Been tracking for 1 month and haven't lost 1 pound, ugh so frustrated

24

Replies

  • dawnemjh
    dawnemjh Posts: 1,465 Member
    If you haven't gained any weight this past month, then you have found maintenance... I wounldnt worry about how much you are burning when running, especially if you don't eat back you exercise calories. Try to be really careful for a week and log every bite that goes in your mouth and see what happens! Good for you for keeping with it for a month despite not seeing a loss!
  • devil_in_a_blue_dress
    devil_in_a_blue_dress Posts: 5,214 Member
    Pu_239 wrote: »
    I put on about 13 pounds this past year and am trying my hardest to lose it but the numbers are just not budging. I exercise regularly and have been for about 10 years so this is not my issue, I don't even believe it's my caloric intake because I always have a surplus so I'm not sure what's going on? Ive had my thyroid checked recently and it's perfect, I'm slightly vitamin D insufficient but that's it. Please help as I'm becoming stressed out and sad about this.

    You're not logging consistently, that's a big problem. log more consistently and go from there.

    I thought inconsistency didn't matter -- just eat less. Right.

    Moving on...

    As others have said, OP -- weigh and measure everything. If you find that your food intake isn't the issue, only eat half your exercise calories.

    Measure yourself. Take pictures. Keep going.
  • atypicalsmith
    atypicalsmith Posts: 2,742 Member
    I typically plateau for three weeks and then drop five pounds in a week. Very, very frustrating!
  • 61dance
    61dance Posts: 1 Member
    I can relate and suggest with perimenopausal age, ask your gyno to check your hormone levels. Simple blood test. Estrogen and Progesterone levels can effect a woman's metabolism, no matter how well you eat and workout. Note how midlife female shapes tend to go from hourglass to apple. Safer HRT is available nowadays.
  • PeachyCarol
    PeachyCarol Posts: 8,029 Member
    The machines at the gym aren't always accurate either. The treadmills at my old gym way overestimated my walks, the ones at my new gym are fairly accurate. It's a roll of the dice.

    No matter how accurate you think you are with logging, you're never as precise as you can be unless you are weighing your foods with a scale and verifying that you have chosen accurate data base entries with either food labels or independent web sites (USDA or nutritiondata.self.com).

    When you cook things from scratch, enter what you make into MFP's recipe builder.
  • LaurenAOK
    LaurenAOK Posts: 2,475 Member
    edited March 2015
    I agree with what everyone else has said, make sure you are logging consistently AND accurately. Most people recommend a food scale but if you don't have one, I have found success with carefully measuring my foods at home and estimating as close as possible when eating out.

    I don't get why everyone is saying you're way overestimating your burn, though... 350 cals for 35 minutes of running sounds about right to me. Maybe a tad high but not much. 10 cals/minute is pretty reasonable when exercising at maximum effort, especially when one is overweight. I burn a similar amount when running, I eat back my exercise cals, and I have lost weight right on track with MFP's predictions or even faster.

    Work on your logging first, if you're still having problems another month from now then ask for help again.
  • Derpes
    Derpes Posts: 2,033 Member
    Pu_239 wrote: »
    I put on about 13 pounds this past year and am trying my hardest to lose it but the numbers are just not budging. I exercise regularly and have been for about 10 years so this is not my issue, I don't even believe it's my caloric intake because I always have a surplus so I'm not sure what's going on? Ive had my thyroid checked recently and it's perfect, I'm slightly vitamin D insufficient but that's it. Please help as I'm becoming stressed out and sad about this.

    You're not logging consistently, that's a big problem. log more consistently and go from there.


    Maybe she should just eyeball everything and play one big guessing game
  • SLLRunner
    SLLRunner Posts: 12,942 Member
    Thanks for the advice! I'll buy the food scale but yes, I'm logging everything I eat as accurately as I can. As far as my goals, it's 1300 daily calories but my running and other exercise adds to my daily intake and yes, running for 35 minutes does burn 350 calories, I run 9/10 minute miles. I have the mfp app synced with my running app, map my run and it calculates everything. I just want to loose 13 lbs. by June

    Actually, that is inaccurate. MFP and internet databases have overestimated calorie burns, as do the treadmills.

    I am a few years older than you, 5 ft 5, weight 139 pounds, and 30 minutes of running according to my heart rate monitor is about 250 or less. The treadmill gives me a good 350-400 for the 30 minutes. :)
  • SLLRunner
    SLLRunner Posts: 12,942 Member
    Lift weights, cardio will only take you so far your body probably got used to running so you plateaued. To get off the plateau you need to start lifting, and I promise the weight will come off. Also try to incorporate some HIIT into your workout. High intensity interval training is an amazing way to lose weight. For weightlifting plans just go to bodybuilding.com they have a ton of plans for free. For HIIT workouts you can either YouTube them or just do like 1 min of running on the treadmill at 6.0-9.0 speed and then walk for 2 minute at 3.5 speed and you will see you will be swearing like mad and losing weight when after your workout.

