Don't know what to believe!

I have been round and round with this weight loss battle. About 3 years ago I lost 103 pounds and was featured in SHAPE magazine. I had 2 children back to back and never had a chance to lose the weight. After I had my last child, I became serious about diet and exercise and in about 9 months lost 103 lbs. Well, due to some serious stress in my life over the last year, I have gained 35 lbs back. Since January, I have lost 11 lbs but the scale will NOT BUDGE anymore. I went and had a metabolic analysis done and they told me I was not eating enough. I work out 4-5 days a week with some days twice. I was eating about 1200-1400 calories a day. According to my test, my metabolism is very fast(39%) above average and I should be eating 1800 calories on days I don't work out and about 2200 on the days I do. I have tried that but the weight is still not coming off and in fact I have gained 2 lbs!! I am doing spin classes, kickboxing and weights. Each class is an hour and weight training is about 35- 45 min.  I just don't understand how I could have such a fast metabolism and still be overweight. I thought if you had a fast metabolism, you'd be thin. Can someone please help? I am becoming very frustrated. I am eating within my calorie range and working out. I dont know what else to do.

thanks

Have you taken your measurements?  Maybe you are in the stage where you are burning fat and still putting on muscle mass?

It sounds like you are building muscle. Also make sure you are getting enough water and sleep. Sleep in one of the things we sometimes overlook. Sleep is just as important as eating and exercise for weight loss. Just a suggestion, look at your diet, are you getting enough protein?

I do have to push myself to eat all of my protein. Some days I know I don't get enough.( I dont know exactly how much I am supposed to have though)

I have 3 small kids so I average about 6 hours of sleep a night. I also try to keep up on my water intake. Since I do work out a lot, I tend to drink tons while I am at the gym.

 I can agree with gaining muscle mass. But I cant see it being equal to the amount of fat I should have lost over the past few months. Most of my weight is located around  my stomach & thigh area. My arms/upper body are pretty toned.

Hi I'm not a professional, but maybe you should try adding more calories (in addition to what the test said)  . I've always been told our bodies need that fuel to 'burn'.  It would be worth a try. Maybe just 200-300 more calories would put you back in that 'burn' mode??? : )

I am just afraid if I add MORE calories, it will be too much and I will gain even more. I think what I am having such a hard time with is if my metabolism is SO FAST, then why do I have 25 lbs to lose??? You always hear about all those people that are stick thin and can eat whatever they want say, "oh, I have a fast metabolism. "  so what am I doing wrong then?

How long have you been eating the increased calorie level?  Maybe you just need to be a little more patient.

7 weeks

Original Post by cjshoemake:

I work out 4-5 days a week with some days twice. I was eating about 1200-1400 calories a day. According to my test, my metabolism is very fast(39%) above average and I should be eating 1800 calories on days I don't work out and about 2200 on the days I do. I 

 CJ - I know it sounds ridiculous, but on days that you are working out for 2+ hours, you must eat MORE than 2,200 calories.  I'm not sure exactly how many calories you are burning but for me, on double work out days, I burn a total of 3,600 calories.  This means I am eating ~2,900 so that my deficit isn't too big.  I wear a Bodybugg so that I know how many calories I am burning each day, this helps me with how much I should be eating as well.  When I started, I kept my deficit at a strict 1,000 calories and guess what... I didn't lose a single pound.  I altered my deficit to 500-800 calories and like magic, the scale started to move in the right direction.  (BTW I'm Female, 5'6", 153lbs - I started at 165 on Jan 1 2009)

ash - how did you know you needed that many cals? last time I lost weight, I went with the CC recommendations and became severely underweight (hence I needed to gain, finally started eating crap out of frustration, gained too much, trying to break bad habits and lose again). Thanks for any help.

to the OP, I was gonna say try eating fewer cals now, switch it up and see if that helps. Ash sounds like she knows what she's talking about, tho.

How much muscle do you have? Muscle weighs more than fat and will increase your weight and make you appear overweight when you have very little fat, so...I would suggest that you find a way to get calipers and measure your body fat vs. muscle and if it shows you have little fat and tons of muscle I wouldn't worry too much.

I find that keeping calories in the range you are comfortable at but reducing carbs & using protein & fats to balance it out makes a difference.  I try to keep to a 45% carbs, 30% protein, 25% fat breakdown per day, no matter how many calories I eat.  If nothing else, it seems to work if I keep my carbs at only about 50% of my intake per day.  Hope that helps.

I would LOVE to get a bodybugg but they are very expensive! Times are hard right now, as I am sure everyone knows. I am sure this would help get me out of this plateau!

Does any one have any suggestions on losing belly fat. That is where the majority of my weight has shifted since after 3 children! I know some people talk about taking certain supplements to help with belly fat.

Your deficit should not exceed 1,000 calories each day.  For me personally, I do best when my deficit is around 600 - 900.  When I burn 3,600 I know I need to eat about 2,700 - 3,000.

Thank you for all your comments!! I will be patient and try the 2800 cal a day.

Ash-your burning 3600 cal...that's your total with exercise and just regular function correct, not just exersice?

thanks

Yes, that is my 24 hour daily total from 12am inthe morning to 11:59pm at night.  And I don't always get that high, my average daily burn is closer to 2,900 calories.