Not losing weight?

[Juniper22]

I was wondering what if a woman was constantly exercising. Changing up the routines, working out about 5 days a week, and eating healthy but still wasn't really losing weight, what might the cause really be?

 

No, its not about me. But I do know of a relative of mine, who has always exercised, and ate healthy but for some reason she is still good size. Is there something else that might be going on, to cause her to not lose the weight?

[xpaperxcutx]

Does she count calories? She could be overeating her caloric needs, or undereating, which can be the body adapting to malnourishment by retaining fat.

 

What kind of exercises is she doing? Does she do aerobics or cardiovascular workouts? If she's doing the same workouts day in and out, her body had already adapted to them. For maintenance, whatever she had been doing is adequate. However, if she wants to lose weight or change her body shape, it's important to challenge herself with different routines and mixing up workouts.

 

Have your relative look over her routines, the mistakes might be obvious once she writes down her calories and her workouts.

 

If all else fails, it might be a thyroid problem.

[CarrieT]

If the exercise is mostly core and weights, than it is possible to put ON muscle weight without losing fat weight.

 

Sometimes, five days a week is too much exercise. The only way to lose weight is to reduce caloric intake.

[Juniper22]

Thanks for the replies. Well, its my sister. She has a 11 year old and a 2 year old. Back before she had her first child, she was really tiny, and petite. She exercised back then too. After having her first child I remember her losing most of that weight due to breast feeding mostly, but then later on putting weight back on that she has carried around for a few years.

 

After having her two year old, she still pretty much looks the same as before she got pregnant with her second child, kind of heavy. She changes up her routines alot. She says she likes to give her body a challenge. She does cardio workouts, zumba, belly dancing, pilates, yoga, etc.

 

I saw on her FB page the other day where she told someone she met online, she was almost down to the weight she was at, before her first child (which is when she was small and petite) the thing is, she isn't. Actually she is pretty far from it, so I'm not real sure why she would tell someone that.

 

I was just wondering because I thought maybe it was hormone related or something. She does most of her workouts at home. I asked her if she wanted to go to the gym with me and do something there, but she said she would just do her stuff at home.

 

To be honest, she kind of comes across as being maybe a little in denial or something. Its kind of like she really believes she is smaller, when really she isn't. I'm kind of concerned for her. Don't get me wrong, her exercising is great, but she isn't losing weight, but she seems to be telling others that she is, and that she is almost where she used to be when she isn't.

[EnigmasMuse]

How old is she? Hormones can play a big role in not losing weight. Also, like the others have said, if she isn't changing up her routines or over/under eating. Just because she is eating healthy doesn't mean she should gorge out. But then again maybe to her, eating some , fruits and veggies then turning around later and eating a whole bag of potato chips and some cake to her is considered healthy, who knows. But, you said she is changing up her routines, so could be anything.

 

Have you seen or witnessed her eating/exercising habits? Maybe its not like she says it is, or is having others to believe. I mean after all, you did say she is telling people she was almost the weight she used to be, when obviously she isn't.

[Lauriebell82]

After having her two year old, she still pretty much looks the same as before she got pregnant with her second child, kind of heavy. She changes up her routines alot. She says she likes to give her body a challenge. She does cardio workouts, zumba, belly dancing, pilates, yoga, etc.

 

These might not be the "best" weight loss exercises to do. Zumba and belly dancing really only do so much, they aren't high impact enough to really lose serious weight. They are better maintenance exercises. IMO neither is the cross trainer/eliptical. The only thing that has ever helped me lose weight and keep it off is running. That's it. Has she tried that?

 

I was just wondering because I thought maybe it was hormone related or something. She does most of her workouts at home. I asked her if she wanted to go to the gym with me and do something there, but she said she would just do her stuff at home.

 

This is another problem: working out at home. You tend to get more "lazy" and take unauthorized breaks. (Like stop doing Zumba to take care of the kids). While I understand the convience, I find that going to an actual gym is better because you are there and pretty much have to work out. Also you are paying for it. It's possible she's not being honest with you about how much working out she actually does.

 

To be honest, she kind of comes across as being maybe a little in denial or something. Its kind of like she really believes she is smaller, when really she isn't. I'm kind of concerned for her. Don't get me wrong, her exercising is great, but she isn't losing weight, but she seems to be telling others that she is, and that she is almost where she used to be when she isn't.

