Maybe I put my body into starvation by adhering to the Lose It app's calorie allowance of 880 base calories for 3 weeks, and maybe my body needs to kick back into gear, but I weighed for the first time in 6 days since switching to the My Fitness Pal app with a 1200 base calorie allowance and I only lost .4 lbs. I guess that is better than nothing, but I would like to see 1 - 2 lbs of loss rather than a measley .4.
Everyone has scolded me for not having my calorie base at 1200, but seriously guys, it is HARD to consume those 1200 calories plus what I burn in exercise. I guess I could decrease my exercise, but I don't want to. I really enjoy my 1 hour workout everyday. I feel like I am forcing myself to eat when I am not really hungry at times. Grant it, some days I have no problem consuming the allotted calories and actually struggle to keep under... like yesterday was a good example, but most days I am struggling to be within 300 calories of achieving my calorie intake goal.
Here is a daily scenario for me since starting the My Fitness Pal App:
I wake up, eat a 250-400 calorie breakfast that can include anything from grits, cheese, banana, yogurt, kashi bar, pancakes with peanut butter, or oatmeal... not all of those at once, but not one of those things at a time either... confusing I bet. All of those things are all natural or organic, I am not using mixes or anything artificial. I also drink 1 cup of coffee with a tbsp of half and half and 1 tsp sugar.
Lunch can vary between 300 - 400 calories... occasionally I get about 500 calories in at lunch, but those are the days that I have no problem getting my calorie allowance met. I sometimes eat lunch before my workout which will be a piece of fruit and half a peanut butter sandwich, a salad, or something along those lines.
My workout is 1 hour where I burn 500+ calories on the elliptical. On the weekends I do my workout around noon or a little after; on weekdays I do my workout at 6am. I change the intensity throughout the workout at 10 minute intervals.
I sometimes eat a piece of fruit as a snack.
Dinner will be a lot of my calories. I can consume anywhere from 400 - 700 calories at dinner. I choose meals that are high in protein and usually incorporate a good amount of produce.
And that's it... OH! And throughout all of that I am making sure I take in 64 - 72 oz. of water a day.
Today is not typically my weigh in day, so I will weigh again tomorrow and hopefully not have a gain. I will be sad for sure. I wonder... I am also due to have my monthly womanly punishment any day now... I think that has an effect on weight.
The thing is, I have noticed that my big belly roll when I sit down has shrunk considerably. My jammie pants that used to be snug are very roomy and more comfortable now. Those are good encouraging changes that keep me going even when the scale spits in my face, so to speak.
I am going to keep at it for sure, but I needed to get my frustrations out. Official weigh in post is tomorrow. I also start classes tomorrow! YIKES. I am really nervous because I have 2 online courses as well as 2 seated courses. I have never done an online course and I am concerned that I won't be self disciplined enough to keep up with it.
STRESS STRESS STRESS STRESS STRESS STRESS.
That's not good for weight loss either.
Oh well, I will just keep at it. One day at a time for school and one week at a time for weight loss.
You're going to do great in your classes! Yay! Ok, here's the deal. You're gaining a lot of muscle weight! So, you may not see the difference on the scale for awhile. But, you'll start to see it again! Also, how are you tracking calories burned? If it's by the machine, everything I've read says the machines are off. But, if you're using some sort of gadget like a garmin or a polar watch (I have a basic one), then it's more accurate. I also found that the watch never matched up what My Fitness Pal said I lost.
ReplyDeleteWow, that was a lot! Have a wonderful week. And lastly, don't stress! That can cause weight gain as well!
Thank you Lauren! I actually have heard that about the calories and the machine count being off but until I can afford one of those watch things it's all I have to go by. I use the HR monitor and enter my weight and height every time so I think it's more accurate than not. I knew a lot of what you told me but I appreciate the support! It means a lot. :)
DeleteI couldn't even read your whole post because it just sounds like you're totally obsessing about every little thing. As long as you're losing (and at the same time, NOT gaining), why fuss so much? It took time to gain the weight, it will take time to lose it. Be happy.
ReplyDeleteI used to use MFP, but now I "know" the calorie amounts of all of my common foods, and I typically eat the same things, so I just figure it out in my head instead of actually tracking. So I'm not just coming from nowhere. I've been there.
Keep eating 1200-1500 cals gross, and if your net calories is less due to exercise, that's fine. (I mean to say don't eat back the calories you burn -- eat 1200 total each day, that's it -- I'm of course no medical expert though, just based off of my own experiences).
You aren't going to like much of what I have to say to you but I think we will be square because I didn't like much of what you had to say either.
Delete1st: if you aren't going to read the whole post then don't freaking type a response.
2nd: contrary to what you might think, I don't post these blogs so that you can take your pretentious judgmental tendencies out on me. I post for support and hopefully ideas to maybe fix something I might be doing wrong.
Last: I don't see it as obsession as much as I see it as motivation. I have spent the past year and a half not really caring about getting to a healthy weight. Now I actually care and I'm trying really hard and hitting a couple snafs 4 weeks into my efforts and you are going to crap on me? Well thanks but no thanks.
I don't mind you commenting but you can take your judging elsewhere. I hate being rude but this response from you was not a welcome addition to my day.
