What am I doing wrong?

Greetings! I don't usually post anything, but I need to rant (and get some answers), so here goes...I have been counting calories 1200-1300/day, keeping a food log, and exercising 30-40 mins/day, minimum 5-6 days/week, diligently since May 20th, 2009. My loss in the first 6 weeks: approximately 5 pounds. Not great, but better than gaining. Since then, I have increased my level of exercise to 45-60 mins/day (sometimes more), still 5-6 days/week (sometimes more) and have had ZERO loss since the initial 5 pounds. Yes, you read that correctly...ZERO loss. I am diligent and faithful with my food log and my exercise log.  My exercise routine has been revamped several times over the past 3 months (cardio/aerobic, strength training, interval, kick-boxing). Taking some advice on CC, I have tried adding a couple hundred extra calories per day and then backing off to the recommended 1200-1300. Believe me, I feel like I have tried every variation of calories and exercise possible and still no change. Recently I had some lab tests done (including a thyroid test that turned out normal). I am menopausal, so I realize that is a factor, however, to say I am frustrated is a major understatement! Help! What am I doing wrong?! My motivation level is still high and I am feeling great, however I have 35 pounds to lose and no idea how to get there. Any ideas/suggestions/recommendations would be so appreciated!

Don't get discouraged. The same thing happened to me. I went to see a cardiac nutrionist and she upped my calories from 1200 to 1500. She wants me to have 3-4 cups of leafy greens (beets grns, chard, cololards, spinach, watercress), 2 dark skinned fruits a day, 2-3 tbsp ground flax seed, 2 tbsp greek yogurt at nightand...I can have my dark choclate milky way mini at night (just one). This is in addition to my normal intake. So, she wants me to have 30% fat, 55% carbs, 15-20% protein.

She said my body is thinking that I am starving. She doesn't want me to reduce back down to 1200. It's not enough calories. Lots of folks on this site have been telling me to up my calories.

On this diet I should loose 1.5 to 2lbs a week.

If this happens I'll be the happiest girl on the planet. I have 19 pounds to go!

Good luck, stay focused!

Thank you so much for your response. I'm suspect that my caloric intake (generally speaking) is not sufficient. Over the years I have yo-yo'd (unfortunately) and have discovered on certain 'diets' that I was in 'starvation' mode. Once I get the right formula (the correct proportion of caloric intake and appropriate exercise), I know I will be successful. Weight loss of 1.5 to 2 lbs./week sounds like heaven to me. In the meantime, I continue plugging away, brain-storming and staying positive and staying focused. I will succeed

Best of luck to you, as well. We can do it!

I am having a similar problem. I am into my 6th week at the gym. I have been faithfully keeping my logs here on CC. I average about 1600-1800 calories a day (so 6 small meals). 3 days a week I do cardio/weight training for one hour; 2 days I do a Martial Arts type aerobic (one hour each class) and one day Step(one hour). (so one day away from the gym a week). I don't drink, or smoke I am 52 yrs old experiencing menopause. 5'5" and 165 pounds. I have not lost an ounce!

I am definately in better shape and something must be happening because I have been able to stop wearing control top pantyhose and can get into my work trousers just fine!! But the lack of weight loss is so discouraging because the fat is RIGHT ON MY BELLY! I swear I look pregnant.

Aside from hanging in there I don't know what more to do. This is what happens after an 8 year hiatus from the gym and a 30 pound weight gain!!

 I am enjoying the working out, if I could just see some weight come off!!

Since my post in August, I have gotten numerous suggestions and recommendations on CC in other forums. All came from knowledgeable and well-intentioned individuals who asked me a variety of questions and based recommendations accordingly. Bottom line is this: I have tried EVERY conceivable combination of caloric intakes and exercise, (i.e.more calories, less calories, more exercise, less exercise, interval training, kick-boxing, etc.) recommended and the result? Still no weight loss. Talk about frustrating! As with you, I'm in SUCH better condition (heart, lungs, etc.) than I've been in a very long time, which is a definite plus. And my clothes fit better as well. However, the extra weight I'm carrying around will not budge.

Are there any medications that may be affecting your weight loss attempt? The answer, for me, is no. Nor do I suffer from any medical condition that is sabotaging my efforts.

I wish I had the magic formula that would work for those of us struggling with this problem, but I don't. Although I haven't given up, I am on 'hiatus' from the calorie counting and logging for awhile. Sometimes the best thing we can do is take a short break, step back and examine other areas of our lives as well (ex: stress levels, emotional health, spiritual health, etc.) to determine if something in those areas may be holding us back.

