Need Help with Speeding things up.

[EastCoastGirl]

Hi, I'm new to the forum.

I'm trying to lose a lot of weight.

I walk at work during my lunch and breaks. I have an eliptical machine at home. I've gradually worked my way up, over the last 3 months, to 3-4 hours a day at resistance 8 on the machine.

My body hurts all over, and I don't have a lot of hours left to sleep daily. I'm also feeling separated from my friends and family, because of the time required to get in the exercise.

I'm trying to eat something small every 2 hours. I try to keep my calories to 1200 to 1500 daily - some days I eat less and have more difficulty getting in the workout. I eat things like light fat free yogurt, fruits, vegetables, and sometimes frozen diet dinners. Grapnuts cereal.

I sorry to say that I didn't weigh myself before I started. I think I maybe weighed 240? Not sure. I am now down to a size 18 from size 28.

The problem is, I can't go on like this forever. I really want to get into a size 12 within a month's time. So, I'm wondering what I can do to speed this up.

I was considering trying a modified adkins diet... maybe just eating tuna, boneless skinless white meat chicken, and eggs. I was wondering if that would interfere with my workouts?

It took me 3 months to build my endurance to this level. I also want to keep away a plateau - so I am afraid restricting carbs will interfere with ATP production?

I really don't want to give up my calcuim, and don't trust supplements - plus, how can I live without Tums?

Sorry this is so long, thanks in advance for any advice.

 

[austin_88]

I walk at work during my lunch and breaks. I have an eliptical machine at home. I've gradually worked my way up, over the last 3 months, to 3-4 hours a day at resistance 8 on the machine.

My body hurts all over, and I don't have a lot of hours left to sleep daily. I'm also feeling separated from my friends and family, because of the time required to get in the exercise.

Your body hurts because you are doing 3-4 hours a day on the elliptical. That is honestly very stupid, and you are overtraining and burning out. 60 minutes on the elliptical each day would be enough, probably even less. You also need to take at least a day off to rest and recover.

I was considering trying a modified adkins diet... maybe just eating tuna, boneless skinless white meat chicken, and eggs. I was wondering if that would interfere with my workouts?

Yes it will. You won't have any energy without carbs, and you will probably die if you try to keep up your exercise routine.

You NEED to read the stickies on the forum, you are severely misinformed.

1. You need to eat more, WAY MORE
2. You have unrealistic expectations - drop from a size 28 to a size 12 = impossible in a month
3. You are doing so much exercise it is unhealthy
4. You are not getting enough sleep
5. You are neglecting your family and social life

 

[Steve]

Though the advice above is blunt (which is normally my style, so...), it is certainly applicable to your situation. I hope you take it to heart and stick around. Investing some time into the stickies would be very worthwhile.

 

[EastCoastGirl]

Re

2. You have unrealistic expectations - drop from a size 28 to a size 12 = impossible in a month

In my post, I stated that I was previously a size 28 and am now a size 18. So, in 3 months, I have achieved that. But now, my endurance is better.

All that I am trying to accomplish in 1 month is a reduction from a size 18 to a size 12. It's really only 3 sizes, 16-14-12.

5. You are neglecting your family and social life

The reason that I mentioned this, is part of the reason for my hurry. I want to get to a normal size so I can reduce my exercising to around 45 min to an hour a day. - having time again for my family.

You may not realize how difficult normal activities are when your very overweight? The beginning of this summer, I tried to take my children to an amusement part. None of the other kids wanted to ride the big roller coaster with my son. I attempted to get in line with him, and they sent an employee out into the walkway to tell me that I was "way too big" and don't bother getting near the line.

It's hot and miserable out.


1. You need to eat more, WAY MORE

Eating more would just cause me to need to spend more time exercising. I've had my body assessed and was told that I burn approximately 1150 calories at rest. So, I try to eat about that, spreading it out to keep my metabolism going.


Yes, my body hurts from all of the exercise, but in many ways I feel so much better than 3 months ago. I can breath now. My sleep apnea is almost gone.

I will try to read the stickies.... but, I really posted to this site for advice on how to speed up this process so that I can get to the level of an average person.

At least I am not taking "diet drugs/speed" like so many other people I know. I'm not getting surgery. I am actually trying to "get in shape". And, every though I have lost a lot of weight, being a size 18 still gets you a lot of insults these days.

I'm sure you know how important it is, considering the photos posted on the profiles.


SO - if anyone has any ideas for me in terms of increased weight loss, please let me know. Any opinions about the benefits of drinking lemon juice?

 

[austin_88]

In my post, I stated that I was previously a size 28 and am now a size 18. So, in 3 months, I have achieved that. But now, my endurance is better.

All that I am trying to accomplish in 1 month is a reduction from a size 18 to a size 12. It's really only 3 sizes, 16-14-12.

