I lose about 1-2 lbs a MONTH on diets. Then I gain it back on maintenence. Then gain extra at Xmas. In addition to 2 miles a day walking, I do weights and 20 min cardio 3x a week , run or hike one day a week and Im pretty exhausted to add any more activity but i look like a blob of fat! I just keep getting fatter making me more tired! I have about 25 lbs of extra fat. Can I lose more than 2 lbs a month on this diet?
Hi, Heather. You seem to have the exercise component down! Good for you! I wonder if maybe you actually aren't eating ENOUGH calories to support your activity level? If not, then your body really will horde calories. Your metabolism slows down (or, becomes more efficient, if you want to put a positive spin on it) and when you suddenly increase the cals that you are eating BAM they turn into a weight gain.
How many minimum calories that you should eat to support your metabolism depends on many factors such as age, build, activity level, height, etc.
Hi Heather
I totally agree with Lyndn. I too do a lot of exercise and I haven't lost any weight in 4 years. I can't do any fad diet as I have IBS and my stomach will not tolerate anything but healthy eating. I started this diet because it seemed so healthy. I am actually eating a lot more. My snacks and dinner choices have changed the most. So far I've lost 3lbs in 1 week and I have actually exercised less. As for staying at a good weight - time will tell but I see this more as a lifestyle change then a diet, so I am hopeful.
Julie
So, like a lot of us, maybe dieting isn't the problem. I can lose weight. What I haven't figured out yet is maintenance. Praise the Lord that there's a Maintainers Forum here at 3fc. Have you been to check them out?
Another thing to consider is your protein intake. Esp. if you are doing some weight training - if you don't feed your body enough protein, then it will be very hard or impossible for it to build up the muscles that you are tearing down during your weight training sessions.
And, too, the scales become less useful for people that are building muscle as it weighs more than fat. You may be losing fat and gaining muscle which would not result in the scale moving. In this case, you have to go by inches lost and how your clothes fit.
Also, consider if you really NEED to lose as many as 25 pounds. Again, depending upon your build, this may not be a realistic healthy weight for you, esp. if you are adding muscle to your frame. (Which is a good thing - the more muscle mass that you have, the faster your metabolism burns through the food you take in and also the fat that you have "in reserve").
Also, in some people, weight loss (we really should say fat loss to be accurate here) depends on how much extra fat you have to begin with. Those with less to lose, often lose it a little slower.
I really think that if you are giving your body enough calories to support your metabolism and enough protein to support muscle repair and growth, you will see results. An interesting book that you may want to check at your library for is called Turn Up the Heat by Philip Goglia.
Now, all of this assumes that there isn't an underlying metabolic issue such as a thyroid problem, Cushings, etc. That makes it a bit trickier.
I am considering the Sonoma Diet since I have tried EVERY other diet possible. I too exercise regularly, daily 5-6 days a week. But I lose nothing which then leads me to binge eating. Will this diet, with all its variety really work. I have don the WW thing over, and over, and over to lose only 2 pounds a month, maybe.....I'm so frustrated and am ready to throw in the towel and just be an OLD FAT LADY. I am 59 years old and need to lose 80 pounds. I want to be healthy and leaner.............Help
One thing that might be helpful would be to figure out exactly how many calories you are taking in. For a week, write down every thing that you eat - even the "just a bite" stuff. Figure out if you are eating enough to support your metabolism.
For me, personally, the only thing that seems to halt the weight gain and even result in weight loss is avoiding sugar in all its various forms and simple starches (bread, tortillas, cookies, candy, etc, etc.)
Lots of veggies, lots of lean protein and some fruit. And, drinking lots of h2o. Boring, but whatcha gonna do?
And - the single thing that determines if I'm going to go "off plan" is whether or not I HAVE planned ahead - the saying is that you should always know where your next meal is coming from. *G*
tried every diet; will this one work?
