Forever Fat

fnub

I started using this app on the 13th of November because I am morbidly obese (312lb's). I opened the app and entered my weight and other stats. I'm assuming that the app decides what my caloric intake should be for the day if I want to lose 2lb's/week.

My caloric intake was set up by the app @ 1720 calories. For the past 15 days straight I have eaten well under my allowable caloric intake. Plus I've gone to the gym every day. Unfortunately I can't lift weights because I have severe tendonitis in both forearms. So I rock the cross-trainer for 30 minutes at level 13. I average about 470 calories burned on the cross-trainer.

It's been 15 days in a row of extreme discipline and I haven't dropped a single ounce of weight and already I feel like giving up. Is it possible to lose inches and not lose weight? I've heard people say that, but it doesn't make sense. How can you lose inches without the weight coming off? I'll admit that I'm not measuring my waste and hips etc etc. But it seems pointless. If you're losing weight, your clothes will be loser on you as you lose weight (fat).

I was SO depressed this morning after weighing in that when I went to the gym and saw someone else on my machine, I just turned away and came home, feeling extremely un-motivated and angered. I feel like guzzling bacon grease...

I thought this app would help me shed the pounds. After following it's suggestions and seeing zero results, I'm not so sure.


Raging inside...

acorsaut89

fnub wrote: »

My caloric intake was set up by the app @ 1720 calories. For the past 15 days straight I have eaten well under my allowable caloric intake. Plus I've gone to the gym every day. Unfortunately I can't lift weights because I have severe tendonitis in both forearms. So I rock the cross-trainer for 30 minutes at level 13. I average about 470 calories burned on the cross-trainer.

Alright, did it take you 15 days to become morbidly obese? Probably not - it's taken me 2 years to drop and keep 70lbs off. I started at 320lbs and still have another 80ish to go. Therefore, it's going to take a heck of a lot longer to get to your goals than 15 days.

Further, are you weighing everything you eat? If you aren't weighing/measuring everything accurately chances are you're eating much more than you think you are. And how do you know you're burning 470 calories in 30 minutes on a cross trainer? I do spin and I only burn about 500 calories/hour on that. If you're using the machine and/or MFP for your calorie burn both can grossly over estimate what you burn.

I'd say it's more than likely a combination of you're eating more and burning less than you think.

wherezsue

Hi there...

yes, it can be frustrating. Couple of comments... how do you feel in your body now? Have you noticed any other changes?

The weight on the scale is a very poor indication of change... how you feel, how your clothes fit, etc are more indicative of change.
Muscle is more dense than fat, so takes up less 'room' - so if you have gained muscle and lost fat, the scales will say the same thing. But, muscle burns more calories than fat. So muscle is good.

Also - it takes time for your body to adjust to the new lifestyle... 15 days is too soon to be measuring yourself... wait at least a month - if not more.

Measuring your waist with a tape measure reveals more accurate change than the scale - throw the scale away and keep doing the right thing, change will come.

Finally - did you put all the weight on in only 15 days? Give it time... persistence will create results.

Good luck.

acorsaut89

wherezsue wrote: »

Muscle is more dense than fat, so takes up less 'room' - so if you have gained muscle and lost fat, the scales will say the same thing. But, muscle burns more calories than fat. So muscle is good.

Yes muscle is more dense so you can get the same amount of muscle (in weight) into a more compact space than fat but he probably didn't gain any noticeable amount of muscle in just 15 days to account for not dropping any pounds. The kind of gain requires a lot of time and a lot of lifting and he has pointed out he is only doing cardio and can't lift right now.

Sabine_Stroehm

For starters, don't eat WELL UNDER what it tells you. Eat what it tells you. Even the exercise calories. So 1720 PLUS 400.
If you're going to use the app as intended, then use it as intended.
Think of it this way: it's a goal number. Do you generally intentionally undershoot goals?

Or do the TDEE/BMR method, and eat THOSE calories AS INTENDED.

