New Poster Needs Help

[Gettin_Fit]

I have been reading through the boards here for awhile trying to learn and apply what I can, but I think I am doing something really wrong and I don't know how to fix it. I am trying to lose weight while getting my body in shape and I don't seem to be getting anywhere. I am 5'6" and currently 160 lbs. I have been watching what I eat (with the occasional slip-up-not daily, probably once a week) and working out every day. (been doing so for a month - not real long I know.)
I am really new to working out and not able to go to a gym, so I have been working out with a video at home. It includes cadio and weights. Everyday I work my legs, upper body and abs. And every evening I have been walking about 3-4 miles at a brisk pace.
The first week I lost 5 lbs easy. After that I haven't lost a single pound. I don't understand why. I know that I have lost some in inches, because certain pants are getting loser in the rear, but other than that I am not seeing much as far as results. I am not expecting to see results right away or anything, but I feel like I am working so hard and for nothing.
Here's what my day usually looks like:

8:30am- 2 Xenadrine w/ 8oz water
9:00-9:45am - workout
10:45am - 4 oz ff yogurt w/1 tsp UP-Bran
12:00pm - 1/2 cup califlower, 1/2 cup baby carrots, 1 small apple.
2:00pm - 2 Xenadrine
2:30pm - 1/2 ff cottage cheese
5:00pm - Egg white omlette (2 egg whites) 1/2 cup mushrooms, 1 slice ff cheese.
6:30 pm - walk 3-4 miles
if really hungry after walk I make a protien shake with 1 scoop protien power, 3/4 cup skim milk, and a couple berries.

Any suggestions I what I can do, or should I just continue with what I am doing and just be more patient?
Sorry my post was so long, and thanks in advance for your help

 

[staw]

You aren't eating enough. Doesn't look as though there is much water intake throughout your day either. Do you like eating chicken or tuna? There are some wonderful diet plans on this board. Have you had a chance to glance through them?

Good that you are walking 3-4 miles and working out. Don't get discouraged. Perhaps you should take some measurements and track your progress that way. The scale can be somewhat deceptive, especially when you first start a routine.

 

[msboss]

You aren't eating enough. Doesn't look as though there is much water intake throughout your day either. Do you like eating chicken or tuna? There are some wonderful diet plans on this board. Have you had a chance to glance through them?

Good that you are walking 3-4 miles and working out. Don't get discouraged. Perhaps you should take some measurements and track your progress that way. The scale can be somewhat deceptive, especially when you first start a routine.

I agree with you about her food consumption. She could use a little more protein, and yes water. It would be wise to check out the nutition discussion boards and maybe get a book on nutrition. Not a "voodoo" high carb or low carb book either. Diabetics eat one of the healthiest diets out there. It's a balance of all nutrients and is based on maintaining a steady sugar level. Please don't starve yourself.

Msboss

 

[Gettin_Fit]

I guess maybe I am not eating enough, but I'm afraid to eat much more since I don't seem to be losing anything now according to the scale.
I do allow myself certain snacks if I do feel like I need something to eat. I have a couple slices of lean turkey breast with cheese. usually its always a protien or sometimes if I am on the go its just a peice of fruit.
I also try to drink water each time I eat, and I do have tea or a diet pop or water between meals if I am thirsty or think I am hungry. I always try to remember to drink before I reach for a snack in case I'm not really hungry but thirsty instead. I still probably need to drink more, and I will work on that.

When you start working out is it common to not lose actual pounds and just lose inches? I have the huge thigh syndrome and worry that maybe I am just building muscle and never gonna have thin thighs.....

enough rambling, thanks for the replys.

 

[ArtsyChic]

I will say I think your lack of results is stemming from your diet. Wow..where's the food? Honey, you really should be eating something besides Xenadrine for breakfast. You need some protein as well. Speaking from personal experience, I'd totally cut out the yogurt and replace it with 1/2 cup oatmeal and 1 egg and 4 or so egg whites. Some yogurts, particulary in fat free products are laden with sugar. You need to watch out for those. I would also include 4 ozs chicken/tuna/lean beef with the noon meal. Also, I'd cut out the apple and the carrots and replace it with fresh broccoli or green beans...or even some brown rice. At 2:30, don't bother with ff cottage cheese..I've found it tastes horrific..but if you like it..go ahead. I'd also add a few ounces of meat. At five..only 2 egg whites? Wow..that's two or three bites for me. Try the four or five ounces of lean meat with cottage cheese or some fiberous veggies...or if you MUST have eggs try 5 whites and 1 whole egg. Isn't fat free cheese disgusting? I can't eat it..putrifies me. Plus, if your last meal is at 5..I'd squeeze in something else at 7:00..of course, something with protein. Rule of thumb I use is my meal shouldn't be larger then my two fists put together. Truly, and this is one thing I have learned...READ LABELS. Most think since something is fat free it's good for you..this is a misconception. Most fat free products are fat free because they take out the fat and add sugar, which is worse then fat by a long shot.

