HELP! I'M NOT LOSING ANY WEIGHT! WHY NOT???
REPLY 1
I have been struggling with some of the same thoughts. It can be pretty encouraging to listen to what your muscles are saying to you when you're helping them get stronger... and to your trainer when he or she helps your re-evaluate your definition of success.
I'm experiencing different soreness in new areas this camp. My muscles (particularly in my arms, back and abs) are starting to get hard again. I'm able to muster out a few more pushups or seconds on a plank on my toes before conceding to my knees. I'm also able to push myself harder on intervals and tabatta sets. Lunges are still a challenge with the knee problems I have, but I'm seeing some improvement in those as well. Overall, it's so much better to be able to move around better throughout the day.
The scale does not tell you all of that. It would be nice if it did!
Thank you Cliff, Haley and Erica!!!
REPLY 2
I didn't think I was losing anything either the first two weeks of my first camp. In fact, I never got on a scale until I went for the post-evaluation at the
end of camp, still thinking I hadn't lost. Well, I lost a few pounds but gained 3 to 4 lbs of muscle! I was noticing that my clothes fit better but was elated to know that I had actually lost fat and gained muscle. I didn't modify my diet as much as I should have, but I'm noticing when I do, it really helps with the exercise. Also this camp (my second) I'm noticing some of the inches now coming off. It really does work, and I feel so much better!
REPLY 3
I am responding to the question posed by a fellow boot camper. I have been boot camping since November. Since weight loss was not my goal, it surprised me when Hailey recommended I lose ten pounds at my first assessment. Without focusing on diet (and assuming my eating habits were consistent), I actually GAINED five pounds over the first eight weeks. I kept making progress at camp and liked the muscle definition. My weight has finally dropped to five pounds below where I started. I still don't strictly follow the diet you recommend although I have made several small changes that fit my lifestyle. I have lowered my percent fat even though I am still at 28%. I have always read about weight gain with working out due to muscle mass but never tracked my workouts and weight consistently enough to see it in action nor worked out at this intensity for more than a couple of months. I am hoping that I will continue to lose weight very gradually as I continue to build muscle and adhere to the diet changes that I have made. Most importantly, I find that working out is no longer about the way I look but how I feel.
I hope my fellow boot camper will stick to it.
REPLY 4
I just wanted to update you on my progress. I too wasn't eating well or working out before I hit bootcamp. I've been busting it every morning and even lifting/intervals on the side at home (not to mention eating super healthily). I haven't seen much weight loss either and so I met up with Erica on Monday and she measured me again. RESULTS: I had lost 3 lbs, 3% body fat, 4 inches in my triceps, 7 inches in my U (i don't remember what that is)!!! That's stuff I didn't notice because I'm too busy trying to see if my butt is shrinking and my hips aren't hitting desk edges, haha! Anyways, that's been my journey thus far and it's still going because I signed up for next month's camp!
Lastly, I wanted to say that your words today before each interval really helped me to push myself. I chanted everything you said each time up the hill. A little pain for looking beautiful! You should say those all the time! I definitely shaved 10 seconds off my intervals today and I know it was partly because you were pushing us, so THANKS!
I am a New Believer That I Too Can Run Sprints Like A Champ!
REPLY 5
Things I've learned at boot camp:
With each decade it's progressively harder to lose weight (the 50's are near impossible!). How old is she?
The more weight you have to lose the faster it starts coming off. How much weight does she need to lose?
Give it time. ( Rome wasn't built in two weeks.... We're only halfway through camp!)
Inches and body fat lost = success, despite the number on the scale. Are her clothes fitting better? Did she take her measurements before camp? If so, in addition to her camp numbers, she'll have additional numbers make her
smile.
Fit is better than skinny. You can be fit without being skinny. The exercise part will do amazing things to tone your body and help you get stronger, more fit, improve your posture, improve your quality of sleep, increase your energy level / stamina, give you a healthier glow and better mental outlook. But it will not make you skinny. Be thankful that you are healthy enough to even be a camper.
