*cries* Gained more weight... Need some encouragement
#212483 - 09/11/05 08:25 PM
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Stephie
Reged: 03/10/04
Posts: 2696
Loc: Vancouver, Canada
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Hi guys,
Today marks the one month mark since I have started exercising more regularly. Every week, I have done the weight circuit at least twice and have done at least one other session of exercising where I do just cardio. Some weeks I have only taken one day off, but I have gone done AT LEAST three times a week...
So far my weight has gone like this.. Week 1 - Gained One Pound Week 2 - Lost 3.5 Pounds Week 3 - Gained 3 Pounds Week 4 - Gained 1.5 Pounds.
That means in total, I have gained 2.5 pounds since I started. People say things like "It's just water, maybe" or "it's muscle gain" but I am having a hard time with both of those excuses. Number one, I don't look or feel like I have gained any muscle and I have only been doing this a month so I HIGHLY doubt I have just gained on muscle on not lost anything. Number two, the water thing makes some sense for day to day weight changes, but to gain after A MONTH??
I feel so discouraged and like just giving up completely. After everything I have been through with my body in the last 20 years, I feel like I just have absolutely no control over it. I have no control over my weight, my bad skin, my IBS, my dental problems, everything..
I talked to my trainer, she told me to stop using the scale at the gym as they are doing renovations and the floors are uneven and they keep moving it around. She also told me to do more cardio and discouraged me from trying to do more lunge/squats because of my bad knees.
I'm sorry to be a big downer, I have another dental apartment tomorrow and a doctors appointment and I am just feeling really crappy overall and that just made me really sad. In two weeks time, I am going to go get my body comp done again but I am totally dreading it.
You guys are all great, any encouragement or suggestions would be appreciated.. although I do just feel kind of hopeless at this point.
Thanks all! --Steph
-------------------- ~~I'm not crazy, I'm just a little unwell-I know right now you can't tell~~Matchbox 20
IBS-D,pain.
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Awww that sucks. That can be so discouraging
Steph - can you ditch the scale? Honestly, it's really not a very accurate way of tracking your progress, plus it can be discouraging. You're probably right - water weight (hormones!) and muscle gain are probably playing part here. Plus the scale might be a bit screwed up like your trainer said.
If you CAN quit weighing yourself (I know some people really need it) a much better way to track your progress is by how you FEEL, how you look in the mirror, how your jeans are fitting etc... Instead of getting upset over largely arbitrary numbers. My bet? You'll find on your next body comp test that you've lost a little body fat... despite the scale #s going up. That's my guess.
Anyway, I hope that helps a bit. Try to cheer up And of course feel free to vent to us any time! Many hugs!!!
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Quote:
Awww that sucks. That can be so discouraging *sulks* SO discouraging. I mean, I wasn't expecting miracles but I at least would have liked to not have GAINED weight! I'll get over it, just can't help feeling pretty blaaaah right now.
Steph - can you ditch the scale? Honestly, it's really not a very accurate way of tracking your progress, plus it can be discouraging... If you CAN quit weighing yourself (I know some people really need it) a much better way to track your progress is by how you FEEL, how you look in the mirror, how your jeans are fitting etc... Instead of getting upset over largely arbitrary numbers.
Yeah, I do feel like the scale isn't a great way to monitor things. Right now, I don't let myself weigh myself more than once a week and that's only once at the gym to try and track my progress. The reason for that is mostly 'cause I am supposed to lose the specific number of pounds for my surgery, so I feel like I would be kind of confused without it. My biggest frustration comes from the fact that not only are the numbers on the scale going up, but I DON'T feel any better. In the mirror, I feel uncomfortable and gross. I feel like I don't look any better, and I definitely don't feel any better. My clothes all still fit really close, and are uncomfortable too... I just want to see SOME positive change, you know? My bet? You'll find on your next body comp test that you've lost a little body fat... despite the scale #s going up. That's my guess. I really hope so, but I don't want to get my hopes up 'cause I know that if I do and they show the same (or worse!) I will feel really defeated. That's why I put it off for another 2 weeks, I just don't want to see the results if they aren't good. Anyway, I hope that helps a bit. Try to cheer up And of course feel free to vent to us any time! Many hugs!!! **hugs** It does help, thanks as always! Sometimes just venting it out makes me feel better. I'm sure that by tomorrow I will feel a little better (or at least distracted by appointments and nitrous (sp) gas, haha), but now I just needed a little whinge. Thanks very much!! Cheers, --Steph
-------------------- ~~I'm not crazy, I'm just a little unwell-I know right now you can't tell~~Matchbox 20
IBS-D,pain.
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Aw Steph, I'm sorry I know how frustrating that can be. I agree with Laurel, that if you can stop weighing yourself, you probably should. I swear the stress alone of stepping on the scale makes it go up sometimes!
