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Avatar universal

Eating right, Working out but NOT losing weight

I was wondering if ANYONE has any advice for me.  I have been trying to lose about 5-10lbs over the last year. I am 31 years old , 4'8" and weigh 101 lbs. I used to weight between 89 and 94lbs at the most!
I am pretty atheltic. I ran a marathon a few years ago and shortly after that is when I gained the weight. I have been training for half marathons (I ran one in April 2006) so I have been keeping the cardio up with running 3-4 days during the week and then 5-10 miles on the weekends.  
Recently I got so frustrated that I went to a dietitican. She claimed that I needed to rev up my workouts by doing interval training and then eating more protein and more times of the day.

For the last two months, I have been eating 5 times a day (about 1000-1200 calories) Each meal has protein and carbs and I get my 5 a day fruits and veggies.
I do cardio 5 days a week (3 days are interval training for 45 min--60 seconds at 65% target heart rate and 60 second 85% target heeart rate) The other 2 days of cardio are a 45 minute dance class and then a weekend long distance run that lasts between 1-2 hours. I also weight train 3 days a week. 1 days lower body and two days upper body.

My body fat has increased and my pants size has increased. Why can't I lose the weight or at least the body fat? Does anyone have advice for me?
177 Responses
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Avatar universal
Cut the carbs down to less than 15g a day and after 3 weeks you will drop into ketosis and the weight will fall off. You will most likely drop 2-3 lbs a week. When you get to where you want to be, bring the carbs up to 20/day... if still losing bring them up 2 carbs per week until you stabilize.   Then stick with it and weigh once a week to ensure you are not gaining or losing.
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Avatar universal
i am reading all comment , have u thing that maybe you are not eating enough and your body is on shock and keep loosing weight because everything you eat is stock in case no good nutriment is available , you are talking with 2 persone who look like if they knnow a lot but maybe they havent think about that... it happened to me , was running, and training and not lost anyweight because i was not eating enough.. and you said that u are eating 1000 to 1200 cal a day ,,, maybe you should calculate it again ,, and look if you have not forgot anything that u have eaten because sometime just a few thing a day that u forgot give u at the end of the week a full meal extra in calorie .. good luck in your research for loosing weight ..
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Avatar universal
hi , how are you doing now?
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973741 tn?1342342773
Where the concept comes into play is when someone is trying to lose weight.  You begin an exercise program and eat right.  You feel like you are shrinking a little bit but he scale does not show it.  This is a common occurrence.  Of course a pound equals a pound but this is like apples and oranges.  Your body can be shrinking, pants lose and yet when you stand on a scale, you have not lost a bit of weight.  This is do to replacing muscle with fat.  This exact thing happened to me.  This was explained to me by my doctor.  So, someone newly starting an exercise program while trying to lose weight should expect that it will not appear from the scale's point of view to be working right away but eventually WILL.  

luck to all
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Avatar universal
Muscle does not weigh more than fat.  A pound of muscle and a pound of fat both weigh the same.  A Pound.  the difference is a pound of muscle takes up less space than a pound of fat.  When people say muscle weighs more than fat it confuses those that do not understand this concept.
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Avatar universal
Muscle does not weigh more than fat.  A pound of muscle and a pound of fat both weigh the same.  A Pound.  the difference is a pound of muscle takes up less space than a pound of fat.  When people say muscle weighs more than fat it confuses those that do not understand this concept.
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Avatar universal
Wow, I am a male, 140, 5'10, and when I exercise, I lose weight at 2000-2500 calories, and I maintain between 3000-3500. I think a lot of you are starving yourselves...
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Avatar universal
To the commenter:
What kind of ridiculous, uninformed reply is it that once you hit menopause you will have to "live with it." How incredibly ignorant. You can lose weight at any age.

To the questioner:
There are many reasons you might not be losing weight including genetics, body toxicity, calorie intake, nutritional imbalance and more. You can fight genetics, but it is difficult. You really need to ramp up the workouts and pay close attention to the diet.

Decrease your fruit intake and add more veggies. Buy organic to reduce toxicity and drink lots water to flush toxins. Your body holds fat if you consume toxins. Toxins are abundant in both processed foods and regular fruits and veggies. Try to fill up your plate with mostly raw veggies and avoid processed foods like the plague.

Just a few things to try along with your regular diet and exercise program.
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Avatar universal
To the commenter:
What kind of ridiculous, uninformed reply is it that once you hit menopause you will have to "live with it." How incredibly ignorant. You can lose weight at any age.

