Can't lose a few pesky pounds...advice?

[HeatherFeather]

Hi...little background on me. I am trying to lose a measely 10 lbs and have been trying for two months with zero success. I am starting to wonder if something is wrong and I need to see a doc or anyone just has some advice.

First...God bless any and all of you who are going thru the same thing. Wish you all much success in achieving your weight loss goals, whatever they may be!

Here is some basic info....I am 35 years young, 5'6" and fluctuate between 138-140 lbs. I think I look pretty darn good, but would like to be a little bit better...hence the 10 lbs thing. For the last two months I have been exercising 4 to 5 days a week and have been dieting a little bit. I do a Denise Austin DVD that is 40 min and some days walk for 1 hour or about 3 1/2 miles. I tried letting the evil Mr. Billy Blanks in my den for Tae Bo, but he did something really bad to my knee the first time I tried his torture workout, so he has been relegated to the shelf until the knee is all better. For diet, I have stopped having my beloved bacon and cheesy scrambled eggs for breakfast and most days have either a shake with fruit, lowfat milk, yogurt, tofu, and wheat germ or a Slim Fast with a little instant coffee for a kick. Lunch is the same...somthing sensible and then a pretty liberal dinner.

So...I've been doing all this and have lost 0 lbs. That's right...0! How can this be? Granted, things are a little firmer and those muffin tops at the waistband of my low rise jeans are shrinking, but sheesh! I almost feel like I am wasting my time and efforts.

Here are my questions:

1. Should I see a doctor and make sure nothing is wrong with me? I have always had low iron and keep getting denied to donate blood at Red Cross because of it. I take a multi-vite with iron, but it doesn't seem to help.

2. Anyone have any advice what kind of diet/exercise changes to make? Please don't suggest Atkins as I am a carb junkie...pasta, rice, bread...you are my friends and Atkins just won't work for me. I am finally going to be able to start running as I got a good athletic bra...I am a D cup and have some problems with running as you can imagine.

Thank you all in advance!

 

[KarenAylwood]

I don't think you have a medical problem- that's a pretty healthy weight for your height. I'm 5'4'' and can't seem to get myself below 140- and that's with 1 hour of cardio a day, weights twice a week and semi-strict dieting... so I highly doubt you have a health problem that prevents you from losing weight.

I'd say don't focus on the scale- try taking measurements and focusing on that- look at how your clothes fit better rather than if you've dropped any lbs. Also, if you're a "carbs junkie" that might be your problem too- if you want to look into dieting, South Beach might be a better option for you. If you don't want to diet- try tracking your calorie intake (I've used www.fitday.com before) and try limiting calories (say depending on workouts 1600-1700). Try taking those carbs and making them all whole grain instead of refined. That will make you feel fuller and more satiated after a meal. Slimfast is also not a good option- it's pretty much just junk, you're better off sticking to your yogurt shake.

Also try checking out the W.I.S.H board on here (under the Community Board on the "Just for Fun" area) and there are exercise challenges you could join in on.

Since you have so little to lose, it will NOT come off quickly and I don't think that two months is that long of a "plateau" as they say in the diet world. Try kicking up your exercise a bit- maybe 5-6 days a week instead of 4-5. Also change it up- get some other videos (amazon.com has some good ones for cheap). A 3 1/2 mile walk isn't that long of a workout for someone wanting to loose the extra lbs still hanging on- I often go for a brisk walk w/ DBF for that long in addition to my workout at the gym. I found a big difference in losing inches once I stopped doing JUST the elliptical or JUST the treadmill- I have incorporated the rowing machine, bike, stairmaster, total body machine, classes, the weight circuit and exercise DVDs. Of course, I belong to a gym so it's easier for me to get that variety.

Remember to also be happy with being where you are- that's a great weight, especially at 35. Goodluck to you!!!

 

[Christine]

My friend was in the same boat as you a few years ago, except she needed to lose 30 lbs. I also was in this situation last year with "just" 10 lbs to lose.

First off, the last 10 lbs are the worst. So you will not see the result that someone with 50-100 lbs to lose will see.

