Help - need to lose weight!

[speshle_k22]

Hi there. Im relatively new to the site, referred by a friend at the gym. I am not a bodybuilder, I am just addicted to working out. Im getting married in 3 months and really REALLY need to lose 10 pounds. I dont understand why I cant with my diet and working out, but I think it could be stress. Anyways, I typically hit the gym 5 days a week, but only cardio 4 days a week. I went to Weightwatchers but they said they could not help me because I wasnt considered overweight. Does anyone have any suggestions or insights? I would like to drop the 10 before my final dress fitting the end of August.

Thanks!!!

[cdmuscle]

Need a little more info. What is a typical day's diet like? Around what calorie range? How tall are you and what do you weigh now?

When the body adapts to a routine, sometimes you have to change your training/cardio schedule or the intensity to make it burn calories better.

[BigBadT51]

Up the water intake, up the cardio to 5 days, workouts to 4. If you're not overweight and just trying to get a lil extra thin for the wedding an ECA or thermo will be a quick fix, I wouldn't start either though til about a month to 6 weeks out. Once again, its just a quick fix.

[speshle_k22]

Oops, guess I should have mentioned. Im 5'7", 149 #. Typical caloric intake for me is about 1000 or so. I probably eat too many carbs. My workouts are cardio kickboxing 3x a week - 60 minutes, circuit training 2x a week - 60 minutes, interval running 1x a week - 40 minutes. I thought this was sufficient, but its just not working. I tried hydroxycut about a year ago and it worked to lose 10ish pounds, I have since tried again, and it doesnt seem to work as it once did.

Thanks!

[imperfectly_lou]

Your cardio looks good.

You are eating far too little. That is why you are not losing weight. Your body thinks it is starving so it is hanging onto every last bit of fat. At your height and weight, you would need at LEAST 1,500-1,800 calories a day to lose weight, divided into 5-6 mini meals. Lots of protein, low GI carbs and good fats!

[MsFit]

You didn't provide your bodyfat, which would be a great help, but I can tell you already that you are not eating enough. A thousand calories wouldn't feed me the day of a contest. You have to feed the body, and you have to feed it enough to support activities or you'll hoard fat. If you want to drop 10 pounds, I'd suggest cycling your carbs, which will require adding additional fat at certain times.

You're doing fat too much on very little calories, therefore your body is holding fat.

As cd suggested, give is a typical daily diet. ;)

[cdmuscle]

Seems you're doing what we all typically do. When I used to diet, I would cut back and when it stopped working, cut back some more, and more - etc. Get the picture. Before long I was eating nothing and still GAINING! IMO, you are in "starvation mode" right now. This means your metabolism has slowed to adapt to your nutrition intake. I still think you should change your workouts - increase your weight training to 3x a week to produce more muscle mass which will increase your metabolic rate. INCREASE YOUR CALORIES! Try adding 50 calorie increments to adjust the body slowly! If you are still uncomfortable with this idea, maybe try to increase protein and cut your carbs back to morning and post workout only. Increase running days to 2x a week. After the wedding you will really need to revamp your eating schedule! At your height and weight, and with your activity level - I would think you should be eating at least double where you are currently. I hope MsFit can give some more advice, she is very knowledgeable in this area!

Good Luck!!!

[speshle_k22]

You ladies are very insightful! Im so glad I found this website. Thanks for the advice. I will try to up my calories and cut out carbs. As for typical diet, I eat a piece of wheat toast with teaspoon peanut butter for breakfast, or sometimes oatmeal if I have time. I usually have fruit at mid morning. If I have time for lunch, its usually yogurt or salad, maybe a bag of pretzels, and then I try to eat a normal dinner, chicken, steak, lots of veggies, etc. Although, I love potatoes:-(

Thanks!!!!

[Lisa Wagner]

I am 145 5'3 and I would like to lose 30 pounds. I have read that you should calculate your weight by 10 to figure out calories. Is this correct? And should I use lean body weight or just total weight. For example for me this would calculate to be 1450.00 calories.

Lisa