Losing weight should not be this difficult or complicated regardless of whether we've been carrying around extra weight for a few short years or for decades, and regardless of whether or not we are menopausal. It may be more difficult, but not impossible. I'm convinced that there is an answer to our dilemma. I just haven't discovered it yet :-)

Good luck to you and if you discover the magic formula, please share it! I'm looking forward to 30 less pounds, just around the corner ;-)

I tried to lose weight a couple of times without success.  I'm doing ok now, and the answer for me has been exercise -- a lot more exercise than I thought would be necessary.  I've been going to the gym 5 days a week for two hours.  I swim 5x a week, spend 4 or 5 hours doing weights and 2 or three hours at exercise classes plus around 2 hours a week on an exercise bike, plus I walk a few miles each weekend.  I've been eating a 1,500 to 1700 calorie diet, and losing a steady 1lb a week. 

I've recently had to cut back on the exercise because of joint problems.  So far, I'm still losing weight, but it will be interesting to see if that continues.

I do think it is more difficult to lose weight when you are older.  I'm finding it easier now I'm actually throught the menopause.  When I was going through it I had really bad hot flashes, which made interfered with my attempts to exercise. I also have a thyroid problem, which maybe slows my metabolism down.

Thanks for the encouragement and suggestions!

I think I have a combination of things going on:

1) Menopause (though I have the night sweats/hot flashes under control with Evening Promrose Oil)

2) I am on Singulair, Reactine and Symbicort for Allergies and Asthma triggered by allergies

3) I am sole provider in a household of 6 with a crazy ex-husband and an umemployed BF. 3 teenagers, and a high stress job in Custom Software and product development...so I'm a little stressed. Ok, I am alot stressed but I won't go into details here.

I go to the gym after work (instead of working in the office till 6PM) and on the weekends in the AM. Maybe I can increase the weekend workout time and one day during the week and see if that helps...I religiously turn off the lights by 10:30PM the latest and get my 7-8 hours!

Thanks!

Well, I never thought I would join in with the gang of over 50's but just thought I might be able to get some encouragement. Please encourage me....

At 53, now 145 pounds, 5' 4'', on thyroxine (7 years), also hormone treatment for menopause, anti-histimine for hayfever. I too am just completely tired of doing it all right. 1200-1500 cals per day (A- grade foods over all) and mixing up exercise (cardio, weights, Pilates, walking) burning 400-650 cals a day & I have lost some weight but it is just so very slow........ 2 pounds in 6 weeks.........and reading what you guys are saying I am wondering if it is worth while. Even before I started to count with cc I popped my calorie intake down on paper every now & then and I was 1600cals or there abouts & have been for some time cos of all the above. All my life I have struggled to stay within a healthy weight range with a sister & mother who are both slim (UGH!). My mother insist that if I ate the same as her I would lose weight & I know I would gain on her diet....I think she thinks I am a secret eater/drinker! I feel if I could get over thinking that I am such a failure I might feel better & lose weight!I thought I would just try to get to 139 pounds.....& then aim to keep that my life time goal weight....It's not too much to ask is it? Cos what is happening is I am just creeping up little by litte...so it was not that I woke up one morning & thought what happened but from 125 pound in my 30's to 135 pounds in my 40's and so on............I am just looking ahead & thinking will I be 155 pounds in my 60's........it is rotten enough getting older without thinking I'll end just gaining & gaining.

Sorry just needed to get it out. My husband just glazes over. CC is great cos I don't bore him anymore with my quest for a healthy weight & I know I really am sticking to it & if it's not happening then it is not through my lack of trying....SIGH!

Are you familiar with the concept of interval training during exercise?  For me, that means I step up the pace for 1 minute every 10 minutes.  During the day, I will run in place or walk fast for one minute,  I try to do this every hour.  I think this has worked better for me than more exercise.  I am very active already.