Remember that every time you eat you heat up your metabolism. By eating to few calories you put yourself into a starvation mode and that can be permanently damaging to your body. That is why everyone wants you to keep your caloric intake up above 1000 calories a day. Every time you eat your body has to burn the calories. Everything you put into your body should be in there for a reason. When you eat an apple... it has natural sugars so you should counteract those sugars with protein. Not only will this help you feel fuller longer but it will also keep your blood sugar levels from bottoming out and make you feel tired fast (or hungry fast). So eat a banana and have some almonds or other protein. Eat an apple and have a stick of string cheese. WATCH the fat content of the protein. Eating 6 small meals a day is better for you because you never get too hungry and you never bottom out. You are continually burning to digest the food.
ReplyDeleteALSO... remember that the more MUSCLE you have the hotter your body burns. People who claim that women will get bulky are funny. Women's body is not made to get bulky and you'd have to lift a lot to get to a bulky state (and make lots of sacrifices)! Cardio is important to keep your heart healthy!
Most people like to figure things out for themselves and that is good. But I come from a family of people who are seriously overweight and I'm in 54 years old and have fought my weight all my life. I have been pretty successful at keeping my weight off and staying pretty healthy by eating well and exercising.
Thanks Charise. A lot of what you say is stuff I already know but I appreciate you giving me advice. I'm going to read through it again just to make sure I took it all in. I do try to make sure I'm getting a lot of whole foods and healthy fats. Thanks again!
DeleteOh Amy. I feel your pain, so hard. I liken it to dogs (in a totally non-mean, non-weird way)... if every pug, bulldog, and rottweiler tried to be as skinny as a dalmatian we'd have a bunch of freaky dogs on our hands. What I basically mean is... genetics plays a part in our body type, weight, and distribution. All of this you know. Duh.
ReplyDeleteHowever, sometimes we want to strive for a weight we might never achieve. Don't take that the wrong way, or as a downer. Just know that maybe you don't get as skinny as pre-baby #1... maybe you do! It's okay to slow down but be gentle on your body and let it work itself out. If you are putting in the good stuff, not starving yourself, and being positive about your self image you will, in turn, lose what weight you don't need.
Of course, posting this blog right before Ms Flo arrives... it's no surprise. I bloat big time when I hit that and I feel like I've gained 5lbs.. and sometimes I do. Just wait a week and I bet you drop it + a bunch extra.
Don't get down. You can do it, just be easy on yourself. Taking that crucial step to take over your health, change your lifestyle and lose extra weight is not easy and you should be happy with what you've done so far. You are really doing great and you will continue to do great.
I want to stress ONE last time, go easy on yourself. This isn't a race and taking care of your body, letting it work out, slim down and change to a new pace is something that shouldn't be pushed and forced. Just be gentle, go easy, and don't be so hard on yourself. You are DOING SO GOOD. YOU ARE DOING SOO SO SO GOOD AMY.
I am very proud of you and it's normal to feel this way. Keep truckin, don't fall off the train and I can't wait to see that next post. You will be amazed at yourself. I know it!
Thanks Danielle. I understand. And believe me, I am doing this the right way. I'm just trying to vent frustrations out but I'm sticking to it and trying to find my weightloss groove. I know I can get back to 122. 105 is questionable, but I know 122 is attainable. I know what an unrealistic goal is and I don't think it's unrealistic. Thank you for your awesome encouragement. It's good to have people in my corner. I'm doing this the right way. I promise.
DeleteNever give up! I’ve done a great job using a metabolic recipe book I bought to lose weight! You can see my review of it on http://bellatblr.tumblr.com — check it out! <3
ReplyDeleteThanks Heather! I'll look at the link!
DeleteBoo... your blog ate my first comment.
ReplyDeleteI think you're doing great. Slow and steady wins the race. YES your monthly "happy" time definitely has an effect on your weight loss. You retain water. Up to 4lbs sometimes... 2-3 is more common.
Also, I read this not too long ago. Your body regulates your water retention slightly different every day. Depends on humidity, sleep, what you eat, stress, life in general... who knows. But your weight can fluctuate by up to 4lbs! from one day to another. Typically doesn't, but it's possible. I've stepped on the scale (I weigh in daily, right after BR) and it was up 3lbs from the day before. Didn't eat much different. No idea why. The next day it was down 2lbs. Then up again 1. And so on. So you're within about a 4lbs range. That makes it tough. That's why they don't recommend daily weigh ins... but even weekly can vary.
I remember this, too. It takes a 3500 calorie deficit in your diet to lose 1lb. That's about 500 calories/day over a week less than you typically eat. You don't really want to strive for more than that, because then you go into metabolic starvation, like you're already worried about. So slow and steady wins the race. It'll stay off that way. I know you want to get there. And you are! But it takes time. Just keep doing what you are and it'll happen. You're only in week 4! The first couple of weeks were probably mostly water weight anyway.
I'm rooting for you. You know you look great. But we're always most critical of ourselves. Hang in there.
Thanks Marlen! I know you are right. That 3,500 calorie thing is why my calorie base was set at 880. You are right. It's going to have to be slow and steady. I'll get there. :). Yes. We are the toughest on ourselves.
ReplyDeleteWeight loss was very big challenge for me at that time but now I feel very comfortable. Because I have a target to loose weight.
ReplyDeleteRegards,
Kopi Luwak