Intensity

sweetdream · 17-Oct-07, 07:24 PM

So out of my purely curious self I stepped on the scale at the gym today and was

when it hadn't moved from the last weigh in I had, still stuck at 129.

A month later and I haven't lost anymore weight. Could I have already reached the point of no more weight loss?

Is this where I should be kicking in my intensity? today I did a more elaborate run on the treadmill (see my workout journal for details) I guess I am just confused. I change my workout plan and my eating habits haven't really changed that much, so it should be just all intensity now?

Does that mean I have to PUSH EVERY SINGLE WORKOUT? honestly I have no idea so if that's what I have to do to lose these last 5 pounds (i increased my goal weight from 120lbs to 125lbs-considering what I feel like my body is like now- I think with an additional 10 pound loss I would look bad)

any critiques I am willing to take..any advice I can get to shed these last 5 I would be so greatful for.
Am I being too greedy? should I give it more time? I was going to give myself until thanksgiving to lose the last 5..is this achieveable?

sweetdream · 17-Oct-07, 07:25 PM

edit: can someone move this thread so others see it and not just those looking for female advice? i'd like all advice

**Gooseneck** · 17-Oct-07, 07:28 PM

You're probably gaining muscle weight while simultaneously losing bodyfat, thus keeping the scale around the same.

Merrida · 17-Oct-07, 10:45 PM

How are your clothes fitting?

sweetdream · 18-Oct-07, 01:46 PM

they are getting looser so i guess i shouldnt complain..i just dont want to hop on the scale one day and I am back at 137 . I know I shouldn't focus so much on scale weight but I do

Merrida · 18-Oct-07, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sweetdream

they are getting looser so i guess i shouldnt complain..i just dont want to hop on the scale one day and I am back at 137 . I know I shouldn't focus so much on scale weight but I do

Would you settle for keeping the same scale weight but dropping a pants size or two?

Which is more important to you?

sweetdream · 18-Oct-07, 09:58 PM

i dunno..it's hard because it seems as if I can't get out of the "Scale world" I always had trouble with what the scale says and I know I shouldn't but it is so hard to break that train of thought....i guess for how I feel and look can't amount to what the scale says but then its like the scale is an ugly sign of jealousy within myself or something

Merrida · 18-Oct-07, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sweetdream

i dunno..it's hard because it seems as if I can't get out of the "Scale world" I always had trouble with what the scale says and I know I shouldn't but it is so hard to break that train of thought....i guess for how I feel and look can't amount to what the scale says but then its like the scale is an ugly sign of jealousy within myself or something

It's hard to change habits, even the ones we "know we shouldn't" be clinging to. As women, you and I, all females, are "taught" (if not drilled into our heads) to watch our weight. Do you know of any parents or gym teachers that tell us "watch your body composition?" Nope.

Men seem much more understanding of this and perhaps scale raises are oft perceived as muscle gains, or at least mass gains before cutting.

Women aren't picking up on the whole "body composition vs. scale weight" thing quite as readily. It's easier for us to focus on the simplicity of the scale, and it's really what we've been taught, and it's reinforced every time we go to the doctor or gyn. It's "the" concern,....

You can do it though,....you have evaluate your goals and make choices accordingly, and keep photographs. You at 130 pounds very toned and curvy, is a lot sexier than 130 pounds (same scale weight) but on the droopy side. Photos come in as handy reminders.

Many women here relate, since most of us started out with the same focus. But it can be undone,....and for the sake of your health!

**Doc2029** · 19-Oct-07, 07:08 AM

The scale is the devil and lies! The tape and your clothes are you best guide on how you are doing. For example I haven't lost that much weight according to the scale but I am wearing shirts that I couldn't a month ago because they were too tight! My pants are looser and I've pulled my belt in a notch. That is progress!

Merrida · 19-Oct-07, 09:08 AM

Truthfully, I know it feels like we're trying to drive the point home, but toss out your scale, literally. Throw it away so you cannot even be tempted to step on it. It is irrelevent to how slim or toned you get.

As I mentioned,....you can maintain your weight, lose a little, even gain a little, but shrink in size. What's more important to you.

19-Oct-07, 09:18 AM

I believe "it depends" whether or not you should toss out your scale.

Some people are numbers-oriented, like me. We do best by recording data, summarizing it, turning it into information, then using that information to make decisions.

If you are like that, a scale is a must.

Supplement it with the feeling and visual cues others discuss for a total body and weight-management system.

I weigh myself every morning. I am a creature of habit. And I record my morning weight in a journal which I have done for some time. I have good history about my bodyweight and other fitness information. I like that.

I also pay attention to those other tests, particularly the cheekbone test. Do I look like a chipmunk harvesting chestnuts or do I see a chiseled cheekbone look when I look in the mirror? Do I feel comfortable when I sit on a wooden bench or do I feel bone on bone? Am I warm in the winter when everyone is cold or am I shivering? Do I have to take an inhalation to button my pants or am I constantly pulling them up like a plumber with a tool belt on? Blah, blah, blah.

I like the scale.

sweetdream · 19-Oct-07, 10:08 AM

thanks everyone for the advice

i am very proud as to how my body looks and i know the scale shouldnt affect that so i am going to take it easier on myself if it seems to fluctuate a lot. I don't think I will throw it away just because my mother uses it too (i know she would never let me see her on her though hhaahha)

I am just going to keep working out, sticking to my new lifestyle of being healthy and just be glad that I am not dealing with an over weight issue-

i am going to try and shift my focus to body measurements every few months and if those change then I will get concerned again

thanks everyone!!

Dan C · 19-Oct-07, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sweetdream

I change my workout plan and my eating habits haven't really changed that much, so it should be just all intensity now?

I believe intensity is the key ingredient in any program.

Quote:

Does that mean I have to PUSH EVERY SINGLE WORKOUT?

Yes.

19-Oct-07, 12:31 PM

I accept Dan's answers with my input that if you are going to train with maximum intensity every workout, then you should not train daily.

**Todd** · 19-Oct-07, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sweetdream

thanks everyone for the advice

i am very proud as to how my body looks and i know the scale shouldnt affect that so i am going to take it easier on myself if it seems to fluctuate a lot. I don't think I will throw it away just because my mother uses it too (i know she would never let me see her on her though hhaahha)

I am just going to keep working out, sticking to my new lifestyle of being healthy and just be glad that I am not dealing with an over weight issue-

i am going to try and shift my focus to body measurements every few months and if those change then I will get concerned again

thanks everyone!!

Yep, just go by how you look in the mirror, and how your clothes are fitting...those two things will show you the true results you are getting. Forget the scale. It can be used as a general guide, but it's not something you should "go off of" religiously. As said before, you can gain fat, lose muscle...or gain muscle and lose fat and the scale can stay virtually the same, yet you will look way differently in those two scenarios.

If you're happy with the way you look, then continue doing what you're doing to either keep improving (if you wish), or just maintain what you've accomplished.

Both intensity and diet are the two major factors that will produce results, or lack thereof.