only losing a pound a week
momentai
Posts: 42 Member
Hi,
Since February I've been losing a pound a week, which is good. But according to MFP I should be losing more than that.
I eat around 1250 cal (I'm 5'3) a day plus go to the gym almost every day but don't eat those calories back since I don't trust the machines calorie counters.
I do cardio and weight training and I walk to the gym which is half an hour away.
I feel like I should be losing more, any reason this could be happening?
I'm happy that I'm losing a pound a week and I don't need to lose more, it just confuses me.
Thx Charlie
Since February I've been losing a pound a week, which is good. But according to MFP I should be losing more than that.
I eat around 1250 cal (I'm 5'3) a day plus go to the gym almost every day but don't eat those calories back since I don't trust the machines calorie counters.
I do cardio and weight training and I walk to the gym which is half an hour away.
I feel like I should be losing more, any reason this could be happening?
I'm happy that I'm losing a pound a week and I don't need to lose more, it just confuses me.
Thx Charlie
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Replies
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Most likely cause is that you're eating more than you think. Are you weighing your food?0
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Only? A pound a week is amazing!0
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If you're losing less than expected, then you're eating more than you think.0
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Not sure what you mean when you say "according to MFP I should be losing more." You tell the app how much you want to lose each week. Then the app sets your calorie intake. A pound a week is GREAT.0
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'Only?'
Are you weighing your food? If not, you're probably eating more calories than you think you are.0 -
Because the idea that 3500 calories equals 1 Lb is only a reasonable estimation...it's not "hard" math, it's "soft" math. Combine that with the fact that calorie counting has a lot of inherent estimation errors, voila...
Be happy that you are losing about 1 Lb per week and go with it. No calculator in the world can accurately predict exactly how many pounds per week you're going to lose. All this stuff is is reasonable estimation and "soft" math.0 -
I don't weigh but I overestimate my food. I always list it as more than less.galgenstrick wrote: »Most likely cause is that you're eating more than you think. Are you weighing your food?
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I don't weigh but I overestimate my food. I always list it as more than less.galgenstrick wrote: »Most likely cause is that you're eating more than you think. Are you weighing your food?
Try weighing. It's the only way to be consistent.0 -
I don't weigh but I overestimate my food. I always list it as more than less.galgenstrick wrote: »Most likely cause is that you're eating more than you think. Are you weighing your food?
It's still not accurate though. So you don't really know what your calorie intake actually is.0 -
I don't weigh but I overestimate my food. I always list it as more than less.galgenstrick wrote: »Most likely cause is that you're eating more than you think. Are you weighing your food?
It's still not accurate though. So you don't really know what your calorie intake actually is.
I don't weigh but measure, for example if I eat 1 cup of brown rice I long 1 and a half cup of MFP
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I am happy about one pound a week I don't think I even want to lose faster
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I don't weigh but I overestimate my food. I always list it as more than less.galgenstrick wrote: »Most likely cause is that you're eating more than you think. Are you weighing your food?
It's still not accurate though. So you don't really know what your calorie intake actually is.
I don't weigh but measure, for example if I eat a cup of brown rice I log a cup and half on MFP
That sounds like a horrible idea. Just weigh your food and log it as the correct weight. You need to learn what your actual TDEE is, and the only way to do that is to know exactly how many calories your eating. Trust me, it will make adjusting your intake much easier in the future.0 -
galgenstrick wrote: »
I don't weigh but I overestimate my food. I always list it as more than less.galgenstrick wrote: »Most likely cause is that you're eating more than you think. Are you weighing your food?
It's still not accurate though. So you don't really know what your calorie intake actually is.
I don't weigh but measure, for example if I eat a cup of brown rice I log a cup and half on MFP
That sounds like a horrible idea. Just weigh your food and log it as the correct weight. You need to learn what your actual TDEE is, and the only way to do that is to know exactly how many calories your eating. Trust me, it will make adjusting your intake much easier in the future.
