I work out 5 days a week lifting weights just to remain slightly overweight …wtf?

[Endlessdark]

Lifting weights 5 days a week. Diet is ok, I try to eat lots of protein, aim for about 120g a day but often miss meals because I’m busy with 2 small children. Definitely don’t eat over 2000 calories. What am I missing????

Not enough rest. You need a day between. Also, weight loss is mostly diet.

How long have you been doing this?

It can take a while to see results.

I’d add heavier weights.
And I’d throw in some different cardio like swimming once a week.
And I’d track what you are eating to see if you are going over on your calories anywhere.

Ah that’s impressive you’re lifting when breastfeeding, I couldn’t be arsed at all

I wouldn’t worry - it’ll drop off when you stop feeding. Track your weights - not your weight - make sure you’re lifting very slightly more on at least one exercise every time

2000 cals isn’t much for lifters, has to be heavy weights though

How long have you been doing weights? I’ve been doing CrossFit for a year (with a few long breaks over school hols) and run a few times a week too. I haven’t altered my diet (although I do need to a bit!) and I’ve gone down over a clothes size but haven’t lost any weight on the scales. I’m still overweight but my body shape has totally changed for the better (my boobs are once again a separate entity to my stomach!).
maybe you need to give it a bit longer? If you want some more target advice, a PT or a CrossFit gym would help you.

Also take a look at how you are tracking your calories. Are you absolutely 100% tracking every single thing? I find it's easy to forget spreads, sauces, oils, "hidden" calories in coffee with milk etc.
I only started to properly drop weight when I was brutal with my calorie counting/tracking and logged absolutely everything.

Is this a joke? 800 calories per day is not healthy, particularly for someone doing weight training five days a week.

Honestly, the pro eating disorder posts on here are getting ludicrous.

Weight training is excellent but mix it up with some cardio.

If you're maintaining at 2000, don't drastically drop 800 in one go! Far too restrictive and will more than likely affect your adherence to your diet, possibly resulting in binge eating that pushes you far over what you would have eaten at a sensible deficit. If you're also looking after a baby and breastfeeding, dropping to 1200 calories is damn well irresponsible advice.

Try dropping 100 calories a day to start, and work from there. If you lose weight, stick with it until you don't, then drop another 100. You want to lose a bit at a time on the highest possible calories to avoid massive drops in energy and struggles with adhere, while also making sure you're fueling your weight training and recovery.

Lifting weights is good for building muscle, but isn't overly efficient at burning calories. You could try a couple of cardio sessions or upping your activity. Track your steps - whatever you're doing now, try adding an extra 1000 a day, and build up from there.

Small manageable steps over time, without anything drastic and unsustainable is the best way.

I'm currently losing weight on 2100 calories a day (although I am 5'11") while hitting 10000 steps a day, with 4 weight training sessions. Currently no time or energy to add in cardio but I'm happy enough - loosing 1lb a week and lost 4 stone in total so far - but look like I've lost much more due to my change in shape thanks to the weights. Keep preserving op. It's hard, but it's worth it, and strength training is one of the most beneficial things you can do for your health and longevity

800kcals 🙄

Drop two weights sessions and swap them for pilates.

You're eating too much

It's shit, I know

I appreciate all the response, I’m going to try cut down to 1500 calories strict whilst also adding in 3 bouts of cardio after I’ve lifted. I bloody hate running 😭

Adding lots of cardio to the mix can make your body produce cortisol which in turn encourages your body to cling on to weight.

Sounds like you are doing all the right things.

What is your sugar/carb/alcohol intake like?

If you're running round kids a lot are you doing any mindless snacking?

How's your sleep?

If you are still BF your hormones might be all over the place so be kind to yourself.

You absolutely should not be cutting back to 800 calories a day, especially while lifting.

How long have you been doing this OP? I think with weights the change can take a while to start but then the more muscle you build the more calories you burn and it speeds up.

If I eat 2,000 kcal a day, I gain weight, unless I run for an hour each day. Try cutting down to 1,300-1,500 and avoid sugar.

Eat more, get absolutely wham and join us on the bulking thread.

Where is this thread?

This doesn't make any sense. You burn MORE calories whilst breastfeeding (up to 500 a day), not fewer. OP is therefore likely to put on more weight if she keeps eating what she is after breastfeeding stops.

Yeah this is true, but seems to be the case for me and my gym friends. I noticed a drop in appetite and found it easier to build muscle after stopping breastfeeding so put it down to that. Tbf my kid was nearly three by that point so maybe ignore my theory haha

This.

Following with interest as I do the same exercise as you, am same weight, 2cms shorter and also track macros! It’s driving me mad!!!!

Why run if you don't like it?

I do like running but also do lots of HIIT training which takes not long at all, I can do it at home and is quite good fun. There are dozens of cardio options that aren't running. You can also do intervals where you intersperse cardio into your weight training and you'll burn more calories while lifting as your HR will be up.

I am 5 foot 3 and weigh just over 68kg, I am pretty active, but mainly cardio 6-7 times a week, with rest days. Plus I don’t breastfeed. I have been told to go for 1600 to 1800 calories. I have been sticking to the lower end of range most days. Anyway I have been losing weight, over the last few weeks I have lost 2kg.
So I would say with bf, 2000 is about right.
I am on about 100g to 120g of protein most days…