I'm still stuck at 181 lbs

I started April 1st and have been exercising everyday for 30 or 60 minutes riding my bike at 15mph resistance 5 to 8. I have only eaten out once and that was chinese. I learned from the water weight - NO MORE for me. I drink water, crystal lght, tea, and coffee. I may have one diet soda every couple days. I take my multivitamins and haven't touched sugar once.

I am getting so depressed. I have done everything I should and the weight isn't leaving. I am 31yrs old, 5'4" 181 lbs. I work in an office so I have my level at sedementary and add my biking to the log.

The doctor told me to eat around 2200 calories as his burn meter program stated I burn around 3000. I have not gone over in calories once. I have made sure my fat intake is at 20%. All the blood work came back with normal levels.

Any ideas for me? Thank you in advance

2200?  Really?

What does your burn meter on CC say when you set to sedentary and add the exercise?

 I calculate on the activity you describe that you need about 2200 - 2500 a day to maintain your weight.  So that would probably explain why you're not losing if you're taking in 2200.  Try dipping it down to between 1500 and 1700 for a week or two and see if that helps.  You sound like you're eating a good diet and getting plenty of fluids.  The exercise is great.  Just go with a smaller amount of food.

Btw... I love 'sedementary'... that's made my day :-)

yeah, I agree. 2200 is too high. Betcha weren't expecting to hear that from CC.

:)

I'm not a multi-task person so my spelling probably leaves something to be desired :-)

I will try lowering my calories and see where that gets me.

It's just very frustrating when you don't cheat and you weigh everything that goes in your mouth and you bike until you sweat like a man, and nothing happens.

Yeah, your BMR is 1600. So don't go below 1600 a day, but 2200 is too high. I bet if you just cut back to 1800, you'll see a BIG difference.

sorry - my burn meter says 2670 when I add in my 2 biking sessions. but still, even with my calories at 2200 - shouldn't I have lost something by now?

For what it's worth here's my suggestion from someone who's been in a similar situation.  Try mixing things up as far as your cardio goes.  Mix in some swimming, light jogging (just to get both feet off the ground between strides), jump rope, etc. to work different muscle groups.  Even though your not drinking much diet coke, I would cut it to no more than once per week (that was one of my big downfalls).  Even Crystal Light has some sugar in it.  Do you load your coffee?  I try to keep any sugar intake (fruits, drinks, etc) to the am so I have all day to burn it off.  Not too mention I went from doing nothing to cardio/exercising at least 5 days a week and didn't see anything for the first month and a half, and then boom, it finally started coming off.  So don't get discouraged continue on and you will soon see results.  Is your clothing looser at the waist, you may also be losing fat but gaining muscle more easily at your early stages which does not show up on the scales much.  As mentioned above, I would also consider lowering your intake to about 1500 - 1600 cals, but for only 5 days a week and then 2 days a week at 2200 cals to keep your metabolism guessing. 

what if biking is all I can do? I don't have access to a pool and I have plates & screws in my feet which make running painful. Should I save up for a treadmill? Please don't get me wrong - I appreciate your advice. I have 4 kids and my dad to look after now that mom is gone and between work and home-work, I'm lucky I have time to breathe.

That's the problem - my clothes are the same - the only thing smaller is my chest. I am now a small C. I was a middle C.

I'm just so discouraged :-(

I doubt you burn 3000 calories a day.  At best I would think 2500.  I don't think you should be anywhere over 1800-2000 calories a day if you plan to lose weight, unless you are throwing in a fair amount of exercise.  

Original Post by pgm012197:

what if biking is all I can do? I don't have access to a pool and I have plates & screws in my feet which make running painful. Should I save up for a treadmill? Please don't get me wrong - I appreciate your advice. I have 4 kids and my dad to look after now that mom is gone and between work and home-work, I'm lucky I have time to breathe.

That's the problem - my clothes are the same - the only thing smaller is my chest. I am now a small C. I was a middle C.

I'm just so discouraged :-(

Try switching up your biking.  One day go at the same speed for the full length of time.  Next day, go as fast as you can for 5 min, then easy for 2, then back to fast as possible for 5 and alternate until you complete your workout.  I wouldn't worry about a treadmill if you can't jog.  Just go for a walk and try to increase you distance and speed everytime out.  Along with walking try 20 minutes of sets of calisthenics - crunches, knee lifts, waist bends, etc - on alternating days with biking.  Here's one last thing to remember:  If your not sweating your not working. 

Unfortunately, our bodies decide where we lose weight first and last.  For me my gut has been last to go, while my butt was first.  As I said before, don't get discouraged.  When it starts to come off, it will make you want to work harder to get it all off.  An stick to the calorie suggestion from before for 2-3 weeks along with the exercise and I bet you will lose at least 5 pounds!!

If you listen to the posts, you will loose...I would do deficits of 500 calories 2 times a week, and exercise an extra 60minutes over the weekend all of a sudden I started loosing. Now what really blew my mind was when I would go ahead and eat my 2100 calories that CC suggest...and I still lost weight. However my doctor told me to up my exercise and cut out all trans fats i.e. half n half, cheese, any fried foods I may still eat, cakes (I like to eat those as a snack 1-2 times a week). So I am off to kick my eating healthy up a notch...as Emerill would say BAMB!!!!   Don't get discouraged figure out what is wrong then make it right.....do what you have to do to be where you want to be!!!! Good Luck!!!

I ran the numbers through CC Burn Meter and got 1900.  I think that 2200 is too high.  Try lowering your intake a little bit.  That might help.

Original Post by pgm012197:

what if biking is all I can do?

...

I'm just so discouraged :-(

 Can you exercise your arms while you bike?  That would increase the intensity and make you burn more calories and sweat out all that discouragement :)

Original Post by pgm012197:

what if biking is all I can do? I don't have access to a pool and I have plates & screws in my feet which make running painful.

I'm just so discouraged :-(

 Is it possible for you to find a more difficult path for biking?  Maybe there's something with more uphill or varied terrain.  Also, you could try addind a brisk walk to your routine.  You might even start having exercise sessions with your kids.  It would be enjoyable for all of you and help to instill good habits in them. Good Luck!

Oops, sorry about that.  I thought you were on a stationary bike! 

What about something like an elliptical?  I mean, it won't put the stress on your feet going on and off the ground... it is similar to a bike...

 

Or what about some sort of weight training (resistance training) added in there?  The extra muscle will help you burn extra calories even while resting.