13 replies to this topic

[jessikagurl101]

I've been going to the gym everyday for the last 3 weeks. I have yet to lose. I had stalled the first week, then the second week I lost 2 pounds, and now this week I change up my eating routine a bit, stop my protein shakes and I've gained 2 pounds. I don't understand. I'm so exhausted, physically and mentally. I started going to the gym to help my weight loss, not make it worse. *sobs

[AboutTime]

Jessika,

Exercise takes a lot out of you.  You need to put in a little more calories.  Taking away your portein shakes is probably a big no no.  You need to replace the portein you are burning up.  You will start to get lethargic if you don't put in enough fuel.  

I was stalled for over 1 1/2 months and just recently upped my calorie intake to at least 1200 a day and I finally started to lose again.  I am losing slowly, but I am losing.  

Edited by AboutTime, 10 February 2012 - 07:24 AM.

[K1ttycat]

Also, if you are concerned or confused, it might be beneficial to make an appointment with a NUT at your surgery center (or if I remember right, you moved? so maybe find another surgery center, or a NUT with experience in surgery patients). I find that when things aren't working the way I feel they should with my body, having someone to go over things again, freshen things up in my mind, helps.

Oh, and let me just give you the rule of thumb that was given to me at a workshop at the surgeon's office. If you go up 1-2lbs, it's just weight fluctuations, and if you're still doing everything you should be doing, it will come back off. 3-5 lbs is when you need to say "ok, what have I changed, or do I need to change" so re-evaluating what you're doing, and more then 5lbs is when you should go to your surgeon's office and see a NUT or therapist to help get back on track. So just saying, you are probably not gaining fat (especially since you are working out everyday). Don't beat yourself up.

Edited by K1ttycat, 10 February 2012 - 07:33 AM.

[allygator]

It is hard no doubt!  But if you are working out stopping the protein shakes is the LAST thing you should do.  I have to get in 1200 minimum or I stall (took me months to accept this and I still freak if I go OVER 1200...but I don't lose unless I do)  Protein shakes help me get to this calorie goal without relying on grazing or junk food, and I usually get 90g of protein a day.  Plus side..hair and nails are growing full force now..no more peakaboo with the scalp!  Keep plugging along..in the long run I know exercise is gonna be the key for me for maintenance...but you gotta fuel your body.  

Another note..are you going balls to the wall right off???  You have to work yourself up when you are working out.  If you try to push yourself too hard you ARE going to be miserable.  Start small and slow and do a little more each day,  But don;t give up on the workouts Jess.  I know it is harder for you than for the rest of us with your mobility issues...but keep it up girl!  Proud of you for making the effort!!!!!!

[Julie S.]

K1ttycat, on 10 February 2012 - 07:30 AM, said:

Oh, and let me just give you the rule of thumb that was given to me at a workshop at the surgeon's office. If you go up 1-2lbs, it's just weight fluctuations, and if you're still doing everything you should be doing, it will come back off. 3-5 lbs is when you need to say "ok, what have I changed, or do I need to change" so re-evaluating what you're doing, and more then 5lbs is when you should go to your surgeon's office and see a NUT or therapist to help get back on track. So just saying, you are probably not gaining fat (especially since you are working out everyday). Don't beat yourself up.

this is great ... helps me to remember that a couple pounds of fluctuation is normal & not to freak over it, but also helps me to see what might be a red flag.  so glad you posted this.

JESS--big hugs to you.  i am SO PROUD OF YOU.  you are doing everything right!!  i'm so sorry you're not seeing the results you want, but i just know in time that you will.  i just know it!

xxoo

[MegsMom]

One last bit of advice, other than increasing your protein is to take your measurements.  You may be building lean muscle and losing fat.  Fat takes up more room, so when you build lean muscle (takes up less room), your measurements will decrease even though your weight stays (or increases) the same.

[jessikagurl101]

Thanks guys! I just got back from the gym. I admit I was farting around a bit on the machines but I got in my 20 minutes on the treadmill at least. And I am drinking a protein shake as we speak. Although according to myfitnesspal, I was getting in 70-90 grams a day with food. So, I honestly don't know. It's gotta be cause I stopped the shakes. My body was prolly just like, hey watcha doing? LOL. I know it's not fat - not even physically possibly. You need 3500 calories to gain one pound. I've been getting around 800 so I haven't been consuming over 500 extra calories a day.  

But yeah, I'm gonna put my scale away for a bit. I'll try to up my cals and see what happens. I'll try not to weigh for a couple weeks at least. I'm doing everything right - so the number on the scale is simply irrevelant. (Haha let's see how long this attitude lasts. )

[jules74]

I was so gung ho when, after surgery, I was told I could start exercising. I was nicely losing weight...then I started back up with my spinning classes and my weight HALTED. Came to a screeching halt. I had a NUT appointment and she basically told me to cool it with the spinning classes. It was too much, too fast. I was barely getting in my 800 calories a day then I would go burn them all off during a 45 min spinning class. My body would shut down in the weight loss department and I would get SO MAD! My NUT said that one would think by eating so much less, then exercising, the weight would come off faster when in reality, it does the opposite. It actually makes you stop losing weight which seems completely opposite to what should be happening. She told me to do less strenuous exercise like walking or bicycling, or lift some weights. So, I listened, chilled out a bit on the intensity of the exercise and wouldn't you know it, the scale started moving again. I find if I do too much activity, my weight loss stops. I would like to do MORE intense activity but my body does not like that right now. All I know is that the scale is going down so the NUT must know what she was talking about. Just wanted to share!

