Reflection & Question...

lauradubbb
lauradubbb Posts: 15
edited October 2 in Motivation and Support
I'm definitely one that likes to write my thoughts, and this whole journey is something worth writing about. I started my diet/workout plan 1 month ago (08/18/11 to be precise). The first month went very well. If my first weight was correct, I lost somewhere around 18 lbs my first month. I know it seems like a lot for one month, but it was a very drastic change from what I was doing before. I've slowed down the past week or two. It's kind of discouraging to be on such a good role, then it all slows down. I don't plan on giving up, I mean what good would that do? None. But patience isn't my best trait. At this weight, I'm happy that my weight isn't still going up, but I mean I have around 70 lbs to lose still and it just seems so distant at this point. A few people tell me they can tell i've lost some weight or slimming down, but most of them are people that know that i'm trying and I don't know if they're just being nice. It's just difficult when you feel like you're working so hard and it's not being recognized. I can tell a little change. Clothes are getting loser, and i can get into pants that I couldn't before, but still it's just something I would also like noticed by others. I know it will happen eventually, but again, i'm lacking in the patience department and it makes it a little difficult on my attitude and keeping positive. I know it may seem too soon to complain, but just bare with me for a while and it will get better.

Now that i've vented a little, I had a question that kind of ties into my paragraph above. How does it work with the whole thing where you don't lose as much weight or any weight when you start gaining muscle? I've been working out 5-6 times a week for the past month, and like I said earlier, the lbs were just coming right off there for the first few weeks, but this last week I may have lost 1 lb, if that. I have a feeling it has something to do with me gaining muscle at this point, because i can feel a change in my muscles in my legs and stuff. But what I don't get is that I'm 5'8" and now i'm 224 lbs (can't believe I just gave my weight lol), so I still have a good 70 lbs that I want to lose. The way the whole muscle thing sounds is that you're muscle is replacing fat which is why weight doesn't change. If that's it, wouldn't your weight just stay the same and you would just be replacing fat with muscle? I know that's not how it works because then I would be 224 lbs with muscle, but i'm having a hard time understanding how it works. I mean at what point and how do you lose weight again while still gaining muscle? I know there's alot of people out there that have done their research and talked to doctors/trainers/etc. so even though you may not be a professional, i'm sure those of you know more than I do. Any information, advice, or feedback is appreciated. Thanks in advance. You guys are awesome!

Replies

  • Fayve
    Fayve Posts: 406 Member
    Well, first off, congratulations on your progress so far! I can't offer much advice other than this...

    You said you lost 1.5lbs last week, and are concerned that you're not losing fast enough? Those are really unrealistic expectations. 1.5 loss in a week is terrific, no matter how much you have left to lose. The first month or week is always dramatic like that, but it very rarely keeps that pace past a month.

    Just keep it up - slow and steady wins the race.
  • sarah44254
    sarah44254 Posts: 3,078 Member
    It is nearly impossible to gain muscle while eating at a calorie deficit. If you have MFP set to lose weight each week, and you hit your goal each day, you are eating at a deficit.

    The slow weight loss that comes when people say they are 'gaining muscle' is sometimes water retention from new workouts, sometimes just a body hitting a wall, or a plateau as folks like to call it. Just keep on doing what you know you should do and you will lose the weight :)

    1.5 a week is something I dream of seeing. I see 0.2 lbs a week or less regularly. great great job!!
  • AlyBelden
    AlyBelden Posts: 45
    I'm not an expert at any of this... I can just tell you I am 5'8" like you, I started at 220 about 3½ years ago, and now I am 153. There were weeks and months that I felt like nothing was coming off, but I stuck with it and never saw significant gains (no more than 3-5 pounds, usually water weight from too much sodium or TOM that I would get back off). The loss was slow, but I think that is so important for keeping it off. Now looking back it's hard for me to believe where I started, but it doesn't seem like all that long ago I was back there... if that makes any sense. Be diligent, stick with it, you will get there.

    Aly
  • gumpg1
    gumpg1 Posts: 9
    Great job keep up the good work. First off losing 1.5 lbs a week is very normal. Normal healthy weight loss is 2lbs and less a week. When you first start to diet/workout you often lose a lot of water weight that is why you saw the number go down so quick. You can gain muscle as you lose weight. I have been losing weight and I have gone up a lot on my weights that I use to work out. The more muscle you add the more calories your body will burn. I know it is hard when you don't see the scale move the way you would like, but look at shows like biggest loser. Those people workout 6 plus hours a day with all the bells and whistles you could possible have and how many show have you seen when those people only go down a couple of pound or nothing. Then you see a lot of them gain the weight back after the show because hardly anyone can live that way. I truly believe slow and steady is the way to go. Make the life style changes over a long period of time until it's habit and you will be winning. Keep up the great work and don't get discourage.
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