Weightloss - what am I doing wrong?

[Injury]

Did you set up this diet for yourself, or did a dietician or doctor?

Although the general idea usually works, everyone is different. See a doctor and get their recommendations for what to do.

 

[moshquerade]

Originally posted by: aidanjm

Originally posted by: moshquerade
don't eat too little or your body will go into hybernation mode and your metabolism will go down.

yes, God forbid another American goes hungry.

what is your point?

 

[DaShen]

Muscle gain. And make sure you are really only getting 1400-1600 calories. That I highly doubt if there is no apparent weight loss.

 

[slackerinabox]

Originally posted by: aidanjm
you're still eating to much. WAY to much.

1600 calories is too much, or are you just trolling?

My logic is that I must have been eating, like a lardass, 2,400 calories a day based on my prior weight. Working out 45 minutes or so (more, usually) a day burns apx. 400-500 calories, meaning my net caloric intake would be 1,100 calories, 1,300 less PER DAY then i used to consume (and i never worked out) - i think anything less would cause me to be much too tired to work my stressful job.

Here's what I ate today, apx - this is the norm (other than friday and saturday when I add a wee bit of alcohol to the mix, a total of around 6 rum and diet cokes!):

breakfast: Protein shake after morning work out - 175 calories

lunch:big friggin grilled chicken salad- 600 calories (fitday) - that's a lot of calories but I work a very stressful job, rather have my big calories miday than at the end of the day

dinner - "buddhist's delight" - brocolli, tofu, olive oil - about 700 calories with 1 cup of brown rice

that's a total of 1475 calories and typical of what I eat in a day (I don't snack, i just starve..ok, coffee with splenda is my crux - drink 3 cups a day).

SooOoo, AM i really eating too much or are you being a smart ass?

 

[Lotheron]

Originally posted by: freedomsbeat212

Originally posted by: aidanjm
you're still eating to much. WAY to much.

1600 calories is too much, or are you just trolling?

My logic is that I must have been eating, like a lardass, 2,400 calories a day based on my prior weight. Working out 45 minutes or so (more, usually) a day burns apx. 400-500 calories, meaning my net caloric intake would be 1,100 calories, 1,300 less PER DAY then i used to consume (and i never worked out) - i think anything less would cause me to be much too tired to work my stressful job.

Here's what I ate today, apx - this is the norm (other than friday and saturday when I add a wee bit of alcohol to the mix, a total of around 6 rum and diet cokes!):

breakfast: Protein shake after morning work out - 175 calories

lunch:big friggin grilled chicken salad- 600 calories (fitday) - that's a lot of calories but I work a very stressful job, rather have my big calories miday than at the end of the day

dinner - "buddhist's delight" - brocolli, tofu, olive oil - about 700 calories with 1 cup of brown rice

that's a total of 1475 calories and typical of what I eat in a day (I don't snack, i just starve..ok, coffee with splenda is my crux - drink 3 cups a day).

SooOoo, AM i really eating too much or are you being a smart ass?

Try cutting those calories into smaller meals, then you wont be as hungry and it will raise your metabolism. Try to eat 100-200 calorie snacks in between, no to very little carbs after 3pm, and try not to eat anything after say 8pm so that your body burns it before you sleep. Always eat a good breakfast, and it should be the most carbs as your body needs them first thing in the morning, and your big protein meal should be after you work out, thats when your muscles need it the most.

 

[Squisher]

Originally posted by: freedomsbeat212

Originally posted by: aidanjm
you're still eating to much. WAY to much.

1600 calories is too much, or are you just trolling?

My logic is that I must have been eating, like a lardass, 2,400 calories a day based on my prior weight. Working out 45 minutes or so (more, usually) a day burns apx. 400-500 calories, meaning my net caloric intake would be 1,100 calories, 1,300 less PER DAY then i used to consume (and i never worked out) - i think anything less would cause me to be much too tired to work my stressful job.

Here's what I ate today, apx - this is the norm (other than friday and saturday when I add a wee bit of alcohol to the mix, a total of around 6 rum and diet cokes!):

breakfast: Protein shake after morning work out - 175 calories

lunch:big friggin grilled chicken salad- 600 calories (fitday) - that's a lot of calories but I work a very stressful job, rather have my big calories miday than at the end of the day

dinner - "buddhist's delight" - brocolli, tofu, olive oil - about 700 calories with 1 cup of brown rice

that's a total of 1475 calories and typical of what I eat in a day (I don't snack, i just starve..ok, coffee with splenda is my crux - drink 3 cups a day).

SooOoo, AM i really eating too much or are you being a smart ass?

He's trolling Anything less and you will lose eventually.

