! I must say it wasn't easy and I kept my deficit at 1lb per week and only ate back some of my exercise calories - I use a fitbit. It definitely hasn't been easy and some weeks easier than others. Just keep going! As far as starvation mode I personally feel that your body does store weight if you are eating enough to keep going but not enough to keep your metabolism up - just my thoughts. And as far as muscle and fat "weighing" different, I think what seanafvet was trying to say was you might not be losing weight but you may be gaining muscle and toning up and losing inches - again just my thoughts! Good luck and I added you as a friend!0
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sammylin13 wrote: »Originally I set a goal for 10 pounds too! Getting back to my pre-pregnancy weight was really important to me (plus an extra couple pounds). Now that I'm here (took me about 7 weeks no working out just walking when I can). I'm not thinking I want to lose 5 to 10 more depending on how I feel when I get there because my body changed so much after my son! I must say it wasn't easy and I kept my deficit at 1lb per week and only ate back some of my exercise calories - I use a fitbit. It definitely hasn't been easy and some weeks easier than others. Just keep going! As far as starvation mode I personally feel that your body does store weight if you are eating enough to keep going but not enough to keep your metabolism up - just my thoughts. And as far as muscle and fat "weighing" different, I think what seanafvet was trying to say was you might not be losing weight but you may be gaining muscle and toning up and losing inches - again just my thoughts! Good luck and I added you as a friend!
Thankyou for you're advice and the add. I want it gone by my birthday in June so iv got 6 ish weeks. Plenty of time !0 -
Hi, I'm also 5'9" and chipping the last bit away. I have ~5lbs to lose, add me if you like.0
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Last few are so much the hardest !1
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dannijordan30
I so feel that frustration. It's like having a 1st and goal on the 5, and STILL can't score.
I'm down to the last 2-3 pounds that'll put me at the upper range of where I want to be (203), but nowhere NEAR my goal weight (197). I've been consistently under my caloric budget, good about the water and pretty active workout-wise and STILL can't shake this poundage. If you find the answer, please let me know.0 -
I'm 5'6" and started at 167 last Sept. and am holding at 145 currently, I've only been logging with MPF for about 2 months and did so to make myself accountable since I am determined to get back to my weight from when I got married almost 13 years ago! I guess 22 lbs over 8 months isn't terrible but very slow! I have my goal set to lose 1/2 lb. per week and am happy to not be gaining anything back, but would like to hit my goal. With all the advise on weighing everything, will be purchasing a food scale this weekend to see how accurate my portions really are!!! Good Luck to everyone it sounds like lots of us are doing really well and we should all be proud of what we have accomplished so far!0
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I found it was easier once I got proper BMI and fat % measurements to set work out routine...also weighing food to ensure proper calories....this is easy to go over and not really know
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Aww thanks guys! I think I need to invest in a food scale! Iv fallen off the wagon this last week due to personal problems so just need motivation to get back into it!0
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Remember muscle weighs more then fat. So if you have gained muscle weight that can be the reason behind struggling with the last few lbs. don't let the scale get you down you will achieve your goal just be patient.
This is not true at all. Muscle is more dense than fat but a pound of muscle and a pound of fat both weigh one pound. Besides, if she's eating at a deficit she's not going to be gaining muscle.
The last few pounds take longer because you have a smaller margin of error with your calories. Without the use of a food scale, it's going to be even harder as well.
This isn't exactly true: How to Build Muscle and Lose Fat (http://www.muscleforlife.com/build-muscle-lose-fat/)0 -
PiperGirl08 wrote: »Remember muscle weighs more then fat. So if you have gained muscle weight that can be the reason behind struggling with the last few lbs. don't let the scale get you down you will achieve your goal just be patient.
This is not true at all. Muscle is more dense than fat but a pound of muscle and a pound of fat both weigh one pound. Besides, if she's eating at a deficit she's not going to be gaining muscle.
The last few pounds take longer because you have a smaller margin of error with your calories. Without the use of a food scale, it's going to be even harder as well.
This isn't exactly true: How to Build Muscle and Lose Fat (http://www.muscleforlife.com/build-muscle-lose-fat/)
Did you even read the article you linked? LOL. Overlooking the glaring fact that the author of it has something to sell, which makes the article itself even more irrelevant, I can guarantee you that what is in the article does not apply to the OP's situation. OP, I mean this in no offense to you in any way.
