My husband and I have been struggling to lose weight for forever and I'm about reaching the conclusion that what works for most of the population doesnt work for us. Instead of giving it 100% we have to give it 150% to get the same results. does this make sense? WE both do cardio and/or weights 6 days a week, our diet is relatively clean with possibly a once a week splurge meal, no alcohol, I at least have played aroundw ith the kinds of workouts (endurance, heavy lifting, running, step, kick boxing, slim series, etc.....)and nothing seems to be working for both of us. I notice that my brother, who is a fitness maniac and ironman triathlete, does 2+ hrs of workouts a day and that's how he manages to lose weight and I'm wondering if that is the case with me. And if it is, I'm now wondering what sort of rotation to follow? any ideas will be much appreciated
does anyone here have super stubborn bodies?
- Thread starter Cbelle
- Start date
kimmie2191
Cathlete
Consult with a nutritionist. They will be able to give you insights on what you can try. Also look at the fact that if you are keeping a food journal and eat pretty clean you might not need to lose as much weight as you think.
Just a thought. Good Luck.
Kim
Just a thought. Good Luck.
Kim
2121
Cathlete
I think I have a stubborn body. When I wanted to lose some weight and get my eating habits under control, after just working out didn't help too much, I tried Body For Life. I am not trying to make this an ad for Bill Phillips, but it really gave me a jump start. Also, his routine doesn't last more than 45 minutes on weight days and 20 on cardio. I followed it to a "T" for 8 of the 12 weeks and got down to where I wanted to be. I had been doing cardio for an hour before this. Anyhow, this is just me and my opinion. You can check it out at the Body For Life website. Melissa
honeybunch1
Cathlete
I'll bet anything it's not your body being stubborn, but rather your diet that needs put under a magnifying glass. You said your diet is "relatively clean," which to me is a dead giveaway that you should be really honest about your food intake. I agree with seeing a nutritionist to tweak your eating habits.
Too many people think they can exercise their way to the perfect body or to ultimate weight loss, but that's not the case.
"It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt." Mark Twain ;-)
Too many people think they can exercise their way to the perfect body or to ultimate weight loss, but that's not the case.
"It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt." Mark Twain ;-)
nancy324
Cathlete
Just a thought: I know a few people who eat very well, but don't pay enough attention to how much fat they are consuming. For example, there is a secretary in my office who works out every day, and eats salad every day for lunch, and has trouble losing weight. I noticed that her lunch salads have big hunks of cheese in them, and I don't know how much dressing she puts on. Be careful of eating too much fat, because the calories can really add up.
-Nancy
-Nancy
candi
Cathlete
Cbelle,
It could be bodytype. I am an endomorph, meaning I carry most of my weight in my lower body and it's very hard for me to lose fat. Also, I don't know how old you and your husband are but after 40, losing fat can be more difficult for some people. Another variable is, when you're not working out, how active are you? Do you have a desk job, for instance?
In the BFFM book, Tom Venuto goes into detail on each body type's requirements and he even says that the endomorph's will always have to work harder to lost fat and maintain their physique. The key is 45-60 minutes of cardio a day, at least 5 days a week and heavy weight training as I recall. Also, fats should be kept to a minimum of 15-20% of overall calories.
It could be bodytype. I am an endomorph, meaning I carry most of my weight in my lower body and it's very hard for me to lose fat. Also, I don't know how old you and your husband are but after 40, losing fat can be more difficult for some people. Another variable is, when you're not working out, how active are you? Do you have a desk job, for instance?
In the BFFM book, Tom Venuto goes into detail on each body type's requirements and he even says that the endomorph's will always have to work harder to lost fat and maintain their physique. The key is 45-60 minutes of cardio a day, at least 5 days a week and heavy weight training as I recall. Also, fats should be kept to a minimum of 15-20% of overall calories.
candi
Cathlete
CBelle,
It's very, very unfair. But, at least after reading how difficult it is for endomorphs to lose fat...I understand my situation.
I do 45 minutes of cardio 6 days a week and ME or MM once a week and Gym Style legs once a week and that seems to work for me. I also try to stay between 1200 and 1400 calories a day with clean foods during the week. I do stray a little on the weekends but I try to at least keep calories under control. I am short, 5'0", 51 years old and have a desk job. It ain't easy
It's very, very unfair. But, at least after reading how difficult it is for endomorphs to lose fat...I understand my situation.
I do 45 minutes of cardio 6 days a week and ME or MM once a week and Gym Style legs once a week and that seems to work for me. I also try to stay between 1200 and 1400 calories a day with clean foods during the week. I do stray a little on the weekends but I try to at least keep calories under control. I am short, 5'0", 51 years old and have a desk job. It ain't easy
andtckrtoo
Cathlete
Oh yeah - I've struggled with weight all my life, but since I turned about 35 it's not as easy to drop a few pounds as it once was. I thought I just had a bad metoblism until I really took a close look at what I was eating. I found that what I thought was a clean diet, was not, and the calories were way out of control. Do you track your calories? If not, start. www.sparkpeople.com or www.fitday.com are both free and easy to use. Contrary to the Atkins folks, I find that if I eat a more veggie and grain based diet, I can eat more with less calories. I feel more full. I do eat meat, but it's less a part of my diet. I actually went vegetarian for Lent, and that really helped me refocus. I am convinced now that when our bodies get the proper amount of good quality food (it either grows in the ground or it eats something that grows in the ground - with whole grain breads and pastas) our bodies decide that it's okay to drop some of the weight. There does not appear to be a famine so it's okay to be lean.
