Help! I think I'm drinking too much water!

[sorul82?]

Hello DIS friends! Here's my quick story: I started seriously exercising on Mar. 3. I got an eliptical for Christmas and have worked my way from 4 minutes to 22 minutes. I also ride a fan bike, walk, and do resistance, oh and attempt sit-ups on that giant ball thingy. In the past 8.5 weeks, I have logged 1278 minutes of exercise. Not only have I not lost any weight, but I have actually gained 10 pounds. In the past 2 weeks, I have started to watch calories as well, but no weight loss. I think my problem may be too much water. Any experts out there? I have always consumed water and the rare diet drink. Before Mar. 3 I probably had 32-60 oz of water a day. Now, I'm drinking anywhere from 96-160 oz of water plus 12 oz of coffee. Sometimes I may have a glass of 1% milk. Am I drinking too much? 10 years ago I went to a weight loss place (and did well) and was told to drink more oz of water than the # of pounds you need to lose. Anyone heard of this? I need to lose 130 lbs. Any help out there?

 

[VernRDH]

I am no expert (or else I would not still need to lose 50 lbs) but I think the problem is your calories not the water. Exercise is good, but you need to burn more than you take in. So you really need to look at where your calories are at. Google bmr calculator to find out what your body needs for calories just to survive. Then set your calories lower than that. For example, I am 170 lbs at 4'11" and 37 yo. My bmr is 1498. So I set my calories lower (usually about 1250) and I exercise (running) 6 days a week. Its good to do 2 days of higher calories (for me 1500) to keep your body from thinking you are starving.

Watch your sodium intake too-too much salt will make you hold onto that water. I hope this helps. Feel free to PM me if you want to ask more questions.

Good for you on the exercise-I know it is not easy to do when you first start. I have worked up to the running, but some days I just don't feel like doing it.

 

[Diva of Dragons]

Have you been taking your measurements? Maybe you've reduced body fat but increased lean weight. Extra muscle, of course, is good for metabolism. However, I do think maybe you are drinking too much. Try cutting back to the standard 64 ounces per day and see what happens.

Good luck!

 

[sorul82?]

Have you been taking your measurements? Maybe you've reduced body fat but increased lean weight. Extra muscle, of course, is good for metabolism. However, I do think maybe you are drinking too much. Try cutting back to the standard 64 ounces per day and see what happens.

Good luck!

Thanks!

I measure my middle, but there is no change. However, my butt has a little less cushion. I felt like the incredible shrinking woman yesterday while driving home. No one has been in my van, but I just felt lower in the seat and couldn't see much with the rear view mirror.

 

[sorul82?]

Vern,

I got 1933.6.

 

[VernRDH]

Vern,

I got 1933.6.

Try setting your calories at 1400, with 2 days at 1600. Also, what types of foods do you eat? All calories are not equal. I do not eat a lot of dense protein, like beef or pork, as I break these down so slowly that they make me very bogged down for like 2 days. I am ok with turkey, chicken and fish, but my main source of protein is peanut butter. I eat quite a bit of veggies and carbs (whole grains).

I use FitDay to track my calories-it is free and pretty easy to use. It really helps to write down everything you put in your mouth-all those little nibbles do add up!!

As far as how much water you should drink, I had heard that you should drink half your current body weight in ounces (so for me 1/2 of 170 is 85). I do drink close to that if not a little more each day.

Good luck!!!

 

[Raenstoirm]

My nutritionist says never to go far below your BMR. She would tell you to eat 1800 and keep up the exercise. Eat at least 100 grams of protein a day (minimum). And the standard water calculation i have been told by many docs is divide your weight in lbs by two and drink that in ounces, so a 200lb person should drink 100 ounces of water a day.

 

[wezee]

I have recently seen alot of dieters, who eat peanutbutter. What is the plus side of adding Pb. in place of lean protein???? I always avoided it cause of the high pt. value on weight watchers.

 

[VernRDH]

The reason I eat peanut butter is that 1) I totally love it and 2) I don't have the problem with it that I do with meats-the bogged down feeling because I digest it so slowly. Plus it is easy to make a PB sandwich as opposed to grilling chicken or something. I also do not eat more than 1 tablespoon at a time, so it is less points. A serving is 2 tbs and is 5 points. Also there are lower fat PB's and some natural or organic ones have less fat than regular.

 

[Diva of Dragons]

Wow! I just did the BMR and got 1752! I've been aiming for about 1200 calories a day. I think most people would say I need more. It's just hard for me to eat that much. Hmmm, I just got started so I'll see how it goes.

VernRDH...how do you feel about eggs as protein? That's pretty much my protein source.

 

[VernRDH]

Wow! I just did the BMR and got 1752! I've been aiming for about 1200 calories a day. I think most people would say I need more. It's just hard for me to eat that much. Hmmm, I just got started so I'll see how it goes.

VernRDH...how do you feel about eggs as protein? That's pretty much my protein source.

Eggs are a great protein source, but the yolk is where most of the calories and fat are, so if you like just do egg whites. (18 calories in one egg white, vs like 80 for the whole egg). If you can't do just the whites, then do like 3 whites and 1 whole egg. I like eggs, but I really have to be in the mood for them. I can't do bacon and egg type breakfasts anymore. I am too used to my coffee and PB toast.

A lot of the information I get is from Jillian Michaels radio show, which is put out as a podcast. You can find it at www.kfiam640.com. I love her on Biggest Loser and the radio show is chock full of great info. She takes calls from real people and goes over a lot of this info. I download the episodes and listen to them while I work out-it's like having her right there to keep me going.

 

[sorul82?]

it's like having her right there to keep me going.

Is she yelling? I do like her; I think she would motivate me the best if I was ever on The Biggest Loser.

 

[sorul82?]

Vern,

Thanks again for the FitDay website. I'm on my 3rd day and really seeing where my calories are coming from.

 

[VernRDH]

She only yells sometimes when people are being *thickheaded*. She is very caring and really tries to help people find their motivation and reasons for taking the journey to better themselves.

Glad you like FitDay. I find it to be a very useful tool. I wish I could afford to join Jillians site, but I save my money for my cruising/Disney addictions!!!

 

[disneygirlinnj]

stumbled across this post

I agree that its probably just your calories. I don't think the amount of water you're drinking is too much. If you excersize more, they say you need to drink more than the 64 oz a day. Also I was told if you drink coffee, tea, soda, you also have to drink more water.

i LOVE LOVE LOVE Peanut butter too! But watch out...all PB isn't created equal too! I try to do the low salt or the all natural and there's a LOT less sugar. It definitely doesn't taste as good though.

 

[sorul82?]

Vern,

Once I get to the 640 site, what do I click on?