I think the scale is flat out wrong. According to the scale, I am still losing a pound a week. I want to be losing 2 or more pounds a week and according to what I'm doing I should be!
I don't know what else to do. I am not drinking diet pop (or any pop for that matter). I am not drinking alocohol. I am only drinking water and one cup of black coffee a day. I eat 1100 to 1500 calories a day. I was eating 1100 a day and wasn't losing so I uped it to 1300 and was not losing so I upped it to 1500 calories and didn't lose.
I work out every morning for 30 minutes (running, weights, abs), walk 30 minutes on my lunch, and walk 2 miles with Garth after dinner. I stay on track on the weekends, even walking 8 miles last Saturday. And I only lose a pound today? Seriously?!
According to the scale I'm 7 pounds from my goal weight. The thing is, I like what I see in the mirror. My stomach is flat. My legs are toned. My arms are slimmer. Even my dress pants are fitting again. So why does the scale not reflect this?
I know weight is just a number, but the number matters to me. I'm working really hard and would appreciate it if the scale would reflect that. I know I'm getting obsessed because I'm weighing in everyday and considering more excerice and more restrictions on my diet. I just want to feel comfortable in Myrtle Beach in my own skin.
The funny thing is, I am. At my goal weight I still thought I was fat. Now that I'm 7 pounds over my goal weight I feel the best I've ever felt. It's really strange. I still have moments where I wish my thighs were thinner or my arms more muscular, but I'm generally making peace with my body.
I almost didn't do a post today because I didn't want to sound whiney and obsessive. But I try to keep this blog real so there you have it. I'm frustrated. I want the scale to reflect my hard work. And it's my blog so I'll cry if I want to, ha!
But in all seriousness, can I ask you guys for some help? How many calories do you eat each day? What are your go-to foods for best results?
- Lindsey
- I love God. My husband makes me laugh a lot. I could eat sushi everyday. I have been to Israel. I hate the rain in my shoes. I enjoy reading theology. I love Broadway musicals. I hate florescent lights. I like dressing up. I love weddings. I hate cake. I enjoy planning events. I adore Hawaii. I wish I could sing. I hope bell bottoms never go out of style. I am not a city girl. I love hanging out with my husband. I can kick your butt at Connect Four. I love bike riding. I should have been born in a state with an ocean. I'm following THE Rabbi. I like to clean. I love to laugh. I rather read than cook. I want to love God with my life.
23 comments:
If you're toning up, muscle weighs more then fat but it's far healthier and you'll look good.
Otherwise try diversifying your workout or increase the intensity. If you always do the same thing your body will get use to it and it will do no good.
And of course weight is just a number. The important thing is looking and feeling good!
Are you on the birth control pill? If so, maybe it comes from that! I find myself unable to lose the pounds I would like to lose (and I exercise and eat right) and I think it has something to do with the BC pill (I switch brand a few months ago).
Like you said, weight is only a number. If you feel comfortable in your clothes, it's the most important thing!
From a biologist perspective -- muscle does weigh more than fat.
To just keep your body doing it's normal, daily functions you need a minimum of 1100-1500 cals/day (you can calculate your own BMR if you're interested). This caloric use value does not include things like walking, moving and exercise. So, anything you do above and beyond that requires extra calories to be converted to ATP so that you can use your muscles to do all these things. It could be the case that you are consuming too few calories/day and thus your body is only performing essential functions b/c it doesn't have enough calories to use everywhere....
The key is what you've stated: you're happy with how you look and feel despite the number on the scale!! I'd encourage you to be happy and stay happy with who God's created you to be and focus less on that number.
I read an article in Fitness last week. Jillian Michaels advice for a plateau--is a week of rest from your workouts(not total rest but reducing the amount of time) and upping your caloric intake by 10%.
Not sure if it works but she knows her stuff.
A couple of thoughts - you're really active, and your calorie count is low. Maybe your body needs more calories to effectively handle weight loss.
Secondly, you're more toned, which means you have muscles, which weigh more than fat. I think this is also part of my problem. My legs are HEAVY, but they don't look fat. Does that make sense? Try picking up your leg when you're sitting down, if they feel heavy, it's probably muscle! I might be crazy for admitting this, but it's the truth!
Also, I've tried to reply to your comments on my blog, but you have a no-reply email address, can you fix that? :)
All in all, I think you're doing a great job and I'm glad to hear you're liking what you see in the mirror!
@Anonymous - Don't be a jerk. That was super rude.
@Lindsey - Stop worrying so much about the number on the scale. You're working super hard and you are seeing results.. maybe the scale is just a little slow to catch up to the new fab you. :)
xox-Katie from sparklesinthesnow.blogspot.com
Calm down about the number. You are getting seriously fixated and obsessive based on a number. If you like what you see, which you say you do, then focus on that.