So, that's my advice - really look at your diet. Charlotte of these boards has a tag line that says, "You can exercise 'til the cows come home, but if you don't eat right, you are still a cow coming home." It's true...
So, that's my advice - really look at your diet. Charlotte of these boards has a tag line that says, "You can exercise 'til the cows come home, but if you don't eat right, you are still a cow coming home." It's true...
andtckrtoo
Cathlete
Candi - you're so right! You really do have to experiment to see what works best for you.
Good morning!
I thought I would chime in and second what others have said - fortunately or unfortunately, we are all totally unique as to our metabolism and what will work for us. For example, last year I got married in September. I was working out/eating right long before getting engaged but by a few months after the wedding I had gotten closer to my goal than ever before. Then I indulged a BIT too much in sugary snacks over the holidays and my jeans were suddenly a bit more snug. I panicked ~ started re-evaluating my diet and my workouts. I'd seen a ton of stuff online about eating MORE to fuel heavy workouts like Cathe etc. I also read BFFM (which I think is fantastic but surprisingly not for me) and started really upping my calories and frankly obsessing over percentages of what I was eating. Additionally, I went really heavy on my weights for my workouts; what happened?? My jeans got TIGHTER IN MY LEGS!! I was actually appearing to lose sight of the nice definition I was seeing previously. I also was stuck at the same weight.
After much consideration, I decided that I would go back to my old "plan" - still including a lot more cardio to lose the last 5-10 pounds, but more kickboxing for toning my legs. I went back to lighter weights for lower body. I went back to 1300-1400 calories of clean eating; fruits, vegies and good protein with no processed/fake food and avoiding sugar at all costs. Guess what, I am totally leaning out again and psyched. I am pleasantly full each day and enjoying what I eat.
**All this to say, SO many folks have seen GREAT results on BFFM. For me and a good friend of mine, we got bigger in some way. For me, by trial and error, I realized that my body can handle more fat in my diet if I cut out the sugar even on my "cheat meal". Others have to watch fat intake but can eat MORE calories, etc. So, track what you do yet start treating yourself like a science experiment (That sounds pretty dorky but true) and observe what works and what doesn't. What the others here have said though is so true - in your own way, whether its high protein, lower fat, lower 'carbs', etc. - EAT CLEAN, avoid sugar, avoid processed foods and alcohol and you will absolutely see results.
I am still hoping that some day someone will invent that pill we can take after bingeing on Girl Scout cookies that will vaporize the calories.......wouldn't that be nice...mmmmmm.
:7
I thought I would chime in and second what others have said - fortunately or unfortunately, we are all totally unique as to our metabolism and what will work for us. For example, last year I got married in September. I was working out/eating right long before getting engaged but by a few months after the wedding I had gotten closer to my goal than ever before. Then I indulged a BIT too much in sugary snacks over the holidays and my jeans were suddenly a bit more snug. I panicked ~ started re-evaluating my diet and my workouts. I'd seen a ton of stuff online about eating MORE to fuel heavy workouts like Cathe etc. I also read BFFM (which I think is fantastic but surprisingly not for me) and started really upping my calories and frankly obsessing over percentages of what I was eating. Additionally, I went really heavy on my weights for my workouts; what happened?? My jeans got TIGHTER IN MY LEGS!! I was actually appearing to lose sight of the nice definition I was seeing previously. I also was stuck at the same weight.
After much consideration, I decided that I would go back to my old "plan" - still including a lot more cardio to lose the last 5-10 pounds, but more kickboxing for toning my legs. I went back to lighter weights for lower body. I went back to 1300-1400 calories of clean eating; fruits, vegies and good protein with no processed/fake food and avoiding sugar at all costs. Guess what, I am totally leaning out again and psyched. I am pleasantly full each day and enjoying what I eat.
**All this to say, SO many folks have seen GREAT results on BFFM. For me and a good friend of mine, we got bigger in some way. For me, by trial and error, I realized that my body can handle more fat in my diet if I cut out the sugar even on my "cheat meal". Others have to watch fat intake but can eat MORE calories, etc. So, track what you do yet start treating yourself like a science experiment (That sounds pretty dorky but true) and observe what works and what doesn't. What the others here have said though is so true - in your own way, whether its high protein, lower fat, lower 'carbs', etc. - EAT CLEAN, avoid sugar, avoid processed foods and alcohol and you will absolutely see results.
I am still hoping that some day someone will invent that pill we can take after bingeing on Girl Scout cookies that will vaporize the calories.......wouldn't that be nice...mmmmmm.
:7