    Cardio is fine exercise if that's what one wants to do.

    As far as your promise, please don't make ones you can't keep. A lot of women weight lifters gain weight but decrease in size.

    All of the exercise options you provide above are preference only, because weight loss starts in the kitchen. You can lose weight without exercise.
  • SLLRunner
    SLLRunner Posts: 12,942 Member
    Pu_239 wrote: »
    I put on about 13 pounds this past year and am trying my hardest to lose it but the numbers are just not budging. I exercise regularly and have been for about 10 years so this is not my issue, I don't even believe it's my caloric intake because I always have a surplus so I'm not sure what's going on? Ive had my thyroid checked recently and it's perfect, I'm slightly vitamin D insufficient but that's it. Please help as I'm becoming stressed out and sad about this.

    You're not logging consistently, that's a big problem. log more consistently and go from there.

    I thought inconsistency didn't matter -- just eat less. Right.

    Moving on...

    As others have said, OP -- weigh and measure everything.
    If you find that your food intake isn't the issue, only eat half your exercise calories.

    Measure yourself. Take pictures. Keep going.

    So true that pictures tell a story too, and weighing food is important.

    However, as to the bold part: if we don't log consistently, we don't know how much we're eating. If we don't know how much we're eating, then we tend to overestimate portions, which kills a calorie deficit.

  • debrag12
    debrag12 Posts: 1,071 Member
    As malibu asked, are you using a food scale? And do you log everything?

    (Just looked at your diary, apparently not.) Donuts, pop, pizza, I'm honestly not surprised you're gaining, I'd be more surprised if you weren't, especially at your height.

    Buy a food scale, weigh and log everything!

    not when she rarely goes over 900.

    OP your logging is poor/incomplete
  • devil_in_a_blue_dress
    devil_in_a_blue_dress Posts: 5,214 Member
    edited March 2015
    SLLRunner wrote: »
    Pu_239 wrote: »
    I put on about 13 pounds this past year and am trying my hardest to lose it but the numbers are just not budging. I exercise regularly and have been for about 10 years so this is not my issue, I don't even believe it's my caloric intake because I always have a surplus so I'm not sure what's going on? Ive had my thyroid checked recently and it's perfect, I'm slightly vitamin D insufficient but that's it. Please help as I'm becoming stressed out and sad about this.

    You're not logging consistently, that's a big problem. log more consistently and go from there.

    I thought inconsistency didn't matter -- just eat less. Right.

    Moving on...

    As others have said, OP -- weigh and measure everything.
    If you find that your food intake isn't the issue, only eat half your exercise calories.

    Measure yourself. Take pictures. Keep going.

    So true that pictures tell a story too, and weighing food is important.

    However, as to the bold part: if we don't log consistently, we don't know how much we're eating. If we don't know how much we're eating, then we tend to overestimate portions, which kills a calorie deficit.

    You are missing out on a thread in which the person I quoted was suggesting that accuracy in logging didn't matter. For instance, if you aren't seeing a loss, just adjust your calorie target down and continue to log the same because habits.

    For that person to roll in and suggest consistently logging is just humorous. Because without an attempt at accuracy in what she logging, OP will see no result.

    Part of accuracy is consistency. I advocate both and see them as interrelated and vital to success.
  • PeachyCarol
    PeachyCarol Posts: 8,029 Member
    Derpes wrote: »
    Pu_239 wrote: »
    I put on about 13 pounds this past year and am trying my hardest to lose it but the numbers are just not budging. I exercise regularly and have been for about 10 years so this is not my issue, I don't even believe it's my caloric intake because I always have a surplus so I'm not sure what's going on? Ive had my thyroid checked recently and it's perfect, I'm slightly vitamin D insufficient but that's it. Please help as I'm becoming stressed out and sad about this.

    You're not logging consistently, that's a big problem. log more consistently and go from there.


    Maybe she should just eyeball everything and play one big guessing game

    No, it's HAND EYE everything! Because habits!

  • happyfeetrebel1
    happyfeetrebel1 Posts: 1,005 Member
    SLLRunner wrote: »
    Thanks for the advice! I'll buy the food scale but yes, I'm logging everything I eat as accurately as I can. As far as my goals, it's 1300 daily calories but my running and other exercise adds to my daily intake and yes, running for 35 minutes does burn 350 calories, I run 9/10 minute miles. I have the mfp app synced with my running app, map my run and it calculates everything. I just want to loose 13 lbs. by June

    Actually, that is inaccurate. MFP and internet databases have overestimated calorie burns, as do the treadmills.

