Need help losing weight.?

Question

So my BMI tells me I'm overweight. And obviously I'd prefer to lose weight sooner rather than later because, well, who wouldn't? About a month ago I started dieting (WeightWatchers) and exercising more. I've lost about 10 pounds in that time, which is healthy but is a slower process than I would like.

Currently, I eat between 10 and 16 WeightWatchers points a day. For exercise, I have been using my treadmill (between 3 and 5 miles daily, usually on speed 3-5 mph) and doing a 30-minute beginner's pilates DVD twice daily. I've been doing this pretty consistently.

It seems like all I'm doing is exercising, drinking water, working, attending college, or sleeping. I think I should be losing weight faster given my current weight (I still have to drop another 50 pounds). However it's very discouraging that I seem to be plateauing and I've barely started.

Any suggestions on how I can lose weight faster? I would modify my diet or exercise routine to lose the weight quicker.

Answer 1

The first weight lost is always the fastest. After that, you should be aiming for about 1 kilo a week (2.2 lbs) unless you are under medical supervision. If you are aiming for more than that once you reach the point of having lost the extra "water weight" of the first weeks, you will find maintaining the lost weight exceptionally difficult (since you will be loosing more muscle than fat)

Also remember that exercise of any sort does two things...it increases and strengthens muscle mass. Muscle is about 8 times denser than fat tissue. So, you may loose five or six pounds of fat, but put on 3 or 4 pounds of muscle. Net loss is only 1-3 pounds.

Two things to keep in mind...once you start building muscle mass, your body will consume calories faster and more efficiently. So, cut back on the fats and restrict (but do NOT elimiate) the carbs...essentially, that means the processed carbs like breads and processed (white) sugar.
Second, as you continue, you will (typically) start becoming more self confidant and pleased with your appearance. If you end-up happy and healthy in a size 10, enjoy! Don't force yourself to the bounds of death and force yourself to a size 2 or less.

The 10 pounds in a month for the first month is great! Don't worry so much about the amound you loose in a week or a month. Some weeks you will actuall put ON weight. It is the % of body fat / BMI or the actual inches lost that you should track more. I know of people whom have become discouraged at only loosing 20 pounds after a diet and exercise regime, only to become overjoyed in learning they've gone from a 44+ inch waist to a 36 or smaller!

Finally, once you reach your taget fitness goals, you can maintain the level gained with HALF as much work.

As an additional exercise suggestion...swim. If you're a student at a Univesity (or college) that has a sports complex, use the pool and join an adult aquacise class.

Answer 2

Please don't let the BMI influence your decision. According to the BMI LaDainian Tomlinson (best running back in the nfl) is OBESE because he is 5'10 221of solid muscle (the BMI does not take into account muscle mass)

As far as weight loss goes, 10 pounds in a month is very good, you just have to be patient as sometimes you do hit a stalling point for weight loss, just stick with it and your body will re-adjust and begin losing the pounds again.

One trick that may help: try eating 30-60 minutes after a workout (while your metabolism is higher) also, try and cut down the carbs you eat at night (you need carbs for fuel during the day, but at night they will just be dormant in your body)

Answer 3

pick up a 5 or 10 pound weight at the gym and visualize that weight coming off holding the weight in your hands helps bring home just how heavy even 5 pounds of extra fat can be

Answer 4

Watch the Biggest Loser on nbc!
the people there give a lot of advise
and you watch them lose tremendous amounts of weight each weak... the finale is in a week I think.
It will be on tonight. So watch it.
http://www.nbc.com/The_Biggest_Loser/

also you can join SparkPeople for free Forever!!! they give you your own profile and a lot of tools to keep records of what ur eating and exercising and everything you can keep track of. its a neat site for people who are trying to lose weight... it's like a myspace but for people who want to lose weight no matter how little or big you are. They never charge you...ever! no need to pay a cent to join or to stay. unlike other sites who charge you money or ask for credit cards and personal info... no need to worry about that there. Whether u are 100lbs or 1000lbs. you can join.

http://sparkpeople.com/

Answer 5

This site offers a free E-book on how to lose weight. It's been a great help for me, maybe it can help you as well?

Answer 6

,Don't stop!!! You have to keep pushing. You are expecting too much too soon. It takes a while and when it kicks into gear you'll be dropping weight in no time. Always start slowly don't put too much on your plate that is the number one reason people stop, because they do too much too soon and get worn out. Each week add a little more to your exercise routine. Then increase in the intensity of them making you work harder the harder you work the more muscle you gain.

Answer 7

What I learned is that a BMI isn't accurate. Because you have to look at your ethnic background. Some ppl bone density is thicker. I know even as a african american, we cherish big women...I am a big boned woman....literally. I went in for a chest ultrasound, and the doctors had trouble tryin to look at my heart because my bones are very dense, it hurt like hell with them pressing on my chest to get a clear look. But like always start off with little things like cutting on butter milk cheese and bread, do lean meats, exercise. It was a study done, show on TV that skinner people are sometimes more unhealthy than bigger people because they tend to eat more unhealthy. Especially if its hard for them to gain weight. While bigger ppl may eat less fatty food becuz they kno it will go to their tummy or hips. But believe me, at 175 I looked my best...small waist big hips and a small chest though. But be healthy inside first, and the rest will follow. But of course do cardio..that really helps with your metabolism. Also check with your doc to see if ur metabolism is functioning properly..GOOD TRAILS!

Answer 8

10lbs a month isn't a plateau. If you want to keep the weight off for good instead of gaining it back, then you shouldn't be losing more than 3lbs a week.

If you have time for it, try adding strength training to your current routine. This will build you lean muscle which will make it a lot easier to manage your goal weight when you reach it.

Answer 9

If you're average or tall eat 1500 calories a day and if you're short or below average height eat 1200 calories a day. That way you can eat what you want and still lose weight. That's what I do and it works well for me, I lost 10 pounds but that was all I needed to lose. Counting calories is really easy and it keeps you aware of what is going in your body.

Answer 10

2 and 1 2 hours bowling