I'm not the best one to talk, I'm trying desperately to part with my scale and I just can't do it, despite everyone encouraging me to go more with how clothes fit...even measuring inches...it's just weight is so unpredictable.
I'm sure if you keep at it you'll start to see results. Are you eating more yet? Because if you're still consuming way too few calories that could be slowing your progress.
hang in there (and good luck with the dentist) Kelly
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Hugs Stephie. I know its so hard, remember when Alicia was doing her WW and having no luck even though she was doing tons of cardio and starving herself. I'm sure she will pass on the tips that everyone gave her that put her on the right track, if I remember correctly it was Shell and Laurel who helped her out.
Sorry you are going through such a hard time at the moment.
Hugs,
S
-------------------- S.
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Confession: I don't own a scale. It ruins my day. I only jump on the scale when I see my doctor. I don't have a weight gaining problem--rather the opposite. I struggle to keep up with myself. I think daily weighing rituals are a tyranny of pain and shame and really only stress you out. Often when we're stressed out re: weight/body image our behaviour ends up being self-defeating. So...ditch the scale. Weigh in monthly.
A saner way to 'judge' is to go by how your jeans feel/fit. Honestly!
Stephie, you're also working out and muscle not only weighs more than fat but looks a heck of a lot better. Keep that in check. Also, you are hormonally functional and that's a factor re: water retention/bloating...you know, the 'female tides.'
Keep your chin up. Don't be discouraged. Rather empower yourself via healthy eating strategies and nutrition and exercise. It's only a number and the more you focus on it, the more counter-productive it will become. Why ruin your day?
Kate.
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I don't own a scale either, because I know I would only torture myself and overanalyze everything. If I ever weigh myself it's at the gym (and I haven't been in months, because I've been running/biking instead) or the doctor. I go by how my clothes feel. I think I'm really prone to the whole hormonal thing, since my best week for a semi-flat stomach is the week after my period--always. Go figure.
When I first started working out REALLY well, it took a while to notice a difference. I saw a muscle in my leg and couldn't get over it! So it does take time.
If you are positive that you are really eating/working out in a way that SHOULD cause some weight loss, might want to consider getting your thyroid checked---or have you already done that?
Otherwise, just try to keep positive. You know you're doing something healthy at least---even if you can't see visible results yet, it's doing your body good.
--------------------
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I only get weighed at the doctors office. I also suggest the thyroid test.
Steph, do you remember how Alicia (Hans Solo) struggled in the beginning and got so discouraged? Here's an early post web page and here's a later post web page But, she eventually started to lose....don't give up.
-------------------- ~ Beth
Constipation, pain prodominent,cramps, spasms and bloat!
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Sorry your so frustrated Steph... Laurel said it well... don't worry about that darn scale.... I bet you will be surprised when you have your body comp done... just listen to your trainer and keep at it... it!! Just FYI my weight has gone up and down a lot in the last couple of months and I was getting PISSED and depressed about it.... stopped weighing in...and not only am I SEEING AND FEELING the difference in my body...so are others. I know you can do it Steph!!
-------------------- www.facebook.com/shell.marr
www.myspace.com/shellmarr
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Awww... Stephie. I know it's frustrating. I've seen my weight inch up as well.
I would say 2 things:
1. Up the cardio. If you're only doing it once a week that's not really enough. BUT!!! 2. The exercise that you're doing is good for you, your heart, et all, even if you can't see the results on the outside. So don't give up. Just don't think about it all in terms of aesthetics.
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Hiya,
Ooops, no, that's not what I meant. I am doing cardio three times a week at least, two days after the weights and the one day is when I JUST do cardio.
Is three times a week not enough either?
So confusing.
Cheers!!
--Steph
-------------------- ~~I'm not crazy, I'm just a little unwell-I know right now you can't tell~~Matchbox 20
IBS-D,pain.
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...to check out a bump thing on my elbow and to reassess (sp) my medication as I was on Colitis meds but have been cleared of colitis so am going off of it as it is mucho expensive. Anywho, she said to me, "So, looks like you've put on some weight" and I just about started crying right there in the office. I tried to joke about it, as she made me get on the scale and she looked pretty disappointed. I told her I am really trying, and she told me to just keep at it but the weight gain being thrown back in my face just made me feel really crappy. I just got back from an hour long walk with my dog and my mom, and tomorrow I will get back to the food diary. Still, not feeling great yet. Gymming tomorrow morning w/Adrian as well. Thanks for all the support guys, --Steph
-------------------- ~~I'm not crazy, I'm just a little unwell-I know right now you can't tell~~Matchbox 20
IBS-D,pain.
