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trying to stay positive
New Member
| Joined: | 3 January 2006 |
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| Posts: | 7 |
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Posted: 3 January 2006 04:13 pm |
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hello everyone. ***   Warning this is a long story brace yourself **
I have been coming to this particular site for a number of years now but this is the first time on the accutal forum.. i have been struggling with my weight all my life and since my last child have decided to get control of things. i was doing great at first i started working out at a local gym. i was doing an hour of cardio 6x a week and drastictly changed what i ate. At this poing i was consuming 1500-1600 calories a day and not eating ( whenever possible) after 7pm. I have since totally removed all pop and fruit juice in my diet.
This was between the months of feburary 2004 - aug 2004. ( i still don't drink pop. my liquids stem around water and milk )
Now just to help you guy understanding of where i stand. I don't believe in dieting. i believe in healthy eating and lifestyle changes...
I had a very strong support in my Piliates instructor. she gave me a list of good/moderat/bad things to eat in corospondence to the "Zone" diet. i didn't follow it as people would expect. i used it as a guidline and modified it to my lifestyle.
I limited my bread portions of carbs to both light and dark rye, pumpernickle bread only ( i don't even buy white bread for my children) as i said above i cut out all pop and fruit juices. i only drink water and milk. when every possible i eat veggies that are high in carbs and when i do eat pasta it is whole wheat and hight in omega. I eat soft cheeses as apposed to hard cheeses. usually yogurt and cottage cheese and more salads with vinigerette dressing. etc.. etc. just to give you an idea.
With that info and the changes i made i lost 40 lbs in 6 months. Then my mother passed away and all my motivation was gone. i stopped going to the gym but still remotely kept on my diet only faltering now and again. This was september of 2004. I then gained back about 15 lbs of what i lost between september and april of 2005. by that point my partner wanted to join me in the road to better health. Since he was a huge part of my weight loss previously I thought it was a wonderful idea. I felt we could be the ultimate support for eachother.
I left the local gym i was at and we started at a new one together. We got a personal trainer, and together we started in May of 2005.
Now this is where the story begins. for those of you who are still with me within the lengthy explination.
Between the months of May and November 2005 i tried everything!!!
With my trainer i tried doing any where from 30-45 min of cardio combined with 45-60 min of weights a day 5 days a week (weights always first) when that didn't work i tried doing alternate days of cardio and weights.. and upped my cadio to a min of 45 min each time.
Wth still seeing no changes from when i started i then tried to lower the amount of weights a week from two times a week and the rest being cardio to 1 time a week weights to the rest cardio.
All this time i am staying on my eating habits. the only thing that changed was that i no longer stopped eating past 7pm. i started incorperating protien within every meal to aid in the muscle building. and low glycemic carbs after a workout. i also changed my eating habits by starting to eat 5 small meals as apposed to 3 big ones.
It got to the point where my trainer suggested that I see my doctor and explained everything I had been trying to do and to possibly get my thyroid tested. she strongly felt i should be seeing some changed after how hard i had worked over the past 7 months. she was not sure why i had not see anychanges expect for a slight show of muscle definition.
I went in to the doctor in november for my annual physical and explained everthing to the best of my ability. and my doctor said she would do a complete spectrum of my blood and my thyroid but she wasn't concerned what so every in regards to my progress. she confirmed what i already know. the slower you loose the weight the better chance it is to stay off. but my response back is that you need to loose something first. i can't be on a plateau if i haven't lost anything in the first place.
From may when i started and november when i started faltering my routine. i had fluctuated withing the same 3-5 lbs. not loosing anything at all.. with little to no change in my physical size or in the way my clothes fit.
I am at my wits end.. honestly. 
I have decided to start fresh in 2006.:D I am going to try to go back to my orginal routine. leave out weights and do nothing but cardio from now until the 2nd week of march i am going to flordia for march break and would like to at least a little bit enjoy the beach with my children) along with keeping a calorie intake/burn diary and see what happens.
I fully believe that my body responds to weights too well and that was what was inhibiting my weight loss. i am aware of the theory of lean muscle mass aiding the body in burning calories for a longer peroid of time then just cardio alone, but it was with cardio alone i was acheiving the best results.. the lean muscle mass theory doesn't work for me.
For the few people that are still reading this and haven't gotten bored, i would appreciate all the advice that is given. i have tried everything and feel there is little where else to go short of going to a specialist and doing some more tests.. if there is anyone that has suffered simular results as this and succeed please tell me your secrets.
thankfully
cindy!!
if there is anything anyone needs to ask me above what i have offerd. feel free. i will answer any questions.
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Peter
Founder, caloriesperhour.com
| Joined: | 24 May 2005 |
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| Posts: | 4178 |
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Posted: 3 January 2006 04:41 pm |
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The only thing I can think of is that if you would share your deit for a few days you might get some comments. But Geez Louise! You sound very educated and like you've done a really good job of finding out what works for you. Or trying to. :(
Hang in there!