    I am a few years older than you, 5 ft 5, weight 139 pounds, and 30 minutes of running according to my heart rate monitor is about 250 or less. The treadmill gives me a good 350-400 for the 30 minutes. :)

    I am 40 years old, almost 6 ft tall and weigh 181. For me, I burn just about 100 cals per 10 minutes consistently via HRM and the Treadmill. (which agree, btw).

    We can't all be burning the same, because we're very different size people. I just run my full hour (just over 6 miles and log it at 600). I don't eat them back, though

  • blankiefinder
    blankiefinder Posts: 3,599 Member
    Pu_239 wrote: »
    SLLRunner wrote: »
    Pu_239 wrote: »
    I put on about 13 pounds this past year and am trying my hardest to lose it but the numbers are just not budging. I exercise regularly and have been for about 10 years so this is not my issue, I don't even believe it's my caloric intake because I always have a surplus so I'm not sure what's going on? Ive had my thyroid checked recently and it's perfect, I'm slightly vitamin D insufficient but that's it. Please help as I'm becoming stressed out and sad about this.

    You're not logging consistently, that's a big problem. log more consistently and go from there.

    I thought inconsistency didn't matter -- just eat less. Right.

    Moving on...

    As others have said, OP -- weigh and measure everything.
    If you find that your food intake isn't the issue, only eat half your exercise calories.

    Measure yourself. Take pictures. Keep going.

    So true that pictures tell a story too, and weighing food is important.

    However, as to the bold part: if we don't log consistently, we don't know how much we're eating. If we don't know how much we're eating, then we tend to overestimate portions, which kills a calorie deficit.

    You are missing out on a thread in which the person I quoted was suggesting that accuracy in logging didn't matter. For instance, if you aren't seeing a loss, just adjust your calorie target down and continue to log the same because habits.

    For that person to roll in and suggest consistently logging is just humorous. Because without an attempt at accuracy in what she logging, OP will see no result.

    Part of accuracy is consistency. I advocate both and see them as interrelated and vital to success.

    Question, how do you know you're not off by 500 calories a day compared to what you're estimating?

    Don't hijack the thread and bring it back to a discussion that has already been locked by the mods. Against the TOS
  • blankiefinder
    blankiefinder Posts: 3,599 Member
    Pu_239 wrote: »
    Pu_239 wrote: »
    SLLRunner wrote: »
    Pu_239 wrote: »
    I put on about 13 pounds this past year and am trying my hardest to lose it but the numbers are just not budging. I exercise regularly and have been for about 10 years so this is not my issue, I don't even believe it's my caloric intake because I always have a surplus so I'm not sure what's going on? Ive had my thyroid checked recently and it's perfect, I'm slightly vitamin D insufficient but that's it. Please help as I'm becoming stressed out and sad about this.

    You're not logging consistently, that's a big problem. log more consistently and go from there.

    I thought inconsistency didn't matter -- just eat less. Right.

    Moving on...

    As others have said, OP -- weigh and measure everything.
    If you find that your food intake isn't the issue, only eat half your exercise calories.

    Measure yourself. Take pictures. Keep going.

    So true that pictures tell a story too, and weighing food is important.

    However, as to the bold part: if we don't log consistently, we don't know how much we're eating. If we don't know how much we're eating, then we tend to overestimate portions, which kills a calorie deficit.

    You are missing out on a thread in which the person I quoted was suggesting that accuracy in logging didn't matter. For instance, if you aren't seeing a loss, just adjust your calorie target down and continue to log the same because habits.

    For that person to roll in and suggest consistently logging is just humorous. Because without an attempt at accuracy in what she logging, OP will see no result.

    Part of accuracy is consistency. I advocate both and see them as interrelated and vital to success.

    Question, how do you know you're not off by 500 calories a day compared to what you're estimating?

    Don't hijack the thread and bring it back to a discussion that has already been locked by the mods. Against the TOS

    I am not the one who is hijacking, people bring up stuff from other topics are the one who is hijacking it...

    So ignore it. You're an adult.
  • blankiefinder
    blankiefinder Posts: 3,599 Member
    edited March 2015
    double post
  • Lilly_the_Hillbilly
    Lilly_the_Hillbilly Posts: 914 Member
    Pu_239 wrote: »
    SLLRunner wrote: »
    Pu_239 wrote: »
    I put on about 13 pounds this past year and am trying my hardest to lose it but the numbers are just not budging. I exercise regularly and have been for about 10 years so this is not my issue, I don't even believe it's my caloric intake because I always have a surplus so I'm not sure what's going on? Ive had my thyroid checked recently and it's perfect, I'm slightly vitamin D insufficient but that's it. Please help as I'm becoming stressed out and sad about this.

    You're not logging consistently, that's a big problem. log more consistently and go from there.

