losing hope

Options
2»

Replies

  • snowflake954
    snowflake954 Posts: 8,399 Member
    Options
    So many people think they are logging accurately, but are not. You need to open up your diary to discount this possibility--I know, I know, it takes courage. It's a shame you are struggling, and we would like you to be a success. Please give your stats too--height, weight, age, etc. Alot of people have this problem and there are many reading, and lurking, that don't have the courage to post. Good for you for asking for help, but your info is incomplete. When everything falls into place MFP is very doable. Best. B)
  • tracydaniels5074
    tracydaniels5074 Posts: 20 Member
    Options
    40 yrs old, 5ft 180.8 pds. I do not eat veggies. Never have, never will. I do try and take a veggie greens supplimemt. I try to make sure I'm meeting my calorie needs, though it's hard. Some days I'm hungry, I can eat every few hours, some days I have no appetite, I force food into me. I also work backshift, 12 hr shifts (nursing) so my breakfast is your suppertime etc.
  • blankiefinder
    blankiefinder Posts: 3,599 Member
    edited April 2015
    Options
    Tracy, either you are losing at an okay rate, or you're not in a deficit. I'm not sure which one because I can't tell how much you've lost recently versus over the longer term, and I can't tell if your logging is accurate. In one spot you mentioned 2T coconut oil, in another you mentioned you are allowed 4 tsp of healthy oil. It all comes down to logging accurately, and eating less than you burn. I also can't see your exercise burns to see if that might be the problem. If you want real help, open your diary.

    You don't need to follow a special program or diet.

    Use a food scale, weigh and log everything. If you put it in your mouth, log it.

    Do cardio if you want, and if you do, only eat back 50% of your calories. Lift weights and hit your protein goal to help maintain muscle mass while losing.

    Cheat meals that take you over maintenance will sabotage your efforts. Log the cheat meals too (falls under the 'log everything' rule).

    Eat anything you want in moderation, keeping in mind that your diet will be easier to stick with if you chose foods that make it easier to stay under your calories without feeling hungry.

    Also it would be a good idea to read some of the stickies at the top of the various forums such as:
    Calorie Counting 101
    Logging Accuracy, Consistency, & You're Probably Eating More Than You Think
    A Guide To Get You Started on Your Path To Sexy Pants
  • Ninkyou
    Ninkyou Posts: 6,666 Member
    Options
    Invest in a food scale and weigh your foods. Rice measured in a cup, unfortunately, is not as accurate a measurement as one would think. Rice is actually pretty high calorie-wise, so you could easily be eating more calories than you are anticipating.

    By weighing your food, you're eliminating alot of error and getting a better understanding of what serving sizes and portions look like. It really is eye opening.

    Food scales aren't terribly expensive. They're worth every penny too.
  • tracydaniels5074
    tracydaniels5074 Posts: 20 Member
    Options
    Furrycatpig wrote: »
    Are you following the 21 day fix diet plan, or doing MFP?

    Have you taken your measurements, or taken photos of your progress. Your results might not show on the scales, but will show on your body.

    The 21 day fix plan uses the container system instead of counting calories. I use the containers as per what the program allots me, but I still log it in mfp because I'm afraid i'm eating too much just doing the containers.I need to see the totals. So 21 day allows 4 of the yellow containers, which is 200g of chicken, so when I buy my chicken and it's say 50 calories per 50g ; I log it as 4 servings. So I think I'm doing it right. I know that some days I make food for a few days in a row, so it's prepared and ready to go, I live in a house of take out junkies, so it's really hard to avoid the temptation unless I do it that way.
  • tracydaniels5074
    tracydaniels5074 Posts: 20 Member
    Options
    blankiefinder wrote: »
    Tracy, either you are losing at an okay rate, or you're not in a deficit. I'm not sure which one because I can't tell how much you've lost recently versus over the longer term, and I can't tell if your logging is accurate. In one spot you mentioned 2T coconut oil, in another you mentioned you are allowed 4 tsp of healthy oil. It all comes down to logging accurately, and eating less than you burn. I also can't see your exercise burns to see if that might be the problem. If you want real help, open your diary.

    You don't need to follow a special program or diet.

    Use a food scale, weigh and log everything. If you put it in your mouth, log it.

    Do cardio if you want, and if you do, only eat back 50% of your calories. Lift weights and hit your protein goal to help maintain muscle mass while losing.

    Cheat meals that take you over maintenance will sabotage your efforts. Log the cheat meals too (falls under the 'log everything' rule).

    Eat anything you want in moderation, keeping in mind that your diet will be easier to stick with if you chose foods that make it easier to stay under your calories without feeling hungry.

