Not a happy bunny today!

David1406

Having lost 12 lbs in my first three weeks, I've come to a grinding halt this week, with absolute zero weight loss. But my net intake for the past 7 days is 6051 calories which, when set against my standard sedentary useage of 15500 cals, means I've taken in 9500 less calories than I've used. This should surely mean a weight loss of around 3lbs, but I've actually lost.....zilch! What's going on here? Feeling quite demoralised, and considering going back to my previous mammoth Saturday night Indian take-away!

sandradev1

OK, I will reply and be the first of many many replies you are going to get to say................You are not eating enough.!!!

If you eat less than your body requires to even keep your vital organs healthy, it will hand onto every last morsel that passes your lips.......for survival..........

Only when you eat consistently, at a sensible deficit, of at least netting your BMR (check out the tool on this site for your BMR number) will your body begin to let go of any excess. Your loss at the beginning will have been mainly water loss.

You can do this, stay determined and aim for 1 lb loss a week will be even healthier and more sustainable in the future. Quick loss often means quick failure in the future. Slower loss and eating nearer your future eating goal now, will ensure a greater chance of future success.

Good luck :drinker:

nyqueensguy

Sounds completely normal to me. If you stay on plan this week, in 5 or 6 days the scale will drop at least 2 lbs. You dont want to go back to massive take out night!! Its got a huge price tag. The cost of the food is the cheap part. The misery of the extra pounds and the long battle to lose them is the big cost!!

yarwell

If you eat less than your body requires to even keep your vital organs healthy, it will hand onto every last morsel that passes your lips.......for survival..........

ROTFL

claudialenz711

Sure sounds like you're not eating enough!
It's also well known that the first thing that comes off is water weight, hence weight dropping quickly in the beginning. It's also a well known fact that losing weight too quickly is not sustainable in the long run. You sure don't want to get it all back once you've worked hard to lose it. So a weekly deficit of around 3500 Cals (=app 1lbs a week) is a good amount to aim for. Now, don't just cut back on your foods and don't starve yourself. Pump up the activity level. And if it's just an extra walk around the block in the evening, a bike ride or swimming. If the pounds come off slowly, they're most likely to stay off! have a nice day and re-consider your take-away plan. You can do this

sandradev1

If you eat less than your body requires to even keep your vital organs healthy, it will hand onto every last morsel that passes your lips.......for survival..........

ROTFL

Glad I made you a happy bunny today......Happy Saturday :drinker:

ETA - check out both our start dates and tickers........think I'll stick to my views and methods.

nyqueensguy

Just re read your post and i agree that you are probably not feeding your body properly. we all know its not just the calories, but the type of calories. Eat the right foods at the right amounts and you will lose. Ideally, thats six nutritious meals of carb and protein a day plus veggies. I have a hard time with six meals a day cause i work nights and sleep days and my schedule is always changing wit overtime, vacation, etc. But that is the goal. Six meals a day and stay at your planned calories. Eat healthy. drink lots of water. excercise. Water is another target that is so important. I have to plan to drink enough water or I wont. Hang in ther buddy!! By the way, congrats on the weight loss so far!!!! Ray

JesterMFP

1. Weight loss is not linear. You can never guarantee a loss every single week, and some weeks you might even gain, even if everything looks "right" on paper. That's just how it is. Look at it this way: you've lost 12 lbs in a month, which is an average of 3 lbs a week.

2. 12 lbs in 3 weeks is a lot of weight to lose. It's normal to lose a biggish chunk when you first start restricting your intake, and it's also normal for losses after the first week or two to be smaller. You've lost 12 lbs in 4 weeks, which is still a lot.

3. According to your profile ticker, you only have about 9 kg left to lose? If that's the case, then it would be advisable to slow down and adjust your expectations. Unfortunately you just can't lose fat as quickly as someone who is very obese and has large fat stores. Your body can only let go of so much fat at once, and drastically cutting your calories as you have done means that you risk losing far more lean mass than is necessary. Losing lean mass (such as muscle, and bone density) is really not a great idea. I gather from your profile that you want to feel fitter, healthier, not feel/act like you're 70? Do your best to hold onto the muscle that you currently have, and that will really help you achieve those goals. Cut calories drastically, lose muscle mass, and you'll end up feeling weaker and frailer than you did when you started. Drastic weight loss can work for someone who has a huge amount to lose, but not someone who is already close to a healthy weight.