I know right now I just don't have a food scale or the time to weigh it
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galgenstrick wrote: »
I don't weigh but I overestimate my food. I always list it as more than less.galgenstrick wrote: »Most likely cause is that you're eating more than you think. Are you weighing your food?
It's still not accurate though. So you don't really know what your calorie intake actually is.
I don't weigh but measure, for example if I eat a cup of brown rice I log a cup and half on MFP
That sounds like a horrible idea. Just weigh your food and log it as the correct weight. You need to learn what your actual TDEE is, and the only way to do that is to know exactly how many calories your eating. Trust me, it will make adjusting your intake much easier in the future.
I know right now I just don't have a food scale or the time to weigh it
Weighing food literally takes at most, 10 minutes cumulatively through the day. You can get an inexpensive scale pretty much anywhere. Order one from Amazon and have it shipped right to your door.
But if you're okay with 1 lbs a week (which is nothing to scoff at, btw), then just keep doing what you're doing.
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galgenstrick wrote: »
I don't weigh but I overestimate my food. I always list it as more than less.galgenstrick wrote: »Most likely cause is that you're eating more than you think. Are you weighing your food?
It's still not accurate though. So you don't really know what your calorie intake actually is.
I don't weigh but measure, for example if I eat a cup of brown rice I log a cup and half on MFP
That sounds like a horrible idea. Just weigh your food and log it as the correct weight. You need to learn what your actual TDEE is, and the only way to do that is to know exactly how many calories your eating. Trust me, it will make adjusting your intake much easier in the future.
I know right now I just don't have a food scale or the time to weigh it
Weighing food literally takes at most, 10 minutes cumulatively through the day. You can get an inexpensive scale pretty much anywhere. Order one from Amazon and have it shipped right to your door.
But if you're okay with 1 lbs a week (which is nothing to scoff at, btw), then just keep doing what you're doing.
I'll try getting one soon cause once I'm done losing I want to gain muscles and its important to know exactly what you're eating.
Besides over counting is there any other reasons I can't lose more then one pound a week?
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galgenstrick wrote: »
I don't weigh but I overestimate my food. I always list it as more than less.galgenstrick wrote: »Most likely cause is that you're eating more than you think. Are you weighing your food?
It's still not accurate though. So you don't really know what your calorie intake actually is.
I don't weigh but measure, for example if I eat a cup of brown rice I log a cup and half on MFP
That sounds like a horrible idea. Just weigh your food and log it as the correct weight. You need to learn what your actual TDEE is, and the only way to do that is to know exactly how many calories your eating. Trust me, it will make adjusting your intake much easier in the future.
I know right now I just don't have a food scale or the time to weigh it
Weighing food literally takes at most, 10 minutes cumulatively through the day. You can get an inexpensive scale pretty much anywhere. Order one from Amazon and have it shipped right to your door.
But if you're okay with 1 lbs a week (which is nothing to scoff at, btw), then just keep doing what you're doing.
I'll try getting one soon cause once I'm done losing I want to gain muscles and its important to know exactly what you're eating.
Besides over counting is there any other reasons I can't lose more then one pound a week?
Metabolic issues like thyroid disease. You can always have your doctor run a blood panel to check your levels on everything. When I first started weight loss, I had mine done, and then 6 months later did a repeat. I wanted to make sure I stayed normal and nothing out of the ordinary cropped up (I don't have thyroid issues but did have them tested anyway).0 -
galgenstrick wrote: »
I don't weigh but I overestimate my food. I always list it as more than less.galgenstrick wrote: »Most likely cause is that you're eating more than you think. Are you weighing your food?
It's still not accurate though. So you don't really know what your calorie intake actually is.
I don't weigh but measure, for example if I eat a cup of brown rice I log a cup and half on MFP
That sounds like a horrible idea. Just weigh your food and log it as the correct weight. You need to learn what your actual TDEE is, and the only way to do that is to know exactly how many calories your eating. Trust me, it will make adjusting your intake much easier in the future.
