Guest guest Posted April 9, 2006 Report Share Posted April 9, 2006 You have had a lot of success so far. Please try to enjoy the changes you have had up to this point. I agree with Tara's advice. About a month ago I posted on this same topic. I was ready to pull my hair out, too. Although it doesn't seem to make sense, the closer you get to your ideal weight, the more your body will fight to hold on to the fat. It sounds like you may be overtraining and eating too little. You are very active, despite your sedentary job, and you are not eating enough calories to maintain that level of activity. It sounds as if you have thrown your body into starvation mode. Every fiber of your being will fight me on this, but trust me; it works. Spend less time at the gym but continue your walks with your dog, provided you are enjoying them and not doing it out of obligation in your quest for a perfect body. Cut back on the cardio, maybe just drop back to HIIT 3 times a week, and raise your caloric intake. Continue to eat clean, but eat more. Zig-zag your calories so you create a consistent caloric deficit, but your body won't know it because of the high days. When I hit my plateau, I dropped down to 1,000 calories a day with " cheat days " that were a whopping 1500 calories a day, and increased my cardio, yet I was getting fatter. told me to eat more and stop doing so much cardio. I was scared to death but did it. I left the next day for my vacation and--I had a great time. I wore a bikini, ate seafood and key lime pie, didn't exercise for a week except for walks on the beach and swimming in the pool. When I got home and weighed myself for the first time, I was pleasantly surprised. I didn't gain any weight at all. And taking a week off from exercising was exactly what my body needed because I had a killer workout the next day. In the past month, I have upped my calories to average about 1700- 1800 clean calories per day, and I am doing 3-4 weight workouts per week. I do 3 HIIT sessions. Not only did I stop gaining weight (fat), my bodyfat has gone down about 2% in a month (that's good for me!). I am lifting more than ever because I am feeding my body instead of starving it. If you look at past messages, lots of people have had success doing this. I also have chunky legs, knees, and ankles, and I am never happy with my lower body, no matter how low my body fat gets. I have spent way too much time looking at before/after pictures of people who do not have my body type. But something clicked for me when I was on vacation. I wish I could describe it better, but I came to accept my body as it was. I wore a bikini for the first time in 9 years because I realized that it was my image of my body that was screwed up, not my body. Please don't give up. 20% bodyfat is very good! You have lost 27 pounds and 7.5% body fat! I hope you wear your shorts on your cruise and enjoy your new body. And be patient--you are so fit now that changes will be coming more slowly, but they will come with time. It just means you're not a beginner anymore. Yeah, it sucks that it takes so long, but you are making PERMANENT changes. Jen V. > > I'm 99% a lurker but I enjoy reading everyone's thoughts. Anyway, I > completed my very first successful challenge in December 2005, after > almost four years of trying and quitting. I had always been a > fairly reliable exerciser, both cardio and weights, but a TERRIBLE > eater, so I primarily followed the food plan, and I followed it > strictly. In twelve weeks I went from 172 to 145 (I'm 5'7 " ), and > lost inches everywhere, plus per Biofitness went from 28% to 20.5% > BF.I was really pleased and figured I was on my way to more success > when I resumed the process in January. > > Uh, that turned out to be wrong. Since then, I have not lost an > inch, a pound, or nor even found that my pants are any looser. It's > beginning to turn into a nightmare. I have tried every combination > of eating more/eating less/working out more/working out less and > nothing seems to make any difference. Nothing. I took my > measurements again yesterday AM, and I could record them in my > sleep. 34.5 " / 28 " / 40 " / 23.5 " (thigh) > > On average, I go to the gym Tuesday - Saturday and lift for one body > part per session. I always follow that up with an hour of cardio, > which I mix up on treadmill, elliptical, etc. different resistances, > settings, etc. I'm reeling when I'm done. I have a super sedentary > job, but I work from home and during the day I have to walk my dog > so that probably adds another 40 minutes of walking 4-5 times a > week. I probably average 1250-1400 calories a day, with the small > meals always 40/40/20. I've stopped taking entire free days and > stopped eating ANY sweets, even on free days. I have a free meal. > > ly I'm getting really sick of this whole process. Body for > Life has turned into Whole Life Spent Pursuing Body and it's making > me crazy. I'm at the gym 5 days a week and jog outside on the > sixth. I honestly had one lousy dream goal when I started all of > this last fall, and that was to be able to wear shorts this summer. > The way things are going (I carry ALL of the extra weight from the > hips down) that's going to remain unrealized, my giant knees are > still too frightful. I'm going on a cruise in five weeks and if I > have to wear long pants through the whole thing, baking in the sun > like a skull drying in the desert, I will punch a fist through the > wall. Well, mentally at least. > > What gives? What am I missing? Any thoughts anyone has, I would > love to hear them. > > Thanks! > Lo > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 9, 2006 Report Share Posted April 9, 2006 You have had a lot of success so far. Please try to enjoy the changes you have had up to this point. I agree with Tara's advice. About a month ago I posted on this same topic. I was ready to pull my hair out, too. Although it doesn't seem to make sense, the closer you get to your ideal weight, the more your body will fight to hold on to the fat. It sounds like you may be overtraining and eating too little. You are very active, despite your sedentary job, and you are not eating enough calories to maintain that level of activity. It sounds as if you have thrown your body into starvation mode. Every fiber of your being will fight me on this, but trust me; it works. Spend less time at the gym but continue your walks with your dog, provided you are enjoying them and not doing it out of obligation in your quest for a perfect body. Cut back on the cardio, maybe just drop back to HIIT 3 times a week, and raise your caloric intake. Continue to eat clean, but eat more. Zig-zag your calories so you create a consistent caloric deficit, but your body won't know it because of the high days. When I hit my plateau, I dropped down to 1,000 calories a day with " cheat days " that were a whopping 1500 calories a day, and increased my cardio, yet I was getting fatter. told me to eat more and stop doing so much cardio. I was scared to death but did it. I left the next day for my vacation and--I had a great time. I wore a bikini, ate seafood and key lime pie, didn't exercise for a week except for walks on the beach and swimming in the pool. When I got home and weighed myself for the first time, I was pleasantly surprised. I didn't gain any weight at all. And taking a week off from exercising was exactly what my body needed because I had a killer workout the next day. In the past month, I have upped my calories to average about 1700- 1800 clean calories per day, and I am doing 3-4 weight workouts per week. I do 3 HIIT sessions. Not only did I stop gaining weight (fat), my bodyfat has gone down about 2% in a month (that's good for me!). I am lifting more than ever because I am