What am I doing wrong???

[PUZZLDY5]

This is my first time posting on this board but I have been fighting to loose some weight. I am obsessed with calorie counting, working out 4 times a week (cardio), walking a mile and a half to two miles a day on my lunch break, drinking water like a fish and I havn't lost not one pound in three weeks. My husband seems to think I am putting way to much pressure on myself. Of corse he likes me just the way I am. How sweet but I just want to be a more comfortable me. So ladies What do you think I am doing wrong???

 

[John VN]

I know you asked for some "ladies help" but let me just suggest that you do some resistance workouts.

Studies have shown that more calories will be burned after the body has recovered from resistance exercise than cardio.

Good Luck and keep at it. You will feel and see the difference.

Now back to the ladies answers.

 

[FireDancer]

Some of what I typed here is reiterating what John said...add some resistance training. Also, are you journaling everything you eat? It is so easy to underestimate what you are eating in many cases because you are eating more then one serving without realizing. For example, a full bowl of even very healthy cereal is most likely 3 or 4 servings.

As far as stress goes, that might be part of the deal. I am not a psychologist but the relation to stress and the hormones that cause weight gain have been talked about a lot. I haven't done a lot of the research myself and am always weary of most of the research that is used to peddle drugs but it very well may be part of the problem.

 

[mom2faith]

Just a couple of questions to ask yourself....

1. Are you getting enough calories especially on days you work out? Your body can go into a hibernative state if you do not feed it enough calories and it will slow down and not burn the fat.

2. What are you getting your calories from? If you get them mostly from carbs (even good carbs) then maybe you need to balance some more protein in there, or vice versa.

3. If you eat whole grains you may not be digesting them properly as there is a protein in whole grains that some people do not digest properly. This is my problem. It then affects the digestion of all my foods and, well not going into details, let's just say I am aware I am not digesting my foods. I have to take a probiotic daily to assist in digestion.

4. You may be drinking lots of water, but what else are you drinking? I remember one study a few years ago suggested that for every pop or coffee you drink you need to add another glass of water becuase those beverages can dehydrate you.

5. How much salt are you eating? This can also dehydrate you. Remember Alan from the Biggest Loser in about Season 2 or 3? He was using Soya Sauce to add flavour and that is sooooo salty that he was just retaining water as a result.

Good luck!!

 

[crewmatt]

Definately look to add some resistance training. Also mix up the cardio, doing some more intense interval workouts with little breaks in between can often have you burning far more calories and covering more distance. If you ran 5 minutes on (running) 3 minutes off (Walking) for 4 sets you would cover more distance than just going for 20 minutes.

Also watch the amount of sodium you intake as it can have you retain water weight.

 

[VernRDH]

Good replies thus far. Resistance training can go a long way.

You are walking at lunch, but are you walking(meandering, chatting with a friend) or are you WALKING where you need to freshen up/take a shower when you are finished. Some people (like my DH whom I love dearly) think taking a leisurely stroll is exercise. Well it aint sitting in front of TV, but its not heart pumping exercise either.

Where are your calories set? You may be too low, then your body thinks you are starving, won't drop any weight. And Frank was spot on with the portion sizes. I used to fill a bowl with cereal, its 2.5 cups! A serving is 3/4 cup! So I would eat like 3 servings plus the milk (but it was skim)

Salt and water consumption are big too. Do you eat Lean Cuisines or WW frozen meals? Those are just loaded with sodium and keep you retaining water. Do you drink soda, coffee, tea anything with sugar? Those empty calories can bite you in the butt.

Hope these suggestions help, ask more questions if you need to-we are here to help each other!

 

[windwalker]

You have lots of good advice so far. I did a Panda Rambling on weight loss for you. please find it if you wanna.

Dave

 

[amyy]

All the replies are good. I have been in the same boat and went to see a nutritionist. A lot of people who know me kind of laughed at me because I eat healthy in terms of no fried foods, no condiments etc. I assumed it was my sweet tooth. I did a food diary and I was actually eating to much protein when you looked at meat, nuts, peanut butter, protein bar etc. She also had me cut out pasta, white bread, sugary fruits, some veggies etc. I did eat rice, oatmeal bread, 70% dark chocolate, certain nuts, meats, fruits veggies, pesto etc. No calorie counting!! I just had to only eat the foods on a list. I couldn't believe how much I could eat, never be hungry and the pounds just fell off. Granted this is only what worked for me but I bet I was eating quite a bit of calories a day.