Help! More than frustrated

[FitCop]

Ok, on Jan. 7th I weighed in at 260lbs. I am not proud of that at all as that is my all time high. I am 35 and stand 6'1". I have been eating right consuming around 2200-2500 calories a day and I have been hitting the weights with gust. Cardio has been minimal for the first week but now I have really picked it up. As of today I now weigh 259lbs. I have lost a whopping 1 pound in three weeks! WTF. My wife has been on Atkins only no exercise and has lost 15 pounds in 3 weeks. What am I doing wrong?

[wave_length]

Originally Posted by FitCop

Ok, on Jan. 7th I weighed in at 260lbs. I am not proud of that at all as that is my all time high. I am 35 and stand 6'1". I have been eating right consuming around 2200-2500 calories a day and I have been hitting the weights with gust. Cardio has been minimal for the first week but now I have really picked it up. As of today I now weigh 259lbs. I have lost a whopping 1 pound in three weeks! WTF. My wife has been on Atkins only no exercise and has lost 15 pounds in 3 weeks. What am I doing wrong?

Maybe you should post your complete diet.

[Marius_Ursus]

Originally Posted by FitCop

Ok, on Jan. 7th I weighed in at 260lbs. I am not proud of that at all as that is my all time high. I am 35 and stand 6'1". I have been eating right consuming around 2200-2500 calories a day and I have been hitting the weights with gust. Cardio has been minimal for the first week but now I have really picked it up. As of today I now weigh 259lbs. I have lost a whopping 1 pound in three weeks! WTF. My wife has been on Atkins only no exercise and has lost 15 pounds in 3 weeks. What am I doing wrong?

Could be:

1) Water retention
2) Added muscle
3) Full gut/bladder when weighing
4) Weighing at different times of day

How long have you been training? If it's anything under six weeks, you shouldn't expect any kind of noticeable changes. If it is over six weeks, how are your pants fitting now?

[essinger]

I'm guessing you are probably at around 1000 kcal/day deficit. So your expected weight loss is about 2lbs per week. It's only been 2 weeks so the difference between expectation a your reading is only 3 lbs. As Marius_Ursus pointed out, there are some possible explainations that don't mean the diet isn't working.

[FitCop]

Originally Posted by wave_length

Maybe you should post your complete diet.

Meal#1 2 cups oatmeal w/1 scoop protien
Meal#2 2 scoops protien (1.5 on non-workout days)
Meal#3 1 large chicken breast 2 cups veggies
Meal#4 2 scoops protien 1 med apple
Meal#5 1 med portion of salmon 2 cups veggies
Meal#6 2 scoops casien protien

I don't count calories just portion control. I have been back at it for 3 weeks.

[m1k3g0rd]

You're expecting too much for only 3 weeks....

Aren't you the same guy who just posted a question about cheat meals? Maybe you're not taking this as seriously as you would like to think you are.

[ironwill2008]

You've got to give it time; you didn't put on all that weight in a few weeks, and you won't take it off in a few weeks, either.

Marius and essinger are steering you right. If I were you, I'd hide the scales; at this stage, they can be very misleading. A much better gauge of progress is the fit of your clothes, and your mirror.

And m1k3g0rd brings up a good point, as well.

And please; don't tase me, bro!

[namtrag]

Tape measure yourself at the neck, and at your waist at the navel every two weeks. If they are going down, you are fine. Ignore the scale (easier said than done, I am not good at this!)

[FitCop]

Originally Posted by m1k3g0rd

You're expecting too much for only 3 weeks....

Aren't you the same guy who just posted a question about cheat meals? Maybe you're not taking this as seriously as you would like to think you are.

Have you read what I eat? I posted the question about chea meals as a discussion point. Nowhere in that post did I stated when and what I eat for cheat. I am taking this very seriously as I have friends who workout but are not as committed comment on how serious I was. Yeah I may be expecting too much to soon but don't question my dedication.

[FitCop]

Originally Posted by m1k3g0rd

You're expecting too much for only 3 weeks....

Aren't you the same guy who just posted a question about cheat meals? Maybe you're not taking this as seriously as you would like to think you are.

BTW I have had only one cheat meal in 3 weeks.

[Byakuya]

One thing I've noticed about weight loss, is that it's not a steady process. There are times when I lose a lot in a short amount of time, and other times I barely lose anything.