Peter
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trying to stay positive
New Member
| Joined: | 3 January 2006 |
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| Posts: | 7 |
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Posted: 3 January 2006 04:57 pm |
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peter:
that sounds like an awsome idea. i will go one more.. i will give my diet for this week Tuesday jan/03/06-jan 7th. i will also include my caloric exertion as well and see what replies i get.. thanks for the input peter.;)
ck
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NevD
New Member
| Joined: | 26 October 2005 |
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| Posts: | 1536 |
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Posted: 4 January 2006 09:51 pm |
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The main thing I noticed about your first post is that it's all about weight.
When you started with this new trainer, did you measure yourself? And, if so, have you seen any losses in girth?
It's counter-productive to obsess about weight as opposed to how you look.
Much better to monitor body fat than to weigh yourself all the time.
With the resistance stuff you've been doing, you might have put on a little muscle, and lost a little fat. The scales tell you there's nothing happening, but they're lying!
Measure and monitor the right things, and you may soon climb out of that slough of despond!
Good luck,
NevD 
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trying to stay positive
New Member
| Joined: | 3 January 2006 |
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| Posts: | 7 |
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Posted: 4 January 2006 09:57 pm |
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i did a BMI mesurment and stuff in may when I started. then i did it again in august. all my trainer told me ( she didn't show me the results) is that my muscle mass was up. since then they have lost my file and i can' t compare the stats.
i will take your advice and try to change my way of thinking. but on the other hand if my clothes fit the same with no changes doesn't that tell you something. i do follow my weight. but i watch the way my clothes fit as well...
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trying to stay positive
New Member
| Joined: | 3 January 2006 |
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| Posts: | 7 |
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Posted: 9 January 2006 05:30 pm |
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i have brought my calories down to 1500 a day ( ok some days I went to 1600 ) and made sure i exercised at least 30-60 min a day .. when i did the orginal post i was at 182.5 lbs.. i weighted myself yesterday morning and i was 181 lbs...
I know that one thing is going to be obvious on this page. I love my coffee.. that is my vice. and i am working on switching from double double to milk instead of cream. haven't really gotten there yet. some of the meals .. like the kraft dinner. i had to get rid of some left overs.
but as per the suggestion of peter .. here is my food diary for the last week..
Tuesday
Breakfast
3/4 cup oatmeal
extralarge coffee double double
yougurt n berries
CALORIES: 413
Lunch
4 Breaded chicken strips
1/2 cup long grain white rice
water to drink
CALORIES: 360
Snack:
1/4 cup of almonds
CALORIES: 170
Dinner:
Pad Thai Noodles
Green Curry with Jasmine Rice
Protien shake
CALORIES: 756
TOTAL CALORIES: 1699
wednesday
Breakfast:
3/4 cup oatmeal
extra large coffee double double
yougurt
CALORIES: 323
Snack:
Celery Sticks
CALORIES: not noted
Lunch:
Rpasted Turkey
with long grain white rice
water to drink
4 celery sticks
CALORIES: 445.4
Snack:
yogurt
celery sticks
medium coffee D/D
CALORIES: 206.6
Dinner:
tim hortons chicken noodle soup
bun and medium coffee D/D
CALORIES: 510
TOTAL CALORIES: 1 485
Thrusday:
Breakfast
3/4 cup oatmeal
yogurt
extra large coffee D/D
CALORIES: 323
Lunch:
homade salad with oriental lettuce, baby carrots, shredded cheese, 1/2 small apple, alphalpha sprouts, homemade dressing ( balsamic vingerette with olive oil and spices)
water to drink
Snack:
yogurt
small apple
CALORIES: 105
Dinner:
orange
chicken parmasan pasteries
baked curley fries
2 chocolate chip cookies
CALORIES: 716.3
TOTAL CALORIES: 1619.5
Friday
Breakfast:
3/4 cup oatmeal
yogurt
Extra Large coffee D/D
CALROIES: 273
Lunch:
2 Bowls of Misso Soup (japenese fish soup)
Baby carrots
Yogurt
CALORIES: 210
Snack:
yogurt
small apple
CALROIES: 121.8
Dinner:
2 pieces of delux pizza slices
1 piece of pepperoni slice
water to drink
CALORIES: 1 262
TOTAL CALORIES: 1 866.8
Saturday
Breakfast:
toasted peanut butter sandwich on rye
extra large coffee D/D
CALORIES: 386
Lunch:
herbed chicken and rice soup
1 piece of Rye toast
CALORIES: 305
Dinner:
Chicken and broccoli casseroll
1 Piece of Garlic toast with cheese
CALORIES: 600
Snack :
Popcorn
CALORIES: 180
TOTAL CALORIES: 1 471
Sunday
Breakfast:
12 Grain Bagle with light cream cheese
large coffee D/D
CALORIES: 472
Lunch:
1 Bowl of Kraft mac and cheese ( left overs )
water to drink
CALORIES: 450
Dinner:
Zone Stirfry with broccoli, snow peas and chicken
on long grain white rice
CALORIES: 488
TOTAL CALORIES:
1 410
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Rosie Real
Member
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Posted: 9 January 2006 06:59 pm |
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The same thing happened to me! After exercising and eating right for a year and losing 50 pounds, I have been on what seemed to be a weight loss plateau from March - November 2005. Even though I have been working out between 2-3 hours a day by taking group exercise classes which includes aerobic and resistance training and by also eating as nutritiously as humanly possible - I have not lost any weight during this time period.
