Athletic people, what am I doing wrong?

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Replies

  • Ely82010
    Ely82010 Posts: 1,998 Member
    I agree with most of the opinions in this post. Reviewing few days of your diary I noticed that your sugar and carbs are well above the goal and your protein is way below. Considering the amount and intensity of your workouts you may need to review your numbers.

    I also think that a few days breaking away from your routine will do you good. Maybe you could also change your workouts and regroup. Just a suggestion.

    Good luck, and congratulations for your progress so far and for your determination.
  • fairygirl716
    fairygirl716 Posts: 213
    sounds like a plan! I know it goes against our every grain to eat MORE....but, I really do see the logic in it now. If you are going to continue to exercise/train hard...definately eat more. You may find yourself going....what in the world can I eat now...cause I'm not hungry and don't want to eat. But, we are training ourselves to live a sustainable lifestyle...so just choose healthier foods that are higher calories. ie: nuts, bananas, proteins.

    One of my favorite snacks is roasted chick peas! Just tell yourself what your goal is and stick too it....and don't weigh yourself for a week....then if it doesn't work...you can always change it up again :)
  • njean888
    njean888 Posts: 399 Member
    I agree with most of the opinions in this post. Reviewing few days of your diary I noticed that your sugar and carbs are well above the goal and your protein is way below. Considering the amount and intensity of your workouts you may need to review your numbers.

    I also think that a few days breaking away from your routine will do you good. Maybe you could also change your workouts and regroup. Just a suggestion.

    Good luck, and congratulations for your progress so far and for your determination.

    I have my ratios set at 50% protein, 30% carbs, 20% fat. Yes over the last week I have really been struggling with this. I think mostly out of my frustration. I think there are several things I need to do here. First I need to eat more, Second, I need to prepare my meals and stop eating out. Finally I know I should scale back the workouts but that one I just can't do. I'm going to try the first two and see how that works out. Thanks
  • JNick77
    JNick77 Posts: 3,783 Member
    At first I was taking in about 1500 cals, when I saw that I wasn't losing I upped it to about 1600-1800. Which is where I'm at now.


    1. would think that 1800 is too much for you, I eat 2k on my weight loss and I currently weigh 210. I lift 6 days a week and do 4 30 minute cardio sessions, usually 1 60min high-intensity session.

    2. Overtraining is a possibility, sometimes less is more.
  • njean888
    njean888 Posts: 399 Member
    At first I was taking in about 1500 cals, when I saw that I wasn't losing I upped it to about 1600-1800. Which is where I'm at now.


    1. would think that 1800 is too much for you, I eat 2k on my weight loss and I currently weigh 210.

    2. Overtraining is a possibility, sometimes less is more.

    I don't eat 1800 net, I would die. I sometimes eat 1800 total. So if I had to subtract my workout then I guess its really 1200.
  • dreilingda
    dreilingda Posts: 122 Member
    @fairygirl, I wish I could stop training but I can't. I love love love to workout. I feel on top of the world when I complete a long run or do an Insanity workout without stopping, it gives me such a high.

    Maybe I will cut the additional 3 workouts a week, that way I'm only doing 6 and eat all of my exercise cals back which I never do.

    Once I finish P90X maybe I will take a break but for now I just have to complete it. I'm really glad it has worked for you. Thank you

    See if you can force yourself to take a 1 week break. Or at least 3 days. You won't get out of shape in 3 days. I also work out like a maniac and for some reason my biggest gains seem to come (inches, bf%, weight) after a longer than normal rest. This is just an anecdote, and I have no scientific evidence to back it up but you might want to give it a try.
  • H_Factor
    H_Factor Posts: 1,722 Member
    here are the potential issues that I see (and since I didn't read all of the other comments, some or all of this may be duplicative):

    1. looking at your last week of your diary, you are falling way too short in protein. I recommend reducing your carbs in half and eating at least the recommended protein each day. you train a lot, but aren't exactly maxing out your nutrition to work best with your training.