feeding my body instead of starving it. If you look at past messages, lots of people have had success doing this. I also have chunky legs, knees, and ankles, and I am never happy with my lower body, no matter how low my body fat gets. I have spent way too much time looking at before/after pictures of people who do not have my body type. But something clicked for me when I was on vacation. I wish I could describe it better, but I came to accept my body as it was. I wore a bikini for the first time in 9 years because I realized that it was my image of my body that was screwed up, not my body. Please don't give up. 20% bodyfat is very good! You have lost 27 pounds and 7.5% body fat! I hope you wear your shorts on your cruise and enjoy your new body. And be patient--you are so fit now that changes will be coming more slowly, but they will come with time. It just means you're not a beginner anymore. Yeah, it sucks that it takes so long, but you are making PERMANENT changes. Jen V. > > I'm 99% a lurker but I enjoy reading everyone's thoughts. Anyway, I > completed my very first successful challenge in December 2005, after > almost four years of trying and quitting. I had always been a > fairly reliable exerciser, both cardio and weights, but a TERRIBLE > eater, so I primarily followed the food plan, and I followed it > strictly. In twelve weeks I went from 172 to 145 (I'm 5'7 " ), and > lost inches everywhere, plus per Biofitness went from 28% to 20.5% > BF.I was really pleased and figured I was on my way to more success > when I resumed the process in January. > > Uh, that turned out to be wrong. Since then, I have not lost an > inch, a pound, or nor even found that my pants are any looser. It's > beginning to turn into a nightmare. I have tried every combination > of eating more/eating less/working out more/working out less and > nothing seems to make any difference. Nothing. I took my > measurements again yesterday AM, and I could record them in my > sleep. 34.5 " / 28 " / 40 " / 23.5 " (thigh) > > On average, I go to the gym Tuesday - Saturday and lift for one body > part per session. I always follow that up with an hour of cardio, > which I mix up on treadmill, elliptical, etc. different resistances, > settings, etc. I'm reeling when I'm done. I have a super sedentary > job, but I work from home and during the day I have to walk my dog > so that probably adds another 40 minutes of walking 4-5 times a > week. I probably average 1250-1400 calories a day, with the small > meals always 40/40/20. I've stopped taking entire free days and > stopped eating ANY sweets, even on free days. I have a free meal. > > ly I'm getting really sick of this whole process. Body for > Life has turned into Whole Life Spent Pursuing Body and it's making > me crazy. I'm at the gym 5 days a week and jog outside on the > sixth. I honestly had one lousy dream goal when I started all of > this last fall, and that was to be able to wear shorts this summer. > The way things are going (I carry ALL of the extra weight from the > hips down) that's going to remain unrealized, my giant knees are > still too frightful. I'm going on a cruise in five weeks and if I > have to wear long pants through the whole thing, baking in the sun > like a skull drying in the desert, I will punch a fist through the > wall. Well, mentally at least. > > What gives? What am I missing? Any thoughts anyone has, I would > love to hear them. > > Thanks! > Lo > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 9, 2006 Report Share Posted April 9, 2006 I agree, it's probably a case of overtraining, undereating. Once you do that for any length of time, your metabolism is whacked. If you want to wake it up, you'll have to scare it. What you're doing now is obviously not working so change everything. Completely change your training split and your set rep pattern. Throw in super-sets, drop-sets, negatives, circuits, something you're totally and completely not used to. If you've never done BFL weights by the book with the six pyramid sets per body part, now would be the time to check it out. Definitely change your cardio. If you're doing an hour a day and not getting any results, you're in a major deep rut. Do something radical. Try some form of cardio you've never done, and certainly not something you've done every day for an hour. Try running stadium stairs, jumping rope, kickboxing, rowing, spinning, running sprints outdoors, anything that's a major shake-up. Whatever you do should involve intervals that are unpredictable, brief, and intense. Throw up a lung. The pace should be such that you couldn't do it for more than 20 minutes without needing an ambulance. Do it on non-consecutive days. Keep your other daily cardio to just the dog walking. Of course, once you get used to the 20-minutes-o-death, you'll have to change it again. Maybe then you'll have a day that's a moderate cardio session on machines, one that's brief intense intervals outdoors, and one that's an endurance-a-thon 90 minute group class, or an all-morning hike/bike. Keep it fresh and challenging rather than falling into any kind of a " normal " routine that you follow every day. Make your current calorie intake your low days and throw in some higher ones in the 1700-1800 calorie range. Put back free day. If you don't overfeed yourself occasionally, your body has no idea how to crank up your metabolism and waste calories. If you start out burning 2400 calories a day through exercise, but for months on end, you're barely eating 1200, your body will gradually slow your metabolism down to only burning the 1200 calories that it knows for certain are coming. It's helpful like that. :-) If you want to lose weight, you can't do the same old thing every day. You have to become scary and unpredictable. Maybe you'll eat 1200 calories, maybe you'll eat 1900. Maybe you'll run stairs, maybe you'll take a cardio-kickbox class, maybe you'll take a nap. Maybe you'll let your protein intake run higher than your cabs on Tuesday and turn around and eat plenty of oatmeal and pasta on Wednesday. Maybe you'll do heavy sets and few reps, maybe you'll do moderate sets and more reps. Maybe you'll do barbell squats on solid ground one workout, and dumbbell squats on a wobble board the next. As long as your body is going, what the $%#!?, you'll see progress. Also, be very aware of your thoughts. It sounds like feel-good hoody hoo, but if your brain is constantly dwelling on words like " plateau, stuck, frustrated, slow, maddening, fat, frightful, depressing " that's the reality that you're creating for yourself. Start kicking around ideas like " lean, strong, powerful, determined, successful, beautiful. " You can ask any of the BFL champions, the mental thing is a really huge part of it. If you believe that you're taking it to a whole new level and that the changes you make will work wonders, they will. If you believe that you're doomed to more of the same and nothing will ever work for you, that's exactly what you'll get. You can't always control what happens or how fast it happens, but you can totally control how you think about it. That's a super-critical concept because your thoughts determine what you eat, how much you eat, when you eat, how creative the workouts are, how intensely you hit it, how you judge your progress, how kindly or harshly you treat yourself, the *whole* thing. > I'm 99% a lurker but I enjoy reading everyone's thoughts. Anyway, I > completed my very first successful challenge in December 2005, after > almost four years of trying and quitting. I had always been a > fairly reliable exerciser, both cardio and weights, but a TERRIBLE > eater, so I primarily followed the food plan, and I followed it > strictly. In twelve weeks I went from 172 to 145 (I'm 5'7 " ), and > lost inches everywhere, plus per Biofitness went from 28% to 20.5% > BF.I was really pleased and figured I was on my way to more success > when I resumed the process in January. > > Uh, that turned out to be wrong. Since then, I have not lost an > inch, a pound, or nor even found that my pants are any looser. It's > beginning to turn into a nightmare. I have tried every combination > of eating more/eating less/working out more/working out less and > nothing seems to make any difference. Nothing. I took my > measurements again yesterday AM, and I could record them in my > sleep. 