why am i not losin weight?

Kerry1234

hi everyone. Just need some advice plz. Basicaly i am lookin to lose around a stone and a half, i had a baby 8 weeks ago nd through the pregnancy, i gained nearly 2 stone. I now weigh ten stone and would like to get back down to 8 and a half. So i have been goin to the gym nearly every day for the past 3 weeks nd i have barely eaten. At the gym, i would only spend half hour there as its only time avail i have but in that half hour, i would jog on treadmill at 8kmh for fifteen mins and then i would walk for another fifteen mins, i wud then do fifty sit ups. Then my diet wud b just one slice of whole neck toast nd cuppa tea then for lunch i wud have weight watchers soup which is like fifty calories then for dinner i wud av chicken breast, baby potatoes nd broccoli. I wouldn't eat anythin aftr this, aftr doin this for 3 weeks straight, i weighed myself tonight nd i haven.t lost any weight, not even a pound! Where am i goin wrong? Any advice wud b much appreciated! Thanks

squod

You'd be way better off interval training on a cycle than walking or jogging @ 8kph. I can't see how you're even breaking a sweat. Ask your gym instructor about doing a full body weights programme or a HIT programme if you're serious about loosing that (small) amount of weight you feel you need to.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUV7Xiy2HAQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUV7Xiy2HAQ

Doug Cartel

Every day for 3 weeks?!

You should do higher intensity exercises as suggested above and take a day's rest between each session. If you're doing a sufficiently intense workout, you'll need that day's rest.

I also think you should get a more balanced diet, but I don't know enough about that to advise you properly.

Kerry1234

thanks for the replies so far guys. I get that i need to do more in the gym but i was afraid of usin weights cos i didn't want to build muscle, only lose weight. Also i av no problem eatin less too, i can go the whole day by only eatin a slice of toast but i was told this wudnt work either as my body wud go into starvation mode nd then i wud only store fat, wat do u think? Also, i know i dont do alot in the gym but i find that i get really breathless, how do i get over this? Oh and i thought that by usin the treadmill rather than the bike, i wud lose more weight. i thought it wud b fairly easy to lose only a stone but to not even lose a pound, its so frustrating. Oh and gone idea bout gettin the gym to put me on a fitness programme, i'll look into that tomor and let u know

Kerry1234

oh and would anyone recommend slimming pills to help me along the way and if so which ones?

GP800

Firstly I'd ditch the weighing scales at least for a month.
8km/hr for 15 minutes is about 120 calories and the walking about 60, push ups maybe 30, so all in about 210 calories per visit.
For a regular gym goer 210 calories is hardly worth the effort of going there, but for a beginner this is fine to build muscles and stamina. Try for 300+, and after a month to 500+ a visit. Aim for 3*45mins a week in the gym (excl stretching).
Building up muscles increases your metabolic system so you lose weight faster. If you dont want muscles you will lose them fast later, not to worry. Using arc-trainers and cross trainers are more intense (15-22 cal per minute), but ease yourself into them.
Regarding the diet, cut the carbs to a minimum (no cornflakes, pizza, fast food) and meat and veg are best. Lunch should be the bigger meal than dinner in general.

vasch_ro

i suspect your body is in starvation mode already, it is important to eat correctly in order to lose weight, small weight losses each week is the key, like 1 or 2 pounds, maybe check out the nutrition and diet forum as there is plenty of info and inspiration there , you did not mention whether u were breast feeding or not, but this would lead to weight loss in the long term and u would need to be eating well for your baby too to provide milk etc
stay away from short cuts and follow advice re exercise on the thread here, see an instructor in the gym and maximize your time there.
Best of luck !

The_Kew_Tour

Whatever you do dont starve yourself. eat pleanty of Fruit and Vegatables.

As for slimming pills they dont work there just a craze. Im sure pretty much everybody that regular on this site will agree.

It takes hardwork in gym and not taking few mircale tablets

megapixel

A woman doesn't build muscle by using weights.
You should use them to tone... (they work a treat).:)

d'Oracle

Kerry1234 wrote: »

oh and would anyone recommend slimming pills to help me along the way and if so which ones?

No.
You are better off without.

