frustrated with weight loss (vegetables, body mass index, doctor, stomach)

[sgresident]

People that I work with have started their own version of the "biggest loser" contest. we are working as a team, my frustration is that I have paid close attention to my food by journaling everything and started to ride the exercise bike and lift some weights. I didn't lose even a half a pound..words of wisdom anyone?

[njkate]

Originally Posted by sgresident

People that I work with have started their own version of the "biggest loser" contest. we are working as a team, my frustration is that I have paid close attention to my food by journaling everything and started to ride the exercise bike and lift some weights. I didn't lose even a half a pound..words of wisdom anyone?

What are you eating?? How many calories a day?

Did you also measure yourself? You may have lost inches

[AnthonyB]

Firstly, for how long have you been doing this? What was your starting weight and activity level? What have you been eating and how much?

If you go from sedentary to active you generally WON'T lose weight immediately. You WILL start to put on muscle and your muscles will hold extra water (in the form of blood swelling) for a couple of weeks as they adapt to the increased activity. Getting a doctor or gym to accurately measure your Body Mass Index will help you to guage if you are changing from fat to muscle - this needs to be measured to be truly accurate, an online chart won't be effective as it can't account for your specific and unique physiology.

And as NJKate mentioned, you may find that you are losing inches though not pounds and that would be an indication of increased muscle mass.

AND if you are female, monthly hormonal changes will affect weight temporarily.

My recommendation would be to visit your doctor. Get checked out, and have him or her put you on a diet and exercise plan tailored to suit your needs and to produce effective and SAFE weight loss. Competitions can encourage unsafe eating and exercise habits.

[sgresident]

thanks, just started and there is no way that I would publicly say how much i weigh. that is a government secret! I really think it is the muscle holding on to water, etc. I am just going to keep a good focus. I am trying to stay around 1400 calories, eating a variety of foods and drinking plenty of water.

[70Ford]

I lost 50 lbs in 4 months on the "no sugar, no flour" diet. I dropped from 296 to 246 from August 10, to December 10th-ish.

Which basically meant lean to moderately lean meats and vegetables. Lots of vegetables. Specifically, lots of raw vegetables with no dressing - perhaps a bit of salt or vinegar. Mmmm...salt &vinegar.

I lost 12? 15? ack.. I forget... lbs the first month and then 10, 10, 10..or something like that.
Mind you, glycogen holds water...and by eliminating carbs, well.. the water doesn't have anything to bind it up in the muscles and in that first month you lose a good bit of weight as "water weight." Its weight loss...but not fat loss.

The reason it works is ..since you eliminate carbs, you eliminate about a 1/3 to 1/2 of your daily calories. You may over compensate with meat, but in reality, meat is more satiating and carbs spike your insullin levels. When your liver glycogen drops too far *BAM* - it sends a message to your brain/stomach that says "Gotta eat."

If you eliminate the carbs, you eliminate the insulin spikes.

You feel much less hungry on this diet, as a result.

If you can lay off the bread/rice/tators/chips/cookies/etc., you WILL lose weight. If you can stay off the fatty meat/cheese/bacon, you will lose even more. It's a lot more healthy for your heart that way.

As for me, I was eating things like turkey, chicken, lean cuts of beef, tuna, etc. Then like 2 or 3 green peppers..carrots...etc. Eat the veggies first... get full off the veggies, then follow up with the meat. At least, that is what I did.

Here's the kicker. I didn't even exercise much more than maybe walking a mile a day..which for me burned a whole 250 calories or so.

But, I'm a man. I need about 2000 - 2500ish calories a day.

I figure I was eating about 1400 - 1600 calories a day. I only ate two meals a day, too. Breakfast and a sort of lunch/dinner.

I started eating cookies again around December. (DARN YOU Christmas cookies) and have sort of "held steady".
I do weigh myself every few days, and if I see the scale creep up a pound, I cut back a bit.
I work out cardio/weights///about 5 days a week, burning 400-600 calories pers session.
So far, I'm still 246.

I gotta lay off the cookies, heh.

[sgresident]

thanks for the tips!

[njkate]

Originally Posted by sgresident

thanks, just started and there is no way that I would publicly say how much i weigh. that is a government secret! I really think it is the muscle holding on to water, etc. I am just going to keep a good focus. I am trying to stay around 1400 calories, eating a variety of foods and drinking plenty of water.

Depending on what your current weight is, your sex, age and your level of activity 1400 may not be ENOUGH putting your body in the starve mode

Water
Fresh meat, poultry or fish
healthy carbs, fruits, veggies, whole grain braeds , pastas
Olive Oil
Low fat or fat free milk, yogurt, cheese
AVOID THE WHITES...FLOUR. SUGAR, PROCESSED GRAINS & RICE

Good luck

[f-shadow]

I hear salt helps retain water...which is good for body builders wanting to bulk up and I see you are wanting to loose weight (so less salt for you!). Have you looked at your salt intake?

Also, like NJKATE said....measure yourself!!!

[theangryblonde]

There's a ton of great tools online that can help you keep track of your calories and your burn meter daily. I use one and find it really helps. I you'd like, email me privately and I'll send you the website...I don't believe I am allowed to post it here

B~

Originally Posted by sgresident

People that I work with have started their own version of the "biggest loser" contest. we are working as a team, my frustration is that I have paid close attention to my food by journaling everything and started to ride the exercise bike and lift some weights. I didn't lose even a half a pound..words of wisdom anyone?

[NewJersey?]

70Ford, great post! I just want to add to this comment you made... "work out cardio/weights///about 5 days a week, burning 400-600 calories pers session."

^^Burning xx amount of calories per session is only half of it. When done right, you continue to burn calories after the session is long over. You put your body/metabolism into a higher gear and make it more efficient at burning calories and using those calories towards building muscle/burning fat. It's more than just the "400 calories" we see on the chart.

We CAN change our body's metabolism and make it more efficient.