[jessikagurl101]

jules74, on 10 February 2012 - 10:46 AM, said:

I was so gung ho when, after surgery, I was told I could start exercising. I was nicely losing weight...then I started back up with my spinning classes and my weight HALTED. Came to a screeching halt. I had a NUT appointment and she basically told me to cool it with the spinning classes. It was too much, too fast. I was barely getting in my 800 calories a day then I would go burn them all off during a 45 min spinning class. My body would shut down in the weight loss department and I would get SO MAD! My NUT said that one would think by eating so much less, then exercising, the weight would come off faster when in reality, it does the opposite. It actually makes you stop losing weight which seems completely opposite to what should be happening. She told me to do less strenuous exercise like walking or bicycling, or lift some weights. So, I listened, chilled out a bit on the intensity of the exercise and wouldn't you know it, the scale started moving again. I find if I do too much activity, my weight loss stops. I would like to do MORE intense activity but my body does not like that right now. All I know is that the scale is going down so the NUT must know what she was talking about. Just wanted to share!

Yeah, I could be doing too much. Idk. I may cut down the gym to 3 times a week instead of everyday..

[Lindsay]

I'm stalled, working out a ton, weights, following all the rules, etc...it's KILLING ME!  

I totally feel your pain.  

[BugdocMom]

jessikagurl101, on 10 February 2012 - 09:43 AM, said:

But yeah, I'm gonna put my scale away for a bit. I'll try to up my cals and see what happens. I'll try not to weigh for a couple weeks at least. I'm doing everything right - so the number on the scale is simply irrevelant. (Haha let's see how long this attitude lasts. )

You know, Jessika, I really love watching you post with an issue and work through things. You are such an incredible young woman! So many folks (with much more age and experience on their side) are 1. afraid to open themselves up and admit that they are struggling and 2. too stubborn to process the advice they are offered or look at them selves honestly in light of that advice. You are mature enough to step back and look at yourself and evaluate the answers you are offered (as Minister AJ says "eating the chicken and throwing away the bones"--I think that's how it went ). That is a difficult feat at any age so I am thoroughly impressed that you can do it as young as you are. You are several months ahead of me in this journey and I have enjoyed watching you progress and definitely have benefited from your posts and advice. I'm am so proud of you...feeling emotional...*sniff, sniff*...(((HUGS)))

[jessikagurl101]

BugdocMom, on 10 February 2012 - 01:27 PM, said:

You know, Jessika, I really love watching you post with an issue and work through things. You are such an incredible young woman! So many folks (with much more age and experience on their side) are 1. afraid to open themselves up and admit that they are struggling and 2. too stubborn to process the advice they are offered or look at them selves honestly in light of that advice. You are mature enough to step back and look at yourself and evaluate the answers you are offered (as Minister AJ says "eating the chicken and throwing away the bones"--I think that's how it went ). That is a difficult feat at any age so I am thoroughly impressed that you can do it as young as you are. You are several months ahead of me in this journey and I have enjoyed watching you progress and definitely have benefited from your posts and advice. I'm am so proud of you...feeling emotional...*sniff, sniff*...(((HUGS)))

Awww thank you, BugDocMom!! *sniffles too.    

I'm trying to be as positive as I can. I've spent WAY too much time being a Negative Nancy and I can't live like that. I'm doing everything humanly possible to help myself - that's good enough for me, who cares what the scale says!

[berna79]

Hey Jessica something my dr told me and personal trainers to help your body recover from workout is to eat a small piece of protein 1 hr prior to exercise then a protein shake right after. I think after your body get adjusted to your routine you will bounce back and you are doing really good.

[GOAT]

working out is awesome to help you feel better.

2 things to remember...

first and most importantly muscle weighs more then fat. if your weight training at all then you will be gaining muscle as you burn the fat. and its not ever an even exchange. i wouldnt worry much about it because lean muscle also helps burn fat faster. And gaining more lean muscle means less liklihood of gaining back the fat and you replace some of the excess space between skin and body with extra mass hence less excess skin.

second, your big time weight training guys eat these high protein diets and they all will tell you to do the same but the problem is they are building mass. its actually not conducive to weight loss or energy. protein before and after a workout actually can confuse your body and make so you dont get optimum results. complex carbs are the way to deliver long lasting energy to your body so that you may power through a workout. and also to quickly replenish the muscles after a hard workout. an example of this is a banana or apple. assuing you can tolerate the fruit. youd be supprised what some carbs around the workout can do for your workouts A, but B weight loss.

hope this helps.