Eating right, Working out but NOT losing weight

[little1sk]

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?

[little1sk]

to "bobthetrainer":  Thanks for the advice. I guess I will bump up my cardio to 90 minutes and change my strenth training a bit.  However, I am a bit confused. I was told that there is such thing as exercising too much and not eating enough. Is 1000-1200 calories enough when doing 90 minutes of cardio 6 days a week?  I am such a health and exercise nut so this "not losing weight" issue has been such a struggle.

[Lucky06]

Good. Continue to eat right, increase your green vegetable intake and eat lean meats, trimming every bit of fat you see on it. Sweat...SWEAT like you never sweat before. (If you have heart conditions or anything similar, consultant a professional first).
   You will need to fast-paced intense workouts for long periods of time. You said that you were a marathon runner before so you intensity level would be high. I use to get my mother to train with good results. My personal little trick was to get her to start jogging for a few minutes and then I would push her to the fastest power-walk she could...slow her down...push her again. Your body will react to these quick changes.
   (My mother unfortunately gave up due to boredum and whatever else excuses, but just recently she started training with a friend, and now she does it again). So train with a friend if you need to get motivated more.
   Also, hit the parts of your body that have the excess weight. For example if it was your stomach, hit the rowing machine and do alot of crunches (not situps). If it is your waist, do alot of side crunches. Backside got the weight, you want to hit your Glutes so alot of uphill bike riding and squats.

   I hope all goes well for you, but as I said, if you have had any previous medical conditions consult a doctor before doing anything I have advised.

   God Bless.

[little1sk]

Thanks again. I really apperciate your advice. I do have another question. You metion 90 minutes of exercise 6 days a week and that it can be broken into chunks. You also mention the weight training and that I should spilt it 50/50. Does that mean 90 minutes of cardio including weight training or should I be doing 90 minutes of cardio 6 days a week in addition to 2-3 days of weight training?
I was also wondering what types of cardio I should be doing. Is it possible that my body is used to running and that no matter how many hours I spend running each day, my body is not burning calories effeciently?  I am so bored by the bike and it seems to burn far fewer calories. I have taken up interval training to help the time pass by and also get my heartrate to hit levels it's can't maintain for a long period of time but again, I mostly do this outside running or on the treadmill.

AND, I have had the RMR test (the one you breath into with your nose plugged) done several times. Each time my RMR was around 1250 give or take 20 each time. Is it still okay to still with 1000 calories? I can do it as, I really am never that hungry in the first place.

Thanks again for such "real" advice.  I do want to get my thyroid tested but I never thought I was pre-menopausal- at least not yet at 31years.

[hawki]

K, I'm not getting into this bobthetrainer vs. star queen thing because you're both trying to help.  All I want to say is that I have an education in a health-related field, and I was taught if you work out anaerobically, you burn carb (which yes, turns into fat if not used), but if you work out aerobically, you burn fat (all has to do with a formula figured...mathmatical stuff).  Interval is good because you do both, but you can't maintain it for long.  I think it would be good if you could do a warm up for 10 minutes, do interval for 30 (don't KILL yourself doing the interval, but get up to 85-90% of max heart rate), and then do a little cool down/cardio for the next 20.  Work in low weight, high reps in weightlifting, and make sure you do different exercises to work the same muscles.  Variety is key.  Your body can do a thing called efficiency of movement where it adapts/gets used to the workout and won't burn as many calories.  For example, I played tennis in college.  For me, tennis was not really a workout because my body became more efficient with it.  I didn't burn as much as someone who is a beginner or didn't play as frequently.  Also, incorpotate unorganized workouts like going on a walk with a dog, friend, etc...roaming the mall, use stairs instead of elevator...simple stuff.  And bobthetrainer is right about possibly getting too little calories.  If you are starving yourself, you're metabolism is slowing down.  It's good that you eat frequently, but your body may go into protection from starvation and start storing food which turns into fat.  Good luck, and remember, everyone is different.  There is not one formula for everyone, and some people just have different body types.  Go for health before weight.  Take care!!!!

[wutthechris]

hawki, that's not exactly how it works but you are on the right track.  The body's preferred fuel source is glucose, with fat being second.  Whether aerobic or anaerobic respiration is taking place, a percentage of both is used.  Glucose is always used to a larger degree.  As a person gets closer to reaching anaerobic respiration (through increased exercise intensity), the percentage of glucose being used continues to elevate.  It's for that reason that "moderate-paced" cardio (around 60% VO2max) is often suggested for getting rid of fat most efficiently and while that's a somewhat accurate suggestion, it's not the absolute answer.  Ultimately...the greater the intensity, the more calories burned.  Someone that works at a high intensity for 30 minutes is going to burn more calories than someone working at moderate intensity for 30 minutes.

[bobthetrainer]

firstly, I would avoid using herbals to assist in losing weight.  There is not enough research out there on most of them proving their efficacy and/or safety.

as far as the original string is concerned, little1sk, the 90 minutes is the total amount of minutes per day, 6 days per week(so ideally, at least 45 min of strength and at least 45 of cardio).  As far as what type of cardio, honestly, it really doesn't matter as long as you are getting your heart rate up and you are enjoying (or not disliking) what you are doing.  Your body may become acclimated to running but that will not prevent you from losing weight as you are still burning calories when you run.  That being said, I would try to mix up your cardio just so you are cross training and you keep it fun.

If you did the RMR test, I would go by those results as they (based on which machine you used) are more accurate than the equations we use.  Just out of curiosity, did you use the Medgem?