FRUSTRATED!!!

tinamarie014069

I'm so frustrated with the scale!!!! I only lost 1 pound last week! I know, I know its a loss but 1 pound?! ugh!!! I stick to my 1200 calories and I work out hard every day! Its not like I don't have the weight to lose. I have lost 47 pounds and have at least another 35 pounds to my goal. I earn lots of extra calories through exercise but I haven't used them. I usually stay right at 1200 maybe 1100 calories a day of healthy food. I'm so frustrated!!! What am I doing wrong?!

srsprague1215

Are you keeping up with how many inches you are losing?? I have lost about 1-2 lbs a week here lately but have lost 4 1/2 inches! Muscle weighs more than fat. So when the scales move slowly (or not at all) just keep in mind that your getting stronger and the muscles that you are developing will melt that fat off easier!

Ready2Rock206

I'm so frustrated with the scale!!!! I only lost 1 pound last week!
. I'm so frustrated!!! What am I doing wrong?!

Expecting Biggest Loser type loses when you live in reality. 1 pound a week is fantastic.

Also undereating and overexercising likely isn't doing you any favors.

Abi_bug04

You are not eating enough calories. You need to eat >1200 calories per day, and also eat back exercise calories.

lilcassers

a woman should never go below 1200 calories, especially when working out. body goes into starvation mode and stores more fat.

JesterMFP

I'm so frustrated with the scale!!!! I only lost 1 pound last week!
. I'm so frustrated!!! What am I doing wrong?!

Expecting Biggest Loser type loses when you live in reality. 1 pound a week is fantastic.

Also undereating and overexercising likely isn't doing you any favors.

^ This. Perhaps reconsider your expectations. You've already lost a lot of weight, so I'm guessing that first chunk has gone at a faster rate? It's normal and to be expected that your weight loss will slow down the closer you get to goal. 1 lb a week is healthy and realistic.

Koldnomore

You are not eating enough calories. You need to eat >1200 calories per day, and also eat back exercise calories.

THIS.

MFP EXPECTS you to eat back at least a portion of your exercise calories earned. You aren't doing yourself any favors with all the working out. Check the following articles for a little more information.

http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/fat-loss/why-big-caloric-deficits-and-lots-of-activity-can-hurt-fat-loss.html
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/10589-for-those-confused-or-questioning-eating-your-exercise-calo

dnunny70

I had a dr. tell me that .5 a week is ideal.

I agree with the others, you need to be eating more than 1200/1100 calories.

Kudos to you on your success!!!!

I had to remind myself that this isn't a race. I also don't weigh myself weekly. I try and do it once every 10 days or so.

Serah87

You need to eat more. You need to figure out your TDEE -20% and BMR: http://scoobysworkshop.com/calorie-calculator/

tinamarie014069

I dont expect "biggest loser losses" (but wouldnt that be nice) but I expected more than 1 pound. I was expecting more like 2 at least. Oh, well, its a new day...I'll get to my goal one pound at a time if thats what it takes.

tinamarie014069

I'm terrified to eat more than 1200 calories. Maybe I will try to make myself eat back some of my exercise calories earned. I dont feel like I'm hungry though so its hard to eat more when I already feel like I eat quite a bit.

psuLemon

I'm terrified to eat more than 1200 calories. Maybe I will try to make myself eat back some of my exercise calories earned. I dont feel like I'm hungry though so its hard to eat more when I already feel like I eat quite a bit.

Why are you afraid of providing your body with the right amount of nutrition? Would you drive a car with a half tank of gas while being on a long drive? Most women I know eat 1700-2100 calories during their cut phase. In fact, below is a thread of over 500 response of women who do so.

As I always say, "fuel your body to fight the fat"


http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/506349-women-who-eat-more-than-1800-calories-a-day

JesterMFP

I'm terrified to eat more than 1200 calories. Maybe I will try to make myself eat back some of my exercise calories earned. I dont feel like I'm hungry though so its hard to eat more when I already feel like I eat quite a bit.

Try not to look at them as "bonus" calories that you've "earned", but as the calories you're actually being recommended to eat by the programme you have signed up to (MFP). That's how it works. MFP gives you a goal, not factoring in exercise. You exercise, and add those calories to the base goal you got originally. It's not "cheating" to eat those calories, you're actually supposed to.*

Not everyone on here follows MFP as it was designed to work - a lot of people customise their own goal based on their TDEE (total daily energy expenditure). If you do that though, you end up with a higher goal than the one MFP gives you, so it works out very similar to eating back exercise calories.

It's very normal to stop feeling hungry when you're under-eating over time. That doesn't mean you don't need food, it just means your hunger signals are not working properly. To get more calories in without feeling too full, aim for calorie-dense foods. "Healthy" foods don't have to be low in calories. Try things like nuts, peanut butter, seeds, cheese, eggs, full fat dairy, olive oil (add more oil in cooking, or to salads), avocados etc. Drink smoothies, protein shakes, full fat milk. If you're eating anything labelled "low fat" or "lite" or "diet", then switch to the full fat version. Once you manage to eat a little more, you'll probably find your appetite returns.