I mean, did you look at the article's promise(s)? "Use this workout and flexible dieting program to lose up to 10 pounds of fat and build muscle in just 30 days…without starving yourself or living in the gym", "How to get lean and build serious muscle and strength, faster than you ever thought possible…" Come on now.0 -
PiperGirl08 wrote: »Remember muscle weighs more then fat. So if you have gained muscle weight that can be the reason behind struggling with the last few lbs. don't let the scale get you down you will achieve your goal just be patient.
This is not true at all. Muscle is more dense than fat but a pound of muscle and a pound of fat both weigh one pound. Besides, if she's eating at a deficit she's not going to be gaining muscle.
The last few pounds take longer because you have a smaller margin of error with your calories. Without the use of a food scale, it's going to be even harder as well.
This isn't exactly true: How to Build Muscle and Lose Fat (http://www.muscleforlife.com/build-muscle-lose-fat/)
Did you even read the article you linked? LOL. Overlooking the glaring fact that the author of it has something to sell, which makes the article itself even more irrelevant, I can guarantee you that what is in the article does not apply to the OP's situation. OP, I mean this in no offense to you in any way.
I mean, did you look at the article's promise(s)? "Use this workout and flexible dieting program to lose up to 10 pounds of fat and build muscle in just 30 days…without starving yourself or living in the gym", "How to get lean and build serious muscle and strength, faster than you ever thought possible…" Come on now.
Actually, I did.
Here I quote:-
So, to recap, here’s what it boils down to:
- Maintain a moderately aggressive calorie deficit (with proper macros)
- Emphasize heavy, compound lifting in your weightlifting workouts
- Do no more than 2 hours of HIIT cardio per week
- Get plenty of sleep
- Use the right supplements to speed up the process
- And your body will take care of the rest.
Don't agree with the premise? Totally fine, but not sure why you're so invested here. People who want more information on the topic can look for themselves, i.e. beyond your post and others like it.<shrug>
Anywho, for interested parties, here's another:
http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/kelly3.htm
Oh, and a quote from the original on the supplements:
"And to be clear: you don’t need supplements to succeed in your body recomposition efforts but the right ones can really help."0 -
PiperGirl08 wrote: »PiperGirl08 wrote: »Remember muscle weighs more then fat. So if you have gained muscle weight that can be the reason behind struggling with the last few lbs. don't let the scale get you down you will achieve your goal just be patient.
This is not true at all. Muscle is more dense than fat but a pound of muscle and a pound of fat both weigh one pound. Besides, if she's eating at a deficit she's not going to be gaining muscle.
The last few pounds take longer because you have a smaller margin of error with your calories. Without the use of a food scale, it's going to be even harder as well.
This isn't exactly true: How to Build Muscle and Lose Fat (http://www.muscleforlife.com/build-muscle-lose-fat/)
Did you even read the article you linked? LOL. Overlooking the glaring fact that the author of it has something to sell, which makes the article itself even more irrelevant, I can guarantee you that what is in the article does not apply to the OP's situation. OP, I mean this in no offense to you in any way.
I mean, did you look at the article's promise(s)? "Use this workout and flexible dieting program to lose up to 10 pounds of fat and build muscle in just 30 days…without starving yourself or living in the gym", "How to get lean and build serious muscle and strength, faster than you ever thought possible…" Come on now.
Actually, I did.
Here I quote:-
So, to recap, here’s what it boils down to:
- Maintain a moderately aggressive calorie deficit (with proper macros)
- Emphasize heavy, compound lifting in your weightlifting workouts
- Do no more than 2 hours of HIIT cardio per week
- Get plenty of sleep
- Use the right supplements to speed up the process
- And your body will take care of the rest.
Don't agree with the premise? Totally fine, but not sure why you're so invested here. People who want more information on the topic can look for themselves, i.e. beyond your post and others like it.<shrug>
I could ask the same about you and this particular article. You quoted my post with this "buy my book/supplements" article as being the sole proof of gaining muscle in a caloric deficit. I'm not sure why you chose my post as there are several other posts in this thread that are saying exactly what I am about muscle gain. I, among other people here, have firsthand experience with gaining muscle and lowering body fat so I'm quite familiar with predicaments like the one the OP is having.
Several people in here gave OP some sound advice based on her original post. If she's struggling to actually shift weight, it really does come down to patience and accurate logging. OP even admitted she fell off the wagon with her logging last week. If she were recomping, she would have stated such in her original post. Besides that, the OP would have to be doing everything your article is claiming in order to gain muscle at a caloric deficit. The fact that OP is a woman makes gaining muscle in a calorie deficit even more difficult to do, especially when the OP seems to be beyond the point of "newbie gains".0
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