Before you give up, read this: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants

Good luck!

JoKessho

Are you drinking enough water? I had a look through your diary and you seem to be over on the sodium and carbs quite a few times. These will retain water (=more weight) if you're not staying hydrated. Try drinking around 3 L (100 US fl oz) water each day.

fnub

Sabine_Stroehm wrote: »

For starters, don't eat WELL UNDER what it tells you. Eat what it tells you. Even the exercise calories. So 1720 PLUS 400.
If you're going to use the app as intended, then use it as intended.
Think of it this way: it's a goal number. Do you generally intentionally undershoot goals?

Or do the TDEE/BMR method, and eat THOSE calories AS INTENDED.

Before you give up, read this: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants

Good luck!

Why would you want to eat those exercise calories? How is that going to help me lose weight? I thought this was a basic principle of calories in/calories out.

fnub

JoKessho wrote: »

Are you drinking enough water? I had a look through your diary and you seem to be over on the sodium and carbs quite a few times. These will retain water (=more weight) if you're not staying hydrated. Try drinking around 3 L (100 US fl oz) water each day.

For a while now we've had problems with our drinking water. We just rectified that so my intake should drastically increase.

Sabine_Stroehm

fnub wrote: »

Sabine_Stroehm wrote: »

For starters, don't eat WELL UNDER what it tells you. Eat what it tells you. Even the exercise calories. So 1720 PLUS 400.
If you're going to use the app as intended, then use it as intended.
Think of it this way: it's a goal number. Do you generally intentionally undershoot goals?

Or do the TDEE/BMR method, and eat THOSE calories AS INTENDED.

Before you give up, read this: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants

Good luck!

Why would you want to eat those exercise calories? How is that going to help me lose weight? I thought this was a basic principle of calories in/calories out.

It is.
Read the link.

TheVirgoddess

You say you're logging, but it doesn't look like you're actually weighing your food. Before you rage, try getting a food scale (~$15), and WEIGH everything. Measurements like "1/4 of a bell pepper" really don't mean much - along with "Homemade chicken soup - 1 serving".

Also, if MFP gives you 1720, your goal is to get as close to that as possible. Being under by a lot won't do you any favors (IMO).

I also never use machine or MFP estimates for my calorie burn. If I workout, I cut the time I worked out in half. I'd rather underestimate exercise than over estimate.

If you're going to get upset over 2 weeks with no change, this is going to be a very, very long journey for you.

fnub

acorsaut89 wrote: »

fnub wrote: »

My caloric intake was set up by the app @ 1720 calories. For the past 15 days straight I have eaten well under my allowable caloric intake. Plus I've gone to the gym every day. Unfortunately I can't lift weights because I have severe tendonitis in both forearms. So I rock the cross-trainer for 30 minutes at level 13. I average about 470 calories burned on the cross-trainer.

Alright, did it take you 15 days to become morbidly obese? Probably not - it's taken me 2 years to drop and keep 70lbs off. I started at 320lbs and still have another 80ish to go. Therefore, it's going to take a heck of a lot longer to get to your goals than 15 days.

Further, are you weighing everything you eat? If you aren't weighing/measuring everything accurately chances are you're eating much more than you think you are. And how do you know you're burning 470 calories in 30 minutes on a cross trainer? I do spin and I only burn about 500 calories/hour on that. If you're using the machine and/or MFP for your calorie burn both can grossly over estimate what you burn.

I'd say it's more than likely a combination of you're eating more and burning less than you think.

Yes, I measure everything.

All I was expecting was the weight loss of 1 or 2lb's per week as the app suggests.

About 9 10 years ago I lost over 85lb's and kept it off for 2 years. This was done using a lo-carb method and the pounds melted away. For now I'm going to ignore the scales, keep doing what I'm doing, eventually increase the amount of exercise that I do and the amount of water that I drink.

