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wild_wild_wes
05-07-10, 10:43
Here is a graph of my weight loss to date:
http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k132/pseudonominus/image004.png

Here are detail graphs from the period I have where I kept documentation that allowed me to generate graphs for Daily Calories Consumed, and Hours of Cardio Per Week:

Weight Loss:
http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k132/pseudonominus/image001.png

Daily Calories Consumed:
http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k132/pseudonominus/image002.png

Hours of Cardio Per Week (this does not include Strength Training)- note that this is not the same time period as the two graphs above (smaller data range):
http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k132/pseudonominus/image003.png

(I sized the graphs to allow direct comparisons, but somehow switching between microsoft products embiggened the Cardio graph)

Now: I am trying to figure out how to regain the weight loss rate seen t the beginning of my program. Alas, I was not recording data at the time, so I do not know how many calories I was consuming, or how much exercise I was performing at the time of greatest loss. So, I decided to generate those graphs to see if I could spot any trends that would help me set my intake and expenditure levels.

My big problem is deciding Caloric Intake. As you can see, I have changed the amount of daily calories frequently; this was either to try higher or lower intake levels, or if I was trying different macronutrient levels, or like at 07/10, when I tried Atkins. The second is determine how much Cardio I should do; is more always better?

Not on the weightloss graph: This morning's weigh-in (which I do once a month, on the 1st.), in which I lost two more pounds; this makes a (small) loss for three straight months. The latest theory I have been trying is that the stress hormone Cortisol, which begins to be produced after about 45 minutes into a workout, causes some physiological reaction that is inimical to weight loss- along with causing high blood pressure, inflammation, and other nastiness as well; in light of this, I now limit my workouts to 45 minutes or less, both Weights and Cardio.

I now workout six times a week, Monday-through Saturday: Cardio first thing in the morning before work, and Weights as soon as I get home. Saturday I still do break the Cortisol limit rule and bike up to three hours.

So, what do you think?