Slow weight loss after increasing workouts

[acquiescence]

I have had a disappointing weigh in this morning, I weigh almost the same as a week ago. I use MFP to track my calories and have 1200 which is what is recommended for a 1kg/ week loss. I am 5'2" and 65kg/10st 4.

I am doing the 30 day shred workout every day and sometimes adding in another, usually Jillian Michaels 6 week 6 pack. This is my 4th week, every other week I have lost around or just under 1kg.

I did this exact regime 2 years ago and lost 0.5-1kg a week streadily and for to around 56kg which is a old weight for me.

I have heard that weight loss can be slowed when increasing weight bearing exercise due to muscles building, has anyone experienced this? I'm feeling quite demotivated after trying hard.

[Mrscog]

I think increasing exercise can make you retain more water - I certainly 'gain' 2kg when I start running even though my clothes fit the same. Try and stick with it for another week and see what happens

[aintnobodygottimefodat]

Could it be down to your period? I experience this every month, weight increases by 1-2kg. I usually up my water intake and continue to eat well and exercise, and find I have a significant loss after a few days. It can be very frustrating though and a struggle to remain motivated when seeing the number stay the same.

[Unescorted]

Muscle weighs more than fat - I am finding the same thing. I lost loads when I wasn't exercising but as soon as I started doing a HIIT programme it came back and I am now just losing slowly. BUT the big difference is my body is getting smaller. I have lost 12 cm frm my waist, 8cm from my hips and loads from my bust / back. In 4 weeks I can fit back into my "slim" jeans.

[MoonlightMedicine]

I'm putting weight on but losing inches and firming up everywhere I wish I could stop weighing myself, it's depressing.

[acquiescence]

Thanks all, that is reassuring.

I have lost a couple of inches off my waist, I'm sure it is working really, I just get motivation from seeing the weight drop off!

I have a big bag of all my size 10 clothes which I haven't worn since I got pregnant 2 years ago, I'm determined to get back in them for summer and it is the inches that count as you say unescorted.

I don't think it's hormonal as I'm mid cycle and not bloated, but you never know.

[Noofly]

I started cycling again after a three year break. I started two weeks ago doing 3 one hour runs (undulating terrain with one large hill) each week and this week I actually gained a pound! I'm hoping it's just down to water retention or something and that the weight will start to come off again once I'm settled into this routine- I had lost a stone before I started cycling. My clothes definitely feel looser, though so that's keeping me encouraged.

[Fourmagpies]

Don't weigh yourself. You'll notice changes to your shape from the regime you're following, weight can fluctuate for so many reasons and you can be heavier but slimmer if gaining muscle.

[OMGBecky]

Found the same weighing myself this morning after a week and a half into weight training. Horribly disappointed to find I'd only lost half a pound. My trainer made me promise to stop weighing every week. She also said that when you're exercising/weight training you experience inflammation and water retention as your muscles heal after working out, which can skew the actual amount of fat you've lost. Best to rely on measurements and how your clothes fit! Still hard to not see more of a drop on the scale after knowing how hard I've been working...it's nice to get that immediate feedback that something is happening!

[busyboysmum]

We have a boditrax machine that I have started weighing myself on at our gym. I've stepped up the exercise since Christmas and though the weightloss has been slow all the other readings have been comfortingly in the right direction. So muscle mass, fat percentage, even metabolic age. It gives new hope as if I'd just seen the scales not moving much or at all I'd probably have given up by now.

[acquiescence]

Thanks Becky & busyboys, all reassuring! I think because I am tracking calories so carefully and I know it is just science that you will lose if you eat less I keep faith. It is nice to see it on the scales but maybe I'll start taking measurements every couple of weeks as well.

[PickAChew]

1kg per week is almost definitely too ambitious at the point you're at.

Reaching healthy BMI, you need to slow it down and concentrate on building or at the very least maintaining muscle.

[wrinkleseverywhere]

Two years ago, I started running 3x a week and doing the Shred 4x a week. For a six week period, I lost no weight at all. I did go down a dress size though.

[9GreenBottles]

Are you eating your exercise calories? That's the thing they always ask on MFP. I know that I can lose 1-1.5lb on average a week eating 2000 calories a day if I'm exercising regularly - but it sometimes went in fits and starts with my period, eating salty food etc.

[acquiescence]

pickachew hmm maybe. I'm happy with dropping it slowly, I was just wondering why. I did the exact same thing 2 years ago and lost steadily. I've had a baby since then so maybe that has changed things.

9green yep I always eat those exercise calories!

wrinkles that's reassuring and good work!