“Strive for progress, not perfection.” -Unknown
I think I’m done losing weight. I’ve been within 5 pounds for a year, and have not been able to get below 150. That is certainly a very nice number for a person who is almost 5’8” tall (me), so I’m very pleased with it.
But I’d had 145 as a goal for so long, stopping at 150 feels like quitting. Like giving up. There was no reason behind 145, really, I just liked the sound of it. Here’s why I don’t think I’m giving up:
What I want for my body is not weight-related anymore. I do not feel heavy. I am not overweight. What I want is a fit body. A body that will do what I ask during a race. A body that is feminine, but strong. Losing more weight will not make the Jell-O baby tummy and inner thighs tighten up. I hear that lifting weights will, though.
So, I’m done losing, I guess.
What’s next?
I’ve recently learned/figured out that I need to tone now. I learned this when I read this article on losing those last pounds at Go Kaleo and this article on calories. And then I confirmed with my friend Jess (Blonde Ponytail), an expert on matters of fitness!
So, I need to lift weight (whether they are the metal ones in the gym or my own body weight), to strengthen my body overall. Then, it will use the fat stores in my tummy and thighs to fuel my new, more muscular physique.
At least, this is what I’m hoping will happen.
But, I admit, I am scared. Like freaking out. To do this toning thing, I am supposed to eat more calories (and even more protein!). I’ve been eating about 1,300 calories for so long that I’m worried I’ve ruined my metabolism. Can it be fixed? I don’t know.
I am so, so afraid of gaining weight. Like it’s just going to magically pack itself on me. I’ve been working at this too long.
So, I’m still haven’t been eating enough because of this fear. I’ve only bumped my calories up to 1,500. I should be eating 2,000 at least, and AND…this calorie calculator is putting me at anywhere between 2,400-2,900 on work days (depending on my level of activity that day) when I’m mostly sitting! How in the world am I going to eat that much?
Right now – eating 1,500 calories for the second week – I just feel like I’m gaining weight all the time, and have not weighed myself because of this. Admittedly, my clothes do not feel any tighter. I just feel so full at mealtimes, though, and my brain equates fullness to gaining weight. How can I fix this? More frequent smaller meals? I already eat five times a day!

How long and how often should I be doing weights and strength work? Every day? I know I can’t do the same muscle groups every day. I need a plan. Help!
While I may be finished losing the weight, I’m not done reaching my goal of a fit body. I was not prepared for this. I did not realize that getting down to my weight goal was not the end of the process! I didn’t know finally reaching my goal was going to be so hard!
21 comments
I HIGHLY recommend Jamie Eason’s live fit program (of course you would have to join a gym) – http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/jamie-easons-livefit-phase-1.html
I did it once and gained sooo much strength and even though I didn’t follow any of the diet portion I felt much stronger and looked leaner. I’m actually planning on starting it again soon.
I’ve asked to join a gym for my birthday (today). 🙂 We’ll see!
Also, this is awesome. It at least gives me some sort of plan. Thanks!
Soo.. You shouldn’t count calories while lifting. There is a lot out there on this. However I have stopped counting calories and I have not been on a scale in over a month. but I am much slimmer. I have been doing Jill Coleman’s Jill Fit Lifestyle program and you dont have to have a gym to do it. It has been amazing for toning and losing fat.
When you start lifting the scale may go up a bit, but eventually it will average out and likely go down because you have now burned fat and have more lean muscle. Its all a game. Go off how you FEEL and not the numbers!
Great tips, Karla, and I will check out Jill’s program!
I highly recommend New Rules of Lifting for Women as a good read about lifting weights, even if you don’t follow that specific plan. I’ve done it twice (but will admit that it is starting to be a little dated) and am now doing the New Rules of Lifting for Life book. They also have an Abs/Back book which is GREAT for runners to help strengthen that core and make you a better, stronger runner.
I think someone else recommended this book in a blog post once. I’ll check it out; thanks!
I think this is a very healthy attitude! I am starting to get there as I figure out that the numbers on the scale don’t translate to my body looking the way I want. Grrr. Love ths ideas on lifting, will definitely be stealing some of those!
Yeah, it’s sort of eye-opening. I thought it was all about losing pounds, but it’s not!
