Simply frustrated...rant, sort of long.

J

jbryan32

Member
I am frustrated on the whole weight loss issue. I don’t know what to believe when I read it and I am at a point of wanting to just eat an entire cake and be done with it! HAHA! Ok, maybe not that bad..but the conflicting messages we read everywhere on what to do and not do. Even on this site I get confused. I mean you would think if you upped your cardio (i.e. burning more calories) then you would lose weight. Then I read, no don’t do that because it is better to do LESS cardio and eat less to lose weight. Then I read, no you need to lift weights to lose weight because it stimulates the metabolism. Then I read it is better to eat less fats, then I read it is better to eat more fats. It is like a darn combination I am trying to figure out how to unlock. I mean one minute it is like eat high protein you will lose weight and then another minute it is be a vegetarian you will lose weight. I am 32, and just trying to lose 15 pounds.

About 5 years ago I decided to stop eating meat and start working out. Well in a matter of 2 months by doing Denise Austin, no less…and not eating meat I lost 35 pounds. It was insane. I took it totally for granted and slacked off working out, and started eating whatever I wanted…well in that time I went from 155 to 191, then got pregnant and shot up to 229. Well I am at 170 now and am STRUGGLING to lose these last 15. I guess what I am wondering is, does anyone else have this same “struggle” with conflicting messages????????? I mean there was a point this summer that I was working out TWICE a day and not losing an inch/pound, then I cut it back to once a day and really watched what I ate and lost 20 pounds and like 12 inches? But now I am stalled out again……….




Jules!!!!
 
I can relate. I guess watch the food. I just wanted to say I hear your frustration and feel for you. I too am trying to loose. It's difficult. hang in there!
 
Try not to stress about what you eat too much. I've found that when I start to stress about what I'm eating and counting calories, and planning the entire day and being too restrictive I don't lose weight. I actually can tend to gain, because with the stress some emotional eating for me. I know it's easier said than done about the stressing thing. I would suggest just changing things up until you have found what works for you. I keep hearing about the clean eating thing, maybe you should try that. It's not about high protein, no protein, or low carb. It's about eating natural foods and fats. I am now doing that myself, to help out my nutrition. So, for instance for bearkfast you would have egg whites, with oatmeal. Snack, Have some almonds and an apple, lunch have a salad topped with chicken a vinager and oil dressing lots of veggies. Snack maybe have some cottage cheese and add strawberries to it. Then dinner, have a chicken breast or turkey with some veggies and brown rice.
Just a sample. Maybe others will give you some more ideas.
Good Luck!

Kathy
 
I totally understand. Your comment about it being like a combination that you're trying to unlock is dead on. I believe (and this may totally conflict with what you've read else where) that each person has their unique combination of what works to lose weight and maintain a healthy body. For some, the answer is lots of cardio, for others it's more strength training. For some it's low carb, for others, it's low fat.

I guess what I would offer is to look at what has worked in the past for you and try to figure out what the key components were. When you worked out twice a day, you didn't lose; but when you cut back and were careful about your eating, you lost. There's a part of the puzzle. Now the hard part is figuring out how it all fits together.

I know this doesn't answer your question and probably only adds to the confusion. But hang in there, we're all trying to unlock that darn combination - some have just figured it out faster than others. And think about it - you've come so far already!

Claude



"Age is a question of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter." Satchel Paige
 
I hear you Jules, there are so many different routines & diets out there it's really hard to know what's best without making it a full time job.

When it comes to exercise & diet, the bottom line is you have to do what works for you. If you try a diet that makes you miserable you basically set yourself up for failure. You have to think about what you can live with, and what you can live without. Low carb has really worked for me b/c I can live without things like bread, pasta & sugars, but some people cringe when it's mentioned.

So as far as dieting, maybe you're best off trying to figure out what you can live without, & then take it from there. While it's true there are many options out there, perhaps narrowing it down to the foods you really want to keep in your diet should be your guideline.

As far as exercise goes, that kind of depends on your goals. Do you want to be lean & less defined, or muscular & more defined? If you answered yes to #1, circuit training with less weights & more cardio is the right thing. If #2, more weights & as much cardio as you want.

It takes a bit of experimenting, but figure out what you enjoy. You don't have to have what experts say is the perfect combination of diet/weights/cardio, you have to have your own perfect combination. You should enjoy it (not that a little pain shouldn't enter the picture, as long as it's the right kind of pain ;-) ), and it has to work with your schedule.

