Still on plateau, really confused

[John_Yeti 0]

So, as some may know i've posted on here before about being on pretty much a year long plateau. My doctor says it's just my body getting used to my lifestyle, I just needed to bump up my exercise routine. I was told that my eating habits are great, and nothing wrong on that end.

So, i decided to join a local "boot camp" for the next month. I felt like this would really help me out by motivating me, and also teaching me what i should be doing.

So far I've been to 4 sessions, and it's kicked my butt. We've done all kinds of exercises including running stadiums and miles. We focus on core, legs, & upper body. I have really been pushing myself more than ever.

So, i decided it's time to weigh myself this morning. So, I do. I'm up 5 lbs. now...... no change in clothing, no change in measurements...... how is this even possible? lol Is this a joke?

I should be losing some weight, even if I am "building muscle," which i'm sure i'm not building that much muscle from these routines.

Has anyone else had this problem? lol Am i just doomed?

[thsisme 14]

If this type of exercise is not what you are used to doing. I would say that 5 lbs gain from building muscle is very realistic. It does vary per individual. Most people will see an initial weight gain within the first 4-5 weeks of intense training and then will drop the pounds and inches within the next 4-6 weeks. Again depending upon their body and what level of training they are participating in. When I started interval bike training sessions, I gained 5 pounds within 3 weeks and did not see weight loss / inches lost until week 6-8.

From various reading, research and observations of other's trials and challenges, there is not one way that will work for any one person...You have to experiment to see what type of changes (dietary, exersising) works for your body. Some folks increase / decrease their carb intake, some their fat, and some their Protein, some their overall calorie count is increased or decreased.

For myself, I have found that carbs are not my friends and exercise is to be experimented with. For my loss to continue...I have to exercise at minimum 90 minutes for at least 5 days/week of some type of vigorous exercise and then walk for the other two days of the week. I increased my fat and Protein intake and keep my carb g down to approx. 60g give or take a 10g lee-way and maintain (for me) between 1,000 - 1,100 cal / day intake. Anything higher and I stop losing weight.

Good luck John.

[dk4k 15]

I think it will start coming back off soon. This is the good kind of weight...muscle and some extra Water your body is holding onto to feed itself. I think that happens when you start exercise, or start doing something really different.

I'm so impressed that you committed to a boot camp. It will be one of the best things you do for yourself! Please post an update at the end of the month.

[John_Yeti 0]

Thank you both for your confidence. I sure hope you are right. I guess only time will tell. If nothing has happened after a month of boot camp, I don't know what I'm going to do. lol

[reverie 49]

How many calories are you eating? You may not be eating enough. Undereating and over-exercising will lead to weight-gain; not fat gain (there is a difference) but weight gain. This has to do with hormones, Water weight, and cortisol levels.

I disagree with the posters above in the fact that you're building muscle. Everyday bodybuilders maybe put on .2lbs of muscle a week; there's no way you're seeing muscle gain. Gaining muscle takes eating above your caloric maintenance as well.

If anything I'm gonna say you're not eating enough and Water retention may be the culprit. Give your body another week to get used to the new exercise, maybe reassess where your calories are. I had to bump mine up again recently after seeing that I was burning upwards of 2400 calories a day.

Good luck!

[thsisme 14]

Reverie does have a point. Well stated reverie. As I said before it is different for everyone. However, with that said, I do respect Reverie and I always enjoy and learn from your knowledge!

[John_Yeti 0]

I'd say I'm averaging between 1200 to 1600 calories. I'm pretty sure I'm not gaining muscle. Not sure what's going on though.

[reverie 49]

I'd say I'm averaging between 1200 to 1600 calories. I'm pretty sure I'm not gaining muscle. Not sure what's going on though.

Eat more, definitely, especially on your workout days. I am probably much smaller than you in all ways possible and I am eating more than you Try eating at 1600 calories for a week. If you see no movement add 100 calories each week.

I had to do this when I plateaued. I was eating 1200 calories and it worked for awhile but then it stopped; hit a plateau for a month plus and I tried everything; decreased calories, increased exercise, did more cardio, less cardio, more weight lifting, less weight lifting...crazily enough none of that worked. What did work was (holy crap) eating more. I worked my way up, 100 calories each week; and the scale started moving again at 1700 calories. I've been at another stall for another month, and I am just now eating more; 1800 calories. We'll see where I am tomorrow morning.

Also, you say averaging. Do you calorie count/weigh your food? If you don't, you may want to start! I didn't for awhile but ever since I bought a digital food scale it's been god sent, honestly. I'm no good at eyeballing and eyeballing is no good when you're trying to lose weight. I'd say invest in one as they are a huge help!

Good luck and feel free to PM me if you need help/get stuck.

[CheckYes 46]

Hi,

Boot camp is too much for me but my sister - who is a normal weight - started boot camp and gained four pounds in a week! It's intense muscle building. Stick with it!

You might want to consider doing the body fat weighing or measurement so you can see the positive changes even if you don't see it on the scale. I admire you for doing boot camp.... I'm too chicken!!

[John_Yeti 0]

I say average of 1200 to 1600 because I might change it up & have an extra meal one day. Maybe hummus or an extra chicken breast. I've bumped up my calories before, but I can always try it again. I don't do the fat measurement, but do measure my waist daily. No movement. I've gained again, but no waist shrinkage. I'm hoping it is a gain due to boot camp & will eventually go down on the scale. We'll see. Ready for another week of boot camp. Thanks for the advice & encouragement.