I’m with Lar…she told me to try Jamie Eason, and it’s seriously so nice just going to the gym and doing what I’m told rather than trying to make up what to do on my own. I’m on day 48 right now and so far, so good (really it’s day 55, because I re-did a week once).
I hear you on being afraid to add calories! That would be scary if you’ve been at 1300 and not losing…but get eating, girl! Just see what happens. Worse case scenario, you go back down to 1300 for just a little while because you can a few pounds. No big deal! My guess is that you’ll add calories and not gain! 🙂
Good to know! Thank you!
Great plan! I have a number in my head that has been alluding me. I have no idea why I picked that number and it has been killing me that I can’t reach it. I am my no means over weight, just a little softer than I want to be. I’m going to check out the plans others left comments about.
Thanks!
This makes me happy I wrote the post! I’m not alone! Hahaha!
Kerrie, you aren’t losing those last five pounds because you aren’t eating enough. Seriously, 1,300-1,500 calories is not enough for the amount of exercise you do.
Research it a little bit and you’ll see that people say you have to eat more to lose weight. Crazy I know, but otherwise your body goes into starvation mode and hangs on to everything and your meetabolism slows.
I’m wanting to lose about 10 pounds total, and have lost about 2 so far. I’ve started strength training because I know that muscle burns calories. I do cardio on the days I don’t run and strength train 5 days a week (at home, but joining a gym soon). I have various Jillian DVDs and also dumbbells. Work upper body one day, and the next day core or lower body. Just give whatever body part you worked a rest day or two before working it again.
I really like Jillian Michaels No More Trouble Zones DVD. It’s almost an hour and is a great strength workout. Not a lot of cardio but it does get my heart rate elevated and I’m dripping in sweat throughout the workout. All you need is a little bit of floor space and dumbbells (I use 5 lb but Jillian uses 3 lb).
Good luck! You WILL do it.
Oh, and I forgot to say that Pinterest has some really great workouts you can do from home. Check out Bodyrock.tv for Crossfit type workouts that are only 12 minutes long.
Great tips. Thank you!!!!
I think not focusing on a number on a scale is really going to help you. I know it has really helped me and changed my outlook on a healthy fit body. I’ve weighed less than I do now yet still had a jiggly tummy. My goal now is to focus on tightening up that tummy, arms and thighs. Like you read on my post, I know HIIT, weights and eating clean are what’s going to help me in that.
I actually emailed Jess and asked her some questions too about gaining muscle and losing fat. She is the best!
I don’t track my calories but I do try to eat the 5-6 meals with more focus on protein and healthy fats. I just focus on eathing healthy and lots of veggies, fiber and protein so it fills me up at each meal. It’s worked for me so far.
I saw someone comment about Jamie Eason Live Fit trainer. I did her workouts and they are a great guide to working out with weights and it’s awesome too cause they show you video on how to do the exercise properly.
Also saw someone mention the New Rules of Lifting for Woman. I haven’t tried that one but have heard it’s a great book/workout.
Not sure if you read Meals and Miles blog but she posted all her progress along with pics and final review. Very helpful!
http://mealsandmiles.com/new-rules-of-lifting-for-women-recaps/
And here’s a facebook site I just recently started following. She does virtual personal training and has ran half marathons so can tailor workouts and meal plans to your personal goals.
https://www.facebook.com/#!/thegetinshapegirl
This is the post that I actually saw shared by someone else.
http://www.thegetinshapegirl.com/how-to-get-visible-abs-without-dieting/
Anyway I hope you continue to post your progress in your journey 🙂
Thank you for all the links, Cynthia! Definitely going to look now…
I have definitely noticed that the “weight loss” rules have changed for me since I started training for my first half marathon last year and it has been frustrating! When I first started running the weight literally melted off, but the more I ran, the harder it became! Argh!
I have read a ton this past year and came to the same conclusion as you…I need to actually eat MORE. In one respect I can’t wait until my marathon is over (MCM on 10/28!!!) so I can really get back to the business of getting to my goal weight/fitness level. One resource I have really found to be helpful is the Eat More to Weigh Less forum at http://www.myfitnesspal.com/ – tons of info and support. Good luck!!
I will definitely check that out!
eeek! definitely nerve-wracking. we work so hard to lose weight – it’s scary to think about eating more (than we were while trying to lose). i know you’ll keep an eye on it though and if things start ticking back up you can re-align yourself. good luck, hope it’s going well so far!