Thats still kinda unrealistic for a month, but hey aim high.

The reason that I mentioned this, is part of the reason for my hurry. I want to get to a normal size so I can reduce my exercising to around 45 min to an hour a day. - having time again for my family.

I still dont know why you need to exercise for 3 hours plus a day, 45 minutes to an hour is plenty.

Eating more would just cause me to need to spend more time exercising. I've had my body assessed and was told that I burn approximately 1150 calories at rest. So, I try to eat about that, spreading it out to keep my metabolism going.

I highly doubt that is your BMR is that low. How did they assess you? Measured your LBM?

If you go to this site
and fill out the boxes, you will get your basal metabolic rate. That number means you would need to consume that many calories to maintain your weight if you were SEDENTARY, meaning not getting out of bed ALL DAY.
To that number you use the Harris Benedict Equation to get your daily needs.


Basically, if you times the number by 1.2 you will get how many calories you need a day if you just got up, went to work, did normal stuff.

THEN you are also exercising, which means you require more calories. It is possible you could eat 2000 calories a day and still lose weight.

I will try to read the stickies.... but, I really posted to this site for advice on how to speed up this process so that I can get to the level of an average person.

If you think what your doing is fine then keep doing it, you can't expect to post a message like this and NOT get criticism. You need to make a LIFESTYLE change to get to a normal weight.

 

[Steve]

You are setting yourself up for some serious issues with your body, food, and your weight down the road.

 

[nc_bmac08]

The plan you are using is not a long term solution, it's a crash diet. The key, in my opinion, is a healthy lifestyle change. Is this a diet you can continue for the rest of your life? Just because you're skinny, it doesn't mean you're healthy. You should make an appointment to see a Dr.

 

[XFactor Fitness]

I will tell you both from experience and through my profession, that what you are doing is a very temporary fix and will not sustain. It is a very very sad truth. I am a Personal fitness coach/trainer. I was morbidly obese at one point in my life, weighing in at 240Ibls on a 5'1" frame, so I can relate to you. I lost over 125Ibls and have kept it off for more than 7 years. The fact is, the only way to lose weight and keep it off is to change your lifestyle. You must have a balanced combination of Cardio and resistence training, as well as a solid nutritional guideline. Now when I say cardio that does not mean 3-4 hours a day....I agree with Austin 100%, that is not safe, and is actually counter-effective, as too much cardio will ultimately slow down your metabolism. This happens due to an extreme imbalance of cardio to resistance training, the cardio aspect will cause you to lose muscle not fat. The more lean muscle you have to higher your metabolism. I am not sure what your meals consist of per day but you have to eat smart and at least 5x a day.

In order to do that, an individual must understand that we are carb sensitive beings. In order to remove weight and maintain it off, you must understand what a good carb is, and what a bad carb is. The Atkins diet didn't work because it removed all carbs, which is very dangerous, as our body needs a certain amount of carbs to function. In saying that an individual must also understand what are good fats and bad fats. Our bodies need fat to survive, but it needs certain types of fat. Some fats even assist in losing weight.

What I am getting at, is I educate all my clients to understand what healthy eating is. Knowledge is power, and if you understand how our bodies function, it makes healthy eating very simple. This with a customized workout regimen is the key to successful weight loss, and more importantly it is the key to maintaining your ideal weight once you reach it. I put out a free monthly newsletter to all my clients and anyone who wants some helpful tips, it also has some great recipe ideas. Feel free to go to my site and opt-in to receive it. It is under the fitness newsletter tab. I am very passionate about weight loss, as I remember all too clearly my struggles, and how badly I felt about myself. I don't wish that feeling on anyone!!!! Please take our advice, as in the long run, you will be causing your body serious damage.

 

[Steve]

So you are just copying and pasting your posts around the forum now? A little self promotion maybe?

 

[XFactor Fitness]

So you are just copying and pasting your posts around the forum now? A little self promotion maybe?

No Actually...no self promotion...I have nothing to promote....I just felt that the issues were very similar...didn't intend on offending anyone if I did...However the post is still very true....she is not going about this in the right way...and I think we can both agree on that!!!

 

[angel98]

In all honesty, your goal is not realistic. I'm a size 14 now and not planning on seeing a 12 until about Halloween(2 1/2 months from now) and I workout very regularly too.

While I don't think you can in any healthy way reach that in a month, what you can do is up your calories and vary your workout. Back up the elliptical some and try some of the very good routines on DVD or take a class at a local gym on a regular basis. Maybe try to start training yourself to run from walking. I find that focusing on a FITNESS goal instead of a weight loss goal makes it go by without me noticing the time as much and before I know it, I have moved down another size or my pants are fitting better.

