Not sure if I'm doing something right... or wrong..

helaurin

This feels really weird... I've always struggled to lose weight with little success.

As a note, while I've always struggled to lose weight and despite my then-best efforts, never could lose more than four or five pounds (usually quickly regained)... back in July 2012, I was 190 pounds. My employer put me in a 100-day weight loss challenge, which got me down to 167 or so. And I got stuck. After a while being stuck, I gave up for a while and regained ten pounds back, putting me at 177.

Earlier this year, it took me 60 days to lose those ten pounds (went from 177.4 to 167.4), which I regained over the course of the year... I just couldn't break the barrier that my body seems to have at going below 167-168 pounds. After a few weeks of being stuck there, and with other pressures (work/home) mounting, I took a break from watching my diet. As I said, my weight went back up over the course of several months.

I restarted my diet/watchful eating 16 days ago, starting from 180.2 and I've dropped ten pounds - was 170.0 this morning.

So... why did it take me 60 days earlier this year to lose those ten pounds, and why (happily) did it only take 16 days this time to lose those (same) ten pounds?

Is it because weight comes off easier the second (or third) time around?

Am I doing something right that I don't quite yet understand this time?

Or am I doing something wrong and losing weight too quickly?

I'm a bit worried that after experiencing this quick success, that I am going to be hitting that same 167-168 pound wall again very soon. If I am doing something right... I need to really understand what it is so that I don't screw it up.

I'm a long way from being a healthy weight/body type. Ideally, I should weigh between 95 - 128 lbs, with 110 being smack in the middle, so I have a very long way to go. I'd be pleased to get to 150 (which would move me from the Obese category of BMI to the Overweight category)... and I'd be positively amazed if I could then get to 127 (which would put me in the Normal BMI category). And 110 would be... well, I don't know.. .indescribable, since I was at least 130 pounds when I graduated high school more than thirty years ago, that would be like going to my middle-school weight.

Thoughts about why it was so hard to lose those ten pounds the first time versus this time? And how to punch through the 167-168 lb wall I'm worried that I'm about to hit?

I'll also mention - it's important I lose weight for a lot of reasons. Health being one; I have injuries to my back from a car accident and an old injury to my knees that prevents certain types of activity. On top of that, my employer measures us every year now (weight and a tape measure around the waist) and if we don't measure up to standards, we risk getting hit with a health insurance premium surcharge. And... I'm a kinship foster parent, and there is a chance that I'll need to be around to raise my grandchild.

redfisher1974

Not sure how to answer this but really 10lbs in 60 days is still a good loss.

redheaddee

According to your diary, you are averaging 1200 calories/day. Google Scooby calculator and figure out what you should be eating, as opposed to MFPs calculator, which is not the best. You may be dropping fast because your calories are that low, but with the possibility of your calories being too low, you will not maintain over the long haul. 10 pounds in 16 days sounds primarily like water weight.

erickirb

10 lbs in 60 days is really how long it should take, about 1 lb/week, this was a little faster than that. losing 10 lbs in 16 days is not healthy, and with the amount you are looking at losing you should not be aiming for more than 1lb/week anyway

PeterSedesse

Yeah, forget about speed, concentrating on losing about a 1lb per week in a way that is sustainable for a loooong time and that gives you a quality of life that makes you happy. Forget about the word ´dieting´ instead concentrate on improving the way you live by making meaningful and sustainable changes to your diet.

helaurin

redheaddee wrote: »

According to your diary, you are averaging 1200 calories/day. Google Scooby calculator and figure out what you should be eating, as opposed to MFPs calculator, which is not the best. You may be dropping fast because your calories are that low, but with the possibility of your calories being too low, you will not maintain over the long haul. 10 pounds in 16 days sounds primarily like water weight.

Thanks, I did try the Scooby calculator, here are the results, based on my current weight and body fat percentage:

Calories to maintain current weight: 1,592

Calories to lose weight at the rate of .6 pounds per week (20% calorie reduction): 1,273
Calories to lose weight at the rate of .8 pounds per week (25% calorie reduction): 1,194

Cortneyrenee04

I've tried to lose weight so many times in the past and I think I just wasn't ready. So it seems easier now. Not sure if this is true for you.