I tried everything possible and nothing seemed to work. Recently two group exercise instructors lost 30-40 pounds even though I did not think they were over weight at all. I asked them what they did and they said unfortunately exercise and eating right did not help them lose weight so they had to lower their calorie intake even more. These people have been working out for at least 5-6 years that I know of. I started reading more and found these quotes "Perhaps you're choosing healthful foods, but in portions too large to allow weight loss. If you eat out, there may be more calories and fat in your food than you realize". At this point, I came to the conclusion that I had to cut back in calories and not take any calories burned in 2-3 hours of exercise into consideration when calculating total calorie intake. One helpful idea was changing your meat to vegetable ratio on your plate from 2/3 meat to 2/3 vegetables. One method I used was to make soups/stews for the family dinners but put very little meat in the dish. Once I switched to this method, I dropped 10 pounds almost immediately. I am going to keep trying to eat this way in order to lose my last 10 pounds as I will be at my ideal weight. Once I get to my ideal weight, I will work towards eating less meat and dairy products. From what I have read, they are not healthy for you.
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trying to stay positive
New Member
| Joined: | 3 January 2006 |
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| Posts: | 7 |
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Posted: 9 January 2006 07:11 pm |
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thank you rosie real for that insite... i will defently look into that idea.. once i have tried what i am doing now...
i appreciate you time to respond
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Rosie Real
Member
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Posted: 9 January 2006 07:54 pm |
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| I found it hard to believe that I must have been eating more calories than my body needed since I worked out so much and was already eating healthy. It took me a good part of a year to consider cutting calories! Seems our bodies adjust to our exercise no matter what we do. I am taking kickboxing, step, dance, cycling, weight lifting type classes every night and my body just runs like a smooth running car!
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NevD
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| Joined: | 26 October 2005 |
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| Posts: | 1536 |
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Posted: 9 January 2006 09:20 pm |
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Different triggers for different folks!
I always advise people I train that they should change something - anything- whenever they hit plateaux.
That way, they don't get depressed and quit.
For me, the secret was to get the right combinatin of nutrients in my food.
Once I hit on 55% carbs, 25% protein, 20% fat, the body weight just dropped off...
(I should just say that I concentrated more on resistance training than cardio - just in case I misguide anyone).
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trying to stay positive
New Member
| Joined: | 3 January 2006 |
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| Posts: | 7 |
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Posted: 9 January 2006 09:22 pm |
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I find very complicated to try the precentage thing. i do calorie counting as you can see.. but when my trainer suggested i do the precentage of the intake i do .. i got really confused.. i am not that great with numbers.. so i didn't find that helped me .. do the math didn't anyway.
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Thav
Member
| Joined: | 9 January 2006 |
| Location: | USA |
| Posts: | 45 |
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Posted: 10 January 2006 07:22 am |
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My wife and I count calories - both what we burn and eat. I set up a fairly complex spread sheet to do it. We have been trying to keep the net calories below a threshold - which is below our BMR. It's been kinda fun to try to get the net calories as low as possible - but we only track exercise we do (calories burned based off the calculators on this site), not the day to day activities. One day I went on a rampage and had my net calories down to about 400 (I also didn't eat much that day).
I suppose I could extend this sheet to calculate percentages, too.
This has made it kinda fun, and I've slipped out of the habit of tracking it. We've found that watching the results on paper has been more of a motivator than watching the results in the mirror. We know it'll take a while.
In an earlier post by Nevd, a good point was brought up:
"It's counter-productive to obsess about weight as opposed to how you look."
This is true. I'm a big guy, but my legs, arms, and face/neck have never been pudgy. I've got all my fat in my abdomen and around my hips. Take me from the chest up and mid-thighs down, and I look GREAT. It's that extra I'm carrying around the middle that pains me.
What I do to keep my motivation up, is to look at myself in the mirror, see all that extra padding gone, and tell myself, "I can look like that." When I jump on the scale and see another pound fall off, I think, "I'm getting closer!"
Just remember, whether you think you can, or you can't. You're right.
