What am I doing wrong???

For 5 months I have been trying to lose weight for summertime/ bikini time


I was 166 lbs when I started in January.

I have been eating only salad at lunchtime with a fruit and diet soda every day

For dinner, we have been cooking healthier and Ive been eating smaller portions

I go to an aerobics dance class 3x a week

I am still 166 pounds

I have lost inches because Im back into my size 10 jeans but it kills me that my pounds havent gone down at all

Maybe theres something I'm missing...can anyone offer advice? My goal is 150...is it doable?

Re: What am I doing wrong???

I have had this problem in the past and it is what discourages me most when trying to lose a few pounds-- no movement on the scale is very cruel. In fact I have just made a committment to stick to the diet and exercise routine no matter what the scale says.

I would make some more changes-- perhaps change the types of classes/exercises you are doing. And try to do it 4 to 6 times a week. If you go to a gym-- try doing some weight training. A pound of muscle burns 28 calories an hour while at rest, while a pound of fat burns about 3 calories. That's a HUGE difference.

Also, I would take a hard look at what you are eating. Keeping a food diary, keeping track of your calorie intake and eating balanced meals is important.

So, while you are eating a salad everyday-- what's in that salad? Are you eating breakfast-- you should because it jumps starts your metabolism.

Anyway-- to get educated on food nutritionals, you can use web sites like calorieking.com or calorie-count.com

Try to hang in there...

Message edited 6/9/2007 6:05:37 PM.

Re: What am I doing wrong???

Definately eat more for breakfast and maybe start a food diary. I try to consume a majority of my calories before 6pm when trying to lose.

Don't get discouraged! Inches matter way more than pounds.

Re: What am I doing wrong???

definitely do not get discouraged!!!

Just as mentioned above, you need to try to do more cardio a week (3 days a week less than half the amount of days there are in a week, go for at least 5 days!) Also up the intensity and add variety.

And yes, incorporate the weight training. You don't want to lose muscle while cutting calories and burning them through activity.

And yes, diet is key. Balanced, protein, & breakfast are all important.

Re: What am I doing wrong???

Thanks for the suggestions ladies.

I want to eat breakfast in the morning but it usually makes me nauseous...I dont get hungry until around 10 am

And I vow once school is over to go the gym nearly every day...even if its only for 30 minutes

My salad's usually consist of baby spinacj and lettuce (approx a cup) 10 grape tomatoes, 5 slices of cucumber and maybe a strip or two of chicken with a fat free dressing (approx 2-3 tbsp)

Re: What am I doing wrong???

cut out the soda and drink a lot of water

Re: What am I doing wrong???

it doesnt sound like you are eating enough, which slows down your metabolism.

I would add breakfast and another healthy snack

Re: What am I doing wrong???

here are a few pointers that will work...

if you are 166 lbs you should be eating at least 2000 calories a day of clean protein and fiber rich foods every day. make sure your salads have tons of chicken, or egg whites, and very little cheese. use only low calorie or low fat dressings, or just olive oil and viegar. make sure you get at least 1-150 grams of protein a day, the rest of your calories should come from steamed veggies. only eat starchy carbs after your weight training workouts.

eat 6 small, equally sized meals a day.

mix up your cardio- add high intensity interval running on the treadmill or out side, and definitely add weight training. 4 days of cardio is perfect! one or two days being HIIT. you will see a difference.