Why am I not losing any visible weight?!
Question: So, I've been working out almost everyday (on a healthy routine...not over or under-doing it), both lifting and aerobic. I've also been eating a completely overhauled diet, and I mean "completely" (I usually less than 1,500 calories a day, and all of those calories come from good foods like whole-grain breads, grilled chicken, turkeyt breast, bananas, and a protien shake).
I've been doing this religiously for about 3 and a half months now, and while I feel great (much stronger, much more energy, very alert & energetic), I've seen very little actual physical difference. I'm not really a fat or even a chubby guy necessarily (6 ft even, 185lbs...but muscular), but there's decent layer of flab over all of my muscles that I've never been able to get rid of, and it still isn't going anywhere, even after 16 weeks of hardcore diet & training.
What the hell am I supposed to do?! I'm about to give up. Are some people just genetically unable to get ripped, no matter what they do? Help
Answers: So, I've been working out almost everyday (on a healthy routine...not over or under-doing it), both lifting and aerobic. I've also been eating a completely overhauled diet, and I mean "completely" (I usually less than 1,500 calories a day, and all of those calories come from good foods like whole-grain breads, grilled chicken, turkeyt breast, bananas, and a protien shake).
I've been doing this religiously for about 3 and a half months now, and while I feel great (much stronger, much more energy, very alert & energetic), I've seen very little actual physical difference. I'm not really a fat or even a chubby guy necessarily (6 ft even, 185lbs...but muscular), but there's decent layer of flab over all of my muscles that I've never been able to get rid of, and it still isn't going anywhere, even after 16 weeks of hardcore diet & training.
What the hell am I supposed to do?! I'm about to give up. Are some people just genetically unable to get ripped, no matter what they do? Help
NO! BE PATIENT! Just because you do not see results right away does not mean that you are not making progress. Of course you are. You've gone too far to come back, and in a very healthy way, so please keep doing what you're doing! Even if you don't lose weight straight away, you are getting fit and are more energetic - THAT IS PROGRESS! Remember that being fit is a lifestyle, not a temporary diet.
1. Consider your sodium and potassium intake. If you eat too much sodium (from salt, processed foods, etc.), you retain water in your body (it can be as little as half a pount or even 7 pounds of mere water weight). Basically, this fluid just makes you look fat. Also, potassium neutralizes sodium in yoru body, if you don't get enough of it (though it looks like you does from the foods you mention) you may retain water too. Drink more water if you aren't, too, as you might be dehydrated.
2. Have you thought of "mixing up" your exercising habits? If you do the same things over and over, soon enough your body might adapt to it and may conserve energy. So, try challenging your body with different routines.
4. To look "cut", you must have a very low body-fat level and a lot of muscle. Achieving this WILL take quite a while, more than just a couple of months. It depends on how your body handles it. So, I cannot emphasize this enough... BE PATIENT! You ARE making progress!
You say you eat around 1,500 calories a day. This may be slowing your metabolism causing you to not lose the weight. I suggest you try to eat around 2000 calories a day but in 5-6 small meals throughout the day.
You might not be eating enough. I know this may sound strange but 1500 calories for a 6' 185 pound guy sounds a little low. What is your protien intake. Try to take in one gram of protien for every pound you weigh. Also, try upping your cardio and switching to lower weight when you lift. Supplement a protien shake into your routine and add some cottage cheese as a snack. Good luck, don't give up.
It is most likely your training program, the amount of time and what weights you are working with make a huge difference, you say you are not over doing it so most likely you are just doing enough to maintain your current weight with the added benfits of energy and a feeling of well being.
speak to a trainer at your gym and tell him you want to do and he/she will give you an adequate routine.
increase your intensity in the gym, drop the machines. stick to heavy compound lifts like the squat and deadlift.
also, increase your calories to about 2000, but honestly 185lbs at 6ft is rather thin, you think you are fat but you aren't. i would eat a 3500 calorie diet, hit the weights hard, and build some muscle so you have some shape to you. the more muscle you build, the easier it is to burn fat.