mommaoffour
07-29-2005, 04:05 PM
Hi all,
I joined a gym on June 1st. I have been going five times a week, every week since. This is my routine...
m/w/f Circuit training (like curves), 45 min. elliptical, and 2 (15) sets of weight machines
t/th 45 elliptical, and circuit training
I have been doing this faithfully for this whole summer, but I am not seeing ANY results. I lost three pounds but today it said that I gained it back. I just want to bawl my eyes out because I really am getting in good workouts. This is my usual meals.
Bkfst: shake that I make that cosists of a banana, 5 fresh strawberries, 1/2c raw oatmeal, 8oz. of orange juice.
lunch: salad with different veggies. chicken breast or can of tuna
dinner: salad again with veggies and some sort of protein.
I do eat snacks sometimes but sometimes I am just really not hungry. When I get a craving, I crave chex mix. I have eaten that some this week but I just can't see that stalling my weight loss.
PLEASE, PLEASE if you have any helpful advise I would greatly appreciate it. It just doesn't seem fair that I am dedicated to better health and fitness but no results are occuring and I am completely discouraged.
Thanks in advance.
I joined a gym on June 1st. I have been going five times a week, every week since. This is my routine...
m/w/f Circuit training (like curves), 45 min. elliptical, and 2 (15) sets of weight machines
t/th 45 elliptical, and circuit training
I have been doing this faithfully for this whole summer, but I am not seeing ANY results. I lost three pounds but today it said that I gained it back. I just want to bawl my eyes out because I really am getting in good workouts. This is my usual meals.
Bkfst: shake that I make that cosists of a banana, 5 fresh strawberries, 1/2c raw oatmeal, 8oz. of orange juice.
lunch: salad with different veggies. chicken breast or can of tuna
dinner: salad again with veggies and some sort of protein.
I do eat snacks sometimes but sometimes I am just really not hungry. When I get a craving, I crave chex mix. I have eaten that some this week but I just can't see that stalling my weight loss.
PLEASE, PLEASE if you have any helpful advise I would greatly appreciate it. It just doesn't seem fair that I am dedicated to better health and fitness but no results are occuring and I am completely discouraged.
Thanks in advance.
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princess72
07-29-2005, 05:28 PM
So it's been almost 2 months. It can take awhile. Usually you will lose inches first. Your diet seems ok. Make sure you are getting enough protein, and try not to eat much sugar. Could you be retaining water? Do you retain water with your monthly cycle? One thing i find helpful, is to not weigh myself! I want to know if progress has been made.....BUT......it drives me insane to know. It's all a # thing for me. Anywayz, your cardio seems fine, but weightlifting actually burns more calories. Also, make sure you change up your cardio----so you dont get bored. 5 days a week is great! Also make sure you are eating enough! I still cant get the concept down----but, if you dont eat enough...then, your body stores fat! You want to keep your metabolism going. Breakfast is very important (which im sure you know). Are your clothes fitting any looser? That's how i know when i am getting results. Just be patient....sometimes it can take a good 3-4 months, before seeing a huge change. If you end up, not seeing ANY results in a few months (which i doubt) but, i would then look into a personal trainer---they are wonderful as far as changing routine every 3 months, getting evaluated, having a nutritional guide to go by etc. It is expensive, but well worth it. Prices vary in different area's......but, maybe something to look into. Good luck, and be patient.......................... :)
bluehen94
07-29-2005, 06:17 PM
Well, it looks like you are eating maybe 1000 calories not nearly enough for that activity level. You should be eating to start with about 1600, make sure you have enough protein in there too. THe cardio sounds good, but make sure you are getting your heart rate up high enough. I won't comment on the circuit training I am not a big fan of that in terms of building muscles. I would start by changing your diet, adding more foods, make sure you are getting in an appropriate before and after workout snack. I would change things then do a check in 3 weeks. If your plan is working than you should have some sort of minor change in 3 weeks. Good luck, hang in there, a lot of this is trial and error.
cram315
07-30-2005, 09:38 AM
I can tell you what finally got my extra weight off. I excercised three days a week since 2001, it didn't take off weight but I saw a small difference in my clothing and I was "toned". Last year I slacked off of the gym and gained 8 lbs on top of the 5 that crept on over the years. That got me moving.
I went to WW to take off those pounds (even if you have to lose a small amount you can go to WW). WW re-taught me how to eat properly. I went on the point system. I lost 15 lbs in four months. At the same time I went back to the gym 5 days a week, cardio 30 mins and 6 sets of weights after.
I now have defined muscles which I am proud of and always have protein, vegetables and fruit in my diet. Excercise and the right foods really do make the difference. Some suggestions, I cook my chicken in pam and skip the juices (high in calories) and have an apple or orange instead. I also eat five -six small meals a day and eat what I want one day a week. (Just so you know I am 45, so it is never too late to start :)
Good Luck.
I went to WW to take off those pounds (even if you have to lose a small amount you can go to WW). WW re-taught me how to eat properly. I went on the point system. I lost 15 lbs in four months. At the same time I went back to the gym 5 days a week, cardio 30 mins and 6 sets of weights after.
