Frustrated - is it even working?

I am 41 years old, female, and started a regular exercise program 2 weeks ago.

After the first week, I had lost 5 lbs, and an inch on each my waist and hips.  (other smaller losses in other areas).  I have been keeping my daily calorie intake from 1,000 to 1,200 cals per day, (all good, B to A cals).  I have also been exercising a minimum of 60 minutes per day. 

I just weighed/ measured after week 2, and I actually gained 1 1/2 lbs back, but I lost 1/2 inch more on each waist and hips. (again, smaller losses in other areas).  I added weight training a couple of days a week on week 2, and have been doing cardio more than 60 minutes of cardio per day. (sometimes as much as 120 mins)

I feel frustrated, wondering if I am being effective at all.  I realize I can't lose 5 pounds a week, but is there something I can do to improve my results???

Thanks for the input.

1200 calories simply isn't enough for an active adult woman.  Make sure your deficit is not more than 1000 calories.  Both of these things can stall weight loss.

Also, many things affect weight, and 1.5 lbs really isn't that much.  Starting a new exercise regime can cause the muscles to retain water to repair, but by the end of the second week I think that should start going away.  High sodium foods can also cause water weight gain, as well as irregularity.

Keep at it.  Slow weight loss is healthier and more maintainable than fast weight loss.  You are doing well!

I read a post that if you are not eating enough then your body goes into a slower metabolism.. but if you are using weights then you are gaining muscle.  In the long run your metabolism will kick in as muscle burn more calories. I started my diet August 24th and have lost 13 pounds.  I exercise a lot but no weights for me .. not yet.. all cardio.. fast walking... low calories.. and when I hit a slump.. i ate one slice of pizza woke up a half pound loss! I even drink pepsi.. not diet.. But caloric intake is different every day. Fooling your body ( calories, workouts and  more protein will do the trick.. Are you eating a lot of soduim? I take a water retention pill once a week as well.. It will come off. Slow and steady.. but trick your mind with an intense workout one day and none the next.. eat fewer calories one day. I have a "me" day once a week and eat what i want. ( that is unscheduled) could be a friday .. could be a saturday.  Then when I hit a major platue I am giving up my pepsi and switching to diet pop. change .. change.. change will bring change in your wieght.  Good Luck!

Original Post by denisemcrae: 

I just weighed/ measured after week 2, and I actually gained 1 1/2 lbs back, but I lost 1/2 inch more on each waist and hips.

um, you lost inches and you're feeling frustrated? ok i think you need to just take a deep breath, do some research and look at this as a lifestyle change. 2 weeks is not a long time. some people lose weight/inches very fast when they start. 1/2 inch is actually very good. its going to take a lot of patience, relax & enjoy the process.

Congrats and well done on your weight loss so far.  Eating less than you burn is the only way to lose weight, but patience is a virtue when losing weight!  In order to be sustainable in the longer term, you will need to eat more, to stop your metabolism slowing down and stalling your weight loss. 1000 - 1200 is simply too little for an active adult woman.

Enter all your stats into your CC settings, and then enter your activity on a daily basis into your activity log.  Eat 500 - 800 kcals less than your burn meter daily, and you will steadily, healthily and sustainably lose 1lb per week - guaranteed to work!

Alternatively you can use this link http://www.phord.com/cc/ to calculate how much you should eat daily.

Original Post by blackberrychick:

I read a post that if you are not eating enough then your body goes into a slower metabolism.. but if you are using weights then you are gaining muscle. 

Except for some newbie gains, you won't gain muscle if you are eating at a deficit. Lifting weights while dieting is essential to ensure you preserve your muscle.

Also keep in mind that in the first few weeks of any diet/exercise change you will have a lot of water weight change and hydration level can make a difference of up to 5 lbs (dehyrated vs well hyrated and needing to pee).  If you are losing inches focus on that for now.

Thanks - I have been thinking about this all day today.  I have a mental thing about eating more than 1,200 cals a day.  I have been heavy so long, I finally feel good, have more energy, no naps in the daytime.  I am petrified that if I eat more than 1,200 cals a day I will not lose weight.

I understand the importance of it, so I will make 1,200 my bottom line.  I used the link you suggested, and I should be eating 1,488 cals a day.  I don't want to be counter-productive and undereat!

I really appreciate your information.  Thanks for the encouragement and support!  I just want to be healthy in the long run, for the long haul!

Patience, Patience, Patience (repeating over & over in my mind....)

Original Post by denisemcrae:

I feel frustrated, wondering if I am being effective at all.  I realize I can't lose 5 pounds a week, but is there something I can do to improve my results???

 Be patient, don't give up!  2 weeks is too early to get discouraged!  At 41 or at any age it is going to take your body sometime to get used to your new routine.  And please eat at the very least 1200 calories.  Keep track of your calories and activity. Use the tools offered on this website! Knowing how much you are eating vs burning is the key!! I'm 45 we are at the best age!! 

Muscle weighs more than fat, so, normally, when you add weight lifting after about 6 weeks, you gain about 3 pounds and lose 1 inch everywhere.  If you are toning all parts of your body with weights.

Get a heart rate monitor and do some interval on the cardio machines.  This means, get your heart rate into zone 3 a few times (of course, only if your doc says it's okay).  Go in and out of zone 2 and 3 and you will see your calorie burning increase = weight loss!

 Meanwhile, continue to lift weights using the machines, free weights, bosu ball and resistance bands.  Mix it up to "confuse" the muscles and make them work harder.