Need Advice - Totally Frustrated - Please Help

Hi all,

It's been a while since I last posted. I mean like 4 months plus. Speaking
of plus I have regained some of the 112lbs that I had lost when I last
posted. I am still down about 75lbs but am really frustrated over that fact
that I cannot seem to get thing moving in the downward direction again. I am
still working out like a mad man, burning 5-6 thousand calories a week and
doing a full body strength training routine 3 days a week.

Honestly, I think that I am working out to much but I have reached a point
where it's easy. I can exercise at 80/85% of my target heart rate for an
hour without breathing hard. Break a hell of a sweat yes, but still have
plenty energy left when it's over.

I called weight watchers and they told me that I need to eat about 1/2 of my
workout points because I am burning through about 1/2 of what they suggest I
eat. So, it's like I need to eat more to lose more. The problem is that it's
hard to eat that many points (mid 40's) of healthy food because at some
point you get tired of eating.

The one this that makes me feel a little better is the idea that some of the
weight that I have pt back on is muscle. I can see it in the mirror and I
had it somewhat confirmed by some of the trainers in my gym. The problem
however is that I still weigh 300lbs and need to get rid of at least another
60/70 lbs sooner than later.

If any of you have gone through this (been going on for like 4/5 months)
please give me some advice. I need your help.

Thanks,

Michael W.

380/306/200(220) - Lowest weight was 270.

Ps: For those of you who remember me/us....Charise W. is still a happy
lifetime member. Going on her 1 year lifetime anniversary.

Michael W. wrote:
I am
still working out like a mad man, burning 5-6 thousand calories a week and
doing a full body strength training routine 3 days a week.

From that type of workout I assume you are new to weightlifting.
Does your weight gain started by any chance at the same time you started
to lift?
When you start to work out like this incredible weight gains are quite
common since the body tends to retain lots of water in the muscles.

The one this that makes me feel a little better is the idea that some of the
weight that I have pt back on is muscle. I can see it in the mirror and I
had it somewhat confirmed by some of the trainers in my gym.

I'm currently experiencing pretty much the same you do.
I started WW in December last year and got into serious lifting in January.

While my weight dropped from 88 kg (194 lbs) to 81 (178 lbs) my bodyfat
dropped from 32% to 24,5%.

So while my net weight loss is 7 kg (15,4 lbs) I lost almost 8,5 kg
(18,7 lbs) of fat.

Keep in mind that muscle weights more per cubic inch than fat.
Try to get a scale or other device that is capable of meassuring your
body fat and (even if contrary to the WW program) start evaluating your
success by using your bodyfat and a mirror.

The problem
however is that I still weigh 300lbs and need to get rid of at least another
60/70 lbs sooner than later.

The more muscle you pack on your body the easier will it be to get rid
of the unwanted fat due to increases resting metabolic rate.

If any of you have gone through this (been going on for like 4/5 months)
please give me some advice. I need your help.

Keep lifting, keep doing cardio, keep eating healthy.
Get a whey protein powder and some flax seed oil.
The one I use is 3 points (german points that is YMMV) per shake with
skim milk, if I add a tablespoon of flaxseed oil it has 6 points with
the healthiest fat you can get.

Yes, this sound yuck, but better than a tuna shake that is advocated in
the newsgroups I usually hang out

Drink one right after your workout and one at night, when you are about
to go to bed.

This is counterproductive to your goal since it will help you get more
muscle and therefor your weight, but in the long run it will help.

Cheers
Marc

On Fri, 20 Feb 2004 12:59:27 GMT, "Michael W." wrote:

Hi all,

It's been a while since I last posted. I mean like 4 months plus. Speaking
of plus I have regained some of the 112lbs that I had lost when I last
posted. I am still down about 75lbs but am really frustrated over that fact
that I cannot seem to get thing moving in the downward direction again. I am
still working out like a mad man, burning 5-6 thousand calories a week and
doing a full body strength training routine 3 days a week.

Honestly, I think that I am working out to much but I have reached a point
where it's easy. I can exercise at 80/85% of my target heart rate for an
hour without breathing hard. Break a hell of a sweat yes, but still have
plenty energy left when it's over.

I called weight watchers and they told me that I need to eat about 1/2 of my
workout points because I am burning through about 1/2 of what they suggest I
eat. So, it's like I need to eat more to lose more. The problem is that it's
hard to eat that many points (mid 40's) of healthy food because at some
point you get tired of eating.

The one this that makes me feel a little better is the idea that some of the
weight that I have pt back on is muscle. I can see it in the mirror and I
had it somewhat confirmed by some of the trainers in my gym. The problem
however is that I still weigh 300lbs and need to get rid of at least another
60/70 lbs sooner than later.

If any of you have gone through this (been going on for like 4/5 months)
please give me some advice. I need your help.

