I'm at my wits end.

AnnieLeeSkinee
AnnieLeeSkinee Posts: 12 Member
edited November 20 in Health and Weight Loss
Hello all. I'm 181 lbs, 5'4. Definitely overweight. I have been doing a low carb high protein diet for about 2 months and I've been working out every single day at the gym for the past 16 days. I have had ZERO results and when I say zero I mean I have gained or lost an ounce. I don't expect to shed weight so quickly but literally nothing has happened and I'm actually getting worried. Any ideas as to what I'm doing wrong?

Replies

  • AnnieLeeSkinee
    AnnieLeeSkinee Posts: 12 Member
    You mean I haven't been restricting calories? I only do 1200 a day.
  • malibu927
    malibu927 Posts: 17,562 Member
    edited July 2017
    Are you counting calories?
  • capaul42
    capaul42 Posts: 1,390 Member
    And no using user generated entries for things because you have no idea if they used the same ingredients or amounts as you.
  • cbstewart88
    cbstewart88 Posts: 453 Member
    AnnieLeeSkinee wrote: »
    Hello all. I'm 181 lbs, 5'4. Definitely overweight. I have been doing a low carb high protein diet for about 2 months and I've been working out every single day at the gym for the past 16 days. I have had ZERO results and when I say zero I mean I have gained or lost an ounce. I don't expect to shed weight so quickly but literally nothing has happened and I'm actually getting worried. Any ideas as to what I'm doing wrong?

    I am 62 years old. I am 5'4" also. I began on 4/1/16 at 182 lbs. Except for our age (not sure of your age - younger I suspect LOL) - our stats are pretty similar. I am now at 142 lbs - it took me 13 months to lose 40 lbs - I have 10 stubborn ones to go. I exercise almost every day (running on the treadmill or boxing) which burns about 500 calories/hour. I do yoga 1x/week which burns next to nothing. I stick to 1200 calories/day - eat back about 1/2 of my calories on exercise days. It is slow going, but except for vacations I have been vigilant in my logging. Hang in there - don't get discouraged. Keep plugging away and measure and weigh and track faithfully - keep up the exercise 'cause I think it improves the state of mind.
  • Spliner1969
    Spliner1969 Posts: 3,233 Member
    janejellyroll wrote: »
    You aren't in a calorie deficit.

    Your first response was likely the right one.

    Low carb, high fat, Intermittent Fasting, <insert fad diet here>, none of that works if you aren't in a caloric deficit. Weight lifting burns very little calories. If you're not losing or gaining weight then you are eating at maintenance levels. You'll need to reduce calories, add some calorie-burning exercise (cardio), or both. Then you'll need to accurately log your food (IE: use a scale) to make sure you're at a caloric deficit. It really is that simple. Some of the strongest weight lifters in the world have a BMI of morbidly obese. If your goal is to be strong, keep up what you're doing. If your goal is to lose weight, you'll need to make some adjustments. Many people (yes, I'll probably get flamed for this) tout that lifting heavy is all you need. That's not true, lifting heavy works fine, but only with the right diet and caloric restriction to burn fat. Food for thought.

  • chelllsea124
    chelllsea124 Posts: 336 Member
    janejellyroll wrote: »
    AnnieLeeSkinee wrote: »
    You mean I haven't been restricting calories? I only do 1200 a day.

    Two months on 1,200 a day would almost certainly result in weight loss. That you aren't losing weight indicates that you're eating more than you think you are. There are some common logging errors that can lead to this. If you open your diary, we may be able to help you out.

    This^^^

    I'm eating 1200 calories a day. 5'2" and started at 190. I am now 169...
  • AliceDark
    AliceDark Posts: 3,886 Member
    AnnieLeeSkinee wrote: »
    Hello all. I'm 181 lbs, 5'4. Definitely overweight. I have been doing a low carb high protein diet for about 2 months and I've been working out every single day at the gym for the past 16 days. I have had ZERO results and when I say zero I mean I have gained or lost an ounce. I don't expect to shed weight so quickly but literally nothing has happened and I'm actually getting worried. Any ideas as to what I'm doing wrong?
    The most likely explanation is, as people have stated above, inaccuracy in calculating your intake. However, I'm going to ask...how often do you weigh? What do your individual weigh-ins looks like? Have you been seeing any movement on the scale at all, or literally getting the same number? (If that's the case, it's maybe time to change the batteries in your scale or get a new one). Do you use the same scale every time? Are you weighing in at home or at a doctor's office?

  • project_mark
    project_mark Posts: 2 Member
    NSNG
  • nosebag1212
    nosebag1212 Posts: 621 Member
    AnnieLeeSkinee wrote: »
    You mean I haven't been restricting calories? I only do 1200 a day.

    Use a food scale and track ACCURATELY everything you eat because you're eating a lot more than 1200.
  • AnnPT77
    AnnPT77 Posts: 34,607 Member
    AnnieLeeSkinee wrote: »
    Hello all. I'm 181 lbs, 5'4. Definitely overweight. I have been doing a low carb high protein diet for about 2 months and I've been working out every single day at the gym for the past 16 days. I have had ZERO results and when I say zero I mean I have gained or lost an ounce. I don't expect to shed weight so quickly but literally nothing has happened and I'm actually getting worried. Any ideas as to what I'm doing wrong?

    Zero results in 2 months, or zero results in 16 days? If the latter, quite possibly water weight. If the former, more likely some logging issue.

    Do you feel fatigued, unambitious, or weak?
  • gabriellejayde
    gabriellejayde Posts: 607 Member
    I3righti3lue24 wrote: »
    You could also be UNDER eating at 1,200 calories.... Toss this from a difference side here, but it can mess with your weight loss too. Are you re eating calories burned after working out? If so how much? keep in mind the estiamtes that MFP and other resources give, are often not correct, thrus they recommend eating 25-50% of work out calories back. As for under eating, learn about BMR and TDEE.

    eating under 1200 isn't going to stop someone from losing weight or gastric surgery patients would have a really hard time eating enough to lose (and that's not the case. They almost always drop a TON of weight very quickly while eating under 1000 calories a day. The only ones who don't lose after 2 months are the ones who somehow manage to eat too much, like icecream).
  • veganbaum
    veganbaum Posts: 1,865 Member
    I3righti3lue24 wrote: »
    You could also be UNDER eating at 1,200 calories.... Toss this from a difference side here, but it can mess with your weight loss too. Are you re eating calories burned after working out? If so how much? keep in mind the estiamtes that MFP and other resources give, are often not correct, thrus they recommend eating 25-50% of work out calories back. As for under eating, learn about BMR and TDEE.

    Oh no, now the recommendation is starting to become eating only 25-50% of cals back?! Who is "they"? It used to be 75%, then 50%, now it's apparently becoming 25% as I have seen this posted before. Some people can eat 100% and lose as expected. All these numbers are estimates and real world results are needed.

    OP, everyone has said it - food scale, choose correct entries, and you should be well on your way. Once you are logging correctly and losing weight, eat some of your exercise calories, whatever amount you choose. See what your results are for 4-6 weeks and adjust your exercise calories eaten up or down depending on results.
  • Mr_Knight
    Mr_Knight Posts: 9,532 Member
    AnnieLeeSkinee wrote: »
    Any ideas as to what I'm doing wrong?

    It starts and ends with food. Are you comfortable opening up your diary?
  • tcunbeliever
    tcunbeliever Posts: 8,219 Member
    Are you tracking any metrics other than weight? Like measurements? Are your clothes fitting any differently? Not all progress is on the scale.
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