Why is losing weight much easier for some than others?

Sapphire_Elf
Sapphire_Elf Posts: 76 Member
in Motivation and Support
Feeling discouraged :( Friend has just joined slimming world and is already down 7lbs in two weeks....

For the same amount of time I have been doing T25 / Chalean Extreme and religiously logging (cals set to 1600). I also walk 2 miles a day and go horse riding (lesson once a week plus the odd hack). I have lost zip; zero; nada. Oh - I did lose a pound but it came straight back. :(

I know we're all different but I just feel very discouraged that I'm working my backside off with no result and yet she's shedding pounds like its going out of fashion. *sigh*

Sorry for the moan. Any words of encouragement??

Cheers x

Replies

  • Tretop76
    Tretop76 Posts: 256 Member
    You should take your inches and log them. Some people are different and they will see results faster in their waist size rather than the scale.
  • battyfitch
    battyfitch Posts: 117 Member
    I've read a few times on these boards that new exercise regimes can cause water retention. Something to do with muscle repair?

    Slimming World works in the long term but the first couple of weeks will almost certainly be water weight rather than pure fat loss.

    Also, is she the same size as you? Being bigger often results in quick losses to start off with.

    Either way, don't get discouraged. If you're eating at a deficit then things will get moving in the right direction soon.
  • JeromeBarry1
    JeromeBarry1 Posts: 10,179 Member
    Stay active, eat 1600, lose weight the right way. Cute horse.
  • rankinsect
    rankinsect Posts: 2,238 Member
    Yes, exercise definitely causes short-term water retention, and the more strenuous, the greater the retention.

    Two weeks, even if you're measuring daily, just isn't enough data points because weight fluctuates greatly. You need long term trends, and for that you need long term data.
  • cathipa
    cathipa Posts: 2,991 Member
    2 weeks isn't enough time. Also she has probably lost water weight.
    Make sure you are weighing your food and logging correctly (avoid homemade and generic). If not change in 4 weeks after doing this maybe reassess your numbers.
  • Sapphire_Elf
    Sapphire_Elf Posts: 76 Member
    Thanks all. I know 2 weeks isn't long but it still feels like 'grrrrrrrr'!!!
    JeromeBarry1 wrote: »
    Stay active, eat 1600, lose weight the right way. Cute horse.

    He's lovely isn't he - very sadly he's not actually mine!

  • druidkat7
    druidkat7 Posts: 691 Member
    edited August 2016
    I would personally recommend strength training: as few reps as possible at highest weight you can manage, going slowly. Lean muscle burns fat. Period. I know because I've been there. Pair strength training with your cardio and over time you will see some results.

    Otherwise, I would also get your thyroid checked with a full T4 & TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) test to see if you're producing enough thyroxine. People underestimate the importance of this very important metabolic function. I know about this because I was one of the rare ones born with congenital hypothyroidism. Low thyroid function can lead to a number of other metabolic issues like PCOS, which makes it difficult to drop the weight.

    This said, difficult does not mean impossible. You may simply need to add the strength training to get any true benefit from your cardio work.
  • DetroitDarin
    DetroitDarin Posts: 955 Member
    Why is math easier for some than others? Sometimes it sucks to be good at gaining weight and terrible at losing weight. Could be your scale is f'd up? That or you're simply going to have to work harder. And I am with you in that regard - I work harder than a lot of people to lose the fat I seemingly-easily created.
  • Big5BigChange
    Big5BigChange Posts: 56 Member
    Comparing yourself to others is a sure route to unhappiness (although we all do it from time to time). Your friend probably looks at you and envies your ability to cook / make people laugh / the way you do your hair...whatever.

    We all have strengths and weaknesses. It IS frustrating, but try and focus on you and YOUR strengths and goals rather than looking at others. Easily said, I know, but worth it in the long run.

    Good luck!
  • LAMCDylan
    LAMCDylan Posts: 1,218 Member
    Do you use a food scale? Are you really accurately logging? Also, first thing to do is stop comparing yourself to others and being in a competition with them. Losing weight and health (and life in general) is not a competition. I also question a lot why people decide to lose weight in the first place. I am finding more and more than people just don't think they are fine the way they are and that losing weight will automatically make them a better person. But all this does is just repeats a vicious cycle.

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