What am I doing wrong??

I overhauled my diet & workout schedule on 3/14 (two weeks ago). I've put on about 2-3 pounds that I want to get rid of. So far, the scale hasn't budged AT ALL. I am so frustrated.

For the diet part, I've cut out unnecessary snacking and desserts after dinner.

For the workout part, I do about 30 minutes of cardio & some strength training on machines (same as before). Now I also add on some exercises that I've found in Fitness magazine.

I was sore the first week when I added on the new exercises. I thought the weight wasn't budging because of the water retention to help repair the sore muscles. I don't think I can use this excuse anymore now that I've hit the two-week mark.

My one downfall is that I don't drink enough water.

Any advice?? What am I doing wrong?

TIA!

Re: What am I doing wrong??

What does your average day look like as far as what you eat? Are you keeping track of calories (and the makeup of those calories- fat, protein, carbs, fiber, etc)

Re: What am I doing wrong??

I am a very picky eater during the day. I tend to eat light because I sit at work all day and I can't stand to feel bloated. If I go to the gym in the a.m., I'll have a protein shake when I get home. Otherwise, I'll just have coffee for breakfast. For lunch, I'll have either oatmeal or greek yogurt with a 1/4 cup cereal mixed in. For dinner, I'll have whatever we make. We usually have red meat 1x per week, chicken 3-4x, a vegetarian dish 1x, and fish or pork 1x. Side dish will usually be a big salad or steamed veggies and a small portion of frozen fries that you bake in the oven. I usually have a nice sized portion of fruit after dinner but I'm cutting down on that too. I don't go into specifics of how much carbs, protein, fat, etc is in the dinner though.

Re: What am I doing wrong??

Here are some thoughts, I think you are doing a lot of things right but here are a few suggestions:

Switch up your cardio routine and maybe do it a little longer. When I do a cardio day, I try to hit an hour of working out. Try to take an hour class.

Eat breakfast! Even if its small, you'll be less hungry by lunch.

Maybe skip the fries, even if they are baked. I don't eat french fries at all.

Also it takes time. To lose a pound, you'd need to get rid of 3,500 calories. So in a week to lose a pound you'd need to burn/eat 500 calories less. Its not such a easy feat in a short amount of time for everyone.

Re: What am I doing wrong??

It looks like you're getting enough protein which is good for building lean muscle (and burning fat). I'm not sure if you're eating enough in the AM though. Instead of a coffee for breakfast could you have the yogurt with cereal? And then for lunch have a salad with a lean meat and cheese?

Sometimes your body just won't lose the weight right away...it takes time. You're doing a great job with the healthy diet and excercise. I'd just give it time. If you stiill dont lose weight, I'd switch up your food a little and see if that works.

Re: What am I doing wrong??

I'm wondering how many calories you are eating? Your day seems very low in calories and maybe thats why your body is holding on to the extra weight?

Re: What am I doing wrong??

Try keeping a food diary. I also recommend eating every three to four hours it will help to keep your metabolic rate up. It will also prevent you from feeling very hungry which can lead to overindulging.

Re: What am I doing wrong??

Re: What am I doing wrong??

Posted by shopaholic07

Posted by DRMom

I'm wondering how many calories you are eating? Your day seems very low in calories and maybe thats why your body is holding on to the extra weight?

I don't really know exactly - I haven't calculated it....I've been eating this way for about 4 years and I'm just puzzled why the weight is not coming off

Message edited 3/30/2011 8:51:08 AM.

Re: What am I doing wrong??

Posted by Lucky

Posted by shopaholic07

Posted by DRMom

I'm wondering how many calories you are eating? Your day seems very low in calories and maybe thats why your body is holding on to the extra weight?

I don't really know exactly - I haven't calculated it....I've been eating this way for about 4 years and I'm just puzzled why the weight is not coming off

Bodies are really smart---in my thought process, your mind has you all figured out when it comes to eating. It's like your body is operating in starvation mode---it doesn't want to let anything go because there isn't much fuel going in. I think you need to integrate some smaller snacks into your diet, even small things that won't make you bloat...an apple, a cheese stick, a hard boiled egg, a few baked crackers, etc.

