Ok. I give up. I open my diary to your judgement.

half_moon
half_moon Posts: 807 Member
edited November 20 in Health and Weight Loss
I'm not sure what to change or what to do at this point, so I give up. I have made my diary open to the public and will lay out my current regime for you here.

And I am begging you for your advice.

Problem: I have been working out and cutting calories now for six weeks, and literally not one pound has fallen off. Prior to the exercise, I was cutting calories for two weeks. So in total, two months of crap for not one pound. I know not to go by the scale, but after two months, I will admit when I need to reevaluate.

Exercise: I go to CrossFit on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. That's five days a week. I burn anywhere from 300 to 650 calories each WOD. We are running, doing bear crawls, lifting heavy weights, lifting small weights, jumping -- you get the idea. We are doing everything.

Diet: Not on a diet perse-- but I count every calorie that I consume. I'm not exactly paleo, but I measure and make smart choices when I can. You can see for yourself. I am consistently in line or under my calorie goals for the day, depending on how many calories I burned in a workout. The occasional nieces birthday doesn't even phase me too much.

My weight: like a stone, the scale is unmoving at around 172. It has been there since April. It will go down to 169 then the next day up to 174, never really impressing me.

My body: I am pretty much still wearing the same clothes I was before. I feel great because of the exercise (yay!) but I will be honest with you, vanity is a big factor in my weight loss. Don't judge. I want to be smaller!

My stats:
Female
5'5"
172
Lost weight two years ago-- went from 185 to 137 with MFP. I've done this *kitten* before!
«134567

Replies

  • malibu927
    malibu927 Posts: 17,562 Member
    It's pretty clear you're eating more than you think. Log everything (there are several meals and an entire day missing from what I went through). Weigh everything (I see weights for a few items, but not much). Eating out, if it fits into your calories, is fine but you seem to do it a lot (higher sodium can lead to water weight masking weight loss). Once you tighten up on those things, you should start to lose.
  • auddii
    auddii Posts: 15,357 Member
    So, I randomly noticed that you have some odd entries in your diary (how do you eat 0.7 servings of a lean cuisine? Are you saving the rest for later?). You have some generic and some other things that may not be that accurate. You might want to double check that those are accurate, and if you're going out to eat, I typically look at several different entries and choose the higher calorie ones to over estimate if possible. You also didn't log last Saturday. I know I tend to have a few blow out days, and I don't log because it's a lost cause, but I can easily wipe out a week or two's worth of deficit in a single day.

    In addition, if you've just added crossfit, you are likely retaining some water as part of the new fitness program (cortisol levels are up).

    While it may not be what you want to hear, tighten up your tracking if possible, and I'd wait another few weeks. If you still don't see any change, try dropping your calories by 100 per day or so. Remember that the intake calculators are estimates, so you might need a goal that is a little lower.

    I'd also suggest monthly progress photos as well. Sometimes the scale barely moves, but I can really see a difference when comparing to previous photos.
  • half_moon
    half_moon Posts: 807 Member
    edited June 2015
    malibu927 wrote: »
    It's pretty clear you're eating more than you think. Log everything (there are several meals and an entire day missing from what I went through). Weigh everything (I see weights for a few items, but not much). Eating out, if it fits into your calories, is fine but you seem to do it a lot (higher sodium can lead to water weight masking weight loss). Once you tighten up on those things, you should start to lose.

    How is that clear that I am not logging when I am literally logging everything I consume? That day I was in the hospital and barely ate anything, didn't bother to log. Perhaps under eating is an issue for that day? Am I not eating enough?

    I pretty much only eat out at Chik fil A. If it is the sodium, I will watch that more. I drink SO much water every day though. Should I drink more?
  • yopeeps025
    yopeeps025 Posts: 8,680 Member
    half_moon wrote: »
    malibu927 wrote: »
    It's pretty clear you're eating more than you think. Log everything (there are several meals and an entire day missing from what I went through). Weigh everything (I see weights for a few items, but not much). Eating out, if it fits into your calories, is fine but you seem to do it a lot (higher sodium can lead to water weight masking weight loss). Once you tighten up on those things, you should start to lose.

