| Author | Post |
|---|
Sueann
New Member
| Joined: | 24 April 2008 |
| Location: | Georgia USA |
| Posts: | 14 |
|
Posted: 24 April 2008 02:50 pm |
|
Hi. First of all thanks for reading this, I don't know where else to turn. This it the first time I have ever tried to lose weight. Its been 4 months and incredibly I have not LOST A SINGLE POUND YET!! Heres my story....
I am 29 and I am 5'1 and weigh 155. I would like to loose about 12 pounds. The day after Christmas I decided to change my life style and get fit and healthy. Since that day I exercise 30 min a sessions 4-5 days a week to Yourself fitness. (its a virtual personal trainer computer program.) Its 15 min of cardio and 15 min of toning/strength training focusing on different area each time. I also walk 1/2 mile uphill each evening. and I also do 3 -15 min yoga sessions a week. Also, I have a job where I am lifting and walking 3 days a week.
I am logging all my calories on Fitday.com. I feel like I eat very healthy. Tons of veggies, fruit and lean meats. All water to drink. A average calorie intake for me is 1500-1700 a day. I eat several small meals during the day.
I have gotten stronger ( I can do push ups now!! and touch my toes for the first time ever!!) But the scale just has not moved!!
I have been to the doctor and ruled out any medical issues.
i cannot afford to hire a nutritionist or join a gym.
If anyone can give me any advice or even just encouragement I would appreciate it.
|
Tratra
Distinguished Member
|
Posted: 24 April 2008 04:56 pm |
|
| Are your clothes getting looser? You said you feel stronger, are you more toned? Sometimes the scale can be deceiving and you should go by how you look, not the numbers on the scale.
|
Sueann
New Member
| Joined: | 24 April 2008 |
| Location: | Georgia USA |
| Posts: | 14 |
|
Posted: 24 April 2008 05:46 pm |
|
Not really on the clothes. My husband says I look better, but I think he is just trying to make me feel better. I can't really tell a difference in shape.
I do feel better, and I know I am stronger, but my old jeans still don't fit and parts of me still jiggle.
I just feel like I should be seeing so much more results, as hard as I have been working. Its discouraging.
|
Tratra
Distinguished Member
|
Posted: 24 April 2008 06:11 pm |
|
| Well if you've been consistent for these 4 months and nothings happening, it's time to switch it up. Your calories look good, but maybe try doing 1400-1500/day for two weeks and see if that makes a difference.
|
EJ33
New Member
|
Posted: 24 April 2008 08:06 pm |
|
For decades I have been a believer in the calorie model/math and am astounded that you have not lost any weight in 4 months.
Based on your information the calorie math says:
After 13 weeks you should weigh about 145
After 26 weeks you should weigh about 136
After 39 weeks you should weigh about 128
After 52 weeks you should weigh about 121
The adjusted RMR for a F, 29, 5'1", 110 pounds, says a Lightly Active woman should be able to eat 1596 calories a day and a Moderately Active woman should be able to eat 1800 calories a day. In theory if you kept eating 1600 calories a day in 12-15 months your weight should go from 155 to about 110 pounds.
This won't help you but in February 2007 I did the calorie math and based on eating 1900 calories a day for 14 weeks the calorie math said I should lose 19-20 pounds and I ended up losing 23 pounds. The calorie math said that if I were to eat about 2250 calories a day, plus exercise about 4 hours a week, my weight would stay pretty much the same. I've been eating about 2250 calories a day and exercising for the last 52 weeks and I have lost 2 more pounds over the last year on maintenance. The calorie math has worked first on paper and then in the real world for me - so I'm a believer in it.
Sueann, you seem to be doing everything right. You're eating healthy and you are consuming far less calories than you need for your current weight and also burning a few extra calories from exercise - so it is baffling that you have not lost 5-10 pounds.
Hopefully, someone can give you some helpful advice to have success but sorry I can't.
Best of Luck,
EJ33
Last edited on 24 April 2008 08:11 pm by EJ33
|
trimB
Moderator
|
Posted: 24 April 2008 08:47 pm |
|
That does sound tough. Especially if you are weighing/measuring your portions to be sure you aren't underestimating your intake. Sounds like you have that covered.
Have you ever had your body fat tested? That is sometimes a better picture than weight alone.
