Losing my remainder 12lbs

Alarmed_one

I’ve lost a ton of weight counting calories and going low carb, I stopped losing weight when I joined a gym and started working out. How in the heck can I get rid of these last 12lbs? I wish I could lose them before the year is over but I feel it impossible. Ive even gained weight since working out.... this is frustrating. Has anyone done intermittent fasting? i seriously don’t know what to do.....

snickerscharlie

Alarmed_one wrote: »

I’ve lost a ton of weight counting calories and going low carb, I stopped losing weight when I joined a gym and started working out. How in the heck can I get rid of these last 12lbs? I wish I could lose them before the year is over but I feel it impossible. Ive even gained weight since working out.... this is frustrating. Has anyone done intermittent fasting? i seriously don’t know what to do.....

By counting calories, are you using a food scale? If not, you're likely eating more calories than you think. Also, the closer you get to a normal weight, the less calories your body needs per day. Have you recalculated your calorie allotment along the way?

Also, how long ago did you start at the gym? How often do you workout, and what do you do there?

One last thing, what is your current weight, goal weight and height? I know it seems like a lot of questions, but the answers will help up help you.

Alarmed_one

snickerscharlie wrote: »

Alarmed_one wrote: »

I’ve lost a ton of weight counting calories and going low carb, I stopped losing weight when I joined a gym and started working out. How in the heck can I get rid of these last 12lbs? I wish I could lose them before the year is over but I feel it impossible. Ive even gained weight since working out.... this is frustrating. Has anyone done intermittent fasting? i seriously don’t know what to do.....

By counting calories, are you using a food scale? If not, you're likely eating more calories than you think. Also, the closer you get to a normal weight, the less calories your body needs per day. Have you recalculated your calorie allotment along the way?

Also, how long ago did you start at the gym? How often do you workout, and what do you do there?

One last thing, what is your current weight, goal weight and height? I know it seems like a lot of questions, but the answers will help up help you.

1. I do have a food scale and I usually eat the same things as well.
2. I haven’t recalculated my calories, but I’d have to eat less, you bet I will.
3. I’ve been working out since September and I kid you not, I immediately stopped losing weigh.
4. What I do at the gym usually, I start with 20 mins of cardio then 20 mins of weights (arms or legs, always abs) I end my work out with cardio. I only get 1hr of gym time due to babysitting for my toddler. I am starting to run on the track and I’m going to start hiking as well on top of gym time. I’m willing to do what it takes to lose weight and make my body right.
5. I’m 5’1 I am 132 and my goal is between 110 and 120. If I can get to 120 I’ll be satisfied but 110 would be amazing.

CharlieBeansmomTracey

Alarmed_one wrote: »

snickerscharlie wrote: »

Alarmed_one wrote: »

I’ve lost a ton of weight counting calories and going low carb, I stopped losing weight when I joined a gym and started working out. How in the heck can I get rid of these last 12lbs? I wish I could lose them before the year is over but I feel it impossible. Ive even gained weight since working out.... this is frustrating. Has anyone done intermittent fasting? i seriously don’t know what to do.....

By counting calories, are you using a food scale? If not, you're likely eating more calories than you think. Also, the closer you get to a normal weight, the less calories your body needs per day. Have you recalculated your calorie allotment along the way?

Also, how long ago did you start at the gym? How often do you workout, and what do you do there?

One last thing, what is your current weight, goal weight and height? I know it seems like a lot of questions, but the answers will help up help you.

1. I do have a food scale and I usually eat the same things as well.
2. I haven’t recalculated my calories, but I’d have to eat less, you bet I will.
3. I’ve been working out since September and I kid you not, I immediately stopped losing weigh.
4. What I do at the gym usually, I start with 20 mins of cardio then 20 mins of weights (arms or legs, always abs) I end my work out with cardio. I only get 1hr of gym time due to babysitting for my toddler. I am starting to run on the track and I’m going to start hiking as well on top of gym time. I’m willing to do what it takes to lose weight and make my body right.
5. I’m 5’1 I am 132 and my goal is between 110 and 120. If I can get to 120 I’ll be satisfied but 110 would be amazing.

even eating the same thing everyday the foods can be different weights(which means different calories) say 2 slices of bread say 54g(or 27g a piece) the next day those two pieces could be 60g or more. portions can be off by up to 20% per serving.especially on packaged products but no two pieces of fruit will weight the same and be the same calories either. if you lost more than 20 lbs you need to recalculate your calories. since you havent then it means you are most likely eating maintenance calories if its been since september since you lost anything. The more you workout the more calories you will need as well.

as for intermittent fasting. its not going to make a difference in weight loss. Ive done it for the past 3 decades and Ive lost,gained and maintained my weight while fasting. its all about the calories. and as for losing 12 lbs the less you have to lose the slower its going to be,and the more accurate you will have to be with your calories.

middlehaitch

Congrats on your loss so far.

Hate to say this, but it is going to be slow going getting those last pounds off. Ask me how I know

Re calibrate your calorie goal and set it to lose 1lbs a week, if possible, for the next 5-6 lbs. after that set to 0.5 a week.
This is in case you are lucky enough to get over 1200 cals (I wasn't).

