FRUSTRATED - HELP!!! I need some input/advice....

M

mercedes_1011

New member
I'm a 30 year old female, stand 5'6 3/4" and my weight as of this morning was 161.8. I have had 150 as a goal in mind for years. Now, I will do anything to get below 160...this is where I need some serious help! A few years ago I was up to 200 and got down to 163...last year I got back to 192 so I started losing again and then had liposuction that took off 7 lbs and I've now been in the 160.8-164 range since about august. I need some advice on what more I can do to get below 160 much less get to my healthy-weight/goal weight of 150.

I work out 6 days a week. I used to lift 5 days and do cardio 5-6 days, I've cut the lifting to about 3 days and increased my cardio. I switch my cardio everyday between the stairmaster, running, spinning and 2 different types of elliptical machines. And yes, I push my limits to the max with every workout I do, always increase my intensities and keep my heart rate at 75-85% (or more). I consume approximately 1700-1900 calories per day that includes proteins, whole grains, 5-6 servings of fruits and veggies and usually 3 servings of fat-free dairy including yogurt, milk and some cottage cheese. In the last month I've cut my alcohol drinking by more than half down to 2-3 days/wk and when I drink I only drink vodka w/ Diet soda. About once a week I have a coffee with a little cream and sugar. And sometimes one day during the week I will splurge on the calories, but often times I make up for it in more exercise or fewer calories the following day.

The bottom line is that I'm probably more focused on the numbers than I should be but it is frustrating that I do what I do and if I lose a pound one week I gain it back the next. According to medical charts I am overweight and everytime I do the hand-held body fat tester I'm at 26%. That is not a "healthy" level and I want some input on what more I can do to get into healthy ranges!! Thank you in advance..... :smash:
 
mercedes_1011 said:
I'm a 30 year old female, stand 5'6 3/4" and my weight as of this morning was 161.8. I have had 150 as a goal in mind for years. Now, I will do anything to get below 160...this is where I need some serious help! A few years ago I was up to 200 and got down to 163...last year I got back to 192 so I started losing again and then had liposuction that took off 7 lbs and I've now been in the 160.8-164 range since about august. I need some advice on what more I can do to get below 160 much less get to my healthy-weight/goal weight of 150.

I work out 6 days a week. I used to lift 5 days and do cardio 5-6 days, I've cut the lifting to about 3 days and increased my cardio. I switch my cardio everyday between the stairmaster, running, spinning and 2 different types of elliptical machines. And yes, I push my limits to the max with every workout I do, always increase my intensities and keep my heart rate at 75-85% (or more). I consume approximately 1700-1900 calories per day that includes proteins, whole grains, 5-6 servings of fruits and veggies and usually 3 servings of fat-free dairy including yogurt, milk and some cottage cheese. In the last month I've cut my alcohol drinking by more than half down to 2-3 days/wk and when I drink I only drink vodka w/ Diet soda. About once a week I have a coffee with a little cream and sugar. And sometimes one day during the week I will splurge on the calories, but often times I make up for it in more exercise or fewer calories the following day.

The bottom line is that I'm probably more focused on the numbers than I should be but it is frustrating that I do what I do and if I lose a pound one week I gain it back the next. According to medical charts I am overweight and everytime I do the hand-held body fat tester I'm at 26%. That is not a "healthy" level and I want some input on what more I can do to get into healthy ranges!! Thank you in advance..... :smash:
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according to the BMI chart, you're only slightly overweight. you're only a few pounds away from the "normal weight" category. And 26% is considered acceptable body fat for a woman.

I think that BMI may sometimes be a wrong kind of measurement of fitness. after all many athletes are called "overweight" or even "obese" by BMI because of their muscle. you might want to consider that....
 
mercedes_1011 said:
In the last month I've cut my alcohol drinking by more than half down to 2-3 days/wk and when I drink I only drink vodka w/ Diet soda.
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DING DING DING!!! We have a WINNER!!!

Johnny, tell her what she's wooooon...

Congratulations mercedes, you won an obvious reason as to why you're not losing any more weeeeeight. Drinking 2-3 days a WEEK is extreeeeemely bad for you, especially when it comes to looooosing weeeeeight. And, the fact that you referred to it as "only" drinking vodka w/diet soda shows that you really have nooooo idea how unhealthy drinking actually iiiiis.

Ok, but seriously...stop drinking so much. I know that I'm the pot calling the kettle black here, but once I start my weight loss journey, I'm going to cut out 99% of the alcohol that I drink. In all honesty, drinking is one of the quickest ways to gain weight.

There was a time period where I didn't have a drink for about 6 weeks and, just because I didn't have any alcohol, I lost a little over 5 lbs. Nothing about my life changed except for my alcohol consumption and I lost weight because of it.

Cut back the drinking even more and I'm sure you'll see results.
 
Thank you, however I do realize that alcohol slows your metabolism indefinitely, I used to drink about 6 days a week....I did state in there that I've cut it back be over half and when I do drink I don't drink nearly as much as the amounts I was previously drinking. When I was drinking 6 days a week I wasn't gaining any weight, so according to your theory, if I cut it in half shouldn't I start losing some weight?

Still haven't dropped a pound....NOW WHAT???

BTW - vodka & diet is the lowest calorie mixed drink you can have...sorry I'm not clueless to what alcohol does, I just really don't feel that's the only underlying issue. I need to be able to continue my lifestyle somewhat so that I don't deprive and then binge!
 
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mercedes_1011 said:
Thank you, however I do realize that alcohol slows your metabolism indefinitely, I used to drink about 6 days a week....I did state in there that I've cut it back be over half and when I do drink I don't drink nearly as much as the amounts I was previously drinking.