I think the body goes into a transition period where it's preparing itself for change. When you start a new diet, your body is trying to maintain equilibrium. Your body is opposed to change so it will try to maintain its current state as long as it can. Eventually the body gives in to the change and the weight starts coming off. But it seems like it has to go through a plateau every so often.

Sometimes it requires a sudden change in your diet to shock your body out of its current state. This could involve eating something different for a day or something. One time I was going for weeks without losing any weight. Then I ate dinner at Wendy's with my family, and after that the weight started coming off. Of course I'm talking once in a great while. You can't eat junk food often and expect to lose weight.

I'm no expert by any means and I have no scientific data to back any of this up. This is all based on my own experiences and observations.

[chrysallisbg]

Originally Posted by Byakuya

One thing I've noticed about weight loss, is that it's not a steady process. There are times when I lose a lot in a short amount of time, and other times I barely lose anything.

I think the body goes into a transition period where it's preparing itself for change. When you start a new diet, your body is trying to maintain equilibrium. Your body is opposed to change so it will try to maintain its current state as long as it can. Eventually the body gives in to the change and the weight starts coming off. But it seems like it has to go through a plateau every so often.

Sometimes it requires a sudden change in your diet to shock your body out of its current state. This could involve eating something different for a day or something. One time I was going for weeks without losing any weight. Then I ate dinner at Wendy's with my family, and after that the weight started coming off. Of course I'm talking once in a great while. You can't eat junk food often and expect to lose weight.

I'm no expert by any means and I have no scientific data to back any of this up. This is all based on my own experiences and observations.

I agree with the above.

Also your individual metabolism plays a role here - I always tell myself that Rome wasn't built in a day - I don't why that makes me feel better when things aren't going as quickly as I'd like them...it just does. <shrug>

[ntrllftr]

Originally Posted by FitCop

BTW I have had only one cheat meal in 3 weeks.

This could be a problem as well.
Too low of a calorie deficit for too long will stall weight loss as well.

Last thing you need to do right now is to start threads about "cheat meals" because you need to focus on when you NEED carbs.

Good luck!

.

[Fifty+]

Originally Posted by FitCop

Meal#1 2 cups oatmeal w/1 scoop protien
Meal#2 2 scoops protien (1.5 on non-workout days)
Meal#3 1 large chicken breast 2 cups veggies
Meal#4 2 scoops protien 1 med apple
Meal#5 1 med portion of salmon 2 cups veggies
Meal#6 2 scoops casien protien

I don't count calories just portion control. I have been back at it for 3 weeks.

Stop weighing yourself until you can see a difference in the mirror. Oatmeal is healthy, but unless you're going to use those carbs (pre or post w/o) eat a meal consisting of protein for breakfast. Increase the portions of chicken and fish. Replace meal #6 with real casien (l/f cottage cheese) and add a level tsp. of natural peanut butter. Increase protein and reduce the carbs for awhile. I am an advocate of cardio. Twice a week of moderate cardio 30-45 minutes will help your body use fats as a fuel source and send fresh red blood cells to the muscles you worked the day before.

[ntrllftr]

Originally Posted by Fifty+

Replace meal #6 with real casien (l/f cottage cheese) and add a level tsp. of natural peanut butter. Increase protein and reduce the carbs for awhile. I am an advocate of cardio. Twice a week of moderate cardio 30-45 minutes will help your body use fats as a fuel source and send fresh red blood cells to the muscles you worked the day before.

Really can't say that without knowing how many carbs are in those protein drings.

[uncleroman]

give it time. expect 1-2 lbs a week. some weeks nothing than boom 3 lbs. 3 weeks is nothing.

the atkins diet is crap imo. because i have known people that do it and the day you start eating carbs again you blow up.

[FitCop]

To answer some of the unknown. The oatmeal/protien scoop was a pre-workout meal. I did weights and cardio afterwards. I primarily use Muscle Milk as my main protien. I use ON whey as a post workout shake. I eat a teaspoon of almond butter everyday. I WILL up my chicken, fish, etc. I was afraid if I did that I would get fat but it sound like good advice.

[crupiea]

If you arent counting calories there is your problem.