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fatso
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| Joined: | 7 January 2006 |
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| Posts: | 25 |
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Posted: 24 January 2006 01:20 pm |
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If I may chime in here.
Rosie, I fully agree with you here.
You must reduce calories until weight loss is noticed. I have been on a healthy food intake as per my diary thread. I am going to gym 3-4 times per week for 1 to 1 1/2 hours. I have been really good, and have not lost a single pound for the last 2-3 weeks. I first thought I had my weight wrong, as surely I must have lost something?
I have only tried loosing weight once before, and what I did then was not healthy. I ate only lunch, anything I wanted, this normally amounted to about 1200 calories a day. My BMR is about 2600 at sedentary calories a day. From the very first day I did this unhealthy diet I noticed about half a pound drop per day for 6 weeks. It was great. The downside was I was constipated and got headaches all the time.
Now my second time round I decided to do it properly. Ie eat closer to 2000 calories and go to gym and do cardio and weights etc etc, well nothing has happened in 3 weeks.
I am now going to dump the gym idea, as I wont have energy for it as I am now going to eat 1000 calories a day. 500 for lunch and 500 for dinner, thats it! So bring on the headaches and constipation.
I know this is unhealthy, but I dont care anymore, I just need to loose the weight (I know, I know, its fat I want to loose :-) ) AT this stage I'll take any loss I can get.
Bottom line is simply this. If you are not dropping in size or loosing weight, its simple, you are eating too much. Most people dont loose weight IMHO because they stick to close to their upper calorie limit.
Disclamer: I am not advocating eating only 1000 calories a day, I am doing this at my own risk and stupidity.
Cheers
fatso
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trying to stay positive
New Member
| Joined: | 3 January 2006 |
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| Posts: | 7 |
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Posted: 24 January 2006 01:41 pm |
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fatso.
as of the new year i have gone back to trying the way i did it a few years ago.
i am consuming only 1500 cals a day. and trying to get to they gym 3-4 times a week. i have cut out weights... i was 182.5 lbs when i started on Jan 3rd.. i am down to 175 as of yesterday Jan 23rd... i keep a food diary as you can see above and it has done me well.. how about try that..
but first of all i have to ask. are you male or female fatso only cause that makes a difference in the amount of calories you consume..
let me know what you think.. i am a bit scared hearing you say you are going to consume 1000 cals a day not to mention skipping breakfast..
be careful of skipping meals. your body will automaticly go into starvation mode and store lunch as pure fat.. i am not saying don't eat 1000 cals if you feel you need to do so. but just be wise about it ..
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fatso
Member
| Joined: | 7 January 2006 |
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| Posts: | 25 |
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Posted: 25 January 2006 07:44 am |
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I'm a male.
I will be carefull. I'm just really sick and tired of being overweight.
I cant believe junk food is so addictive for me. 3 weeks so far and no junk food, but man its getting harder and harder especially when I see no loss.
I will report back in a weeks time after my week of 1000 calories. I'm 250 pounds now. Will see how much I am in 1 weeks time.
cheers
Fatso
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Peter
Founder, caloriesperhour.com
| Joined: | 24 May 2005 |
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| Posts: | 4178 |
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Posted: 25 January 2006 08:41 am |
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Remember that you've spent a lifetime learning your habits and don't expect to be able to easily change them overnight or you'll just be disappointed. But you CAN do it.
You can learn new, better habits as surely as you learned the old ones!
Peter
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milehighgal
New Member
| Joined: | 5 March 2006 |
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| Posts: | 4 |
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Posted: 6 March 2006 02:10 pm |
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WOW!! I have a very similar story. I started my routine about the middle of Dec, 05. I haven't lost a pound. I do about 40 minutes a day of cardio at least 5 times a week, I've dropped weight lifting altogether hoping to kick start something. I have been going back and fourth with the same 4 pounds for 2 months now and going nuts!!!
Now I'm reading the book "Eat to Live" that has been recomende by this site. Alot of what it has to say makes since to me. I was trying for a lower carb diet, but since that hasn't worked for me thus far, I'm changing to the more vegetable/no meat thing.
I just wanted to let you know that I am also in the same boat and I'll let you know if changing the diet around bit helps.
Best of luck
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yohkos
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| Joined: | 19 February 2006 |
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| Posts: | 44 |
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Posted: 8 March 2006 08:09 pm |
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To the person who is going to do the 1000 calories, don't forget to take a vitamin. Personally, I don't know if that is such a bad thing if all the nutients are also taken. I mean what about the people that had that weight loss surgery? They don't eat a lot of calories and they are healthy. I don't know, everyone is different and I do better with less calories.
Someone on a diet board, I don't remember which one, said they took the calorie count from the size they wanted to be and it worked for them. For instance, someone was 260lbs but wanted to weigh 140. They would eat only the amount of calories to substain someone who is 140.
Kim
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