Help!!

HippySkoppy

Kalikel wrote: »

Either start weighing all your food or drop your calories by 100 every two weeks until you begin losing.

Nobody has to weigh food to lose weight. It will help you get a better estimate, but it's not necessary. You do have to change something, though, because what you're doing now isn't working. So, if you don't wish to get into weighing, you need to drop those calories.

I guess you could exercise more, if you have the time.

Good luck.

You know this just doesn't make sense to me.

Without accurate calorie counts how is OP to even to now how far off track she really is.

Your suggestion to drop calories is also far too premature - OP would be better served investing in digital scales and using USDA approved calorie counts in grams....and I have to ask this. How do you accurately assess dropping 100 calories every 2 weeks??? Without weighing, this is such a small amount that eyeballing or other forms of guesstimates are likely to be very inaccurate.

queenliz99

HippySkoppy wrote: »

Kalikel wrote: »

Either start weighing all your food or drop your calories by 100 every two weeks until you begin losing.

Nobody has to weigh food to lose weight. It will help you get a better estimate, but it's not necessary. You do have to change something, though, because what you're doing now isn't working. So, if you don't wish to get into weighing, you need to drop those calories.

I guess you could exercise more, if you have the time.

Good luck.

You know this just doesn't make sense to me.

Without accurate calorie counts how is OP to even to now how far off track she really is.

Your suggestion to drop calories is also far too premature - OP would be better served investing in digital scales and using USDA approved calorie counts in grams....and I have to ask this. How do you accurately assess dropping 100 calories every 2 weeks??? Without weighing, this is such a small amount that eyeballing or other forms of guesstimates are likely to be very inaccurate.

I think @Kalikel point was if she does not want to use a food scale, she can lower her calories by one hundred because she is more than likely overestimating by 100 calories. She thinks she is eating 1200 a day but in actuality she is really eating 1300. Some people for whatever reason don't like to use a food scale

BWBTrish

Its very simple

Losing weight= Eating LESS than you burn
maintaining weight = Eating EQUAL as you burn
gaining weight = Eating MORE than you burn

To know your calorie intake...use a food scale to weigh ALL your food in grams
To know your calories burned..use the the machines numbers or your gadgets or MFP database ( you get an estimate!!!!)

Now to lose a pound a week you need a deficit of 3500 per week.


So simple to calculate
And weight loss starts in the kitchen...you can run and train all you want but when your calorie intake is high you wont lose weight ( Otherwise every athletic would be looking like an anorexia patient isn't it.)

You exercise will help you so you can eat a bit more...but above all it will get you fitter

But to really lose weight you have to log every single bite...every day!
And your body is your own judge...it counts for you every calorie intake and out. Even when you dont...Your body never lies, cheat or forget what you ate.

so no weight loss??...than you eat too much calories!

HippySkoppy

queenliz99 wrote: »

HippySkoppy wrote: »

Kalikel wrote: »

Either start weighing all your food or drop your calories by 100 every two weeks until you begin losing.

Nobody has to weigh food to lose weight. It will help you get a better estimate, but it's not necessary. You do have to change something, though, because what you're doing now isn't working. So, if you don't wish to get into weighing, you need to drop those calories.

I guess you could exercise more, if you have the time.

Good luck.

You know this just doesn't make sense to me.

Without accurate calorie counts how is OP to even to now how far off track she really is.

Your suggestion to drop calories is also far too premature - OP would be better served investing in digital scales and using USDA approved calorie counts in grams....and I have to ask this. How do you accurately assess dropping 100 calories every 2 weeks??? Without weighing, this is such a small amount that eyeballing or other forms of guesstimates are likely to be very inaccurate.

I think @Kalikel point was if she does not want to use a food scale, she can lower her calories by one hundred because she is more than likely overestimating by 100 calories. She thinks she is eating 1200 a day but in actuality she is really eating 1300. Some people for whatever reason don't like to use a food scale

Thank you. I understand what @Kalikel is getting at but how do you lower your calories by 100 if you have no accurate idea of what 100 equates to.....

I guess you can go off bar codes if that works for you....but for foods such as meats, veg it's a lot more problematic.

I also hear the frustration about not losing so really OP like others have said the easiest 1st step for you to figure out your issues would be to get really accurate with your logging. Look at it this way you don't have to commit to it forever, if you don't want, but it will give you guidance.

queenliz99

HippySkoppy wrote: »

queenliz99 wrote: »

HippySkoppy wrote: »

Kalikel wrote: »

Either start weighing all your food or drop your calories by 100 every two weeks until you begin losing.