Eyeballing and measuring are two different things. 2 scoops of muscle milk is 300 calories. How many servings are you having per day? It looks like about 3.5, thats over 1000 calories. Or am I reading this wrong.

You are drinking way too many protein shakes. You really dont need them at all.

You would be way better served by eating real food. That is the stuff your body knows how to use.

This is really a very simple thing to do.

1- Count your calories by measuring your portions. Eat real food.

2- Workout.

It works the same for everybody.

Lets do some rough math.

3.5 scoops protein- 1000 calories

2 cups oatmeal- 200 calories

1 large chicken breast- 200 calories, maybe more depending on size.

4 cups veggies- green beans, low calorie- 160 calories. Corn or peas, high calories- 300

1 apple- 60

salmon- 200

Total- Low, 1820- high- 1960

Now these firgures are assumong the chicken and salmon are both only 4 oz. Thats the size of a deck of cards. I think they are most likely bigger. This doesnt account for the almond butter either which is around 100 calories more.

So with those adjustments you are most likely eating about 2200 calories per day if not more.

You are frustrated because you are doing all the work and getting none of the results.

Weigh and measure your food and you will start to get the results you want.

Best of luck.

[Homerun04]

Was Rome built in a day....? No, and neither will you be....just keep working hard, eating right, and getting plenty of sleep.....cardio is KING for reducing fat stores.....lay off (meaning reduce a bit) the carbs for a while and try to eat more protein......

[Iron Barbarian]

x2 - Also watch the Muscle Milk. It has a good amount of carbs in it and they all add up. If you like the taste of Muscle Milk I would use Muscle Milk Light as it hardly has any carbs in it. Fifty+ has good advice. If you reduce your carbs below what your body needs to fuel your workouts it will cause you to burn off fat to fuel your exercise sessions. Keep an eye on your Protein Drinks and the amount of carbs they have in them. I prefer no carb Protein Drinks.

Originally Posted by Fifty+

Stop weighing yourself until you can see a difference in the mirror. Oatmeal is healthy, but unless you're going to use those carbs (pre or post w/o) eat a meal consisting of protein for breakfast. Increase the portions of chicken and fish. Replace meal #6 with real casien (l/f cottage cheese) and add a level tsp. of natural peanut butter. Increase protein and reduce the carbs for awhile. I am an advocate of cardio. Twice a week of moderate cardio 30-45 minutes will help your body use fats as a fuel source and send fresh red blood cells to the muscles you worked the day before.

[blopid]

Originally Posted by crupiea

If you arent counting calories there is your problem.

Eyeballing and measuring are two different things. 2 scoops of muscle milk is 300 calories. How many servings are you having per day? It looks like about 3.5, thats over 1000 calories. Or am I reading this wrong.

You are drinking way too many protein shakes. You really dont need them at all.

You would be way better served by eating real food. That is the stuff your body knows how to use.

This is really a very simple thing to do.

1- Count your calories by measuring your portions. Eat real food.

2- Workout.

It works the same for everybody.

^^^^^^^^^^^^

THIS!!!


Eat more real food... I used to drink a lot of muscle milk, then I stopped... I found that I was just emptying my wallet when I could have been eating better real food...


Peace...

[Wayne Evans]

Originally Posted by crupiea

If you arent counting calories there is your problem.

Eyeballing and measuring are two different things. 2 scoops of muscle milk is 300 calories. How many servings are you having per day? It looks like about 3.5, thats over 1000 calories. Or am I reading this wrong.

You are drinking way too many protein shakes. You really dont need them at all.

You would be way better served by eating real food. That is the stuff your body knows how to use.

This is really a very simple thing to do.

1- Count your calories by measuring your portions. Eat real food.

2- Workout.

It works the same for everybody.

Lets do some rough math.

3.5 scoops protein- 1000 calories

2 cups oatmeal- 200 calories

1 large chicken breast- 200 calories, maybe more depending on size.

4 cups veggies- green beans, low calorie- 160 calories. Corn or peas, high calories- 300

1 apple- 60

salmon- 200

Total- Low, 1820- high- 1960

Now these firgures are assumong the chicken and salmon are both only 4 oz. Thats the size of a deck of cards. I think they are most likely bigger. This doesnt account for the almond butter either which is around 100 calories more.

So with those adjustments you are most likely eating about 2200 calories per day if not more.

