Exercise and Weight Loss

[nyoki]

I have a ? I've been exercising and calorie counting for 5 months at my rheumy's (among others :) ) direction and have not lost a single pound. I actually gained 4 lbs. I do a vigorous workout 5 days a week for 3 hrs a day. My daily intake should be ~2600 kcals a day. I'm getting ~1400-1600 kcals a day. I really don't know where I'm supposed to get the extra calories w/out adding fat and carbs. I'm diabetic so I have to keep the carbs between 130-180mg a day.

How is it possible that I not only don't lose weight but add it on?

My strength has increased dramatically, but my stamina is not where it should be. I often have extreme fatigue in some muscles and weakness in others. It took a lot of pain, effort and will to keep this going and I'm extremely frustrated w/ the outcome. I see my dr in 3 weeks and will ask about this, but I was wondering if a1 else has had this problem (side effects from meds, symptoms of the disease, etc...).

[gpstar]

could be building muscle and loosing fat. muscle weighs more after all.

it's pretty simple really, eat more = grow more, eat less = get smaller

how much do you weigh? what is your diet made of? how many times you eat during the day? are you counting protein, carbs and fat?

what is your workout schedule and routine like? you say you are working out 5days a week for 3hrs a day vigorously, are you giving your body enough rest between workouts?

[Mybadgenes]

Adding to the mix..... :)

How do you control your diabetes? With diet and exercise? Oral meds? Insulin? Yes, I am diabetic also and have gained weight with insulin injections but am unable to exercise.

It must be terrribly frustrating for you with as much exercise as you are doing.

Juanita

[Malibu 2]

I agree with gpstar, you need to give your body the time to rest and why so vigorous??
Muscle mass does weigh more and since you also have diabetes that is added to the factor.
Are you eating throughout the day?? Snacking on fruits & veggies constantly. If you body doesn't have anything to burn it will store it up for the winter(LOL)
Good Luck
Malibu

[AnnieB]

Are your measurements changing? That's a lot of exercise. I also suspect you could be building muscle which is a good thing!

[Had-It-Forever]

You are working out way too much for the daily calories that you are putting in. If you can only eat that many calories a day, then you will have to calm down with the exercise.

[nyoki]

Thanks for all the responses e1.

I don't work the same muscles every day. I make sure to give 48 hrs rest in between. I control my diabetes w/ insulin (type 1); I've been diabetic since I was an itty bitty baby. I know that being diabetic makes it harder to lose weight, but this is ridiculous. I was fine till I had an allergic reaction to sulfa med (taking for PsA), started on prednisone (80mg p/d) and put on over 60lbs in a few months. I'm down to 5mg every other day but I can't make the weight go away. I'm 5'4" and now weigh 184lbs which is what I've weighed since I started exercising. I'm following a nutrition guide given to me by my dr and can't figure out how to get all those kcals w/out adding fat and/or carbs. I'm aware that muscle weighs more than fat, but that wouldn't account for zero weight loss in 5 months. My clothes fit a bit looser but I haven't gone down in size. I feel soooo much better and in a lot less pain since I started this that I am really not willing to stop unless I absolutely have to.

[nyoki]

I do eat all through the day. I usually eat 6-8 times a day. I make sure I get all vitamins etc... that I need.

Thanx again.

[katef]

I'd be interested to hear what your doc says about your lack of weight loss, because while you are gaining muscle, you should have still lost some pounds over 5 months. I gotta say though, I'd have given up way sooner than five months if I wasn't seeing more results than you, so kudos.

Weight loss is such a tricky thing and there are so many variables. If you don't mind telling us what your doc thinks about the situation, I'd really appreciate knowing; though I completely understand if you don't want to share.

[nyoki]

I'd be interested to hear what your doc says about your lack of weight loss, because while you are gaining muscle, you should have still lost some pounds over 5 months. I gotta say though, I'd have given up way sooner than five months if I wasn't seeing more results than you, so kudos.

Weight loss is such a tricky thing and there are so many variables. If you don't mind telling us what your doc thinks about the situation, I'd really appreciate knowing; though I completely understand if you don't want to share.


I haven't given up because I didn't start the regimen to lose weight. I started it because I practically atrophied many of my muscles. Remicade has allowed me to get back to life and that included the ability to get out of my extremely comfortable chair. I don't really know anything about weight loss and I'm thinking it has to w/ all the meds I'm on (13 total).