Working out, eating right... *sigh*?

Question

I'm getting depressed. I work out five days a week. 40 minutes on the cardio machines and about 10-15 minutes on the weights. Monday through Friday.

I'm eating healthier, looking at the nutrition labels, not cheating much (heh). I've cut out sodas and cut back on my portions and how much I eat during the day. I snack on fruits and veggies instead of potato chips and chocolate.

I can't seem to LOSE any weight! Lose a pound, lose half a pound, gain one and a half pounds, lose a pound, I can't seem to get on a LOSING streak!

I'm so upset, I'm really getting depressed about this. WHY can't I lose weight?

I just need to vent and want to cry right now. I'm NOT giving up, I'm sticking with it (especially working out), but I'm getting desperate!

Amb... I've been doing the five days a week workout for several months now.
I am 5 foot 1 1/2 inches short and about 180 lbs.
My goal weight is 140ish.

topdoc... I tell my fiance that and he just laughs. I understand his laughter though because I want to LOSE weight.

lyric... I had a consult with a trainer and he didn't go through ANYTHING with me, only showed me what machines and settings and weights to try, NOTHING about ignoring the scale and instead measure yourself.

oreo... thanks for the info. I'm going to try changing it up a bit with my workout. I feel good on the cardio machines but sometimes it gets boring.

jw... when I went to boot camp in 1994, I went in weighing 130 and left weighing 115. If only I had my drill instructor living with me LOL!

blackdog... thanks for the input. I feel I've done a good workout if my shirt is soaked with sweat. My clothes still fit the same as they always have *sigh*.

Answer 1

When I went through basic training I came out weighing about the same as I went in, however, I had slimmed down a lot and replaced fat with muscle. Remember muscle weighs more than fat, so while you may not be losing weight, you are in fact losing body fat. The change can be gradual so maybe take yourself a before and after pic, one now, and another 3-4 weeks from now, seeing the change will be easier that way. Ambrielle's reply is really good btw. Losing weight is hard, and it takes time, but I'm glad you're not giving up. =)

Answer 2

To you it may seem as though you're not losing weight but other people notice it more, and dont go by numbers you're probably getting muscle which weighs more. Dont get sidetracked by the numbers. Believe me going through the same thing myself, I got a trainer and she gave me this advice. Good luck and great job for sticking with it
I'm sure you have more energy now.

I know the feeling went to la fitness signed up at body of change went through so called trainers that put me on the treadmill for 15 minutes and thats it went to another location and found a wonderful trainer whos really interested in working out. Keep asking questions its hard but so wotrh it good luck babe. Wish you were in Atlanta it also helps to have a workout partner.

Answer 3

Not a doctor, but I've lost a healthy 30 Lbs in three months, at first don't go by what you see on the scale, go by how your clothes fit your body, also notice how much you sweat and how long it takes to get a good sweat going when your working out, the more you sweat the more your muscles are working and growing and more the pounds will come off quicker (in my case anyway). I also ate smaller portions but I ate what I wanted. I wanted beans & rice (more beans than rice) no fryied meats,instead baked turkey, chicken and steak. My in between snaks to keep me from starving were peanut butter and jelly sandwinches, veggies,apples, plenty of water,and 100 calories nuritional bars. But mostly I ate what my body called for in small portions, and I've done good. I beleived in my worksout's! My goal was to gain muscle and loose fat! If I weighted 160 Lbs it would be a 160 Lbs of skinny muscel and my normal sized pants would slide off while buttoned. For me the more I sweated the skinner I became, and the more water I had to drink to be healthy.
Hope this helps

Answer 4

first i think you have to identify what makes you fat. if the way you are dieting is not working, then try something else. eventhough you snack on fruits and veggies, some fruits have alot of sugar, those kinda fruits can make you fat. try changing the way you work out. like, instead of doing 40mins cardio straight, try 20mins on cardio, then 15mins on weights, then another 20mins on cardio. i've been over weight since 15. i was 115lbs since age 15, the heaviest i was 130lbs. now im' about 118lbs. i tried everything ican, i just wont go under 115lbs. family doc said probably i will never go lower than that. so maybe it's your body, consult your doctor.

no matter what, dont give up! eating healthy and exercising are good for your anyway.

Answer 5

First off, how long have you been doing this, what's your ht/wt, and what's your goal weight? Expect minor fluctuations bacause of water retention and expect the rate that you lose weight to slow down the closer you get to a healthy range/goal weight. My best advice is keep it up. Most likely you're gaining muscle and losing fat at about the same rate (1 lb of muscle has less volume than 1 lb of fat). Rather than paying so much attention to your weight, measure yourself. You may not have lost weight, but you may be getting smaller (and that's what really matters right?) and just haven't noticed.