Fitter but no leaner!
Discussion
I significantly increased my exercise regime about 7 weeks ago. I now do three bmf classes a week (this is 1hr of outdoor circuit training, for those unfamiliar) and twice a week also do 30 mins weights followed by a 3.5 mile run (about 26 mins). I eat healthily and not excessively, and don't drink too much.
Right, since starting I have noticed a definite improvement in fitness and strength, and some increased muscle bulk. My weight has increased from 73-76kg, but my issue is that I don't appear to have lost much if any body fat (am still approx 24% according to girlfriend's scales). Am I doing something wrong, or being impatient?
Any advice much appreciated!
Right, since starting I have noticed a definite improvement in fitness and strength, and some increased muscle bulk. My weight has increased from 73-76kg, but my issue is that I don't appear to have lost much if any body fat (am still approx 24% according to girlfriend's scales). Am I doing something wrong, or being impatient?
Any advice much appreciated!
Edited by johnnyBv8 on Thursday 24th June 23:25
hugh_ said:
What intensity is the exercise you're doing?
Fat burn is most efficient at about 65% of maximum heart rate, and cardio anything from 80+%. As a guide max heart rate is 220 minus your age (sorry if I'm teaching you to suck eggs).
The bmf is fairly high intensity, but interval based... mix of sprints, press ups etc etc. The running is fairly high intensity, but everything else fairly low intensity! Am wondering if I should add some lower intensity, longer workouts but it's difficult to find the time or motivation!Fat burn is most efficient at about 65% of maximum heart rate, and cardio anything from 80+%. As a guide max heart rate is 220 minus your age (sorry if I'm teaching you to suck eggs).
Sheets Tabuer said:
Ignore the scales.
Keep going as you are, scales are a gimmick they use a current to estimate your body fat and that will change depending on how much water you have in your body
ok, cheers. Not noticing much weightloss looking in the mirror either, but isn't easy to be objective!Keep going as you are, scales are a gimmick they use a current to estimate your body fat and that will change depending on how much water you have in your body
Sheets Tabuer said:
You won't notice a thing looking in the mirror because you look every day, take a photo of yourself and compare it in two weeks.
Or ask your partner to get the tape out and give you a few stats to compare in a couple of weeks. The increase in strength and fitness prove that your body is addapting to your new lifestyle so just give it some more time.If you want to lose fat, diet is considerably more important than exercise. You can be doing everything right with your training but you haven't nailed the diet its unlikely you'll see any significant fat losses.
Make sure you keep saturated fats and simple sugars really low, and only eat as uch as you need. Keep snacks healthy! (most people find this the hardest bit)
Make sure you keep saturated fats and simple sugars really low, and only eat as uch as you need. Keep snacks healthy! (most people find this the hardest bit)
Agree with balders.
I noticed exactly the same as you when I went on a fitness drive last year.
When you actually calculate calorie burn in excercise it is depressingly low.
Excercise is actually a completely s
t and ineffective way to lose weight (fat).
If you are overweight, presumably your calorie intake is a bit higher than it should be.
Burning an extra 1500 calories or so a week off is not really going to do anything other than perhaps stop you gaining any more weight.
I noticed exactly the same as you when I went on a fitness drive last year.
When you actually calculate calorie burn in excercise it is depressingly low.
Excercise is actually a completely s
t and ineffective way to lose weight (fat).If you are overweight, presumably your calorie intake is a bit higher than it should be.
Burning an extra 1500 calories or so a week off is not really going to do anything other than perhaps stop you gaining any more weight.
Cheers guys. Last year my diet got quite bad in that I was working long hours, would get in late and just have cheese on toast or cereal. I didn't waste away (!), so wondered if I actually instead had slowed my metabolism by not eating properly.
As part of this new regime I have started eating proper evening meals at a sensible time. I'll give it a bit more thought/estimating, but didn't feel that I was eating too much or unhealthily. I don't want to under-eat either!
As part of this new regime I have started eating proper evening meals at a sensible time. I'll give it a bit more thought/estimating, but didn't feel that I was eating too much or unhealthily. I don't want to under-eat either!
johnnyBv8 said:
As part of this new regime I have started eating proper evening meals at a sensible time. I'll give it a bit more thought/estimating, but didn't feel that I was eating too much or unhealthily. I don't want to under-eat either!
I changed my eating habits 13 weeks ago because I wanted to lose a bit of weight before the good weather started. I'm 5' 11" and I've dropped for 13st 7lb to 11st 13lb and lost 3 inches off my waist.I started keeping a food diary and recording everything I eat, estimating the calories as best I can from the packets without being too anal about it. I was shocked at just how many calories I was eating. Not junk but things like pasta, rice, bread, potatoes, cheese...
I think if you were to record your calorie intake for a few weeks you'd be very surprised at just how many calories you're consuming.
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