    Also it would be a good idea to read some of the stickies at the top of the various forums such as:
    Calorie Counting 101
    Logging Accuracy, Consistency, & You're Probably Eating More Than You Think
    A Guide To Get You Started on Your Path To Sexy Pants
    thank you, I will read these !
  • 999tigger
    999tigger Posts: 5,235 Member
    Options
    Everything Blankiefinder said, keep it simple accurate and consistent.
  • Ninkyou
    Ninkyou Posts: 6,666 Member
    Options
    tracydaniels5074 wrote: »
    Furrycatpig wrote: »
    Are you following the 21 day fix diet plan, or doing MFP?

    Have you taken your measurements, or taken photos of your progress. Your results might not show on the scales, but will show on your body.

    The 21 day fix plan uses the container system instead of counting calories. I use the containers as per what the program allots me, but I still log it in mfp because I'm afraid i'm eating too much just doing the containers.I need to see the totals. So 21 day allows 4 of the yellow containers, which is 200g of chicken, so when I buy my chicken and it's say 50 calories per 50g ; I log it as 4 servings. So I think I'm doing it right. I know that some days I make food for a few days in a row, so it's prepared and ready to go, I live in a house of take out junkies, so it's really hard to avoid the temptation unless I do it that way.

    Yeah, but the problem with the tupperware system is that it's not by weight. It may say 200g of chicken, but you might have 250g of chicken. You can pack alot in containers and the weight would be off. That's why you would probably be better off weighing your food to tighten up that accuracy so you know whether you are in a deficit or not.
  • tracydaniels5074
    tracydaniels5074 Posts: 20 Member
    Options
    true. I guess the "if it fits you can eat it " might not be helping me. I think it's time to invest in a scale.
  • jorinya
    jorinya Posts: 933 Member
    Options
    I wish you the best of luck in your weight loss journey. Don't get yourself down you are doing really well. Losing weight is hard work. You are a champion for getting this far. Its all about willpower and determination and you have proven you got both. Best advice I can give you, if something isn't working then maybe try something else. Whatever you do now - Don't give up. Don't quit. You will make it. Believe that and you will see it happening. You go girl.
  • tracydaniels5074
    tracydaniels5074 Posts: 20 Member
    Options
    snowflake954 wrote: »
    So many people think they are logging accurately, but are not. You need to open up your diary to discount this possibility--I know, I know, it takes courage. It's a shame you are struggling, and we would like you to be a success. Please give your stats too--height, weight, age, etc. Alot of people have this problem and there are many reading, and lurking, that don't have the courage to post. Good for you for asking for help, but your info is incomplete. When everything falls into place MFP is very doable. Best. B)

    I would rather log with MFP, than 21 day. I also stopped logging my runs on the treadmill , only logvmy 21 day workout. I allow the Fitbit to adjust it. It seems more accurate.
  • blankiefinder
    blankiefinder Posts: 3,599 Member
    Options
    tracydaniels5074 wrote: »
    snowflake954 wrote: »
    So many people think they are logging accurately, but are not. You need to open up your diary to discount this possibility--I know, I know, it takes courage. It's a shame you are struggling, and we would like you to be a success. Please give your stats too--height, weight, age, etc. Alot of people have this problem and there are many reading, and lurking, that don't have the courage to post. Good for you for asking for help, but your info is incomplete. When everything falls into place MFP is very doable. Best. B)

    I would rather log with MFP, than 21 day. I also stopped logging my runs on the treadmill , only logvmy 21 day workout. I allow the Fitbit to adjust it. It seems more accurate.

    But if you're logging with MFP you need to weigh your food. I grabbed my food scale from Walmart on clearance for $10, best investment of my life.
  • tracydaniels5074
    tracydaniels5074 Posts: 20 Member
    Options
    tracydaniels5074 wrote: »
    snowflake954 wrote: »
    So many people think they are logging accurately, but are not. You need to open up your diary to discount this possibility--I know, I know, it takes courage. It's a shame you are struggling, and we would like you to be a success. Please give your stats too--height, weight, age, etc. Alot of people have this problem and there are many reading, and lurking, that don't have the courage to post. Good for you for asking for help, but your info is incomplete. When everything falls into place MFP is very doable. Best. B)

    I would rather log with MFP, than 21 day. I also stopped logging my runs on the treadmill , only logvmy 21 day workout. I allow the Fitbit to adjust it. It seems more accurate.
    And I opened my food journal. As much as i Did not want to, but the help is appreciated
  • tracydaniels5074
    tracydaniels5074 Posts: 20 Member
    Options
    blankiefinder wrote: »
    tracydaniels5074 wrote: »
    snowflake954 wrote: »
    So many people think they are logging accurately, but are not. You need to open up your diary to discount this possibility--I know, I know, it takes courage. It's a shame you are struggling, and we would like you to be a success. Please give your stats too--height, weight, age, etc. Alot of people have this problem and there are many reading, and lurking, that don't have the courage to post. Good for you for asking for help, but your info is incomplete. When everything falls into place MFP is very doable. Best. B)

    I would rather log with MFP, than 21 day. I also stopped logging my runs on the treadmill , only logvmy 21 day workout. I allow the Fitbit to adjust it. It seems more accurate.