MagnumBurrito

Can you still strength train legs? Squatting doesn't really require forearms except for putting the weights on the barbell, which you could get help for.

You also may be eating more than you think.

SnuggleSmacks

Congratulations on making the very wise decision to get control of your weight now, while you're young. The older you are, the more difficult it can be.

It might help to know that your weight is made up of more than just fat. I know it's obvious when I say it that way, but when you get into the details, it really matters. Your total weight is made up of your bones, muscles, fat, organs, AND whatever food is in your system digesting AND water. Lots and lots of water.

The reason it's important to know that is because it can really feel discouraging when you know you're doing everything right and the scale doesn't budge. But there's lots of reasons why it's not budging, and the most likely culprit is water.

Your body will retain varying amounts of water for lots of different reasons.

For example, monthly hormonal fluctuations. This is more pronounced in menstruating women, but it does still apply to men. You have hormones too, and they also fluctuate...they're just not the same hormones.

Another reason you might retain water is the composition of your food. A sodium-heavy meal can cause your body to retain more water. Some specific macro and micronutrients can influence the amount of water your body needs to retain.

And the biggest reason that people new to getting fitter might retain water is simply the act of getting fit. When you change or increase your activity level, your body will retain water in order to facilitate muscle repair. You might not be lifting weights, but I bet you're still giving your legs a pretty good workout on that machine, right? So your muscles will hang on to some water to help out with repair.

You asked about losing inches without losing weight...absolutely! That's why it's better to not rely only on the scale to view your progress. Get a nice, flexible tape measure from a craft store. Also, if you have a trusted friend or loved one who you can ask for help, have photos taken about every 4 weeks, wearing something which will reveal your shape (underwear, tight or short shorts, whatever you're comfortable with), from the front, back and side, arms down and arms flexed. When you compare these photos side by side, you'll see differences that your scale will never be able to tell you about.

Good luck!

fnub

Measurements like "1/4 of a bell pepper" really don't mean much - along with "Homemade chicken soup - 1 serving".

MFP seems to know how many calories are in a bell pepper. I think MFP can do the math. Also the home-made chicken soup is made up of measured ingredients and created into a meal so I know exactly what's in the soup. Make sense?

fnub

SnuggleSmacks wrote: »

Congratulations on making the very wise decision to get control of your weight now, while you're young. The older you are, the more difficult it can be.

It might help to know that your weight is made up of more than just fat. I know it's obvious when I say it that way, but when you get into the details, it really matters. Your total weight is made up of your bones, muscles, fat, organs, AND whatever food is in your system digesting AND water. Lots and lots of water.

The reason it's important to know that is because it can really feel discouraging when you know you're doing everything right and the scale doesn't budge. But there's lots of reasons why it's not budging, and the most likely culprit is water.

Your body will retain varying amounts of water for lots of different reasons.

For example, monthly hormonal fluctuations. This is more pronounced in menstruating women, but it does still apply to men. You have hormones too, and they also fluctuate...they're just not the same hormones.

Another reason you might retain water is the composition of your food. A sodium-heavy meal can cause your body to retain more water. Some specific macro and micronutrients can influence the amount of water your body needs to retain.

And the biggest reason that people new to getting fitter might retain water is simply the act of getting fit. When you change or increase your activity level, your body will retain water in order to facilitate muscle repair. You might not be lifting weights, but I bet you're still giving your legs a pretty good workout on that machine, right? So your muscles will hang on to some water to help out with repair.

You asked about losing inches without losing weight...absolutely! That's why it's better to not rely only on the scale to view your progress. Get a nice, flexible tape measure from a craft store. Also, if you have a trusted friend or loved one who you can ask for help, have photos taken about every 4 weeks, wearing something which will reveal your shape (underwear, tight or short shorts, whatever you're comfortable with), from the front, back and side, arms down and arms flexed. When you compare these photos side by side, you'll see differences that your scale will never be able to tell you about.

Good luck!