I know right now I just don't have a food scale or the time to weigh it
Weighing food literally takes at most, 10 minutes cumulatively through the day. You can get an inexpensive scale pretty much anywhere. Order one from Amazon and have it shipped right to your door.
But if you're okay with 1 lbs a week (which is nothing to scoff at, btw), then just keep doing what you're doing.
I'll try getting one soon cause once I'm done losing I want to gain muscles and its important to know exactly what you're eating.
Besides over counting is there any other reasons I can't lose more then one pound a week?
Maybe over-estimating your exercise as well. Since you're not into weighing your food, I'd either try to eat less or do more cardio.
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There are two possibilities:
1. You're underestimating the amount of calories you eat. 1250 is really really low for your activity level.
2. You ate at such a massive calorie deficit that you've caused your metabolism to slow down. As long as you're still losing weight at a healthy rate then don't worry about it.
http://diabetes.diabetesjournals.org/content/early/2015/05/06/db14-1881
Note that the above study used a 50% calorie reduction. It's unlikely that this effect would have been seen to this extend if the calorie reduction wasn't so drastic.0 -
galgenstrick wrote: »
I don't weigh but I overestimate my food. I always list it as more than less.galgenstrick wrote: »Most likely cause is that you're eating more than you think. Are you weighing your food?
It's still not accurate though. So you don't really know what your calorie intake actually is.
I don't weigh but measure, for example if I eat a cup of brown rice I log a cup and half on MFP
That sounds like a horrible idea. Just weigh your food and log it as the correct weight. You need to learn what your actual TDEE is, and the only way to do that is to know exactly how many calories your eating. Trust me, it will make adjusting your intake much easier in the future.
I know right now I just don't have a food scale or the time to weigh it
Weighing food literally takes at most, 10 minutes cumulatively through the day. You can get an inexpensive scale pretty much anywhere. Order one from Amazon and have it shipped right to your door.
But if you're okay with 1 lbs a week (which is nothing to scoff at, btw), then just keep doing what you're doing.
I'll try getting one soon cause once I'm done losing I want to gain muscles and its important to know exactly what you're eating.
Besides over counting is there any other reasons I can't lose more then one pound a week?
You're either comsuming more calories than you think or you are not expending as many calories as you think. All the other issues (thyroid, metabolism, etc) apply to a miniscule percentage of people yet many people insist that is their problem. It's easier to blame something out of your control for your weight than it is to take responsibility for it.
Get a scale and weigh your food. Everything you eat. Every last pat of butter or baby carrot you eat. I think you'll be surprised. Anyway, a pound a week is just about ideal. If what you're doing is working, just keep at it.0 -
If you're not accurately logging food or exercise you cannot really expect MFP's weight loss prediction to be any more than a rough guide either I'm afraid. It's like making a cake without weighing the ingredients - very hit and miss!0
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Only a pound a week? I've been consistently logging and exercising for 65 days. Want to know how much I've lost? A total of 9 pounds. All of that came off in the first two weeks, nothing lost since then. Be thankful for what you've lost and push harder. Weigh and measure your food. Drink more water. Take an extra walk. Things will happen.0
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Your steady weight loss is excellent; don't be tempted to try and push for more because your body is in a good rhythm and shedding the excess weight in a very safe and healthy way. Just keep doing what you are doing!0
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rugbyphreak wrote: »Only a pound a week? I've been consistently logging and exercising for 65 days. Want to know how much I've lost? A total of 9 pounds. All of that came off in the first two weeks, nothing lost since then. Be thankful for what you've lost and push harder. Weigh and measure your food. Drink more water. Take an extra walk. Things will happen.
Thanks , I'm looking forward to summer to get out more cause other then my gym time I'm not active enough.
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I think people are making wayyy to much out of this. Has anyone ever predicted their weight loss successful down to the pound? If you did, i'd gladly like to hear it, i even applied some calculus to my weight loss predictions. To no avail. Yet if someone can do better as I said, I'd like to hear it...
