8 weeks at it with no progress -getting discouraged

[pineapple]

about 8 weeks ago I started a kickboxing program that is 5 days a week. For the first 4 weeks I did just that and for the second 4 weeks I added in cardio 5 days a week as well. My diet consisted of healthy foods ranging from 1000-1200 cals during the week and on the weekends it was more 2k. I have not lost any inches, infact I gained 2 lbs. I am really frustrated because I passed up alot of social functions in order to work out or not eat bad and it is not getting my anywhere. I don't understnad what I am doing wrong? Can someone please help me

My kick boxing routine ends Oct 6. So this is when I want to change my routine.

(I'm 5'2 and 135 lbs)
My goal is to get to 123.

Is it too hard to tone while loosing weight? Because I'm aiming to do both but not going anywhere?

I was going to change my routing to
thur/sat-35 minutes kickboxing
sun/friday- 45 min total body weight training 30 min cardio
mon/wed-30 minutes pilates 30 minutes cardio

[MTG35]

When you say you haven't lost any inches did you take measurements or is this an assumption based on the 2 pound increase on the scale? Also when are you weighing/measuring? It is very important to do it at the same time under the same conditions.

Also with losing weight I have found you need to actually measure all the food and count all the calories (very time consuming). Otherwise you may think you only eating 1000 - 1200 cals but you could be off.

The 2 pound gain could be from building muscle. Do you feel better? Do your clothes fit better? All these mean progress and improvement not just the scale.

[pineapple]

I was actually measured by the kickboxing studio with before pics too. My clothes do not fit differently....My mom tells me the truth and I asked her if I look different and she said no. I feel better....but I want it to show as well.

Here is my current diet:

Meal#1 5 eggwhites, 1 serving 70 % light vermont cheddar cheese 1 cup strawberries

Meal #2 kashi fiber and protein bar

Meal #3 1 cup chicken breast 2 cups escarole in a tomato base ( homemade very minimal ingredients)

Meal#4 1 low fat yogurt .5 serving of wheat germ

Meal #5 1 serving seafood 1 fruit or veggie

PM workout 1 day off per week

[MTG35]

Well it sure looks like you have everything in order. 8 weeks usually is enough time to notice some results.

Can you give some more details on what the kickboxing routine entails?

[pineapple]

Sure,

It is a 50 minute 15 minutes is warm up/cool down. Mon-abs tues-biceps and back, wed-legs, thurs-tris and chest friday-hips and waist. 15 minutes I'd say is target moves using resistance bands or light weights focusing on the target muscle of that day, the remaining 20 minutes is using punch bags performing various kicks and punches. In between each set we do jumping jacks or knees up jogs in place ( like in football practice).

I hope this helps because I dont know what else to do in order to make some progress.

Thanks for helping me though.

[Lady C]

Have your tracked your intake in terms of total calories, protein, carbs, fat? I quickly entered them and it says (from my guessing) that you are eating 1600+ calories per day. Does this sound right?

[pineapple]

When I use fitday here is the breakdown I get:

Meal #1 5 eggwhites 1 cup strawberries 1 oz lowfat cheese
180 cals 20% fat 27% carbs 53% protein

Meal#2 1 kashi protein and fiber bar
180 cals 25% fat 54% carbs 20% protein

Meal#3 1 cup chicken breast 2 cups escarole in homemade chicken brother/tomato broth
340 cals 24% fat 5% carbs 70% protein

Meal#4 1 lowfat yogurt .5 serving wheat germ 1 serving pineapple
215 cals 14% fat 50% carbs 36 % protein

Meal#5 shrimp and plum
315 cals 25% fat 27% carbs 48% protein


Total:1165 Fat:28 251 22% Sat:8 74 7% Poly:6 54 5% Mono:8 71 6%Carbs:102 337 30% Fiber:18 0 0%Protein:134 536 48%Alcohol:0 0 0%


PM workout


I appreciate any advice because I"m really trying not to give up.

[.V.]

Change calories to 1300-1500/day. Increase your fat intake a little i.e. more whole eggs and less egg whites. If you want yogurt - eat regular instead of low fat. It's more satiating and allows you to stick to your diet better. And many "store bought" low fat items are loaded with sugar so that they taste better. Sugar = insulin spikes and dips which equals fat storage and resistance to fat loss. Get some fibrous green vegetables in your diet. Include them with at least 3 meals each day.

If your calories are actually 1100 or so/day then they are simply too low and your body is holding onto fat stores, possibly sacrificing muscle to make energy. Even adding 100 calories/day might make a difference for you.

[pineapple]

any calorie calculator I use tells me I should be having about 900 with no exericse and 1600+ (with my exercise) but to me that seems awfully high if I want to loose weight. I mean I could easily add in healhty food choices to make the cals higher....I'm just scared I will end up gaining more weight.

I mean I am not full when eating 1200 cals I'd say acutally around 1600 cals I am full....

I was aiming to loose 2 lbs per week but at this point I'd be happy with loosing a steady 1 lb per week.

I can add in 1 serving of nuts.....What about adding 1/2 cup of beans to my lunch?

[Lady C]

Agree with Welch.

Eat less packaged more fresh items, like an apple and a whole hard boiled egg instead of Kashi bars. It does make a difference.

Reduce the amount of aerobics and increase strenght training. Adding in strength training would require closer to the 1500 calories. Why? Because you are trying to gain muscle. Gaining muscle takes calories and burns more fat/calories.

[pineapple]

So do you think eating the 1500 cals with the 2 days pilates 2 days kickboxing and 2 days weight training will be okay?

[jeannie39]

When I first started going to the gym and watching my diet I gained some weight before it started coming off (i guess muscle) but then it kicked in and I started to lose.Just don't give up maybe try new things but hang in there.

[pineapple]

I'm trying but its so frustrating! I never expected it to be this hard!

[.V.]

Yes, it is hard. But with a good approach and consistancy you will get the results you seek. It does take time though. Nothing worthwhile is easy, and fitness is definitely worthwhile.

[Lady C]

I actually did not SEE progress for 12 weeks. Some women it takes longer than others. I did feel difference in how my clothing fit.

Eat more protein and more veggies. It will make a difference.