 

[slackerinabox]

Originally posted by: StevenYoo
yeah man, keep at it!

to lose weight, you gotta eat. you gotta feed the calorie burning furnace!

regardless of whether you're losing weight or not, I bet you feel like a million bucks, and that's awesome in itself.

like everyone else has said, i do believe that flab is turning into muscle.

Don't use your scale. Use your clothes as a measure of how fit you are.

Good luck!

Thanks man, I appreciate it!
Though I think I eat enough calories to keep the furnace burning - i just kinda flipped a switch and went from snacking all the time to eating exactly 3 meals. I don't even crave snacks though I do admit I'm a little hungry at times.
But you're right, even thoug weight loss is a bit disappointing I'm feeling great - little things like running up the stairs without getting exhausted or being able to run and catch a bus all make me quite happy. Oh, and I'm able to keep up with my friends when we go out dancing, i actually out lasted them last weekend, which is a first. i'm obviously healthier in only 3 weeks, i just wish it would show!

 

[Martin]

why don't you try a bit more aerobic excercise? I know 30-45 mins a day would do absolutely nothing for me. it takes me 20 mins just go get warmed up and 60 mins is usually an 'ok' workout.

for me, a good workout would be 50+ km on a bike in under 2 hrs. I know its hard to do this at a gym, but you could still give more time/intensity a try...

 

[Howard]

Originally posted by: aidanjm

Originally posted by: moshquerade
don't eat too little or your body will go into hybernation mode and your metabolism will go down.

yes, God forbid another American goes hungry.

Wow, you sure know what you're talking about.

 

[Legend]

Eat more fats. Extra virgin olive oil, seeds, nuts, fish.

 

[Legend]

Drink green tea.

Don't totally neglect carbs, the good kinds.

And as people have mentioned several times, you are likely to gain muscle. Let fitness be the biggest indicator. You should notice your body changing.

 

[Legend]

I'd aim for 2000-2500 calories, since you're building muscle too. Just make sure you avoid the high GI carbs so you stop body fat production.

I'm not a big fan of calorie counting anyway. If you eat the right foods, just listen to your body. Eat small snacks/meals several times a day. Make sure each meal gets a balance of protein, carbs and fats, as they work together.

 

[Shiizu]

I think you need to eat more calories and give it time. 1500 is too low for someone your size, especially if you are exercising. Make sure you only eat clean foods and eat more overall.

 

[slimrhcp]

OP, if you want to raise your resting metabolic rate...Spread your calories out during the day (yes, even before you go to sleep at night).

 

[Legend]

Originally posted by: aidanjm

Originally posted by: moshquerade
don't eat too little or your body will go into hybernation mode and your metabolism will go down.

yes, God forbid another American goes hungry.

By lose weight, he means he wants to lose fat. That's understood.

The starve yourself diet which you're suggesting (I'm trying to find sarcasm) will reduce muscle and fat. With less muscle, he'll have a slower metabolism. But that's not all. His body in general will go into starvation mode. The body will intentionally reduce energy output to everything...that include all those healthy processes going on in the brain. He will be exhasted, depressed, and most likely give up. Wonderful advice you have there...

However, if he eats 2000-2500 calories of good foods, builds muscle, and does cardio, he'll lose fat and gain muscle. He'll likely lose weight too, but that's really not so important. It's just a number. Health and fitness are key. Energy levels will go up, he'll get the natural high of exercising, and be successful and keep the weight off.

It's critical that he eats correctly too. Carbohydrates are needed for your body to work. Your body needs the energy it provides to use that protein and fat. However, if he eats high GI carbs (sugar, flour, juice, etc) then his body won't really make any gains.

High GI means that the food pretty much instantly into your bloodstream. But your body doesn't need all that energy at once. So what happens to it? Body fat. Once you're body is done storing that excess energy to fat, your gut becomes hungry quickly.

Low GI carbs are slowly released into your body. Your body will be able to use energy on the fly and not accumulate body fat. You won't be hungry so often.

Sources of low GI carbs: Whole grains (careful about bullshit marketing), fruits, vegetables.


It should be noted that people that have been eating high GI carbs for a while aren't going to respond well to low GI carbs initially. Because over time, you're body will develop insulin resistance with high GI diets, creating cravings for high GI carbs.

 

[Slacker]

Originally posted by: darkxshade
Just keep at it, it'll happen

 

[slackerinabox]

*UPDATE*
I lost a bunch more weight when I got on the scale this week! 23 pounds so far!
So I tweaked my diet a little bit - I actually ate way too little this week but am upping the carbs/calories. I also worked out one less day (6 days instead of 7) and did less weights and more cardio (gradually getting up to my all time max of an hour an the elliptical). So, yeah, I was stuck for a while and then - bam! more weight fell off.

Thanks for the advice guys!