Sillier, I wonder whether the hormone treatment is making it  more difficult for you?  I was on HRT for a year and put on a lot of weight.  Hormone treatment has health risks too.  My suggestion is that you discuss with your doctor coming off hormone treatment and reassessing your thyroxine level.  I found that a high dosage of thyroxine increased my hot flashes and it was better to be on the lowest dosage that would keep me in the normal range.  

jl11.........thanks for advice. I am sure it is more difficult & I deliberately started calorie counting as I started HRT so that I did not gain and when I go back to my doctor I can say the effect on my physical/emotional/psychological well being with confidence that I know what I have been putting into my body!Thyroxine is essensial....tried living without it in early days of diagnosis but it  lacked zeal for life....depressed,etc.I was gaining wait with out it as I could not fiunction. Only been on hormone replacement for 2 1/2 months & that was cos hot flushes/night sweat/unable to sleep/feeling really depressed..........have to say I feel like new woman on HTR so reluctant to go back to how I felt.....esp as my energy levels are up, too. I feel so much better. I think I will ask Doctor if it is worth exporing another option? I will think about it seriously

Sunbeam48...........Apart from the exercise I do I am not doing much but sit at computer.....I think getting active every hour of the day is a very good idea....it is funny I was thinking that as I ate my lunch today! I have been a very keen exerciser for 25 years now..............I have been doing more variety in the last couple of weeks as I had got stuck in an 'easy' rut. I have upped my weight this week & joined in a class for Pilates (2-3 a week) as opposed to doing it on my own at home. I have put in swimming a couple of time too & maybe it just needs to kick in.......... I will let you know how it goes!

Thank you both!

Hey,

I have only been using CC for about 11 days now...here is what I notice about my eating pattern---I do stay at between 1500 and 1700 cal a day but my carb intake is too high putting my food at about a B-.

I am increasing Protein and decreasing carbs (not eliminating) for the next 10 days. Let's see what happens.

and hip hip horray I am down a pound today finally...

Just a quick update: since I adjusted my diet and lowered the carbs and upped the protein and fibre (staying at between 1500 and 1700 pre day like I was before)--I am down another 3 pounds. I also have intensified my workouts and increased my weights in my weight training classes...I feel like I am turning the corner; so for everyone who said "its been 6 weeks and nothing is happening!" (like me) please hang in there and take a hard look at your food intake (not just the calories)....

Kathylotz.........Wow....this is encouraging.............been seriously thinking of giving up but will stick with it. So what do you do intake wise in terms of % of fat/protein/carbs? What amount of fibre do you have a day. What form does that fibre take?I have upped my exercise & doing some new stuff.

Hey Sillier,

Well I try to hit between 35-50% in Protein. I eat fish, lean pork, chicken

Looks like the rest gets split up fairly evenly between Carbs anf fat--though I get better 'grades' when the carbs out weigh the fats! Should take in about 15 to 25 grams of fibre according to the stats. I seem to average around 17-20.

For fibre I eat kasha (buckwheat), dark veggies (like spinach), apples and fibre/granola bar--once a day. I don't know about you, but over 50 it is pretty crucial that I have a 'meaningful' bathroom experience before I start the day (if you knw what I mean). Hemp hearts have solved that problem for me.

I start the day with mostly protein (2 poached eggs, spinach), have a mid morning snack of kasha, have a double protein lunch with veg; apple, yogurt and hemp hearts (read about them) for a afternoon snack...dinner is 4 oz protein and salad. I drink water all day--Here's a tip--for some reason, when I put my water in a Wine Glass? I drink alot of water!! LOL! (I don't drink, so its funny). Green tea twice a day.

My guilty addiction is in the AM I drink my coffee how I LIKE IT!! 2 sugars and cream...yum. and I have a weakness for dried cranberries and raisins....I have cut them out completely for now!

THANKS.......I'LL DO A BIT OF TWEEKING!I will let you know how I go! He he!

Dear Evagal,

You said you were menopausal- by any chance are you taking plant-based estrogen?  I took it for awhile and gained so much weight it wasn't worth it.  I put up with the hot flashes etc.  Just a thought-believe me I feel the same way.  Somehow over 50 you just can't seem to get the weight to move!! 

Original Post by kathyklotz:

Just a quick update: since I adjusted my diet and lowered the carbs and upped the protein and fibre (staying at between 1500 and 1700 pre day like I was before)--I am down another 3 pounds. I also have intensified my workouts and increased my weights in my weight training classes...I feel like I am turning the corner; so for everyone who said "its been 6 weeks and nothing is happening!" (like me) please hang in there and take a hard look at your food intake (not just the calories)....

 Yeah, that was what i was thinking, reading all of these posts. It isn't just the number of calories, but the quality. You could eat 1400 calories, but if it's high in fat or way too high in carbs, it won't work as well. I think some of the suggested percentages have been about 20-25% fats/20-30% protein and 45-50% carbs, or something like that. That's what I aim for.