Take a breath and enjoy your successes- a healthy happy you.
Go read this:
http://daiseeangel.blogspot.com/2011/07/boot-camp-results.html
If that doesn't make you feel better, then it's a loss cause! LOL jk ;)
Seriously, I know it's frustrating when the scale doesn't move, but it's just a number that NOBODY else can see besides you!!! Everyone else sees the leaner you and not that number.
I can never count calories. Most of what I eat, I've made, so it would be a lot of complicated calculating. Although, I have thought about doing that lately as I also have been upping exercising and watching portions more carefully and still nothing. I can share in your frustration as well! That probably is good that you upped your calories a little, you probably could stand to go up to 1800 even, esp with all that exercise you're doing. You don't want to be burning muscle!
Several others have suggested this but you might want to try upping your calories even more. You are pretty active and 1500 may not be enough! I know it is hard not to obsess about the number on the scale, but if you are honestly happy with the way your body looks, who cares what that darn scale says?!
Wow, there are some anonymous haters out today! Holy rude!
Anyways. Like other commenters said, it could be you're gaining more muscle which explains why you look better and things fit better, but the number is not changing.
Are you in a food rut? I find that if I really mix up the calories I eat instead of having the same things day after day after day it can help!
Perhaps you are building muscle which weighs more than fat and would explain why you dont see the drop in numbers. I am sure you look great you always did! Hope you and Garth are doing well. Lilly and I love and miss you guys very much!
Maybe cutting out carbs will be good. lots of protein of course would be good too. check out our website for more info!
Lindsey is a wonderful person and an even more wonderful wife. You're right, she's not as nice as what she seems in her blog, she's even nicer and if you can't see that then I feel bad for you because you are missing out on a wonderful relationship.
Lindsey, wanted to say I hope you are ok after yesterday's comment...I couldn't believe what I was reading. Sending you hugs from Scotland. D xo
Aww, I love what Garth said <3 <3
Can you switch up the workouts a bit? You may be in a rut- swim, bike, etc-- just something that you aren't currently doing. The biggest thing is that you FEEL good- and you've said that you do, and muscle weighs more than fat, and you'd rather have muscle. I'd say don't stress (like I've said before) but I know it's in your head. I say hide the scale for a bit :) :)
There is a difference between being healthy, which I believe you are. And showing the signs of having an eating disorder, which I believe you are bordering on.
I in all honesty, and not meaning to sound rude think you need to maybe talk to your doctor.
You like the way you look, you are at a healthy weight, you eat healthy, exercise, but are following and extremely unhealthy diet ( that coffee one) No doctor in their right mind would recommend that.
You have a husband who clearly adores you just as you are. Not all are so lucky. So my advice to you. Enjoy the life you have, continue to at healthy and work out, breathe and know you look fantastic and that your hubby agrees no doubt. Enjoy relaxing, having the occasional drink, or yummy treat hear and there. Know that the scale is just a number and not a reflection anyway of the person you are. Because only you know that number, and I bet if you were to actually poll someone on how much they thought you weighed it would be less then you do.
I know that is so frustrating!! But your clothes don't lie! You're doing everything right! Maybe a new scale is in order?!;)
I hope this article helps you :)
http://everydaypaleo.com/2011/06/22/attention-scale-addicts-part-2/
Lindsey, I hesitated on commenting on your post because sometimes words can come across as more harsh.
If I could, I'd give you a hug & tell you not to focus on the number on the scale. You're feeling better, you're feeling more fit & healthy.
I worried reading this that the amount of exercise you're doing vs. the amount of calories you're eating is out of alignment. Looking at at least 1.5 hours of working out with so few calories could potentially send your body into that phase of "gotta save whatever calories she gives me...not giving up a lb".
Keep focusing on the healthy aspects of what you're doing, but I would suggest upping your calorie count if you're going to continue on such a strict exercise regimen.
Yeah - in theory - you want to weigh the most possible and be the smallest possible at the same time. So the scale really doesn't matter THAT much. I could be five pounds lighter but look the same or not as good when I am not doing weight lifting. Five pounds of fat takes up much more mass than five pounds of muscle.
Other than that - the weight loss part - is all mathematical. Have you tried that Iphone App called lose it? It helps you count your calories i case you are off a little and shows you how much owrkout you have to do each day to reach your goal.
You can do it! Sometimes it is really hard. But the muscle you have, the more calories you burn. I have lost between 25-30 pounds (depending on the day or week.) and it was hard but so worth it! And now I have a five pound window I keep. Since I have started weight training I have put on a few pounds, but I look good and am still small, so it's okay! (-:
~Kathryn
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