I've exercised more in the last four days than I have in the last year combined. My BF has been going running and biking with me, so I've had just enough motivation to work my butt off. I've also been sticking to eating very well and haven't really cheated. So I get on the scale this morning and I'm 2 pounds heavier! He said it's normal, I'm retaining water because my muscles are sore and I'm probably gaining muscle. I don't care! I couldn't care less if I'm muscley, I just want to lose weight and be thin. I don't even want to exercise anymore!
I hear you!!! I have been busting my butt this week and the scale isn't budging. It's really frustrating!!! I just try to think of it this way.... doing something (exercise) is ALWAYS better than doing nothing no matter what the scale's say. Hang in there. It'll be worth it when you feel better
He's definitely right about retaining water, especially if you don't normally work out a lot. When your muscles recover they retain fluid. But think of all the other benefits of exercise, other than losing weight! It provides so many health benefits. It's more than just what the scale says. Keep at it, you're doing great!
It always happens like that in the beginning. Stick with it because you will not only be healthier on the outside but on the inside if you excercise. Really it's worth it.
I know it's tough, but if you stick with it, you will be glad you did. The scale may not be rewarding you yet, but you are definitely burning fat. Your muscles are working, but that doesn't mean you are going to get muscley, it means you are getting stronger. Your BF is right, you aren't loosing weight yet because your muscles are recovering from your workout. Strengthening you muscles will build your metabolism, and then your body will be even better at burning fat. Its really a beautiful thing.
If you're still losing weight by diet alone or along with mediocre exercise, then I would say you don't necessarily have to work out to lose weight. However, something to keep in mind - muscle helps to burn fat. So although you may show a temporary gain of 2lbs, give it a couple weeks and the scale just might 'whoosh' on you...
Exercise is like a lot of things that don't always have immediate benefits, but have longer term benefits. You have to keep the long term benefits in mind,
to stay motivated.
Statistics suggest that it's the routine exercisers who keep the weight OFF - so is losing weight quickly more important to you than keeping the weight off?
Also, try to remember that the scale is not a magic number. You want to look good and be fit - the number really is NOT all that important. Gaining muscle while you lose fat does not result in you looking bigger (unless you're intentionally trying to bulk up), because muscle takes up less space than fat. So if you're getting fitter and look like you're losing weight, what does it matter what the scale says?
I'm keeping my exercise light and for now, cardio only. Planning to increase it little by little.
I don't want exercise to overwhelm me all at once, so it's more like smuggling exercise bit by bit so both my body and mind don't even realize it's there.
don't stop! it's really good for you in the long run. Not only for losing weight but for so many other health benefits! I know it's frustrating but you really have to think of this as long-term stuff, not immediate results kind of thing.
Exercise is not a waste of your time unless you are trying to do it too hard, too long, too much, and too often.
Try not to think all-or-nothing. There's no reason to go from zero to 60 in 10 seconds! Shows like Biggest Loser make it look like you have to kill yourself to have a "good workout," but it's not true.
Set some moderate exercise goals for yourself. It's nice that your BF wants to do it too, but you may find that his workout level is higher than yours. You might want to exercise on your own occasionally.
And no, you won't see immediate results--so don't think you're "failing" after 4 days.
4 days? Jeez I've been at it for nearly 2 months now and have only seen the slightest wobble down 1 kg (thats less than 2 lb).
BUT I'm starting to feel so much better, I have loads more energy, I can see my muscles ightening up (ever so slightly) and it gets easier every day.
Stick with it, even though it's frustrating, and depressing at times. Exercise will make a difference inthe long run.
also, find something you really enjoy, then it doesn't seem like such slog.
When I exercised in the past. (It's a long story) I barely watched what I ate, I just became an exercise fiend, my clothes fit better, my stomach got tighter, my legs got smaller, everything on my body was just more toned and smaller without losing any weight! Exercise is definitely worth it. Who cares if you weigh 170 and have the body of a toned athlete?? You're obviously healthy!!
Ditto, ditto, ditto
You arent gaining any muscle mass after 4 days. its only water retention from either A) the exercise B) something you happend to eat over the past few days, ie xmas goodies c) TOM? or D) any or ALL of the above.
You said you just want to be skinney......well, thenstop caring what the scale says!! Look at my avatar.. do i "Look" skinney to you? Is size 2 or 4 "skinny" to you? Now do i look over "muscley", like a man? Im also pushing 138 -140 pounds, and my height is only 5 4!! Ive replaced the fat with muscle.....,.
Exercise-a waste of my time??