To the questioner:
There are many reasons you might not be losing weight including genetics, body toxicity, calorie intake, nutritional imbalance and more. You can fight genetics, but it is difficult. You really need to ramp up the workouts and pay close attention to the diet.

Decrease your fruit intake and add more veggies. Buy organic to reduce toxicity and drink lots water to flush toxins. Your body holds fat if you consume toxins. Toxins are abundant in both processed foods and regular fruits and veggies. Try to fill up your plate with mostly raw veggies and avoid processed foods like the plague.

Just a few things to try along with your regular diet and exercise program.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi my friend. I understand everything you are saying, , I am  currently recovering from the same symptoms. I vowed to share with others what I know.
This started for me over two years ago. I felt like I was screaming and noone could hear me (or listening). What I did find out after several tests and appointments is, your pituitary gland is the mother ship of all the hormones including your metabolism. Everything I put in my mouth, my body stored as fat.
What was discovered was a tumor that was pressing on my pituitary gland enabling it to function. I had it removed this last fall and am now recovering.
I hope I did not scare you, please look into a visit with an endocrinologist to have blood work to check for the proper functioning of your pituitary and thyroid work hand in hand.

God Bless

TnT
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Avatar universal
Hi my friend. I understand everything you are saying, , I am  currently recovering from the same symptoms. I vowed to share with others what I know.
This started for me over two years ago. I felt like I was screaming and noone could hear me (or listening). What I did find out after several tests and appointments is, your pituitary gland is the mother ship of all the hormones including your metabolism. Everything I put in my mouth, my body stored as fat.
What was discovered was a tumor that was pressing on my pituitary gland enabling it to function. I had it removed this last fall and am now recovering.
I hope I did not scare you, please look into a visit with an endocrinologist to have blood work to check for the proper functioning of your pituitary and thyroid work hand in hand.

God Bless

TnT
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Avatar universal
If you would like to chat please call me tomorrow on 07725 996596. I may be able to help you  with a brand new genetic approach. Michelle
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Avatar universal
Just a note for everyone regarding weight loss, diets and working out. You need to figure out your BMR (Basal Metabolic Rate), this is the LEAST amount you should be eating, if you were only dieting alone.

For example, my BMR is 1546, and because I workout 5-6 days a week and do strength training, I should be eating around 1800-1900 calories. If you eat ANYTHING lower than your BMR, you are starving your body and it will hold onto the weight.

i am at a plateau after losing around 40 pounds, but for those 40 pounds, I was eating 1200 calories a day. Eventually my body went into starvation mode and stopped the weight loss, so I am resetting my metabolism, which means you should be eating your TDEE for 6-8 weeks and then start cutting calories.

If you do high intensity, you may be adding and should be adding more calories. I know a lot of people aren't keen on this, but: Eat More to Lose Weight.
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5761539 tn?1373790238
Okay, weird but..............2 weeks since starting the bike exercising and swapping white rice and pasta for brown rice, drinking more water, eating less chocolate, no white bread (BAD) and no eating late...I seem to ahve trimmed own. I can notice it myself now.

A typical day for me now is -

Breakfast: Two X espressos shots with hot semi-skimmed milk. Half a mix of All Bran and half of Fruit & Fibre, with semi-skimmed milk.

Mid-Morning Snack: Orange juice and  cashew nuts.

Lunch: I do not have a proper lunch ( :P ). I just have some more orange juice, some more nuts, and maybe pick on some fruit.

Mid afternoon Snack: Coffee, water, low-fat baked crisps, fruit.

Dinner: Salmon fillet, or Sea-bream fillet + chicken breast, stir-fried with vegetables and brown rice + a chilli sauce. Sometimes I may have a hard-boiled egg (YUM).

Later in evening (strawberries + raspberry's and Crème fraîche.

Evenings: As it is hot: Iced coffees (I am never denying myself my coffees). Maybe a small biscuit bar (126 calories) for a chocolate fix - but not every night!

I have cut out all the usual bad stuff, like butter, cheese (my one real love) and starchy white bread, condiments as in Tartare sauce, etc..

This combined with my bike (I'd say about 2 hours a week on the bike) is having real good results already. While on the bike I also add in about 4 sets of high arm raises and side twists. My sides and waist are already trimmer! :D My shorts are looser too!

I do honestly do think it is all about finding the perfect balance and what is right and works for your body - everyone's body is different and reacts in different ways. You'll know when your body finds the key! Good-luck!