    How is that clear that I am not logging when I am literally logging everything I consume?

    I pretty much only eat out at Chik fil A. If it is the sodium, I will watch that more. I drink SO much water every day though.

    high sodium levels will mask weight loss on the scale for a little while. For me it actually does for more than 3 days.
  • half_moon
    half_moon Posts: 807 Member
    To note, the days you see where I am grossly under caloric limit are not days I skipped logging a meal. I just had literally no appetite on those days. It would come back the next day though to make up for the low numbers.
  • malibu927
    malibu927 Posts: 17,562 Member
    half_moon wrote: »
    malibu927 wrote: »
    It's pretty clear you're eating more than you think. Log everything (there are several meals and an entire day missing from what I went through). Weigh everything (I see weights for a few items, but not much). Eating out, if it fits into your calories, is fine but you seem to do it a lot (higher sodium can lead to water weight masking weight loss). Once you tighten up on those things, you should start to lose.

    How is that clear that I am not logging when I am literally logging everything I consume?

    I pretty much only eat out at Chik fil A. If it is the sodium, I will watch that more. I drink SO much water every day though.

    I looked back two weeks. Two days you didn't log anything, and a handful of other days are missing meals.
  • half_moon
    half_moon Posts: 807 Member
    yopeeps025 wrote: »
    half_moon wrote: »
    malibu927 wrote: »
    It's pretty clear you're eating more than you think. Log everything (there are several meals and an entire day missing from what I went through). Weigh everything (I see weights for a few items, but not much). Eating out, if it fits into your calories, is fine but you seem to do it a lot (higher sodium can lead to water weight masking weight loss). Once you tighten up on those things, you should start to lose.

    How is that clear that I am not logging when I am literally logging everything I consume?

    I pretty much only eat out at Chik fil A. If it is the sodium, I will watch that more. I drink SO much water every day though.

    high sodium levels will mask weight loss on the scale for a little while. For me it actually does for more than 3 days.

    But for two months? I mean I know I could eat fresher foods but I fail to see how two months of eating pretty normally had that big effect.

    To me, then, this is proof that CI/CO is a sham, and it really does depend on what you eat. Maybe I should just say screw all and go Paleo. Ugh.
  • gobonas99
    gobonas99 Posts: 1,049 Member
    I see LOTS of entries measured in cups vs weight (which means lots of room for error...in most cases, cups means eating more than you think you are). I also see a LOT of takeout entries - high sodium daily, or every other day or so, WILL mess everything up.
  • half_moon
    half_moon Posts: 807 Member
    edited June 2015
    malibu927 wrote: »
    half_moon wrote: »
    malibu927 wrote: »
    It's pretty clear you're eating more than you think. Log everything (there are several meals and an entire day missing from what I went through). Weigh everything (I see weights for a few items, but not much). Eating out, if it fits into your calories, is fine but you seem to do it a lot (higher sodium can lead to water weight masking weight loss). Once you tighten up on those things, you should start to lose.

    How is that clear that I am not logging when I am literally logging everything I consume?

    I pretty much only eat out at Chik fil A. If it is the sodium, I will watch that more. I drink SO much water every day though.

    I looked back two weeks. Two days you didn't log anything, and a handful of other days are missing meals.

    Unfortunately those handful of missing meals are not missing meals. I skipped dinner on those days due to travel. :(
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  • TheVirgoddess
    TheVirgoddess Posts: 4,535 Member
    While I don't really see anything wrong with what you're eating - I do not see a lot of weighed food. Or rather, your weighing is really inconsistent.

    You do eat out a lot, but I do, too and I've lost a lot of weight, so I don't think that will hold you back.

    Do you scan barcodes, or do you use generic entries?

    When is the last time you had a physical?
  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,371 Member
    You're not logging every day. You can easily undo a week's deficit if you overeat on the days you don't log.