Makes sense.
Thank you.

sdereski

It does seem odd that you haven't dropped any weight, especially with your workouts. However, there were lots of great comments /suggestions made, so don't despair! It will come off. Get that water in! I swear that is the secret.

acorsaut89

fnub wrote: »

acorsaut89 wrote: »

fnub wrote: »

My caloric intake was set up by the app @ 1720 calories. For the past 15 days straight I have eaten well under my allowable caloric intake. Plus I've gone to the gym every day. Unfortunately I can't lift weights because I have severe tendonitis in both forearms. So I rock the cross-trainer for 30 minutes at level 13. I average about 470 calories burned on the cross-trainer.

Alright, did it take you 15 days to become morbidly obese? Probably not - it's taken me 2 years to drop and keep 70lbs off. I started at 320lbs and still have another 80ish to go. Therefore, it's going to take a heck of a lot longer to get to your goals than 15 days.

Further, are you weighing everything you eat? If you aren't weighing/measuring everything accurately chances are you're eating much more than you think you are. And how do you know you're burning 470 calories in 30 minutes on a cross trainer? I do spin and I only burn about 500 calories/hour on that. If you're using the machine and/or MFP for your calorie burn both can grossly over estimate what you burn.

I'd say it's more than likely a combination of you're eating more and burning less than you think.

Yes, I measure everything.

All I was expecting was the weight loss of 1 or 2lb's per week as the app suggests.

About 9 10 years ago I lost over 85lb's and kept it off for 2 years. This was done using a lo-carb method and the pounds melted away. For now I'm going to ignore the scales, keep doing what I'm doing, eventually increase the amount of exercise that I do and the amount of water that I drink.

So can I ask why you aren't doing a low-carb diet again? I'm quite curious if it helped you lose 85 lbs. Is it because as soon as you eat carbs again you start gaining?

Also - MFP sets your calories at a level for losing already, so at 1720 MFP is putting you at a deficit. If you eat at a deficit of that deficit you could do more harm than good, and no I don't mean starvation mode. I would recommend eating back close to if not all of your exercise calories because it gives you more to eat in a day.

MidoriRyu76

Try Calorie King. I got there for more accurate calories then just add all the numbers in manually here

mgorham13

Hang in the, it's a process I didn't see much early on after 30 days my body caught on, after 60 I found a groove. You will too. I understand the deal with the forearms but do what you can with compound lifts, start light I did stronglifts 5X5. If that's not an option go hard on the legs they are your biggest muscles and you will get the most bang for your buck. Good luck and drink tons of water

crashchamp

I would suggest trying to change up your gym time for a time until your body gets used to working out. Make sure you incorporate some good rest days in. Maybe try 3-4 times a week for 60 minutes. instead of 7 days a week for 30 minutes. Also try some interval training instead of just going all out. On your rest days if anything just go on a walk or something easy. Any decent starter training program will be sure to have rest days built in. Good rest is part of your training.

I started weighing 330ish pounds and for the first month I only went to the gym 3 times a week. Now I am 3 months in and have upped that recently to 4-5 a week. For my work I pull an on call once every 8 weeks, so for that week I don't do any gym time I just make sure my calories are at goal or close every day. When I come back after a week off my energy is up and I feel a ton stronger/faster.

Also if money is not a huge issue I would recommend getting a heart rate monitor. This helped me with my workouts in a tremendous way.

segacs

This might be an obvious question but I don't see anyone else asking it yet so I will: Have you consulted a doctor before embarking on this weight loss program? The reason I ask is, it is possible you have some underlying medical issues that are making it tougher on you to lose weight. Anyway, if you're very overweight, you probably want to get a go-ahead and possibly some medical supervision during this process.

But 15 days is nothing. Keep at it! Results will happen if you stick with it.

Kalikel

If you start weighing your food, you will very quickly see that the labels lie. Most food you eat has more calories, a few have less. If you want to have a good idea of how many calories you're eating, you have to weigh the stuff.