    2. I think you may be over training. I read that you love it. that's awesome. however, the body needs time to recover. I recommend cutting back and possibly changing your routine. you seem very fit and I think you should try some HIIT. I have examples of sprint interval training in my workout blog below. you might also like routines at www.bodyrock.tv or turbulencetraining.com (craig ballantyne's site). I realize these more stream lined workouts might not satiate your need for exercise, but it might be what you need to take the next step. I think its worth trying.

    3. You may not be eating enough (as folks have said)...but I would first try the carb/protein swap I talk about in #1 and see if that helps.
  • Jeff92se
    Jeff92se Posts: 3,369 Member
    From your diary, you need to eat close to 2,000 calories a day according to your last few complete logs. This is accounting for the exercise calories you "earned". I'm guessing 1800 wouldn't be that bad. better than being 600+ down.
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,992 Member
    1. would think that 1800 is too much for you, I eat 2k on my weight loss and I currently weigh 210. I lift 6 days a week and do 4 30 minute cardio sessions, usually 1 60min high-intensity session.

    2. Overtraining is a possibility, sometimes less is more.
    You should be doing 5 cardio sessions............................:laugh:
  • samb
    samb Posts: 464 Member
    Honestly I was in the same boat as you when I was a vegetarian and I was eating a lot of carbs (>100g) and not enough protein (only getting to 45g max) (a few months ago). I don't know what your diet is like but when I was eating that way, it didn't matter how hard I worked out...I'd do p90x and train 3 hours a day and have 1 day off....tried lowering it, adding cals, taking away cals, changing my workouts, etc nothing worked at all. Then I cut carbs to below 100g and worked my way down to below 50 net. I now eat below 50g net carbs a day and eat over 100g protein and I have been losing like crazy since I got below 100g carbs and increased the protein. Supposedly <100g carbs is the fat burning threshold. Others probably disagree but its the only thing that worked for me and my body composition in general changed immensely!!! I also cut out grains. I eat pretty much primal now. I recently found out I am gluten intolerant though so the grains probably had a big impact as I pretty much lived on them when I was a vegetarian. This is the only advice I can give to you really though because I know the position I was in before was similar to yours and NOTHING worked for me besides cutting the carbs and increasing protein. (I now eat meat again because of this)
  • JNick77
    JNick77 Posts: 3,783 Member
    1. would think that 1800 is too much for you, I eat 2k on my weight loss and I currently weigh 210. I lift 6 days a week and do 4 30 minute cardio sessions, usually 1 60min high-intensity session.

    2. Overtraining is a possibility, sometimes less is more.
    You should be doing 5 cardio sessions............................:laugh:

    Can't argue with you on that one. Although the 1 high intensity session often turns into 5th. Lol
  • sloanie1
    sloanie1 Posts: 276 Member
    Hey Girl! I wish I had an answer for you!!! you know I'm in the same boast! me being 5 foot 1 I understand completely where you are coming from....it's nice to be toned but we are short so it makes us look squat.....plus to see the muscle tone we need to lose body fat...people will say "oh you don't need to lose any more weight?" but we know our own bodies and where we feel comfortable! it's extremely frustrating....the only way I've been able to drop any weight is by dropping my calories, I know a lot of people don't agree but it's working for me so far, it's hard because I love food!! I've tried everything...

    upping calories
    zigzagging
    eating exercise calories
    not eating exercise calories
    upping protein
    no processed foods
    no alcohol
    less carbs
    more water
    no caffeine
    more caffeine
    more exercise
    less exercise

    the list goes on and on!!!! guess we just have to keep pushing on and trying what works for us!!