Maybe WW isn't doing it for you.
http://www.exrx.net/Calculators/CalRequire.html
This site will tell you approximately what your base metabolic rate is
- but don't tell it all your exercise, just your normal activity.. If
you eat about 500 calories per day less than that you should lose
about 1lb a week. The amazing amount of exercise you do will mean
you'll lose a bit more. At 300 lbs it should be fairly easy to lose
weight.
http://www.fitday.com will help you track calories.
The weight lifting will help. Make sure you get lots of protein. In
particular get some protein after a lifting session - within the hour.

If you need to eat lots of points, then eat stuff like peanut butter
and snack on nuts. Add olive or flax seed oil to rice and pasta.

I'm not sure what you are eating but if you are gaining weight week on
week it's too much.

Ray
--
rmnsuk
273/207/182

OK. Well. I sorta did this, and think I'm about to have to do it again -
eat more to lose more. Who says all the points you eat have to be the
healthy ones? Part of the pleasure I take in all the points I earn is that
I actually pretty much have to eat cheesecake or something equally fattening
once a week just to use up a chunk of them. Sure - use some of them as
healthily as you can - but some of them you can treat yourself with too?
And I sure as hell enjoy my gooey pud moment, having well and truly earnt
it. No guilt involved whatsoever. If you don't eat enough for what you're
using - your body is going to demand payback at some point. It either won't
lose like you want to, or it'll cease to function properly. I can tell -
when I start feeling dopey, very sleepy, that I've been overdoing it. I'm
simply not giving the machine enough to function.........

Did that help? I doubt it - but I tried!

--
krys

UK 157/129.6/126
Started March 1st 2001
GOAL August 16th 2001
....definitely making progress...

"Michael W." wrote in message
news:PwnZb.22466$4o.40721@attbi_s52...
Hi all,

It's been a while since I last posted. I mean like 4 months plus. Speaking
of plus I have regained some of the 112lbs that I had lost when I last
posted. I am still down about 75lbs but am really frustrated over that
fact
that I cannot seem to get thing moving in the downward direction again. I
am
still working out like a mad man, burning 5-6 thousand calories a week and
doing a full body strength training routine 3 days a week.

Honestly, I think that I am working out to much but I have reached a point
where it's easy. I can exercise at 80/85% of my target heart rate for an
hour without breathing hard. Break a hell of a sweat yes, but still have
plenty energy left when it's over.

I called weight watchers and they told me that I need to eat about 1/2 of
my
workout points because I am burning through about 1/2 of what they suggest
I
eat. So, it's like I need to eat more to lose more. The problem is that
it's
hard to eat that many points (mid 40's) of healthy food because at some
point you get tired of eating.

The one this that makes me feel a little better is the idea that some of
the
weight that I have pt back on is muscle. I can see it in the mirror and I
had it somewhat confirmed by some of the trainers in my gym. The problem
however is that I still weigh 300lbs and need to get rid of at least
another
60/70 lbs sooner than later.

If any of you have gone through this (been going on for like 4/5 months)
please give me some advice. I need your help.

Thanks,

Michael W.

380/306/200(220) - Lowest weight was 270.

Ps: For those of you who remember me/us....Charise W. is still a happy
lifetime member. Going on her 1 year lifetime anniversary.

On Fri, 20 Feb 2004 12:59:27 GMT, "Michael W." wrote:

Hi all,

It's been a while since I last posted. I mean like 4 months plus.

Hi Michael, welcome back. It's goo to "see" you again :-)

If any of you have gone through this (been going on for like 4/5 months)
please give me some advice. I need your help.

I'm sorry you've gained some weight back and are struggling. I'm going
through the same thing. It's incredibly frustrating but I don't have
any advice, sorry. I just wanted to let you know that you're not
alone. Good luck :-)

Ps: For those of you who remember me/us....Charise W. is still a happy
lifetime member. Going on her 1 year lifetime anniversary.

Congratulations to Charise :-)

--
Erin in NZ
125/89/75 kgs
275.3/196/165 lbs

RafL goal 180.6lbs (82 kilos)

"It is not the mountain we conquer, it is ourselves"
Sir Edmund Hilary

Lots of great advice here Marc. I actually dropped the weights to 3 days of
full body vs. every other day of uppers and every other day of lowers for 6
days. I just started doing protein and yes, it seems that I am building
muscle. My arms are getting bigger (or should I say - reshaping) as are my
calves and thighs. That said, I would love to start seeing some bulk
reduction vs. the muscle for fat replacement that appears to be taking
place.

Thank you so much for the reply. This is a lot of really useful information.

Michael W.


"Marc Heimann" wrote in message
...
Michael W. wrote:
I am
still working out like a mad man, burning 5-6 thousand calories a week
and
doing a full body strength training routine 3 days a week.

