Need to jumpstart this whole weight loss thing..

[Lis]

Ok..here's the background. 24 y/o about 5'3-5'4..about 155. I work out 3-5 times a week in the gym (45 minutes cardio, weight machine stuff 2-3 times a week, and the rowing machine is my best friend for getting out frustrations). Cardio is normally elliptical or the bike..rarely the treadmill. I have an old knee injury and if I run too much on the treadmill, I can't walk after it. It makes my knee spasm, which goes up to my back and shoulder..it's great. I do yoga/pilates/strength training stuff at home probably 3-4 times a week..that's kind of a "when I have time thing".

Problem? I can't seem to lose any weight..and it's incredibly frustrating. I guilt myself to go to the gym simply because it's hard to motivate otherwise. But, it's killing me. I'm not big on numbers (hence the about 155..haha), but I'd like to see something...anything.

Any suggestions, tips..anything? I know some of it is diet too..working on that. Right now it's cold and I'm working a lot of hours at work. But, I'm doing my best.

[MariyaJoM]

i found for me, i need to cut a lot of simple carbs. not all carbs, just the simple ones like pasta, bread, pizza dough and crackers. the complex carbs i keep around are potatoes, rice and oatmeal, (and the occasional slice or two of unbleached whole wheat bread) but in small portions (like a half potato instead of whole). you may need to snack more frequently (veggies, fruit) since you working out a lot. try that for a week or two and see if your numbers move.

oh, and make sure you have enough energy before you work out, so you don't feel starving by the time you get home. i usually eat half to a whole odwalla bar in the morning with a glass of juice about 45 min before i go the gym.

i have lost about 8lbs since thanksgiving, just by modifying what i eat and i have not been exercising regularly. if it helps i will list what my typical menu would be. again, this is working for me, but you may need to modify it suit how you like to eat.

breakfast:
-oatmeal,
or -2 egg white omelette (possibly with cheese, or left over tomatoes, spinach, other veggie),
or -leftover dinner from previous night (i know, gross, but sometimes i am in the mood for something hearty)

lunch:
-smoked turkey, reg turkey or chicken. sometimes i just dip in a salad dressing, or actually put the meat on a salad, LOL! every once in a while i do crave a sub, and i get one!
or -leftover dinner from previous nights
or - soup

dinner
-half potato, or small serving of rice with a protein, and some sort of steamed veggie (brocollini has been a hit lately) along with a protein (sometimes steak, chicken or turkey... i don't care for fish)
or - soup
and/or - salad with a protein and other veggies, goat cheeses, nuts, etc

snacks
- handful of pecans, or roasted hazelnuts
- banana with nutella (or other fruit)
- 1 square of dark chocolate after dinner, mmm yummy, sometimes two
- cup of flavored coffee
-yogurt
- veggies with homemade yogurt dip (almost guilt free)

drinks:
- i don't drink any regular colas.. if i do it's diet. i have transitioned over to flavored sparkling water as i am addicted to the bubbles
- i have milk tolerance issues, so i don't drink milk, but when i have a craving, i will drink choc soy milk, or organic choc milk (and deal with the consequences later)
- water, sometimes with a splash of lemonade or iced tea to give it flavor.
- orange juice seems to have too much sugar for me, and will stall my weight loss, but i do drink it when i have cravings.



so, that is just an example. i am not uber strict about it.. but the main rule for me is the no pasta or bread, or refined flour. if i do, it is a very, very small quantity. it is really hard because i am italian and i could live on a dish of pasta every nigh, along with the fresh bread my dad bakes... but that is my body, you will have to experiment and see what works for you. good luck

[niaru]

LOL, mariyajom, I *know* I should skip the warm, fresh baguette, the cheese, and the chocolate...but it so hard! Especially in this frigid weather!

You're right tho. If I really want to lose weight, I cut bread, crackers, cookies, all sweets, pasta, and starchy foods like potatoes.

I figure I'll do it again when the weather warms up a bit. Then I'll go for my usual Romaine hearts/sliced red and orange peppers/cherry tomatoes/ pine nuts or roasted chicken / avocado salad with balsamic vinaigrette. Yum.

When it's this cold tho, I can't just have soup or veggies, I need something heartier!

I think that drinks are a big part of weight gain...except for my morning coffee (with just a bit of sugar in it), all I drink is water or unsweetened tea. And the occasional glass of red wine, eh, what can I say...it's in the genes!

[adcooper]

Lis, are you my daughter!? Really, my youngest daughter is your age and she also works out frequently and watches what she eats, but she just doesn't lose weight. She's obviously a throwback to her grandmothers, because she didn't get those curves from me. I think she's gorgeous, but I suppose it would be better if she took off 10 or 15 pounds, and though that doesn't sound like much, it's not happening easily.

Do you have a buddy that you work out with? I have been going to Curves for a year now, and just last week one of my friends started coming. It's great because all the other people there are nice, but it's a real incentive to see a friend (an an equestrian friend at that!) when I go in.

[Lis]

Ad, maybe we're long lost twins? haha Unfortunately, I work out at work. I'm rather shy and since I don't do what others my age at work do (ie go out, get drunk, party)..I tend to not relate to them too well. I'm also the youngest (except for the interns...). So, I'm rather on my own.

I also have the fantastically supportive husband..ie, I think you're beautiful, I love the curves, etc.. He's also my chef since I don't cook hardly at all (think fire..smoke..wierd combinations that only I appreciate, and you have my cooking style).

[adcooper]

Jan 31, 2009 11:03:14 GMT -5 Lis said:

I'm rather shy and since I don't do what others my age at work do (ie go out, get drunk, party)..I tend to not relate to them too well. I'm also the youngest (except for the interns...). So, I'm rather on my own.
... I don't cook hardly at all (think fire..smoke..wierd combinations that only I appreciate, and you have my cooking style).

Yes, you are CLEARLY Mary's long lost twin! ;D