I KNOW it's not supposed to matter.......

F

FirmNurse

Cathlete
But I am SO frustrated! I started out in January with about 25 pounds to lose. I started working out and CLEAN EATING! I mean, REALLY CLEAN!!!! I was NOT fixated on my weight. I KNOW it's only a number etc....

BUT, come on! I have lost ONE pound since February!!! I have been gaining muscle size, but HELLO!, there is no way that I have put on 10 pounds of muscle! So WHAT IS GOING ON???

I apologize for venting here, but what else can a person do to lose some fat here?? I take 5 small meals per day, small protein with a healthy carb each meal, and about 1,500 calories per day.

Water, water water. I drink it like a fish.

I do NOT take hormones (no birth control pills). My thyroid is normal. I don't take any medications except for vitamins and Calcium.

I am 5'2" and STUCK at 126. For TWO months!!! I am not giving up, because my body is changing, but seriously, don't you think that some of this fat weight should decrease even a little!!!

I appreciate your input.
 
But I am SO frustrated! I started out in January with about 25 pounds to lose. I started working out and CLEAN EATING! I mean, REALLY CLEAN!!!! I was NOT fixated on my weight. I KNOW it's only a number etc....

BUT, come on! I have lost ONE pound since February!!! I have been gaining muscle size, but HELLO!, there is no way that I have put on 10 pounds of muscle! So WHAT IS GOING ON???

I apologize for venting here, but what else can a person do to lose some fat here?? I take 5 small meals per day, small protein with a healthy carb each meal, and about 1,500 calories per day.

Water, water water. I drink it like a fish.

I do NOT take hormones (no birth control pills). My thyroid is normal. I don't take any medications except for vitamins and Calcium.

I am 5'2" and STUCK at 126. For TWO months!!! I am not giving up, because my body is changing, but seriously, don't you think that some of this fat weight should decrease even a little!!!

I appreciate your input.
 
Hi, the only thing I can advise is lower your calorie intake a little at a time until you start seeing results, I am also 5'2", I am 44 yrs old and I am doing freestyle. Since you asked for input...
This is what I did a little at a time......... Rhonda:7
 
Hi Jackie,

I'm sorry you are so frustrated. I certainly don't mean to offend you by saying this, but a person at 5'2 and 126 in most cases should not lose as much as 25 pounds. Everyone's body composition is different, but even a petite person at 100 lbs would likely be as thin as a rail. Rhonda- I don't mean to offend you either- I believe I read that you were at 105 or so and very happy with that. Not everyone that weighs about 100 lbs looks too thin. If 100 lbs is truly a reasonable and healthy weight for you, than that is certainly okay.

Jackie- Have you noticed any visible fat loss from your routine? Do you happen to know your body fat percentage?

As you said, the number shouldn't matter, but it can be discouraging. Please remember that 126 on one person can look completely different than 126 on another. I think 126 is a perfectly healthy weight for someone your height, but if you disagree, go ahead with some of the advice posted here and tweak your routine.

I truly hope I haven't insulted anyone. And I apologize if I have.

Gina
 
I have to agree with Gina (Jcrew). You are at a healthy weight. Stay away form the scale and concentrate on how your clothes feel. Perhaps taking your measurements periodically will give you a better indication of your progress.

And, BTW you can be proud of your healthy habits keep up the good lifestyle choices. It's all about balance and how you feel NOT a number on the scale.

I too am 5'2" and I don't know my weight but my clothes fit fine, and at 43 I am pleased to still look fine in a bikini. Let me tell you this attitude of mine comes after years of following WW points to loose 12 little pounds and be obsessed over every pound. I used to weight myself daily and I would allow that number to make or break my attitude for the day.... Finally I realized that I wasn't even changing clothes size so why let it bother me? Also, I would be mad if I ate what I considered something off my allowed meal plan and that would ruin my day too.... I've come around in my forties (why did it take so long?) Everything in moderation, and don't let numbers dictate your happiness!
 
Jackie....I could have written your exact post! I'm 5'1", started out at 128, but my "goal" weight is 110 lbs and that's NOT unrealistic for my body shape, b/c I used to weigh 110 a few years ago before my diet went to hell. I've journalled, etc. and have seen changes in my body composition, but still have flab/cellulite on my entire thigh area and butt...yuck! I feel your frustration. I do have to say that through trial and error I HAVE found what has worked for me, BUT consistency has always been my downfall. Low carbing does work for me, but I find it's too hard to stick with and I hate feeling guilty for eating a banana or carrots those "high GI" carbs.

