Why didnt the gym work?

[Onlyme2008]

Right... looking for some advice.

Im 26 about 5'5 and a half, size 16, im approx 4 stone overweight.
i have tried every diet under the sun!! u name it ive tried it and while these diets do actually work for a short while and i lose say 1-2 stone, i ALWAYS end up putting it back on!! so......
i decided to give them up and just simply eat and healthy balanced diet and do some exercise, so this is what i did...

mon-fri id do 45mins cardio in the gym

id eat 3 meals a day and have 2 snacks of fruit or raw veg in between,
id cut out all the crap i was eating and ate 3 healthy balanced meals.

i felt amazing!! i felt so good inside and my whole attitude had changed, i was positive, more confident and i just simply felt great,

after 2 weeks of this( i wasnt expecting miracles) i got on the scales and NOTHING, i lost nothing!! i was gutted to say the very least!! i didnt expect miracles but at least a 2 pound so i measured round my thigs and arms and waste expecting half an inch lost but again NOTHING!!

what am i doing wrong? i lost 7lbs the first week when i did slimming world and i ate loads on that! i lost 5lb on weight watchers first week, i lost 5 lb on the slimfast in my first week and i even lost 4 llb on the low carb in the first week!!!
this totally demotived me, i know i should stick at it but feel like there is not point

:o(

[abstract]

keep going,you've lost weight and put on muscle so your weights still the same and the muscle's probably still covered by the fat,keep that in mind and let that motivate you,like you said you feel positive,confident,healthier and GRRRREEEAAAAATTT! so your obviously doing something right,its a hard slog but in the end its all worth it! KEEP GOING and all the best!

[Taylortax]

Abstract's right. Muscle is denser than fat so you won't notice any weight loss for a while, but gradually you will find your clothes "getting a bit bigger". And if you're feeling great, that's half the battle! Good Luck!!

[abstract]

why did'nt the gym work?
well maybe jims a lazy benefit cheat? hahaha!

[lajohn]

Life is short, the world will end soon. Live your life to the fullest and eat what you want. Won�t you eat that extra slice of pie, chocolate or scoop of ice cream if you knew you were going to die tomorrow? Treat every day as if it's your last!

[lajohn]

Remember - Fat is Wealth.

[~max~]

Same happened to me a while back (well, 10 years...lol). I went on a healthy eating plan, and did lots of exercise. I was 11 st for 5'9 (which now I realise wasn't that overweight!). In two months, I lost a whooping....4kgs (about 8lbs)....lol

I was very disappointed to say the least. But then I went back home and tried my clothes on!!!! Nothing fit anymore, and I'd gone down 2 dress sizes! :O)

So, instead of measuring weight loss, it's better to measure inches lost. Since you exercise, you build up muscle, which weighs comparatively more than fat. Plus, you'll definitely see results, when maybe you won't so much with your weight.

Keep at it, you're in the right path and you will succeed!

[~max~]

Oh, and I was also able to complete a 3 mile run without stopping, when 2 months previously I couldn't even run a mile. :O)

[Alibobs]

Your fitness is much more important thanyour actual weight - keep at it

[christyg]

I have had this problem for the last 2 years! I have not noticed a change in bodyshape, my clothes are not looser, I exercise 5 times a week ( well, I enjoy it!) and eat sensibly . Yes, I geuss I'm fairly fit for my age but I need to lose weight as I don't feel right. I am 5' 6" and weigh nearly 12 stone!