Sick of being overweight - diet alone is not cutting it.

[Anonymous]

I'm SICK of trying to lose the baby weight, and I'm ready to do something more. (I'm over a year pp, btw.) I keep my calories low - around 1400-1600 daily - but have not lost a pound (!!!) since the middle of spring. I exercise only sporadically (power yoga, running), but obviously I'm going to have to start, and be consistent, to lose weight.

Specifically, how much should I be exercising to accelerate weight loss? How long before I can expect results? Any and all suggestions welcome. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

May I suggest lifting heavy weights with a qualified trainer twice a week for an hour? That will help convert fat to muscle, raise your metabolism, make you feel great and you'll look better in your clothes.

[Anonymous]

What's in your diet? Do you measure things or estimate calories?

[Anonymous]

If you have been keeping your caloric intake less than your daily expenditure for an entire year, it's simply not possible to have not lost a pound unless you have a metabolic disorder. Somehow you are having more calories than you think you are, or it could be that because you've been so inactive that you actually are overeating at 1600/day. Try to keep it at 1200-1400 (hard to say without knowing more about you), 1600 is pushing it especially for someone that doesn't exercise.

As the PP said building muscle helps raise your baseline metabolism because muscle burns calories 24/7. I don't think a professional trainer is necessary, my mom lost 70 pounds in the past 1.5 years doing beach body exercise videos and the "cha lean" series. That might be easier for someone that doesn't like to go to the gym to get into. As long as you keep your calories below that mark even minimal exercise (30 min of cardio/brisk walking) a day should be enough to push you into the weight loss zone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you have been keeping your caloric intake less than your daily expenditure for an entire year, it's simply not possible to have not lost a pound unless you have a metabolic disorder. Somehow you are having more calories than you think you are, or it could be that because you've been so inactive that you actually are overeating at 1600/day. Try to keep it at 1200-1400 (hard to say without knowing more about you), 1600 is pushing it especially for someone that doesn't exercise.

As the PP said building muscle helps raise your baseline metabolism because muscle burns calories 24/7. I don't think a professional trainer is necessary, my mom lost 70 pounds in the past 1.5 years doing beach body exercise videos and the "cha lean" series. That might be easier for someone that doesn't like to go to the gym to get into. As long as you keep your calories below that mark even minimal exercise (30 min of cardio/brisk walking) a day should be enough to push you into the weight loss zone.

I agree with this. Are you actually overweight, or just not where you were pre-baby? If you are overweight, it would be very difficult to not lose weight at 1400-1600 calories a day unless you are EXTREMELY sedentary.

I too do beachbody (insanity etc) and have gotten MUCH stronger and leaner. But weight loss is mostly about diet. Even exercising as intensely as I do, I could lose 10 lbs if I controlled my diet better than I do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What's in your diet? Do you measure things or estimate calories?

I quit alcohol two months ago. Quit coffee a month ago. Generally do not eat bread/pasta (once or twice a week). Minimal intake of processed foods. Drink only water, sparkling water, green tea, and herbal tea (no added sugar or honey).

My diet is about 75% plant based. I eat granola or steel cut oats with fruit and almond milk in the morning. Sweet potato, beans, greens, squash, brown rice, root vegetables, etc - some combination thereof - for lunch. Salad for dinner, maybe with some cooked vegetables or brown rice. I DO have a sweet tooth, though, and since quitting booze eat a candy bar or some kind of sweet most days of the week. Is this enough to kill the (mostly) good stuff I eat?

I was very diligent about measuring and tracking calories from about May through August. It didn't make a difference. Since December of last year I've walked several miles several times a week (though this has fallen off in the past month and a half). Yoga. Running. CrossFit. The issue, though, is that - outside of walking - I have not been at all consistent with exercise. This is why I think I have to exercise consistently.

[Anonymous]

Then get your stomach stapled. I've had two relatives do it recently. I think they paid 20-30k and each lost upwards of 50lbs. They love it and recommend it to everyone. Much less invasive than bariatric surgery used to be.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What's in your diet? Do you measure things or estimate calories?

I quit alcohol two months ago. Quit coffee a month ago. Generally do not eat bread/pasta (once or twice a week). Minimal intake of processed foods. Drink only water, sparkling water, green tea, and herbal tea (no added sugar or honey).

My diet is about 75% plant based. I eat granola or steel cut oats with fruit and almond milk in the morning. Sweet potato, beans, greens, squash, brown rice, root vegetables, etc - some combination thereof - for lunch. Salad for dinner, maybe with some cooked vegetables or brown rice. I DO have a sweet tooth, though, and since quitting booze eat a candy bar or some kind of sweet most days of the week. Is this enough to kill the (mostly) good stuff I eat?

I was very diligent about measuring and tracking calories from about May through August. It didn't make a difference. Since December of last year I've walked several miles several times a week (though this has fallen off in the past month and a half). Yoga. Running. CrossFit. The issue, though, is that - outside of walking - I have not been at all consistent with exercise. This is why I think I have to exercise consistently.

You need to go down to 1000 calories and all lean proteins, no carbs like you have above. No sweats or sugar. Being beautiful takes work, remember that the next time you so a fit mom.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What's in your diet? Do you measure things or estimate calories?

I quit alcohol two months ago. Quit coffee a month ago. Generally do not eat bread/pasta (once or twice a week). Minimal intake of processed foods. Drink only water, sparkling water, green tea, and herbal tea (no added sugar or honey).

