True to my word and my extreme all or nothing attitude, I have once again hopped on the exercise wagon.
My current workout schedule is as follows:
Monday – yoga
Tuesday – Zumba
Wednesday – like The Creator I need a day of rest
Thursday – Zumba
Friday – unlike The Creator I need more than one day of rest
Saturday morning – Zumba
Sunday – a walk with my husband and dog or sometimes Yoga in the evening.
There are variations some weeks. Sometimes (OK often) Zumba on Thursday doesn’t happen because the class is at 7. And it’s winter. And dark. And cold. And I’m tempted by my couch, family and overloaded DVR. So I opt to walk with Matt and the dog on Friday evening.
Regardless, I’m working out 4-5 days a week. Sometimes 3 but honestly, that’s rare.
My blood sugar levels? They’re AWESOME! I’m back to a year ago when my doctor gave me the key to the Controlled Diabetes city. I haven’t seen anything in the 140′s in weeks. In fact this morning it was 119.
I feel stronger, gone is the weird pain in my right hip, and I can keep up with Matt and Eddie on our hikes at the dog park. Instead of Matt saying “Come on, Honey,” he says “I can tell Zumba and Yoga are working.”
This is where the story should end with the princess taking her svelte body off into the sunset.
Except… (there’s always a but, in this case a large one)
I HAVE LOST A FRICKIN’ POUND!
In fact, I have gained a couple.
All together now, WHAT THE FLUCK!
Please don’t comment that muscle weighs more than fat because yes, I’m stronger but my six pack looks more like a gallon of chocolate milk.
I didn’t just start this exercise routine so please don’t say “it takes time.” I’ve been at this since November!
I’m not eating crap. I am trying very hard to lead a carb light life. I don’t do fast-food (unless it’s a hung over Sunday where I’ll turn green and break out of my shirt unless I get my Sonic). So seriously… what is up?
Should I change up my workout? Throw in a Power Pump class instead of the Thursday Zumba? (Don’t worry, this class is at 6. Which means I haven’t yet turned into a mashed couch potato.) I thought it was already diverse but what do I know.
Should I cut out ALL carbs?
Do a toxic cleanse?
Cut off my right arm? I am left handed…
HELP!
I know the number on the scale shouldn’t matter if the rest is going well and I don’t really care the size of my pants but I do care that I’m busting my butt in the gym and yet my butt can still shade small animals.
So tell me dear Internet, what am I doing wrong?
Signed,
Low Sugar High Fat
I have found that actually upping my carb intake a bit (~130 g/day) when I’m being decently active allows me to lose/maintain weight (whatever I’m trying to achieve) better than staying at a low carb level (<90 g/day). There is some science behind it from the nutrition input from Team WILD, I just don't get it other than it seems to work. Opposite goes for when I'm not as active (ahem, winter) – I need the lower carb levels to counteract the inactivity. YMMV.
Though changing up the workout type always helps (and keeps me from getting bored).
Lastly – do you drink diet soda? I quit daily consumption a few months back and lost five pounds quickly. I think there's something to these news reports about diet soda being as bad as regular. (I only drink it now when out to eat, which is not often.)
Weight training. you need weight training. The more muscle you have, the more kcal you burn throughout the day. I think muscle burns something like 17 kcal/hour, whereas fat burns only 4 or 5 (those numbers might be waaay off, but you get the idea).
You may want to read up on the different heart rate zones and where/when you’ll burn fat. If you’re not getting your heart rate into those zones, well…
Lastly, check your calorie intake. Simply eating low carbs doesn’t mean you’re burning more calories than you’re taking in.
Hope this helps!
I know you’re frustrated and I would be too, but I want to congratulate you for sticking to your goal and getting your blood sugar down and exercise up.
You lost 30 pounds last year. I know you can do it again!
xoxo
Food logging at loseit.com is amazing. I find if I commit to writing down everything I eat I stay on track and feel more in control. I am sure it could be adjusted for a higher protein/lower carb plan.
Have you cut back or cut out alcohol? Because that is what I finally had to do. I had a regular wine habit that was canceling out all my healthy eating and hard work.
Yay! First, congrats on all the good, healthy stuff. And yes, I say try changing it up. Your body might just be used to everything that your doing (I know mine is). And when winter finally ends, it’ll be easier too. Good luck! Keep it up and you’ll see results.
I would try something if you aren’t doing it already. Track everything you eat for a week – then add up all the calories (myfitnesspal can help you figure it out). You have to have a deficit to lose and it may be that you are eating “better” but still eating too much to lose. Or not enough.
But celebrate the workout victories because those are huge!
YAY! For lifestyle changes. You know, with my borderline blood sugar levels (first showed up with first pregnancy when I was 36) my MD advised walking.
The times I stick to it, it WORKS. But when I say I get too busy, and don’t do it, oh man I hate what the numbers that the finger prick comes back with.
Walking and LOW carb and and LOW fat and HIGH fiber and LOTS of water and sleep.
WIthout sleep, my numbers get whacky.
WIthout walking: whacky.
No water: more whacky.
Low Fat and HIGH Fiber: magic.