Not losing weight!

tacodogmom

I have completed a 25 day streak and have started exercising about 3 times a week. I have maintained the 1200 cal. goal and have only lost a total of 2 pounds. I am feeling discouraged. I have made so many changes to my diet. I am almost 53 I am 5'7" and weigh 160 lbs. I should weigh 140 according to everything I read but would certainly feel great at 145 - 150. I need some suggestions. Thank you in advance for your ideas.

karenrich77

Do you weigh all of your food?

syndeo

1200 cals a day seems a bit low to me, I would expect a TEE to be around 2200.

That being said, losing 2 pounds in three weeks is about normal I would say. Maybe a little on the low side, but nothing too low.

160 pounds at 5'7 is just a hair over the line from normal. So it isn't like you have lots and lots of extra weight to lose.

PixelPuff

syndeo wrote: »

1200 cals a day seems a bit low to me, I would expect a TEE to be around 2200.

That being said, losing 2 pounds in three weeks is about normal I would say. Maybe a little on the low side, but nothing too low.

160 pounds at 5'7 is just a hair over the line from normal. So it isn't like you have lots and lots of extra weight to lose.

MFP recommends 1200 calories/day for me to lose 2lbs/week. So far, so good, it just depends on the person. For example; my older sister would eat her own hand in her sleep, if forced to only have 1200 calories/day.

drheave

for what it is worth, my Dr prescribed me to move every 30 min if im going to be sitting for long periods of time. maybe take a break and walk around for like 10 min? Regardless hang in there ok?

MAngel128

Are you eating back your calories from exercising? If so, try dropping those out and/or decreasing what you eat back. I've found that MFP greatly overestimates the calories burned in exercise - the only exception to this is if you're using a heart rate monitor which should be fairly accurate. Changing foods can help, as can changing exercise routines. If you normally exercise in the AM, try PM (if possible) or vice versa. Also, Karen mentioned weighing food...weighing and measuring with cups really helps. I keep a cup, 1/2 cup, tbsp, and tsp ready at all times since those are the most frequent portions. When I first started I was "estimating" and ended up eating more than I thought. If you have a desk job try getting up for a quick walk break in the AM and PM, extra calorie burn and gets everything moving again. Depending on how much water you are currently drinking, you could try upping that too. I really only drink water (and enjoy it), so I do hot and cold, but I've heard that drinking it cold helps burn more calories so that could be an option to try too.

lseed87

Probably not eating enough. I'd say 1300-1600

Azurite27

At your height and weight with only 10-20 lbs to lose you should only be trying to lose 1/2-1 lb a week so 2 lbs in 25 days seems right on target. Don't try to rush the process. Reset your deficit to lose 1 lb a week or less, weigh your food, eat back 25-50% of your exercise calories and you should be good.

Faithful_Chosen

Azurite27 wrote: »

At your height and weight with only 10-20 lbs to lose you should only be trying to lose 1/2-1 lb a week so 2 lbs in 25 days seems right on target. Don't try to rush the process. Reset your deficit to lose 1 lb a week or less, weigh your food, eat back 25-50% of your exercise calories and you should be good.

This. And if you want us to take a look at your diary, make it public, please. Chances are you are assuming you eat less than you do and burn less than you think. Still, you lost a good amount of weight. Be proud of that! Weight loss is a marathon, not a sprint.

sarahrmli

When I played basketball I would take in upwards of 3000 cals in a day, but it was all good food. I also needed all those cals as I played rough. The point is don't just eat 1200 you need to burn what you eat everyday, not just 3 days a week (which is still good stuff). Otherwise you just lose really slow, if anything. Also remember that what you eat must be good food and not just low in everything, hence why I don't think anyone should go in for weight watchers crisps or ready meals, it's not good food. It'll leave your body empty and just wanting more, which makes dieting a nightmare.

Going by your average day, what would your meals/ snacks consist of?

I know it's frustrating to feel like you're punishing yourself for next to no results, but it will happen with a few changes.

tacodogmom

Thank you for all the responses! You are all so helpful and encouraging. I will make my food diary public if I figure out how lol. I don't eat my calories burned in exercise and I am a person that never stops moving.

sarahrmli wrote: »

When I played basketball I would take in upwards of 3000 cals in a day, but it was all good food. I also needed all those cals as I played rough. The point is don't just eat 1200 you need to burn what you eat everyday, not just 3 days a week (which is still good stuff). Otherwise you just lose really slow, if anything. Also remember that what you eat must be good food and not just low in everything, hence why I don't think anyone should go in for weight watchers crisps or ready meals, it's not good food. It'll leave your body empty and just wanting more, which makes dieting a nightmare.

Going by your average day, what would your meals/ snacks consist of?

I know it's frustrating to feel like you're punishing yourself for next to no results, but it will happen with a few changes.

tacodogmom

Thank you everyone!

tacodogmom

karenrich77 wrote: »

Do you weigh all of your food?

No...

malibu927

You are losing. With 20 pounds to lose, .5-1 pound per week is about where you should be. Making sure your logging is accurate (you may need to use a food scale to ensure you're eating what you say) will help you in the long run.

blankiefinder

tacodogmom wrote: »

karenrich77 wrote: »

Do you weigh all of your food?

No...

There's the problem.

Buy a food scale, weigh and log everything.

Do cardio if you want, and if you do, only eat back 50% of your calories (if you are losing faster than expected after logging for a few weeks, then up the % you eat back). 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.