    Lots of take out - lots of sodium that won't help you shed weight, lots of approximation and guesses... you could be way off.

    I don't see a lot in term of whole foods... lots of processed stuff... which shouldn't be a big deal but is more likely to be inaccurate if you don't weigh them.

    And you don't seem to weigh, so you might be way off there as well on the things you measure, like cereal. Volume units are for liquids, not solids.



  • yopeeps025
    yopeeps025 Posts: 8,680 Member
    half_moon wrote: »
    yopeeps025 wrote: »
    half_moon wrote: »
    malibu927 wrote: »
    It's pretty clear you're eating more than you think. Log everything (there are several meals and an entire day missing from what I went through). Weigh everything (I see weights for a few items, but not much). Eating out, if it fits into your calories, is fine but you seem to do it a lot (higher sodium can lead to water weight masking weight loss). Once you tighten up on those things, you should start to lose.

    How is that clear that I am not logging when I am literally logging everything I consume?

    I pretty much only eat out at Chik fil A. If it is the sodium, I will watch that more. I drink SO much water every day though.

    high sodium levels will mask weight loss on the scale for a little while. For me it actually does for more than 3 days.

    But for two months? I mean I know I could eat fresher foods but I fail to see how two months of eating pretty normally had that big effect.

    To me, then, this is proof that CI/CO is a sham, and it really does depend on what you eat. Maybe I should just say screw all and go Paleo. Ugh.


    You cannot say that when you data is not correct. Empty days of logging. Unless you saying you didn't eat for a whole day?

    Sodium was very high one of these recent days. For my friend it would take him a week before the scale would show a loss.
  • half_moon
    half_moon Posts: 807 Member
    While I don't really see anything wrong with what you're eating - I do not see a lot of weighed food. Or rather, your weighing is really inconsistent.

    You do eat out a lot, but I do, too and I've lost a lot of weight, so I don't think that will hold you back.

    Do you scan barcodes, or do you use generic entries?

    When is the last time you had a physical?

    I had surgery in February, and have been to the doctor several times since then for check ups. I scan barcodes when available, and I ALWAYS over estimate what I am eating. If I don't finish my meal, I don't change my log. I do my best to make up for variances.

    I just give up. It shouldn't be this hard. If I have to weigh every bite I put in my mouth and resign myself to never eating out of the house, it isn't worth it. I could have laid around on my *kitten* all summer and still be here. *kitten* ridiculous.
  • J383
    J383 Posts: 4,574 Member
    Do you keep track of your water intake? I use the water bomb from pinterest to keep track. I have anywhere from 96oz of water to 144oz water a day( at least a gal a day). It depends one my workouts and how hot it is. Cutting the calories isn't the problem. To me it looks like you arnt eating enough high proteins. I don't see 3oz of lean meats or tons of veggies. I also notice you don't eat much in the morning, breakfast wise. I would introduce a protein shake of some sort to start off cranking up your metabolism. I have lost 5lbs in 11 days. I also have about 2 protein shakes a day in between meals. I would try not cutting calories but adding high protein to your diet. You are welcome to look at my diary as an example. I know it can be painful not seeing results.
  • yopeeps025
    yopeeps025 Posts: 8,680 Member
    half_moon wrote: »
    While I don't really see anything wrong with what you're eating - I do not see a lot of weighed food. Or rather, your weighing is really inconsistent.

    You do eat out a lot, but I do, too and I've lost a lot of weight, so I don't think that will hold you back.

    Do you scan barcodes, or do you use generic entries?

    When is the last time you had a physical?

    I had surgery in February, and have been to the doctor several times since then for check ups. I scan barcodes when available, and I ALWAYS over estimate what I am eating. If I don't finish my meal, I don't change my log. I do my best to make up for variances.

    I just give up. It shouldn't be this hard. If I have to weigh every bite I put in my mouth and resign myself to never eating out of the house, it isn't worth it. I could have laid around on my *kitten* all summer and still be here. *kitten* ridiculous.

    You know who you sound like right?

