Tracking macros, reversing your progress? Help!

Lisamb757

So a started my journey in march 2012. From then until November I ate about 1300-1500 calories a day. I worked out 5 times a week.I didn't adhere to any marks guidelines or anything like that, just ate healthy. No junk. Hardly any cheat meals. I didn't even know about macros and all of that. I lost 40-50 lbs in the time frame.

In November, I discovered macros and BMR and started following a 40c/30f/30p% with my BMR which is about 1450, plus eating back some(not all though) workout calories. From November to now, I've lost about 10 lbs, which is kind of discouraging, because in this time, I have upped my cardio(running, upped as in mileage), and do weights, four times a week. The most discouraging part is while having more muscle(which is Fine and attributes to not losing more than 10 lbs) I am not cutting any fat, as in like my stomach area(don't get all eye roll on me please) because I work my abs, 3 or 4 times a week, and I am not extremely high on carbs). I actually think that since November, I have gained more stomach fat, which sucks. I did try a 40/40/20% for a few weeks which made me feel blah and I gained some weight. Could I be having too much protein? Currently I go for about 110g a day, which is my lean body weight. I will also add that no other part of my body is excessively fatty, just my stomach/love handles area. Arms, legs, And back are all perfectly toned and I can see muscle definition. Am I just doomed to have a fat midsection?

Has anyone had not so great results tracking macros? Anyone had a similar thing happen? Anyone have any suggestions, that do not involve "fat burners" or any type of diet pill! Help!

RobynLB83

Stress? I've heard that cortisol encourages stomach fat. Are you more stressed? Maybe switch up a day of running for a day of yoga and stop logging and weighing for a month (if it's stressing you out).

smn76237

First off, congrats on your weight loss up to this point! I noticed you only have 12 lbs to go to your goal weight. Thus, your weight loss will be slow from here on out. It also means you will be running a smaller deficit, so every calorie counts.

Do you use a food scale to weight and measure everything? For example, when you have 1 tablespoon of peanut butter with your apple, do you use a tablespoon or do you use a scale? Because that can be the difference between dozens of extra calories--including the apple, which very well could be larger than a medium apple and also contain more calories than you think. Also, even going back 2 weeks, there were several incompletely logged days...it is quite possible you are eating more than you think you are.

I would say go the next four weeks pretending like it's January 2012 again and you're just starting a new 'diet.' Be anal about weighing everything and getting a completely accurate diary, and see if you notice any changes.