Weight Loss for me, in a word...complicated - Weight Loss Message Board

hp82 · 02-17-2005, 04:04 PM

Goodness sakes...I can't figure out why I'm not losing weight, inches, or body fat, even with exercise.

All my weight seems to be around the stomach, butt and thighs.

I'm female, 5 ft 1.5in, 109.5 lbs, 22 years old.

I exercise everyday at 4 mph for about 20 minutes on a treadmill, burning 260 calories.

I consume 1100-1200 calories a day.

I've tried Atkins...Induction Phase only. I lost weight but not much and I suffer from bad constipation when I follow it and I just don't feel right trying it anymore.

I calculated my Basal Metabolic Rate and it states...
BMR...1278, AMR...1662

Question #1...Should I increase my calories?

Here's a sample menu of what I eat..
B: Muffin with 1 TBSP. of Margarine
S: 16 oz. of skim milk
L: 2 packets of oatmeal
D: Grilled Chicken Breast Salad, 2 TBSP. Ranch Dressing
Also, I drink around 80 oz. of water a day and take a fiber supplement.

Totals: Around 1200 calories, 55 grams of fat, 125 carbs

I was thinking about doing low carb (80-100 carbs) or low fat.

Question #2...Which one would you recommend?

Thanks!

joekerr30 · 02-17-2005, 05:54 PM

Your BMI is already toward the lower end of "normal" weight range. You're not losing fat because you are already at a healthy weight range. If anything, the more you exercise the more muscle you put on and your weight should actually go up (which is a good thing, increased lean muscle mass is good)

My suggestion is to forget about losing "fat" / "weight" all together and focus on lifting weights if you are looking to reshape your body.

J

superherogirl80 · 02-18-2005, 01:36 PM

Hi- since you are already within a healthy weight range, you may actually want to add another 200 calories to your diet. Your metabolism will generally shut down if you go below 1200, but if you are working out as well, you are burning way more than you are taking in and therefore your body probably thinks it's starving.
A bit more protein in your diet would probably help you gain lean muscle as well