    I thought inconsistency didn't matter -- just eat less. Right.

    Moving on...

    As others have said, OP -- weigh and measure everything.
    If you find that your food intake isn't the issue, only eat half your exercise calories.

    Measure yourself. Take pictures. Keep going.

    So true that pictures tell a story too, and weighing food is important.

    However, as to the bold part: if we don't log consistently, we don't know how much we're eating. If we don't know how much we're eating, then we tend to overestimate portions, which kills a calorie deficit.

    You are missing out on a thread in which the person I quoted was suggesting that accuracy in logging didn't matter. For instance, if you aren't seeing a loss, just adjust your calorie target down and continue to log the same because habits.

    For that person to roll in and suggest consistently logging is just humorous. Because without an attempt at accuracy in what she logging, OP will see no result.

    Part of accuracy is consistency. I advocate both and see them as interrelated and vital to success.

    Question, how do you know you're not off by 500 calories a day compared to what you're estimating?

    ETA: you don't, you're estimating TDEE, you're estimating your calorie consumption your estimating your calorie burned and you're estimating your weight. Ever notice how some scales say you weigh a few lbs more or less? If you don't know the exact answer to any of them, you're estimating, you're being inaccurate.

    And obviously it never worked for me -rolls eyes-

    I would think that means that the scales aren't properly zeroed. Correctly maintained- scales are correct in your weight at that time.

  • Christine_72
    Christine_72 Posts: 16,049 Member
    OP definitely log your donuts, log everything. I have my not so good days where my choices put me way in the red. But it doesn't matter as long as I'm under at the end of the week. I more so watch my weekly deficit rather than my daily one.
    I got a fit bit a few days ago and synced it with mfp. I'm not going to eat back the exercise calories it gives me just yet, i'm going to wait and see what the scales say in a week or two. as i just don't trust these gadgets 100% . I know you said you aren't going to eat back your exercise calories, but sometimes they will come in handy if you do go over your calories, and when you do you want those burns to be as accurate as possible
  • atypicalsmith
    atypicalsmith Posts: 2,742 Member
    I used to estimate everything, in fact, considered myself overestimating, until I got a scale.
  • Lilly_the_Hillbilly
    Lilly_the_Hillbilly Posts: 914 Member
    Pu_239 wrote: »
    Pu_239 wrote: »
    SLLRunner wrote: »
    Pu_239 wrote: »
    I put on about 13 pounds this past year and am trying my hardest to lose it but the numbers are just not budging. I exercise regularly and have been for about 10 years so this is not my issue, I don't even believe it's my caloric intake because I always have a surplus so I'm not sure what's going on? Ive had my thyroid checked recently and it's perfect, I'm slightly vitamin D insufficient but that's it. Please help as I'm becoming stressed out and sad about this.

    You're not logging consistently, that's a big problem. log more consistently and go from there.

    I thought inconsistency didn't matter -- just eat less. Right.

    Moving on...

    As others have said, OP -- weigh and measure everything.
    If you find that your food intake isn't the issue, only eat half your exercise calories.

    Measure yourself. Take pictures. Keep going.

    So true that pictures tell a story too, and weighing food is important.

    However, as to the bold part: if we don't log consistently, we don't know how much we're eating. If we don't know how much we're eating, then we tend to overestimate portions, which kills a calorie deficit.

    You are missing out on a thread in which the person I quoted was suggesting that accuracy in logging didn't matter. For instance, if you aren't seeing a loss, just adjust your calorie target down and continue to log the same because habits.

    For that person to roll in and suggest consistently logging is just humorous. Because without an attempt at accuracy in what she logging, OP will see no result.

    Part of accuracy is consistency. I advocate both and see them as interrelated and vital to success.

    Question, how do you know you're not off by 500 calories a day compared to what you're estimating?

    ETA: you don't, you're estimating TDEE, you're estimating your calorie consumption your estimating your calorie burned and you're estimating your weight. Ever notice how some scales say you weigh a few lbs more or less? If you don't know the exact answer to any of them, you're estimating, you're being inaccurate.

    And obviously it never worked for me -rolls eyes-

    I would think that means that the scales aren't properly zeroed. Correctly maintained- scales are correct in your weight at that time.

    Yes since this goes back to the op's post about accuracy recommendations. I will elaborate. The scale is a good example, my scale is off compared to my doctors. I would say about 5lbs. Does that mean I should go out and buy a new one, or the doctor should go out and buy a new one? Does it mean I should be more "accurate"? No, accuracy makes no difference in this case. I have a number and that's my reference point. If I lose weight on my scale i am losing weight which is my goal. It doesn't matter if it's off or not.

