Issue losing last 5lbs

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lornaloo06
lornaloo06 Posts: 4 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Hi y'all, I've been having a really hard time with the last 5lbs for my goal weight. For 3 months I've gained and lost the same 2.8 lbs, but never drop any closer to my goal weight. I'm very good about logging my calories, and I'm always over my step count and log my exercise. I've been doing some group fitness, a little p90x, and jogging with the dog. If anything I feel like I'm bulking up, despite regularly staying under my calorie goal. I've been snacking smarter and switched to eating several small meals throughout the day. Any thoughts? I'm so tired of the "plateau."

Replies

  • Bxqtie116
    Bxqtie116 Posts: 552 Member
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    What are your calories set at? Try reducing it by 200 and see if that helps. Sometimes you have to make some adjustments as your body gets used to the same routine.
  • yuliyamikha
    yuliyamikha Posts: 1 Member
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    If you're bulking up and gaining muscle, you might gain weight instead of losing. Muscle weighs more than fat. Maybe go find out your body fat percentage because the weight on the scale isn't always everything. Are you happy with your waist size? If you eat next to nothing and didn't do any exercises you would probably lose weight but I feel like you are gaining muscle and that's not a bad thing to have some of.
  • KateTii
    KateTii Posts: 886 Member
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    Care to open your diary?
  • diannethegeek
    diannethegeek Posts: 14,776 Member
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    It's hard to answer these kinds of posts without more details.

    The most common problems we see come from underestimating calories eaten and overestimating calories burned.

    Opening your diary might help to get you more specific advice if you're comfortable doing so.

    You're logging everything you eat? Including condiments, cooking oils, veggies, cheat days, etc? Are you using a food scale, measuring cups, or eyeballing your portion sizes? Most people can be off in their estimates by several hundred calories when they eyeball portions. Measuring cups are better, but a food scale is going to be the most accurate.

    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1296011/calorie-counting-101/p1

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1234699-logging-accurately-step-by-step-guide/p1

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1290491-how-and-why-to-use-a-digital-food-scale/p1

    And make sure that you've calculated your calorie goals appropriately. Remember that these are just estimates. You may need to play around a little to find what works best for you.

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants/p1

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/819055-setting-your-calorie-and-macro-targets/p1

    If you're exercising and eating back your earned exercise calories, be sure that you're using accurate estimates of your burn. MFP and gym machines have a tendency to overestimate certain activities, which can cause you to eat back more calories than you need to. Even a heart rate monitor isn't 100% accurate. If you're eating those extra earned calories it might be a good idea to eat only 50-75% of those.

    And there's something to be said for the fact that some people just burn fewer calories than the generic equations predict. If you're an outlier due to size, age, or medical issues, then it may be best to check with your doctor or get a referral to a registered dietitian who can give you more specific advice.
  • lornaloo06
    lornaloo06 Posts: 4 Member
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    Ok, first how do I open up my diary??

    I do tend to eyeball my portions, but I feel like I over estimate, just in case? If that makes sense. I used to not log my cheat day because that was the day I'd be charging my garmin so I wasn't getting accurate step/ HR anyway.

    I've only gone over my calorie goal a few times.

    I do feel like I'm bulking up, when I'd like to be slimming down.

    Of late I'm having terrible cravings. Just awful nonstop munchies.

    So first thing I'll do is unlock my diary!

    Thank you all for your responses.
  • ponycyndi
    ponycyndi Posts: 858 Member
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    lornaloo06 wrote: »

    I do tend to eyeball my portions

    You have to weigh. All solids, on a kitchen scale, preferably in grams, and all liquids in a measuring cup.
  • diannethegeek
    diannethegeek Posts: 14,776 Member
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    Settings > Diary Settings > Public
  • diannethegeek
    diannethegeek Posts: 14,776 Member
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    Keep in mind that even professional dietitians were shown to be off by something like 30% when they eyeballed their portion sizes vs weighing them. Some people are very good at it, but most of us are way off!

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVjWPclrWVY

    https://youtu.be/vjKPIcI51lU

    http://youtube.com/watch?v=XpHykP6e_Uk

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