  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,371 Member
    half_moon wrote: »
    While I don't really see anything wrong with what you're eating - I do not see a lot of weighed food. Or rather, your weighing is really inconsistent.

    You do eat out a lot, but I do, too and I've lost a lot of weight, so I don't think that will hold you back.

    Do you scan barcodes, or do you use generic entries?

    When is the last time you had a physical?

    I had surgery in February, and have been to the doctor several times since then for check ups. I scan barcodes when available, and I ALWAYS over estimate what I am eating. If I don't finish my meal, I don't change my log. I do my best to make up for variances.

    I just give up. It shouldn't be this hard. If I have to weigh every bite I put in my mouth and resign myself to never eating out of the house, it isn't worth it. I could have laid around on my *kitten* all summer and still be here. *kitten* ridiculous.

    So stay overweight. It's your choice. We're just telling you what you can improve.
  • diannethegeek
    diannethegeek Posts: 14,776 Member
    half_moon wrote: »
    While I don't really see anything wrong with what you're eating - I do not see a lot of weighed food. Or rather, your weighing is really inconsistent.

    You do eat out a lot, but I do, too and I've lost a lot of weight, so I don't think that will hold you back.

    Do you scan barcodes, or do you use generic entries?

    When is the last time you had a physical?

    I had surgery in February, and have been to the doctor several times since then for check ups. I scan barcodes when available, and I ALWAYS over estimate what I am eating. If I don't finish my meal, I don't change my log. I do my best to make up for variances.

    I just give up. It shouldn't be this hard. If I have to weigh every bite I put in my mouth and resign myself to never eating out of the house, it isn't worth it. I could have laid around on my *kitten* all summer and still be here. *kitten* ridiculous.

    Okay, then quit. There are experienced users here who are trying to help you if you'll engage with them.and let them. But if you truly just want to quit instead then you're wasting their time. It's up to you.

  • _benjammin
    _benjammin Posts: 1,224 Member
    I looked at the month of June. You didn't log 2 days. From the 27 days you logged, your average was 1298 calories per day. If you haven't lost any weight I gotta believe you are eating more than you think.
    I wouldn't worry about sodium.
    I would consider getting your protein up. I don't think there was one day this month you got 100 grams.
  • TheVirgoddess
    TheVirgoddess Posts: 4,535 Member
    half_moon wrote: »
    While I don't really see anything wrong with what you're eating - I do not see a lot of weighed food. Or rather, your weighing is really inconsistent.

    You do eat out a lot, but I do, too and I've lost a lot of weight, so I don't think that will hold you back.

    Do you scan barcodes, or do you use generic entries?

    When is the last time you had a physical?

    I had surgery in February, and have been to the doctor several times since then for check ups. I scan barcodes when available, and I ALWAYS over estimate what I am eating. If I don't finish my meal, I don't change my log. I do my best to make up for variances.

    I just give up. It shouldn't be this hard. If I have to weigh every bite I put in my mouth and resign myself to never eating out of the house, it isn't worth it. I could have laid around on my *kitten* all summer and still be here. *kitten* ridiculous.

    Did they test thyroid function and/or insulin levels?

    Weighing your food helps a lot though. I weigh everything at home, and guesstimate high when I'm out. I know it sounds ridiculous, but it's a huge eye opener. My scale gets a lot of credit for the 83 pounds I've lost.

    Here's a really good example how easy it is to over-eat without realizing it.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjKPIcI51lU&list=FLxRg_80KHM-BdcHvV7nkgfg&index=1
  • DeguelloTex
    DeguelloTex Posts: 6,652 Member
    half_moon wrote: »
    While I don't really see anything wrong with what you're eating - I do not see a lot of weighed food. Or rather, your weighing is really inconsistent.

    You do eat out a lot, but I do, too and I've lost a lot of weight, so I don't think that will hold you back.

    Do you scan barcodes, or do you use generic entries?

    When is the last time you had a physical?