Nobody has to weigh food to lose weight. It will help you get a better estimate, but it's not necessary. You do have to change something, though, because what you're doing now isn't working. So, if you don't wish to get into weighing, you need to drop those calories.

I guess you could exercise more, if you have the time.

Good luck.

You know this just doesn't make sense to me.

Without accurate calorie counts how is OP to even to now how far off track she really is.

Your suggestion to drop calories is also far too premature - OP would be better served investing in digital scales and using USDA approved calorie counts in grams....and I have to ask this. How do you accurately assess dropping 100 calories every 2 weeks??? Without weighing, this is such a small amount that eyeballing or other forms of guesstimates are likely to be very inaccurate.

I think @Kalikel point was if she does not want to use a food scale, she can lower her calories by one hundred because she is more than likely overestimating by 100 calories. She thinks she is eating 1200 a day but in actuality she is really eating 1300. Some people for whatever reason don't like to use a food scale

Thank you. I understand what @Kalikel is getting at but how do you lower your calories by 100 if you have no accurate idea of what 100 equates to.....

I guess you can go off bar codes if that works for you....but for foods such as meats, veg it's a lot more problematic.

I also hear the frustration about not losing so really OP like others have said the easiest 1st step for you to figure out your issues would be to get really accurate with your logging. Look at it this way you don't have to commit to it forever, if you don't want, but it will give you guidance.

It's all relative. Her logging is most definitely not accurate but if she lowers it by 100 because she thinks she is eating 1200 calories but is actually 1300 calories would get her to the same goal. I not sure if I am making sense.

HippySkoppy

@queenliz99...... Yes I am struggling to follow. For me and a lot of other posters have made it clear that accurate logging so you know your CI-CO is the cornerstone of this site.....and not only that it works.

I also believe the recommendation to lower calories is not a good one. If the OP REALLY is eating 1200 and we will never know (and neither will she) till she comes back with numbers from a set of scales taken over a decent amount of time.

I don't think lowering calories below 1200 should be encouraged, ever. Unless you know the particulars of the OP and she fits very specific parameters ie. older, short and sedentary. Also the OP has only 30 lbs to lose and is doing a decent weekly cardio regime, going so low is likely to cause her to burn out.

OP if I was you and going through this frustration of 'spinning my wheels' the 1st place I would look to tighten up would be the logging. Accurate logging is integral to this site and those who have had wicked success on here, in the main are all dedicated and accurate loggers.

Without this knowledge you are in the dark. If you give it a go then the problem could then emerge as one of overestimating your exercise burns and eating back too much. MFP is usually very generous with it's calories for exercise. If it isn't that then it is time to look elsewhere.....

Could you be heading into menopause as I noticed you are 45.
Are you well? Have you been experiencing any health issues that could impact your ability to lose weight?
Etc etc

Hope this helps.

sheermomentum

Hey! Las Vegas native here! Women's Hospital class of 1965. 105? That's spring-time But, seriously, before you start worrying about your workouts, please do consider tightening up your logging. What might help with that is 1. eating more home cooking, and 2. weighing stuff. Its a pain the butt, but it works. And, forgive me for saying, but it helps keep you honest. Before you know it, you're eating home-cooked 500 calorie dinners comprised of lean protein and vegetables!

shadow2soul

@NAS702 - I'm going to agree with the others, that you need to work on how your logging your food and that you are probably consuming more calories than you think.

Examples (from your diary):

"Homemade - Waffle"
What was used to make that waffle? How do you know you used the same recipe as the user who put it into the database to begin with?

"Potato - Small (1/2 Large - Baked Potato, 150 g"
Lets think about this. Is it a small potato or 1/2 a large baked potato?

"Generic - Birthday Cake"
What kind of cake? White, chocolate, etc What kind of icing was used? How do you know the cake you ate matched this nutritional information?

Hopefully, that helps you understand where people are coming from. I also noticed a lot of incomplete days. I bet if you tighten up your logging, you will start to see the results your looking for.

SLLRunner

BethAnnRichmond wrote: »

WARNING - LONG POST!

Good morning, NAS702! First, let me say kudos to you for taking the steps necessary for becoming healthier - most would just wish it and not do anything about it! With that said, and you reaching out for help, I thought I'd put my two cents in.