Well I did want to say that many people would not have been as patient as you have already proved yourself to be. Congrats on that then!
|
Sueann
New Member
| Joined: | 24 April 2008 |
| Location: | Georgia USA |
| Posts: | 14 |
|
Posted: 25 April 2008 12:31 am |
|
Thank you all for taking the time to read and reply. Its means a lot to me since I have been so discouraged lately.
1600 is an average for me that i try to stay around. Some days its 1200, some days 1800 but NEVER higher than 1800. On the 1800 days I try to work out a bit more.
When I first started I did 45 min work outs (instead of the 30 I am doing now) and I was eating 1200 calories. ( instead of the 1600 I am eating now.) I did this for about a month, and I was hungry and exhausted and actually gained 3 pounds. So, I have bumped the calories up a bit and lowered the workouts to better fit my lifestyle.
My doctor said if I have still not lost in another 2 months we will do some further testing. He was astounded as well.
I really want to stay away from anything like fads or pills. I am trying to change my life as well as my weight.
The irony is, when I walk in the evening I take my dog and my dog has lost weight and I haven't!!
Thanks again to all and I will keep you updated. And I will keep on trying.
|
EJ33
New Member
|
Posted: 25 April 2008 07:59 am |
|
In this "Please Help Me, I'm Stuck" forum read "Trying to lose weight, but no progress", 14 Apr, jessalynne
Her situation seems very similar to yours.
|
Nir
Senior Administrator
|
Posted: 25 April 2008 03:02 pm |
|
If you are tracking on FitDay then you have access your protein/fat/carb breakdown.
A minority of people (perhaps 20%) are insulin-resistant and lose better when they moderate their carb intake. I have no way of knowing if that is you but I guess it is possible. Can I see your macronutrient ratios?
|
Sueann
New Member
| Joined: | 24 April 2008 |
| Location: | Georgia USA |
| Posts: | 14 |
|
Posted: 25 April 2008 04:23 pm |
|
This past months info is an average of 1624 calories with 42% carbs--17% protein --40% fat ( 13% Sat, 7% poly, 6% mono)
I eat a lot of turkey , spinach, oatmeal and cereal. Lots of citrus fruits. A few almonds every day. Beans a few times a week.
I do have a weakness for chips but I only eat the healthier kind like sun chips. I usually meet all my nutrition requirements except I lack slightly on calcium and folate (and I take a multi vitamin for that.)
When I eat carbs like pasta, I try to eat a protein like tuna with it. I tend to stay away from most processed foods. The only pure sugar I eat is 1/2 teaspoon with my morning camomile tea and I have one tiny square of organic dark chocolate after supper each evening.
I don't know if its genetic, but both parent were diagnosed as borderline diabetic this year. They are in their mid 60's.
When I went to the doctor recently, He did not do any blood work. He asked a lot of questions about my periods (all fine, by the way), and questions about my skin and hair. The only symptom of anything i might have is seasonal allergies and occasional fatigue (but i am a working mom and that goes along with life.) I am not on any medications and my stress level is low.
The doctor told me muscle weighs more than fat..Blah, blah.. add more cardio...blah,blah... and come back in 2 months if you are still sticking with
it.
|
Nir
Senior Administrator
|
Posted: 25 April 2008 04:36 pm |
|
Sounds like you are following all the 'standard' recommendations and you're not going too 'high carb' (for example Tom Venuto would set carbs at 40% for his moderate-carb variation)
The only other thing I will suggest is rather radical by comparison, up to you. Get the book Eat To Live by Dr. Joel Fuhrman and have a good read of the first half of the book (i.e. the rationale)
|
Sueann
New Member
| Joined: | 24 April 2008 |
| Location: | Georgia USA |
| Posts: | 14 |
|
Posted: 25 April 2008 05:19 pm |
|
I will check out the book. I think its time to get radical. I have proven to have the will power and drive I am just not sure what direction to go in.
Again, thanks to all for your time and advise.
|
trimB
Moderator
|
Posted: 25 April 2008 10:54 pm |
|
One other thing to try, if you feel like shaking things up... increase your calories a bit more. Stoke that metabolism with a little bit more fuel!! Increase slowly (maybe 100 calories/day and give it at least a full week to take effect) and just see what the scale does. If stays the same, then why not bump up a bit more? Can't hurt at this point, right??
