Loosing Weight Question

[aweilba]

I've been running now for about a month, and working out 6 days a week for that amount of time. The first two weeks, I lost 2 pounds, which was great and really kept me motivated. Now, I weigh more than I did when I started and it's really discouraging me.

I wouldn't say that I'm a heavy person (5 foot 3, 139 lbs as of today), but I'm certainly the heaviest I've been in my whole life. I typically hover around 130-135, and it's really bothering me to see such a high number on the scale. Even when I was swimming 5-6 miles a day and at my most fit, I did not weigh this. I'm eating really healthy lately and drinking plenty of water, limiting alcohol, etc. I just want to feel comfortable in my own skin again. I've got a Fitbit and religiously enter in my calories daily; according to it, I'm burning more calories than I'm eating, but no pounds are coming off.

So why am I not loosing any weight? I can't tell a difference in my appearance or the way my clothes fit yet, which is really more important to me than the weight I guess. I know that muscle weighs more than fat, but I figured that as my muscle replaced fat I would notice a difference in my figure... Bleh.

[sadlebred]

How many calories are you eating per day?

[kams]

Swimming 5-6 miles a day?!?!

Weight loss is so frustrating. The token answer is "maybe you aren't eating enough." I find, for myself, that I sometimes underestimate the servings of food I'm taking in. Would you consider weighing & measuring out all of your food to be sure you are entering things correctly into fitbit? Otherwise, I would just be sure to take in whole foods and limit anything processed. Good luck to you. Losing just a few lbs can be very challenging.

[aweilba]

Jun 17, 2012 17:37:19 GMT -5 sadlebred said:

How many calories are you eating per day?

Typically between 1,600-1,750. Fitbit says I'm burning between 2,300-2,500 on a typical day (which includes coaching swim practice, a run, and taking the dog on a mile walk, aside from daily routine walking).

[aweilba]

Jun 17, 2012 17:40:26 GMT -5 kams said:

Swimming 5-6 miles a day?!?!

Weight loss is so frustrating. The token answer is "maybe you aren't eating enough." I find, for myself, that I sometimes underestimate the servings of food I'm taking in. Would you consider weighing & measuring out all of your food to be sure you are entering things correctly into fitbit? Otherwise, I would just be sure to take in whole foods and limit anything processed. Good luck to you. Losing just a few lbs can be very challenging.

Haha yeah, I was on swim team my whole life until a few years ago. Double practices will do that to you! Unfortunately, I continued to eat like I was still swimming like that and packed on 10 lbs. I love me some carbs!!

I do measure out everything, but haven't tried weighing. Maybe I need to invest in a food scale? 20% BB&B coupon might help with that! It is the most frustrating this ever, especially since they just melt off my husband like butter. I really just want to loose 10 or so.

[sadlebred]

You should be eating more. I'd up it to 2000 calories and see where you are after 2-3 weeks.

[gt7301b]

Post what you eat on a daily basis and we can give some suggestions.

[aweilba]

Jun 17, 2012 17:49:56 GMT -5 gt7301b said:

Post what you eat on a daily basis and we can give some suggestions.

B: Coffee, Quaker weight control oatmeal, fruit (usually apple or banana)
S1: Nature Valley protein bar
L: Turkey sandwich on whole wheat bread, fruit, veggies (usually carrots, peppers, or a small salad w/vinaigrette)
S2: Light popcorn or more veggies; sometimes a protein shake.
D: Really depends, but usually some sort of protein (most often fish or chicken) and veggies. Veggie lasagna is a favorite of mine. Slow churned ice cream every once an a while, once a week or so, for dessert.

I don't find myself feeling hungry a lot, so I'm not a huge grazer throughout the day.

[Deleted]

I don't think that's 1600 calories.

The other part of this is that, and I hate to say it, you're older. Losing weight is harder. Maybe your body is happier at 139 now?

[gt7301b]

I'd actually add some more healthy fats, nuts, cheeses, avocados, nut butters, kick it up with some olive oil. I usually try and pair a healthy fat (protein) with a fruit or veggie for my snacks.

[aweilba]

Jun 17, 2012 20:38:15 GMT -5 gt7301b said:

I'd actually add some more healthy fats, nuts, cheeses, avocados, nut butters, kick it up with some olive oil. I usually try and pair a healthy fat (protein) with a fruit or veggie for my snacks.

Thanks! That's a good tip. I do add avocado to my turkey sandwich sometimes, and a piece of cheese. I also really like Greek yogurt. I honestly eat when I'm hungry, and what I'm eating fills me up well, so I never thought that I'm not eating enough.

[beefjerky]

More fat for sure!

[wanderlustmom]

I am your height and recently went from 144 to 125.

I don't work out nearly as hard as you, but I was burning about 400 calories 3-5 days a week and it didn't do anything unfortunately for weight loss, but I know it was healthy overall.

I added in lifting with a trainer 2-3 days a week and I noticed tone but no weight loss. I tried MFP and it didn't work for me, it just didn't make me accountable enough.

I started WWers in January, kept up with the training and did five days of cardio (added more running and intervals) for an hour.

And now I know someone will be weighing me in once a week for free since I'm lifetime. Not that WWers is for everyone, but it worked for me. I was so frustrated because I was unhappy with that extra weight on my petite frame. It was hard work and it's still hard work to maintain.

I agree it doesn't sound like you are eating enough.

[aweilba]

Jun 17, 2012 21:50:48 GMT -5 wanderlustmom said:

I am your height and recently went from 144 to 125.

I don't work out nearly as hard as you, but I was burning about 400 calories 3-5 days a week and it didn't do anything unfortunately for weight loss, but I know it was healthy overall.

I added in lifting with a trainer 2-3 days a week and I noticed tone but no weight loss. I tried MFP and it didn't work for me, it just didn't make me accountable enough.

I started WWers in January, kept up with the training and did five days of cardio (added more running and intervals) for an hour.

And now I know someone will be weighing me in once a week for free since I'm lifetime. Not that WWers is for everyone, but it worked for me. I was so frustrated because I was unhappy with that extra weight on my petite frame. It was hard work and it's still hard work to maintain.

I agree it doesn't sound like you are eating enough.

Good for you! My aunt has done WW for almost 20 years and swears by it. I used to do WW in college, but then when they switched to the new Points Plus, it stopped working for me.

[katietornado]

I'm your height and went from 136 to 116. I tried upping the cardio ad my weight kept creeping up. I finally started lifting (first a 6-day-a-week boot camp, then CrossFit) and that's what did it. With so much more muscle, maintaining my weight is easier. I have to make sure to get plenty of protein too. I drink a shake 100 calories, 20g protein) after every CrossFit workout, and frequently after running too. Now I run 4 or 5 days a week, CrossFit 3 or 4 times a week, and ride my bike to and from work as often as possible, and it's keeping me at a weight that makes me happy.

Definitely try strength training. It can be intimidating, but it's done wonders for me.

[hjohnson050711]

lift weights! muscle burns fat