34.5 " / 28 " / 40 " / 23.5 " (thigh) > > On average, I go to the gym Tuesday - Saturday and lift for one body > part per session. I always follow that up with an hour of cardio, > which I mix up on treadmill, elliptical, etc. different resistances, > settings, etc. I'm reeling when I'm done. I have a super sedentary > job, but I work from home and during the day I have to walk my dog > so that probably adds another 40 minutes of walking 4-5 times a > week. I probably average 1250-1400 calories a day, with the small > meals always 40/40/20. I've stopped taking entire free days and > stopped eating ANY sweets, even on free days. I have a free meal. > > ly I'm getting really sick of this whole process. Body for > Life has turned into Whole Life Spent Pursuing Body and it's making > me crazy. I'm at the gym 5 days a week and jog outside on the > sixth. I honestly had one lousy dream goal when I started all of > this last fall, and that was to be able to wear shorts this summer. > The way things are going (I carry ALL of the extra weight from the > hips down) that's going to remain unrealized, my giant knees are > still too frightful. I'm going on a cruise in five weeks and if I > have to wear long pants through the whole thing, baking in the sun > like a skull drying in the desert, I will punch a fist through the > wall. Well, mentally at least. > > What gives? What am I missing? Any thoughts anyone has, I would > love to hear them. > > Thanks! > Lo > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 9, 2006 Report Share Posted April 9, 2006 I agree, it's probably a case of overtraining, undereating. Once you do that for any length of time, your metabolism is whacked. If you want to wake it up, you'll have to scare it. What you're doing now is obviously not working so change everything. Completely change your training split and your set rep pattern. Throw in super-sets, drop-sets, negatives, circuits, something you're totally and completely not used to. If you've never done BFL weights by the book with the six pyramid sets per body part, now would be the time to check it out. Definitely change your cardio. If you're doing an hour a day and not getting any results, you're in a major deep rut. Do something radical. Try some form of cardio you've never done, and certainly not something you've done every day for an hour. Try running stadium stairs, jumping rope, kickboxing, rowing, spinning, running sprints outdoors, anything that's a major shake-up. Whatever you do should involve intervals that are unpredictable, brief, and intense. Throw up a lung. The pace should be such that you couldn't do it for more than 20 minutes without needing an ambulance. Do it on non-consecutive days. Keep your other daily cardio to just the dog walking. Of course, once you get used to the 20-minutes-o-death, you'll have to change it again. Maybe then you'll have a day that's a moderate cardio session on machines, one that's brief intense intervals outdoors, and one that's an endurance-a-thon 90 minute group class, or an all-morning hike/bike. Keep it fresh and challenging rather than falling into any kind of a " normal " routine that you follow every day. Make your current calorie intake your low days and throw in some higher ones in the 1700-1800 calorie range. Put back free day. If you don't overfeed yourself occasionally, your body has no idea how to crank up your metabolism and waste calories. If you start out burning 2400 calories a day through exercise, but for months on end, you're barely eating 1200, your body will gradually slow your metabolism down to only burning the 1200 calories that it knows for certain are coming. It's helpful like that. :-) If you want to lose weight, you can't do the same old thing every day. You have to become scary and unpredictable. Maybe you'll eat 1200 calories, maybe you'll eat 1900. Maybe you'll run stairs, maybe you'll take a cardio-kickbox class, maybe you'll take a nap. Maybe you'll let your protein intake run higher than your cabs on Tuesday and turn around and eat plenty of oatmeal and pasta on Wednesday. Maybe you'll do heavy sets and few reps, maybe you'll do moderate sets and more reps. Maybe you'll do barbell squats on solid ground one workout, and dumbbell squats on a wobble board the next. As long as your body is going, what the $%#!?, you'll see progress. Also, be very aware of your thoughts. It sounds like feel-good hoody hoo, but if your brain is constantly dwelling on words like " plateau, stuck, frustrated, slow, maddening, fat, frightful, depressing " that's the reality that you're creating for yourself. Start kicking around ideas like " lean, strong, powerful, determined, successful, beautiful. " You can ask any of the BFL champions, the mental thing is a really huge part of it. If you believe that you're taking it to a whole new level and that the changes you make will work wonders, they will. If you believe that you're doomed to more of the same and nothing will ever work for you, that's exactly what you'll get. You can't always control what happens or how fast it happens, but you can totally control how you think about it. That's a super-critical concept because your thoughts determine what you eat, how much you eat, when you eat, how creative the workouts are, how intensely you hit it, how you judge your progress, how kindly or harshly you treat yourself, the *whole* thing. > I'm 99% a lurker but I enjoy reading everyone's thoughts. Anyway, I > completed my very first successful challenge in December 2005, after > almost four years of trying and quitting. I had always been a > fairly reliable exerciser, both cardio and weights, but a TERRIBLE > eater, so I primarily followed the food plan, and I followed it > strictly. In twelve weeks I went from 172 to 145 (I'm 5'7 " ), and > lost inches everywhere, plus per Biofitness went from 28% to 20.5% > BF.I was really pleased and figured I was on my way to more success > when I resumed the process in January. > > Uh, that turned out to be wrong. Since then, I have not lost an > inch, a pound, or nor even found that my pants are any looser. It's > beginning to turn into a nightmare. I have tried every combination > of eating more/eating less/working out more/working out less and > nothing seems to make any difference. Nothing. I took my > measurements again yesterday AM, and I could record them in my > sleep. 