I have found that lifting three days a week and doing cardio on the days I'm not lifting works pretty well. I only do cardio three days a week and find it helps me take the weight off with minimal muscle loss. With your diet as poor as it is..you're going to take of lean body mass with the fat..and you don't want that. And does Xenadrine actually work? I've never used it..but have read the ingredients list and they don't impress me. Try an ephedra/caffeine/aspirin stack. You'll hear alot about it on the boards.

 

[Gettin_Fit]

ArtsyChic WOW!! Thanks for all the good information. I have been reading that for my weight I should be eating between 1500-1600 calories a day. Holy crap!! To me that seems like such an amazing amount of food. (previously eating disorderd, and still have some of that mind set when it comes to food) I don't want to look boney - that's why I am here. I want to look FIT...get rid of all this fat and actually be able to see the muscle that I know is hiding in there
So that being said, I will actually lose body fat by eating that much? as long as my diet is clean and I exercise, right?
I am going to take your advice and incorporate the food suggestions. About the fat free stuff..I don't necessarily eat it because it tastes great or is really healthy...I am a calorie counting freak and they are low cal. Guess I am going to have to work on the frame of mind while working off this fat too
I don't know that the xenadrine really does much difference, it does give me extra energy that's for sure. I guess I'll read up on making my own stack. Sure it would save me a little money too.
I guess the reason that is the only thing I have before my workout is because I thought it was better to workout on an empty stomach. I find even if I have a little juice before I workout I feel sick half way through it. hmmmm
Thanks again. and if anyone has any thoughts that would help they are greatly appreciated!

 

[MS]

You're definitely getting the best advice available. One other thing to consider is that you are actually gaining muscle which weighs more than fat. I mean, if your clothes are getting looser but the scale is staying the same, this is almost certainly happening. This is great, and means you're well on your way to looking trimmer. But give your body enough food to continue this muscle growth, and patience to see the effects.

 

[lonelybulldawglover]

Thanks a million, ladies!!

Thanks so much for the advice! I'm another newbie, who, after dropping 38 lbs in two months --a divorce-inspired thing, is seeing her progress slow. (I am currently 42, 5'6 and 206lbs, with no particular weight goal in mind, just shape and bfi. I've always tended to have a lead core, even when 19 and fresh out of basic training).

Mind you, I'm not discouraged in the least...just impatient. Lots of walking, weights and water, diet of lean proteins and live greens. No sugar (with a 'personal trainer' who's an EF Marine that calls me "sweetie," who needs any more sugar?!?)

Thanks for setting out the basics again. I think I found my problem (my water consumption was slipping). You ladies are a big help ... and almost as much motivation as the Marine!

Thanks a million!

 

[ArtsyChic]

One more thought is..remember that whole food/real food is always better then anything with chemicals. Fat free food like ff yogurt/cheese really isn't natural...nor all that great considering what they put IN that food to make it fat free. A good rule of thumb is to stick to natural/real food (meat, rice, oats, vegetables, eggs) as much as possible with the exception of protein powder.

And yes, with proper training and clean diet you can achieve anything with your body. A 1500 calorie diet will probably give you decent results if you stick to it. Another good idea is to keep your metabolism guessing. Have a cheat once a week where you can go out and have a drink and/or a favorite meal...but make sure you earn it.

I'm always amazed how one can manipulate their body by using their diet...I know I'm amazed at what I can make happen when I'm eating clean.

Alicia

 

[ArtsyChic]

One more thought is..remember that whole food/real food is always better then anything with chemicals. Fat free food like ff yogurt/cheese really isn't natural...nor all that great considering what they put IN that food to make it fat free. A good rule of thumb is to stick to natural/real food (meat, rice, oats, vegetables, eggs) as much as possible with the exception of protein powder.

And yes, with proper training and clean diet you can achieve anything with your body. A 1500 calorie diet will probably give you decent results if you stick to it. Another good idea is to keep your metabolism guessing. Have a cheat once a week where you can go out and have a drink and/or a favorite meal...but make sure you earn it.

I'm always amazed how one can manipulate their body by using their diet...I know I'm amazed at what I can make happen when I'm eating clean.

Alicia