    How can you call yourself a scientist and not care if your scale is off? I don't' know that you science very well.
  • Liftng4Lis
    Liftng4Lis Posts: 15,151 Member
    Start logging accurately and you'll lose.
  • Christine_72
    Christine_72 Posts: 16,049 Member
    Pu_239 wrote: »
    Pu_239 wrote: »
    SLLRunner wrote: »
    Pu_239 wrote: »
    I put on about 13 pounds this past year and am trying my hardest to lose it but the numbers are just not budging. I exercise regularly and have been for about 10 years so this is not my issue, I don't even believe it's my caloric intake because I always have a surplus so I'm not sure what's going on? Ive had my thyroid checked recently and it's perfect, I'm slightly vitamin D insufficient but that's it. Please help as I'm becoming stressed out and sad about this.

    You're not logging consistently, that's a big problem. log more consistently and go from there.

    I thought inconsistency didn't matter -- just eat less. Right.

    Moving on...

    As others have said, OP -- weigh and measure everything.
    If you find that your food intake isn't the issue, only eat half your exercise calories.

    Measure yourself. Take pictures. Keep going.

    So true that pictures tell a story too, and weighing food is important.

    However, as to the bold part: if we don't log consistently, we don't know how much we're eating. If we don't know how much we're eating, then we tend to overestimate portions, which kills a calorie deficit.

    You are missing out on a thread in which the person I quoted was suggesting that accuracy in logging didn't matter. For instance, if you aren't seeing a loss, just adjust your calorie target down and continue to log the same because habits.

    For that person to roll in and suggest consistently logging is just humorous. Because without an attempt at accuracy in what she logging, OP will see no result.

    Part of accuracy is consistency. I advocate both and see them as interrelated and vital to success.

    Question, how do you know you're not off by 500 calories a day compared to what you're estimating?

    ETA: you don't, you're estimating TDEE, you're estimating your calorie consumption your estimating your calorie burned and you're estimating your weight. Ever notice how some scales say you weigh a few lbs more or less? If you don't know the exact answer to any of them, you're estimating, you're being inaccurate.

    And obviously it never worked for me -rolls eyes-

    I would think that means that the scales aren't properly zeroed. Correctly maintained- scales are correct in your weight at that time.

    Yes since this goes back to the op's post about accuracy recommendations. I will elaborate. The scale is a good example, my scale is off compared to my doctors. I would say about 5lbs. Does that mean I should go out and buy a new one, or the doctor should go out and buy a new one? Does it mean I should be more "accurate"? No, accuracy makes no difference in this case. I have a number and that's my reference point. If I lose weight on my scale i am losing weight which is my goal. It doesn't matter if it's off or not.

    How can you call yourself a scientist and not care if your scale is off? I don't' know that you science very well.

    If you're not so fussed with actual precise numbers then no it wouldn't matter a great deal, as long as the trend is down. Same as those body fat scales, the number is usually inaccurate but the downward trend is "usually" not.
  • Lilly_the_Hillbilly
    Lilly_the_Hillbilly Posts: 914 Member
    Pu_239 wrote: »
    Pu_239 wrote: »
    SLLRunner wrote: »
    Pu_239 wrote: »
    I put on about 13 pounds this past year and am trying my hardest to lose it but the numbers are just not budging. I exercise regularly and have been for about 10 years so this is not my issue, I don't even believe it's my caloric intake because I always have a surplus so I'm not sure what's going on? Ive had my thyroid checked recently and it's perfect, I'm slightly vitamin D insufficient but that's it. Please help as I'm becoming stressed out and sad about this.

    You're not logging consistently, that's a big problem. log more consistently and go from there.

    I thought inconsistency didn't matter -- just eat less. Right.

    Moving on...

    As others have said, OP -- weigh and measure everything.
    If you find that your food intake isn't the issue, only eat half your exercise calories.

    Measure yourself. Take pictures. Keep going.

    So true that pictures tell a story too, and weighing food is important.

    However, as to the bold part: if we don't log consistently, we don't know how much we're eating. If we don't know how much we're eating, then we tend to overestimate portions, which kills a calorie deficit.

    You are missing out on a thread in which the person I quoted was suggesting that accuracy in logging didn't matter. For instance, if you aren't seeing a loss, just adjust your calorie target down and continue to log the same because habits.

    For that person to roll in and suggest consistently logging is just humorous. Because without an attempt at accuracy in what she logging, OP will see no result.

    Part of accuracy is consistency. I advocate both and see them as interrelated and vital to success.

    Question, how do you know you're not off by 500 calories a day compared to what you're estimating?

    ETA: you don't, you're estimating TDEE, you're estimating your calorie consumption your estimating your calorie burned and you're estimating your weight. Ever notice how some scales say you weigh a few lbs more or less? If you don't know the exact answer to any of them, you're estimating, you're being inaccurate.

