96 pounds gone...need advice please

Southernsister
Southernsister Posts: 198 Member
edited October 2024 in Success Stories
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Im am happy and proud of the change in my life,but could use some advise. I had the diet and exercise all figured out,but felt I was looking hollow with no shape. I decided I wanted to start muscle building. No body loves a stick right? =)
I have about 14 pounds to be at the BMI I need. so when I redid my goal my calorie intake is still at 1200. I try to eat healthy and never go over my calories. since muscle building I do eat more protein. I take my supplements and.Amino acid . I drink protein after my workout. I have only lost 1 pound since I started lifting which is hard for me because if im not in lifting I run and do cardio. I take off Sunday is all.
Am I so close to goal the weight will slow? Is my body telling me im there? I need HELP....ive come to far to get depressed.

Replies

  • Saruman_w
    Saruman_w Posts: 1,531 Member
    Do you take measurements? It'd be good to track those as well if you're adding lifting.
  • Southernsister
    Southernsister Posts: 198 Member
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  • NiciS72
    NiciS72 Posts: 1,043 Member
    How long have you been doing the new routine? Typically when you start a new program like weight lifting your muscles will retain more water. This is normal, don't get discouraged. Keep doing what you are doing and all of a sudden the weight will MELT off.

    Take measurements too, that will REALLY show you progress.

    Good luck!
  • allijoy13
    allijoy13 Posts: 66 Member
    And don't forget that muscle weighs more than fat. So as you tone and build your muscle, you may actually gain a few pounds. That is a good thing!

    -Allison
  • Lolamako
    Lolamako Posts: 89 Member
    You look great! Amazing!

    I second that everytime I lift or do anything that's NOT CARDIO, I puff up.


    I've just started looking at Jamie Eason's free weight lifting program on Bodybuilding.com, looks promising:

    http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/jamie-easons-livefit-introduction.html
  • Southernsister
    Southernsister Posts: 198 Member
    I just stared
  • mrmarius
    mrmarius Posts: 1,802 Member
    yea take measurements. good chance that you are building muscle and gained a little weight but still losing fat.
  • DzyIzy
    DzyIzy Posts: 22 Member
    How long have you been doing the new routine? Typically when you start a new program like weight lifting your muscles will retain more water. This is normal, don't get discouraged. Keep doing what you are doing and all of a sudden the weight will MELT off.

    Take measurements too, that will REALLY show you progress.

    Good luck!

    Ditto

    Also take measurements or even a before pic. Then give yourself about 1 month and compare. If you are diligent you will see a difference. Also, if you are getting better/increasing weight with the exercises you are doing that means your muscles are getting stronger.
    You are doing a good job. You look great.
  • Annieminnesota
    Annieminnesota Posts: 111 Member
    Muscle does not weigh more than fat, however it's more dense than fat. Takes up less room.
  • Southernsister
    Southernsister Posts: 198 Member
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  • teagirlmedium
    teagirlmedium Posts: 679 Member
    Muscle actually makes you gain weight, but it is good weight. Also if you are trying to get muscle you are actually supposed to eat more calories so that the new calories can go towards the muscle, otherwise your using too much energy for the few you are giving your body (calories are energy) which means your starving it. You may not like this, but your age is also a factor in how many calories you should be eating, this calories for your age rule goes for eveyone across all ages and genders. A gym might have a pamphlit on it that you can keep.
  • OSUalum
    OSUalum Posts: 449 Member
    The closer you get to goal you will slow down on weekly losses. And weight lifting maybe seem like its slower it down initially but long term it actually helps to burn more calories.
    Don't get discouraged. This is a natural process. You've done so great! Now just realize that you are at a different place in your weight loss journey.
    You can do this!!
  • diaryoffatdad
    diaryoffatdad Posts: 175 Member
    first and foremost.....wow, you look amazing.

    as you get close to your goal weight its not uncommon to slow down....BMI is a very poor thing to aim for, on the individual level it has no real significance. If you are doing the exercise and eating well you are doing everything right and the numbers on the scale do not matter. Your body will have an ideal weight that no number on a chart can estimate. Unless you have to reach a certain BMI for medical reasons like the doctor says you need to be "this" BMI before surgery, then i would throw away the BMI goals and just enjoy your new lifestyle at whatever weight your body decides to rest at.