I, too, took a look at your food diary. The first thing I would eliminate is anything "fast food", even the "healthy" yogurt parfait at McD's. Just cut it all out of your life. There are too many hidden ingredients that add zero value to your nutrition goals.

No, nothing needs to be eliminated to lose weight. Moderation is key.

Secondly, girl....that SODIUM! You seriously need to cut waaaaayyyy back with that. I'm not talking about sprinkling it on your food but the food itself. For instance: (store bought) lasagna = 630; ONE hot dog/bun = 700; Dinner one night - ribs, potato salad and mac & cheese = 1590; and the omg factor? Schlotzky sandwich & cinnabun = 2,490. Whoa. Now listen, I'm not saying you are a bad person or anything like that but your choices of what you may think are "good" foods are, well, not.

Excess sodium cases water retention, not weight gain.

Here are my suggestions:

Log your foods every day. As in EVERY day. Yes, I'm not good at doing it, I know, but in your case where you are needing a wake-up call, it's important that you do. You will quickly realize that what you are putting into your body is not helping you achieve the outcome that you are wanting.

So, you are advising she log her foods while saying you're not good at it?

I agree with logging foods if you are interested in knowing how much you are eating. I log every day, except when out of the country every few years, and it has helped me tremendously because I don't know what a portion looks like. This works for me but it does not work for everyone.

A person can just cut back a little at a time and watch the scale as well and probably find their sweet spot for losing.

No fast foods at all. Yes, they are convenient but they are sabotaging your goals. Make your grocery list, shop on (for instance) Saturdays, meal prep for the week on Sundays. It will save you time throughout the week, keep you on track, and save money.

Absolutely unnecessary. Food type does not determine weight loss.

Drink water. Not fruit juices, pop/soda, etc., but plain ol' water. You need it to help your innards (lol) function properly without over-taxing them. The simplest way to calculate how much is to take your weight, divide it in half, and drink that much in ounces. For example: 160 pounds divided by 2 = 80. 80 ounces/10 cups of water. Carry a tumbler of water around with you. I have one that holds 25 ounces so as long as I drink three of those a day, I am ensuring that I have reached my water intake goal. Keep in mind that you shouldn't count the water you drink when you exercise as that is being quickly eliminated via sweat. Also, as a sidenote: pour a glass of water at night, setting it on the nightstand. Drink it first thing in the morning (room temp as to not shock your system first thing). This will help stimulate your system for the day and rehydrate your body after many of hours not having anything to eat.

Water is awesome, but what you say is a bit on the extreme side. Just make sure you drink enough water to stay hydrated. That part about cold water "shocking" your system first thing-I'm not even sure what that means. I've drank a glass of cold water first thing in the morning and I was not shocked at all.

When and what you eat is very important as well, eating 6 small meals a day (breakfast/mid-morning snack/lunch/mid-afternoon snack/dinner/nighttime snack). You will want to make sure you have your last complex carbs & fruits with your mid-day snack. It takes time to digest them and you want to make sure they aren't in your belly later on as, during your more sedentary time (evening/bed), if they are being used, they will turn into unused energy, equaling fat. Have a protein with each meal as well - that will help you feel satisfied until your next meal.

No, no, no. Meal timing has zilch to do with weight loss, it's preference only. Also, eating what with what does not matter either. Eating certain foods with certain foods does not equal weight loss, and any calories you eat at night do not turn into while you sleep. I do agree, however, that protein helps with staying full.

Veggies - you NEED them! Make sure you are getting at least 3 in each day. Do some research as some of them are higher in carbs (see previous info about carbs).

I love vegetables too, but just eat the ones you like and make sure you get plenty of them for nutritional value. However, this has nothing to do with weight loss.

Don't stress about this. This is a learning experience each and every day. You'll find out what you can, can't and should and shouldn't eat throughout your journey.

There is no can and can't to foods unless your doctor has told you otherwise, or you have an intolerance or allergy to certain foods. Food is food, moderation is key. Eating less calories than you burn is key.

This was a lot of info to take in. But, again, if you want to see & feel results, it's time to knuckle down and make some serious changes.

Nope. All the OP needs to do is make sure she is eating less calories than she burns. If she logs, she will be able to keep better track of foods. If she doesn't log, then the scale and watching a trend over time could be key too, while eating just a bit less until she is able to lose at a healthy rate.