I have logged for 200 days to only loose 8 pounds
Replies
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"I barely ever eat peanut butter but when I do I only have a tsp" -- there is a problem. "A teaspoon" -- do you scrape it even across the top with the teaspoon? Or leave it rounded? The difference could be easily 50-100 calories. Not even all teaspoons are really the same. Do you have any on the bottom of the spoon from dipping it out? Do you eat that in addition to what is in the teaspoon or put it back? That could be another 25-50 calories. Do you lick your finger if you scraped it across the top? Another 10-25 calories. There is no such thing as a "teaspoon" of peanut butter
Get a scale $10-15. Even if you only use it once in a while to verify some things, totally totally worth it!!!
@aylajane I barely as in I haven't had any in about 2 maybe 3 months not a huge fan of nuts. When I use a tsp I use a knife to scrape the top of it off and do not lick the knife or my finger afterwards and I don't lick the outside of the spoon lol
I did decide yesterday per so many suggestions that I'm getting a scale
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I have logged for 200 days to only loose 8 pounds and is very discouraging I don't know what I am doing wrong. I am 27 my height is 5'1 my weight is 170 size 10 jeans. I have been working out for over a year I have lost tons of inches and have gain muscle however the scale will not budge. The scale number aside I feel good I have more energy and look good. My calorie count is usually 1200-1400 1600 for me is a day when I feel like I overeat my micros are good. Any advise welcomed Thank you.
Are you happy with where you are? You said you have lost inches, your clothes fit differently and you feel better . . . so are you happy with yourself?
If not, then you need to make a change. I believe you're female based on the clothing size you gave so please know this isn't from a place of being mean or hatred but if you're looking for the 'it's just muscle you're gaining' reasoning that probably isn't it. Women have an incredibly hard time building muscle mass even when they're trying to . . . we just don't have the genetic make up to do it.
So if you aren't loosing at the rate you'd like to then you need to revisit what you're eating. You might think you're eating 1400 calories/day but you might be eating 1700 and at 5'1 those extra 300 calories make a huge difference.
Further to body weight . . . here's some food for thought. I weigh in at 250lbs and I am 5'10. I'm on the taller side of things for women, but I have had a bod pod analysis done and I have 140lbs of lean body mass on me . . . so just my skin, organs, bones weigh that much. According to BMI I should weigh in at 160 - 165 ish and at that I would be skin and bones pretty much - I'd be super ripped. However at a weight closer to 190, maybe 200 I would probably look really healthy. And those are my target weights.
So it's not always about the scale - if you are happy with how you look and your progress I wouldn't worry too much about the scale. If you aren't, then do what you need to do to change it.1 -
nikkicarter13 wrote: »How many calories do you burn a day? You say you are eating about 1200-1400 but if you are burning 500 a day then you are netting 700-900, which is way too low. By not eating enough you could be putting your body into starvation mode.
Staravation mode is a myth.
The result of eating too little food is weight loss, too much food leads to weight. Eat just the right amount and you maintain.
If you are losing but not per set goals, there is an error(s) someone in calories in/calories out.2 -
nikkicarter13 wrote: »nikkicarter13 wrote: »How many calories do you burn a day? You say you are eating about 1200-1400 but if you are burning 500 a day then you are netting 700-900, which is way too low. By not eating enough you could be putting your body into starvation mode.
No, starvation mode is not a thing. Eating more calories doesn't cause a higher weight loss, the OP likely has inaccuracies in their logging.
Not eating enough will slow down your metabolism, your body needs a certain amount of calories just to function daily. Do your research.
Okay, the onus is on you: please give us those peer reviwed articles that show starvation mode exisis in the common dieter.
The OP is eating too much, otherwise she would be losing wegiht.3 -
Listen.. you are smaller, more toned.. and almost 10 pounds lighter too. You are doing great. I've always said.. working out almost stalls weight loss on the scale just because you're adding muscle which is compact..smaller.. to your frame. Don't let the scale mess with your head.. you are making progress.
I'm on day 78.. and i think i might be in the same boat.. i'm down a size..but I have not weighed myself because I don't want to be discouraged. I think I too have lost just a few pounds at most... but I've been working out ..cardio and weights to improve my fitness ...strength ..and overall health.
You're being smart... i hope you took some before pics.. if so..compare those and I bet you'll feel great about things. 2 -
I should buy the food scale
Yup.
I'm not a big scale pusher when someone is first starting out. I've lost 74 lbs, and the pre-scale curve is not disginguishable from the post-scale curve. So I know it is possible to be very accurate without using a scale.