    Sxxx
  • KatieCuth
    KatieCuth Posts: 569 Member
    Hey Girl! I wish I had an answer for you!!! you know I'm in the same boast! me being 5 foot 1 I understand completely where you are coming from....it's nice to be toned but we are short so it makes us look squat.....plus to see the muscle tone we need to lose body fat...people will say "oh you don't need to lose any more weight?" but we know our own bodies and where we feel comfortable! it's extremely frustrating....the only way I've been able to drop any weight is by dropping my calories, I know a lot of people don't agree but it's working for me so far, it's hard because I love food!! I've tried everything...

    upping calories
    zigzagging
    eating exercise calories
    not eating exercise calories
    upping protein
    no processed foods
    no alcohol
    less carbs
    more water
    no caffeine
    more caffeine
    more exercise
    less exercise

    the list goes on and on!!!! guess we just have to keep pushing on and trying what works for us!!

    Sxxx

    in some way or the other they have worked for you... the education, not giving up... etc... what a year 2011 has being my friend.... sorry for hijaking the thread...
  • stroutman81
    stroutman81 Posts: 2,474 Member
    She's 5'2", it's not unreasonable to want to be below 133.

    Nope, it's not unreasonable to want to lose more weight at 5'2 or whatever. But it IS unreasonable to get worked up about the number on the scale if, during the time in question, her body has significantly improved. And by significantly, I mean noticeably, which is obviously the case since she noted her observations.
  • jennor8or
    jennor8or Posts: 204 Member
    Has your body fat percentage changed? My goal weight is 132 but when I get there I plan to focus on my body fat percentage to get between 18-19%... I dont think I'll lose more weight but i'll def tone up and lose inches and gain muscle... try either doing measurements (though it may be getting a little late in the game lol) or possibly doing before/after pics :)
  • njean888
    njean888 Posts: 399 Member
    Ok wow, lots of opinions here. Thank you for your advice. I think the most common thing mentioned is that I do not get in enough calories. I intend to pre plan my meals that way I will not fall short and will have everything I need on hand so I don't eat out as much anymore. Second, I will cut back on the gym workouts and just do the P90X/Insanity hydrid. I'm on week 3 so I have quite a ways to go.

    As far as the number you are all right. I was complaining to my workout buddies last night about it and my best friend actually walked upstairs, into my bathroom and took my scale. She said she would give it back when we complete P90X. I guess from now until the end of December when we finish I will only go by my measurements and body fat percentage. Trust me folks, the ones saying I'm hung up on a number. If I drop in body fat between now and December and when my scale comes back I still weigh the same, I will NOT CARE!!!!!!! In fact maybe after having it gone for so long I won't even want it back.

    Thank you all again, heck I'll even report back at the end of P90X and let you know if my body fat decreased. Thanks again.
  • Ebbykins
    Ebbykins Posts: 420 Member
    Ok wow, lots of opinions here. Thank you for your advice. I think the most common thing mentioned is that I do not get in enough calories. I intend to pre plan my meals that way I will not fall short and will have everything I need on hand so I don't eat out as much anymore. Second, I will cut back on the gym workouts and just do the P90X/Insanity hydrid. I'm on week 3 so I have quite a ways to go.

    As far as the number you are all right. I was complaining to my workout buddies last night about it and my best friend actually walked upstairs, into my bathroom and took my scale. She said she would give it back when we complete P90X. I guess from now until the end of December when we finish I will only go by my measurements and body fat percentage. Trust me folks, the ones saying I'm hung up on a number. If I drop in body fat between now and December and when my scale comes back I still weigh the same, I will NOT CARE!!!!!!! In fact maybe after having it gone for so long I won't even want it back.

    Thank you all again, heck I'll even report back at the end of P90X and let you know if my body fat decreased. Thanks again.

    Yay! Can't wait to hear about your results, it's really hard to not focus on the scale, but it is super important. I started a new program and way of eating last February and I lost bf% and weigh 2 lbs more then when I started, but jeans are baggier and my abs look as nice as I think they can get pre hernia surgery now. So props to you for letting your friend steal your scale! You wont regret it. The scale makes people under eat often I think and that's terrible, no one should have to starve to feel better about themselves. Hugs!
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