I've always been surprised how many calories I can eat and maintain or lose slowly - IF they are good quality calories.
|
tripleplay
Senior Member
|
Posted: 26 April 2008 12:46 am |
|
I am always surprised by how quickly doctors blow off the people coming in with this problem. This has been my problem for the last year. I will lose about 7 pounds and then it will stop and come back and then stay there for about 6 months and then creep up more again. I have limited my intake for calories all up and down the line, have increased my excercise to 5 - 60 minute sessions on my nordictrac and 3 to 4 - 60 minute sessions of weight training in one week. At 5'9" and 252.5 (again) and eating never more than 2200 calories and never less than 1600 - i haven't lost a pound in 10 weeks. Oh i lost the water the first two weeks (after monthly) and got a little happy but now back where it was. The doctor just looked at me and said well he has patients that only eat 800 calories a day and gain weight.....hmmmm....that was helpful.....I have had my thyroid tested and there are nodules on it and my levels are in now in the bottom range of normal so noone will help in that area...he wants it to go out of normal and is not concerned at all by the fact I was at the top of normal 13 years ago and now am at the bottom....so I know what you are going through. But under this fat is a pretty well muscled person. You just can't see her.
|
jessalynne
New Member
| Joined: | 13 April 2008 |
| Location: | USA |
| Posts: | 22 |
|
Posted: 28 April 2008 06:52 pm |
|
tripleplay, I would say go to another doctor about your thyroid! I am at the low end of normal too, and my doctor did prescribe me a thyroid pill to see if it would be helpful - unlike you I didn't have any previous thyroid level records. But "normal" is different for everyone, and it sounds like where you're at isn't the right level for you. Hope you can find a doctor who will really pay attention to your individuality 
|
Melissa
Member
|
Posted: 29 April 2008 02:20 am |
|
| I agree with tripleplay and jessalynne--you need to get your thyroid checked out.
|
cportwine
Member
|
Posted: 30 April 2008 02:58 pm |
|
You need to pay attention to your T3 and T4 levels also. They can play a huge role in how your thyroid is working. Do a search on the net. You can find great information about what your levels should be.
I agree go to another doctor.
Thyroids can be tricky and can play a huge role in weight lose. I lost most of my weight before I had a thyroid problem. Then the weight started to come back (and I was starving myself). I have been on medicine for about a year now. So, glad I am. I felt like #%@&! before. So, my point is go and get it checked.
Sueann- If you don't have a thyroid problem, then I would do what the others suggest and switch it up. If what your doing is not working then try something else. There's got to be a reason why you are not losing. I give you credit for sticking with it, when there is no results. How frustrating that would be. Hang in there, you will figure it out.
I was also glad to hear that you are working with your doctor on this. If he hasn't done a blood work up then I would suggest you have him do it.
|
Sueann
New Member
| Joined: | 24 April 2008 |
| Location: | Georgia USA |
| Posts: | 14 |
|
Posted: 30 April 2008 05:44 pm |
|
Wouldn't I have symptoms with a thyroid issue? I feel great.
I have tried a few things, like working different times of the day, using different size weights, trying different work out videos, working out for longer and shorter times, trying alternating days, eating before a session... and so on..
I have tried eating more calories, less, zig zagging, more protein, less protein...
What else is there? And is my body REALLY that picky? Seems like I would have at least lost one pound by now. Its a permanent plateau.
But, anyway.. Thanks. i appreciate any advise at this point. I am waiting on a copy of Eat to Live and I will give that a go. I will give it a bit more and go back to the doc. I really hate taking pills though. Sigh.
Simply, I feel like I am working so hard already. I am doing all i can. Its overwhelming and confusing. If I could just see some weight loss it might be worth it.
|
cportwine
Member
|
Posted: 30 April 2008 06:08 pm |
|
I agree with you. You would feel horriable if it was a thyroid problem. And yes, you would think that after all you've been doing you would see a weight loss. I would give it more time.
Stick to your guns! Don't give up!
I have heard that eat to live is very good, so maybe that will spark some new interest for you to keep you motivated.
Good Luck! 
|
Current time is 07:59 am | |
|