    I had surgery in February, and have been to the doctor several times since then for check ups. I scan barcodes when available, and I ALWAYS over estimate what I am eating. If I don't finish my meal, I don't change my log. I do my best to make up for variances.

    I just give up. It shouldn't be this hard. If I have to weigh every bite I put in my mouth and resign myself to never eating out of the house, it isn't worth it. I could have laid around on my *kitten* all summer and still be here. *kitten* ridiculous.
    No, you'd be heavier.

    If you're not losing weight, you're not eating less than you burn. Maybe you have a medical issue that distorts what you burn. There aren't really any other possibilities.

  • AbsoluteTara79
    AbsoluteTara79 Posts: 266 Member
    I think everyone has pointed out the issues whether or not those are acceptable answers to you.

    What were you hoping to glean from this?

    And, what did you do differently when you lost weight 2 years ago?

  • ncboiler89
    ncboiler89 Posts: 2,408 Member
    half_moon wrote: »
    I'm not sure what to change or what to do at this point, so I give up. I have made my diary open to the public and will lay out my current regime for you here.

    And I am begging you for your advice.

    Problem: I have been working out and cutting calories now for six weeks, and literally not one pound has fallen off. Prior to the exercise, I was cutting calories for two weeks. So in total, two months of crap for not one pound. I know not to go by the scale, but after two months, I will admit when I need to reevaluate.

    Exercise: I go to CrossFit on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. That's five days a week. I burn anywhere from 300 to 650 calories each WOD. We are running, doing bear crawls, lifting heavy weights, lifting small weights, jumping -- you get the idea. We are doing everything.

    Diet: Not on a diet perse-- but I count every calorie that I consume. I'm not exactly paleo, but I measure and make smart choices when I can. You can see for yourself. I am consistently in line or under my calorie goals for the day, depending on how many calories I burned in a workout. The occasional nieces birthday doesn't even phase me too much.

    My weight: like a stone, the scale is unmoving at around 172. It has been there since April. It will go down to 169 then the next day up to 174, never really impressing me.

    My body: I am pretty much still wearing the same clothes I was before. I feel great because of the exercise (yay!) but I will be honest with you, vanity is a big factor in my weight loss. Don't judge. I want to be smaller!

    My stats:
    Female
    5'5"
    172
    Lost weight two years ago-- went from 185 to 137 with MFP. I've done this *kitten* before!

    Outside of a medical condition there are really only two variables for weight loss. Calories burned and calories consumed. You are either burning less than you think, eating more than you think, or both. It's that simple. You just need to figure out which it is. Typically when people have this issue they are just underestimating the calories they take in.

    A medical condition isn't even a factor really. It just makes it hard to estimate the two variables mentioned above - particularly the calories burned part of the equation - especially when the condition is unknown/undiagnosed.
  • Emilia777
    Emilia777 Posts: 978 Member
    edited June 2015
    ^^^ What they said. If anything, you should be glad to learn that the problem is likely your food logging, so that if you fixed that chances are you will see results. You don’t weigh crackers, fruit, cereal, margarine, beans, margarine, potatoes, butter, avocado. These things add up and can wipe out your deficit. Not to mention water retention due to exercise (I didn’t lose any weight of 6 weeks when I first got started because of that).

    Edited to add: one thing to keep in mind with take-out/fast food is that the calorie estimations from the website aren’t necessarily entirely accurate. Some employees are more generous than others when it comes to the sauces/dressings. Eating out isn’t a problem if you’re able to account for the calories, but keep in mind that this could add to your margin of error. You can ask for the calorific sauces and such on the side to help control for this.
  • paris458
    paris458 Posts: 229 Member
    my sister was having trouble losing weight. even when I had her logging and she is a waitress so always running around. I realized she wasnt drinking water. as soon as she started trying to reach at least 8 glasses a day her pounds started coming off. are you making sure you are drinking enough water?
  • yopeeps025
    yopeeps025 Posts: 8,680 Member
    paris458 wrote: »
    my sister was having trouble losing weight. even when I had her logging and she is a waitress so always running around. I realized she wasnt drinking water. as soon as she started trying to reach at least 8 glasses a day her pounds started coming off. are you making sure you are drinking enough water?

