I Need Advice!

O

onmyway23

New member
Hi Everyone,

I'm new to this site, and I'm not really sure how it all works. I'm feeling really depressed lately because I've been trying to lose weight, and it's just not happening.

I'm 23 years old and I've never really worked out at all in my life, I just sort of tried to watch my eating habits, and I never felt the need to lose weight. I'm 5'4 and my weight likes to be around 130. I really really want to lose 10-15 pounds and be about 120-115. So I started going to the gym in my building every single day for an hour, doing the Ellicptical/Treadmill, etc. I burn probably 500 calories on it every time I go. The first week I noticed some improvement and I got down to about 127.5, after about two weeks. So thats great!

Now this week I've been watching what I've been eating, and working out every day, and I'm back to 129??? I don't get it. I'm feeling frusturated because I keep working out and trying not to eat too many calories and my weight just isn't coming off.

Any suggestions? I don't know why the weight went back up?
 
Hi and welcome :)

First of all, why do you want to lose weight? Your BMI puts you right in the middle of the normal/ healthy range- are you aiming for anything in particular, or is it just a number? The number on the scale isn't the be-all and end-all. (This isn't a judgmental question, just trying to get more information) Do you have any alternate goals, like dress size, or waist size? I also gather (from reading around here) that the less weight you have to lose, the harder it is to lose weight, so this may be very challenging for you.

To some degree fluctuation in weight is normal, and 1.5 pounds really isn't a lot of fluctuation- it could be so many things, including increased muscle mass (muscle weighing more than fat), water weight, your time of the month, that sort of thing. Are you measuring yourself (bust, waist, hips, other problem areas such as thighs), and if so, have those measurements changed? (Ultimately this weight loss business is less about weight- our gravitational attraction to the earth- than appearance, right?)

Also, how are you watching what you eat? I used to "watch what I ate" and it was only very recently that I realised how bad some of the stuff I ate really was, and how costly my "treats" were. (I now calorie count- as although there are other ways of doing it, all weight loss is at its essence using more calories than you eat. That being said, I'm still trying to keep up a nutritious diet)

I'm fairly new to this myself, but these are the things I've been looking at myself and which might help you.
 
Hi onmyway23,

I am also new to this site. It's good that you are wanting to get some extra weight shifted. As good as card is, doing weights is more beneficial if you want to shift more weight. Im about to head to bed (UK) but if you are Interested, please let me know and I can advise.
 
Hey Amy!

Thanks so much for your advice :)

I want to lose weight, not so much for the number on the scale, I just want to lose a few pounds before the Summer (bathing suit season and all). I'm not so concerned about the number on the scale, but after all the working out I've been doing I was just wondering why the number wasn't going down, given how many calories I've been burning, etc. Thank you so much for your advice about muscle mass and everything, I didn't really think about that :)

Also, by watching what I'm eating, I've been eating sort of like... egg whites and a whole wheat english muffin for breakfast. Then a lot of water throughout the day, as well as some type of healthy lunch, like chicken breast, or something like that. Dinner I usually have prawns, chicken, some sort of rice or something with it. As for treats, I like to have a low calorie hot chocolate or something like that. I really like to snack, so I've been really trying to find low calories alternatives for snacking. I also watch the calories to see how many I'm taking in.

I will keep at the gym, and try not to worry so much about the scale :) I've noticed a difference in my body for sure, so I won't worry so much about the number!

Thanks again,
M.
 
Hey Bricka!

Hey Bricka, thanks for your feedback! What types of weighs should I be doing? I don't want to "bulk" my arms too much, I'm going for a leaner type of look. Is there any exercises you could reccomend?
 
I'd seriously recommend getting a better grasp on what you're eating. It's not trendy or anything, but calorie counting is the first thing (besides illness) that's ever worked (/ started to work) for me- I'm 25, and except for a brief period after a relatively serious illness, I've been overweight since I was 15. Use this calculator to determine your needs: (don't worry so much about exactly how many calories you're burning- give an idea of activity level). This will be an approximation, but it'll give you a good idea of how much you nee to use. I use a computer program (there are plenty of them, and websites, out there- I use one called cron-o-meter) to track my calories (and other nutritional content). I was really surprised when I started by how high calorie some of my "healthy" choices really were (and ultimately weight loss is about calories in/ calories out). In addition to that, I'd suggest finding low calorie recipes (in the sub-forum here, or in some of the weight loss diaries- my own lists what I have in quite a bit of detail, sometimes I link to recipes) and other ideas (I snack on fruit and vegetables, they're extremely low calorie), including ways to keep yourself full.

As for weights- I know you didn't ask me- you probably won't/ can't bulk up. Guys bulk up more than girls- they have the testosterone to do it. Women who bulk up? Almost always on steroids. In any case, low weight and (building up to) high rep weights are the way to go (I'd ask a trainer in your gym about what's suitable for you, but I'm doing weights and cardio for my weight loss). (For example, I started on bicep curls using 1kg- 2.2lb- dumbells doing 3 lots of 12 reps, built to 3x15, now doing 3x18. I've been at this for about a month)
 
Hi, weights will not necessarily bulk you up. What happens is you do the weights, and the calories still burn once you have finished (that burning sensation in your muscles afterwards). In order to bulk up, you have to consume MORE calories than your BMR as well as doing the weights. If you consume less calories than your BMR as well as doing weights, you will burn more calories and more importantly tone up. Ensure you have plenty of protein in your diet. A great source for my weight loss last year (70 lbs) was Tom Venuto. Check out his website (google) and his books if you are serious. I could go into depth with weights etc, which am happy to do in the future, time permitting.

Keep up the good work. You WILL get the body you want.
 
Onmyway, at some point over the next couple of days, I will give you a basis for a plan to stick by, including food as well as exercise.
 
Onmyway

I have put a very basic guide of weight loss on "weight loss and health conditions" board called "How I lost 70 lbs in 1 year"

Hope it helps. Any questions, please ask.
 
Hi,

If you are 130lb at 5'4, you are totally at the perfect weight. However, checking your BMI will give you more accurate measures.

If you are planning to lose 10-15 pounds, you will need more time to do so as you are not overweight in this case. Anyways, doing exercise is a great way for you to drop those pounds, and try to think of building yourself a better body shape rather than dropping "pounds". With consistent exercise, you will slowly see how your body change to a point that you won't really care what is the weight anymore and this is the beauty that you will enjoy seeing yourself in the mirror.

Since you are doing exercise (cardio), I will not recommend you to cut down your calories, as this will end up "unhealthy" and you might feel weak after all!

If necessary .. just seek advice from fitness trainer for more professional advice. Hope this helps and good luck!
 
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