My diet is about 75% plant based. I eat granola or steel cut oats with fruit and almond milk in the morning. Sweet potato, beans, greens, squash, brown rice, root vegetables, etc - some combination thereof - for lunch. Salad for dinner, maybe with some cooked vegetables or brown rice. I DO have a sweet tooth, though, and since quitting booze eat a candy bar or some kind of sweet most days of the week. Is this enough to kill the (mostly) good stuff I eat?

I was very diligent about measuring and tracking calories from about May through August. It didn't make a difference. Since December of last year I've walked several miles several times a week (though this has fallen off in the past month and a half). Yoga. Running. CrossFit. The issue, though, is that - outside of walking - I have not been at all consistent with exercise. This is why I think I have to exercise consistently.

You need to go down to 1000 calories and all lean proteins, no carbs like you have above. No sweats or sugar. Being beautiful takes work, remember that the next time you so a fit mom.

see a fit mom

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What's in your diet? Do you measure things or estimate calories?

I quit alcohol two months ago. Quit coffee a month ago. Generally do not eat bread/pasta (once or twice a week). Minimal intake of processed foods. Drink only water, sparkling water, green tea, and herbal tea (no added sugar or honey).

My diet is about 75% plant based. I eat granola or steel cut oats with fruit and almond milk in the morning. Sweet potato, beans, greens, squash, brown rice, root vegetables, etc - some combination thereof - for lunch. Salad for dinner, maybe with some cooked vegetables or brown rice. I DO have a sweet tooth, though, and since quitting booze eat a candy bar or some kind of sweet most days of the week. Is this enough to kill the (mostly) good stuff I eat?

I was very diligent about measuring and tracking calories from about May through August. It didn't make a difference. Since December of last year I've walked several miles several times a week (though this has fallen off in the past month and a half). Yoga. Running. CrossFit. The issue, though, is that - outside of walking - I have not been at all consistent with exercise. This is why I think I have to exercise consistently.

How much do you weigh? Are you actually overweight?

[Anonymous]

I agree that your diet sounds very carb/sugar (even natural sugar) heavy. I'd do the following for 2 weeks and see if it helps:

- Start tracking everything using My Fitness Pal, including quantity. Weigh & measure.
- Keep your total carbs under 100 grams per day (better if you can go below 80 - I actually stick to under 50 now, but let's ease you in).
- Keep your calories between 1200 - 1500.

I would bet $500 that will move the scale.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What's in your diet? Do you measure things or estimate calories?

I quit alcohol two months ago. Quit coffee a month ago. Generally do not eat bread/pasta (once or twice a week). Minimal intake of processed foods. Drink only water, sparkling water, green tea, and herbal tea (no added sugar or honey).

My diet is about 75% plant based. I eat granola or steel cut oats with fruit and almond milk in the morning. Sweet potato, beans, greens, squash, brown rice, root vegetables, etc - some combination thereof - for lunch. Salad for dinner, maybe with some cooked vegetables or brown rice. I DO have a sweet tooth, though, and since quitting booze eat a candy bar or some kind of sweet most days of the week. Is this enough to kill the (mostly) good stuff I eat?

I was very diligent about measuring and tracking calories from about May through August. It didn't make a difference. Since December of last year I've walked several miles several times a week (though this has fallen off in the past month and a half). Yoga. Running. CrossFit. The issue, though, is that - outside of walking - I have not been at all consistent with exercise. This is why I think I have to exercise consistently.

How much do you weigh? Are you actually overweight?

Yes! 170. Was 145 (size 4/6) when I got pregnant.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I agree that your diet sounds very carb/sugar (even natural sugar) heavy. I'd do the following for 2 weeks and see if it helps:

- Start tracking everything using My Fitness Pal, including quantity. Weigh & measure.
- Keep your total carbs under 100 grams per day (better if you can go below 80 - I actually stick to under 50 now, but let's ease you in).
- Keep your calories between 1200 - 1500.

I would bet $500 that will move the scale.

I used MyFitnessPal vigilantly over the summer. It really didn't work for me. I've concluded that I'm going to have to put a lot more effort into exercising hard, and consistently.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What's in your diet? Do you measure things or estimate calories?

I quit alcohol two months ago. Quit coffee a month ago. Generally do not eat bread/pasta (once or twice a week). Minimal intake of processed foods. Drink only water, sparkling water, green tea, and herbal tea (no added sugar or honey).

My diet is about 75% plant based. I eat granola or steel cut oats with fruit and almond milk in the morning. Sweet potato, beans, greens, squash, brown rice, root vegetables, etc - some combination thereof - for lunch. Salad for dinner, maybe with some cooked vegetables or brown rice. I DO have a sweet tooth, though, and since quitting booze eat a candy bar or some kind of sweet most days of the week. Is this enough to kill the (mostly) good stuff I eat?

I was very diligent about measuring and tracking calories from about May through August. It didn't make a difference. Since December of last year I've walked several miles several times a week (though this has fallen off in the past month and a half). Yoga. Running. CrossFit. The issue, though, is that - outside of walking - I have not been at all consistent with exercise. This is why I think I have to exercise consistently.

You need to go down to 1000 calories and all lean proteins, no carbs like you have above. No sweats or sugar. Being beautiful takes work, remember that the next time you so a fit mom.

Isn't 1000 calories a day starving yourself?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Then get your stomach stapled. I've had two relatives do it recently. I think they paid 20-30k and each lost upwards of 50lbs. They love it and recommend it to everyone. Much less invasive than bariatric surgery used to be.

I need to lose 25-30 pounds. Haven't done a consistent workout routine so will try that paired with diet before doing something so drastic!