34.5 " / 28 " / 40 " / 23.5 " (thigh) > > On average, I go to the gym Tuesday - Saturday and lift for one body > part per session. I always follow that up with an hour of cardio, > which I mix up on treadmill, elliptical, etc. different resistances, > settings, etc. I'm reeling when I'm done. I have a super sedentary > job, but I work from home and during the day I have to walk my dog > so that probably adds another 40 minutes of walking 4-5 times a > week. I probably average 1250-1400 calories a day, with the small > meals always 40/40/20. I've stopped taking entire free days and > stopped eating ANY sweets, even on free days. I have a free meal. > > ly I'm getting really sick of this whole process. Body for > Life has turned into Whole Life Spent Pursuing Body and it's making > me crazy. I'm at the gym 5 days a week and jog outside on the > sixth. I honestly had one lousy dream goal when I started all of > this last fall, and that was to be able to wear shorts this summer. > The way things are going (I carry ALL of the extra weight from the > hips down) that's going to remain unrealized, my giant knees are > still too frightful. I'm going on a cruise in five weeks and if I > have to wear long pants through the whole thing, baking in the sun > like a skull drying in the desert, I will punch a fist through the > wall. Well, mentally at least. > > What gives? What am I missing? Any thoughts anyone has, I would > love to hear them. > > Thanks! > Lo > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 9, 2006 Report Share Posted April 9, 2006 Wow.....great post!! Applause! That's something I think we ALL needed ! Skwigg <skwigg@...> wrote: I agree, it's probably a case of overtraining, undereating. Once you do that for any length of time, your metabolism is whacked. If you want to wake it up, you'll have to scare it. What you're doing now is obviously not working so change everything. Completely change your training split and your set rep pattern. Throw in super-sets, drop-sets, negatives, circuits, something you're totally and completely not used to. If you've never done BFL weights by the book with the six pyramid sets per body part, now would be the time to check it out. Definitely change your cardio. If you're doing an hour a day and not getting any results, you're in a major deep rut. Do something radical. Try some form of cardio you've never done, and certainly not something you've done every day for an hour. Try running stadium stairs, jumping rope, kickboxing, rowing, spinning, running sprints outdoors, anything that's a major shake-up. Whatever you do should involve intervals that are unpredictable, brief, and intense. Throw up a lung. The pace should be such that you couldn't do it for more than 20 minutes without needing an ambulance. Do it on non-consecutive days. Keep your other daily cardio to just the dog walking. Of course, once you get used to the 20-minutes-o-death, you'll have to change it again. Maybe then you'll have a day that's a moderate cardio session on machines, one that's brief intense intervals outdoors, and one that's an endurance-a-thon 90 minute group class, or an all-morning hike/bike. Keep it fresh and challenging rather than falling into any kind of a " normal " routine that you follow every day. Make your current calorie intake your low days and throw in some higher ones in the 1700-1800 calorie range. Put back free day. If you don't overfeed yourself occasionally, your body has no idea how to crank up your metabolism and waste calories. If you start out burning 2400 calories a day through exercise, but for months on end, you're barely eating 1200, your body will gradually slow your metabolism down to only burning the 1200 calories that it knows for certain are coming. It's helpful like that. :-) If you want to lose weight, you can't do the same old thing every day. You have to become scary and unpredictable. Maybe you'll eat 1200 calories, maybe you'll eat 1900. Maybe you'll run stairs, maybe you'll take a cardio-kickbox class, maybe you'll take a nap. Maybe you'll let your protein intake run higher than your cabs on Tuesday and turn around and eat plenty of oatmeal and pasta on Wednesday. Maybe you'll do heavy sets and few reps, maybe you'll do moderate sets and more reps. Maybe you'll do barbell squats on solid ground one workout, and dumbbell squats on a wobble board the next. As long as your body is going, what the $%#!?, you'll see progress. Also, be very aware of your thoughts. It sounds like feel-good hoody hoo, but if your brain is constantly dwelling on words like " plateau, stuck, frustrated, slow, maddening, fat, frightful, depressing " that's the reality that you're creating for yourself. Start kicking around ideas like " lean, strong, powerful, determined, successful, beautiful. " You can ask any of the BFL champions, the mental thing is a really huge part of it. If you believe that you're taking it to a whole new level and that the changes you make will work wonders, they will. If you believe that you're doomed to more of the same and nothing will ever work for you, that's exactly what you'll get. You can't always control what happens or how fast it happens, but you can totally control how you think about it. That's a super-critical concept because your thoughts determine what you eat, how much you eat, when you eat, how creative the workouts are, how intensely you hit it, how you judge your progress, how kindly or harshly you treat yourself, the *whole* thing. On 4/8/06, jerseynebraska <loloinnj@...> wrote: > I'm 99% a lurker but I enjoy reading everyone's thoughts. Anyway, I > completed my very first successful challenge in December 2005, after > almost four years of trying and quitting. I had always been a > fairly reliable exerciser, both cardio and weights, but a TERRIBLE > eater, so I primarily followed the food plan, and I followed it > strictly. In twelve weeks I went from 172 to 145 (I'm 5'7 " ), and > lost inches everywhere, plus per Biofitness went from 28% to 20.5% > BF.I was really pleased and figured I was on my way to more success > when I resumed the process in January. > > Uh, that turned out to be wrong. Since then, I have not lost an > inch, a pound, or nor even found that my pants are any looser. It's > beginning to turn into a nightmare. I have tried every combination > of eating more/eating less/working out more/working out less and > nothing seems to make any difference. Nothing. I took my > measurements again yesterday AM, and I could record them in my > sleep. 34.5 " / 28 " / 40 " / 23.5 " (thigh) > > On average, I go to the gym Tuesday - Saturday and lift for one body > part per session. I always follow that up with an hour of cardio, > which I mix up on treadmill, elliptical, etc. different resistances, > settings, etc. I'm reeling when I'm done. I have a super sedentary > job, but I work from home and during the day I have to walk my dog > so that probably adds another 40 minutes of walking 4-5 times a > week. I probably average 1250-1400 calories a day, with the small > meals always 40/40/20. I've stopped taking entire free days and > stopped eating ANY sweets, even on free days. I have a free meal. > > ly I'm getting really sick of this whole process. Body for > Life has turned into Whole Life Spent Pursuing Body and it's making > me crazy. I'm at the gym 5 days a week and jog outside on the > sixth. I honestly had one lousy dream goal when I started all of > this last fall, and that was to be able to wear shorts this summer. > The way things are going (I carry ALL of the extra weight from the > hips down) that's going to remain unrealized, my giant knees are > still too frightful. I'm going on a cruise in five weeks and if I > have to wear long pants through the whole thing, baking in the sun > like a skull drying in the desert, I will punch a fist through the > wall. Well, mentally at least. > > What gives? What am I missing? Any thoughts anyone has, I would > love to hear them. > > Thanks! > Lo > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 9, 2006 Report Share Posted April 9, 2006 Wow.....great post!! Applause! That's something I think we ALL needed ! Skwigg <skwigg@...