I would definitely remove the thought of hitting your wall at 167. I don't think it's your body, I think it's your mind. Just forget about that and keep on plugging away.

I would really recommend eating more than 1200, because when your losses do slow down, you can't really lower from there.

I_Will_End_You

helaurin wrote: »

redheaddee wrote: »

According to your diary, you are averaging 1200 calories/day. Google Scooby calculator and figure out what you should be eating, as opposed to MFPs calculator, which is not the best. You may be dropping fast because your calories are that low, but with the possibility of your calories being too low, you will not maintain over the long haul. 10 pounds in 16 days sounds primarily like water weight.

Thanks, I did try the Scooby calculator, here are the results, based on my current weight and body fat percentage:

Calories to maintain current weight: 1,592

Calories to lose weight at the rate of .6 pounds per week (20% calorie reduction): 1,273
Calories to lose weight at the rate of .8 pounds per week (25% calorie reduction): 1,194

1592 sounds like a very low number to maintain your weight. I think you may have done something wrong.

Honestly? You've probably dropped a lot of water weight. It's likely that the first 10 lbs are not predominantly fat. Not trying to be discouraging, just honest. When people first start trying to lose weight, they generally clean up their diets, eating much less sodium and carbs. This can cause a decent drop in water weight.

helaurin

I_Will_End_You wrote: »

helaurin wrote: »

redheaddee wrote: »

According to your diary, you are averaging 1200 calories/day. Google Scooby calculator and figure out what you should be eating, as opposed to MFPs calculator, which is not the best. You may be dropping fast because your calories are that low, but with the possibility of your calories being too low, you will not maintain over the long haul. 10 pounds in 16 days sounds primarily like water weight.

Thanks, I did try the Scooby calculator, here are the results, based on my current weight and body fat percentage:

Calories to maintain current weight: 1,592

Calories to lose weight at the rate of .6 pounds per week (20% calorie reduction): 1,273
Calories to lose weight at the rate of .8 pounds per week (25% calorie reduction): 1,194

1592 sounds like a very low number to maintain your weight. I think you may have done something wrong.

Honestly? You've probably dropped a lot of water weight. It's likely that the first 10 lbs are not predominantly fat. Not trying to be discouraging, just honest. When people first start trying to lose weight, they generally clean up their diets, eating much less sodium and carbs. This can cause a decent drop in water weight.

Thanks, I know you're not trying to be discouraging. I had figured that the first five pounds or so was water weight, but was hoping at least "some" of that ten pounds was fat. Oh well.

As far as calories, I've tried a couple other calculators too, using the "what if I wanted to maintain my current weight?" so I know what I have to start with to create a deficit.

Results (to maintain weight, not lose weight):


ChooseMyPlate.gov: 1,600
AuthorityNutrition: 1,563
mayoclinic.org: 1,450
caloriescount.com: 1,561
FitnessMagazine.com: 1,719

Kind of all over the map, but average between those sites is 1,578 calories to maintain weight. Assuming I want to create a 3,500/week calorie deficit, I'd have to keep my calories at 1,078 per day, which is really low. I feel more comfortable shooting for the 1,200 to 1,400 daily range.

esjones12

You are missing the forest by looking for a specific tree. Or however that saying goes..

Consistency is key! It sounds like you started some good stuff over the years but then went right back to your old habits. What you need to do is pick a plan and stick to it...preferably a plan that involves a healthy lifestyle that can be maintained for the rest of your life!

Since you are on MFP, enter your information: height, weight, activity level, loss per week (go for 1lb a week). Then weigh and measure your food for a few weeks. If you exercise, great! Log it into MFP and eat back half of those calories (MFP over estimates your burns and the deficit is calculated into your non-exercise calories - so eat what you exercise or you will probably be hungry a lot!). Do this consistently for a few weeks. If no change, then you need to lower your calories. If you are losing but are constantly hungry then you need to up your calories.