I'm reckon you post up a relatively detailed sample of your daily diet along with what you are doing exercise wise.

Then hopefully Transform or someone with some experience with ladies in your situation can give you some pointers on stuff you can do at home with no equipment along with some dietary advice.

itsallaboutheL

Christ above some of this advice is terrible.

Kerry1234 wrote: »

nd i have barely eaten.

THIS, is the reason you're not loosing any weight, if anything it's completely counter productive.

Not eating a breakfast is setting you up for failure from the begining.

What you need is a nice balanced diet, up your protein, get some good fats, spread them evenly throughout the day, 3 meals and snacks, or whatever you're having.

Get your metabolism firing again.

Then forgot about this steady-state cardio, three times a week go in and do your 20 mins of HIT or a few circuits or whatever...

Any gym advice given is pretty irrelevant at the moment if you don't sort out your diet.

And for the love of God don't go buying slimming pills with a diet like that you'll destroy yourself....

I'm knackered and my brain is fried but i'll come back later with a some what coherenent reply..

EDIT: i may have jumped the gun, there's some good replies alright... i hope 12 o'clock hurries up so i can sleep!!

Transform

Kerry1234 wrote: »

thanks for the replies so far guys. I get that i need to do more in the gym but i was afraid of usin weights cos i didn't want to build muscle, only lose weight. Also i av no problem eatin less too, i can go the whole day by only eatin a slice of toast but i was told this wudnt work either as my body wud go into starvation mode nd then i wud only store fat, wat do u think? Also, i know i dont do alot in the gym but i find that i get really breathless, how do i get over this? Oh and i thought that by usin the treadmill rather than the bike, i wud lose more weight. i thought it wud b fairly easy to lose only a stone but to not even lose a pound, its so frustrating. Oh and gone idea bout gettin the gym to put me on a fitness programme, i'll look into that tomor and let u know

stop writing in text speek as its hard to read your post.

Transform

Kerry1234 wrote: »

thanks for the replies so far guys. I get that i need to do more in the gym but i was afraid of usin weights cos i didn't want to build muscle, only lose weight. Also i av no problem eatin less too, i can go the whole day by only eatin a slice of toast but i was told this wudnt work either as my body wud go into starvation mode nd then i wud only store fat, wat do u think? Also, i know i dont do alot in the gym but i find that i get really breathless, how do i get over this? Oh and i thought that by usin the treadmill rather than the bike, i wud lose more weight. i thought it wud b fairly easy to lose only a stone but to not even lose a pound, its so frustrating. Oh and gone idea bout gettin the gym to put me on a fitness programme, i'll look into that tomor and let u know

A few points in the nicest possible manner -

1. You are unfit and need to get fitter - running until you cant run any more is the wrong way of going about this. Doing intervals would be better.

2. Doing cardio only is a waste of time anyway - you need to do weights and do these exercises asap (this is from a client of mine who is 8 weeks post pregnant).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIP5y8K1zYg

Read this - http://thetransformationcatalyst.wordpress.com/2009/12/22/post-pregnancy-training/

3. Be patient you are only 8 weeks post pregnant for gods sake! All women are like that post pregnant - they have the baby and want their body back NOW! Take ...... Your........... Time.

4. there are slow ways of getting back in shape and much much fast ways - your previous approach was possibly the slowest way you could have chosen. Do weights, do intervals and for the love of god sort your diet out.

5. Do all of the above and i 100% guarantee you will look and feel great within days. Keep doing what you have been doing and a year from now you will possibly have the same or a worse figure.

Finally - read this also, http://thetransformationcatalyst.wordpress.com/2009/12/28/another-big-congrats/

The proof is in the pudding - lift weights well and with a structured program and it works. Lift mickey mouse weights and kind of eat a little better and kind of do a little cardio and you will get no where near where you want to be.

The people that look and feel super are that way for a reason and most of those reasons as outlined above.

I would read that post a few times to get it into your head and watch the videos a few times also - this info is as relevant for those starting out whether they are male, female, post pregnant or just getting themselves up off their ars3 to get in shape.

i am not going to say 'best of luck' and all that crap - just go do it!