Fish is my friend, and just consuming 300 grams of oily fish a day burns an extra an 400 calories :P There are lots of foods that have this effect, many veggies. Look it up!  Oh and increase you intake of green tea and also chilli and garlic and all those good things. A good metabolism booster are all these things! Also don't be afraid to hit the nuts (unsalted) these are good for boosting metabolism!
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5761539 tn?1373790238
This is the body shape I had 2 years ago:

http://www.thehollywoodgossip.com/images/gallery/miranda-kerr-swimsuit-pic.jpg

I would say this is my body shape 'NOW' and when I look in the mirror this is the shape I see:

http://www.womenshealthmag.com/files/images/1105-swimsuits.jpg


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5761539 tn?1373790238
One last point.....my fiancée says " You do NOT need to lose weight and maybe you aren't losing what you want to lose as there is nothing there to lose in the first place!". Okay so taking on board his advice - and trying to forget about being a skinny girl again; and focusing on 'JUST' toning - I  can see what he is saying. So maybe toning is the aim...maybe I just need to tone and that will slim me down? It is mainly my stomach I want to change....If I toned it I would look slimmer? Although I still want to slim my legs down a touch, maybe lose about 2" all round on the thighs! Oh hell....sorry.....us women, eh! ;)
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5761539 tn?1373790238
I stumbled upon this interesting thread while looking for answers to my weight issue!

A lot of you women sound like me (frustrated). OK, I am 40 years old (but look and feel 28, so all good there). Anyway...I was always an active person, running, swimming, worked as a nurse...and when I wasn't exercising or working I would be running around doing house-chores and DIY and just always on the go. I have had a series of knee problems since 2009 and have had 5 operations to date. So...my running days are over, and so I bought an exercise bike (a good one with the built-in programs for various training techniques etc). I can no longer do impacting sports so cycling and swimming are my only safe options (as of my knees).

So...........I am 40, 5.3 and weight approx: 125.4 lbs. Until early  2012 I maintained a weight of 115 lbs and I was more than happy with this weight. Back then I was more active and still working + not eating very much due to my busy schedule. Since 2012 - to date - the pounds have crept on and so I did do the gym for several weeks and like a lot of you...I weighed heavier! My jeans were tighter and I looked wider (even though I had no real fat) I was not happy with this at all! I stopped the gym as of my latest knee problem and further surgery. So........with being down about my new weight I tired a more desperate measure - the 'MC' - ('Master Cleanse'...also know as the 'Lemon Diet'). I just wanted a quick-fix and this seriously worked! I stuck at it for 6 days and lost 6 lbs..so my size 10 skinny jeans were once again my friend!  But........this diet craze had really bad effects on my digestive system and made me feel worse afterwards. Saying that for the first 3 weeks I kept the pounds off and felt energised and really fresh...I also thought it had reset my metabolic-rate and I was saved from gaining any more pounds thereafter...wrong!!!!! One month on...the weight crept back and about 6 lbs :O Now, I have always been one to eat little and often...not the most healthiest of eaters...but that does not mean I gorge on BK's, crisps, chocolate...I just do not eat the right foods. I snack on cashews (unsalted) I drink copious amounts of espressos....Breakfast is a cappuccino - as that is all I want - and then I will have  a small bowl of 'All Bran' about 11am. Lunch (if it happens) is some fruit, a few gherkins, maybe a yoghurt, and a bag of oven-baked (healthier) crisps). Dinner is steamed or fried (in extra Virgin Olive Oil) fillets of fish, or chicken and prawns, potatoes and green beans.  Later, for a snack I have a few more cashews and then water and more cappuccinos. I have decaf tea during the evening. So not  a bad diet, but also not the best!  I admit I do not drink enough water...I find it hard to remember to pick the bottle up all through the day! :P But I am making myself do it more lately! Oh I do have one biscuit (70 calories) first thing in the morning as I am hypoglycaemic and so if I don't I would fall down!  Two months ago I started some light home-exercise regimes...30 minutes of medium-impact aerobic exercise (basically slow jogging on the spot, and twists, that kind of thing)...in front of the TV. It raised my heart-rate obviously, and that was the goal. So, I kept this up each day until my new bike arrived. Since the bike arrived I have been using it 5 days a week. I do two days on and one day off (as recommend). I began with 30 minutes of lower impact - keeping my heart-rate at 145 and not below 90. I gradually increased to 45 minutes at a higher impact (track program) and then to 50 minutes...by now keeping a heart-rate of 150! While on the bike I also raise my arms and lean from side to side, as to tighten the waist-line and love-handles I have had the pleasure of growing! I can ring my top out after this work-out and am seriously flagging...so that has to be good, yes?