> wrote: I agree, it's probably a case of overtraining, undereating. Once you do that for any length of time, your metabolism is whacked. If you want to wake it up, you'll have to scare it. What you're doing now is obviously not working so change everything. Completely change your training split and your set rep pattern. Throw in super-sets, drop-sets, negatives, circuits, something you're totally and completely not used to. If you've never done BFL weights by the book with the six pyramid sets per body part, now would be the time to check it out. Definitely change your cardio. If you're doing an hour a day and not getting any results, you're in a major deep rut. Do something radical. Try some form of cardio you've never done, and certainly not something you've done every day for an hour. Try running stadium stairs, jumping rope, kickboxing, rowing, spinning, running sprints outdoors, anything that's a major shake-up. Whatever you do should involve intervals that are unpredictable, brief, and intense. Throw up a lung. The pace should be such that you couldn't do it for more than 20 minutes without needing an ambulance. Do it on non-consecutive days. Keep your other daily cardio to just the dog walking. Of course, once you get used to the 20-minutes-o-death, you'll have to change it again. Maybe then you'll have a day that's a moderate cardio session on machines, one that's brief intense intervals outdoors, and one that's an endurance-a-thon 90 minute group class, or an all-morning hike/bike. Keep it fresh and challenging rather than falling into any kind of a " normal " routine that you follow every day. Make your current calorie intake your low days and throw in some higher ones in the 1700-1800 calorie range. Put back free day. If you don't overfeed yourself occasionally, your body has no idea how to crank up your metabolism and waste calories. If you start out burning 2400 calories a day through exercise, but for months on end, you're barely eating 1200, your body will gradually slow your metabolism down to only burning the 1200 calories that it knows for certain are coming. It's helpful like that. :-) If you want to lose weight, you can't do the same old thing every day. You have to become scary and unpredictable. Maybe you'll eat 1200 calories, maybe you'll eat 1900. Maybe you'll run stairs, maybe you'll take a cardio-kickbox class, maybe you'll take a nap. Maybe you'll let your protein intake run higher than your cabs on Tuesday and turn around and eat plenty of oatmeal and pasta on Wednesday. Maybe you'll do heavy sets and few reps, maybe you'll do moderate sets and more reps. Maybe you'll do barbell squats on solid ground one workout, and dumbbell squats on a wobble board the next. As long as your body is going, what the $%#!?, you'll see progress. Also, be very aware of your thoughts. It sounds like feel-good hoody hoo, but if your brain is constantly dwelling on words like " plateau, stuck, frustrated, slow, maddening, fat, frightful, depressing " that's the reality that you're creating for yourself. Start kicking around ideas like " lean, strong, powerful, determined, successful, beautiful. " You can ask any of the BFL champions, the mental thing is a really huge part of it. If you believe that you're taking it to a whole new level and that the changes you make will work wonders, they will. If you believe that you're doomed to more of the same and nothing will ever work for you, that's exactly what you'll get. You can't always control what happens or how fast it happens, but you can totally control how you think about it. That's a super-critical concept because your thoughts determine what you eat, how much you eat, when you eat, how creative the workouts are, how intensely you hit it, how you judge your progress, how kindly or harshly you treat yourself, the *whole* thing. On 4/8/06, jerseynebraska <loloinnj@...> wrote: > I'm 99% a lurker but I enjoy reading everyone's thoughts. Anyway, I > completed my very first successful challenge in December 2005, after > almost four years of trying and quitting. I had always been a > fairly reliable exerciser, both cardio and weights, but a TERRIBLE > eater, so I primarily followed the food plan, and I followed it > strictly. In twelve weeks I went from 172 to 145 (I'm 5'7 " ), and > lost inches everywhere, plus per Biofitness went from 28% to 20.5% > BF.I was really pleased and figured I was on my way to more success > when I resumed the process in January. > > Uh, that turned out to be wrong. Since then, I have not lost an > inch, a pound, or nor even found that my pants are any looser. It's > beginning to turn into a nightmare. I have tried every combination > of eating more/eating less/working out more/working out less and > nothing seems to make any difference. Nothing. I took my > measurements again yesterday AM, and I could record them in my > sleep. 34.5 " / 28 " / 40 " / 23.5 " (thigh) > > On average, I go to the gym Tuesday - Saturday and lift for one body > part per session. I always follow that up with an hour of cardio, > which I mix up on treadmill, elliptical, etc. different resistances, > settings, etc. I'm reeling when I'm done. I have a super sedentary > job, but I work from home and during the day I have to walk my dog > so that probably adds another 40 minutes of walking 4-5 times a > week. I probably average 1250-1400 calories a day, with the small > meals always 40/40/20. I've stopped taking entire free days and > stopped eating ANY sweets, even on free days. I have a free meal. > > ly I'm getting really sick of this whole process. Body for > Life has turned into Whole Life Spent Pursuing Body and it's making > me crazy. I'm at the gym 5 days a week and jog outside on the > sixth. I honestly had one lousy dream goal when I started all of > this last fall, and that was to be able to wear shorts this summer. > The way things are going (I carry ALL of the extra weight from the > hips down) that's going to remain unrealized, my giant knees are > still too frightful. I'm going on a cruise in five weeks and if I > have to wear long pants through the whole thing, baking in the sun > like a skull drying in the desert, I will punch a fist through the > wall. Well, mentally at least. > > What gives? What am I missing? Any thoughts anyone has, I would > love to hear them. > > Thanks! > Lo > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 9, 2006 Report Share Posted April 9, 2006 Lo - How old are you? Assuming you're about 30, I calculate the following: Using the -Benedict formula, I calculate that you need to eat 1800-1915 to lose fat. Using the Katch-McArdle formula, I calculate that you need to eat 1860-1980 to lose fat Using a quick method (calories per current weight), you need to eat 1750-1890 to lose fat. THe average of those methods would put you at 1800-1930 per day. As others have posted, you aren't eating enough, and you're over-exercising for the amount that you are eating. n >On 4/8/06, jerseynebraska <loloinnj@...> wrote: > > I'm 99% a lurker but I enjoy reading everyone's thoughts. Anyway, I > > completed my very first successful challenge in December 2005, after > > almost four years of trying and quitting. I had always been a > > fairly reliable exerciser, both cardio and weights, but a TERRIBLE > > eater, so I primarily followed the food plan, and I followed it > > strictly. In twelve weeks I went from 172 to 145 (I'm 5'7 " ), and > > lost inches everywhere, plus per Biofitness went from 28% to 20.5% > > BF.I was really pleased and figured I was on my way to more success > > when I resumed the process in January. > > > > Uh, that turned out to be wrong. Since then, I have not lost an > > inch, a pound, or nor even found that my pants are any looser. It's > > beginning to turn into a nightmare. I have tried every combination > > of eating more/eating less/working out more/working out less and > > nothing seems to make any difference. Nothing. I took my > > measurements again yesterday AM, and I could record them in my > > sleep. 