Help? Stuck.

**kmkali07** · 10-07-2010 10:40 AM

So last year i was weighing about 112, which is a healthy weight for my 5'3 stature. Over the summer I gained some unwanted weight due to a bad diet. For the past month and a half or so I have really been pushing myself to get more fit and to go back to my usual weight. I eat three meals a day and usually a small night time snack. My main foods of choice are Special K meal bars, cereal, egg white omlets, egg whites, veggie sandwhiches, and a good amount of frutis and veggies, and usually a little meat a few days a week.. chicken...(and usually a little night time chocolate, like a York or something).
ANyways, I had a Harvard stregnth and conditioning coach help me with an exercise plan that consists of four days of weight training in combonation with cardo (for six days a week, usually about and hour and fifteen minutes of high intesity cardio such a bike, eliptical, and stairmaster.. i try to change them up).
So even with this workout plan and attempt at healthy eating, I have been stuck at about 120-121 since i have started. ANy suggestions ?

**KMonte85** · 10-07-2010 10:57 AM

It really sounds like you are doing everything you should be doing. Can I ask what your exercise was like back when you were 112 lbs?

I ask because 4 days a week of weight training, you will undoubtably be building muscle, and muscle is heavier, but a smaller mass, than fat.

Are you checking your progress with anything else besides the scale? I've always felt that relying on the scale for a sense of accomplishment isn't going to show you the full picture. How do the clothes you were wearing when you were a lighter weight fit now? Are they really tight or do they fit pretty well? I have a feeling you are losing the weight you wanted to, but are getting more muscle/toning and so the number on the scale isn't going down, even though you are probably losing inches...

**sourpuss** · 10-07-2010 11:14 AM

body composition is much more important than the number on the scale. A better judge would be like Kmonte says, go by how your clothing fits. Take your measurements and have your body fat tested every couple of weeks.

**kmkali07** · 10-07-2010 12:09 PM

Thats the problem, all my pants are still very tight and nothing feels comfortable

**MarionS** · 10-07-2010 12:19 PM

With your "bad diet" you might have lowered your matabolism, it may take a while for your body to kick in and start buring fat again.

**KMonte85** · 10-07-2010 02:08 PM

As Marion said, you may need to give this a bit of time.. but from what you've posted you are doing everything right...

Have you discussed your weight loss goals with your coach? Perhaps he/she has some tips for you - things you can change up in your exercise (although it sounds like you're doing great)

Are you on any medications that can cause weight gain?

Your diet sounds great - maybe beef up on the whole grains? Are you eating whole grain breads or pastas (not whole wheat, whole grain)? Brown rice? Quinoa? Along with the veggies you eat these will help your digestive system and help boost your metabolism even more. And water - lots and lots of water

Do think about measuring yourself too, in addition to just weighing on the scale to give you an idea of your progress. That's all I can think of at the moment... it really does sound like you're doing awesome. If I think of anything else, I'll add it...

**kmkali07** · 10-07-2010 07:50 PM

THanks for all your advice and help! I just get frustrated quite easily and when my clothes still arent fitting after a month of working really hard it gets pretty frustrating!