Frustrated and confused

Chari_Jan
Chari_Jan Posts: 157 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I just completed Stage 1 of NROLW. I took measurements, body fat% and weight before I started so I could see how far I had come. Well........I gained 1.5lbs, lost only 1/4" in pudge area below my belly button (everywhere else stayed the same) BUT I lost 1.3% body fat.

What the hell happened??

My goal is to be thin, lean and fit...I don't feel these results are going in the right direction.

Any ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. My diary is open. FYI: I just started calorie cycling this week so I change my goals everyday to what I can have that day so some days may look off.

Thank you all in advance!

Replies

  • dlwyatt82
    dlwyatt82 Posts: 1,077 Member
    Most methods of measuring body fat have a pretty hefty margin for error, so I wouldn't focus on that number too much. Your progress may be modest so far, but it's measurable; keep it up! :happy:
  • Chari_Jan
    Chari_Jan Posts: 157 Member
    Most methods of measuring body fat have a pretty hefty margin for error, so I wouldn't focus on that number too much. Your progress may be modest so far, but it's measurable; keep it up! :happy:

    So what you're telling me is, that there is a good chance the loss of body fat is incorrect and that my hard work for 6 weeks produced basically no results. That's comforting. LOL
  • dlwyatt82
    dlwyatt82 Posts: 1,077 Member
    It takes time to get fit! Like I said, your results after the first 6 weeks may be small, but they ARE there, and will continue if you keep at it. My weight loss completely levelled off for the first 2-3 months after I started lifting weights, and has just started to sort of get back on track. I didn't even take measurements all that often during that period; what mattered to me was how great I felt, and what I could see happening in the mirror.
  • tlhorsley
    tlhorsley Posts: 141 Member
    What exactly where you hoping for at this stage in the game?

    Are you REALLY pushing yourself with the lifting...lifting heavy?
  • dlwyatt82
    dlwyatt82 Posts: 1,077 Member
    What exactly where you hoping for at this stage in the game?

    Are you REALLY pushing yourself with the lifting...lifting heavy?

    There is that, as well. I haven't read NROLFW (being a man, and all :laugh: ), so I'm not sure what the end of "Stage 1" means in terms of your workout structure and intensity. I can say that I've been doing Stronglifts 5x5 for about 3.5 months now, and the lifts are only just starting to get challenging to the point where I'd call what I'm doing "lifting heavy" (as compared to my current level of strength). Squats and deadlifts are still progressing just fine, but rows and overhead presses are getting quite hard to complete all 5 sets, and bench is somewhere in between; I can feel the strain, but I'm not likely to miss any reps just yet.

    Those first 3 months were necessary to get used to the volume of exercise and to get my form down, but the real benefits of heavy lifting should just be starting, now that I'm getting close to my first stall points.
  • Chari_Jan
    Chari_Jan Posts: 157 Member
    I feel that I do push myself hard when lifting. The last 2 or 3 reps are always difficult to complete. I try to increase my weight everytime.

    As far as what I was expecting, I was expecting a few pounds down on the scale and a few inches lost overall. Nothing seriously drastic but something to show for all my hard work.
  • tlhorsley
    tlhorsley Posts: 141 Member
    I will add that I am going to be beginning Stage 5 of NROL4W on Monday and have found myself frustrated and confused a lot. I had great changes in my body for the first 4 weeks of the program but have since stalled out. Yeah, that is a long time to have stalled out.

    I am convinced that the lifting program and my ability to push myself hard in the gym is just fine. I can feel muscles in my legs and arms so I know there is some good going on with what I am doing I just have fat on those muscles that are hiding them from the eye.

    I have been trying to figure out what my body needs in order to start shedding that stubborn fat. I firmly believe it is all about the food for me and I am trying my best to figure out how much I need to eat and so forth.

    It is a slow process. One that you needed to be dedicated to and willing to play around with.
  • sweetNsassy2584
    sweetNsassy2584 Posts: 515 Member
    What stage are you on? I believe you just started stage 2 right? Well, give it time darlin seriously. When you start lifting it takes time for your body to transform. Have you taken pictures? I only did stages 1 and 2. I didn't take measurements but I have seen results through pictures and looking in the mirror. I know that it can be discouraging to not see bigger results faster but you must be patient. I continue to lift weights and love that i'm getting stronger and leaner. Stick with it and screw the damn scale!
  • Chari_Jan
    Chari_Jan Posts: 157 Member
    I forgot that I did take pics in the beginning. Hmmmm...I will take some tonight and compare. Thanks for that reminder! :happy:

    I know I'm getting stronger and I also can feel the muscles in place that I didn't 6 weeks ago. I just want to make sure that I'm constantly moving forward...even if it's slowly.

    Thank you guys for helping to see the silver lining. :love:
  • tlhorsley
    tlhorsley Posts: 141 Member
    I agree with the scale comment. The scale shows a number and in the grand scheme of things the number is just that a number. It is a number that will drive you crazy and not truly show the big picture when it comes to how you look.

    Also -did you use the book to determine how many calories to eat or MFP?
  • Chari_Jan
    Chari_Jan Posts: 157 Member
    I agree with the scale comment. The scale shows a number and in the grand scheme of things the number is just that a number. It is a number that will drive you crazy and not truly show the big picture when it comes to how you look.

    Also -did you use the book to determine how many calories to eat or MFP?

