orcaprice's Journal, 14 March 2014

I looked at the last couple days of your food diary and you were over 50% on your carb percentage. Try taking your carbs down to 30% for one week and see the results. It worked for me. 

Your daughter is most likely right about the building muscle. We all know the drill - muscle weighs more than fat. But the other part of it is when you begin an exercise routine, especially one with weights (which is awesome for the body), the muscles seem to have this tendency to hang on to water for a few weeks after you begin. If it doesn't change in another few weeks, consider having your thyroid levels checked along with a hormone panel for estrogen and testosterone. I found out I have a thyroid problem the same way - your story is almost identical to mine three years ago. I pushed to be given a trial of dessicated thyroid and it's been a miracle. Oh, and maybe consider adding at least an additional 100 calories a day to your daily amount. 1100 is really low and your body could be trying to protect itself by shutting down your metabolism. Just offering possibilities and suggestions. 

you're joking, right? First, you're starving yourself, so your metabolism has slowed way down. Second, a pound per week is a fantastic achievement. I'm not a dietitian, but I would add a few hundred more healthy calories to help the hunger pains and boost your metabolism. Also, don't be afraid of time. 6 weeks isn't very long. Good luck! 

AGREED! Unless you're tying to put on weight, your daily carbohydrate percentage shouldn't be that high. Remember, there are carbohydrates in nearly EVERYTHING we eat, not just grains and such. If your carb intake for the day is between 30-35% of your TOTAL calorie consumption, make sure they include PLENTY of veggie carbs (the non-starchy variety). Eat more dark leafy greens (mustard greens, turnip greens, collard greens, spinach, kale etc). And don't forget to drink! (Water, that is) You can do this! Our bodies are machines, we need to fuel them with the appropriate octane fuel to keep them running efficiently :) 

I agree with the carbs. If you want a faster loss then cut the carbs some. It ALWAYS worked for me.  

That's typical. extreme weight loss takes time. You don't want to lose more than 2 lbs a week. Most of the large fluctuations are from water weight and food coming and going through your system. 5 lbs in 6 weeks is good! You should be thrilled! When I did my intense workout program like that one you're describing I only lost 8 lbs in 6 weeks. I was eating super healthy, the only sweet I had every week or so was a square of dove dark chocolate. I was working out 5-6 days a week up to an hour and a half on strength days (when I did 30 minutes of cardio and about 45 - 60 minutes of weight training, depending on how long it took me to get through the program I was following). I even added on 15 - 20 minutes of stretching after my workout a few weeks into the program. So keep it up! You're doing great! Make sure you're always eating enough, I also followed a 50% carbs, 30% protein, 20% fat diet. I was even able to lose the same amount of weight and have a similar build when I started doing the masters swim program at a local pool (1 1/2 of swimming about 3000 yds in one session 4 days a week). About the same results lost 7 lbs in 6 weeks. So it takes time. Don't give up and don't get down on yourself. Give yourself a "cheat" day but don't go overboard. Be sure to take progress pictures for yourself and take measurements too. This is more for a motivation factor so you can see where the effort is happening. Like they say it takes 4 weeks for you to see a differences, 8 weeks for friends and family to see a differences, and 12 weeks for the world to see a difference, do don't give up! :) 

I agree with your daughter; same happened to me, years back. I lift weight like every other day, mainly to stay limber and in preparation for when I lose more. I have only a smoothie for dinner. Daily I have muffin, egg white and spinach sandwich for breakfast and for lunch, either a salad or cottage cheese and fruit. I am losing a pound a week and sometimes 1 and 1/2. This is okay. You don't want to drop five pounds all in one day or even week. It's not healthy. Eating the way I'm eating; have lost 17 pounds in 5 weeks. I was at 208 (though I was kidding myself that I was 202) and this morning weighed in at 191. I enjoy at least one good "all out" meal a week. Most times on Friday evening. Yet I am finding that I don't want to eat "all out" anymore and that's a major improvement. I feel better. What I'm saying is don't give up and don't get frustrated and just say to yourself, "tomorrow I will see a difference." Building muscle is a good thing, by the way. You are dong good so don't give up! Oh and keep posting. It keeps you honest with yourself.  

Here check this tool out for recommended calorie intake: http://www.freedieting.com/tools/calorie_calculator.htm 

1. you need more calories. 2. eat something instead of cereal. 3. eat something instead of the frozen dinner. You will see results. 

Keep up the great plan. I have been stuck on 140 since November, but had to buy new Vera Wang jeans last Saturday. My old ones are so loose and falling down. I'd say one pound a week is GREAT--and yes, you are probably building muscle.  

Don't quit. That won't get you anywhere !!!!! But you are doing GREAT! Slow and steady is the way to go. Our WW leader tells folks who need to lose 50 or more pounds to give it a year. It makes sense. I am still carb heavy and trying to work on that, plus now that I am down at nearly the minimum PointsPlus a day (at 28, minimum is 26) it's getting harder to eat enough to ensure I can still lose while staying within my points. It's always a balance and a battle. You ARE doing this, don't give up and don't rush it. 

Well I just read my other journal and I actually lost 10 pounds since 2/1 so I guess that's good. I just expected more with all I am doing. I did start changing my diet around on Weds. Protein shake for breakfast instead of cereal, more chicken and fish and salads versus the frozen meals (as I can afford it). I am adding more treadmill to 6 times a week versus 3. We will see how that goes for the next two weeks. Thanks everyone for the input. It really helps to have the support. At least to know I am not alone in this. 

1 pound a week is 52 pounds a year, may not be much; however people that quit never make it to the finish line! stay strong <3 

Please be patient with your body, your work will pay off.  

If you've lost that much you should be happy! I've been on a STRICT atkins diet since the beginning of February and still only lost the first week 2 lbs! No difference in my measurements, no more weight loss: no breads, sugars, milk, just meat and lettuce, celery or broccoli. My calories are always under 1700, usually 1500ish, and I'm active, and have been working pretty hard this past week. Thought I'd see a difference after all the hard work I've done this week, but, nothing. I seriously thought I lost weight better when I was on the Special K diet-- at least I love cereal. But since I've been off of all that for 6 weeks, I'm afraid to go back on any of it. At least without the milk and wheat products I've not got the IBS and bloating every night, but I'm still tired and hungry feeling. Congrats on your loss of 10plus pounds! Thats a lot for a short time!