But when somoene is actively trying to lose weight, isn't using a scale, and is disturbed about/questioning why they are not losing weight, then I think it is a very important step. Becuase most people aren't as accurate at estimating as I am. It doen't really matter that much as long as you are consistently inaccurate - and what you are eating is less than what you were. But a scale is a cheap, easy fix for a lot of people.
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nikkicarter13 wrote: »vespiquenn wrote: »nikkicarter13 wrote: »nikkicarter13 wrote: »How many calories do you burn a day? You say you are eating about 1200-1400 but if you are burning 500 a day then you are netting 700-900, which is way too low. By not eating enough you could be putting your body into starvation mode.
No, starvation mode is not a thing. Eating more calories doesn't cause a higher weight loss, the OP likely has inaccuracies in their logging.
Not eating enough will slow down your metabolism, your body needs a certain amount of calories just to function daily. Do your research.
No. Just no. I suggest doing your research actually. May I suggest peer reviewed studies and not articles you find on google.
Try working with a dietician, it will help.
What does that have to do with proving your research?
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acorsaut89 wrote: »I have logged for 200 days to only loose 8 pounds and is very discouraging I don't know what I am doing wrong. I am 27 my height is 5'1 my weight is 170 size 10 jeans. I have been working out for over a year I have lost tons of inches and have gain muscle however the scale will not budge. The scale number aside I feel good I have more energy and look good. My calorie count is usually 1200-1400 1600 for me is a day when I feel like I overeat my micros are good. Any advise welcomed Thank you.
Are you happy with where you are? You said you have lost inches, your clothes fit differently and you feel better . . . so are you happy with yourself?
If not, then you need to make a change. I believe you're female based on the clothing size you gave so please know this isn't from a place of being mean or hatred but if you're looking for the 'it's just muscle you're gaining' reasoning that probably isn't it. Women have an incredibly hard time building muscle mass even when they're trying to . . . we just don't have the genetic make up to do it.
So if you aren't loosing at the rate you'd like to then you need to revisit what you're eating. You might think you're eating 1400 calories/day but you might be eating 1700 and at 5'1 those extra 300 calories make a huge difference.
Further to body weight . . . here's some food for thought. I weigh in at 250lbs and I am 5'10. I'm on the taller side of things for women, but I have had a bod pod analysis done and I have 140lbs of lean body mass on me . . . so just my skin, organs, bones weigh that much. According to BMI I should weigh in at 160 - 165 ish and at that I would be skin and bones pretty much - I'd be super ripped. However at a weight closer to 190, maybe 200 I would probably look really healthy. And those are my target weights.
So it's not always about the scale - if you are happy with how you look and your progress I wouldn't worry too much about the scale. If you aren't, then do what you need to do to change it.
Nice post!!
By the way what is a bod pod analysis and where is it done?0 -
grmckenzie wrote: »vespiquenn wrote: »@Christine_72 I barely ever eat peanut butter but when I do I only have a tsp and with cheese I like the sargento colby jack that comes individually wrapped that way I have the nutritional facts.
"I barely ever eat peanut butter but when I do I only have a tsp" -- there is a problem. "A teaspoon" -- do you scrape it even across the top with the teaspoon? Or leave it rounded? The difference could be easily 50-100 calories. Not even all teaspoons are really the same. Do you have any on the bottom of the spoon from dipping it out? Do you eat that in addition to what is in the teaspoon or put it back? That could be another 25-50 calories. Do you lick your finger if you scraped it across the top? Another 10-25 calories. There is no such thing as a "teaspoon" of peanut butter
Get a scale $10-15. Even if you only use it once in a while to verify some things, totally totally worth it!!!
This. Measuring cups and spoons are inaccurate. They depend solely on the user for accuracy, and I can tell you that you aren't accurate no matter how much you think you are (i.e. Using your hand for meat).
Even packaged items are off. Despite my granola bars telling me they're 190 calories for 72 grams, I've rarely had one come out of the package at 72 grams. Typically they are closer to 80-85g. My granola bar just went from 190 cals to 211-245cals straight out of the package. Do that multiple times a day and you wipe out a deficit.
Get a food scale. Weigh all your solids. Report back in a few months. If you don't notice a difference, then it's time to dig deeper. But right now, this is a really easy fix.
Just posted this elsewhere, but I bought a scale yesterday. My 1 cup (45) gram breakfast cereal @ 300 calories actually weighed 97 grams so over double what I though I was eating for calories.