From that type of workout I assume you are new to weightlifting.
Does your weight gain started by any chance at the same time you started
to lift?
When you start to work out like this incredible weight gains are quite
common since the body tends to retain lots of water in the muscles.

The one this that makes me feel a little better is the idea that some of
the
weight that I have pt back on is muscle. I can see it in the mirror and
I
had it somewhat confirmed by some of the trainers in my gym.

I'm currently experiencing pretty much the same you do.
I started WW in December last year and got into serious lifting in
January.

While my weight dropped from 88 kg (194 lbs) to 81 (178 lbs) my bodyfat
dropped from 32% to 24,5%.

So while my net weight loss is 7 kg (15,4 lbs) I lost almost 8,5 kg
(18,7 lbs) of fat.

Keep in mind that muscle weights more per cubic inch than fat.
Try to get a scale or other device that is capable of meassuring your
body fat and (even if contrary to the WW program) start evaluating your
success by using your bodyfat and a mirror.

The problem
however is that I still weigh 300lbs and need to get rid of at least
another
60/70 lbs sooner than later.

The more muscle you pack on your body the easier will it be to get rid
of the unwanted fat due to increases resting metabolic rate.

If any of you have gone through this (been going on for like 4/5 months)
please give me some advice. I need your help.

Keep lifting, keep doing cardio, keep eating healthy.
Get a whey protein powder and some flax seed oil.
The one I use is 3 points (german points that is YMMV) per shake with
skim milk, if I add a tablespoon of flaxseed oil it has 6 points with
the healthiest fat you can get.

Yes, this sound yuck, but better than a tuna shake that is advocated in
the newsgroups I usually hang out

Drink one right after your workout and one at night, when you are about
to go to bed.

This is counterproductive to your goal since it will help you get more
muscle and therefor your weight, but in the long run it will help.

Cheers
Marc

Thanks Ray, I am all over fit.com as of about 2 weeks ago and you are right
about me having to find alternate sources of calories. I burn literally
between 1100 and 1300 kcals during a 1 hours elliptical session. I use a
Polar heart monitor which tracks my heart rate and the number of calories
burned based on my age, weight, height etc so I know that it's accurate.

The interesting thing is that I have stopped gaining and appear to be stuck
at this weight. I am hoping to get things moving in a downward direction
again. If you use 60 calories per point as a calculator the 31/32 ww points
that I have to eat only gets me to 2160 cals. On big workout days I burn
through more than 1/2 of these in an hour.

I am going to check out the other site that you suggested for some insight.

Thanks again,

Mike

Ps: this exercise routine is like 18 months in. when I first started at 380
i could barley do 1/2 on a flat surface treadmill.


"ray miller" wrote in message
...
On Fri, 20 Feb 2004 12:59:27 GMT, "Michael W." wrote:

Hi all,

It's been a while since I last posted. I mean like 4 months plus.
Speaking
of plus I have regained some of the 112lbs that I had lost when I last
posted. I am still down about 75lbs but am really frustrated over that
fact
that I cannot seem to get thing moving in the downward direction again. I
am
still working out like a mad man, burning 5-6 thousand calories a week
and
doing a full body strength training routine 3 days a week.

Honestly, I think that I am working out to much but I have reached a
point
where it's easy. I can exercise at 80/85% of my target heart rate for an
hour without breathing hard. Break a hell of a sweat yes, but still have
plenty energy left when it's over.

I called weight watchers and they told me that I need to eat about 1/2 of
my
workout points because I am burning through about 1/2 of what they
suggest I
eat. So, it's like I need to eat more to lose more. The problem is that
it's
hard to eat that many points (mid 40's) of healthy food because at some
point you get tired of eating.

The one this that makes me feel a little better is the idea that some of
the
weight that I have pt back on is muscle. I can see it in the mirror and I
had it somewhat confirmed by some of the trainers in my gym. The problem
however is that I still weigh 300lbs and need to get rid of at least
another
60/70 lbs sooner than later.

If any of you have gone through this (been going on for like 4/5 months)
please give me some advice. I need your help.

Maybe WW isn't doing it for you.
http://www.exrx.net/Calculators/CalRequire.html
This site will tell you approximately what your base metabolic rate is
- but don't tell it all your exercise, just your normal activity.. If
you eat about 500 calories per day less than that you should lose
about 1lb a week. The amazing amount of exercise you do will mean
you'll lose a bit more. At 300 lbs it should be fairly easy to lose
weight.
http://www.fitday.com will help you track calories.
The weight lifting will help. Make sure you get lots of protein. In
particular get some protein after a lifting session - within the hour.

If you need to eat lots of points, then eat stuff like peanut butter
and snack on nuts. Add olive or flax seed oil to rice and pasta.

I'm not sure what you are eating but if you are gaining weight week on
week it's too much.

