Frustrated

[fccsret]

I have been working out every day since June 15th and don't see any results.  My routine consists of ellipitical and weights.  I am up to 55 minutes on the elliptical adn 20 minutes on weights.  My elliptical workout consists of using the built in programs and I average between 65-70 rpm regardless of incline or resistance.  I work legs and upper body for weights.

I drink on cup of black coffee in the morning and the rest of the day is nothing but water (64+ oz a day).  I do not drink alcohol or any soda.

I have changed my diet to consist of fruits and vegetables.  For snacks I eat carrots, dried plums or dates.

Any suggestions?

I started out at 200 lbs and decided I will not weigh in again until the end of the month.

[KelMarie4920]

I think it's only natural to feel this way. The best advice that I've gotten from trainers is to switch it up. Maybe on MWF you do an interval setting on the elliptical and then T/TH/Sat do the weight loss setting. I found I see the best results when I start incorporating new/different things. Are you interested in, or do you have time, to do outdoor sports? Tennis is a great way to get in a full body workout. The pool is another great place - it's cool, relaxing, can be fun, and often feels like no work at all. I like using resistance bands in the pool, also. I hope these suggestions help. Sometimes it takes a large variety of exercises to find what best benefits you. Good luck in your journey! 🙂

[Algenon]

Do you mean results on the scale?  If so, that might take a while since you are probaly building up muscle which weighs more than fat but takes up less space.  Do your clothes fit better?  Do you look and feel better?  If so, just keep up your current routine and you will see results.  Don't give up. It took a couple of months before I saw a significant weight change on the scale but I would have people tell me I looked thinner and I did feel better.  

Good Luck!

[Stephen1227]

Great post, KelMarie4920.  I very much agree and am finding it to be true. 

[Jabrat]

What's your calorie burn per day ??

[1stepcloser]

You said everyday for over a month? Take a rest day! Your body needs to rest. If you can't sit still for your one day go for a walk. My rest day drives me crazy but I have to do it.  I understand the not seeing any changes. I take pics every 30-45 days. I know I have lost inches but i see the pics and swear they look the same.  Im going to say don't just go by the scale. Buy a tape measure and track your neck, chest, waist, hips, thighs, calves, biceps, and forearm. I track all of those because you will lose inches in all of them.  Next remember a pound of fat takes up more space then a pound of muscle. So if you are losing fat but building muscle the scale isn't going to move much, but your clothes should be a little looser. It took my clothes over two months to start being looser. Next if your just starting your body is going to resists you. You're excersising, Your mood is improving but your body still needs to make different chemicals for you to lose weight. Untill your body adjust and understands your excersising isnt going to stop it will resist making cortizal(i think thats spelled right) which you need to lose weight.

So take a rest day, once a week! And keep it up, you will lose it takes time. Don't get frustrated. You didn't gain weight overnight you won't lose it that way either.

[Jabrat]

Took me a whole year to lose 50 pounds

[betpchem]

I agree with all the other replies, but I want to add one thing - are you eating enough protein? Fruits and vegetables alone won't do it. Your muscles need protein to build with. If you don't want to eat meat, try quinoa or beans or soy. Exercise is important, but I really noticed changes in my body when I really concentrated on eating healthy. 

[josephz2va]

I would recommend a nutritional plan based on High Protein Diet. A nutritionist can provide you a list of foods to buy and eat. WW, Jenny Craig, and a few others can adapt your food to High Protein Dieting.

Most fruits do not have any protein and they have tons of carbohydrates and sugars.

You can also substitute "Nuts" for "100 Calorie Almonds" packs sold in grocery stores to watch those calories when it comes to hunger strikes. or even "Popcorn" for "100 Calorie Popcorn" for movie nights.

[Stephen1227]

I would be careful not to consume too much protein however. I've read that it can be hard on the kidneys and leach calcium from the bones. Just my two cents.

[carl669]

i'm not sure abut the calcium part, but too much protein typically has no effect on kidney function unless you already have existing renal issues.

[Sis4VT · Accepted solution]

It sounds like you're doing a lot right and I am so impressed with the responses. Smart folks in here! I agree with many of them. You do need to get your protein. I am a fan of a "well rounded" eating plan. Everything in moderation and as close to our hunter gatherer roots as possible. They are right; it's not just the scale that matters; and the activities of tennis for cardio and swimming or aqua aerobics are good suggestions. I've found that drastic changes send your body into survival mode and it doesn't give up the calories as readily. 

Now, All that being said....I "know" what I'm suppose to be doing. A nutritionist recently told me it didn't seem like there was much she could tell me that I didn't already know. So what's my problem. Laziness, stupidity, self confidence???  It's about intrinsic movitation I guess. Habit changing. Thinking patterns. 

You are already working toward retraining those synapses and you should be very proud !!!

Just take baby steps in trying some of the suggestions here and keep valuing yourself enough to set your frustration aside, take a deep breath, and give yourself permission to flounder a bit. It's Ok.  

[Stephen1227]

well said.

[fccsret]

Thank you for the advice.  I am signed up to participate in a Couch to 5k program that my Dr. is coordinating starting next week.  Hopefully that will help with mixing it up 🙂

[fccsret]

I decided when I started that I wouldn't get back on the scale until the end of the month.  I am not seeing any physical results as far as muscle mass or how clothes are fitting.

[fccsret]

Thank you for the advice.  I am signed up to participate in a Couch to 5k program that my Dr. is coordinating starting next week.  Hopefully that will help with mixing it up 

[fccsret]

around 1000 per day

[fccsret]

Thank you for your thoughtful response.  I will try and switch things around a bit and try and be patient.

[fccsret]

Thanks Jabrat and congratulations for losing the 50 lbs!  

[fccsret]

Thanks betpchem.  I forgot to mention in my post tht I am still eating meat but eating smaller/leaner portions.  I am going to have to start tracking calories next which is a real pain in the tail.