Not Losing Weight Anymore? :(

shannonbun

Basic stats: 19 years old, current weight 264, current height 5'11"

So I started exercising and dieting about two full weeks ago (on the third week), and in that time I lost about 8 pounds--basically water weight, I'm guessing. I've been staying under 1,500 calories everyday and most days I average 800-1,300 calories, because eating healthy at a university dining hall basically means a ton of plain salad. I also put in about 45 minutes to 1 hour of active exercise every single day. I walk/run on a treadmill, run on a track, do multiple strength exercises, sit-ups, the whole deal.

So now, I'm just not losing weight anymore. The past week has been at a standstill weight-loss wise. So what gives? I feel like I'm constantly exhausting myself for nothing here. My friends are eating whatever they want and not working out and they're still losing weight! What can I change? Everyone says I'm doing a good job and I'm hitting all the "general weight loss checkmarks" for my exercises, but it isn't working.

pensierobello

Come on, dude, you know this. It's been two weeks, and you know that weight loss is not linear. Plus, in your heart of hearts, you must absolutely know that 800 calories is obviously not enough for any human. Even 1300 is not enough, ESPECIALLY if you're exercising hard for 45-60 minutes, which will burn hundreds of calories, most of which you should be eating back. Your body is storing, not burning. You need to eat more, eat back half your exercise calories and relax. OR, you're logging inaccurately. There are only a few options here. Look to the science, love.

mustgetmuscles1

First, two weeks is not long enough to know if you are losing or not.

Second, the first week you lost a lot of water weight. Im sure you probably added that back on it is masking the body fat you burned.

You should keep exercising and doing your best to log your food as accurately as you can. Stay as close to your calorie goal as you can and check your weight in a few weeks to see how you are doing.

malibu927

pensierobello wrote: »

Come on, dude, you know this. It's been two weeks, and you know that weight loss is not linear. Plus, in your heart of hearts, you must absolutely know that 800 calories is obviously not enough for any human. Even 1300 is not enough, ESPECIALLY if you're exercising hard for 45-60 minutes, which will burn hundreds of calories, most of which you should be eating back. Your body is storing, not burning. You need to eat more, eat back half your exercise calories and relax. OR, you're logging inaccurately. There are only a few options here. Look to the science, love.

No, her body is not storing fat if she's eating that little.

OP, why are you eating so little? You should be eating to your goal and not starving your body of important nutrients. That being said, weight loss is not linear. We fluctuate week to week, even day to day, based on outside factors (sodium intake, TOM, stress levels, new exercise regimen). Make sure you're eating at least 1200 calories every day and be patient. If after a couple weeks you still aren't losing, then it's time to look into your food intake.

ana3067

mustgetmuscles1 wrote: »

First, two weeks is not long enough to know if you are losing or not.

Second, the first week you lost a lot of water weight. Im sure you probably added that back on it is masking the body fat you burned.

You should keep exercising and doing your best to log your food as accurately as you can. Stay as close to your calorie goal as you can and check your weight in a few weeks to see how you are doing.

2nd. Although your calorie goal is excessive. You also need to be netting the same average.. if your net average is 800-1300 this will not bode well for noticing trends. Eat back at least 50% of your exercise calories.

You also don't need to eat healthy to lose weight. I don't limit what I eat and I've lost 25+lbs

Your friends are eating whatever they want and losing because they are eating fewer calories than they burn.

And your exercise is excessive. No need to do so much, especially since your net goal is already so low and I'm assuming you are not eatin gback exercise calories.

shannonbun

I was always told to overestimate your calories and underestimate your exercise, so I just kept thinking that if I was estimating I'd eaten 800 calories, it was probably more like 1,200. And I've dealt with a lot of disordered eating habits, so I'm trying to make up for eating with exercise. And when you're the fat girl in the gym or in the cafeteria, you can feel like you have to overdo the workout or under eat to prove yourself against people staring at you :v

malibu927

shannonbun wrote: »

I was always told to overestimate your calories and underestimate your exercise, so I just kept thinking that if I was estimating I'd eaten 800 calories, it was probably more like 1,200. And I've dealt with a lot of disordered eating habits, so I'm trying to make up for eating with exercise. And when you're the fat girl in the gym or in the cafeteria, you can feel like you have to overdo the workout or under eat to prove yourself against people staring at you :v

I started not too much lower than you did (248) and am down 55 pounds in a year. The key to everything is accuracy and honesty.

Read this thread: community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1080242/a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants

mustgetmuscles1

shannonbun wrote: »

I was always told to overestimate your calories and underestimate your exercise, so I just kept thinking that if I was estimating I'd eaten 800 calories, it was probably more like 1,200. And I've dealt with a lot of disordered eating habits, so I'm trying to make up for eating with exercise. And when you're the fat girl in the gym or in the cafeteria, you can feel like you have to overdo the workout or under eat to prove yourself against people staring at you :v

I dont know how a mixture of cardio and strength training for an hour everyday is over doing the exercise. Sounds fine to me as long as you are eating enough.

Instead of trying to trick yourself by purposely underestimating exercise and over estimating intake try learning to log accurately and then adjusting calories based on results.

Right now no one can give you advice because nobody knows how much or what you are actually eating. Again log as accurately as you can. Weigh and measure your food when you can. Be honest with your exercising time and effort. Do that for a month and see where you are at and then make an adjustment when you see the results.