You don't need to count calories to lose weight, but if you're going to go the route of counting, count as accurately as you can.

When you start working out, you may add some water weight. If you stick with it regularly, the scale will reflect the results.

I don't personally care if you quit. It won't affect my weight! But you should try taking it all seriously and do the work that is required of whatever method you choose. Stick with it...because it works! In the end, you'll be happier and healthier!!

You should see your doctor now if you haven't done that yet. That's the smartest way to start. Then follow his advice, which I'm sure will include eating healthier foods and exercising.

fearlessleader104

A quick glance at your diary is making me about 95% sure you are under reporting the calories you are eating. Spend more time online figuring out calories for each thing you eat.

I don't exercise and I have been losing the weight following mfp and counting calories.

TheVirgoddess

fnub wrote: »

Measurements like "1/4 of a bell pepper" really don't mean much - along with "Homemade chicken soup - 1 serving".

MFP seems to know how many calories are in a bell pepper. I think MFP can do the math. Also the home-made chicken soup is made up of measured ingredients and created into a meal so I know exactly what's in the soup. Make sense?

Do you know what a medium bell pepper looks like? Because mine come in all different sizes. And medium to me won't be medium to you.

And the soup - what's one serving? How did you figure it?

My point is, unless you're WEIGHING everything, you can't state that you're "eating well under your allotted caloric intake" - because you actually have no real idea what you're eating.

You asked for help, I'm trying to give it. You can either keep doing what you're doing, or you can try something new that has worked for most people on this site (including me, having lost almost 60 pounds in seven months).

fitmissbliss

TheVirgoddess wrote: »

fnub wrote: »

Measurements like "1/4 of a bell pepper" really don't mean much - along with "Homemade chicken soup - 1 serving".

MFP seems to know how many calories are in a bell pepper. I think MFP can do the math. Also the home-made chicken soup is made up of measured ingredients and created into a meal so I know exactly what's in the soup. Make sense?

Do you know what a medium bell pepper looks like? Because mine come in all different sizes. And medium to me won't be medium to you.

And the soup - what's one serving? How did you figure it?

My point is, unless you're WEIGHING everything, you can't state that you're "eating well under your allotted caloric intake" - because you actually have no real idea what you're eating.

You asked for help, I'm trying to give it. You can either keep doing what you're doing, or you can try something new that has worked for most people on this site (including me, having lost almost 60 pounds in seven months).

WORD.

nikki0308hope

Don't give up. I don't have a great advice to give you. The only thing that I know if you are willing to do this then do it without giving up, you will be disappointed some times but don't give up. Try harder and I am sure you will soon start to see the difference. Remember it takes 4 weeks for you to notice your body changing, 8 weeks for your friends and 12 weeks for the rest of the world. Give it 12 weeks. Don't Quit! And a last thing, that hard thing is to start, if you decided to start losing weight then I am sure it will get easier on the way.

dramaqueen45

Two years ago I gave up on MFP because I had started losing weight and then decided to do the Julian Michaels 30 day shred. After the first week I put on some weight. I couldn't figure out why because I had not changed my eating. It got me so discouraged that I quit, gained back the weight and didn't try again for two years. Well since then I have educated myself and now know that intense exercise will at first make you retain water weight. Don't give up. It will come off if you continue to eat a deficit.

funchords

Hi fnub ... M 51 5'11" SW:298 CW:224 GW:~208 Have lost 74 lbs on MFP & Walking 3x week (no gym)

Wow, man. I feel for you. At this point, I had lost well over 10 lbs.. I'm not sure what's tripping you up, but you're doing everything right from what this amateur can see.

Speaking of amateurs -- there are a lot of 'em trying to help and support you. But we're all fellow travelers.

