I have been exercising vigorously on my new elyptical machine approximatey 4-5 days a week for 35-45 minutes at a time. I am also very careful about what I eat; I eat healty. However, my clothes do not feel any different and my scale has not even moved. I am extremely frustrated. I did turn 36 this year and realize things are slowing down, but I am so very discouraged and i am not sure what to do.
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Q: Is it possible that I could not be eating enough food to loose weight? I exercise 5 days a week
Answers (1)
7/ 5/08 1:41pm
Hi April,
I have a couple suggestions:
1. Monitor how hard you're working when on the elliptical. A simple measure is the talk test. If you can talk with no trouble, step up the pace. If you can talk, but need to take a breath every 4-5 words, you are right on track. If you are gasping for breath after every word - slow down!
2. Calories - count your calories for a day or two. I do not recommend dropping below 1200 calories/day. If you go too low, your metabolism will drop, which you want to avoid. If you want a quick inexpensive assessment of how you're eating, check out the Mini Diet Makeover.
3. Strength training - To counteract the affects of aging and a slower metabolism add strength training (weight lifting) to your routine. If this is unfamiliar territory, ask for help so you don't hurt yourself!
4. New program? If your routine is fairly new (2-4 weeks), it is normal for your weight to stay the same or slightly increase as you make a switch and build more muscle while burning fat. Muscle weighs more than the fat!
All the best,
Lisa Nelson, RD, LN
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