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Stephie,
Well, I don't curse...but if I did I would. Nuff said *hugs*
I have done this as n experiment twice now! If I weight myself 1st thing in the am after using the loo I will weight at least two pounds LESS than I will after a half an hour of exercising. Can you believe this non-sense?
I believe in you Stephie. We all do! YOU are doing great! It took me 4 months to begin losing weight! Not to discourage you (though I can assure you I was horribly discouraged!) from a med I took. And from some binge eating as well. And I may never get it all to come off. BUT I I am doing what I can...and I feel good about that And I know you are trying and that you WILL get results!!!
Sending you love and confidence and self love...
Ruch
-------------------- Formerly known as Ruchie
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Oh, sorry I misunderstood!!
According to my trainer, the ideal amount of cardio for fat burning is 200 minutes a week, so that's what I aim for. I don't always make it, but I try!
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aww stephie---im sorry youre feeling so down sweetie i was feeling that way too b/c i had gained maybe 2 pounds in europe and the HOUSEKEEPER said something to me about it!!
*BIG HUG* it sounds like you have a very good work-out regimine [sp??] i would just say stick to eating well. i always tell myself "in time" or "soon" when im trying to watch my shape. i was actually really prone to not wanting to eat and then all of a sudden i got on this really healthy kick and have been eating tons of salad, veggies, squashes and everything in between!!
perhaps your body is just adjusting to the work outs that youre doing. i started these at-home exercises that my dads chiropractor/nutritionist told me to do and my thighs and butt got more bulky then they had ever been! it sucked and i quit them. but that lady told me that would happen. its the muscles expanding but if you keep with it continuously, the muscles shrink back down slimmer. take your trainer's advice and follow a really good eating plan. im sure youll do/be fine
in the meantime, you should watch some lifetime TV!!! the nanny always makes me feel better LOL!! bye hun!
-------------------- VEGAN ASHLEY~IBS/C
www.myspace.com/dutchflowers
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-------------------- Formerly known as Ruchie
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Nope.
#213320 - 09/14/05 01:37 PM
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It doesn't get your heart rate up nearly enough.
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Thanks! I don't know about these things Now I'm gonna go read your cardio post to Stephie about how much cardio is enough! Thanks for sharing your expertise!!!! *hugs*
-------------------- Formerly known as Ruchie
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Say i do 5 mins hoola hoop, 5 mins stretching, 5 mins dancing, 5 mins yoga...do the 5 mins of cardio in between count as cardio mins? I'd better get to finding more 5-15 min stretches a day!
Thanks Jenny!!!!
-------------------- Formerly known as Ruchie
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Yep, any time you're doing something active and your heart rate goes up it counts. It doesn't all have to be together in one block at all. So in theory you could make sure you bounce around the house 6 times a day for 5 minutes.
I like to put mine in blocks though. Cause I'm lazy and I want to get it all over at once.
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Well, I'm just starting out exercising again. BUT it's great to have this to shoot for!
I do 15 mins on bike trainer straight every other day and on the weight day I do 15 mins stretches/dance/hoola hoop, etc. So the 5 min hoola hoop will now be counted! And I will try to sneak in stuff throughout the day. Not sure WHAT I'll do the week I'm away? I guess I'll be doing a ton of walking...but I know it won't be on schedule with holidays and such...but I can def. do walking!
Hmm...now to figure out my short-term goals...with the long-term goal 200 cardio mins per week, thanks to you Jenny!
I love goals!
Btw, if you have any cardio ideas for mini-stretches throughout the day (you might not since you said you like to do it in blocks?) bring em' on!
*big huge hugs*
Ruch
-------------------- Formerly known as Ruchie
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Thanks for the hugs Ruchie!! Back to you!!
Hmm... chase the doggie in the yard? March in place? Bounce around to music? Scrub the kitchen floor?
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makes muscle mass that burns more calories and if you do it like DH you burn tons of calories and sweat like a pig! So it is good to squeeze in too.
-------------------- IBS-A for 20 years with terrible bloating and gas. On the diet since April 2004. Remember this from Heather's information pages:
"You absolutely must eat insoluble fiber foods, and as much as safely possible, but within the IBS dietary guidelines. Treat insoluble fiber foods with suitable caution, and you'll be able to enjoy a wide variety of them, in very healthy quantities, without problem." Please eat IF foods!
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Oh yes!
#213469 - 09/15/05 04:57 AM
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I would never say not to do the weight lifting! However, studies have shown that three times a week is no more effective than 2. So I just do that stuff twice, and focus the other four days on cardio.
As far as short term metabolism pick up- cardio revs up your metabolism more than weight lifting for the immediate 4 hours after you do it.
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Please, keep sharing all you know! I'm really learning LOT!!! *hugs* And much gratitude!
Love, Ruch
-------------------- Formerly known as Ruchie
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