My thoughts on your failure to launch:

• Give it more time. If you went from sedentary to the cross-trainer, your body may be in shock and holding water. If you're "feeling the burn" from these workouts, it's almost certain that it's water. You are burning fat but holding water to repair muscle.
• Lighten up on the workout. At this point, it is important that you start seeing the scale move, so don't press for top scores on the crosstrainer. Don't add minutes or levels -- in fact, back off 10% on both and just take an enjoyable ride -- 27 minutes on level 11 -- for three weeks. Let your body catch up with your willpower.
• Drink extra water. Carry a bottle with you and down as many bottles as you can during the day. Your pee should be white (clear) if you're doing this enough.
• Congrats on your food diary. It looks really good to me. You have some opportunities in there if you're not getting enough food (example: trade the ginger ale for diet-something with 0 calories). But I'm not seeing you complain about not enough food so it's fine.
• Make sure your scale isn't screwed up. Weigh holding a couple of liters of liquid, make sure you see about 8-9 pounds more while you're holding two liters in your arms.
• Take your measurements. Honestly, you wouldn't have seen anything in two weeks, but a stall like this is normal within the first couple of months of weight loss. You also will be the last person to see the weight loss in the mirror (it's a trick of the mind). So track your neck, waist, and hips so that you have the starting number for later.

Buddy, send me a PM if you want to talk further. These forums get a little hard for me to read -- some people are so eager to help they seem to forget they're talking to a real person on the other side. I'll be happy to encourage you any way that I can.

peachyfuzzle

From everything I have been able to read online, going from an utter couch potato to beginning a workout program will force your muscles to retain fluid. That could be part of it.

Also, make sure you're measuring yourself weekly/bi-weekly. The scale lies, and fluctuates. As long as the tape keeps getting smaller, you're going in the right direction.

Give it two more weeks, and if you still haven't lost anything by then, it is likely going to be your calorie consumption. You might actually be eating more than you believe you are.

scottacular

What is it with the demand for instant results from people? You've made a great start, but that's what it is - a start. At the beginning of 2012 I was over weight, I started at my local gym and tried dieting and there was mixed results for a few months. I then got help with how to eat and what exercise to do and saw improvements. Then over the summer I got really serious being careful with what I eat and almost living in the gym. For a while it was frustrating as nothing appeared to be changing, but then suddenly things happened. Circumstances meant I didn't see any friends for a month about October time. By the time I saw them again all the excess weight had gone and no one recognised me initially. This is how it goes, you see nothing happening for a while (but things are happening) and then suddenly, you see it. Ideally if you can, see if you can afford a trainer/nutrionist. But if not, just use your common sense with what you eat. Training wise, keep at the gym - but make sure you don't over do it or you'll get sick of the place. If you give up, the huge step you've already made will be for nothing and you'll regret it. The fact you've started means you can easily do this, you just need patience. You need to look at this very long term, as in years rather than days, weeks, months. You've got the rest of your life, so no need to hurry it.

DawnieB1977

I personally only weigh every month, because I drop weight quite slowly when I first start losing. After my 2nd baby I weighed 220 (and I'm only 5'6). The first month I went all out, gym 5 times a week, eating 1200-1300 calories a day, walking loads with my kids etc. I lost 2lbs that entire month. I nearly cried in front of my personal trainer. But I lost a lot of inches. I know I'd had a baby and holding on to some weight post partum is hormonal, but the point is you should also take measurements. I went on to lose 66lbs. Then I got pregnant again lol, so I'm losing again. Sigh.

I lose weight eating 1550 calories and I'm shorter than you and weigh less, so you should be able to lose on 1800.

I'd suggest doing some strength training. Even if you can't use your arms you can still do things like squats and lunges, and abs work. You could also do HIIT on the cross trainer if that's what you prefer to use, so don't do the whole workout at the same speed and resistance.

I do think weighing food helps, but I lost 66lbs without weighing and measuring every little thing. I'm a bit more obsessive about it now, but it's made no difference to the rate I lose weight. I never eat back exercise calories anyway.

So, just give it time, and take measurements too.