Still haven't dropped a pound....NOW WHAT???

BTW - vodka & diet is the lowest calorie mixed drink you can have...sorry I'm not clueless to what alcohol does, I just really don't feel that's the only underlying issue. I need to be able to continue my lifestyle somewhat so that I don't deprive and then binge!
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No offense, but you obviously don't realize what alcohol does to you. While I was in culinary school, we had to take a nutrition class which went over this exact subject.

You are drinking 2-3 days a week, which is A LOT. Like I said, I'm the pot calling the kettle black, but I haven't started my weight loss journey yet. But, when you drink alcohol, you slow down your body's ability to burn fat, which is something you should pay attention to.

I would recommend reading , as it explains (in simple form) as to why drinking alcohol can do exactly what it's doing to you.
 
thank you for your input, I printed the article and will read it as soon as I get done working!

I do realize that I drink a lot more than the average Joe and I do realize that alcohol is not the best thing for fat burning, however, I still hold true to the belief that something else is not right, because with the math the less alcohol consumptions should have already helped me drop at least a couple pounds, don't you think?
 
mercedes_1011 said:
thank you for your input, I printed the article and will read it as soon as I get done working!

I do realize that I drink a lot more than the average Joe and I do realize that alcohol is not the best thing for fat burning, however, I still hold true to the belief that something else is not right, because with the math the less alcohol consumptions should have already helped me drop at least a couple pounds, don't you think?
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Don't get me wrong, it could be something else besides the alcohol that's preventing you from losing more weight. But, from what you originally said, that's what stuck out to me. I was just giving you my personal opinion. Obviously, I could be wrong. Who knows?
 
I really do appreciate your input. Maybe cutting all alcohol until I can drop the last 10 is what I'm going to have to do! But I would really like some other input from people!
 
Mercedes, I'm cutting all alcohol for my diet. It will totally suck. I absolutely love wine! And eating out with friends will be tough. However, I agree with ChefChiTown on the alcohol issue. I think alcohol has been the reason I've gained the weight I have.

Otherwise, you could cut your calories a little more. I'm 5'8" and I'm on 1300/day for my diet. I'm making sure, though, to eat ALL whole foods, no refined sugar/corn syrup stuff. So, nothing processed. (However, I have cheated in that I am using egg beaters and spray butter.) I've only been at this 3 days, but so far I feel great!

I have done this diet before, if I had a settled lifestyle I would probably still be on it and maintaining a goal weight.

Best of luck to you!
 
Man if you are right then I guess I could have lost 70 lb by now because I still drink. Not horrible but over the past 9 months I have had many weeks where I would drink 2 or 3 nights per week. Some weeks I go completely without drinking but usually I drink at least once per week. When I do drink I usually do so until I have a good buzz and then I quit but I get drunk probably once every 4 to 6 weeks. I only get puking drunk about once a year or two. Then I swear I will never do that again, only to do it again in another year or so. :banghead:

Mercedes, I think there is a lot of truth to the alcohol thing but you absolutely have to watch the binging too. Trust me, that kills my progress and often adds a pound or two and sets me back a week. Watch how much fruit you are eating too, and when. If you are eating a bunch of strawberries before bed that is not good either. Just some thoughts. Think of it this way, a lot of little things add up to a whole lot. Start focusing on doing a few more things a lot better and I think you will see better results. You are certainly putting in the effort. Good luck to you.

Derrick
 
Oh, the other reason I'm cutting alcohol is I tend to eat more when I am drinking. I think it's the loss of inhibitions thing. It is easy to binge or eat an entire restaurant meal if I have a glass of wine or two before/with dinner.

Best of luck!
 
AH CRAP!!!!

Wish I would of read that article on Saturday, before I bought that 12 pack. Now I think I know why I didn't lose as much as I thought I should of last week.

Good article CCT. Thanks for posting.

Well I guess I'll be milking thous beers for awhile.
 
OK so I only had one drink all week, counted my calories in and out closer than ever before and didn't really allow myself to splurge one day (I ate at my favorite mexican restaurant but didn't have a the giant margarita to go with it...I LOST SIX POUNDS :) :)

Not going to be able to continue not drinking forever but I just have about 7 pounds more to my goal weight (goal that I've have for about 10 years) so I guess I will sacrifice until I get there and then watch my drinking closely thereafter.

Thanks for the help - just when I thought I was doing everything almost right I learned even more!!
 
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WOW!!! Congrats! That is awesome.

Just be careful not to reward yourself too much once you make your goal. It can be really easy to take a week off and just eat what you want and drink as much as you want and then when the next week comes be tempted to do the same thing. Next thing you know a few weeks have gone by and you've gained 5 or 10 lbs back and don't feel like excercising or eating healthy anymore. :leaving: I know this is the extreme case but the only reason I bring it up is because I am guilty of this. Nine years ago I went from 214 to 192 in 12 weeks. Instead of continuing to be healthy I gave myself a pat on the back and quit. I gained weight every year since then until I got to 251 last May. Crazy to think I let myself do that but it happened. I don't think that will happen to me this time around. This time, I'm in it for life. :coolgleamA:
 
I know what you're talking about Derrick - I was at 200 and went down to 163 three years ago...a year ago I was back to 192 and said "hell no I can't go down this road again!!" Yes...I'm with you, this time it's for life. Being healthy is such good feeling I can't imagine going back to the lazy life!

Thanks for your post, I appreciate the encouragement! Good luck to you :)
 
Wow, good news that you lost weight from cutting down the cals a bit and cutting out the alcohol. Keep us posted on your progress!
 
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