So Ive been stuck trying to lose the last 20 pounds for a few years now - due to varying degrees of effort, complacency, time, etc. 20 lbs is actually just a guess, I'd be happy losing no weight if I could get to a body in which I felt healthy, happy, and comfortable for my frame.
I recommitted myself in February and began strictly calorie counting (weighing) and exercising 3-5x a week (first mostly cardio for 30min, now mostly circuit training with heavy weights for about 35min-50min), although lately with finals month that has fallen to 2x a week . I eat anything, but mostly follow what can short-hand be summed up as a whole-foods, 40-30-30 meal plan with plenty of fresh veggies, lean protein, low fat dairy, monounsat oils, and whole grain carbs. Of course there are times when I have gelato or a cupcake or cookies, or something like that, but it's been worked into my calorie allotment for the day 1500cal.
I saw an RD because I'm frustrated with my lack of losses and I'm at a loss of what changes I actually need to make - there's so much misinformation out there. She basically said I was doing everything wrong, and now I feel completely lost. Her advice was:
1. Don't count calories, just eat protein, fat and complex carb at every meal. It doesn't matter how much I eat as long as I have each macronutrient at every meal... whoa.
2. Don't go too long without eating (I had large breaks between meals) - depending upon how much carb/fat/prot I eat it should be anywhere from 1-4 hours break between snacks/meals
3. Don't lift! - do cardio for at least 30 mins and then weights only if I have time (this one surprises me)
4. Don't eat too close to bedtime, eat larger meals early in the day
I've been a calorie counter my whole twenties - plus I love weights and from what I've read, I believe circuit training can be as good or better than cardio for weightloss. Buutt... obviously I don't know much, I've been plateaued at a weight I don't want to be at for a year +. Has anyone adopted these above techniques with any success? I start tomorrow...