Where am I going wrong - help required!!

Hi, right Im Ange Im 37yrs old.  Ive been working so hard over the past few weeks but it does not seem to making any difference to my weight - sure Im a little smaller round my waist and hips but I seem to be growing rather than shrinking if you know what I mean.

I have been doing the following daily - 30min fat burning (exercise dvd)

20mins brisk walking along with around 15 mins toning (weights, stomach crunches etc)

Where am I going wrong? Ive even worked out my average calorie in take which to be honest was really quite low. Which suprised me as I dont seem to be going without. So please if any one has any ideas please let me know

Thank you

Are you overweight (BMI >25)?

Hi Gi yes ive just done my BMI on the tool on here and its 30

I asked because people who aren't overweight usually find weight loss a slow old grind!

The most common reason for losing weight is 'eating too much'.  Use the CC calculator to work out your target intake.... you'd be at least a 'light' activity level... and then keep your food diary really accurately trying to be within 100 cals either way of that target.  (If the number is 1700, for example, you'd stay between 1600 and 1800)  Weigh and measure what you eat rather than guess portion-sizes.

If you're not eating too much then have a look at 'what you eat'... food choices.   Poor choices can mean your body retains fluid which can offset fat-loss sometimes.   So try to avoid artificial, processed or ready-made foods in favour of plenty of wholefoods such as vegetables, salads and home-cooked meals.   Drink plenty of water and avoid salt, sugar and artificial sweetners.  If you drink alcohol, try going a week without any.

A less common reason for failing to lose weight is 'eating too little'.  The usual pattern if someone is eating too little is that they lose quite a lot of weight in the first week or two and then it slows down sharply or stops all together.  Since you seem to be saying you've not lost any weight at all, I'm not sure this applies to you. 

Another thought...  bodies don't always behave the way we think they should.  I've known several people who don't lose an ounce for two or three weeks but keep going and finally things happen.  So persevere.

Finally.... if all else fails there are medical conditions (admittedly quite rare) that can make weight-loss more difficult than it should be.   If you don't lose any weight over 2 months or more then go to see a doctor, take along a food and exercise diary, and ask for their opinion.

It can take up to a month for me to see results once I start trying to lose weight.  It's not fun, and it's certainly not motivating to work so hard and see nothing happen for so long, but it does eventually happen.  Keep at it, and enjoy the other successes along the way, like feeling stronger and more energetic!

hi Ive just joined and I am in the same situation as yourself, it will take time you just have to think positively. A tip that has helped me is more cardio it burns more cals. I try and do 30-40mins a day.  hope this helps, let me know how you get on.

Thanks for all the reply's!! It's perked me up again. Hopefully I should start seeing some progess, my diet is ok as far as I dont eat anything processed and cook everything using only fresh veggies, skinless chicken breast or quorn depending on the meal, the only thing I can honeslty say that I eat which I dont prepare is my special K at breakfast,  I will just have to keep trying thanks again xxx

Hi Ange.

I am the same age as you and have found, as said by a few people above, that it can take some time before the weight loss really starts to happen. You might even put on a little, before you start losing. Remember that muscle does weigh more than fat, so if your muscle tone is improving, then you will find that you will start burning fat a lot quicker and you will shed the weight quickly. Persevere, I know how depressing it can be but if you keep going, it will happen and you will be amazed at the results. I have also found that 'time on your feet' makes a huge difference as well, i.e. start increasing your cardio to between 45minutes and an hour (if you have time) and you will see a difference.

Good luck and keep it up.

As a kind of cross check to see if you are eating the right amount, check your daily burn for a few days.  After you've put in all your activities, go to your home page and look at the top number on the Burn Meter.  Write it down for about a week, then average the number.  You should be eating less by 250 to 1000 calories under this number to lose 1/2 to 2 pounds a week.  Never go below 1200 calories intake to make sure you are getting your nutrients. 

I found doing this to be more helpful than the calorie target tool or the burn meter tool. 

Give yourself time to do this.  What you want is a life long commitment to healthy living, not a temporary diet.

Hi , I am also Facing the same problem as u ... I know sometime it maybe very disheartening ..I have tried working out 4 times a week .. But there is no result show... To make thing worst .. I have Actually gain weight from it ... How ? 

