Why isn't it working?

spookalili

Hello there everybody!

A few months ago, I decided I was going to try and get fitter. I have always been overweight since I can remember and although I'm not a fad dieter, there have been periods in my life where I have been more active than others!

It all started when I miraculously managed to run 10k twice in one week. I can only put this down to an increase in fitness as I had only just managed to run 5k the week before! Since then, I have realised my potential and have a new thirst for all things exercise! An average week for me consists of the following:

• Monday: gym (40 minute cardio workout consisting of running and cycling, followed by some leg weights and squats)
• Tuesday: a 45 minute zumba class plus an extra 20 minutes of cardio
• Wednesday: an hour of squash
• Thursday: an hour of badminton (with additional weights when I get home)
• Friday: often a rest day, occasional gym (see Monday)
• Saturday: a 5k run and a quick 15 minute workout including push ups, crunches, squats, etc
• Sunday: rest day

I do the above because I feel comfortable with it. At no point do I feel exhaustion. I workout at a very good rate (for myself) and finish every workout absolutely dripping with sweat (ew!). I try to introduce HIIT workouts as well.

My average meal consists of white meat or fish, with either potatoes and vegetables, rice or salad. I count all my calories and weigh food when I can. I do drink, but tend to go for low calorie drinks where I can, only drink on a weekend and take note of the calories I am drinking. My average calorie intake is 1200 a day and I use My Fitness Pal to track this.

Despite doing all of this for around six weeks (I know, not super long), I seem to have gained about 10lbs. I am far slimmer, I can see the difference in my build and my muscles are far more defined but the whole weight issue is really starting to bother me. I'm at a weight where just cutting my calories should cause the weight to drop off me...but I'm gaining! How can this be?!

I am just looking for a bit of reassurance I suppose...this surge in fitness is making me feel awesome. I have slightly more energy, my life feels much busier and I am loving the achievements. It just seems a bit pointless when other people I know are doing things such as Slimming World and losing 3lbs a week, where as I'm working my butt off and putting it on!

If I continue the exercise/eating, will the weight eventually drop off or will I just keep gaining?

Any advice?

YORKSHIRELASS

Why does your weight matter so much? If you are looking slimmer and feeling better then surely that's all that matters? Keep this going and think how great you are going to look at Christmas.

I havent a clue what I weigh - I know how I look and feel though!

spookalili

YORKSHIRELASS wrote: »

Why does your weight matter so much? If you are looking slimmer and feeling better then surely that's all that matters? Keep this going and think how great you are going to look at Christmas.

I havent a clue what I weigh - I know how I look and feel though!

I completely understand what you're saying...however I am classed as "obese", so the number is quite a big deal for me.

If I was around a healthy weight, I wouldn't care about the number so much. The fact is, at my weight, I should be dropping pounds at a much higher rate, but instead I'm gaining

RichardD1970

Judged by his BMI, this man



would be classed as obese.

BMI of 30.5

spookalili

A very good point, but unfortunately I am not a 6ft tall rugby playing man...I am a 5ft7 podgy female :rotfl:

kerri_gt

I would, say simply that muscle weighs more than fat. I know it's hard to get your head round but I really stepped up the exercise three and a half years ago, I already did pole fitness but added in boot camp x 2 a week, plus running got added in last year. I started boot camp to build strength for pole.

My body shape has totally changed, my waist has trimmed but my thighs and shoulders / back have gained but it's all muscle and toned. I also have a six pack (when I squeeze ��) I've also put on at least a stone in weight. I've never been heavier, nor fitter. i can now do things I couldn't before I started training and I enjoy those more than people saying 'isn't she skinny'. I prefer being healthy and toned and people saying 'wow, you can really do that pole move?'

It's a hard one to get your head round I know but you do really need to get over the weight number, and BMI is a bunch of carp too. Take heart in the fact you're slimmer and fitter, well done. In fact I would ask if your calorie intake is enough?
Try not to compare yourself to your friends, I have never done SW or WW and whilst I'm sure it works for some, I also know people who lose weight while doing it, then wonder why they put it all on when they go back to their previous habits. It's only sustainable as a change in lifestyle.

spookalili

kerri_gt wrote: »

I would, say simply that muscle weighs more than fat. I know it's hard to get your head round but I really stepped up the exercise three and a half years ago, I already did pole fitness but added in boot camp x 2 a week, plus running got added in last year. I started boot camp to build strength for pole.

My body shape has totally changed, my waist has trimmed but my thighs and shoulders / back have gained but it's all muscle and toned. I also have a six pack (when I squeeze ��) I've also put on at least a stone in weight. I've never been heavier, nor fitter. i can now do things I couldn't before I started training and I enjoy those more than people saying 'isn't she skinny'. I prefer being healthy and toned and people saying 'wow, you can really do that pole move?'

It's a hard one to get your head round I know but you do really need to get over the weight number, and BMI is a bunch of carp too. Take heart in the fact you're slimmer and fitter, well done. In fact I would ask if your calorie intake is enough?
Try not to compare yourself to your friends, I have never done SW or WW and whilst I'm sure it works for some, I also know people who lose weight while doing it, then wonder why they put it all on when they go back to their previous habits. It's only sustainable as a change in lifestyle.

Thank you for your reply

I think I'm a bit more bothered because I dropped about 50lbs since I first started (a few years ago) but I'm steadily gaining it back since exercising more.

I have also read about eating too few calories but I'm really worried about upping them, just in case I gain even more! Surely I can't be defying physics...if I'm burning more than I'm taking in, I should be losing weight.

It's so frustrating and I start to wonder if I'm actually getting slimmer, or if I'm just imagining it

Gloomendoom

Ditch the scales and use a tape measure instead?

MarkFromCornwall

Well done - it sounds like you've made massive lifestyle improvements. Even though you haven't lost weight you will be fitter and healthier. I think that if you keep it up you WILL lose weight and here's why. On starting exercising you will have gained muscle but you won't continue adding more and more muscle forever but you will continue to burn calories. I hope you succeed in keeping up your new regime.

Mark

Pollycat

spookalili wrote: »

Despite doing all of this for around six weeks (I know, not super long), I seem to have gained about 10lbs. I am far slimmer, I can see the difference in my build and my muscles are far more defined but the whole weight issue is really starting to bother me. I'm at a weight where just cutting my calories should cause the weight to drop off me...but I'm gaining! How can this be?!

You are far slimmer and you can see the difference in your build.
Why are you obsessing about a number on a machine?

Muscle is heavier than fat.

fairy_lights

After only 6 weeks its unlikely to be muscle, as its very difficult for women to gain significant amounts of muscle particularly if you're eating at a defecit. I'd say it's probably water retention - you've significantly increased your exercise and changed your diet and your body is constantly changing and healing. If you're clothes are getting looser then you know any weight you gain isnt fat anyway.