Re: What am I doing wrong??

Posted by Bxgell2

Posted by Lucky

Posted by shopaholic07

Posted by DRMom

I'm wondering how many calories you are eating? Your day seems very low in calories and maybe thats why your body is holding on to the extra weight?

I don't really know exactly - I haven't calculated it....I've been eating this way for about 4 years and I'm just puzzled why the weight is not coming off

Bodies are really smart---in my thought process, your mind has you all figured out when it comes to eating. It's like your body is operating in starvation mode---it doesn't want to let anything go because there isn't much fuel going in. I think you need to integrate some smaller snacks into your diet, even small things that won't make you bloat...an apple, a cheese stick, a hard boiled egg, a few baked crackers, etc.

I agree - it sounds like your body is in starvation mode so it's clinging to calories as best it can by slowing down your metabolism. It feels counterintuitive, but I bet if you started eating more, and more frequently, healthy food, of course, you'll speed up your metabolism and shake your body out of its starvation mode, and then maybe you'll see some results.

Re: What am I doing wrong??

Another thought I had: you said you want to lose 2-3lbs. I've found it can actually be harder to lose those last few pounds than it is to lose a large amount of weight.

Are you within a healthy range already? Maybe you're already at a good weight and your body just won't go lower? I only ask because looking at your avatar..if thats you- you look pretty darn good!!

Re: What am I doing wrong??

Posted by NervousNell

Posted by Bxgell2

Posted by Lucky

Posted by shopaholic07

Posted by DRMom

I'm wondering how many calories you are eating? Your day seems very low in calories and maybe thats why your body is holding on to the extra weight?

I don't really know exactly - I haven't calculated it....I've been eating this way for about 4 years and I'm just puzzled why the weight is not coming off

Bodies are really smart---in my thought process, your mind has you all figured out when it comes to eating. It's like your body is operating in starvation mode---it doesn't want to let anything go because there isn't much fuel going in. I think you need to integrate some smaller snacks into your diet, even small things that won't make you bloat...an apple, a cheese stick, a hard boiled egg, a few baked crackers, etc.

I agree - it sounds like your body is in starvation mode so it's clinging to calories as best it can by slowing down your metabolism. It feels counterintuitive, but I bet if you started eating more, and more frequently, healthy food, of course, you'll speed up your metabolism and shake your body out of its starvation mode, and then maybe you'll see some results.

Exactly this!
My DH has been doing a ton of research on this subject and that is exactly what he has found.
You need to eat more to burn...believe it or not!

Re: What am I doing wrong??

Posted by missfabulous

Another thought I had: you said you want to lose 2-3lbs. I've found it can actually be harder to lose those last few pounds than it is to lose a large amount of weight.

Are you within a healthy range already? Maybe you're already at a good weight and your body just won't go lower? I only ask because looking at your avatar..if thats you- you look pretty darn good!!

Re: What am I doing wrong??

I agree with eating more. I lost 22 pounds for my wedding with a personal trainer/nutritionist. She had me eating what I thought was too much but after a few weeks the weight just started coming off. I was working out 5x/wk and eating every 3 hrs. Literally. I would eat fage yogurt in the a.m. Salad or a turkey on whole wheat sandwich for lunch and dinner was always chicken or fish and a vegetable. In btwn meals I ate raw almonds, carrot sticks, laughing cow wedges, fat free cottage cheese ..

Eat small and every three hours - it will come off.

Good luck!!

Re: What am I doing wrong??

Posted by shopaholic07

Posted by missfabulous

Another thought I had: you said you want to lose 2-3lbs. I've found it can actually be harder to lose those last few pounds than it is to lose a large amount of weight.

Are you within a healthy range already? Maybe you're already at a good weight and your body just won't go lower? I only ask because looking at your avatar..if thats you- you look pretty darn good!!

I am within reach of a healthy range - probably below by BMI standards. That is me in the avator - pic is a few years old but I haven't changed much - except for these darn 2-3 lbs!