HELP!! i've walked 1 mile a day for 2 weeks

[Blue_Tires]

and i've actually managed to GAIN weight!!!! WTF???? I've curtailed my diet, and I've even bought some fat-burners from GNC...In 2 weeks, I've gone from 249 to 251!!! Am I not supposed to be seeing some real progress??

I need help or suggestions...any diets you all recommend? Should I try running for the whole mile, instead of my current mix of walk/run?? WHAT AM I DOING WRONG????

[baldguy]

1. You're 14 miles from home?

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

17. pretty good wireless access... what kind of router do you

use?

:evilgrin:

[eleny]

2. Muscle weighs more than fat

Hang in there and keep it going. You'll see results. Drink lots of water and take your vitamin/mineral supplement. Good luck!

[still_one]

3. Here is what I suggest

1. Continue the exercise
2. Avoid all sweets, except fruit
3. Avoid all fried foods
4. Avoid sodas
5. Do not overeat
6. Weigh yourself the same time everyday


If you are able to lose 3 a month, you are doing the right thing

good luck

[yvr girl]

4. did you take measurements?

Muscle weighs more, but takes up less space, so check your measurements, you may have lost some inches.

[fknobbit]

7. And throw the scales in the trash! nt

[LiberalManiacfromOC]

5. run 3 miles a day

that works well

[Deja Q]

6. Alter your diet routine...

Maybe not the food intake but change eating times and amount of calories per meal.

I eat only lean meats and STEAMED veggies (only steamed retains the most amount of nutrients, next to raw but raw is gross.)

I used to eat a big lunch and a gigantic dinner and a bedtime snack. That was bad.

Now I eat breakfast, lunch, dinner, and nibbles during the day when I feel groggy. And I don't keep a set amount of calories per meal, though I do keep the same amount of calories when snacking. The body, I guess, doesn't know what to expect except it knows it's gettin' some and decides to continue burning fat steadily.

The exercise I do cannot explain my weight loss.

I'd also have to play tennis nonstop for 12 hours a day in order to see the weight loss otherwise. 1 pound of fat = 3500 calories.

I've essentially lost 1~2 pounds per week, which is the safest anybody should do.

Of course, I may have a health problem as well with my thyroid. But it could really be the diet change.

[AlCzervik]

8. you should try bumping it up to 2 miles a day

and go by how your clothes fit and not the scale.

[KG]

9. walk farther, say 3 miles.

forget the 'fat-bruners stuff. cut out pasta, bread, potatoes and sugar. lot o, water.

[Philosophy]

10. That's only 167 calories

at your weight to walk a mile. That's like one can of Coke. And jogging won't help - it uses the same amount of calories as walking unless you really exert yourself. And those fat burners are a scam.

You're gonna have to eat even less and/or exercise even more.

[DS1]

11. I've read that the first 30 minutes of exercise only burns the sugar

already in your blood. So you can do two things, cut out the sugars/starches or walk further/faster.

Of course, I'm no expert on the matter

[freethought]

12. I will give you advice based on personal experience

First, 'eleny' gave you some good advice. Drink lots of water and take a vitamin supplement. Being properly hydrated is essential, the body needs water to use up fat.

Second, do not, REPEAT: DO NOT over stress yourself on exercise. So don't try to run a mile when you're out of shape. You could wind up doing more harm than good. If you leg muscles are sore after you're walk or run give them a days rest or so. I do my exercise on a step master, I started doing twenty minutes with rests at 6 and 12 minutes about three days a week. That was five or so months ago, now I do 45 minutes four days a week. It went from 20 min, to 25 min a few weeks later, to 30 min, then 30 min at higher intensity up to what I do now. The point is don't overdue it. Ease yourself up to a good work out.

Third, you didn't mention what type of diet you are on. Just curtailing eating may not do it. I have been on South Beach for some time. The first two weeks of a high-pro diet are very hard, the first 4 days of those two weeks are absolute hell! You may lose 10+ pounds in those two weeks(it varies person to person), but after that it drops to about 2 or so pounds a week, the same for about any diet.
Stay away from diet soda and diet drinks too! By the way these low carb diets are not as easy to follow as some think. Loose the fat burners, they are scam and can even be dangerous.