What has worked for me is eating 5 small meals, getting a protein in at each main meal, and having more of a cheat meal instead of a cheat day. At that cheat meal, I still try to not go too overboard, ie. I'd eat a piece of cheesecake, but not the entire cake...though it's tempting!

In addition, what has also worked is unfortunately, counting calories. I find 1500-1700 more of a maintainance range for me. I can lose at 1200-1400. I cant do too many 1200 days though b/c it does leave me feeling hungry.


I bought Dr. Phil's food guide and in it is a section of actual menus that are about 1200 cals a day with 3 meals and 2 snacks. I don't follow it religiously, but do use that as a guide and substitute foods I like, ie. one day for a snack I had an apple instead of the pear like the book says, so I'm basically sticking to the plan. I followed it for only 2 weeks b/c I'm an emotional eater and my life was stressful, so I fell off the wagon, but I did see a 3lb weight loss in those 2 weeks, and I felt slimmer and looked slimmer in the mirror. I know that might sound weird b/c it's only 3 lbs, but hey when you're are height, 3 lbs make a difference!!

If you're interested in talking more, feel free to email me at [email protected] or you can join our checkin at the FIRM ya ya board "Lean and Clean".

Good Luck!!

:) Stacy
 
25 lbs. to lose??? From where???

How are your clothes fitting? When you're gaining muscle, how your clothes fit is a better indicator of how you're doing than the scale. The scale is only meaningful for people who aren't doing any strength training.
 
Gina,
No, I am not offended, because SHE asked...... not everyone wants to be as small as me, no. But she did ask for imput, I gave her mine, and I can see others gave her theirs....... Rhonda
 
Jackie,

I know how frustrating it is to be short and unable to lose those last few pounds. For us shorter people, every pound seems to count because there's not much room to spread it around.

I'm 5'0" and 123 lbs. For most of my adult life, I hovered at around 115. What's intersting is, if I look at pictures from about 10 years ago when I was 115 and compare them with today's pictures, I look thinner and much more fit today due to muscle definition. I think I even look younger.

My question is, have you compared older pictures with the way you look today? Have you grown in clothes size, and if so, how much?

Maybe it would help to look at all the factors, not just the scale.
 
I know exactly how you feel. I was eating cleanly, working out twice a day and NOTHING was moving. The best thing that happened to me was the stomach flu - not fun, but it did prevent me from exercising for a week. I have started again, but am keeping it to an hour or less and 5 days a week instead of 6. This seems to have jumpstarted my weight loss.

My advice is to change things around. Give yourself a free day. Have some tough workouts and some easy ones. Take some days off. Do it for a couple of weeks and see if things start to move. If not, it would be worth it to see a certified trainer and see if they can come up with a plan for you. It would be worth the $50 or so dollars.

Good luck.

- Shopgirl :)
 
Hi Jackie,
It sounds like you are doing everything to be healthy and fit that you can. How are you feeling?
I've got to say, 126 is a healthy weight for your height. Sounds like your body is holding onto the good stuff, and you don't need to lose any more! Who helped you decide that you need to lose 25 pounds? Did a doctor or nutritionist advise you to do this? Was this a number that you came up with? Are you basing it on a weight that you used to be?

I can tell you that I USED to be 118 lbs, but there is no way my body is going to go back to that! I am at a healthy weight now, and I was at a healthy weight then, but my body has changed over the years, I carry the weight differently, I have more muscle, and I'm just older now. Several years ago I was able to get down to 120, but I was starving and it was just dumb. I wasn't enjoying life anymore, but constantly thinking about every morsel (mmmmm, Nestle chocolate morsels....) I put in my mouth, and thinking far too much about how I looked! Admittedly, I think I looked better "skinny", but I didn't feel as good, I was too obsessed with it, and the only reason I thought I looked better is because of the stupid cultural ideal we are constantly bombarded with! I am in much better shape now, AND I eat peppermint ice cream without a drop of guilt! (Maybe a few drops of chocolate sauce, but no guilt, thanks very much!)

So, I guess I'm saying that if you are already at a healthy weight, and you feel good, are exercising and eating well, DON'T WORRY ABOUT YOUR WEIGHT!!!