Now, back to my friend. She figured that if she just exercised a lot she could drop weight. She got a trainer and she worked out almost every day with a combination of cardio and strength training. She did this for one year and did not lose ONE POUND. The trainer was astounded and they all figured that she had a sluggish metabolism. She stopped trying after awhile and went back to her old habits for a year or so. Then she decided, on a whim, to join Weight Watcher and to start a walking program. It took her a year, but she lost the 30 lbs. What was the bottom line here--it was her diet. She thought exercise was enough--but it wasn't

And I will tell you that until you start religously tracking your food, you will have no idea the amount of food you shove in your mouth.

I decided to try to drop those last 10 lbs. I figured it would be easy--I know how to eat healthy and I'll just cut back my portions, drop the desserts, etc. After 2 months the scale did not budge. I decided to join Fitday.com and track my food. Well, my "cut back" version of eating was 2500 calories a day!!! I wonder how much I was eating before. I found out that, in order for me to lose weight, I needed to go down to 1800 calories a day. I could not do that by "guesstimating" though. I *HAD* to use Fitday to keep myself within that range.

I don't think there is anything wrong with you. Honestly, I think you are probably eating to much or too much of the wrong things. I don't think you need any special "diet" but I do think that using Fitday would benefit you greatly.

 

[CEDmom]

I was in the same position as you about a month ago except that I had 15lbs I wanted to lose. I ate a pretty good diet and exercised alot but I wasn't losing anything. I decided to join Weight Watchers online. In 4 weeks I've lost 9 lbs . It's been really easy to do and everything is tracked online. I joined for 3 months and it cost about $65 which is a lot cheaper than going to the meetings. I really didn't think I needed them and I guess I was right. Good luck.

 

[EthansMom]

First of all, with the exercise, while you may not have lost weight, you are probably still losing fat and gaining muscle. Since muscle is more dense than fat, even if you don't lose one pound, you should notice that your clothes have a little more room in them as your body is getting smaller.

Second, check how many calories you are eating for a couple weeks. You may be eating too many calories, which will make it more difficult to lose weight if your caloric intake has increased enough to make up the difference for your exercise. Or you might be eating too few calories, in which case your body will assume that you are starving and will try to hold on to as much weight as possible. The best course of action is a moderate diet high in fruits and vegetables. Don't forget to check the calorie count on the protein shakes -- I think they can have a lot of calories.

Good Luck!

 

[HeatherFeather]

Thanks to all for the advice and words of encouragement. I just checked out the fitday website and found I have already taken in over 1400 calories today, much to my chagrin. Like another poster, I am now wondering what I was doing BEFORE. What an awesome website...never had heard of it before.

I may look into weight watchers as well and just try to be patient. Like I said..the muffin tops are getting smaller so I know something is happening, just not what I expected and it's taking longer than I thought it would.

Thanks also for assuring me that I'm probably okay....when I looked on the net everything said that if you are exercising and not losing weight than you MUST be eating more food than before. I swear that is not the case...I'm blonde, but not THAT blonde.

Meanwhile...I am going to kick up the exercise a bit and as I said, start running too.

Thank you all again....you guys rock.

 

[kmp1191]

Come on over to the W.I.S.H. board. Lots of wonderful people and encouragement and advice.

BTW - I'm 5'5 and 161 lbs .....I'm working on getting to 138-140 ish.

maybe we'll see you over there!!
good luck!

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

Another fan of Fitday.com here. It's enlightening to really see it all written down and calculated. Love the reports too. Losing weight (I've got way more than 10 to lose!) has become almost a fun challenge, as I record my activities and food intake. I also go to Weight Watcher's, and since using Fitday, I've had better results.

Good luck!

 

[Brianne]

Water, water, water.

Some of it could be too much sodium intake, judging by what you said you eat. I find that if I don't get my water intake in for the day, it shows.

I'm another WW user--went back just under a month ago and while the pounds aren't flying off, I can't complain. I'm down almost 8lbs so far.

The WISH boards seem like a good group---I lurked a bit in there yesterday & am thinking of joining the challenge next month.