Ray
--
rmnsuk
273/207/182

Totally helped Krys. Thanks for the reply. Going to get a scoop of double
chocolate mocha ice cream... now :-)

Michael


"krys" wrote in message
...
OK. Well. I sorta did this, and think I'm about to have to do it again -
eat more to lose more. Who says all the points you eat have to be the
healthy ones? Part of the pleasure I take in all the points I earn is
that
I actually pretty much have to eat cheesecake or something equally
fattening
once a week just to use up a chunk of them. Sure - use some of them as
healthily as you can - but some of them you can treat yourself with too?
And I sure as hell enjoy my gooey pud moment, having well and truly earnt
it. No guilt involved whatsoever. If you don't eat enough for what
you're
using - your body is going to demand payback at some point. It either
won't
lose like you want to, or it'll cease to function properly. I can tell -
when I start feeling dopey, very sleepy, that I've been overdoing it. I'm
simply not giving the machine enough to function.........

Did that help? I doubt it - but I tried!

--
krys

UK 157/129.6/126
Started March 1st 2001
GOAL August 16th 2001
...definitely making progress...

"Michael W." wrote in message
news:PwnZb.22466$4o.40721@attbi_s52...
Hi all,

It's been a while since I last posted. I mean like 4 months plus.
Speaking
of plus I have regained some of the 112lbs that I had lost when I last
posted. I am still down about 75lbs but am really frustrated over that
fact
that I cannot seem to get thing moving in the downward direction again.
I
am
still working out like a mad man, burning 5-6 thousand calories a week
and
doing a full body strength training routine 3 days a week.

Honestly, I think that I am working out to much but I have reached a
point
where it's easy. I can exercise at 80/85% of my target heart rate for an
hour without breathing hard. Break a hell of a sweat yes, but still have
plenty energy left when it's over.

I called weight watchers and they told me that I need to eat about 1/2
of
my
workout points because I am burning through about 1/2 of what they
suggest
I
eat. So, it's like I need to eat more to lose more. The problem is that
it's
hard to eat that many points (mid 40's) of healthy food because at some
point you get tired of eating.

The one this that makes me feel a little better is the idea that some of
the
weight that I have pt back on is muscle. I can see it in the mirror and
I
had it somewhat confirmed by some of the trainers in my gym. The problem
however is that I still weigh 300lbs and need to get rid of at least
another
60/70 lbs sooner than later.

If any of you have gone through this (been going on for like 4/5 months)
please give me some advice. I need your help.

Thanks,

Michael W.

380/306/200(220) - Lowest weight was 270.

Ps: For those of you who remember me/us....Charise W. is still a happy
lifetime member. Going on her 1 year lifetime anniversary.

Thank you so much for the support Erin. Good luck to you to. I will tell the
wife that you gave her a virtual high 5 :-)

Michael W.


"Erin Marsh" wrote in message
. co.nz...
On Fri, 20 Feb 2004 12:59:27 GMT, "Michael W." wrote:

Hi all,

It's been a while since I last posted. I mean like 4 months plus.

Hi Michael, welcome back. It's goo to "see" you again :-)

If any of you have gone through this (been going on for like 4/5 months)
please give me some advice. I need your help.

I'm sorry you've gained some weight back and are struggling. I'm going
through the same thing. It's incredibly frustrating but I don't have
any advice, sorry. I just wanted to let you know that you're not
alone. Good luck :-)

Ps: For those of you who remember me/us....Charise W. is still a happy
lifetime member. Going on her 1 year lifetime anniversary.

Congratulations to Charise :-)

--
Erin in NZ
125/89/75 kgs
275.3/196/165 lbs

RafL goal 180.6lbs (82 kilos)

"It is not the mountain we conquer, it is ourselves"
Sir Edmund Hilary

On Sat, 21 Feb 2004 02:35:57 GMT, "waddy" wrote:

Thanks Ray, I am all over fit.com as of about 2 weeks ago and you are right
about me having to find alternate sources of calories. I burn literally
between 1100 and 1300 kcals during a 1 hours elliptical session. I use a
Polar heart monitor which tracks my heart rate and the number of calories
burned based on my age, weight, height etc so I know that it's accurate.

The interesting thing is that I have stopped gaining and appear to be stuck
at this weight. I am hoping to get things moving in a downward direction
again. If you use 60 calories per point as a calculator the 31/32 ww points
that I have to eat only gets me to 2160 cals. On big workout days I burn
through more than 1/2 of these in an hour.

I am going to check out the other site that you suggested for some insight.

Thanks again,

Mike

Ps: this exercise routine is like 18 months in. when I first started at 380
i could barley do 1/2 on a flat surface treadmill.

It's possible you are overestimating the number calories expended. I
am 6`2" and 207 pounds. I do 3 * 30` cardio per week plus 3`45+
weights per week. I lose about a pouind a week on 2000 calories.

Ray
--
rmnsuk
273/207/182