Mixed messages about working out

So I was going to the gym 6 days a week and was so excited because I went from 30 minutes on the elliptical to 45 minutes, and increased the resistance AND I can't believe how much faster I am! Then I stopped losing. I was losing about 4 pounds a week, so I called my surgeon's office and the nurse tells me I'm way over doing it - the thing is I feel GREAT! I would think that if I was doing too much that I would be tired and feel like crap but I don't. I think it would make sense that as gain muscle and lose fat I would gain a little so this shouldn't be a bad thing. I feel that my surgeon just wants me to lose as much as I can right now, which I do too, but working out has to become part of my life and my strength and endurance should be increasing, right? Anyone have similar dealings? Annette 293/203

I don't know about your Doc but when I went in the day of my surgery the rehab Dr came in and talked to me and they told me that I should be working out 6 days a week to start off and then when I hit my goal I could drop down to 3-4 days and after that no less than 2-3 days a week for the rest of my life. So they way I look at it, if you feel good and aren't having any issues health wise I would keep up the Great work. because the alternative is what sitting on the couch watching TV??? Maybe change up what you are doing at the gym might help the weight loss thing but at this stage you are going to be slowing down some anyway. I think you are doing awesome!! but that is of course my opinion and we all know what those are like :-~ Diana 267/194/165

A couple things...1) Keep up the GREAT work! If you feel good, and are motivated, then in my opinion, you are NOT overdoing it. Overdoing it means you feel like crap. You ache and are tired, and moody and you feel that exercising is a chore and a burden. It doesn't sound like you are over doing it to me! 2) You have probably stopped losing for any number of reasons. The two biggest: Your body is conserving because it is scared that it is in a famine time. Make sure you are getting enough calories. Add an extra 100-200 calories and see if it doesn help, but make them healthy calories (fruit, veggies, etc). Or, your body is just stalling for a time to play catch up. Take your measurements and see if you are still dropping inches. I suspect it has to do with not enough calories, but I don't know your dietary routine. Avoid the carbs, keep the protein up, make sure you are getting in at least 1000 calories a day, maybe a little more since you are exercising so much. I found that I was exercising like a maniac and life was great. But over time I started eating too many carbs and my body switched from fat burner to carb burner and sadly I was giving it enough carbs that my loss completely stalled. I only burned what I put it my mouth. It was a real eye opener and I am trying to get back on track. One day at a time! Good luck and awesome job!

Hi Annette, WOW, you go girl! Way to go on your weight loss thus far, I wish I had your drive for exercise! I'd ignore that nurse. If you feel good, then keep it up! You may want to consume more calories since you are burning more and see if that helps and also, mix up your workout. If all you're doing is the elliptical, you may want to add in other things so your body doesn't get used to one workout. Hope his helps. Keep up the great work! -Lynn Lap RNY 8-16-05 297/217/140