 

[momrek06]

I would def take your measurements. With all that working out you are doing you are def losing inches. I don't bother with the scale it has never been my friend. I am 5'6 as well, 52 y.o. and wgt. 132lbs. And yes that for me is my perfect wgt. Have NOT checked it in MONTHS. I run everyday, 5 miles. I wear a pedometer and I do not stop until I have hit 10,000 steps (generally 65-70 mins.)! I w/o with a trainer every Friday at my gym and she wants me to do more strength training and cut back a bit on the cardio(running)! I am a CARB nut as well and she said pls to cut back on those carbs....

#1) If I were you keep a JOURNAL of everything you eat! It is kinda surprising how some EVIL items end up on our plates. Writing it down keeps it all in prospective.

#2) DO NOT EAT ANYTHING AFTER 7PM. I know this is hard but TRY it for one week. I guarantee this will HELP!! Drink WATER and if it gets real bad then GO TO BED!!!

GOOD LUCK

 

[Chicago526]

Another Weight Watchers fan here. I lost 30 pounds on their plan, and didn't excersise AT ALL (I loath it). The first week was tough, both figureing out the points and getting used to eating less. But when I got on the scale for the first weigh in, I'd lost 7 pounds! Of course some of that was water weight but it was the proof I needed that it worked! After that I averaged about 2 pounds a week or so. I love it because, unlike Atkins and South Beach, you can eat a n y t h i n g you want, all your favorites, all those foods you crave, whatever you want and whenever you want. You just can't go over your points for the day. I even ate out at restaurants every weekend (I was dating DH at the time) and ordered (for the most part) whatever I wanted and still lost weight everyweek.

Esenstially, the program teaches you to read lables and how to control your portions. It's really not what you eat, it's how much of it you eat. Of course healthy foods are better for you than junk food, but no one is going to eat lettuce the rest of their lives, WW is more realistic. Your going to have days when you'll want a piece of birthday cake, or that extra glass of wine at dinner, or seconds on Aunt Betty's famous bacon cheddar cream au gratin potatos. You can do all of that on WW.

I did the online version, you track everything online and don't go to meetings, I got all the advice I needed from their message boards (as friendly as the DIS, actually!). Others prefer the group meetings in person, but for me online worked out fine.

If you want more info, or just want weight loss tips, feel free to PM me! And good luck!

 

[Jennifer S]

Try www.sparkpeople.com -it's FREE. It has a meal tracker and fitness tracker. I lost 20 pounds in the last couple months. I'm down to my last 10 and I so agree they are the hardest to lose. It's been three weeks and I have only lost 1 pound. I exercise 5-6 days a week and meal track. So I understand how you feel - it's frustrating but it worth it. If nothing else it's keep all the pounds off.

 

[rt2dz]

I'm right there with you. I just can't seem to take off these last 16 lbs after the baby (he's 6 months old) and it's driving me nuts! No matter what I do, it just doesn't seem to make a difference and I mentally NEED to be a size 4 again.

But, don't dispare! You said you are firming up. That's pretty important. It shows your body is responding. And don't forget that muscle weighs more than fat. You are probably rearranging your weight. If you're losing inches, then all is going well for you. Unfortunately, that's just not the case for me (I concentrate more on size and measurements more than that stupid number on the scale--which varies throughout the day).

Best of luck! It will come (even for me).

 

[ImarriedGrumpy]

I'm another Weight Watchers online fan - I gained over 30 pounds in just about 10 months because of starting a new medicine, and I was not pleased!! I started on WW, and it was a little bit of a slow start, but I once I learned how it all works and really started committing to it, I began to lose the weight. I lost 7 pounds in the first two weeks, then nothing for a month, and then all of a sudden the extra weight just started comming off - a few pounds each week. I've lost 25 of the 30 pounds and been able to keep it off!

So good luck on your quest, and be patient with yourself!

 

[alliecats]

How do you find out how many calories you need to stay under to lose weight? Like if you are 5'2" and 114 pounds but want to be back at 105, and don't exercise, how do you find out how many calories you can have a day?

Counting calories is the only way I can lose weight. Exercising makes me ravenous and I end up gaining weight because I am so hungry. I need to lose the weight first, lose a little extra, and then start working out!

 

[bananiem]

I had to give up carbonation so I had to give up my one can of pop I had every day at lunch. The good news? BAM! I dropped 10 pounds just like that "snap"!