So I guess what I'm trying to say is do what's fun for you & what fits into your lifestyle. Don't overthink it, just do it! :)
 
Jules,
I don't really get into the complicated programs or theories...I know what has worked for me in the past...running (lots of calories burned) + strength training + a healthy, balanced diet. The bottom line is: if you take in fewer calories than you burn, you will lose weight. Good luck!

cathy :)
 
Julkes -

I'm totally with you on trying to figure out the combination, and I think I'm in the sucky situation of having to count WW points forever. It's the only thing that's worked for me. During my cancer treatment I packed on the pounds and ballooned up to 187 (I'm 5'3"). With a P90X rotation (with liberal Cathe substitutions) and WW points, I've gotten down to 165, with 15 more to go. I know my goal weight of 150 will still leaves me in the "overweight" range, but I don't care.

One thing I've found with the points is that I can count for six days, have a free day on Friday and still be OK. And if I want to eat a whole cake on Friday, I do. (Actually, I haven't actually eaten an entire cake, but I can really clean up on the cookies. Heehee! ;)

Have you tried counting points? It's not so hard once you get used to it!

I still get discouraged though, especially since all the food related holidays are coming up...Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc...

Good Luck!

Susan L.G.
 
I remember feeling the way you do. So I made an appointment with a nutritionist who was recommended to me. She gave me an eating plan designed for me; to help me reach MY goals. That made my life much simpler. It cost $150 and I only had to go once. It is probably more expensive in NYC than in other parts of the country, so you may be able to pay less. I highly recommend it! :D
-Nancy

ETA: Not too surprisingly, she had me cut out the processed food I was eating and cut out the simple carbs in favor of complex carbs. A lot of emphasis on veggies. She had no problem with my continuing to drink coffee, and have wine and ice cream from time to time, as those items were important to me. There were no points to count or anything, just an emphasis on unprocessed food and generally more healthful eating. I love it! :D
 
> There were no points to count or anything, just an
>emphasis on unprocessed food and generally more healthful
>eating.

This, to me, seems like the healthiest and most sustainable diet (in the sense of 'what one eats' rather than in the sense of 'a special regime followed for a limited amount of time in order to lose weight').

Just by cutting out processed foods (especially foods with white flour, high fructose corn syrup/sweetener or hydrogenated oils in) and making 'best choices" (ie: foods that are naturally high in fat, like avocados or nuts, instead of added oils to get essential fatty acids) one can improve both health and weight.
 
My best advice ..

.. keep it simple .. and moderation is the key to everything. Whether you are talking about exercise or diet.

I believe that a good combination of cardio, weights and yoga is the key to getting and staying in shape. Again moderation! Depending on what your level is .. start off w/20 min. of cardio per day (build up to 30 - 60 min) .. it doesn't take that long in the weight room .. depending on your goals .. do your basic machines leg extensions, hamstring curls, calve raises, biceps, triceps, delts and abs (20 min. 2 - 4 days a week).. keep it simple! Always warm up - stretch .. workout ..cool down and stretch. Try to fit in a yoga video or class once or twice a week too .. it will help you lengthen your muslces and free your mind (de-stress)

.. Nutrition .. you have to find what works for you .. the American Heart Assoc and the American Diabetes Assoc have great web sites to learn from and build your own healthy eating plan. again moderation is the key!

The main thing .. there is no quick fix .. no majic pill .. just common sense and a healthy lifestyle for your life time .. :D

And don't get hung up on a particular number on a the scale .. and don't obsess about calories consumed or burned .. eat right .. exercise daily (hard day then light day) .. have fun .. oh .. and don't beat yourself up if you stray from your plan .. life is short .. your diet is not done in if you have that pizza .. or whatever your special treat is .. !

Hope this helps!!
 
I really thank all of you for reading my post and offering your suggestions/help. It has helped me to put things in focus. I think when I am "trying" to lose the weight is when I stall out. Since November 9 of last year I have lost 59 pounds, which is pretty good...because I paid no attention to the scale. I just worked out and ate right. Then all of a sudden it was like "well I NEED to lose 15 pounds" and it has become this horrible feat that I feel like I can not conquer and then want to "quit". I think I just have to take the moderation route and keep trying the different combinations that may be right for me. I personally noticed a big difference when I ate perfectly for 6 days and then allowed my self the cheat day. It gave me something to strive for each week!!

Thanks again!

Jules!!!!:)
 
> I think when I am "trying" to lose the weight is when
>I stall out. Since November 9 of last year I have lost 59
>pounds, which is pretty good...because I paid no attention to
>the scale. I just worked out and ate right. Then all of a
>sudden it was like "well I NEED to lose 15 pounds" and it has
>become this horrible feat that I feel like I can not conquer
>and then want to "quit".

I think you've hit on something here. When one is in "diet" mode, you are still thinking about food more than is necessary, and fretting, and worrying. Eating is a natural thing to do, and it shouldn't be such an ordeal (though the amount of unnatural 'foods' and processed foods available to us now make it so).
 
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