OP: you're fine, Everything to determine your weight loss is estimates. even your body weight is an estimate, it fluctuates constantly. If you're losing 4-8lbs a month, you're good. WHich in your case, you are.
Amen.
Significant calorie deficits for long periods of time does cause your metabolism to adapt and weight loss to slow. A lot of people lose larger amounts early on when they reduce calories, then will see weight loss slow down, even when they further reduce calories. MFP does a great job of estimating needs for weight loss without going too low on calories.
You're doing great! Keep it up!!! Try not to get frustrated if the numbers on the scale aren't matching exactly to what MFP says you should be losing. And take measurements, too, if you can, because changes in body composition may be happening that the scale does not pick up on. (Increased muscle mass, for example).0 -
Not sure what you mean when you say "according to MFP I should be losing more." You tell the app how much you want to lose each week. Then the app sets your calorie intake. A pound a week is GREAT.
When you complete the day, MFP says "If every day were like today... You'd weigh 165 lbs in 5 weeks".
I think this is clearly was she was referencing.
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How on earth can you start to question things when you arent acccurately measuring your food? Of you wnat to try and lose faster then look at eating less and moving more or simply be grateful that you are losing and exercise some patience. As wolfman pointed out its not perfect math by any means.0
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Don't overdo it on the workouts, you walk an hour to/from the gym plus cardio and weights, nearly every day? There's no need unless you're training towards some event or competition.0
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TimothyFish wrote: »If you're losing less than expected, then you're eating more than you think.
Or even not exercising as much as you think.... Many people state that MFP will overestimate the amount of calories burned during exercise. No one has tried to figure out how much of an overestimation, though as far as I can tell. We should ask the ops about it.
She could also be retaining water for some reason. Water has no calories, but if you drink a pound, you weigh a pound more. I would not drink a large bottle of water before my daily weigh in, unless it was the same amount of water each time; you would just have a higher baseline.
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galgenstrick wrote: »
I don't weigh but I overestimate my food. I always list it as more than less.galgenstrick wrote: »Most likely cause is that you're eating more than you think. Are you weighing your food?
It's still not accurate though. So you don't really know what your calorie intake actually is.
I don't weigh but measure, for example if I eat a cup of brown rice I log a cup and half on MFP
That sounds like a horrible idea. Just weigh your food and log it as the correct weight. You need to learn what your actual TDEE is, and the only way to do that is to know exactly how many calories your eating. Trust me, it will make adjusting your intake much easier in the future.
Sometimes, it is the best you can do if you are at a restaurant and don't have a scale available. The real horrible idea is to not even try.
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galgenstrick wrote: »
I don't weigh but I overestimate my food. I always list it as more than less.galgenstrick wrote: »Most likely cause is that you're eating more than you think. Are you weighing your food?
It's still not accurate though. So you don't really know what your calorie intake actually is.
I don't weigh but measure, for example if I eat a cup of brown rice I log a cup and half on MFP
That sounds like a horrible idea. Just weigh your food and log it as the correct weight. You need to learn what your actual TDEE is, and the only way to do that is to know exactly how many calories your eating. Trust me, it will make adjusting your intake much easier in the future.
I know right now I just don't have a food scale or the time to weigh it
Weighing food literally takes at most, 10 minutes cumulatively through the day. You can get an inexpensive scale pretty much anywhere. Order one from Amazon and have it shipped right to your door.
But if you're okay with 1 lbs a week (which is nothing to scoff at, btw), then just keep doing what you're doing.
I'll try getting one soon cause once I'm done losing I want to gain muscles and its important to know exactly what you're eating.
Besides over counting is there any other reasons I can't lose more then one pound a week?
How much do you weigh now?
You are young, but only 5'3, so it's quite possible that a deficit that would amount to 2 lbs/week isn't that feasible.
Anyway, you said you are happy with 1 lb, and you should be. Consistency is the key and will help you when you are ready to shift to muscle building (as will not being too aggressive and losing more muscle than necessary now).0
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