JesterMFP

Just re read your post and i agree that you are probably not feeding your body properly. we all know its not just the calories, but the type of calories. Eat the right foods at the right amounts and you will lose. Ideally, thats six nutritious meals of carb and protein a day plus veggies. I have a hard time with six meals a day cause i work nights and sleep days and my schedule is always changing wit overtime, vacation, etc. But that is the goal. Six meals a day and stay at your planned calories. Eat healthy. drink lots of water. excercise. Water is another target that is so important. I have to plan to drink enough water or I wont. Hang in ther buddy!! By the way, congrats on the weight loss so far!!!! Ray

Eating six meals a day is personal preference, and absolutely not required for weight loss or health (barring specific medical conditions, in which case get medical advice.) Personally, I would be miserable on 6 meals a day. I prefer 2-3 and do just fine. With meal timing/frequency, finding what works best for you is key.

JesterMFP

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_Zardoz_

1. Weight loss is not linear. You can never guarantee a loss every single week, and some weeks you might even gain, even if everything looks "right" on paper. That's just how it is. Look at it this way: you've lost 12 lbs in a month, which is an average of 3 lbs a week.

2. 12 lbs in 3 weeks is a lot of weight to lose. It's normal to lose a biggish chunk when you first start restricting your intake, and it's also normal for losses after the first week or too to be smaller. You've lost 12 lbs in 4 weeks, which is still a lot.

3. According to your profile ticker, you only have about 9 kg left to lose? If that's the case, then it would be advisable to slow down and adjust your expectations. Unfortunately you just can't lose fat as quickly as someone who is very obese and has large fat stores. Your body can only let go of so much fat at once, and drastically cutting your calories as you have done means that you risk losing far more lean mass than is necessary. Losing lean mass (such as muscle, and bone density) is really not a great idea. I gather from your profile that you want to feel fitter, healthier, not feel/act like you're 70? Do your best to hold onto the muscle that you currently have, and that will really help you achieve those goals. Cut calories drastically, lose muscle mass, and you'll end up feeling weaker and frailer than you did when you started. Drastic weight loss can work for someone who has a huge amount to lose, but not someone who is already close to a healthy weight.

This great post with common sense

_Danno_

If you eat less than your body requires to even keep your vital organs healthy, it will hand onto every last morsel that passes your lips.......for survival..........

ROTFL

Glad I made you a happy bunny today......Happy Saturday :drinker:

ETA - check out both our start dates and tickers........think I'll stick to my views and methods.

It's not a competition and if it was there are plenty of people on here that have lost more than you and in less time.

In your original post you are referring to starvation mode which is a myth so please keep your outdated thinking and insults to yourself in future

sandradev1

If you eat less than your body requires to even keep your vital organs healthy, it will hand onto every last morsel that passes your lips.......for survival..........

ROTFL

Glad I made you a happy bunny today......Happy Saturday :drinker:

ETA - check out both our start dates and tickers........think I'll stick to my views and methods.

It's not a competition and if it was there are plenty of people on here that have lost more than you and in less time.

In your original post you are referring to starvation mode which is a myth so please keep your outdated thinking and insults to yourself in future

Wooooo down tiger.....all entitled to our our views. Can you explain which part of my reply you feel is insulting, I would be really interested to hear.

My point about my progress was not competative, just if you look closely you will see that I am almost at goal weight. I have got there following a sensible deficit and eating above my BMR number - just saying!!!

David1406

Thanks to everyone who took the time to reply. Really appreciate your supportive comments. And I wasn't REALLY about to telephone the local curry house!
I think I need to increase my calorie intake and settle for a slower weight loss...that's obviously the sensible route, and I thank you all for making this point.
Have a great weekend everyone.

Fairlieboy

Going on a diet is statistical probable to gain weight (based on 60 studies looking at over 60,000 studied, after 2 years after their dieting.)
So the real question is not how you loose weight. But how you change your long-term eating behavior (aka lifestyle). Loosing weight fast is ok, but relies on focus, & living on 1200 c a day is unlikely to be sustainable lifestyle. If it took 20 years to put on 20kg, 20 months to take if sounds Ok!

JesterMFP

Thanks to everyone who took the time to reply. Really appreciate your supportive comments. And I wasn't REALLY about to telephone the local curry house!
I think I need to increase my calorie intake and settle for a slower weight loss...that's obviously the sensible route, and I thank you all for making this point.
Have a great weekend everyone.

And you know what? You don't have to completely sever your relationship with the local curry house, if you don't want to. I have takeaways from time to time, I just fit them into my overall diet. I'm not saying you should eat takeaways, just don't go cutting out everything you love. It's unnecessary and could backfire. Good luck!