    BTW did I say you look amazing good work
  • Southernsister
    Southernsister Posts: 198 Member
    313516_2581376174734_1264329884_32989654_735564166_n-1.jpg
    Tried makin pic smaller to see me now,but not working]
  • Southernsister
    Southernsister Posts: 198 Member
    Only one week
  • Southernsister
    Southernsister Posts: 198 Member
    I just redid my goal and weight on here and it said 1200 even for six days workout and age =(
  • Southernsister
    Southernsister Posts: 198 Member
    =) awww so sweet
  • KelleFlr
    KelleFlr Posts: 142
    Muscle does not weigh more than fat, however it's more dense than fat. Takes up less room.
    Thanks, glad someone said that. :) My dear southernsister, you are such an inspiration. From what I have been reading about regarding muscle is that we do swell as we work out, so some gain you see on the scale is that. It sounds to me you are doing the right things -- protein after a work out etc, eating your proper calories to fuel your body.
    I think the suggestion to measure and give it a month is a good one. Would it freak you out to not weigh and just measure for a couple weeks at least? Go by how you feel and how clothes fit as you tone? Not sure if you can find one in your area... years ago I took a stretch and toning class.. they used 5 - 10 lb weights (ie: doing side leg lifts you could put the weight high on the thigh or lower for a different work out). Anyway, I lost inches doing that class, think around 10 lb lost or so and didn't necessarily get any bigger but definitely felt toned...... have to say that was 20 yrs ago. .. so in this 45yr old body i don't know what it is going to take.
    I am not there yet, still at the fat loss stage but have lots of toning in my arms and thighs and back that I want to do.
    I will be praying for you that you find something that gives you peace HUGZ
    Kelle
    Oklahoma
  • Even though the scale isn't showing it you are are probably a lot healthier and closer to your goal fat loss. Muscle weighs more than fat, but it also burns more calories throughout the day. I always recommend doing measurements. Chances are your dimensions are shrinking even though the scale isn't.

    Gaining the muscle will help you keep off all the weight you have lost (you look phenomenal!!!) It will also give you the shape you want.

    You are a wonderful inspiration. I love your picture!
  • caroltina
    caroltina Posts: 453 Member
    can you take a measurement o your body fat? at the drug store or something, then go back and see the measurement in a few weeks - at least this way you will know it is fat that is going? Remember the BMI is not good for those with muscle - here in the UK Our Dame Kelly Holmes is considered to be obese - http://www.britsattheirbest.com/sports/ss_running_holmes.htm
  • elizabethblake
    elizabethblake Posts: 384 Member
    You look freakin awesome!!!!! So happy for you! You look about 20 years younger, too!

    Yes, as you get closer to your goal weight, the weight loss will slow. Don't stress about this, it's normal and losing slowly will help you hold onto your lean body mass.

    eta: 1200 calories sounds like a bunch of hooey, for all that you're doing. What is your weight loss goal set for? It shouldn't be more than 1/2 lb. a week. Make sure you're eating your exercise calories (or 300-400 more on days you workout).
  • yasmine36
    yasmine36 Posts: 41 Member
    If your trying to buid muscle you may even gain weight, but look smaller. Try not focusing all on the weight but more how your body feels.
  • christine24t
    christine24t Posts: 6,063 Member
    how about getting your body fat percentage tested??
  • monkeymomof3
    monkeymomof3 Posts: 107 Member
    According to our trainer at work, if you are trying to tone and build muscle you need to increase your calories so your body can properly repair and build the muscle...otherwise even though you are trying to tone, you won't be. And muscle doesn't weigh more than fat - a lb is a lb, but you can build muscle before you lose fat causing a small weight gain, along with some water retention in the muscles that are being used differently. This will balance out. Also, according to our trainer at work once you have increased muscle, you drop your calories again to create a larger deficit and the increased deficit along with the increased muscle (which burns more) will help with the last bit of FAT loss......I just started insanity 2 weeks ago for this purpose so I hope he's right! I would definitely up your calories though if you are wanting to build muscle.

    You look amazing btw! great job on your success!!
  • dewgirl321
    dewgirl321 Posts: 296 Member
    The 1200 calories MFP is giving you doesn't include exercise calories, which are probably even more important to eat when you start lifting! Definitely increase your protein and water intake.

    Along with above posters, I think unless you HAVE TO use BMI for health insurance or whatever, you should focus more on body composition and fitness rather than scale number and BMI.

    I thought you looked great in the 2nd pic, but you do look even more fit (and happy!) in the 3rd. Great job!
  • You look FANTASTIC!!!!!!!!

    When I started weight lifting my weight loss stalled but I REALLY noticed a change in how my clothes fit and how my body looked. I lost inches but not pounds. It IS DISCOURAGING still bc we are ADDICTED to the scale! LOL But it is HEALTHY and looks better. After about a month the pounds started falling off and it averaged out to a pretty good loss over time.

    I say TRY to not watch the scale for awhile. I have a hard time with it. Make sure you get LOTS of protein and if you are more hungry (true hunger) don't be afraid to eat a little more.

    Good luck!
  • janemartin02
    janemartin02 Posts: 2,653 Member
    You look amazing!
  • Southernsister
    Southernsister Posts: 198 Member
    =) great advise
  • LilSomethin
    LilSomethin Posts: 545 Member
    You look absolutely amazing!!!! :)

    You def need to eat more. When I got down to my last 15 lbs my weight plateaued and I found that by eating more actually allows me to lose weight. Your body won't lose anymore in fear you are starving it. 1200 a day?? No way. I eat a minimum of 1700 cuz with my HRM I see I burn an average of 2200 calories on a non exercise day. I run 3-4 days a week now. I always eat my exercise calories too. So on my run days I eat about 2300 calories. I am much happier now cuz i get to eat :) I wouldn't jump up to 1700 calories like me but I'd jump up to maybe 1500 to start with and see what happens
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