 

Okay, I know the feeling. It's hard when you are overweight. You want to be think so bad, especially if you have been there before. It's not exactly a body image disorder it's more of just a need/urge to believe you are thinner then you really are. Give her a break on that one, it's hard.

 

My advice is get her butt to the gym!!!

[SummerLady]

I was wondering what if a woman was constantly exercising. Changing up the routines, working out about 5 days a week, and eating healthy but still wasn't really losing weight, what might the cause really be?

 

No, its not about me. But I do know of a relative of mine, who has always exercised, and ate healthy but for some reason she is still good size. Is there something else that might be going on, to cause her to not lose the weight?

 

 

My opinion -she is not being honest with herself on how much she is eating. My sister says the same thing then I see her eat and her take on it is much different than what I am seeing. I have issues with food so I know how much I eat I will never lie about it. I will tell you, I downed those chips.....Or I had a few and when I say it, its bible. Its hard to take responsiblity for this and own it....I have problems controlling my cravings but being honest with yourself is very important. She may need someone to follow her around for a day or 2 and observe. If she does what she normally does you will see she is eating too many carbs and she is eating in high quantities. It does NOT matter if you eat healthy if your are eating TOO MUCH. Anything in excess is bad. Moderation is the key. When I figure that out I will let you know..Its a battle.....

[deux ex machina]

She should go to her GP to rule anything out.

 

Keeping a food and exercise diary would be a great idea for her. There are small calorie counter books that are purse-sized (such as Calorie King), and websites where she can do that sort of thing for free, as well.

 

It is very possible she is overestimating how many calories she is burning, and underestimating how many she is taking in - but she may never know unless she quantifies it.

 

Just writing it down can be an eye-opener.

[Lizzie60]

When I hear things like : she eats healthy, exercise ... but can't lose weight.. come on.... there is something wrong here...

 

I bet anything that if she completely stops eating .. she will lose weight..

 

This is just impossible..

 

oh I should add: do you see any obese people in Africa... where they hardly eat..

[mem11363]

In controlled studies it turns out that overweight people grossly under report how much they actually eat.

 

There is some basic laws of physics here. It takes a certain amount of calories to move your body a finite distance. There are small differences in metabolism - but the real issue is how many calories do you burn and how many do you ingest.

 

The real problem is that once you stretch your stomach and make it very large you need more food to feel full and you have more cells that generate the chemical that tells you to feel hungry. And so your friend/relative feels hungry ALL the time. And that is a very hard feeling to ignore. This is why lap band surgery works so well...

 

 

 

I was wondering what if a woman was constantly exercising. Changing up the routines, working out about 5 days a week, and eating healthy but still wasn't really losing weight, what might the cause really be?

 

No, its not about me. But I do know of a relative of mine, who has always exercised, and ate healthy but for some reason she is still good size. Is there something else that might be going on, to cause her to not lose the weight?

[D-Lish]

Sometimes, five days a week is too much exercise. The only way to lose weight is to reduce caloric intake.

 

Five days a week isn't too much exercise! It's healthy and beneficial to be active everyday.

 

You lose weight when you burn more calories than you consume. So you have to include activity in your daily routine.

Cardio is the best way to go about that.

 

Cutting back on carbs and sugar will have a big impact.

 

I suspect that your sis is making some excess calorie choices she doesn't realize she is making. Sometimes that comes in the form of drinks. Juices, lattes, colas, etc. You can add a whole lot of calories to your day with what you drink.

 

She should start a food diary- where she records everything she puts into her mouth for a week, then add up the calories.

[Enema]

Three thoughts:

 

1) What a lot of people consider "exercise" isn't.

2) What a lot of people consider a "healthy" diet isn't.

3) People lie about how good they are.

[Juniper22]

"When I hear things like : she eats healthy, exercise ... but can't lose weight.. come on.... there is something wrong here"...

 

 

The only thing I can think of, is, she isn't being honest with herself or others.

[Lauriebell82]

"When I hear things like : she eats healthy, exercise ... but can't lose weight.. come on.... there is something wrong here"...

 

 

The only thing I can think of, is, she isn't being honest with herself or others.

 

Yeah, that's what I think is happening.

 

Don't be too hard on her though, it's really hard to lose weight (and stick with it!) and denial is a pretty common occurance. Tell her you are supportive of her and recomend that she join a gym.

 

Do you work out? It might actually help her to have a workout buddy to keep her motivated.