Why isn't it working?

Sharon87

Agree with others, I doubt it's muscle you've put on, well some of it may be muscle, but not the majority of it. Stop obsessing about others at WW and SW. I used to do those diets and from what I can gather I lost a lot of muscle, so when I came off it and ate how I did before I got heavier as I had less muscle to burn the same calories.

I would use 1200 calories as a base for days when you're not exercising, but on the days you do exercise you need to eat more, preferably lean protiens - especially for when you're doing weights, as this helps repair your body and build muscle.

I do feel your pain I've been going to the gym for the past 2 years with the goal of losing weight and toning up. My weight is only slightly less than it was to begin with, but my muscle percentage went from a meager 19% to nearly 23%. Now I haven't been that disciplined in my eating, which is why my weight hasn't changed much, but I have lost 4 inches off my waist, 3 off my hips, 2 off my back/upper and under bust, but yet I've only lost about 6 or 7 pounds in total.

Does your gym have a personal trainer you can have a single session with to help introduce new exercises? You don't have to have to stick with having one, but every 6 months or so it might be an option to shake up your workout.

divadee

1200 calories is the average daily required intake for a 3 year old! That is nowhere near enough for someone doing the amount of exercise you are doing. Eat more and it will come good.

Sharon87

1200 calories is what is recommended for me personally to lose 1lb a week (before exercise) at a height of 4 foot 11, so the OP being taller than me, definitely needs to eat a few more calories.

parking_question_chap

Scales mean very little unless you are mega over weight.

I am 13.5 stone and have less fat than 95% of the people I know.

Let the mirror be your guide.

But, post up your average nutrition plan so I can critique (pm if you like), 1200kcals is way too low and might not even be the "right" food.

With your exercise plan, I doubt you are getting enough Kcals to support training and repair. You will end up doing yourself an injury/illness if you continue on 1200.

Sharon87

OP I'm feeling your pain of not losing any weight right now! I try to stick to between 1200 and 1400 calories a day - and of the right foods, but if I have just one treat in the week - a meal out, a cupcake or a packet of crisps it really harms my weight loss and I don't end up losing any weight! My weight has actually gone up this week, even though it's only half a pound it's really annoying as I've been eating healthy all week apart from a few alcoholic drinks at the weekend - and I mean a few, not loads!

One thing that I'm trying, which you may want to try is to drink more water, I think this is my downfall, I don't think I drink enough. Try and do what I'm going to do this week and keep a count of all drinks you drink - whether it's water, squash, juice, booze, tea.etc

dawyldthing

I'll second what Sharon says. Bar having an odd drink out I now only drink water and I find my mind is sharper, skin better and weight is slowly getting there. The body struggles to digest most drinks I believe

Pollycat

Sharon87 wrote: »

OP I'm feeling your pain of not losing any weight right now! I try to stick to between 1200 and 1400 calories a day - and of the right foods, but if I have just one treat in the week - a meal out, a cupcake or a packet of crisps it really harms my weight loss and I don't end up losing any weight! My weight has actually gone up this week, even though it's only half a pound it's really annoying as I've been eating healthy all week apart from a few alcoholic drinks at the weekend - and I mean a few, not loads!

One thing that I'm trying, which you may want to try is to drink more water, I think this is my downfall, I don't think I drink enough. Try and do what I'm going to do this week and keep a count of all drinks you drink - whether it's water, squash, juice, booze, tea.etc

I think if your weight going up half a pound really annoys you, you're bordering on obsessive about it.
And it doesn't sound healthy to me.

Step away from the scales ans stop counting calories.

parking_question_chap

Drinking water in itself does nothing for weight loss, nothing.

Unless of course you are drinking water instead of other Kcal filled drinks which you might otherwise be consuming.

I strongly advise speaking to some knowledgeable people about your nutrition plan (doesnt have to be people on here). The number of times I have heard people tell me they are eating the "right foods", so often they dont have a clue.

MarkFromCornwall

parking_question_chap wrote: »

Drinking water in itself does nothing for weight loss, nothing.

It could, possibly. Suppose you drink a big glassful of water before a meal. You might feel fuller and therefore eat less. Perhaps this strategy could help someone to reduce their weight.

parking_question_chap

MarkFromMullion wrote: »

It could, possibly. Suppose you drink a big glassful of water before a meal. You might feel fuller and therefore eat less. Perhaps this strategy could help someone to reduce their weight.

It may come as a surprise to you, but the point of eating food is because your body needs the food (or more accurately the macro and micronutrients contained within).

To drink fluid before in order to prevent yourself eating the meal your body requires is borderline insane. Just another of these silly little "diet tips" you commonly find in womens magazines.

Nutrition is pretty damn simple, but so many people still make a hash of it. Eat good quality non processed food. Do this when you are hungry and stop when you are satisfield. Thats it!