how do I know if what I do is good enough?

Ok, I need some support here.

I have signed on CC first time last February, the 19th. So far so good, with ups and downs, plateaus, etc, etc, etc.

Late April when my first plateau hit me I was told I had to work out, otherwise I would never reach my goal. Fair enough.

I joined the gym with no will power whatsoever, (I just don't like it!). Few weeks later a personal trainer hooked me and since then I have her once a week.

Those are my test results so far:

22/05/09 16/06/09 30/07/09 21/10/09 total loss

weight 85kg 85kg 81kg 78,5kg 6.5kg

body fat 39.66% 39% 38.3% 36.81% 2.85%

back 44cm 43cm 41cm 40.5cm 3.5cm

chest 109cm 109cm 107cm 106cm 3cm

arms R 32, L 32cm 30.5 ,30.5cm 30, 30cm 29,28cm 3,5cm

waist 98cm 93cm 90cm 87cm 11cm

abdomen 114cm 113cm 106cm 107cm 7cm

hips 120cm 114cm 111cm 104cm 16cm

upper legs R 64, L 64cm 62, 62cm 60, 60cm 60, 60cm 4cm

all over the body: 48cm

PS. I work out 6,5 days a week, average 75minutes

My first goal when I start the gym was: reduce body fat to 23%, improve posture and loose 15kg (CC says 20kg and I disagree).

Average calorie intake:

Feb 1420

Mar 1148

Apr 1414

May 1185

Jun 1323

Jul   1401

Aug 1426

Sep 1255

Oct 1318

The question is: Is it good enough?

Honestly, I have no idea. Worst, I found a trigger which is way too naughty, but it works.

Have done it for the second time already, I go way under the 1200c ... lets say 800c a day for a week or so and it works wonders!!! The side effect is: I always come down with something, normally a cold.

Have started the kellogg's 2 meals a day a week ago and do not sleep for 3 nights, coughing and cold. All at once.

I am not really seeking recriminations or someone to tell me off because I am so stupid for doing that. I just want to know about you guys, how long does it take to get there? I have notice that you are all here for quite a long time, for that I am crying out loud!

Thank you and sorry for being a pain!

All I can tell you is that you are eating far too little to handle as much exercise as you stated. This will result in more plateau's and a lowered metabolism if you're not careful. And then your goal will be impossible to reach without further starving yourself.

You easily catch a cold or another virus when you eat that little because your body isn't getting all it's nutrients to keep the immune system working. Eventually a simple cold will take you FOREVER to get rid of. And God only knows what will happen should you happen to catch the flu bug. Just be careful and take care of yourself.

I advise that you show this plan to your trainer and see what she has to say. You seem determined to do this plan, so I really don't think any of us can convince you otherwise, but hopefully your trainer will have some influence.

Please take care of your health.

Thanks for being so understanding.

I am aware that this is a lifetime commitment and the GOOD changing lifestyle I pursue will have to stick for ever if I wish longevity for my achievements.

Still, it frustrate me that a week on calorie intake advised 1920c a day will make me put on weight.

Maybe I do not burn as much calorie as I think, nevertheless I am way under my intake limit.

Click on the Advice tab, go to Ask Mary, scroll down and type "starvation mode" in the Archive Search.  Then read everything you see there.  I think you will find the answer to your problem.

See also this recent Blog

http://caloriecount.about.com/scale-wont-budg e-b343088

Original Post by tempestadesm:
I just want to know about you guys, how long does it take to get there? I have notice that you are all here for quite a long time, for that I am crying out loud!

It takes as long as it takes.  Try to think about this as a process (of getting healthier, fitter, thinner, more beautiful -- whatever rings your chimes) not an endpoint.  Because there is no real endpoint except death.  And we all hope that death is a long way off, don't we?

I believe your frustration stems from the classic dieter's dilemma (one I certainly have suffered from in the past) that dieting sucks.  We don't want to be fat, but we don't like being on a diet.  We get to eat less than we want of foods we don't like and exercise more than is natural in order to get to "thin".  Then we will be able to do exactly as we wish as a reward for going through the hell that is dieting.

I suggest you forget about dieting.  Focus on eating well.  Focus on appropriate quantities of nutritious, whole, and delicious foods.  While you are losing weight, try to limit "treats" to about 90% of your calories, but don't give them up completely or you will feel as if you are "on a diet".

Try to move more than you used to.  If you really are hooked on the gym, and can imagine continuing this program for the rest of your life (once you are at goal weight), then great -- you have found the movement that will keep you healthy and at goal.  If this is only a tool to lose weight, then keep trying other activities until you find the ones you really enjoy and would want to keep doing even if you were thin.

Find a calorie target that allows you to lose weight slowly, but doesn't leave you bored, tired, hungry, or malnourished.  Your "trigger" (do you mean "trick"?) of dropping down to 800 calories a day is a really bad idea, as you experienced by getting sick.  It also won't really help you lose weight, for all the reasons that clairelaine's links will explain.

And remember, the best facial exercise, regardless of your current weight, is a smile.  It will make you happier, it will make other around you happier, and it will make you more attractive instantly -- without losing a kilo!

Original Post by tempestadesm:

 

Still, it frustrate me that a week on calorie intake advised 1920c a day will make me put on weight.

Maybe I do not burn as much calorie as I think, nevertheless I am way under my intake limit.

From personal experience, I found that I lost more weight when I had a day or two going overboard. I stayed with low calories and ate over 2,000 a couple days a week...not on purpose but because I physically felt ravenous. lol The weight started to come off quicker than it had before, and it made me realize I was underestimating my burn, therefore underestimating my deficit. And too large of a deficit can also put a stall on weight loss over time as well.

So it just might pay to invest in something like the Body Bugg or GoWear Fit if you have a lil' extra money.