Weight loss is a journey that takes time and constant monitoring and changing of habits and routines. But it is doable! And it can be fun!

Best of luck.

I_Will_End_You

helaurin wrote: »

I_Will_End_You wrote: »

helaurin wrote: »

redheaddee wrote: »

According to your diary, you are averaging 1200 calories/day. Google Scooby calculator and figure out what you should be eating, as opposed to MFPs calculator, which is not the best. You may be dropping fast because your calories are that low, but with the possibility of your calories being too low, you will not maintain over the long haul. 10 pounds in 16 days sounds primarily like water weight.

Thanks, I did try the Scooby calculator, here are the results, based on my current weight and body fat percentage:

Calories to maintain current weight: 1,592

Calories to lose weight at the rate of .6 pounds per week (20% calorie reduction): 1,273
Calories to lose weight at the rate of .8 pounds per week (25% calorie reduction): 1,194

1592 sounds like a very low number to maintain your weight. I think you may have done something wrong.

Honestly? You've probably dropped a lot of water weight. It's likely that the first 10 lbs are not predominantly fat. Not trying to be discouraging, just honest. When people first start trying to lose weight, they generally clean up their diets, eating much less sodium and carbs. This can cause a decent drop in water weight.

Thanks, I know you're not trying to be discouraging. I had figured that the first five pounds or so was water weight, but was hoping at least "some" of that ten pounds was fat. Oh well.

As far as calories, I've tried a couple other calculators too, using the "what if I wanted to maintain my current weight?" so I know what I have to start with to create a deficit.

Results (to maintain weight, not lose weight):


ChooseMyPlate.gov: 1,600
AuthorityNutrition: 1,563
mayoclinic.org: 1,450
caloriescount.com: 1,561
FitnessMagazine.com: 1,719

Kind of all over the map, but average between those sites is 1,578 calories to maintain weight. Assuming I want to create a 3,500/week calorie deficit, I'd have to keep my calories at 1,078 per day, which is really low. I feel more comfortable shooting for the 1,200 to 1,400 daily range.

Some of it could have been fat, I just wouldn't count on all of it. What are you stats? (age, height, weight, activity level...and how you decided that was an appropriate activity level)

Abby2205

[quote=
1592 sounds like a very low number to maintain your weight. I think you may have done something wrong. [/quote]

No, it's right (subject to minor variations between estimating calculators). OP's healthy weight range suggests she is 5 feet tall. A woman, fiftyish, 170 lbs, 5 feet tall and sedentary really needs very few calories to maintain, unfortunately, and can't generate a large calorie deficit.

As an aside, your employer put you on a weight loss program and weighs and measures you? Was this mandatory? Is your weight relevant to your job?

helaurin

Yes, I am 5' 0" tall, and am hoping that a series of cortisone injections will help relieve back pain from a car accident last year; in the meantime, I'm fairly sedentary.

Weight isn't relevant to my job duties in any manner. I have a desk job, and don't see customers; it's all back-office work. Anyone who takes the employer-sponsored health insurance benefit has to accept an annual weigh-in, waist-measurement, as well as blood draw to measure cholesterol, triglycerides and blood sugar levels. If you (or your spouse if they are on the plan) to do this, each person is assessed an extra $20/week from their pay. If you have fail to reach the acceptable benchmarks in each category, then for each category where you missed the mark, you have to do education. If you miss the mark in any three categories, you get assessed $20/week for the entire following calendar year.

My employer did offer a one-time, optional, free program for 100 days for those who were willing to try to lose weight. Most people found the program a bit too challenging. It consisted of a one-page nutritional guideline sheet where the fitness consultant gave you your target calorie range, a weekly exercise plan emailed to participants, and the goal was to lose at least 1% of your body weight each week.

Other than that, any weight loss programs, weight loss surgery, etc. are excluded from our health insurance coverage. The expectation is that employees and covered spouses should simply eat better and theoretically be healthier.