BOOM!!
Its such a "light bulb" moment, ey? For me it was more like... "oooh shyyyyt"!
To hell with you measuring cups!!! =P2 -
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MommyMeggo wrote: »grmckenzie wrote: »vespiquenn wrote: »@Christine_72 I barely ever eat peanut butter but when I do I only have a tsp and with cheese I like the sargento colby jack that comes individually wrapped that way I have the nutritional facts.
"I barely ever eat peanut butter but when I do I only have a tsp" -- there is a problem. "A teaspoon" -- do you scrape it even across the top with the teaspoon? Or leave it rounded? The difference could be easily 50-100 calories. Not even all teaspoons are really the same. Do you have any on the bottom of the spoon from dipping it out? Do you eat that in addition to what is in the teaspoon or put it back? That could be another 25-50 calories. Do you lick your finger if you scraped it across the top? Another 10-25 calories. There is no such thing as a "teaspoon" of peanut butter
Get a scale $10-15. Even if you only use it once in a while to verify some things, totally totally worth it!!!
This. Measuring cups and spoons are inaccurate. They depend solely on the user for accuracy, and I can tell you that you aren't accurate no matter how much you think you are (i.e. Using your hand for meat).
Even packaged items are off. Despite my granola bars telling me they're 190 calories for 72 grams, I've rarely had one come out of the package at 72 grams. Typically they are closer to 80-85g. My granola bar just went from 190 cals to 211-245cals straight out of the package. Do that multiple times a day and you wipe out a deficit.
Get a food scale. Weigh all your solids. Report back in a few months. If you don't notice a difference, then it's time to dig deeper. But right now, this is a really easy fix.
Just posted this elsewhere, but I bought a scale yesterday. My 1 cup (45) gram breakfast cereal @ 300 calories actually weighed 97 grams so over double what I though I was eating for calories.
BOOM!!
Its such a "light bulb" moment, ey? For me it was more like... "oooh shyyyyt"!
To hell with you measuring cups!!! =P
Indeed. Measuring cups are soooooo inaccurate.1 -
trigden1991 wrote: »
Absolutely correct, because othewise it's all guesswork.0 -
Listen.. you are smaller, more toned.. and almost 10 pounds lighter too. You are doing great. I've always said.. working out almost stalls weight loss on the scale just because you're adding muscle which is compact..smaller.. to your frame. Don't let the scale mess with your head.. you are making progress.
I'm on day 78.. and i think i might be in the same boat.. i'm down a size..but I have not weighed myself because I don't want to be discouraged. I think I too have lost just a few pounds at most... but I've been working out ..cardio and weights to improve my fitness ...strength ..and overall health.
You're being smart... i hope you took some before pics.. if so..compare those and I bet you'll feel great about things.
I loved this thank you 0 -
Here's an interesting yet long post on the starvation issue from Ray Cronice. http://hypothermics.com/2015/10/starvation-mode/#more-2323
TL:DR version - fat is energy storage, if you aren't eating any easy energy, the body uses fat.0 -
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nikkicarter13 wrote: »nikkicarter13 wrote: »How many calories do you burn a day? You say you are eating about 1200-1400 but if you are burning 500 a day then you are netting 700-900, which is way too low. By not eating enough you could be putting your body into starvation mode.
No, starvation mode is not a thing. Eating more calories doesn't cause a higher weight loss, the OP likely has inaccuracies in their logging.
Not eating enough will slow down your metabolism, your body needs a certain amount of calories just to function daily. Do your research.
Not eating enough will cause weight loss and eventually death by starvation. Your body won't "hold onto fat", it'll devour everything as it tries to survive.
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This is what my progress looks like.
I can definitely see a difference and I think this is an example why you should continue to use multiple methods of progress monitoring like you are.
I would still get a food scale, but that's more for your shrinking room for error in deficit than a lack of progress at this point. It'll help you prepare for when the time comes to be as precise as possible.
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singingflutelady wrote: »nikkicarter13 wrote: »nikkicarter13 wrote: »How many calories do you burn a day? You say you are eating about 1200-1400 but if you are burning 500 a day then you are netting 700-900, which is way too low. By not eating enough you could be putting your body into starvation mode.
No, starvation mode is not a thing. Eating more calories doesn't cause a higher weight loss, the OP likely has inaccuracies in their logging.
Not eating enough will slow down your metabolism, your body needs a certain amount of calories just to function daily. Do your research.