34.5 " / 28 " / 40 " / 23.5 " (thigh) > > > > On average, I go to the gym Tuesday - Saturday and lift for one body > > part per session. I always follow that up with an hour of cardio, > > which I mix up on treadmill, elliptical, etc. different resistances, > > settings, etc. I'm reeling when I'm done. I have a super sedentary > > job, but I work from home and during the day I have to walk my dog > > so that probably adds another 40 minutes of walking 4-5 times a > > week. I probably average 1250-1400 calories a day, with the small > > meals always 40/40/20. I've stopped taking entire free days and > > stopped eating ANY sweets, even on free days. I have a free meal. > > > > ly I'm getting really sick of this whole process. Body for > > Life has turned into Whole Life Spent Pursuing Body and it's making > > me crazy. I'm at the gym 5 days a week and jog outside on the > > sixth. I honestly had one lousy dream goal when I started all of > > this last fall, and that was to be able to wear shorts this summer. > > The way things are going (I carry ALL of the extra weight from the > > hips down) that's going to remain unrealized, my giant knees are > > still too frightful. I'm going on a cruise in five weeks and if I > > have to wear long pants through the whole thing, baking in the sun > > like a skull drying in the desert, I will punch a fist through the > > wall. Well, mentally at least. > > > > What gives? What am I missing? Any thoughts anyone has, I would > > love to hear them. > > > > Thanks! > > Lo > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 9, 2006 Report Share Posted April 9, 2006 I have not read the responses so I maybe saying the same ol' thing but I've had this happen!!! For four MONTHS I stayed exactly the same eating 1200 - 1600 calories with a free day of 1800. You know what? I was NOT eating enough! Now my average is 1800 calories not that measly 1400 calories. ACK! So am I losing? YES! Losing inches, body fat and some scale weight but who cares about that? Eat more!!! Enjoy it more. Good luck, Kari > > I'm 99% a lurker but I enjoy reading everyone's thoughts. Anyway, I > completed my very first successful challenge in December 2005, after > almost four years of trying and quitting. I had always been a > fairly reliable exerciser, both cardio and weights, but a TERRIBLE > eater, so I primarily followed the food plan, and I followed it > strictly. In twelve weeks I went from 172 to 145 (I'm 5'7 " ), and > lost inches everywhere, plus per Biofitness went from 28% to 20.5% > BF.I was really pleased and figured I was on my way to more success > when I resumed the process in January. > > Uh, that turned out to be wrong. Since then, I have not lost an > inch, a pound, or nor even found that my pants are any looser. It's > beginning to turn into a nightmare. I have tried every combination > of eating more/eating less/working out more/working out less and > nothing seems to make any difference. Nothing. I took my > measurements again yesterday AM, and I could record them in my > sleep. 34.5 " / 28 " / 40 " / 23.5 " (thigh) > > On average, I go to the gym Tuesday - Saturday and lift for one body > part per session. I always follow that up with an hour of cardio, > which I mix up on treadmill, elliptical, etc. different resistances, > settings, etc. I'm reeling when I'm done. I have a super sedentary > job, but I work from home and during the day I have to walk my dog > so that probably adds another 40 minutes of walking 4-5 times a > week. I probably average 1250-1400 calories a day, with the small > meals always 40/40/20. I've stopped taking entire free days and > stopped eating ANY sweets, even on free days. I have a free meal. > > ly I'm getting really sick of this whole process. Body for > Life has turned into Whole Life Spent Pursuing Body and it's making > me crazy. I'm at the gym 5 days a week and jog outside on the > sixth. I honestly had one lousy dream goal when I started all of > this last fall, and that was to be able to wear shorts this summer. > The way things are going (I carry ALL of the extra weight from the > hips down) that's going to remain unrealized, my giant knees are > still too frightful. I'm going on a cruise in five weeks and if I > have to wear long pants through the whole thing, baking in the sun > like a skull drying in the desert, I will punch a fist through the > wall. Well, mentally at least. > > What gives? What am I missing? Any thoughts anyone has, I would > love to hear them. > > Thanks! > Lo > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 9, 2006 Report Share Posted April 9, 2006 I have not read the responses so I maybe saying the same ol' thing but I've had this happen!!! For four MONTHS I stayed exactly the same eating 1200 - 1600 calories with a free day of 1800. You know what? I was NOT eating enough! Now my average is 1800 calories not that measly 1400 calories. ACK! So am I losing? YES! Losing inches, body fat and some scale weight but who cares about that? Eat more!!! Enjoy it more. Good luck, Kari > > I'm 99% a lurker but I enjoy reading everyone's thoughts. Anyway, I > completed my very first successful challenge in December 2005, after > almost four years of trying and quitting. I had always been a > fairly reliable exerciser, both cardio and weights, but a TERRIBLE > eater, so I primarily followed the food plan, and I followed it > strictly. In twelve weeks I went from 172 to 145 (I'm 5'7 " ), and > lost inches everywhere, plus per Biofitness went from 28% to 20.5% > BF.I was really pleased and figured I was on my way to more success > when I resumed the process in January. > > Uh, that turned out to be wrong. Since then, I have not lost an > inch, a pound, or nor even found that my pants are any looser. It's > beginning to turn into a nightmare. I have tried every combination > of eating more/eating less/working out more/working out less and > nothing seems to make any difference. Nothing. I took my > measurements again yesterday AM, and I could record them in my > sleep. 34.5 " / 28 " / 40 " / 23.5 " (thigh) > > On average, I go to the gym Tuesday - Saturday and lift for one body > part per session. I always follow that up with an hour of cardio, > which I mix up on treadmill, elliptical, etc. different resistances, > settings, etc. I'm reeling when I'm done. I have a super sedentary > job, but I work from home and during the day I have to walk my dog > so that probably adds another 40 minutes of walking 4-5 times a > week. I probably average 1250-1400 calories a day, with the small > meals always 40/40/20. I've stopped taking entire free days and > stopped eating ANY sweets, even on free days. I have a free meal. > > ly I'm getting really sick of this whole process. Body for > Life has turned into Whole Life Spent Pursuing Body and it's making > me crazy. I'm at the gym 5 days a week and jog outside on the > sixth. I honestly had one lousy dream goal when I started all of > this last fall, and that was to be able to wear shorts this summer. > The way things are going (I carry ALL of the extra weight from the > hips down) that's going to remain unrealized, my giant knees are > still too frightful. I'm going on a cruise in five weeks and if I > have to wear long pants through the whole thing, baking in the sun > like a skull drying in the desert, I will punch a fist through the > wall. Well, mentally at least. > > What gives? What am I missing? Any thoughts anyone has, I would > love to hear them. > > Thanks! > Lo > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 10, 2006 Report Share Posted April 10, 2006 Thank you so much to everyone who answered my questions! I really appreciate the great suggestions and support. I'm going to do my best to implement them, and see what happens. I think part of the reason I've fallen into exercising so much is actually sheer boredom. I just relocated to New Jersey after 17 years in