Slowing down - HELP

ivanaloseweight

Hi all

I've been trying lose weight for about six or seven weeks now and in that time have lost just shy of 10lbs (still have about 28 lbs to go). However it seems to have slowed right down even though I *think* I'm doing it right. Here's a bit more info about what I'm doing.

* i eat about 1600 calories per day but exercise gains me back around 400 (I wear a heart rate monitor and it's reasonably intensive exercise like spinning, body attack or circuits with weights/strength). If I don't exercise I try and stick to 1200 but usually go a bit over
*I'm 5ft 4 and currently 154/155lbs, trying t get down to 122lbs
* i think I track everything accurately and always log everything
* while eating a lower number of calories I'm a bit up and down on the healthiness of those calories
* drink lots of water most days
* Not lost any weight for last couple of weeks (haven't taken measurements though)

Can someone have a look at my diary and see what they think? I've thought about upping calories but am terrified off losing control if I do that! And I know I've not been that healthy the last couple of weeks, but I've had stressful exams for my masters followed by a weekend away!

Thanks all

Thanks

hiyomi

I don't have an accurate or good answer, but it seems to me I have noticed, once a person is so-so slim, it seems to be harder for them to lose weight. Just from the posts I have seen around here >.<

m0ll3pprz

I just wanted to say Congratulations on losing nearly ten pounds! That is actually a fantastic loss for only 6-7 weeks! I would be willing to bet that your measurements have gone down! Also, there are many theories on the proper way to lose weight but most people I am friends with use the TDEE - 20% method. They don't eat back calories because exercise and calories are part of the 20% equation. I also have friends that eat them back and I see no harm in either really. Everyone is still losing so I guess they have figured out what works best for them personally.

I have been up and down hoping to end the yoyo effect so I am doing the TDEE method and not eating back my exercise calories and trying really hard to always eat my BMR's worth of cals and never go under. I feel as though it is noticeable in the mirror but not reflected in the scale yet. I'm okay with that because in truth, I am really wanting the lifestyle change an I know that takes time. Consequently, our stats are really similar. I really think you are doing great! Be patient and MEASURE! I bet you will be happily surprised! Good luck with your continued success :flowerforyou:

stt43

Well done on your weight loss. Progress slows the more you lose unfortunately. Also, it can become more sporadic - maybe you will lose nothing for a week or two, and then suddenly a few pounds come off at once. You may be replacing some of the fat with muscle, and you may have water retention, especially if you consume a lot of salt. Are you changing your caloric intake to match your weight loss? The less you weigh the less calories you need, so work out your metabolic rate again each time you lose a few pounds.

I can't see your food diary as it isn't set to public, but what you have said you are doing is great, you seem to be doing everything right (the healthiness of the calories doesn't matter in terms of weight loss by the way, as long as you are in a caloric deficit). If you are constantly in a caloric deficit then the weight will come off eventually, it just takes discipline and patience.

Make sure you are as accurate as possible in recording your calories in and out. If after a couple of weeks you've lost no weight at all you may be consuming a maintenance level of calories. If this is the case try increasing your exercise or reducing your calories by about 200 and see if that helps.

I hope this helps you a bit

AnneGenevieveS

you migth be hitting a weight loss plateau, but don't stress!! Keep at it. Mix things up. I promise you the weight will start falling off again if you stick with it!!

I'd give you other advice, but my fellow MFP-ers got you covered

Francl27

It's normal to lose a lot at first. I hit plateaus every 2 weeks now, and they last 2-3 weeks.

angiebruen

Hi!

Firstly, congratulations!
I'm a similar size to you @ 5'4" and currently 156 pounds.
I've lost weight quickly and gained it back even quicker, so I am trying to take it slower this time and keep it off.
I want to get down to 120 pounds.

I'm using this website for extra help which I'm finding very helpful. It works out calories needed to lose weight:
http://www.nowloss.com/how-to-lose-weight-keep-it-off-permanently.htm

There's also a carb, protein & fat calculator:
http://www.nowloss.com/carb-protein-fat-ratio-weight-loss-calculator.htm

Hope that helps :-)

MrsDangerousCurves

I'm 5'4 too and recently lost 29 (hit my goal), now down 31 lbs. I'm down to 143.4 but what I've done to help when I hit a plateau is to do switch up how many cals I eat day- high and low cal days. Worked great for kick starting weight loss again.