Editing to add: looking at your diary, it's full of "diet" foods. Cut down on those, and I'm sure you'll find it easier to get the calories in. You don't have to eat diet foods to lose weight, or to be healthy. Instead of a Weight Watchers ice cream bar, why not enjoy a bowl of full fat ice cream?

*(There is of course the issue of the accuracy of calorie burn estimations. If you're using the MFP exercise database, it can be inaccurate, which is why a lot of people only eat back a portion of those calories. It isn't for everyone though (it's pretty accurate for me), so I wouldn't assume that from the get-go.)

bhealthyagain

I'm confused on all of this. People are always saying that you need to eat more than 1200 calories\day, but every calulation I have used tells me that I am only supposed to eat as much as 1200\ day..... and yet I don't lose any weight...I am with you on being frustrated

psuLemon

I'm confused on all of this. People are always saying that you need to eat more than 1200 calories\day, but every calulation I have used tells me that I am only supposed to eat as much as 1200\ day..... and yet I don't lose any weight...I am with you on being frustrated

Either your goals are too aggressive or you are not factoring in exercise. Fueling the body > starving the body. What are your stats (height, weight, age, exercise routine) and we can run the numbers for you. Also, how accurately are you tracking calories, do you weigh and measure foods?

bhealthyagain

I am 5'1, 164 lbs, 27 years old. I am a mother of 2 so i'm constantly on the go. I do Jillian Michaels 30 Day shred in the mornings and i am on the treadmill for at least 45 min (depending on the needs of the kids) at least 3 times a week. i also cut the grass a lot with a push mower (an acre). Weigh or measure my foods? I count the calories if that's what you mean.... I am on a budget so i try to eat as healthy as i can within my means. A lot of veggies and fruit, i drink protein shakes when i don't get enough protein. I eat mostly chicken when i eat meat. But if i have a steak it's just a small portion. I've lost 45 lbs before doing the same thing i'm doing now..so i'm confused.

__Di__

I'm so frustrated with the scale!!!! I only lost 1 pound last week! I know, I know its a loss but 1 pound?! ugh!!! I stick to my 1200 calories and I work out hard every day! Its not like I don't have the weight to lose. I have lost 47 pounds and have at least another 35 pounds to my goal. I earn lots of extra calories through exercise but I haven't used them. I usually stay right at 1200 maybe 1100 calories a day of healthy food. I'm so frustrated!!! What am I doing wrong?!

You are doing nothing wrong, one pound is one pound less than you were last week.

How much do you expect to lose each week, out of interest?

__Di__

You are not eating enough calories. You need to eat >1200 calories per day, and also eat back exercise calories.

Out of interest, how much do you think she should have lost?

__Di__

You need to eat more. You need to figure out your TDEE -20% and BMR: http://scoobysworkshop.com/calorie-calculator/

Is not 1lb weightloss per week any good then?

onesteptogetfIt

Why don't you try the 12 day challenge from tonedvanity.tumblr.com because I just did it and it actually worked. It's not just some crash diet and gets you on the right plan to a healthy ifestyle. You also lose about 1 lb a day so it will give you the higher weight loss you are looking for.

__Di__

I'm confused on all of this. People are always saying that you need to eat more than 1200 calories\day, but every calulation I have used tells me that I am only supposed to eat as much as 1200\ day..... and yet I don't lose any weight...I am with you on being frustrated

Any chance to open your food diary. Do you weigh everything?

__Di__

I am 5'1, 164 lbs, 27 years old. I am a mother of 2 so i'm constantly on the go. I do Jillian Michaels 30 Day shred in the mornings and i am on the treadmill for at least 45 min (depending on the needs of the kids) at least 3 times a week. i also cut the grass a lot with a push mower (an acre). Weigh or measure my foods? I count the calories if that's what you mean.... I am on a budget so i try to eat as healthy as i can within my means. A lot of veggies and fruit, i drink protein shakes when i don't get enough protein. I eat mostly chicken when i eat meat. But if i have a steak it's just a small portion. I've lost 45 lbs before doing the same thing i'm doing now..so i'm confused.

How do you count the calories though, in order to do that, you need to know how much stuff weighs. Do you weigh your food in order to get the correct calories amount?

Hellbent_Heidi

Expecting Biggest Loser type loses when you live in reality. 1 pound a week is fantastic.

Also undereating and overexercising likely isn't doing you any favors.

THIS!!

And I know someone said you're gaining muscle, but if you're eating that little....that's VERY unlikely...

psuLemon

I am 5'1, 164 lbs, 27 years old. I am a mother of 2 so i'm constantly on the go. I do Jillian Michaels 30 Day shred in the mornings and i am on the treadmill for at least 45 min (depending on the needs of the kids) at least 3 times a week. i also cut the grass a lot with a push mower (an acre). Weigh or measure my foods? I count the calories if that's what you mean.... I am on a budget so i try to eat as healthy as i can within my means. A lot of veggies and fruit, i drink protein shakes when i don't get enough protein. I eat mostly chicken when i eat meat. But if i have a steak it's just a small portion. I've lost 45 lbs before doing the same thing i'm doing now..so i'm confused.

