NO Weight Loss!!

Ugh. I've been working out 4 days a week for 1 1/2 hours each day for the past TWO MONTHS - I lose maybe a pound or 2 and gain it right back. So I have not lost any weight!! I've lost only like 1/2 inch in my waist. Other than that I am exactly the same. I watch what I eat. Any suggestions?

Oh - I do cardio at least 30 - 60 minutes each day. 2 days a week of yoga/pilates. I need to add more weight lifting but that just tips the scales in the WRONG direction, even if I know its cuz I'm getting more muscle, I hate it!!

strburst ---

Whats your:

weight

height

How much do you wish to lose?

I've found personally that I have to keep my calorie intake lower than my basal metabolism to lose weight. Here is my personal example:

Basal metabolism (what I burn in normal daily activity being a lazy office worker NOT INCLUDING WORKING OUT): 2200
Calories burned working out (60 minutes cardio on elliptical): 800

So I can eat up to 3000 calories a day without gaining any weight. However, if I want to lose any weight, I have to stay under the 2200 threshold or nothing happens. Also, if I go too low in calories, for me, under 1400 calories a day, my body goes into starvation mode and nothing happens.

Another tip, I find if I work out in the morning.. I'm starving all day. When I first started working out, I actually gained 10 pounds because I was so hungry all day. For me, going to the gym after work keeps me in check.

I totally understant str! I was the SAME WAY! I was hitting the gym and doing my cardio and weight training, taking classes, monitoring my calories from Aug to Feb. I just was not losing and I know I wasn't losing inches because everything fit the same. I even consulted a couple different trainers to analyze my diet and work-out routine. But nothing! What else did I have to do to lose a pound?? I was told to be patient, I was gainging muscle..but where? Yea I was able to lift more and run more, but I wanted my numbers to drop..dont you think 7 months was enough time to wait to lose at least a couple of pounds?? I had tried diets (atkins and whatever) before that and was determined that exercise and calorie counting was the key. So what the heck!! Now what?? So I understand completely..ultimately!  

Hello Strburst,  What is your height- Weight- calorie intake daily. I try to give my self a low calorie intake 1100-1300. I need to added a little more but right now it is hard for me to go to 1400. But i am losing. I am in the 180's right now. I am 187 It took me a while to get there but i am there. I started my diet on 1-2-06 at 215 and i am only 5 even. I'm bottom heavy. You have to workout more with the carido. This is my total body work out for this week.

Monday day time power walk 30 mins- night dance and abs 45 mins

Tuesday day time brisk walk 30mins- night tae bo. 15 mins of his ab work out and then i go into kick boxing for another 45 mins.

Wednesday day time power walk again. 15 mins of abs when i get back in from my walk. arms thighs the whole bang. Push ups- sit ups -leg raises.

Thursday day time Kick boxing no. total body toning with weights  15 mins of abs. 15 mins on my thighs. 15 mins on my chest- arms- calves night time cardio dance.

Friday day time 3 mile walk. That takes me around a hour and 15 mins.. to do.. Night time.. Toning all the part of my body.. weight training.

Saturday day time total body toning. Night time go out with the girls dancing at the club.

Sunday. My day to relax.. But i am going to add 15 mins of abs toning and 15 mins on my thighs.

This is what my work out for the week looks like.  I try to stay off my machines and do a lot of toning with the toning cords and bands. I have the Lateral thigh trainer.. Ab swing.. treadmill - total gym-- bun and thigh roller--ab mouse--kick boxing body bag. But i notice i get a better work out when i get on them things when i need to just tone areas with out all the wild moves and steps..

It gets board going on the machines 3 days a week. Find a work out that fits who you are. Your style. If you like to have fun and love to get out doors....  Get up and go for a relaxing walk and think about your life when you are walking. What you want out of your diet program. I think about Jeans when i am working out most of the time. And the day of being 47 pounds lighter at a size 14-140 pounds. And looking in the fitting room mirror trying on all kinds of jeans dress pants. I am thinking about the winter outfits i am going to wear..

I don't see myself doing this in june. But i do hope i get closer to my goal by june. It takes time to get your diet down pat. I hope something i said in this long reply helps you.

Good Luck-----

Lynn~

I gained 7 pounds since i started working out HOWEVER - I look better, feel better and have lost 2.7% body fat. I finally lost 2.5 pounds last week (I hadn't wieghed in 2 weeks prior to that) I guess you are probably like me - just gaining muscle and losing fat.

If you are hung up on numbers and want to see some changes, why don't you go and get you body fat tested at the gym? Perhaps you have lost a lot of fat and gained lean muscle mass which isn't showing up outwardly? It's worth a try and might keep you motivated. I know you are changing (maybe not on the scale) but look for other signs. Do you have more energy? Is your skin clearer? Are you sleeping better? Less stressed? The benefits are there, try to focus on those things.

S