Am I being impatient? Newbie Advice / Help please

[Hol22]

Hello all, I’m new here and seeking at little advice / info…

24 years old, 5’4, approx 180 lbs
Physically I’m not as fat as that weight / height ratio would suggest – size 14 UK – however I do recognise that I am getting to the point where I need and want to do something about it.

I was a county swimmer as a teenager, played rugby, climbed and generally very fit. Never been a skinny kinda girl (and don’t think I ever will) – but healthy. Stopped quite abruptly when I went to study – I was also getting quite self conscious as I bulk up easily and was getting very broad for a girl. Steadily put on about 1 ½ stone in 2 years. Started a new job about 8 months ago where I am office based and completely sedentary. Put on another stone since then!

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! I am now officially a fatty! iggy:

So time to do something about it. Joined the gym just before Christmas. Running and swimming mainly up until 5 weeks ago. Met with a trainer who has put me on a much more rounded exercise programme:
30 mins of cardio
Core exercises
Light weight / high reps to tone
Legs
Arms

I do this workout 3 times a week plus swimming (1 hour) twice a week and also various classes (body pump, boxercise, yoga) depending on work commitments.

So for 5 weeks now I have been exercising 5 – 6 days per week, sometimes twice a day. I am doing it properly – working my self hard – but building it up gradually. I have gone from doing NOTHING to this and haven’t lost any weight what so ever!!!

Diet wise, I’m not on a plan or anything, but I am eating a lot better, have cut down a lot.

Don’t get me wrong, I feel soooooo much better. I am loving the exercising, feel stronger and generally more toned. BUT I would have thought by this point I would have lost some weight, or at least noticed a difference.

Could anyone help me? Give me some advice. Ideally I am looking to drop about 40 lbs – but slowly and gradually – this is something I am committed to. However I don’t want to become obsessed with food and diet - I eat a well balanced diet and am generally healthy!

Am I just being impatient? I'm not expecting the pounds to drop off, but some movement would be nice!

 

[maleficent]

Eating a lot better is good -but if you are getting too many calories you aren't going to lose weight... Doesn't matter if your calories are all from good foods or all from junk foods -too many calories is just that.

Get an account at or one of the 100s of other free sites on the web to keep track of calories and other important nutrients.
Learn what a portion size is... it's generally a lot smaller than what the eye thinks it is...
Measure and record everything that goes into your mouth...
Read the stickied threads in the nutrition forum for a baseline approximation of how many calories a day you should be getting...

 

[Fat Cat]

If you're putting in serious and consistent effort in your workouts you could be performing the ellusive losing fat/gaining muscle phenomenon (particularly if you've been away from exercise for a long time). This is why it's always recommended that you take body measurements in addition to weighing yourself. The scale isn't the best measure of success when you're athletic or a former athlete (muscle mass and memory does factor in).

Absolutely record your calories, but additionally, take measurements and record them at intervals, and pay attention to the fit of your clothing, are things fitting better or loser in places?

 

[spike99]

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Hi Hol22.

Sounds like you are doing everything correct. re: Better eating and more daily exercise. As some might say, "fighing the war on both battle fronts". I like your approach.

Unfortunately, each body is different. I'm sure even your gym trainer will agree. Some folks can drop 12+ lbs their first week and plateau soon after. For some folks, their body "holds on" to its current weight and a few months down the road, it slowly starts dropping its extra body fat. I call this the above 10% folks and below 10% folks. Most of our industry and expectations is based on those 80% grouping folks. The folks were "less calories + more dialy exercise is guaranteed drop in "immediate & consistant" body weight". Don't worry. My body is outside this 80% grouping as well. For my body to start dropping its initial weight, I had to be more patient as well...

As a suggestion, "keep doing what you are doing" and give yourself more time. Sounds like your body likes to "hang on" to what it has (just like my body). Keep "tugging away" (sort of speaking) and over time, I bet you'll win this tug-of-war as well.

Hope this helps as well..

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