working out and not losing weight

[trulyamazingtoo 127]

I am 10 weeks out and been working out a month now and during the last two weeks have really been hitting the gym hard. NOW I AM IN A STALL!!! I Burn about 700-1000 calories a day. I don't understand. I do about 4 miles on elliptical or bike and lift weights. Is it that i am gaining muscle? And if so will I stay at the weight I am now? I am tone but have only lost 35 pounds and that was at 7 weeks out. Now i am just stuck. I don't want to be tone at this weight. I weigh 172 and think i should get down to at least 140 to 145. Any suggestions?

[JamieLogical 8,727]

How many calories are you eating?

[Babbs 14,681]

You're probably not eating enough to compensate for the amount of exercise you're doing. You're only 10 weeks out, so I'd imagine you can only eat up to 800 calories? Is it possible to eat more? If not, back off a little on the exercise. You are gaining muscle, too, so that will slow things down. I exercise like a maniac, too, and I had to up my calories to 1100 to even continue to lose because my body flat out was holding on to everything. You are far too early out for that I'm sure.

I do notice on these boards that once people get within our weight range, they tend to slow down and stall a lot. You just have to tweak things to figure out how to get things going again! Good Luck!

[trulyamazingtoo 127]

I probably eat about 400 to 500 calories a day..I know its not enough. I have been trying to up them
This has been my first stall.

[Babbs 14,681]

I problem eat about 400 to 500 calories a day..I know its not enough. I have been trying to up them

This has been my first stall.

You're eating 400-500 calories a day and exercising off 700-1000 calories a day? Yeah, you're in starvation mode.

Either up your calories or slow down the exercise. That's not healthy, and your body will start eating up any muscle your are trying to build. I know so early out it's hard to eat more but you need to try to up to at least 800 calories or so.

[trulyamazingtoo 127]

I am just now getting to maybe 500. I was doing 300 but I have to eat and drink all day to make it to 500. They recommend that I work at 5 times a week. I need to get in shape. So should I eat foods that are higher calories? I try to stay away from trigger foods. I had a problem before with sweets and chips. I just started eating a few carbs last week. I eat a hard shell taco and i had some poppcorn. But other than that I been sticking with Protein and that doesn't give me enough calories.

[Babbs 14,681]

I am just now getting to maybe 500. I was doing 300 but I have to eat and drink all day to make it to 500. They recommend that I work at 5 times a week. I need to get in shape. So should I eat foods that are higher calories? I try to stay away from trigger foods. I had a problem before with sweets and chips. I just started eating a few carbs last week. I eat a hard shell taco and i had some poppcorn. But other than that I been sticking with Protein and that doesn't give me enough calories.

Stay completely away from carbs right now and concentrate on Proteins and veggies. Can you get in some shakes in between meals or are you sick of shakes, lol? I think shakes would be a good way to get some more calories and Protein in for you right now when you're so soon out and can't get all the calories you need from food quite yet.

[Babbs 14,681]

Also, I subscribe to the "eat full fat or nothing at all" thought...

Full fat cheese, yogurt, mayo, real butter, oils, etc....that will help get your calories up, also. And they taste better than the low fat fake stuff they try to push....

[JamieLogical 8,727]

"Working out" at this early stage just means walking. You are pushing way too hard too fast for the amount of calories you can consume right now. Babbs is 100% right that you will quickly put yourself in starvation mode at this rate (if you haven't already). I'd also like to point out that burning more calories through exercise than you eat is a form of anorexia called "anorexia athletica". While it's true that you need to create a calorie deficit in order to lose weight, you need to remember that the majority of the calories you burn are just through basic bodily functions. If you add excessive exercise on top of that, your metabolism will slow drastically and your body will resort to burning muscle stores for energy.

EDIT: Just want to say that exercise is very important and you should ABSOLUTELY include it, but be mindful to not push your body beyond what it can sustain right now. As you are able to increase your calorie intake, you can work on increasing your intensity.

[Essence46 493]

I agree with the other commenters. This has been my struggle so I definitely understand. You aren't eating enough calories so your body is holding on to everything for dear life. LOL! Plus you are only 10 weeks out which is still early. I would suggest eating something every two hours. Yogurt. fruit. Protein bars. Nuts. Jerky. Boiled eggs. Veggies. I know it is hard while still trying to get in your Water though. Good luck.

Edited May 5, 2015 by Essence46

[trulyamazingtoo 127]

Ok thanks guys... I will try some of the suggestions. I do one shake a day....I am tried of them though but I know I need more Protein and calories

[par1959 470]

Trust me on this. 95% of your weight loss will come by diet not exercise. Give yourself a chance to heal and eat properly drink lots of Water and be patient. The weigh will come off. Your going to hit stalls you will adventually come to terms mentally with the stalls. It took me 5 months to feel 100%. Then at about 9 months I discovered I could run. In Febuary, I started running and now have 2 half marathons under my belt and various other distances. Sure you will lose some weight exercising, but what I have found is once I lost the weigh running allows me to eat a bit more without gaining it back . This does not mean you dont have to watch what you eat but you will be able to absorb a few more carbos. In short, weight loss is one nutrtional set of rules were athletics comes under another set of dietary rules. Learn the weigh lose rules first. Make them second nature. Once you have lost most the weight and you increase exercise schedule a appointment with your nut and look at your nutritional needs. Also be aware that you can run into to blood sugar problems. As in being to low. You will get dizzy and feel a bit of anxiety if this happens. I found a couple of serving of fruit daily keeps me balanced.

[sunshine7 11]

How many calories your eating. Look up starvation mode

[Babbs 14,681]

Ok thanks guys... I will try some of the suggestions. I do one shake a day....I am tried of them though but I know I need more Protein and calories

Did you ever in your life think you would get the suggestion to eat MORE??! Lol.

[Inner Surfer Girl 12,015]

Are you reaching your daily Protein and Water goals?