I'm not losing any weight?

[Anonymous]

So, recently I've been trying to lose some weight and I'm eating really healthy (and about 1200 calories a day) and excercising everyday for 2 hours and burning about 500-600 calories (I enjoy exercising, so it's easy to keep motivated). I do a lot of cardio, but I have also been focusing on building some muscle quite a lot, but I'm not losing any weight? I have gone down 2 clothing sizes and people are really noticing that it looks like I've lost some weight, But I'm really still at 185 lbs... (I'm 5"10)

Why am I not losing any weight?

[dashyguydotcom]

Practically loosing weight and gaining muscle at the same time is next to impossible. You do either one or the other to make the process as effective as possible.

SO: Just eating healthy is fine and dandy, but the main point how to loose weight/gain weight is to eat less/more kcal than what your body uses over a longer time-period.

Meaning: If you eat -500 kcal than what you need to maintain your weight you will loose musclemass/fat OR if you eat +500 kcal then you will gain musclemass/fat

With exercise you decrease the loosage of musclemass whilst dieting and increase the gain of it whilst "bulking"

[ccp16]

My flat mate is maybe 5'3 and overweight, not obese but for sure not much of a figure. she is super fit and eats only vegetables with no dressings even. She just ran a half marathon and she has yet lose more than a pound... some people just can't lose weight... especially women struggle with this

[ShaeNielson]

If she really doesn't eat too many calories, and does exercise at the same time, but isn't losing any weight, then there is something medically wrong with her, because that is not possible.

[ccp16]

@ShaeNielson it is actually very possible. It is being more recognized every year that we have been brainwashed with this idea of burning more calories than we take in will eventually drop weight. Researchers and personal trainers are realizing that you have to actually change your metabolize, which is extremely difficult. Basically, if you go running every day, every day your body gets better and more efficient in spending calories for that action, because your body wants to keep fat and not drop weight really.

All I am trying to say is it is very possible and there is nothing 'wrong' with her, other than having a terrible metabolism and bad luck with genetics.

[ShaeNielson]

Oh, so that's why anorexics and African children are so fat, because they don't get any calories, sure.
If you don't get enough calories, you lose weight, it's simple. Income and outcome.
If she have a terrible metabolism, then there is something wrong with her.

[ccp16]

@ShaeNielson that is a bit of an extreme ex... many of those regions of the world struggle to eat 1000 calories a day... but see, this is exactly what many personal trainers and nutritionists are trying to dispel, while calorie counting does work int he short term for many people, either those who drop weight this way will gain it back because it is not a very fulfilling life style, or a rather large minority of people simply can't, like my flat mate.

It is what happens when your daily life is too routine and your matobolisim is too efficient because of it, it can actually do more by burning less.

Just look up a TED talk about it or something, it is very interesting and will hopefully eradicate calorie counting someday as it is a far more healthy, and satisfying life style. and it is rather silly to me to think we can take one of the most complex living things we know of and reduce it down to a simple equation... nothing is ever that simple in biology.

[ShaeNielson]

Counting calories will make you lose weight, but it's not a forever thing. the deal is to keep the weight of, and that's why it's better just to live healthier, so you don't gain it all back, when you quit your diet and start eating crap again thinking "Im thin now, it's okay"

[ccp16]

@ShaeNielson absolutly, that is spot on and why I think calorie counting should be avoided all together, but there is a sizable population of people who never even drop weight form this dieting style I am trying to say, unless they actually starve themselves, it is not really safe to drop bellow 1200 daily intake... So I think more things need to change between eat less, exorcise more- I just think it is more complicated than that.

[blogginallday]

I know what you mean. I've tried going on a diet too. And it's easy for me to gain since I'm short. It is frustrating to not see results immediately. Consistency is key. Your body might have slow metabolism also. Maybe try seeking a professional trainer at the gym?

[ShaeNielson]

How long have you been doing this? Are you count in all your calories, or just assuming? Do you snack, use butter, milk, sugar etc you don't account for?

You could be gaining muscle, which is the reason why your numbers aren't going down.

[Ghosty]

Gym is one of the few things in life where it's 100% result guarantee if you stick to it. Trust me.
Also you can decrease fat and build muscle AT THE SAME TIME. Which may keep your weight at the same level, but change your body a lot. Don't worry and keep it up. Also maybe try getting 2000cal with healthy food though. If you work out, your body needs it.

[BroBroncoski]

How you building muscles eating only 1200 cals? You mean you have been focusing on lifting too besides cardio? That's a good thing, How many pounds have you lost yet? You might have reached plateau which takes two to three weeks to go cos your bod adjust in that time to your new weight. Don't worry, be consistent and stick to it. Everyone goes through plateau when cutting, and 185 at 5'10? Pretty sure you that's good stats. Keep going

[LittleSally]

Because you're building muscle - which is heavier than fat - so you haven't lost weight, but have lost fat.

[serious]

I think you are right. Good explanation

[smarackto]

You are not losing weight because a small amount of muscles is as heavy as a big amount of fat. you are doing a great job its not your fault is simply how your body works and that's good like this

[serious]

If you are building muscles then you won't notice any change in weight even though you are losing fat.

[genericname85]

if you build muscle but lose fat, you will get smaller but not lighter at first, because your muscles grow and muscles are heavier than fat. you will get lighter soon. it takes a lot of time.

[Shaft50]

Don't focus too much on the weight... focus on the exercise and calories... make your meals smaller portions, but frequent throughout the day to boost your metabolism

[xxbebosxx]

you will see changes after a few weeks. you build muscles and you're also burning fat

[Anonymous]

because it takes a long time to lose weight. you'll probably only lose 8-10 lbs in a month.

[Anonymous]

Your fats are turning into muscles, and muscles weigh more than fat

[Anonymous]

maybe your weighing machine thingy is broken