I now have defined muscles which I am proud of and always have protein, vegetables and fruit in my diet. Excercise and the right foods really do make the difference. Some suggestions, I cook my chicken in pam and skip the juices (high in calories) and have an apple or orange instead. I also eat five -six small meals a day and eat what I want one day a week. (Just so you know I am 45, so it is never too late to start :)
Good Luck.
Jess75
07-30-2005, 07:06 PM
Yes I agree that you may need to eat a lil more. Maybe you could snack on more fruits, yogurts, nuts, etc between your meals instead of the chex...although I THINK the chex is fine but I would just choose that as a "once in a while" snack. Other than that, your diet looks good, except that I don't see ANY fruit. In my opinion, fruit is natural and very good for you, and I ate it when I was dieting and lost 35 pounds in 3 and a half months. Good luck and don't give up, :nono: you can do it! :) and be patient! :)
mommaoffour
08-01-2005, 10:26 AM
Thanks all for your replies. I usually have my fruit for breakfast. I blend them together as a shake. Everyone seems to think that I need to eat more. Ok, what about protein powder? Do you think that would be a good substitute for the days that I just don't have time to eat more? If yes, what kind?
I do change my cardio up some, I do treadmill, bike sometimes but I just LOVE the elliptical. I never do my routine the same time of day nor do I do it in the same order. I always try to mix it up so my body won't be used to it. I get measured this week so we'll see if I have lost any inches.
I do change my cardio up some, I do treadmill, bike sometimes but I just LOVE the elliptical. I never do my routine the same time of day nor do I do it in the same order. I always try to mix it up so my body won't be used to it. I get measured this week so we'll see if I have lost any inches.
zeez
08-01-2005, 12:32 PM
Hi Mommaoffour,
Wow, sounds like you've been working really hard! Now ya gotta remember, size-wise, muscle weighs more than fat, so you may have been losing inches as opposed to pounds on the scales.
I have a question for you.... have you been boosting the weights on your circuit training? That is very important. You've got to challenge the muscles to get results. Once an exercise becomes easy, add a 1/2 plate or full plate. If you can't do all the reps you are used to, just do less. The idea is to lift enough weight so you can "feel" it.
Your diet looks great -- the only thing I would change is to add sugar-free, fat-free yogurt as a snack instead of Chex-mix (which, by the way is one of my downfalls!). I didn't see anything listed in your diet that had much calcium in it. When I lost all my weight I was doing lots of elliptical sessions, lifting weights, and ate a lot of hamburger patties, plain chicken, boiled veggies, tons of sf ff yogurt. I didn't eat any of the "crappy" carbs that I used to like chips, white rice, tortillas, croutons on salads, etc. I also didn't any bread. Now that I've gotten rid of the fat and have muscle instead, I can eat a lot, although I still stay away from the bad carbs. And yes, I do eat Chex mix every now and then!
Good luck to you! You deserve it because you are working so hard!
~zeez
PS One last thing.... salad dressing - under no circumstances should you be using regular! That will kill any diet. I had to beat that into my husband's head. He was trying to lose weight but would use regular dressing in large amounts. The least damaging dressing is the fat-free Italian. Read labels. "Light" dressing can still have 50 cals a tablespoon and all kinds of fat. I personally prefer to use salsa!
Wow, sounds like you've been working really hard! Now ya gotta remember, size-wise, muscle weighs more than fat, so you may have been losing inches as opposed to pounds on the scales.
I have a question for you.... have you been boosting the weights on your circuit training? That is very important. You've got to challenge the muscles to get results. Once an exercise becomes easy, add a 1/2 plate or full plate. If you can't do all the reps you are used to, just do less. The idea is to lift enough weight so you can "feel" it.
Your diet looks great -- the only thing I would change is to add sugar-free, fat-free yogurt as a snack instead of Chex-mix (which, by the way is one of my downfalls!). I didn't see anything listed in your diet that had much calcium in it. When I lost all my weight I was doing lots of elliptical sessions, lifting weights, and ate a lot of hamburger patties, plain chicken, boiled veggies, tons of sf ff yogurt. I didn't eat any of the "crappy" carbs that I used to like chips, white rice, tortillas, croutons on salads, etc. I also didn't any bread. Now that I've gotten rid of the fat and have muscle instead, I can eat a lot, although I still stay away from the bad carbs. And yes, I do eat Chex mix every now and then!
Good luck to you! You deserve it because you are working so hard!
~zeez
PS One last thing.... salad dressing - under no circumstances should you be using regular! That will kill any diet. I had to beat that into my husband's head. He was trying to lose weight but would use regular dressing in large amounts. The least damaging dressing is the fat-free Italian. Read labels. "Light" dressing can still have 50 cals a tablespoon and all kinds of fat. I personally prefer to use salsa!
princess72
08-02-2005, 10:16 AM
There are 2 really good whey protein powder's. One is Beverly Brand....and the other is Nectar Whey protein. You can look them both up on the internet. A little expensive, but worth the $...they taste good! The Nectar comes in Straw-bannana, and other yummy flavor's. Taste best if blended in the blender. :)