Ive been 138 since 8/27..getting annoyed...

kimber0607

I've been sticking to 1400 cals and eating between 8-4 for a few months now. I started at 153.
I recently switched it up and now eat between 8-3 (don't feel hungry be bedtime/all the same as 4:00)

I'm adamant about counting every cal..so I don't believe I'm going over the 1400 cals.
I've only weigh-in every 2 weeks or so (not more). I've been 138 since 8/27.
I'm happy I haven't gained weight and I'm only a few pounds away from my goal, but it's a little disheartening to follow the plan to a T and the scale doesn't budge.
From going from eating anything I wanted when I wanted to 1400 cals and the time restriction..I don't get how the scale hasn't moved?
Its not muscle..The only exc i have been doing is walking/light cardio

Realistically I don't want to try and go below 1400 cals, so I guess I'll just be happy with 138
*shrugs*

Kim

Psychgrrl

What’s your current height? Goal weight? How are you measuring your intake? Food scale? Are you certain the entries in the database are correct?

kimber0607

hate to admit it, but its a lot of prepared pre-packaged protein bars, shakes etc
if not i measure everything using measuring cups etc

im 5'8 and a comfy size 8
My goal was 133-134..so again only a few pounds away so not a huge deal
BUT i was hoping when i hit my target to increase cals to 1600..but that doesnt look, at this rate, that will happen..LOL

Evelyn_Gorfram

A couple things:

1) The closer you get to your goal weight, the harder it is to lose. And you're pretty darned close. (About which: Congratulations!)

2) You need to use a food scale. You really do -

Measuring cups can be inaccurate for any thing other than liquids, be cause you never know just how much air there is between the pieces of whatever solid thing you're measuring: consider how much empty space there is in a 1-cup measuring cup full of apricots vs. a 1-cup measuring cup full of blueberries. But weights are reliably the same, no matter what size the pieces of watermelon are.

And the thing about package weights is that they're the manufacturer's guarantee that whatever is in the package weighs at least as much as stated. If your protein bar - or whatever - says it weighs 2.4 oz, and it weighs 2.3 oz; you (or the federal regulators who worry about these things on our behalf) can sue the people who made it and possibly put them out of business. So it's in the manufacturer's interest to make their bars to weigh a little more than 2.4 oz, so that any random weight variation doesn't put them under their stated weight.

This is where the phrase "a baker's dozen" comes from: some parts of medieval Europe had the death penalty for bakers who got caught selling short weight. So the bakers would add an extra roll to each dozen, to make absolutely sure they were giving the customer at least enough bread.

Which is all very good for consumer protection, but not so good for strictly accurate logging.

funjen1972

Scale fluctuations are also worth mentioning. Your scale weight on Aug 27th may have been 138-142 and you caught it at the low end. Your range now may be 134-138 and you weighed on a higher day. Since you only weigh every 2 weeks you have no idea how much fluctuation is in your numbers or what your weight trend is.

How do your clothes fit? Are they the same or different? Have your measurements changed? A few pounds at 5'8" and your weight should be noticeable, at least to you.

kimber0607

Thanks for the tips/advice
My clothes have been fitting the same....i have a pair of older shorts that i couldn't even button when this began (i don't even know if i could have gotten them over my thigh)
for a while now I can get them on and button them..but i still wouldn't feel comfy wearing them out...so i try those on every 2-3 weeks regardless of what the scale says to see progress
well I'm going to keep chugging along at 1400 and be more careful weighing my food..thanks again!
kim

countcurt

I’ll make this much simpler for you-

If you want to lose more weight, you need to eat less than what you’re eating now. No matter how you measure it. So if you think you’re eating 1400 and can’t see yourself going lower, you are, in effect, eating at a maintenance level for your current weight.

You could go lower to lose the extra few pounds. But can you maintain at a lower level than the level you’re at now? Because if the answer is no, you won’t maintain the loss you attain.


Now, you mention something about it can’t be muscle. Which, of course, makes no sense. A pound of muscle weighs the same as a pound of fat. It just takes up less space.

ShayCarver89

It happens. To everyone. You're not really overweight at all (I'm 5'8 as well) and because of that its harder for you to lose weight. Also plateaus just happen. I've been plateaued for like 2 weeks. Frustrating, but part of the process.

TeethOfTheHydra

Seems to me you have like four basic options, none of which may necessarily induce more measurable weight loss, but are under your control: a) eat less calories; b) change up your macro blend (fats/carbs/proteins); c) exercise more; d) weigh yourself more often to understand the fluctuations in your weight.
Be patient and methodical and you'll figure things out.

12Sarah2015

I'm losing the last 6- 9lb now.the only way I can do it is at 1200 calories with filling things like porridge, corn, pumpkin,chicken, apples.

elisa123gal

why drop your calories ..who in the heck wants to live life eating 1200 calories to maintain a weight.. especially when you're so tall.. I agree with your decision to not go lower in calories.

I'd skip the processed food bars and eat real food..and maybe walk more briskly or up your cardio. you could also start lifting weights that would make you smaller, yet it would make you gain a few pounds in muscle. That could be a great option because the muscle would increase the amount of calories you burn each day.

kimber0607

Thanks all for the advice...I just cant/dont want to go under 1400 cals...too strict...Ill up my exc..make sure im tracking the correct number of cals and try to move more...if i can stay where i am (ill also be OK)..better than gaining

HoneyBadger302

I know the packaged foods are way easier (I'm crazy busy and definitely know the appeal), but I find that I can feel far more full and satisfied with a "real" meal I cook at home, with significantly fewer calories, than with something already prepared, be it packaged or take-out.

I think it stems from a few things - 1) I get a lot of volume from veggies 2) I know the flavors I like, so I cook to my tastes without adding in a bunch of other stuff like butter or needlessly bulked up sauces 3) Higher quality, leaner meats means a bit more volume per calorie 4) I can use alternatives (such as a yogurt based salad dressing instead of a traditional salad dressing) that gives me all the same flavor at a fraction of the calories.

Perhaps cutting out some time each day for some meal prep would help you feel even more satisfied while giving you the chance to trim back on your calories a bit?