    And obviously it never worked for me -rolls eyes-

    I would think that means that the scales aren't properly zeroed. Correctly maintained- scales are correct in your weight at that time.

    Yes since this goes back to the op's post about accuracy recommendations. I will elaborate. The scale is a good example, my scale is off compared to my doctors. I would say about 5lbs. Does that mean I should go out and buy a new one, or the doctor should go out and buy a new one? Does it mean I should be more "accurate"? No, accuracy makes no difference in this case. I have a number and that's my reference point. If I lose weight on my scale i am losing weight which is my goal. It doesn't matter if it's off or not.

    How can you call yourself a scientist and not care if your scale is off? I don't' know that you science very well.

    If you're not so fussed with actual precise numbers then no it wouldn't matter a great deal, as long as the trend is down. Same as those body fat scales, the number is usually inaccurate but the downward trend is "usually" not.

    I believe accuracy is important. Especially if you are having trouble or are stuck at a weight for a time. It's amazing how fast 10g here and then 20mls there can all add up to being 100calories not logged.

    My contention was that his example was a poor one.
  • Christine_72
    Christine_72 Posts: 16,049 Member
    Pu_239 wrote: »
    Pu_239 wrote: »
    SLLRunner wrote: »
    Pu_239 wrote: »
    I put on about 13 pounds this past year and am trying my hardest to lose it but the numbers are just not budging. I exercise regularly and have been for about 10 years so this is not my issue, I don't even believe it's my caloric intake because I always have a surplus so I'm not sure what's going on? Ive had my thyroid checked recently and it's perfect, I'm slightly vitamin D insufficient but that's it. Please help as I'm becoming stressed out and sad about this.

    You're not logging consistently, that's a big problem. log more consistently and go from there.

    I thought inconsistency didn't matter -- just eat less. Right.

    Moving on...

    As others have said, OP -- weigh and measure everything.
    If you find that your food intake isn't the issue, only eat half your exercise calories.

    Measure yourself. Take pictures. Keep going.

    So true that pictures tell a story too, and weighing food is important.

    However, as to the bold part: if we don't log consistently, we don't know how much we're eating. If we don't know how much we're eating, then we tend to overestimate portions, which kills a calorie deficit.

    You are missing out on a thread in which the person I quoted was suggesting that accuracy in logging didn't matter. For instance, if you aren't seeing a loss, just adjust your calorie target down and continue to log the same because habits.

    For that person to roll in and suggest consistently logging is just humorous. Because without an attempt at accuracy in what she logging, OP will see no result.

    Part of accuracy is consistency. I advocate both and see them as interrelated and vital to success.

    Question, how do you know you're not off by 500 calories a day compared to what you're estimating?

    ETA: you don't, you're estimating TDEE, you're estimating your calorie consumption your estimating your calorie burned and you're estimating your weight. Ever notice how some scales say you weigh a few lbs more or less? If you don't know the exact answer to any of them, you're estimating, you're being inaccurate.

    And obviously it never worked for me -rolls eyes-

    I would think that means that the scales aren't properly zeroed. Correctly maintained- scales are correct in your weight at that time.

    Yes since this goes back to the op's post about accuracy recommendations. I will elaborate. The scale is a good example, my scale is off compared to my doctors. I would say about 5lbs. Does that mean I should go out and buy a new one, or the doctor should go out and buy a new one? Does it mean I should be more "accurate"? No, accuracy makes no difference in this case. I have a number and that's my reference point. If I lose weight on my scale i am losing weight which is my goal. It doesn't matter if it's off or not.

    How can you call yourself a scientist and not care if your scale is off? I don't' know that you science very well.

    If you're not so fussed with actual precise numbers then no it wouldn't matter a great deal, as long as the trend is down. Same as those body fat scales, the number is usually inaccurate but the downward trend is "usually" not.

    I believe accuracy is important. Especially if you are having trouble or are stuck at a weight for a time. It's amazing how fast 10g here and then 20mls there can all add up to being 100calories not logged.

    My contention was that his example was a poor one.

    I agree with you, i want my scales to be as accurate as possible. Some folks don't focus on scale weight as much as inches lost etc etc
  • celticlass69
    celticlass69 Posts: 61 Member
    edited March 2015
    I honestly didn't realize how much I was eating until I bought an electronic scale. Also, I overestimated caloric burning before I got a HRM.
  • devil_in_a_blue_dress
    devil_in_a_blue_dress Posts: 5,214 Member
    Pu_239 wrote: »
    Pu_239 wrote: »
    SLLRunner wrote: »
    Pu_239 wrote: »
    I put on about 13 pounds this past year and am trying my hardest to lose it but the numbers are just not budging. I exercise regularly and have been for about 10 years so this is not my issue, I don't even believe it's my caloric intake because I always have a surplus so I'm not sure what's going on? Ive had my thyroid checked recently and it's perfect, I'm slightly vitamin D insufficient but that's it. Please help as I'm becoming stressed out and sad about this.