The slowing down of your metabolism isn't enough to stop weight loss though
It can be, if you're very short/small and you're not aiming for a big deficit.1 -
My first question is like Kristen6350, are you weighing/measuring your foods?
Next, have you had a physical recently? To rule out any underlying medical problems.
Lastly - do you take anything like ambien?
What does ambien or the like have to do with weight loss? Medication doesn't cause weight to be slower, but hunger from a bigger appetitle due to the medication can if you eat too much.
Some medications actually slow down your metabolism examples would be SSRIs (prescribed for depression etc., narcotic pain relievers, NSAIDs (pain relievers for inflammation) and those are just the ones off the top of my head. I'm sure there are others. Oops just remembered another one steroids like Prednisone.0 -
Its a number on a scale...it represents your body mass in relation to gravity Don't give it more power than that. You have lost inches, you have gained muscle, your clothes fit better and I bet you are healthier now than you were then. Looks like an all around win to me! Keep plugging along. Make sure that you are accurately counting what you are eating. Sometimes when we estimate its amazing how far off we can be.
Keep up the good work.2 -
Great advice has already been give.
Moving forward.
Getting a scale will mean your calorie intake will be accurate for the first time. This means you will be eating less than you have been, without your calorie goal changing.
Previously your food intake and exercise burn kept you just below maintenance, while not eating back exercise calories.
With accurate logging (using your newly acquired food scale) start eating back your exercise calories. That is the way MFP was designed.
If you find eating 100% of your exercise calories does not have you losing at the weekly goal MFP determined drop them by 10-15% at a time until you are losing close to the MFP prediction.
You look really good in the comparison picture.
Keep up the good work and aim for getting into the normal BMI range.
Cheers, h.1 -
Please come back and let us know if you have had better success or any eye openers once you started using a scale. I always like to read about these to see how much of an impact using a scale really makes. Good luck! I can definitely see progress in your photos!2
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@Noreenmarie1234 Thank you, I definetly will keep you guys informed of my progress 3
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Thanks I know I should be taking it as a win specially since I feel better overall.
I do not have a food scale I do use measuring cups and the size of my palm for an idea for my meats. I really should get rid of the number I have in my head and the scale, I have a picture of myself at 145 and now and I look about the same if anything I feel stronger and have more endurance.
If you look and feel great, that's all that really matters. If the number on the scale matters to you as well, then go with the food scale. Volumes lie. I can look at a chicken breast and tell you that it's 8oz and toss it on the scale and it be 10oz, or 6.5. Meats especially have water in them and it's tough to judge them by sight. Vegetables as well, they are irregular shapes so there's no telling how many you could squeeze into a measuring cup if you tried. About the only thing I use a measuring cup for is liquids.1 -
MommyMeggo wrote: »grmckenzie wrote: »vespiquenn wrote: »@Christine_72 I barely ever eat peanut butter but when I do I only have a tsp and with cheese I like the sargento colby jack that comes individually wrapped that way I have the nutritional facts.
"I barely ever eat peanut butter but when I do I only have a tsp" -- there is a problem. "A teaspoon" -- do you scrape it even across the top with the teaspoon? Or leave it rounded? The difference could be easily 50-100 calories. Not even all teaspoons are really the same. Do you have any on the bottom of the spoon from dipping it out? Do you eat that in addition to what is in the teaspoon or put it back? That could be another 25-50 calories. Do you lick your finger if you scraped it across the top? Another 10-25 calories. There is no such thing as a "teaspoon" of peanut butter
Get a scale $10-15. Even if you only use it once in a while to verify some things, totally totally worth it!!!
This. Measuring cups and spoons are inaccurate. They depend solely on the user for accuracy, and I can tell you that you aren't accurate no matter how much you think you are (i.e. Using your hand for meat).
Even packaged items are off. Despite my granola bars telling me they're 190 calories for 72 grams, I've rarely had one come out of the package at 72 grams. Typically they are closer to 80-85g. My granola bar just went from 190 cals to 211-245cals straight out of the package. Do that multiple times a day and you wipe out a deficit.
Get a food scale. Weigh all your solids. Report back in a few months. If you don't notice a difference, then it's time to dig deeper. But right now, this is a really easy fix.
Just posted this elsewhere, but I bought a scale yesterday. My 1 cup (45) gram breakfast cereal @ 300 calories actually weighed 97 grams so over double what I though I was eating for calories.
BOOM!!
Its such a "light bulb" moment, ey? For me it was more like... "oooh shyyyyt"!
To hell with you measuring cups!!! =P
You also notice the box last a lot longer...
Good luck1
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