    I used a combo of the book and a website suggested by a friend. Pretty much gave me the same answers. I just lowered them on Sunday and started calorie cycling. I'm going to stick with this for 2 - 3 weeks and check results.
  • dlwyatt82
    dlwyatt82 Posts: 1,077 Member
    I agree with the scale comment. The scale shows a number and in the grand scheme of things the number is just that a number. It is a number that will drive you crazy and not truly show the big picture when it comes to how you look.

    Also -did you use the book to determine how many calories to eat or MFP?

    I used a combo of the book and a website suggested by a friend. Pretty much gave me the same answers. I just lowered them on Sunday and started calorie cycling. I'm going to stick with this for 2 - 3 weeks and check results.

    You've already got the secret to successful weight loss right there. When you change something, give yourself enough time to really see what's happening! I'd even advise 4 weeks, but 3 should be fine. So many people see a short-term fluctuation or gain in their weight, go into a panic and sabotage their own chances at success.

    You should see my graph of weight on MFP... it bounces all over the place, sometimes by as much as 8-10 pounds, but when you look at it over a 2-3 month period, the downward trend is there, averaging around 1 pound per week.
  • Chari_Jan
    Chari_Jan Posts: 157 Member
    I agree with the scale comment. The scale shows a number and in the grand scheme of things the number is just that a number. It is a number that will drive you crazy and not truly show the big picture when it comes to how you look.

    Also -did you use the book to determine how many calories to eat or MFP?

    I used a combo of the book and a website suggested by a friend. Pretty much gave me the same answers. I just lowered them on Sunday and started calorie cycling. I'm going to stick with this for 2 - 3 weeks and check results.

    You've already got the secret to successful weight loss right there. When you change something, give yourself enough time to really see what's happening! I'd even advise 4 weeks, but 3 should be fine. So many people see a short-term fluctuation or gain in their weight, go into a panic and sabotage their own chances at success.

    You should see my graph of weight on MFP... it bounces all over the place, sometimes by as much as 8-10 pounds, but when you look at it over a 2-3 month period, the downward trend is there, averaging around 1 pound per week.

    I just want to keep a good bead on things to ensure that I'm constantly moving forward. The goal of this new lifestyle is NOT stay the same so if I am.....something has to change.
  • sweetNsassy2584
    sweetNsassy2584 Posts: 515 Member
    Keep pushing yourself and you will see the results you want hun!
  • mmapags
    mmapags Posts: 8,934 Member
    I agree with the scale comment. The scale shows a number and in the grand scheme of things the number is just that a number. It is a number that will drive you crazy and not truly show the big picture when it comes to how you look.

    Also -did you use the book to determine how many calories to eat or MFP?

    I used a combo of the book and a website suggested by a friend. Pretty much gave me the same answers. I just lowered them on Sunday and started calorie cycling. I'm going to stick with this for 2 - 3 weeks and check results.

    You've already got the secret to successful weight loss right there. When you change something, give yourself enough time to really see what's happening! I'd even advise 4 weeks, but 3 should be fine. So many people see a short-term fluctuation or gain in their weight, go into a panic and sabotage their own chances at success.

    You should see my graph of weight on MFP... it bounces all over the place, sometimes by as much as 8-10 pounds, but when you look at it over a 2-3 month period, the downward trend is there, averaging around 1 pound per week.

    I just want to keep a good bead on things to ensure that I'm constantly moving forward. The goal of this new lifestyle is NOT stay the same so if I am.....something has to change.


    I totally get where you are coming from. Remember though, permanent change happens in a more gradual way. You didn't gain body fat and get out of shape overnight and you won't lose body fat and get in shape overnight. You are on the right track. You are seeing great fitness changes in your body. You are seeing a slight reduction of inches. I know you want results that show. patience grasshopper! Pateince.
  • Chari_Jan
    Chari_Jan Posts: 157 Member
    I agree with the scale comment. The scale shows a number and in the grand scheme of things the number is just that a number. It is a number that will drive you crazy and not truly show the big picture when it comes to how you look.

    Also -did you use the book to determine how many calories to eat or MFP?

    I used a combo of the book and a website suggested by a friend. Pretty much gave me the same answers. I just lowered them on Sunday and started calorie cycling. I'm going to stick with this for 2 - 3 weeks and check results.

    You've already got the secret to successful weight loss right there. When you change something, give yourself enough time to really see what's happening! I'd even advise 4 weeks, but 3 should be fine. So many people see a short-term fluctuation or gain in their weight, go into a panic and sabotage their own chances at success.

    You should see my graph of weight on MFP... it bounces all over the place, sometimes by as much as 8-10 pounds, but when you look at it over a 2-3 month period, the downward trend is there, averaging around 1 pound per week.

    I just want to keep a good bead on things to ensure that I'm constantly moving forward. The goal of this new lifestyle is NOT stay the same so if I am.....something has to change.


    I totally get where you are coming from. Remember though, permanent change happens in a more gradual way. You didn't gain body fat and get out of shape overnight and you won't lose body fat and get in shape overnight. You are on the right track. You are seeing great fitness changes in your body. You are seeing a slight reduction of inches. I know you want results that show. patience grasshopper! Pateince.

    Thank you. I'm trying. Haha I will say that I am NOT giving up. I will keep trudging along until I make it happen. Determined!!!

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