    You're not logging consistently, that's a big problem. log more consistently and go from there.

    I thought inconsistency didn't matter -- just eat less. Right.

    Moving on...

    As others have said, OP -- weigh and measure everything.
    If you find that your food intake isn't the issue, only eat half your exercise calories.

    Measure yourself. Take pictures. Keep going.

    So true that pictures tell a story too, and weighing food is important.

    However, as to the bold part: if we don't log consistently, we don't know how much we're eating. If we don't know how much we're eating, then we tend to overestimate portions, which kills a calorie deficit.

    You are missing out on a thread in which the person I quoted was suggesting that accuracy in logging didn't matter. For instance, if you aren't seeing a loss, just adjust your calorie target down and continue to log the same because habits.

    For that person to roll in and suggest consistently logging is just humorous. Because without an attempt at accuracy in what she logging, OP will see no result.

    Part of accuracy is consistency. I advocate both and see them as interrelated and vital to success.

    Question, how do you know you're not off by 500 calories a day compared to what you're estimating?

    ETA: you don't, you're estimating TDEE, you're estimating your calorie consumption your estimating your calorie burned and you're estimating your weight. Ever notice how some scales say you weigh a few lbs more or less? If you don't know the exact answer to any of them, you're estimating, you're being inaccurate.

    And obviously it never worked for me -rolls eyes-

    I would think that means that the scales aren't properly zeroed. Correctly maintained- scales are correct in your weight at that time.

    Yes since this goes back to the op's post about accuracy recommendations. I will elaborate. The scale is a good example, my scale is off compared to my doctors. I would say about 5lbs. Does that mean I should go out and buy a new one, or the doctor should go out and buy a new one? Does it mean I should be more "accurate"? No, accuracy makes no difference in this case. I have a number and that's my reference point. If I lose weight on my scale i am losing weight which is my goal. It doesn't matter if it's off or not.

    How can you call yourself a scientist and not care if your scale is off? I don't' know that you science very well.

    If you're not so fussed with actual precise numbers then no it wouldn't matter a great deal, as long as the trend is down. Same as those body fat scales, the number is usually inaccurate but the downward trend is "usually" not.

    Checking scale (food/body weight) calibration is very simply to do. You place an item with a known weight on it and see the reading. Using a scale that isn't properly calibrated isn't giving you accurate feedback. It is more likely to give you incorrect readings -- meaning you don't actually know if a downward trend is the result of your efforts or a dying battery.

    It's not about perfection, but giving yourself the most accurate information possible to make decisions.
  • Lilly_the_Hillbilly
    Lilly_the_Hillbilly Posts: 914 Member
    Pu_239 wrote: »
    Pu_239 wrote: »
    SLLRunner wrote: »
    Pu_239 wrote: »
    I put on about 13 pounds this past year and am trying my hardest to lose it but the numbers are just not budging. I exercise regularly and have been for about 10 years so this is not my issue, I don't even believe it's my caloric intake because I always have a surplus so I'm not sure what's going on? Ive had my thyroid checked recently and it's perfect, I'm slightly vitamin D insufficient but that's it. Please help as I'm becoming stressed out and sad about this.

    You're not logging consistently, that's a big problem. log more consistently and go from there.

    I thought inconsistency didn't matter -- just eat less. Right.

    Moving on...

    As others have said, OP -- weigh and measure everything.
    If you find that your food intake isn't the issue, only eat half your exercise calories.

    Measure yourself. Take pictures. Keep going.

    So true that pictures tell a story too, and weighing food is important.

    However, as to the bold part: if we don't log consistently, we don't know how much we're eating. If we don't know how much we're eating, then we tend to overestimate portions, which kills a calorie deficit.

    You are missing out on a thread in which the person I quoted was suggesting that accuracy in logging didn't matter. For instance, if you aren't seeing a loss, just adjust your calorie target down and continue to log the same because habits.

    For that person to roll in and suggest consistently logging is just humorous. Because without an attempt at accuracy in what she logging, OP will see no result.

    Part of accuracy is consistency. I advocate both and see them as interrelated and vital to success.

    Question, how do you know you're not off by 500 calories a day compared to what you're estimating?

    ETA: you don't, you're estimating TDEE, you're estimating your calorie consumption your estimating your calorie burned and you're estimating your weight. Ever notice how some scales say you weigh a few lbs more or less? If you don't know the exact answer to any of them, you're estimating, you're being inaccurate.

    And obviously it never worked for me -rolls eyes-

    I would think that means that the scales aren't properly zeroed. Correctly maintained- scales are correct in your weight at that time.