TskTsk

Kerry1234 wrote: »

I now weigh ten stone and would like to get back down to 8 and a half.

(Edit) Kerry1234 - your body may have very specific needs after childbirth. It's definitely worth speaking with a professional before you undertake any sort of diet or exercise regime.

Every 1lb of fat will require you to burn about 3,500kcals, so in order to lose 21lb you're going to need to burn off 73,500kcals over the duration of the program.

Assuming an average loss rate of 1lb per week, you could reach your desired weight in about 5 months, in a manageable and safe manner.

If your normal calorie intake is about 1,800-2,000kcals per day, try to bring that down to 1,500-1,700kcals and aim to burn off 200-300kcals in the gym. If you are having difficulty reaching that goal in the gym, try to do as much as you can manage and reduce your calorie intake to compensate.

Remember... it took 9 months to add the weight, so you shouldn't expect to take it off in much less time.

TommyKnocker

itsallaboutheL wrote: »

Christ above some of this advice is terrible.

I am no expert but I whole heartedly agree whth this statement.

How can anybody reccommend to a poster to do HIIT or tell them they are eating too much when they post that "They hardly eat anything" and list a diet of

Breakfast: 1 slice of toast and a cup of tea
Lunch: A Weight watchers soup
Dinner: 1 Chicken breast, some baby potatoes and some brocolli

There is NO WAY this is providing enough calories for a woman of 10 stone.

Kerry1234:

I have sent a PM to Transform on your behalf asking if he could check out this thread and offer you some qualified advice. Transform is a qualified Personal Trainer who has helped women in your situation lose their baby weight in a healthy and sustainable weight. I would urge you to listen to any advice that he offers above all others.

Also what ever you do, Please, Please do Not consider eating any less than you are at present. You seriously need to increase the number of calories you take in. Above all you need to keep yourself healthy for your new born baby and your family.

I have no idea of the cost involved, but if you could afford it, it might be an idea to have one or two 1 to 1 sessions with Transform to get you started.

In the meantinme, check out his website http://www.thetransformationcatalyst.com/

Best Regards & Good Luck,

M

Transform

B-Builder wrote: »

I am no expert but I whole heartedly agree whth this statement.

How can anybody reccommend to a poster to do HIIT or tell them they are eating too much when they post that "They hardly eat anything" and list a diet of

Breakfast: 1 slice of toast and a cup of tea
Lunch: A Weight watchers soup
Dinner: 1 Chicken breast, some baby potatoes and some brocolli

There is NO WAY this is providing enough calories for a woman of 10 stone.

Kerry1234:

I have sent a PM to Transform on your behalf asking if he could check out this thread and offer you some qualified advice. Transform is a qualified Personal Trainer who has helped women in your situation lose their baby weight in a healthy and sustainable weight. I would urge you to listen to any advice that he offers above all others.

Also what ever you do, Please, Please do Not consider eating any less than you are at present. If anything you need to increase the number of calories you take in. Above all you need to keep yourself healthy for your new born baby and your family.

I have no idea of the cost involved, but if you could afford it, it might be an idea to have one or two 1 to 1 sessions with Transform to get you started.

In the meantinme, check out his website http://www.thetransformationcatalyst.com/

Best Regards & Good Luck,

M

cheers man and please keep in mind that the info in the post is for all NOT just post pregnant women.

Regarding the diet - yes she is eating the wrong foods and too little. Any of the female clients i work with possibly train for less time than she is right now and getting better results.

This is the whole point of a forum - get the advice and go with it.

corkcomp

to the poster who said the OP is "eating too much" - cop on FFS, that is not helpful at all and its obvious that she is not eating enough IMO.

OP, a few things - eat breakfast, try porridge and fruit. try fish / chicken and lots of salad for lunch, think lots of veg and meat for dinner, or whole grains. 30 mins in the gym most days should get you reasonably good results - try a 50 / 50 split between weights and cardio. while i would echo the advice about doing intervals, there is nothing wrong with just going as hard as you can for 15 minutes or whatever. if you gained two stone then your calorie intake must have been pretty high and it looks like you have gone to the opposite extreme now, DONT do this! just cut out junk food and take your time, you will lose the excess weight eventually, 3 weeks is not a long time !!! oh and best of luck :pac:

TskTsk

B-Builder wrote: »

There is NO WAY this is providing enough calories for a woman of 10 stone.