    But if you're logging with MFP you need to weigh your food. I grabbed my food scale from Walmart on clearance for $10, best investment of my life.

    I use the barcodes , divide portions, use my 21 day fix containers now ( I was guessing) but yes, I think I'm going to invest in a scale
  • 999tigger
    999tigger Posts: 5,235 Member
    Options
    Food scale is#1 tool and #1 suggestion becayse its importnat you need to know how much you are eating so you cna create a deficit. Fact you arent weighing is good news because it will probably confirm you are eating more than you realised and be the solution for your standstill.
  • blankiefinder
    blankiefinder Posts: 3,599 Member
    Options
    tracydaniels5074 wrote: »
    tracydaniels5074 wrote: »
    snowflake954 wrote: »
    So many people think they are logging accurately, but are not. You need to open up your diary to discount this possibility--I know, I know, it takes courage. It's a shame you are struggling, and we would like you to be a success. Please give your stats too--height, weight, age, etc. Alot of people have this problem and there are many reading, and lurking, that don't have the courage to post. Good for you for asking for help, but your info is incomplete. When everything falls into place MFP is very doable. Best. B)

    I would rather log with MFP, than 21 day. I also stopped logging my runs on the treadmill , only logvmy 21 day workout. I allow the Fitbit to adjust it. It seems more accurate.
    And I opened my food journal. As much as i Did not want to, but the help is appreciated

    Aww, I hate to say it, but your food diary makes me sad :'( I'm sorry, I know it was hard to open, but you don't have much food in there. Did you log everything yesterday? You barely ate anything.

    Here are some of my days back when I was in a deficit. My stats at the time: 43, 5'7, 160 lbs at the time approximately, calorie deficit set to lose .5 per week, but losing 1.5 based on my deficits.

    zx719hfl2ufi.png
    joss25wwf1fm.png
    6ib2wogztr38.png
  • tracydaniels5074
    tracydaniels5074 Posts: 20 Member
    Options
    Yes I logged everything I ate. I log my water on fitbit, not sure why I started doing that but I did, but yes, that's how I eat. Some days I eat really good, others I don't. I get busy, then by the time I get to sit down that hunger feeling is gone. And I fixed the coconut oil. It's not 2 tablespoons, it was supposed to be 2 tea spoons. I log 1 tablespoon because 3 teaspoons = 1 tablespoon, is no way to just log the teaspoon. But I'm not hungry all the time, I can go a day or two with just water and maybe a piece of toast.
  • blankiefinder
    blankiefinder Posts: 3,599 Member
    Options
    If you are eating that little, and not losing, it would be worth a trip to the dr for a checkup and blood work. At that calorie count, you should be losing.
  • tracydaniels5074
    tracydaniels5074 Posts: 20 Member
    Options
    I still think there is something wrong with my thyroid. I work back shifts, so I believe they are doing the wrong tests again. I have another appointment with my old specialist, but I can't get in for another 6 months. I'm just going to keep up with the exercise, it defiantly won't hurt me, there are( according to my finance and a few others)changes happening with my body, I just can't see it. I see rolls of fat, I see still being stuck between sizes, though my uniforms are getting baggy, I can't go to the next size down. Nothing bad is going to come out of working out and trying to eat healthy. It just gets hard when you work you butt off and you still have that butt :disappointed: There is no magical pill, there is no quick fix. This is defiently going to be the hardest battle of my life.
  • snowflake954
    snowflake954 Posts: 8,399 Member
    Options
    Because we don't see things correctly in the mirror, you really need to take your measurements. I've kept a journal of my measurements for 2.5 years now, and on those "dark" days, which we all have, I go back with my tape measure and can't believe my progress. It picks me up because the evidence is undeniable. I do stomach (belly button) waist (above that) hips (I feel around till I find my hip bone) thighs (more or less same place every time) upper arm and neck. I didn't do breast--since I've always been medium there. I suggest it. Best. B)

Categories