To make sure I was on the right-track for achieving some weight-loss, I sought the advice of a top personal-trainer (my friends brother) and he told me what I was doing was spot-on and to keep it up and I will see results :) This spurred me on even more. OK....so a week on (OK it is not long I know so I must be patient) I feel like there has been no change!

Another annoying aspect is...if I do lose weight (when it happens) I lose it around my bust first, "Aggggghhhh!". Then we cannot have it all! It just seems with exercise my overall body shape becomes and looks denser, my thighs thicken up (I hate that) and I just look heavier....what the??????? The only thing that has ever worked for me is to starve myself - consuming like 400  calories a day and doing no intense exercise - just very light activities around the house (that type of thing) I lose and look slim and sleek! But........this is obviously not the way to go and it cannot be maintained for long. In the end I have to start eating again and so the weight creeps back on.  A vicious circle!

Last night I took my smallest trousers out of the closet....these are size 8 that I used to slide in to (2 years ago) and had no over-hang. 2 months ago they just did up....and guess what?.......last night they are just as tight if not a bit tighter! I do have some water tension I do get bloat and my periods lately are so erratic! I know I am now 40, and maybe the menopause has now become my enemy! My periods are getting heavier, much more frequent, I seem to menstruate every 1.5 weeks, my breasts are double the size they were (but I would swap that for a smaller waist again) and I have hot flushes at times. I also............'SORRY' always have a lot of gas (this causes my stomach to expand a little). Anyway, some days I look slimmer and then some days I look not so slim. In a nut-shell....my weight seems to stick at 125.4 lbs and won't come down! I just want to lose about 7 lbs max, and want some reassurance that if I continue with the bike and increase my water intake, will I lose this last stubborn 7 lbs? I know I am not fat and I am always told I have a gorgeous figure and should be happy and if I was any slimmer I wouldn't look good...but it is a case of what we as women feel comfortable with. I feel comfortable and at my happiest when I am 115 lbs! :(
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Avatar universal
I have also had a similar issue. I  5'8 @180 and I'm 27 years old. I started out the year weighing in at 198 so ive lost 18 pounds over seven months. However ive been doing insanity for a month and eating a sensible diet with a fair amount of protein. But my weight lost seems to have stopped. Ive tried using a cleanse to help push past this hump but nothing. I workouy six days a week and eat about 1500 calories a day. Extremely frustrated because im trying to get down to 160-165
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Avatar universal
Hi, I have similiar issues and you seem knowledgeable. I am a 31-year-old female, active. I am 5'4, 120 lbs. Even just two years ago, I was very slender, weight ranging between 113 - 117 lbs. I eat between 1,100 - 1,500 calories daily (clean, high-protein, low-carb diet, tons of water, 5-6 meals), strength train with moderate-to-extreme intensity followed by interval 30-35 minute cardio (up to 5 days a week) with one cardio-only day. I used to be able to lose 5 lbs very easily, now I can't lose one pound despite the above regimen. Do you have any suggestions or comments? Thanks!
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Avatar universal
I realize you did not address this to me, but I wanted to comment on what you asked. I would never use an energy drink to get you moving. Keep your gym clothes packed for the next day so you will always be ready.
Also, you can strenth train at home if your dedicated. You can do push ups and set ups and do jumping jacks each day and you will see a huge difference in your energy. Anytime you do any type of strenth training, it does not matter if you use light weights or heavey ones but you must get the muscle exhusted. In some ways doing the lighter weights might work best because you have to do more movements hence more calorie burn because your doing more reps. I had one guy tell me this at the gym and said that it worked for him and others.  
I am so glad that I started doing more strenth training. I am so surprised of how much stronger i am and how good it makes me feel. I am 48, and this is going to help me keep my bones strong as I go through mp, plus keep up my metabolism.  I wish you well.
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4827223 tn?1359680531
Great Info! I totally agree!! But, what if you just cant get the energy up to do it? I know how to do everything you are saying but I seem to slack in the winter time living in Ohio. Is it oksay ro drink a Energy Drink to get moving?