Also what ever you do, Please, Please do Not consider eating any less than you are at present. You seriously need to increase the number of calories you take in. Above all you need to keep yourself healthy for your new born baby and your family.

Well said.

I know this isn't a medical forum, but does anyone know what would cause someone on such a low calorie intake not to lose weight? Is it that the body goes into 'starvation mode', or something else?

I noticed that in my own case, the weight did take a few weeks to start coming off.

Transform

very basically your metabolism really slows down, you burn fewer calories, your body will start to drop muscle (which is vital for fat loss) and it makes it progressively harder to drop fat specifically.

you are going to drop muscle so that is why the weight on the scales can come down but the body feels and looks (floppy/flabby) the same or worse.

yop

digme wrote: »

Your eating to much.

No she is not :rolleyes:

As said you are probably starving yourself! You are after having a child also so your body probably still isn't back to "normal".
Also if you are breastfeeding (you don't need to answer that), you probably need more calories!!!

All you are doing is burning off muscle and your bodying is grabbing every calorie that it can get so you won't be losing weight. Also dont panic, its not going to be a quick fix. Avoid them flipping pills also, they are a quick fix.

Can you get out with the pram and walk? If you could get out for 1hour walk with your baby AND if possible get into the the gym for 30/40 mins and do the HIIT session it will come off, IN TIME!

Congrats on the baby and good luck with the weight loss, it will come off!

AdeT

When I was at College a lecturer simplified the metabolism by likening it to a coal-fired steam engine; to create the steam that moves the train the fire needs to be fed coal regularly. If the fire stops being fed, the engine grinds to a complete halt. Like wise, to create the energy we need to move us forward, we need to be regularly fed quality food. Small amounts regularly is the key

fatmammycat

I just cannot understand women who don't want to build muscle, nice toned arms, no bingo wings, flatter stomachs, narrower waists, shapely legs, defined shoulders, high firm buttocks (thank you squats!) less flappy bits, less cellulite, burns more fat, makes clothes fit better, makes you stronger, makes birds suddenly appear every time you are near... sorry. But muscle and weight lifting for ladies is full of win.

Transform

fatmammycat wrote: »

I just cannot understand women who don't want to build muscle, nice toned arms, no bingo wings, flatter stomachs, narrower waists, shapely legs, defined shoulders, high firm buttocks (thank you squats!) less flappy bits, less cellulite, burns more fat, makes clothes fit better, makes you stronger, makes birds suddenly appear every time you are near... sorry. But muscle and weight lifting for ladies is full of win.

totally agree - results are always the easy answer. Just show the results

baybike

Hi Kerry,
I was in the same place as you are now, 18 months ago.

I have since lost over two stone, but it took a year, a lot of sweat and a lot of relearning how to eat right.

My advice to you would be:
1. Relax! 9months on/9months off is how you need to think. Enjoy your new baby.

2. Read through this board and listen to people like Transform and G'em. They really know what they are talking about. And do what they tell you to do!

3. Try incorporate exercise into your new routine with your baby. At this age your lo is going to be doing a lot of sleeping, throw them into the pram and pound the streets. One tip I found great was, when walking uphill, get close to the pram then push it forward from you with your arms, then walk up close to the pram and push out again...great for the arms! Get yourself some weights(two full 1litre bottles are a good start) and do weights. Learn how to squat and lunge. All this can be done during the baby's naps...or do it in front of them, hours of amusement for them!

4. And eat! Eat regulary but eat well. Cutting out your white carbs will make a world of difference.

5. Make it a lifestyle. Don't do all this work just to lose 2stone and then revert back to old habits. Eating clean and exercising well will become a habit you can't do without. And you baby will grow up learning good habits.