One other question - are you weighing / measuring your food?  I was struggling at the beginning - in fact gaining weight, but have since discovered that what I thought was an 'average' portion size was double the size referred to in books/diets/websites etc, so whilst I thought my calorie intake was within the limit suggested, I was actually way over?

I think it's not so much the number on the scale, but that you are doing something for yourself to live a health lifestyle and taking care of your body.

Hang in there!

My BMI is 25.1, I do not have much to lose and my body is hanging on to every ounce!  I have been in the program for about 2 1/2 months and when I look at my weight analysis, I can see I am VERY slowly losing weight, but it is SLOW!  As others have said and very well put.....hang in there!  You do not have much to lose and I would guess you are experiencing a similar experience.  And keep chatting through this for me it REALLY helps to talk to others.

I am going into my second week of actually trying to eat better and exercise.  I weighed this morning and had lost 3 lbs.  Usually that would depress me and I would give up.  But I have learned that slow and steady wins the race so if it (the weight) doesn't come off as quickly as I think it should, I'm still feeling good about the food choices I'm making every day. 

Good Luck and we can do it!!!!!!!

Oh you are all so supportive a million thank  you’s xx

I’ve decided to lay off the body toning for a week and work  more on cardio and fat burning exercises and see if it makes any difference,  After speaking to my mum yesterday she did make the point that muscle weighs more than fat possibly I’m not doing enough of one thing and to much of the other, I’m also going to have a good look at the portion sizes to it would make sense if I was over doing it a little.  

I shall fit in all my lovely skinny clothes again one day – I’m in no great hurry – they shall fit lol

Hi Ange,

I am 36 and after just having my second child in January, I am shocked has to how hard it has been for me to lose the weight.  I am burning more calories than I am taking in on a daily basis and still on a plateau. "Time" is part of it, but I also went back through my food log and realized some of the things I was trying to incorporate into my diet that are healthy for many aren't necessarily the best choices for me. Why? Because my body doesn't burn carbs very easily so even lowfat or fat free yogurt will stick to me. I also dumped the Green Giant frozen veggies because they are so high in sodium (water retention) even though they are only 45 calories per serving.

I have my Fiber One cereal in the morning with fruit, but after that, it's all low carb/no sugar foods for the rest of the day.  I made this adjustment 2 days ago and suddenly, I am losing.  Go figure.  

Many people think that if everyone ate healthy then we would be thin.  However, many people don't realize that what is healthy for one is not necessarily healthy for another. The low-carb lifestyle has always worked for me and everytime I take advice on other foods I "should" include...I stop losing or begin to gain. 

My point is, it's more than just calories.  Make sure you are eating the right carbs for your body.  I have read that if you tend to carry your excess weight through the butt, hips and thighs..then your body is carb-sensitive.  Which means, your fruit portions should be limited (small and in the morning) and low-carb foods for the remainder of the day. 

Lastly, I highly recommend the Body for Life program as the eating plan is so easy to follow and the exercise program is well balanced. 

Hope this helps and above all STICK WITH IT! 

Hey miksmoma thank you for that - I really would not of thought about carbs and I do carry my weight on my middle bit, I eat lots of fruit and always have it in the afternoon! You just dont realise all these little things. Thats it today I shall be having a proper re look at everything in my diet, thanks again ur a star!!!

UPDATE.......

Oh yeah thinks are moving 3lbs weight loss last week and 2inches from my waist!!!!

I m so close to fastening them jeans I can almost taste the victory

CONGRATULATIONS on your 3lb loss!

I'm in the same boat. I only have about 10lbs to lose and have been tracking my calories religiously for several weeks without any results. I happen to be a fitness instructor too, so I work out regularly. I just wanted to say that, even though muscle might make you "heavier", don't cut out the weight training. It's REALLY important, probably more so than cardio. You can often burn as many calories weight training as you can doing standard cardio, but you will also get a sustained rise in your metabolic rate (you'll burn more calories at rest for several hours after you stop). Also, the more muscle you have, the faster your metabolism will be in general. Try not to pay attention to the scale. As long as your clothes are getting looser and you're getting your body into better shape, that is great! A lot of times if you hit a weight-loss plateau, weight training will get you past it.

Good luck!