Nutrition is a tricky thing. If, because you are eating better, you think you are eating right -- you're wrong. Never overeat: Portion control is paramount....too much food is too much food, even if it's good / healthy
food. No unplanned eating: cheating can set you way back -- so cheat wisely if you're going to cheat --- plan it and make sure it's worth it to you.
There are no miracles. There is no fast track. .....It takes 6 months to change your focus and 15 months to change your life.
And in the meantime.....it' s your bicycle story, Cliff --- you just keep showing up.
~~~
That's it.....a recap of my year-long physical and mental journey.
Frustration, Disappointment? I could write a book! Having GAINED 6 additional pounds after one solid year of bootcamp(!), finally, on May 9th, 2008 the light bulb went on, 10 pounds are gone, and bootcamp year 2 has
begun......life is good and I am so grateful.
REPLY 6
I too was disappointed at not losing any weight the first boot camp. Now on my second camp I have decided to follow to the tee the nutritional information Cliff gave us at the seminar and it is starting to come off. And surprisingly pretty fast. In the first two weeks I lost 3lbs. which I thought was great and keeping in mind that I am loosing body fat also (1st camp lost almost 7 lbs of body fat) and probably will see that go over 10lbs this camp. That to me is amazing in itself to know that I lost that FAT!!! Eat what Cliff suggests and you will notice a difference. I would imagine you'll loose at least 2-3 lbs by the end of camp as I'm hoping to loose at least another 3 by then. Don't get discouraged.... if I can do it....anyone can!!!
REPLY 7
One thought that I have to repeat to myself as I step on the dreaded scale is that I did not gain the weight I am trying to take off in two weeks, or two months, not even two years, it was a slow creeping gain of pounds [from lack of exercise and bad nutrition] for twelve years, so that thought keeps things in perspective when I get frustrated that the scale is not going down fast enough in the six months of a better diet and exercise. The disappointment and frustration of not losing weight on the scale fast enough needs to change to patience with your body to accommodate for the changes we are forcing upon it on a daily basis. Easier said than done!
That's my two cents worth.
Thanks again for being there for me everyday.
REPLY 8
Very familiar musings and frustrations, particularly for a first time boot camper.
I gained 3 lbs in the first two weeks and lost those and an additional 3 lbs more by the end of the first camp. Although I was working hard that camp I was only using 3.4 lb (2 kg) weights and I'd look across at the experienced campers and realize I had a long way to go in my fitness recovery program. I think the turning point in my attitude towards the scales came after one of your discussions about putting weight in the longer term fitness objectives of flexibility, strength, endurance, agility etc.
It took till 1/2 way through my second boot camp for my metabolism to finally start responding and subsequently the results were a fairly consistent 1.5 lbs a week till the beginning of April. I was thrilled! Then for 6 weeks, following the same regimen, I hit a plateau with one 3 lb drop in the second week of May and another 4-5 lb drop last week. April and May were frustrating! But, more informative than the weight is that I am now wearing clothes (literally) last worn 15 years ago when I weighed 20-25 lbs less and that I am in much better (fitness) condition - as defined above. This is a concept that is very difficult to comprehend when you are in those first stages of the process; I was definitely a skeptic. This is where listening and learning during the nutrition sessions at the beginning of every camp has been helpful, talking with other campers and, most important, trusting the process.
Another hard lesson is the timing of consumption, particularly protein consumption. One of my biggest nutrition changes in the early stages was adding more protein in the morning. I am now going through another change to refine that process even further and it is another lesson in trust. I cannot imagine losing weight on the number of calories I am now consuming. I keep being asked if I'm on a diet. No, not in the conventional sense, but I have changed what and when I'm eating. After working out the nutrition 'blocks' in January I now only count calories as part of a periodic check that my nutrition program is working for me.
This has been a long term investment in perseverence, particularly in the 'drought' weeks, and one of realizing that boot camp level of exercise might be my maintenance strategy not my "extreme effort to get my metabolism kick-started".
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