    I hope OP is with some of those high sodium level days she logs .
  • ExRelaySprinter
    ExRelaySprinter Posts: 874 Member
    @half_moon What do you have for drinks?
    Before i started logging my food & drinks, i was drinking 4 glasses of Orange juice a day (thinking i was being "healthy")....but those 4 glasses turned out to be almost equivalent to 400 cals!
    So be mindful of your drinks as well.
  • Alyssa_Is_LosingIt
    Alyssa_Is_LosingIt Posts: 4,696 Member
    half_moon wrote: »
    While I don't really see anything wrong with what you're eating - I do not see a lot of weighed food. Or rather, your weighing is really inconsistent.

    You do eat out a lot, but I do, too and I've lost a lot of weight, so I don't think that will hold you back.

    Do you scan barcodes, or do you use generic entries?

    When is the last time you had a physical?

    I had surgery in February, and have been to the doctor several times since then for check ups. I scan barcodes when available, and I ALWAYS over estimate what I am eating. If I don't finish my meal, I don't change my log. I do my best to make up for variances.

    I just give up. It shouldn't be this hard. If I have to weigh every bite I put in my mouth and resign myself to never eating out of the house, it isn't worth it. I could have laid around on my *kitten* all summer and still be here. *kitten* ridiculous.

    Wow, what a poor attitude.

    I weigh everything I eat. I work full time and have two kids. It really is not that hard. It literally involves keeping a scale on your counter (OMG so hard) and setting your bowl/plate on top of the scale instead of the counter. I guess it could be considered inconvenient because you have to press a button.

    Good grief, if you're not willing to put in a little effort to be accurate, then you're not ready to lose weight, period. Just take a break and try again when you're genuinely ready.
  • gobonas99
    gobonas99 Posts: 1,049 Member
    half_moon wrote: »
    I just give up. It shouldn't be this hard. If I have to weigh every bite I put in my mouth and resign myself to never eating out of the house, it isn't worth it. I could have laid around on my *kitten* all summer and still be here. *kitten* ridiculous.

    If it wasn't hard, then there would be much fewer overweight people. :/

    No one said never eat out...or even weighing everything you eat all the time forever. BUT, I *would* recommend that you cut back on eating out (say once or twice a week, instead of 3-5 times a week), and try actually weighing ALL your food for while until you get an idea of actual serving sizes (particularly with things like cereal where the serving size by cup measurement tends to actually be 1.5-2 times the actual serving size by weight).

    I personally don't weigh everything any more, as after more than 2 years, I've gotten pretty good at eyeballing measurements - but I was WAY off a lot of the time when I first started (and I've never weighed things like bananas). I also eat out a couple of times a week - more often in the winter because the hubs and I snowmobile on the weekends (which means eating out for 75% of our meals Fri-Sun). But I ALWAYS "pay the price" for eating out - I retain water, and my weight goes up. It effects me so much, that my goal in the winter is merely to maintain my weight (because of the more frequent meals out). But still, even with all of that (and hypothyroidism to boot), I've lost nearly 60 pounds. It IS doable (I am proof that CI/CO is NOT a "sham")....but you NEED to be accurate in your logging (aka weighing food), especially at the beginning (first 6-12 months, on average, I would say).

  • msf74
    msf74 Posts: 3,498 Member
    Well, you're not putting on weight either so there's that.

    You have been logging since the 30th May from what I can see - so not two months but one. There is nothing before that and your exercise kicks in a few days after that. Your logging is inconsistent and I suspect largely inaccurate.

    Do you fancy trying an experiment? Set a one day menu of 1,500 calories where you are very certain the calorie count is accurate (even if this means you are eating packaged items with calorie counts three or four times a day.) Continue on with the exercise as before. Eat that exact same things every day for 14 days. See if you lose weight. If you do then you know it's your existing methods that are the problem. If not seek another way of doing it.
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