Not losing weight - Should I try something new? - Weight Loss Message Board

Septerra · 06-15-2007, 04:05 PM

Hey. I used to be really overweight and lost 60 pounds, but in like a year I gained 20 back. I still work out at least 5 days a week, burning at least 400 calories on the treadmill. Since I've had more time I have been working out about 6 days a week, but I don't do anything other than run on the treadmill and now I've started doing crunches, but that's it. I lightened up on my diet but you know, it doesn't seem fair. I shouldn't gain weight just because I'm living a normal lifestyle should I? I thought doing this much would at least maintain my weight.

So now I want to get those 20 pounds off again, and maybe then another 10. I was thinking I could cut my bread intake to only 3 pieces of toast a day (is that still too much?), and I was thinking about lifting weights, though I don't want to look buff so that's a concern. I eat bread at almost every meal so I figure if I cut down on it that should probably do something for me, and since I'm not losing weight with just cardio that I would do strength training.

That's all good and well. I might lose the weight again but I want to know how to keep it off without having to live this diet and crazy workout lifestyle. I'm willing to work out five times a week, but I'm not really sure how to control my diet to just maintain my weight loss. I know this is a lot to read but I would greatly appreciate some advice on my plan and on keeping and on maintaining my weight.

desertdweller · 06-16-2007, 10:44 AM

Congratulations on losing so much weight, but as I'm sure you are realizing, it's not just a diet, it's a new lifestyle. Sometimes it's hard finding a maintenance plan that will sustain the weight loss. I think part of the problem is your body has adapted to your exercise routine, and it is no longer burning as many calories with the routine. I think it would help to try many types of cardio . Muscle confusion can burn more fat, and building more lean muscle with weight training will enable you to burn more calories throughout your day.
I would encourage you to figure out how many calories you need to eat through out the day in order to lose weight in a safe time period and how many calories a day you need to eat in order to maintain your goal weight. There are many websites that can help you figure this out. It sounds like a pain and too much to worry about by counting your calories, but with time you will be able to figure out how many calories you have eaten in your head, and be able to cut back when needed. Also, when you count your calories you will naturally steer yourself towards healthy choices because you can eat more. For instance, a slice of bread is usually between 100-200 calories. If you are eating bread with every meal, you could be adding up to 300-600 extra calories to your calorie intake a day. You would have to eat 8-9 apples to equal the same calories.

Heavily processed food like white bread has a lot of empty calories leaving your body to feel like it needs more not long after eating it. I also encourage you to eat many small healthy meals around 200 calories instead of eating just a couple big meals. Eating a lot of little things helps keep you from feeling deprived and less hungry. Plan ahead and keep healthy snacks available at all times, it's when you are staving that you can make bad choices.
Hang in there

PS- I personally never add my exercise calories burned to my daily calories intake. Otherwise, I never allow myself to eat more because I exercised for X amount of time. It's too hard to accurately measure calories burned, and the cardio machines are never accurate.

Star On High · 06-16-2007, 03:36 PM

I agree with desert that your body has probably adapted to the exercise. I'd just like to add that women don't have to worry too much about looking buff. The lack of testosterone makes it pretty hard to do.

Also, 6-11 servings of bread is what's recommended. The problem with toast is if you're putting butter on it (and how much... yum), and whether it's white bread or whole wheat.

Good luck.

Lenin · 06-17-2007, 06:44 AM

Quote:

I personally never add my exercise calories burned to my daily calories intake. Otherwise, I never allow myself to eat more because I exercised for X amount of time.

Oh I SO agree with that approach DesertDweller. I IGNORE my exercise calories and keep the exercise and calorie count TOTALLY separate...knowing I need BOTH.

Septerra,
Don't empasize one food or one meal, it's the OVERALL calories that casue weight gain or weight loss. A piece of bread is around 100 calories and is no better nor worse than anything else "costing" 100 calories. Settle on a good caloric total for yourself and STICK to it.

Quote:

I shouldn't gain weight just because I'm living a normal lifestyle should I?

MILLIONS of people are overweight or obese eating what passes as a "normal" lifestyle these days.

NEVER worry about getting too buff by accident. THose who achieve buffness

work at it like slaves...it doesn't come from casual light weightlifting, believe me. Almost EVERYONE will benefit from some progressive resistance exercise in the form of weight work.

Why not start with a religious 1500 calorie diet while you get some exercise and see what that gets you. I'll bet you will be pleased once you get the hang of counting everything you eat.