I often get ready to go to gym and by the time I get my gym clothes on and my bag packed, Im too tired? Im a 44 year old female, great shape but fall into that category with great muscle tone but fat covers it and makes it look bulky. I just look fluffy in the winter and come May/June I lose 10 pounds and look ok.

Any tips on giving me the energy to get up and get moving?
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Avatar universal
I was just searching for a thread on weight training and saw this one.
I really got a lot out of Bob Green's book " Get with the program". He talks about how when we weight train that we will gain water as we gain muscle, and if yoru doing everything right that one day you will get on that scale and your going to notice the "loss". I do get on my scale each day, but I use my clothing to know what my real "loss" is.
I just hope that woman ,as so many woman don't get into weight training one day realize that not only can they prevent bone loss, but they can age very well with helping them to stay active and prevent much of the weight gain we get with age. Do you know ( ok, I read this) that we will loss a pound of muscle each 10 years that we enter into MP? But by doing weight training 2-3 times a week for at least 30 minutes, that we can gain 2.5 pounds of muscle , which in turn will speed up our matabolism. I read that  and I was so at the gym. It's been 3 months now and I will tell you I have butt muscles...lol ~ never even knew.
I wish you all well and I really enjoyed reading all these post as I learned what I need to do more now. Bobthetrainer, I loved what you posted. I will now start training more days, more reps and only do one group of muscle, and I wlll see how this will help me.  I was doing full body 2-3 days a week and cardio sometimes these day, and sometimes on the off days.        
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Avatar universal
myself 33yrs, 5.6', 66kg, 18% body fat, i am working since last 2-1/2 months, when i started working i was 65kg or below 65 even one month earlier, but suddenly i noticed i am over 66kgs, even though i am cautious about my diet also. my workout schedule is about one hour per day expect sunday, which includes first 4km jog in 24 minuts, and then rest of the time with weights and all in different sets. i noticed my belly is some wat coming out as compared to earlier seems i am increasing fat on belly thats why weight is gaining ... i started workout to get abs and arms, but it seems so ... shuld i increase the jog duration and weighted also ... i can notice a little effect on my arms that need to mention for your expert advise ...
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Avatar universal
My lovely friends, it seems to be the same song and dance with most of you. "I do cardio hours on end." I eat 1000-1200 calories a day and I still can't lose weight." Your major problems are too much cardio, too little strength training, and way too little calories! Steady state cardio is a compete waste of time. Why would you want to pound away for 45 to 60 minutes of dull steady state cardio? Do HITT training for 20 minutes 3-4 times a week. Strength train and I don't mean any of this light weight 15-20 repition strength training stuff either. If you can't push out 8 reps, the weight is too heavy. If you can easily do 12 reps, it's too light. Women do not easily bulk up because we lack the amounts of testosterone needed to gain pounds of muscle. If you are lifting and perceive that you're getting bulky, then look at your body fat percentage and not the amount of weight you're lifting. It's most likely that excess body fat is covering the growing muscle and it appears larger therefore less cut and defined. Like another poster said, focus a lot of energy on legs. These are massive muscles that require a large amount of oxygen and blood flow. Developed leg muscles will increase your metabolism when worked hard and to exhaustion. Also when you strength train split body sections into their own days. For example, chest/shoulder/biceps on Monday, back/triceps Wednesday, and devote a whole routine to legs on Fridays. When weight training work in a circuit frame of mind. Preform a chest exercise then go straight into a shoulder exercise with no rest between sections. This keeps your heart rate up while building muscle at the same time. Work hard and bulld that muscle! All your hard work and muscle will turn your body into a furnace that incenerates fat! Lastly please for the love of all things holy, eat more!!! When you exercise you body needs the extra fuel to help your body repair your damages muscle and thus progress. Allow yourself one meal a week were you sit down and have whatever you like. This is your reward for the weeks hard work. Focus on clean foods, stay on the outskirts of your supermarket. Lots of fresh produce, fruits, and lean proteins. Drink plenty of water, take a good multivitamin, fish oil capsules, and most importantly get plenty of rest. I'm a 31 year old female, 5'6, 140 pounds, 7%, body fat, and a size 3. This has always been my approach to fitness. Also one last bit of advice in my long rant... take your scale and throw it in the trash! A scale is the absolute worst device to hinder your fitness goals. The only time I weight is when I go to the doctor. Muscle weights more than fat because it is denser, so if you properly strength train you will weigh more! Focus on your measurements and not your weight. God bless all of you and I hope you this messages finds you well and within your goals!
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