What am I doing wrong?

[rddaniel13]

I am becoming frustrated with working out. I have been actively going to the gym since mid-February after I was cleared by my doctor to return to normal physical activity. However, I have lost a grand total of 2 pounds. Here is how my routine breaks down I do 20-30 minutes of cardio 5-6 times a week, I lift free weights 2-3 times a week doing at least 2 sets of 10 reps for each exercise. I've noticed I've toned up, but I'm not losing weight and I've become so frustrated. I've given up my favorite foods and cut back on my calories but to no avail. I've said all of that to say this, what am I doing wrong?

[Boss Man]

You may be gaining some muscle and losing a bit of fat, but ultimately replacing some Fat with muscle.

It may also be down to your diet as well.

What meals are you eating and what times?

[rddaniel13]

I eat breakfast around 8AM usually it's either cereal or eggs with green tea as my drink. I eat lunch around 12:30 or 1, usually that's chicken breast and brown rice. Dinner usually is around 5 or 6 and that usually beef or chicken. I try to snack on fruits or a hand full of sugar-free cereal. I only drink water or green tea, no soda or sweet drinks.

[Athene]

Sometimes recomposition happens, rather than weight loss. Are you okay with the idea of slowly becoming more muscular, with less fat, or do you really want to see the scale change?

If the latter is your preference, I want to know why! Are you in danger, with your current weight?

[Boss Man]

I eat breakfast around 8AM usually it's either cereal or eggs with green tea as my drink.

(Have Cereal and Eggs, rather than either or, to keep things consistent.)

I eat lunch around 12:30 or 1, usually that's chicken breast and brown rice.

(Fine)

Dinner usually is around 5 or 6 and that usually beef or chicken.

(Add things in there like Veggies, Mushrooms, Rice, Lentils, Beans, Peas etc if you don't already.)

I try to snack on fruits or a hand full of sugar-free cereal. I only drink water or green tea, no soda or sweet drinks.

(The snacks are okay, but you can have other things like Peanuts, Nuts, Carrot Sticks, Celery Sticks, Nut Yoghurts, Low Fat Cheese, Microwave Beans, Rice and Soups, Avocado, Salads, Tofu, Sandwiches etc. Obviously some of those are partial options not complete options so they would be combined with other options.)

[dhix]

Try HIIT (high intensity interval training). You probably shouldn't be too concerned with the scales- so much as body transformation. After all, isn't that what your after anyway?