And...Congratulations on your baby!!:)

Kerry1234

wow guys, thanks so much for all your advice. I really appreciate it! I feel like i know where im going wrong now, i had completely the wrong idea all along. 1St thing tomorrow, im goin to get on a fitness plan at the gym, focus more on weights and build muscle, im not exactly sure about my diet, i understand i have to have a proper breakfast but other than that, i thought i was doing quite well but i'll look into that also. I really wasn't expecting it to take this long, i never put on weight before i got pregnant. Im not breast feeding so maybe thats delaying things. Your advice has been a MAJOR help so thanks again!! X

Transform

Kerry1234 wrote: »

wow guys, thanks so much for all your advice. I really appreciate it! I feel like i know where im going wrong now, i had completely the wrong idea all along. 1St thing tomorrow, im goin to get on a fitness plan at the gym, focus more on weights and build muscle, im not exactly sure about my diet, i understand i have to have a proper breakfast but other than that, i thought i was doing quite well but i'll look into that also. I really wasn't expecting it to take this long, i never put on weight before i got pregnant. Im not breast feeding so maybe thats delaying things. Your advice has been a MAJOR help so thanks again!! X

i am sure some people can post up a typical clean diet for 3 main meals and 2 snacks for you on this post - give her some options.

MissMotivated

Hi Kerry1234
Just to say I am no expert, I only kno what I know from this forum and others.

When I'm eating at my best my diet looks like this (again I'm not saying this is perfect, just what I've picked up here, might give you ideas):

Breakfast: porridge/ eggs( boiled/scrambled/omelette)

Lunch: overbaked fish/ovenbaked chicken/cajun chicken + steam fried veg (brocolli, carrots, mushrooms, spinach, onions), homemade veg soup + salad and meat plate, homemade chicken stirfry/steak mince bologneise (great ways to get your veg in)

Evening: omelette (if didn't have eggs for brekky)/salad plate/oat pancakes/sometimes wholemeal sandwich

I have 2 or 3 snacks in between these meals, which can be nuts, fruit, greek/organic low fat yoghurt. Treats include low cal jelly, 85% cocoa dark choc, flapjacks (thanks to Khannie). I have 1 or 2 treat meals a week, I try to limit potatos to once/twice a week, if I have eggs in morning I'll have wholemeal toast but bread and potatos bloat me so I try to avoid.

Have to admit I've fallen off the wagon since xmas, my sweet tooth had nearly disapperared before xmas because I cut out sweet stuff so my cravings subsided but I allowed myself crap at xmas and since then sweet tooth is gone mad!! I just need to inore the carvings for a bit again and they will go away.I keep a food diary to see how I'm going, I find it really helps.
Hope this helps a bit anyway!!

TommyKnocker

Hi Kerry

Without getting too anal about it, first work out how many calories you need each day just to survive. This figure is called you Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR). To do this I use the Harris Benedict formula

Standard BMR Formula
Women: BMR = 655 + ( 4.35 x weight in pounds ) + ( 4.7 x height in inches ) - ( 4.7 x age in years )

Metric BMR Formula
Women: BMR = 655 + ( 9.6 x weight in kilos ) + ( 1.8 x height in cm ) - ( 4.7 x age in years )

This is the number of calories you would use if you basically just lay in bed all day and did nothing. In all the reading I have done on weight loss, I have always read that you should never eat a lower calorie intake then your BMR figure.

So now you need to adjust for your current lifestyle, so multiply by the appropriate activity factor

1. If you are sedentary (little or no exercise) : Calorie-Calculation = BMR x 1.2
2. If you are lightly active (light exercise/sports 1-3 days/week) : Calorie-Calculation = BMR x 1.375
3. If you are moderatetely active (moderate exercise/sports 3-5 days/week) : Calorie-Calculation = BMR x 1.55
4. If you are very active (hard exercise/sports 6-7 days a week) : Calorie-Calculation = BMR x 1.725
5. If you are extra active (very hard exercise/sports & physical job or 2x training) : Calorie-Calculation = BMR x 1.

