[ComicChick]

What a way to start posting, hehe.

Alright, to start off I want to say that I am not new to dieting. I have been my goal weight before and it worked well until a very heavy onset depression knocked me off the horse (for the next year).

Well I'm back again, and I am DETERMINED to become my goal weight once more! There's just a small problem..

I exercise as often as I can (jogging and strength exercise). That can mean 7 times a week or not at all, depending on my schedule. And I started cutting slightly into my calorie count. 1500. 1400. 1100. Now I'm splicing it around 1000 a day. And NOTHING happens.

This was how it was last time, I need very low carbohydrate food and I need to eat VERY LITTLE to see ANY weightloss. This is tiring and baffling! What is a girl to do? I make healthy food choices and exercise but it isn't enough.


Does anyone know any kind of remedy? Something that boosts up the metabolism? Anything?
Does anyone have a similar problem?

[azraelya]

You shouldn't eat 'very little', though low-carbohydrate is my method of weight loss at the moment. A way to boost the metabolism is to eat more frequently during the day, but small meals and snacks:

* Don’t eat fewer than 1,000 calories a day. Your body and metabolism thrive on food. When you fast or crash diet, your metabolism will slow down in order to conserve energy. Imagine your metabolism as a blazing fire. If the fire burns consistently with the appropriate amount of high-quality wood, it will burn at a steady rate. But if it doesn’t have enough wood, the fire goes out. If it has too much wood, it can get out control — just like your waistline!

* Eat every four to five hours. Our bodies work hard to digest and absorb the foods we eat, and your metabolism revs up in response. This is called the thermic effect of food. Take full advantage of this and schedule meals and snacks every four to five hours.

* Make breakfast a priority. Studies show that people who regularly eat a healthy breakfast within two hours of rising are more likely to control their weight. This may be because you’re lifting your metabolic rate after it’s been in a “resting phase” during the night.

( Source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13910708/ )

Just some suggestions as it definitely sounds like metabolism. Hope that's helpful!

[JayEll]

ComicChic,

At 5'8" and 154 pounds, your BMI is in the normal range already, so you'll find you do have a harder time losing weight.

I would become more consistent with exercise, first of all. Seven days one week and none the next week isn't consistent enough. Try for four or five days every week.

Be sure you're doing cardio (e.g. machines, aerobic classes) and some resistance training (weights). Find out how to do these the right way--if you belong to a gym, you usually can get initial training without extra cost. I see you're jogging--be sure to jog for at least half an hour, and you can do that every day as long as it's not hard on your knees.

How are you figuring out your calories? Do you use FitDay or another computer program? These are often helpful and easy to use. It also allows you to track carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.

Generally, what you hear around 3FC is not to go below 1200 calories for any extended period of time. Breakfast is a good idea. Lots of us eat more often, however--three meals and two or three snacks, spaced 2 to 3 hours apart. This helps avoid feeling really hungry. The meals have more cals than the snacks, but it depends on your target level.

Good luck!

Jay
P.S. Check out the Featherweights Forum! Scroll down on the main forums page. That's a forum for those who don't have a lot to lose, comparatively speaking!

[ComicChick]

Azraelya: Thanks much for the advices, but unfortunately, I know these and I do these. There's a reason I stopped at 1000, because it would start getting detrimental. I eat every four hours or so, sometimes 3. I make sure I don't get hungry and I snack on fruits, and have protein high meals, three times a day. That includes breakfast.

JayEll: Thanks for the welcome! 8D

I was a lot more consistant a few weeks ago, but as my comic deadline crushes on me, exercise has to go, because if it isn't that it's my sleep and that wouldn't be good, no?

I've been in a gym before. They're nice, but always waay to far away for me. I barely have time to exercise already, so the time it takes to commute there (here in lovable, annoying Iceland) and back, plus the time I need to exercise and shower is too much. So jogging is my option, because I just get home, put my gear on and start running. It's easy and spends least time, money and energy.

As for calories, I have to figure them out the hard way. Ingredience tablet, calculator and math knowledge. I calculate everything that goes into my body, when it goes into my body and how I should regulate my calories for the remainder of the day.
Again, I eat 3 balanced protein meals a day, inbetween, whenever hunger strikes me, I eat fresh veggies or fruits (to help with my fiber intake) and last but not least, I drink about 2-4 liters of water each day. Depending on how I feel.


This is not just a problem, this is a mystery!

[Eves]

Originally Posted by ComicChick

As for calories, I have to figure them out the hard way. Ingredience tablet, calculator and math knowledge. I calculate everything that goes into my body, when it goes into my body and how I should regulate my calories for the remainder of the day.

Have you tried fitday.com? This will figure out the calories and ratios online. A lot easier than tablets and math. I use it daily, and although it doesn't have everything I eat when I'm in Peru, it is one of my best tools. Good luck!

[QuilterInVA]

1000 calories for someone who jogs is not enough and will definitely put you at risk for lowering your metabolism. Exercise needs to be consistant. You could get a tape and exercise at home if you don't want to jog. Try eating more and you will be pleasantly surprised with a weight loss.