Fourth, keep yourself off the bathroom scale for some time. Putting yourself on the scale every morning or night will only try your patience or frustrate you, possibly causing you to fall of the diet/exercise routine. You've heard the expression "A watched pot never boils." A watched scale will never change. You get the idea.

Fifth, a trip to your family doctor may be in order. Blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, and some other basic blood work may be in order.

And most of all. BE PATIENT!! We Americans always want the quick fix. Healthy permanent weight loss is best when done slowly for it usually means you will less likely to gain it back. Discipline and patience pay off. Believe me! I am 5 ft 11 in tall and I used to weigh 290 lbs. My blood pressure was through the roof and now I have to take medication to treat it. I have lost about 50 lbs with another 30 to 40 to go. I estimate it will take about a year but already my doctor has seen a complete turnaround in some key health issues. AGAIN, BE PATIENT!

[Bertha Venation]

13. What are you doing wrong? Well, for starters, you're a 'Skins fan...

Kidding! :bounce: I live in So. MD& loathe the Redskins. But to each his own. I'm totally kidding.

So what are you doing wrong? I wish I could say. Check w/ your doc. Why do you think you need fat burners? Sounds to me like you're doing the right thing without them.

Good luck.

[BluePatriot]

14. Hang in there...

...use a measuring tape instead of the scale. Over the first 6 weeks of my diet/exercise program, I gained weight as well, but lost an inch off of my waist and my butt. I would have given up totally if I didn't have measurements to compare to...so measure yourself every week and you will see progress :) Toss the scale out the window. Hope my advice helps!

[Baja Margie]

15. You are doin good,

don't stop walking. Eleny's advise is right on. Keep in mind that muscle tone weighs more than body fat, I bet you feel better though. Keep walking, it's a best exercise.



Margie

xxxooo

[Blue_Tires]

16. thanks for the responses

to answer a few questions, i've eliminated snacking and my favorite high-fat foods, and am eating less meats and more fruits/veggies, no breads or pastas, and I've cut down on sugars...I'm not a soda drinker, so I do keep my body well hydrated...

I have not measured myself, but I will now start...I've been out of shape, so I've been trying to consistently (every weekday) get some work in...at the end of this month, i'll extend the distance to 1.25 miles...

I will also see a doctor in a couple weeks. (i'm due for a check-up anyways)...

So is there really a difference between walking/running as far as dropping weight?

[cmd]

19. Yep. If you run you are more likely to suffer injuries

and then you won't be able to exercise at all. Stick to walking for a while. Add a minute a day. In a few weeks do a walk - run - walk program. Ease into running to avoid injury. You're doing great. Keep it up.

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

20. No, you just need more time to shed the weight with walking

running loses weight faster because you burn more calories per minute. You also risk shin splints, stress fractures in your tarsal bones (feet, that is), an increased risk of ankle sprains and knee ligament tears also go along with running.

So, it depends.

If you don't have much time, and are still young, run.

If you have time, past leg problems, or are concerned about future leg problems, walk.

[nini]

18. try to walk at least 3 mph

and a minimum of 45 minutes. If there's a health reason you can't go that long or fast.. try a stationary bike. If it's just a matter of getting strong enough to go that fast and long just work towards that.

Either way. Keep up the good work!!! You've got a great start and don't give up!

[Blue_Tires]

21. more info i should have included

single male, 6'2, 251 lbs, 27 y/o...
I have a busy job, but there is a small gym with treadmills and bikes in my office bldg which i use.

I also have asthma, which prohibits me from running very long distances (which is why i'm trying to work my way up to a mile)

thanks to all of you for the info...i'll bookmark this discussion

[Blue_Tires]

22. up to the top one time

ok...this morning i ditched the scale...I took a good look in the mirror, but I haven't discovered any difference (maybe I'm not looking hard enough)...I'll try walking/running longer distances; maybe that will pay off...

[mrboba1]

23. you need to do more than look in the mirror.

Get a tape measure and check diff areas on your body - waist, chest, etc. You'll probably notice 1/2 inch differences with a tape before you would in the mirror.