You would be 3 IMHO

This figure will be an indication of the number of calories you should eat each day. The general wisdom is to create a deficit of between 300 and 500 calories each day (2,100-3,500 per week) if the goal is to lose weight. This with the weights and cardio in the gym should give you good results, but please be patient Rome wasn't built in a day

Also I have personally had good results by eating my allotted calories in six smallish meals per day and also by cutting down on the starch based carbs (breads, pasta rice etc) I consume. I understand that this may be a challange with a new baby and a family. Also I try to ensure a calorie ratio of 40% of calories from protein, 25%-30% of calories from carbs (mostly from veg and fruit. Have Oats for Brekkie though), 30%-35% of calories from healthy fats (Fish oil capsules, Coconut oil, nuts & seeds, nut butters, Extra virgin Olive Oil). These sources of fat in moderation are not to be feared.

Breakfast and lunch would be my biggest meals and for dinner each night I only have a protein source (Meat/fish) and veg. No potatoes, rice, pasta etc. I find by eating this way I am never full or feel bloated after eating and also I am never hungry.

Just to give you an idea, if your daily food intake was as per your first post, then you are currently consuming

Breakfast:
1 slice of bread toasted - 80 cals (possibly 100 with some butter)
1 cup of tea (whatever cals from milk and sugar if used)

Lunch:
Weight Watchers soup - 50 cals

Dinner:
1 Chicken Breast - 150/200 cals
Baby potatoes - possibly 200 cals
Brocolli - maybe 100/150 cals

Daily Total = circa 700/800 cals.:eek:

So if you want to put together what you consider to be a healthy daily food intake both in quanity and quality and post it up where some of the more knowledgeable folks will point out any tweaks that may be required.

I am sure you have a good idea of what foods stuffs are healthy and which are not. One thing I would advise is to stay away from almost all breakfast cereals as most are laden with sugar. Oats are a good idea for breakfast and as well as eating them with milk like a cereal, there are some good pancake recipies on these forums which make a nice change. Also eggs (whole) with some good quality wholemeal bread. If using sliced pan type wholemeal bread, check that the first listed ingredient is not "Wheat Flour" as this is white flour, so you may as well be eating white bread.

Finally, remember that life is for living and enjoying, so your eating and exercise should enhance you life and not feel like a chore.


Best Regards & Good Luck,

M

ivy tilsley

Hi Kerry,

I'm no expert, just wanted to chime in and say I'm a girl who uses weights and I'm not a big bulky monster.

The best of luck with your new fitness regime and congrats on the new arrival.

Transform

super advice on the diet front

littlefriend

Transform wrote: »

super advice on the diet front

I think b-builders posts are always really helpful and full of great info.

Transform

littlefriend wrote: »

I think b-builders posts are always really helpful and full of great info.

agreed always very helpful

and others can post up more diet options for the meals if they get a chance

TommyKnocker

littlefriend wrote: »

I think b-builders posts are always really helpful and full of great info.

Transform wrote: »

agreed always very helpful

Thank you both. I do try to post helpful information.

However please be advised that I am an IT engineer with no training or qualifications what so ever in any aspect of the Health/Training/Nutrition arena, unlike Transform, Will Heffernan (SP?), Roper (I believe) and there are probably others, who are all qualified personal trainers and who work with clients each and every day, getting them the results they seek.

Please treat anything I post with due scepticisim, as it will more than likely be from something that I read on the Internet somewhere which sounded plausible and that I have probably tried on myself and found it to work. But we are all different so what works for me may not work for everybody.

The PT's who post here will likely have multiple qualifications and years of experience dealing with lots of clients and getting results. So these are the folks IMHO whose advice should be given the highest consideration.


Best Regards & Thanks again,

M

Transform

B-Builder wrote: »

Thank you both. I do try to post helpful information.

However please be advised that I am an IT engineer with no training or qualifications what so ever in any aspect of the Health/Training/Nutrition arena, unlike Transform, Will Heffernan (SP?), Roper (I believe) and there are probably others, who are all qualified personal trainers and who work with clients each and every day, getting them the results they seek.

Please treat anything I post with due scepticisim, as it will more than likely be from something that I read on the Internet somewhere which sounded plausible and that I have probably tried on myself and found it to work. But we are all different so what works for me may not work for everybody.

The PT's who post here will likely have multiple qualifications and years of experience dealing with lots of clients and getting results. So these are the folks IMHO whose advice should be given the highest consideration.


Best Regards & Thanks again,

M

yes i am keeping an eye on you and your risky advice