    Yes since this goes back to the op's post about accuracy recommendations. I will elaborate. The scale is a good example, my scale is off compared to my doctors. I would say about 5lbs. Does that mean I should go out and buy a new one, or the doctor should go out and buy a new one? Does it mean I should be more "accurate"? No, accuracy makes no difference in this case. I have a number and that's my reference point. If I lose weight on my scale i am losing weight which is my goal. It doesn't matter if it's off or not.

    How can you call yourself a scientist and not care if your scale is off? I don't' know that you science very well.

    If you're not so fussed with actual precise numbers then no it wouldn't matter a great deal, as long as the trend is down. Same as those body fat scales, the number is usually inaccurate but the downward trend is "usually" not.

    I believe accuracy is important. Especially if you are having trouble or are stuck at a weight for a time. It's amazing how fast 10g here and then 20mls there can all add up to being 100calories not logged.

    My contention was that his example was a poor one.

    I agree with you, i want my scales to be as accurate as possible. Some folks don't focus on scale weight as much as inches lost etc etc


    I see the point you are making but the OP appears to be stuck with her weight loss and people telling her to try logging her food more accurately is not a bad suggestion. If anything it'll give her greater awareness of what she is eating how fast it can add up.
  • Christine_72
    Christine_72 Posts: 16,049 Member
    Pu_239 wrote: »
    Pu_239 wrote: »
    SLLRunner wrote: »
    Pu_239 wrote: »
    I put on about 13 pounds this past year and am trying my hardest to lose it but the numbers are just not budging. I exercise regularly and have been for about 10 years so this is not my issue, I don't even believe it's my caloric intake because I always have a surplus so I'm not sure what's going on? Ive had my thyroid checked recently and it's perfect, I'm slightly vitamin D insufficient but that's it. Please help as I'm becoming stressed out and sad about this.

    You're not logging consistently, that's a big problem. log more consistently and go from there.

    I thought inconsistency didn't matter -- just eat less. Right.

    Moving on...

    As others have said, OP -- weigh and measure everything.
    If you find that your food intake isn't the issue, only eat half your exercise calories.

    Measure yourself. Take pictures. Keep going.

    So true that pictures tell a story too, and weighing food is important.

    However, as to the bold part: if we don't log consistently, we don't know how much we're eating. If we don't know how much we're eating, then we tend to overestimate portions, which kills a calorie deficit.

    You are missing out on a thread in which the person I quoted was suggesting that accuracy in logging didn't matter. For instance, if you aren't seeing a loss, just adjust your calorie target down and continue to log the same because habits.

    For that person to roll in and suggest consistently logging is just humorous. Because without an attempt at accuracy in what she logging, OP will see no result.

    Part of accuracy is consistency. I advocate both and see them as interrelated and vital to success.

    Question, how do you know you're not off by 500 calories a day compared to what you're estimating?

    ETA: you don't, you're estimating TDEE, you're estimating your calorie consumption your estimating your calorie burned and you're estimating your weight. Ever notice how some scales say you weigh a few lbs more or less? If you don't know the exact answer to any of them, you're estimating, you're being inaccurate.

    And obviously it never worked for me -rolls eyes-

    I would think that means that the scales aren't properly zeroed. Correctly maintained- scales are correct in your weight at that time.

    Yes since this goes back to the op's post about accuracy recommendations. I will elaborate. The scale is a good example, my scale is off compared to my doctors. I would say about 5lbs. Does that mean I should go out and buy a new one, or the doctor should go out and buy a new one? Does it mean I should be more "accurate"? No, accuracy makes no difference in this case. I have a number and that's my reference point. If I lose weight on my scale i am losing weight which is my goal. It doesn't matter if it's off or not.

    How can you call yourself a scientist and not care if your scale is off? I don't' know that you science very well.

    If you're not so fussed with actual precise numbers then no it wouldn't matter a great deal, as long as the trend is down. Same as those body fat scales, the number is usually inaccurate but the downward trend is "usually" not.

    I believe accuracy is important. Especially if you are having trouble or are stuck at a weight for a time. It's amazing how fast 10g here and then 20mls there can all add up to being 100calories not logged.

    My contention was that his example was a poor one.

    I agree with you, i want my scales to be as accurate as possible. Some folks don't focus on scale weight as much as inches lost etc etc


    I see the point you are making but the OP appears to be stuck with her weight loss and people telling her to try logging her food more accurately is not a bad suggestion. If anything it'll give her greater awareness of what she is eating how fast it can add up.

    True :smile: I think when you're stalled you should make sure all your tools are as accurate as possible
  • peacemom
    peacemom Posts: 64 Member
    I run 9/10 min. mile and can easily burn 350 in 35 minutes. I try to underestimate my exercise and overestimate my calorie intake. Agree with the others...log everything you eat.
This discussion has been closed.