Chicago, and I know virtually no one here. My husband's a graduate student, always at school or at his clinical sites, and I work from home for my old company so I never get out and meet anyone. There isn't tons to do except jog with the iPod. Maybe instead of so much gym time I'll try to do more social things. It can't hurt. Oh n - I'm 41 - I wish I was 30! I can say though I'm definitely more fit than I was at 30, but not as energetic. Anyway, thanks again. Lo > > > I'm 99% a lurker but I enjoy reading everyone's thoughts. Anyway, I > > > completed my very first successful challenge in December 2005, after > > > almost four years of trying and quitting. I had always been a > > > fairly reliable exerciser, both cardio and weights, but a TERRIBLE > > > eater, so I primarily followed the food plan, and I followed it > > > strictly. In twelve weeks I went from 172 to 145 (I'm 5'7 " ), and > > > lost inches everywhere, plus per Biofitness went from 28% to 20.5% > > > BF.I was really pleased and figured I was on my way to more success > > > when I resumed the process in January. > > > > > > Uh, that turned out to be wrong. Since then, I have not lost an > > > inch, a pound, or nor even found that my pants are any looser. It's > > > beginning to turn into a nightmare. I have tried every combination > > > of eating more/eating less/working out more/working out less and > > > nothing seems to make any difference. Nothing. I took my > > > measurements again yesterday AM, and I could record them in my > > > sleep. 34.5 " / 28 " / 40 " / 23.5 " (thigh) > > > > > > On average, I go to the gym Tuesday - Saturday and lift for one body > > > part per session. I always follow that up with an hour of cardio, > > > which I mix up on treadmill, elliptical, etc. different resistances, > > > settings, etc. I'm reeling when I'm done. I have a super sedentary > > > job, but I work from home and during the day I have to walk my dog > > > so that probably adds another 40 minutes of walking 4-5 times a > > > week. I probably average 1250-1400 calories a day, with the small > > > meals always 40/40/20. I've stopped taking entire free days and > > > stopped eating ANY sweets, even on free days. I have a free meal. > > > > > > ly I'm getting really sick of this whole process. Body for > > > Life has turned into Whole Life Spent Pursuing Body and it's making > > > me crazy. I'm at the gym 5 days a week and jog outside on the > > > sixth. I honestly had one lousy dream goal when I started all of > > > this last fall, and that was to be able to wear shorts this summer. > > > The way things are going (I carry ALL of the extra weight from the > > > hips down) that's going to remain unrealized, my giant knees are > > > still too frightful. I'm going on a cruise in five weeks and if I > > > have to wear long pants through the whole thing, baking in the sun > > > like a skull drying in the desert, I will punch a fist through the > > > wall. Well, mentally at least. > > > > > > What gives? What am I missing? Any thoughts anyone has, I would > > > love to hear them. > > > > > > Thanks! > > > Lo > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 10, 2006 Report Share Posted April 10, 2006 Thank you so much to everyone who answered my questions! I really appreciate the great suggestions and support. I'm going to do my best to implement them, and see what happens. I think part of the reason I've fallen into exercising so much is actually sheer boredom. I just relocated to New Jersey after 17 years in Chicago, and I know virtually no one here. My husband's a graduate student, always at school or at his clinical sites, and I work from home for my old company so I never get out and meet anyone. There isn't tons to do except jog with the iPod. Maybe instead of so much gym time I'll try to do more social things. It can't hurt. Oh n - I'm 41 - I wish I was 30! I can say though I'm definitely more fit than I was at 30, but not as energetic. Anyway, thanks again. Lo > > > I'm 99% a lurker but I enjoy reading everyone's thoughts. Anyway, I > > > completed my very first successful challenge in December 2005, after > > > almost four years of trying and quitting. I had always been a > > > fairly reliable exerciser, both cardio and weights, but a TERRIBLE > > > eater, so I primarily followed the food plan, and I followed it > > > strictly. In twelve weeks I went from 172 to 145 (I'm 5'7 " ), and > > > lost inches everywhere, plus per Biofitness went from 28% to 20.5% > > > BF.I was really pleased and figured I was on my way to more success > > > when I resumed the process in January. > > > > > > Uh, that turned out to be wrong. Since then, I have not lost an > > > inch, a pound, or nor even found that my pants are any looser. It's > > > beginning to turn into a nightmare. I have tried every combination > > > of eating more/eating less/working out more/working out less and > > > nothing seems to make any difference. Nothing. I took my > > > measurements again yesterday AM, and I could record them in my > > > sleep. 34.5 " / 28 " / 40 " / 23.5 " (thigh) > > > > > > On average, I go to the gym Tuesday - Saturday and lift for one body > > > part per session. I always follow that up with an hour of cardio, > > > which I mix up on treadmill, elliptical, etc. different resistances, > > > settings, etc. I'm reeling when I'm done. I have a super sedentary > > > job, but I work from home and during the day I have to walk my dog > > > so that probably adds another 40 minutes of walking 4-5 times a > > > week. I probably average 1250-1400 calories a day, with the small > > > meals always 40/40/20. I've stopped taking entire free days and > > > stopped eating ANY sweets, even on free days. I have a free meal. > > > > > > ly I'm getting really sick of this whole process. Body for > > > Life has turned into Whole Life Spent Pursuing Body and it's making > > > me crazy. I'm at the gym 5 days a week and jog outside on the > > > sixth. I honestly had one lousy dream goal when I started all of > > > this last fall, and that was to be able to wear shorts this summer. > > > The way things are going (I carry ALL of the extra weight from the > > > hips down) that's going to remain unrealized, my giant knees are > > > still too frightful. I'm going on a cruise in five weeks and if I > > > have to wear long pants through the whole thing, baking in the sun > > > like a skull drying in the desert, I will punch a fist through the > > > wall. Well, mentally at least. > > > > > > What gives? What am I missing? Any thoughts anyone has, I would > > > love to hear them. > > > > > > Thanks! > > > Lo > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 10, 2006 Report Share Posted April 10, 2006 Here are sites to learn about the formulas: http://www.weightlossforall.com/calculate%20cals.htm http://www.discussbodybuilding.com/m_45013/mpage_1/key_/tm.htm#45013 At 07:25 AM 4/10/2006, you wrote: >Oh n - I'm 41 - I wish I was 30! I can say though I'm >definitely more fit than I was at 30, but not as energetic. > >Anyway, thanks again. >Lo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 10, 2006 Report Share Posted April 10, 2006 Here are sites to learn about the formulas: http://www.weightlossforall.com/calculate%20cals.htm http://www.discussbodybuilding.com/m_45013/mpage_1/key_/tm.htm#45013 At 07:25 AM 4/10/2006, you wrote: >Oh n - I'm 41 - I wish I was 30! I can say though I'm >definitely more fit than I was at 30, but not as energetic. > >Anyway, thanks again. >Lo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 10, 2006 Report Share Posted April 10, 2006 Hey Lo, maybe you'll have more energy when you quit over exercising can't hurt to hope.... felicity <<<<<< I can say though I'm definitely more fit than I was at 30, but not as