Something needs to change!

[tiggerlover]

For three weeks now I have just been floating in and out of WISH and not really staying around too much, the reason being I am feeling discouraged. The scale is virtually not moving for me and I am so frustrated. I started weight training around this time and dropped back on my cardio workouts (because of time restraints) and I am wondering if this is causing this "maintenance" stage. My body seems to be toning (a bit) and I do see (a bit) of muscle where there was once fat, but I am so discouraged that I am not losing the 1-2 pounds a week that I was before beginning the weights. Don't get me wrong, I am no less inspired or motivated, just discouraged and with feeling that way I just haven't felt I could post here because I didn't feel the words anymore. So now my dilemna is what to do about my workout routine. Yesterday my workout buddy took the day off so I changed up my cardio (I went for the elliptical and the treadmill) and skipped the weights, will go back to weights on Wednesday though. So any words of advice for me on what I should do to move forward once again? I really appreciate you all and I am sorry I haven't been a better communicator lately.

 

[Sue & Co.]

I appreciate that there are time restraints but I think you need to do a bit of both! The weights will certainly help tone you and unfortunately muscle weighs more than fat but the cardiac workout will raise your metabolic rate and keep it raised burning calories for some while after you finish working out.
Bear in mind as well that when you come off the plateau you often drop dramatically.

I'm sending PD - hope you soon start losing again.

Sue

 

[anniet]

(((((Tiggerlover)))))) It's so good to see you again.

I have to say that I have had the very same problem. Actually I began weight training last year and was told I would lose weight just from weight training. But that never happened. I gained 7 pounds over the year, even though people at work and friends would say "Oh my you've lost weight!" It was just that I was very toned.

When I began weight watchers in Mid-March I was only losing about a half a pound per week, so I cut back on the weight training a little bit- stopped increasing the weights and bumped up the cardio. I'm now losing about a pound per week. I would really like to see it go quicker, but I'll be happy with a pound each week.

My personal experience is no more than twice a week on the weight training. I do one upper body workout and one lower body workout. Then I do water aerobics twice a week for an hour and I try to walk 4 miles WHENEVER I get the chance, which usually ends up being 4-5 times per week.

You should also bump up your protein and cut back on your sugar. Your appetite will increase when you weight train and sugar or white carbs won't satisfy it. Stick with protein and hi-fiber. Feel free to PM me any time you like if you want to talk. And please let me know how it goes!!!

Good luck!

 

[Mskanga]

Debbi , don't feel bad, at least you are doing something, I have fallen off the wagon completely , with all the bad weather we got , staying home on weekends ( which I am not used to ) and all the rest , I have not lost ANY weight , but I haven't gained ANY either, so I will be happy with that. Just trying to get myself motivated again now.

 

[Jomrog]

I agree with Sue but just wanted to wish you luck and send some PD ***~***~***.

I am so glad that you are not giving up. Maybe you could ask a trainer about chaging your program or something.

Let us know what happens.

 

[karebear1]

OK- I'm gonna play Katholyn here!! MEASURE YOURSELF!!!!!!!!!!! You are probably building muscle and losing inches! Why don't you alternate every other day with cardio and weights- that shuold help!

 

[geetey]

Hi Tiggerlover!!
I don't know if you were able to watch the Oprah special from a couple of months ago, but Bob Greene even talked about something like what you are experiencing. I am going to from memory here (so bear with me ) but here is how I remember it:

Ideally he wants a person to do weight training for 3-6 months before they start ANY weight loss program. The reason: A person gets hungier during weight training, and you need to feed your body. You are creating muscle mass (weighs more than fat and burns more calories too).

After that point they can continue weight training, add cardio and a new way of eating plan. Then the weight loss starts! Bob said that the typical person becomes discouraged when they don't see the numbers changing so they become discouraged and stop. But doing muscle building FIRST, and not looking at the scale at all, we can skip that discouraged state. Your body is working better when you add the cardio and WOE plan so you can then focus on the scale. Of course, very few of us even thought to start on our WISHing journey this way!

Now, Tiggerlover, we WISHers are anything but typical!!! We are WISHers!!!! Sure you aren't seeing the scale changing but LOOK at how your body is changing! People aren't seeing that number tattooed on your body. Nope, they are seeing that new toned body. You are doing GREAT!!

Keep watching what you eat! Keep up the cardio!! And if you want to see the scale change - pull back some on your weight training. You are a SUCCESS in my book!

 

[Hannosmom]

Hugs {{{{{Tiggerlover}}}}}. I know you must be very frustrated. Please hang in there!!!

Because, like Geetey said, you are a success in my book, too. You've worked very hard and for a long time. And you've accomplished so much. You probably just need to tinker with your diet and exercize a little bit and things will get moving again.

Our weight loss journey will be a slow one and we'll be able to maintain our healthy life because we went slowly. Good thoughts, sweetie!

 

[AKASnowWhite]

You WILL gain weight if you are building muscle. I know it's a difficult mindset to get used to, but muscle is dense and heavy! Fat is *fluffy*, so you're leaner, more muscular body MAY weigh more. If you can, get a measure of your body fat percentage (I do it at the gym I work out at.....). You may see your overall WEIGHT increase, but your body FAT go down!

 

[Kelsie]

We Miss You!!!

 

[blanq]

Tiggerlover, so glad to see your post! I know how discouraging it can be when that scale won't budge! Especially when you are eating right and exercising. It does sound like you are gaining some muscle with your weight training. That is normal, and it's actually a GOOD thing! So, aside from the scale not budging and your being disappointed in that, how do you FEEL? How are you FEELING in your body right now? You said that you are noticing a bit more muscle and that you are a little more toned, right? Well, it seems to me that these are positive changes. You are developing a perky body under that skin of yours! I would give yourself a little time to adjust to the new weight routine. If you are still stalled a few weeks from now, I would shake up your caloric intake a bit to see if that won't jump start you into losing. Varying your caloric intake, both up and down, can kick start a sluggish metabolism. I am so glad to hear you remain motivated, despite this blip, so keep it up! Hey, and post more often, will ya?! We've missed ya around here!

Linda

 

[Luvinit]

Hang in there sweetie...just keep doing the "right things". Remember...if you put the right things in....evenutally the right things WILL come off!!! {{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}

Tracy

 

[tiggerlover]

You guys are the reason I love it here!! You are good for my soul!! I have changed things up a little this week, Monday I skipped the weights all together and just did 45 min of cardio (as opposed to just 20 min.), then today I did double on my cardio and did my upper body weights. Friday I will shoot for a double cardio and lower body weights and see how that goes. I will keep you posted.

I think part of what is getting me down is that I set a goal for myself and I am still 5 pounds away with just under 3 weeks to go. Also, I have been coveting that 25# clippie for 3-4 weeks now and it is frustrating not being able to grab it! But.........

Enough complaining, just a great BIG thank you to my fellow WISHers, your support means everything to me.