I know this isn't what you'd like to hear, but refocus your efforts and eventually you will get to where you are trying to get to ie focus on fitness goals rather then a goal on a scale, but I really do not think you are going to get there in a month.

I've done weight loss wrong in the past and I've had to do it again because it was not loss in a healthy way. This is painstaking sometimes, but I know if I take 18 months rather then 8, this will be a long term thing and I won't have the frustration of doing this again someday and maybe with more to lose.

I know this isn't what you wanted to hear, but I hope it helps some.

 

[angel98]

All that I am trying to accomplish in 1 month is a reduction from a size 18 to a size 12. It's really only 3 sizes, 16-14-12.

3 sizes IS a lot, especially the lower you go. You just can not in a healthy way lose it that quickly.

The reason that I mentioned this, is part of the reason for my hurry. I want to get to a normal size so I can reduce my exercising to around 45 min to an hour a day. - having time again for my family.

Don't be in such a hurry. Give yourself more realistic goals and pull back on that exercising some. You've done a lot so far and done it well. Get to something you can live with. You will be surprised the fitter you are(you are calling that 'endurance' I think) the more stuff you will do normally to burn calories just for fun ie I get on the trampoline just for fun probably for 30 minutes to an hour everyday, but I don't include that in my workout #s, but it still is burning a heck of a lot of calories. I also take long walks with my family. Incorporate physical activity with stuff you do with your family. That may change this feeling of desperation for you to work out constantly to lose weight. Make a HEALTHY and active lifestyle the way you live and I think you'll kick this feeling of having to desperately workout.

You may not realize how difficult normal activities are when your very overweight? The beginning of this summer, I tried to take my children to an amusement part. None of the other kids wanted to ride the big roller coaster with my son. I attempted to get in line with him, and they sent an employee out into the walkway to tell me that I was "way too big" and don't bother getting near the line.

I barely got the belt on me at Disney world once..does that count? Look, lot's of people on this board have been in embarrassing situations because of their weight or lack of physical fitness. The answer is still not to kill yourself trying to get into a certain size pants. The answer is to assess your lifestyle and make HEALTHY changes and do it for good. Your reward will come, but you have to be patient.




.

At least I am not taking "diet drugs/speed" like so many other people I know. I'm not getting surgery. I am actually trying to "get in shape". And, every though I have lost a lot of weight, being a size 18 still gets you a lot of insults these days.

I don't focus on what other people think. People could think I'm unattractive even in a size 6 so what does it matter what others think? It may bother you, but you have to say to yourself that *YOU* know you are doing something about this and sod off to complete strangers.

I'm sure you know how important it is, considering the photos posted on the profiles.

Yes, people are proud of their weight loss and fitness, but it's not the same as investing in how you look out of vanity. I'm sure in other forums that are not focused on weight loss, people here don't post their bikini pictures and buff tummies. You have to put into context of why pictures are posted here. I'm sure many individuals here didn't do this either because someone made an errant comment about their butt or something. They simply tired of feeling bad with the extra weight. I'm in that camp and sure the bonus is you look better too but it's not the primary focus.

SO - if anyone has any ideas for me in terms of increased weight loss, please let me know.

You've already been given them...for the long term. I don't think anyone here is going to support you in the very unhealthy way you are doing this even though we'd like to see you succeed in the end.
There is a better way, but it takes time. By Christmas you'll be in the 12 and you'll be healthy and not sitting on an endless plateau. It really isn't that far away when you consider all the time that has passed already.

 

[Ilatab425x]

The thing is, I am not sure if it has been stated or not, but if you go from eating a small amount of food, and the day you get to your goal, and you go back to eat a little bit more, your body will store most of it as fat because it will think you need it. Secondly you can't over train, it isn't good for the body. Thirdly, strictly cutting a diet to just protein isn't good either, while protein is good for you, everyone seems to consider carbs to be this god awful thing. Carbs are good! But there is a line to where it is good and bad, start eating whole wheat, it is so much better than any regular carb bread. Also you mentioned eating just eggs, I would suggest you don't eat the yolks, while the yolks do have protein, it has too much cholesterol and fat, as opposed to the egg white, which the albumen is loaded with protein. But you need to realize, the best HEALTHY way to loose weight, is simply moderation. I am not saying moderate a candy bar into your diet, but you need to get all of your food intake.

mypyramid.gov/mypyramid/index.aspx

(go to google and type that in, darn site wouldn't let me post it because I haven't made over 15 posts, probably to stop lame advertisting)

As of recently, the department of agriculture revamped their food pyramid, everyone's body is different, so it gives you a good idea based on the information you give it, what you should be eating daily, Trust me when I say that it does help, and Atkins does help loose weight, but it isn't healthy in my opinion, it isn't healthy to limit out one food group, so give it a try, if you see any progress, let me know.