You are frustrated because you are doing all the work and getting none of the results.

Weigh and measure your food and you will start to get the results you want.

Best of luck.

Crupiea....
You stole my thunder on this one.
That was my first thought in reading fitcop's eating routine....not nearly enough real food.

Fitcop....good luck on achieving harmony with your eating routine and consistent CARDIO.

www.soundclick.com/wayneevansproject

[FitCop]

Hey yall I appreciate the love and advice. I was afraid I was under eating. Ya know after being a bigger guy you get scared to eat too much even if it is healthy. I usually don't drink 3 shakes. But that was the plan for today. I would normally consume 2. I will take the advice and continue to drink no more than 2.

[Wayne Evans]

Originally Posted by FitCop

Hey yall I appreciate the love and advice. I was afraid I was under eating. Ya know after being a bigger guy you get scared to eat too much even if it is healthy. I usually don't drink 3 shakes. But that was the plan for today. I would normally consume 2. I will take the advice and continue to drink no more than 2.

Well...although I'm no expert I see no problem with 3 shakes provided they are timely and NOT consumed as a meal replacement....they are only to 'supplement' the proper eating routine based on your goals.

Inquire here to fine tune things as time goes on....lots of helpful people here.

Good luck on the quest weedhopper.


www.soundclick.com/wayneevansproject

[Marius_Ursus]

Originally Posted by Byakuya

One thing I've noticed about weight loss, is that it's not a steady process. There are times when I lose a lot in a short amount of time, and other times I barely lose anything.

I think the body goes into a transition period where it's preparing itself for change. When you start a new diet, your body is trying to maintain equilibrium. Your body is opposed to change so it will try to maintain its current state as long as it can. Eventually the body gives in to the change and the weight starts coming off. But it seems like it has to go through a plateau every so often.

Sometimes it requires a sudden change in your diet to shock your body out of its current state. This could involve eating something different for a day or something. One time I was going for weeks without losing any weight. Then I ate dinner at Wendy's with my family, and after that the weight started coming off. Of course I'm talking once in a great while. You can't eat junk food often and expect to lose weight.

I'm no expert by any means and I have no scientific data to back any of this up. This is all based on my own experiences and observations.

This is a great point. I've noticed the same thing in breaking fat loss plateaus like weightlifting plateaus. Sometimes my body just needs a change, too.

[uncleroman]

Originally Posted by Marius_Ursus

This is a great point. I've noticed the same thing in breaking fat loss plateaus like weightlifting plateaus. Sometimes my body just needs a change, too.

while i do agree with this. in this case its been three weeks.

[BIONICMONSTER]

Originally Posted by FitCop

Ok, on Jan. 7th I weighed in at 260lbs. I am not proud of that at all as that is my all time high. I am 35 and stand 6'1". I have been eating right consuming around 2200-2500 calories a day and I have been hitting the weights with gust. Cardio has been minimal for the first week but now I have really picked it up. As of today I now weigh 259lbs. I have lost a whopping 1 pound in three weeks! WTF. My wife has been on Atkins only no exercise and has lost 15 pounds in 3 weeks. What am I doing wrong?

build muscle it will devour fatt, when you ride around in your cruiser use grippers . i like to do the cheap grippers with one finger at a time .divide your meals into several ,eating big meals before bed just lays in an idle engine.

[justboo2u]

Originally Posted by FitCop

Ok, on Jan. 7th I weighed in at 260lbs. I am not proud of that at all as that is my all time high. I am 35 and stand 6'1". I have been eating right consuming around 2200-2500 calories a day and I have been hitting the weights with gust. Cardio has been minimal for the first week but now I have really picked it up. As of today I now weigh 259lbs. I have lost a whopping 1 pound in three weeks! WTF. My wife has been on Atkins only no exercise and has lost 15 pounds in 3 weeks. What am I doing wrong?

to say it, but...

If you're in a patrol car most-of the day, you may not be getting enuf cardio... (from one who does a mostly sedentary security post )

You stated that you picked it up... but... how much, how long, etc?
When I started (at 302) I usually did about 45 mins... Even now, it is rare that I EVER do less than 30mins even after a full-blown workout... except legs (nearly fell off the elliptical on that one!)

Just something to 'chew on'...