PS sorry, I didnt' answer your question at all! I don't know why your body isn't responding to your efforts, other than the possiblilty that it really is at a good weight. I hope you're not offended by my lack of advice and my rambling about myself! ;-)

Good luck!
 
126 is a perfectly healthy weight for 5'2''!! You don't really need to lose any more. Your body is naturally telling you that too.

I would keep up with my workouts and healthy eating habits and try and just maintain that weight now.
 
BTW, I am 5'00'' at 126.

When I was at 102 lbs. I looked really bad and unhealthy. Maybe some people at my height look more healthy at 102 but my face was so drawn and I looked like a bag of bones.

I think you are just right where you are!!
 
I lost about 8 pounds from January to February and then nothing. I weighed 106 two summers ago. I gained the weight when I went to the night shift and ate myself awake! It wasn't a good shift for me.

Anyway, I was wearing a size 4 two summers ago and now I am a size 7 and really have a LOT to lose from my hips, butt and upper thighs. I would NOT wear a bikini right now and am really self-concious in shorts.

So, that is where I am getting my goal weight from. Goal size too. I do have more muscle now, especially my upper body which I LOVE! but the lower body is not responding and with my clean eating I really expected to see some sort of change.

I know that there is no way that I could have gained 8 pounds of muscle. You just can't gain that much, can you?
 
You said you gained the weight on the night shift. Are you still working nights? Studies have shown that people who work nights disrupt their circadian rhythms and this actually casuses weight gain without even eating any more. It messes up all the hormones that affect your metabolism. Also if you are not getting enough sleep you can gain weight as well-from metabolism slowing. Also, stress can play a role=the stress hormones cause you to store fat. These could all be factors.
The other unfortunate thing is that you are so short, you probably will have to drop to 1200 cals to lose weight. That is only sustainable for a short period of time in my opinion, but it can be useful short term to drop about 5 pounds, then platuea for a while on your 1500 cals, then do the 1200 again for a couple of weeks , cycling up and down between 1200-1500 cals. But, you have to ask yourself is it really worth it just to look good in a bikini? I decided it was NOT worth it-I just want to be a healthy weight and be able to eat normally and have lots of energy (dieting makes you so tired and cranky.)
Beth
 
I do not work the night shift any longer. I do occasionally work it but maybe only once every 6 months, so it doesn't really factor in anymore.

Night shift about killed me! I would come home so bloated and my stomach NEVER felt full which is strange. I never felt rested and when I had my days off, all I wanted to do was sit and do nothing. Since November I have been working days and back to my normal self as far as my energy.

I just want my body back....and I know that I am getting older but I really had a goal for midMay and I am no where near that goal.

If I had lost only 1/2 pound per week I would be there, but I am not. And I was hoping to be back in my clothes from a couple of years ago, but not yet. :-(
 
RE: Hi Jackie

Hi, Jackie. Your numbers look pretty good and 25 pounds is a big goal. At your height, your BMI is a healthy 23 so you may not need to drop more than a few pounds. If you drop about 19 pounds, which is 15% of your body weight, you get the tag of Anorexic so do be careful! Be realistic and relax. Eating a healthy diet and exercising for you good health is more important than a number on a cursed scale. You might try looking at it a pound at a time, make the proper adjustments between diet and exercise and let your body decide what's right for you. To lose one pound per week, you need to eliminate 500 hundred calories per day. You either don't eat them or you burn them. Two hundred and fifty calories shaved off gives you a pound weight loss over two weeks time and might feel easier still. Twelve hundred calories is never enough. No one need starve to drop a few pounds. I think 1600 calories is more realistic and you can drop pounds eating enough calories to be satisfied as long as you work out reasonably intensely. I would hazard to guess that if you dropped about 3-5 pounds, you would be happy with the results. Use how your clothes fit and how you feel to judge what is a good weight for you. And toss out any fashion magzine or fitness magazine you might have on hand! LOL! Those (please forgive me all naturally small women) freaks weigh less than 98% of the population and they are the exception, not the rule! Eat cleanly, workout consistently and see what happens but do stop beating yourself up as I suspect you are beating yourself up. One of the most important lessons to learn is being comfortable in the skin we are in, no matter what the scale says. You are gorgeous right now. Please donn't forget that!
Bobbi http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/chicken.gif "Chick's rule!"

Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?

- Mary Oliver
 
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