What am I doing wrong?

[Doolallygirl]

I'm not particularly small, well OK I'm large but not obese. I can't understand why I'm not losing weight. I eat bran flakes in the morning (small bowl), salad with no dressing at lunch, four portions of fruit and dinner I will have a bit of meat and potatoes and veg and I go to the gym three times a week. Anyone got any idea where I am going wrong?

[Hamish]

Re: The gym. Do you measure your heart rate? Unless this is getting high I don't think you will burn fat very quickly. I'm 6'3" and 17st4lb. I am running 10kmhr for 10mins and 15mins on a bike at about 80-90rpm. Only just started so we'll see.

[SuzeB]

Maybe this isn't applicable to you but something else to think about may be taking the contraceptive pill? It seems to effect people differently and one of the side effects can be weight gain. If you think this is the case you could speak to your doctor who may prescribe another type of pill.

[Doolallygirl]

Thanks again everyone for trying! I don't measure my heart rate but by the time I'm getting off the machines I'm sweating buckets and reasonably out of breath. I will try to push myself that bit harder. I am taking the contraceptive pill but I changed that recently too because I heard that the one I was on lead to water retention and this one is supposed to help with that but I've been on it for 6 months and still no weight loss/gain! It's bloomin' irritating! At the gym I will walk/jog/run depending on how tired I am for about 15 mins (I work off 150 - 200 calories), then I go on the bike for anything up to 20 mins (I work off 200 calories), the cross trainer for 7ish minutes (I burn off between 100 and 150 calories), the rowing machine for 10 minutes if I can and that burns about 75-100 calories. Sorry I don't look at rpm or km/hr! I'm just worried about working off my dinner. I always eat before 7pm and never eat after that. I'm baffled but I will have to try WW. Seems like the best option. Or liposuction.....Nah, too drastic!! My boyfriend loves me the way I am so why should I be so bothered?!

[Casey]

Doolallygirl, cut out carbohydrates after 5pm. It was on tv last night and the weight is supposed to drop off! And maybe if you go gym later on at night, as your metabolism slows down at night so this will help burn off what you have eaten during the day.

[Doolallygirl]

Cool ok, lets try all of the above answers, I will get back to you all in a year on this qtn and let you know what worked best!! Thanks again for all of your effort, good to know I'm not the only fatty out there with this problem!!

[SuzeB]

Exactly Doolallygirl. It's good to be aware of what's best for you in your diet and keeping fit but focussing on it too much will just make you unhappy. Sounds like you've got a healthy mind and a healthy body so I reckon you've got it just right.

[bluedolphin]

If u can swim get urself along to a club and do laps of the pool (I think swimming has one of the highest burns of all exercises) Stick it out for 9weeks...and see if it suits u good luck.

[moosa]

U mite not wanna hear this but maybe your just build big, and if thats the case there isnt much you can do about it. Be proud to be curvy!

[el duerino]

eat 6-8 small snacks during the day. exercise at 60% max heart rate for 45-60 mins 3 times a week. lift weights at 80% of your 1RM once a week on an all over body routine. aim to lose 1-2lbs of fat /week. if you lose nothign for 2 weeks reduce calories by 500 a day. repeat. you cannot fail if you are in a calorie deficit.