I believe it's a combination of setting up your goals to be too aggressive. Based on harris benedict, your estimated BMR is around 1528. Take in the fact, that you are lightly active because you are active with kids, without exercise, you would be around 2100 calories in a day. So if you selected 2 lbs per week, it would try to subtract 1000 calories with the stipulation that you can not go lower than 1200 calories. With that said, do you have your account set at lightly active and lightly active? Also, when you exercise you burn more calories so you need to eat more.


Personally, I would suggest your base calories should be around 1700 calories since you really don't have that much more to lose, so you can't expect huge losses at this point. Also, when exercise I would suggest eating an additional 200 calories or you should set your calories at 1800 calories daily and not worry about eating back exercise calories. When you exercise, you burn more calories and your body requires more fuel.

tinamarie014069

I'm so frustrated with the scale!!!! I only lost 1 pound last week! I know, I know its a loss but 1 pound?! ugh!!! I stick to my 1200 calories and I work out hard every day! Its not like I don't have the weight to lose. I have lost 47 pounds and have at least another 35 pounds to my goal. I earn lots of extra calories through exercise but I haven't used them. I usually stay right at 1200 maybe 1100 calories a day of healthy food. I'm so frustrated!!! What am I doing wrong?!

You are doing nothing wrong, one pound is one pound less than you were last week.

How much do you expect to lose each week, out of interest?

I would be happy with a 2 pound weight loss per week.

tinamarie014069

Expecting Biggest Loser type loses when you live in reality. 1 pound a week is fantastic.

Also undereating and overexercising likely isn't doing you any favors.

THIS!!

And I know someone said you're gaining muscle, but if you're eating that little....that's VERY unlikely...

I am gaining muscle. I can see it. It amazes me! and makes me happy. my legs have really nice definition and my biceps are getting there. my triceps...no so much!! ugh! and i can see muscle in my belly and back and shoulder. So yes, i am gaining muscle.

Wefita

It could be that your body is used to all the exercise. Every time I hit a plateau, I completely change my exercise routine. It's almost like you have to trick your body. Push harder. If it's easy, its time to change it up

43932452

Without fully intending to I began calorie cycling.
I eat close to 1200 sometimes ..
but my avg is about 1380 daily
with my higher days bringing it there. Idk why but
my body loses better when it isn't always the same.
I do stay under and exercise. Have you tried playing
with your numbers a tad?

SezxyStef

I have been here 20 days and haven't lost a pound either...but I have lost 8 3/4 inches in total in those 20 days.

I don't go by the scale I go by the fact on May 21st I bought size 10 jeans and they are now too big...

But if you are hell bent on loosing weight and weight only stop exercising and eat 1200 calories. It will fall off.

I personally wont be going that route but I don't care about a scale either.

AlongCame_Molly

I'm so frustrated with the scale!!!! I only lost 1 pound last week! I know, I know its a loss but 1 pound?! ugh!!! I stick to my 1200 calories and I work out hard every day! Its not like I don't have the weight to lose. I have lost 47 pounds and have at least another 35 pounds to my goal. I earn lots of extra calories through exercise but I haven't used them. I usually stay right at 1200 maybe 1100 calories a day of healthy food. I'm so frustrated!!! What am I doing wrong?!

You are doing nothing wrong, one pound is one pound less than you were last week.

How much do you expect to lose each week, out of interest?

I would be happy with a 2 pound weight loss per week.

You didn't put on two pounds of fat a week, why would you possibly expect to lose it that fast?

Losing 2 lbs a week is extremely aggressive; in the long run, unrealistically so. Most doctors don't recommend losing more than that, that's your MAX. It's possible to lose that much at first (you say you already lost what, like 45 lbs?) but weight loss naturally slows as you near your goal. One pound a week is more than perfectly reasonable, in fact it's awesome.

What's the big rush? You don't have some fitness competition you're showing in in 6 weeks, do you? No? Then pace yourself, and celebrate every victory instead of mourning that it wasn't bigger.

tinamarie014069

I'm confused on all of this. People are always saying that you need to eat more than 1200 calories\day, but every calulation I have used tells me that I am only supposed to eat as much as 1200\ day..... and yet I don't lose any weight...I am with you on being frustrated

Either your goals are too aggressive or you are not factoring in exercise. Fueling the body > starving the body. What are your stats (height, weight, age, exercise routine) and we can run the numbers for you. Also, how accurately are you tracking calories, do you weigh and measure foods?

I only put in to lose 2 pounds a week. I am 5'5' tall and 44 years old. I do some form of exercies every day. whether it be walking 3.5 miles or going to the gym and running sometimes only a mile and sometimes 2 or 3 miles. If i only run a mile then i usually do the elliptical for 20-30 minutes. I also so some weights for my legs and arms and abs. I am on my feet most of the day for work, Im a teacher in a toddler classroom (2 year olds are the best lol).