energetic. >>>> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 10, 2006 Report Share Posted April 10, 2006 Hey Lo, maybe you'll have more energy when you quit over exercising can't hurt to hope.... felicity <<<<<< I can say though I'm definitely more fit than I was at 30, but not as energetic. >>>> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 10, 2006 Report Share Posted April 10, 2006 True enough! Good point. :-) Lo > > Hey Lo, maybe you'll have more energy when you quit over exercising > can't hurt to hope.... > > felicity > <<<<<< I can say though I'm > definitely more fit than I was at 30, but not as energetic. >>>> > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 10, 2006 Report Share Posted April 10, 2006 Skwigg, thanks for this post. I hope you put it into your website as it is concise and full of information. I had a question about how a person can know their metabolism is in high gear...Do you think a daily BM and warm feet/hands are a clue as well as the dropping of body fat? I ask because I notice changes in these areas during the months. Thanks again. M. > > I agree, it's probably a case of overtraining, undereating. Once you > do that for any length of time, your metabolism is whacked. If you > want to wake it up, you'll have to scare it. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 10, 2006 Report Share Posted April 10, 2006 Lo, first off, pat yourself on the back. Wow! You lost27 lbs and 7.5% bodyfat?? That is amazing! Second, give yourself a break. I mean it, you are working out like crazy and your body is fighting back. You sound like you are overtraining and you need to give your body a rest. Hard to do, I know. I had the same experience as you. I struggled at the same weight (give or take a few lbs) and measurements and bf for over 1 year. I was very depressed about it, and finally spiralled into a junk food frenzy over Christmas while working only my finger muscle on the remote control. lol I just came off a 12 week challenge and went from 23% bf to 17%. I really didnt lose much scale weight at all, but I can see my abs now, have more definition. Like you, I don't like my lower body (we all have a bodypart we despise, I think). I'm in week 2 of C2 and feeling great (havent measured progress yet). So what did I change? I went from 2X day cardio (usually 2X HIIT per day), down to 4X week. I went from a 5 day split weight training routine to upper vs. lower body. This means fewer exercises per bodypart, but now I work them 2X per week rather than once (I do weights 4X week). Basically, I cut back my exercise. I also more or less follow the bfl lifting plan. Before I was always lifting pretty heavy. I went from running for every HIIT session, to switching it up more (elliptical, bike, run, stairmaster, rowing). I eased up on my eating. I was down to 1300-1400 cals per day. I'd go nuts on free day because I was so freaking deprived all week. I wanted to lose fat so badly, that I started following some bodybuilding techniques: few carbs, less fruit, no cheese, limit dairy. Eating that way for the long haul SUCKS in my opinion. lol Now I eat 1500 cals per day 5X week. I have 2X week that are higher cal days of 2300 each (mid week and Sat). I try to eat clean most of the time, but I relax one day a week (one of my high days). But I also indulge on low days if the mood strikes me. And I don't feel guilty about it. It is great to have the odd treat (smaller portion) as my carb if that is what I want to do. I eat way more than I used to. This plan has worked for me. You need to rest a bit. Eat more (clean healthy food, not junk). And be kind to yourself! My goal is not scale focused anymore, that really helped me. I hate the scale. Now I feel good if any number goes down (tape measure, calipers). You need to change your focus and say nice things to yourself inside your head. I read 'affirmations' to myself everyday (sounds hokey and I didnt believe it before, but my motivation is really strong and focused because of it). By the way, I am 38 yrs old, 5'1 " tall, 119 lbs and I eat more than you and exercise less. Give it a shot! I am an example that this does work. And I didnt figure this out on my own. gave me a shot in the arm. ;-) >>>> In twelve weeks I went from 172 to 145 (I'm 5'7 " ), and > lost inches everywhere, plus per Biofitness went from 28% to 20.5% > BF.I was really pleased and figured I was on my way to more success > when I resumed the process in January. > > Uh, that turned out to be wrong. Since then, I have not lost an > inch, a pound, or nor even found that my pants are any looser. It's > beginning to turn into a nightmare. I have tried every combination > of eating more/eating less/working out more/working out less and > nothing seems to make any difference. Nothing. I took my > measurements again yesterday AM, and I could record them in my > sleep. 34.5 " / 28 " / 40 " / 23.5 " (thigh) > > On average, I go to the gym Tuesday - Saturday and lift for one body > part per session. I always follow that up with an hour of cardio, > which I mix up on treadmill, elliptical, etc. different resistances, > settings, etc. I'm reeling when I'm done. I have a super sedentary > job, but I work from home and during the day I have to walk my dog > so that probably adds another 40 minutes of walking 4-5 times a > week. I probably average 1250-1400 calories a day, with the small > meals always 40/40/20. I've stopped taking entire free days and > stopped eating ANY sweets, even on free days. I have a free meal. > > ly I'm getting really sick of this whole process. Body for > Life has turned into Whole Life Spent Pursuing Body and it's making > me crazy. I'm at the gym 5 days a week and jog outside on the > sixth. I honestly had one lousy dream goal when I started all of > this last fall, and that was to be able to wear shorts this summer. > The way things are going (I carry ALL of the extra weight from the > hips down) that's going to remain unrealized, my giant knees are > still too frightful. I'm going on a cruise in five weeks and if I > have to wear long pants through the whole thing, baking in the sun > like a skull drying in the desert, I will punch a fist through the > wall. Well, mentally at least. > > What gives? What am I missing? Any thoughts anyone has, I would > love to hear them. > > Thanks! > Lo > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 10, 2006 Report Share Posted April 10, 2006 My tip-offs to a high-gear metabolism are: hungry even though I'm eating a lot, lean even though I'm eating a lot, warm after I eat. > Skwigg, thanks for this post. > I hope you put it into your website as it is concise and full of > information. > I had a question about how a person can know their metabolism is in > high gear...Do you think a daily BM and warm feet/hands are a clue as > well as the dropping of body fat? > I ask because I notice changes in these areas during the months. > Thanks again. > M. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 10, 2006 Report Share Posted April 10, 2006 The local gym is a great place to reach out for friendship. Try a class that looks interesting to you, then after a few sessions, ask a friendly woman out to tea/coffee/juice bar afterwards. " To make a friend...be a friend " Good luck, M. Maybe > instead of so much gym time I'll try to do more social things. It > can't hurt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 10, 2006 Report Share Posted April 10, 2006 I'm not but my thyroid is off, so I've been studying it and I can tell you that if your hands and feet are cold and you're constipated that can be the signs of a low thyroid doesn't mean your metabolism is good if you DON " T have them that I know of felicity Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.