Do eat back your exercise cals. You need the fuel.

Logging has to become a serious hobby. Be as precice as possible. This means weighing everything that passes your lips, and using accurate entries.

Check the USDA for single items, fruit, veg, fish, meat, grains, etc, mfg packaging or website for pre packaged items.

It took me about 6-7 months to lose from 130 to 110. At 5'1 on 1200 cal plus ~200 cals for each hour of exercise. (YMMV)

Cheers, h.

GottaBurnEmAll

Speaking as a fellow 5'1" person like you OP and middlehaitch, I cannot stress the importance of precise logging. Every calorie matters.

In regards to the possibility you allude to in your post about starting exercise having anything to do with your lack of progress, let's just put this out there in case it's coming into play.

Exercise is only to blame for temporary weight gains due to fluid retention. Ongoing issues are usually caused by one of two things:

1. The person who takes up exercise gets hungry and starts sneaking bites of food here and there and doesn't log them, and well... there you go.
2. The person who takes up exercise gets tired from the exercise and is less active than they previously were throughout the day, thus burning less calories than they used to.

You can combat the first by being honest with yourself.

You can combat the second by setting a timer and getting up every hour and moving around.

This sort of stuff might not matter for some, but for shorties, these small difference can cause issues.

Alarmed_one

GottaBurnEmAll wrote: »

Speaking as a fellow 5'1" person like you OP and middlehaitch, I cannot stress the importance of precise logging. Every calorie matters.

In regards to the possibility you allude to in your post about starting exercise having anything to do with your lack of progress, let's just put this out there in case it's coming into play.

Exercise is only to blame for temporary weight gains due to fluid retention. Ongoing issues are usually caused by one of two things:

1. The person who takes up exercise gets hungry and starts sneaking bites of food here and there and doesn't log them, and well... there you go.
2. The person who takes up exercise gets tired from the exercise and is less active than they previously were throughout the day, thus burning less calories than they used to.

You can combat the first by being honest with yourself.

You can combat the second by setting a timer and getting up every hour and moving around.

This sort of stuff might not matter for some, but for shorties, these small difference can cause issues.

I’m doing none of the above.... I’m more active than before. I’m adding hiking on Monday’s , adding 2 miles runs on tuesdays and thursdays:... that’s on top of gym time. I don’t sneak food, I’m pretty militant about what I eat. My vanity won’t allow me to “sneak” food. I don’t know why you would assume when I have not implied it but..... OK lol

TavistockToad

a diet break might not be a bad idea, and then restart with recalculated calories to lose 0.5lb per week in the new year?

middlehaitch

Alarmed_one wrote: »

GottaBurnEmAll wrote: »

Speaking as a fellow 5'1" person like you OP and middlehaitch, I cannot stress the importance of precise logging. Every calorie matters.

In regards to the possibility you allude to in your post about starting exercise having anything to do with your lack of progress, let's just put this out there in case it's coming into play.

Exercise is only to blame for temporary weight gains due to fluid retention. Ongoing issues are usually caused by one of two things:

1. The person who takes up exercise gets hungry and starts sneaking bites of food here and there and doesn't log them, and well... there you go.
2. The person who takes up exercise gets tired from the exercise and is less active than they previously were throughout the day, thus burning less calories than they used to.

You can combat the first by being honest with yourself.

You can combat the second by setting a timer and getting up every hour and moving around.

This sort of stuff might not matter for some, but for shorties, these small difference can cause issues.

I’m doing none of the above.... I’m more active than before. I’m adding hiking on Monday’s , adding 2 miles runs on tuesdays and thursdays:... that’s on top of gym time. I don’t sneak food, I’m pretty militant about what I eat. My vanity won’t allow me to “sneak” food. I don’t know why you would assume when I have not implied it but..... OK lol

The 2points, were a generalization, not an accusation.
Lots of people read these posts and often general information is added to cover all basis.

Point 2 especially, is one that a lot of people don't take into account. Go all out exercising to try and help them lose, but in the end cut down so much on daily movement that the exercise is cancelled out, and more.
This is especially relevant when not enough/no exercise calories are eaten. Lethargy is sneaky, and burn out a possibility.

Water retention through exercise, and the stress of new routines could be hiding any loss temporarily.
Maybe hold back, for a week or two, on increasing your exercise until you have a set of stable numbers to work out what you need to put yourself back in a small deficit. Work from your MFP data.

Cheers, h.

GottaBurnEmAll

Alarmed_one wrote: »

GottaBurnEmAll wrote: »

Speaking as a fellow 5'1" person like you OP and middlehaitch, I cannot stress the importance of precise logging. Every calorie matters.

In regards to the possibility you allude to in your post about starting exercise having anything to do with your lack of progress, let's just put this out there in case it's coming into play.

Exercise is only to blame for temporary weight gains due to fluid retention. Ongoing issues are usually caused by one of two things:

1. The person who takes up exercise gets hungry and starts sneaking bites of food here and there and doesn't log them, and well... there you go.
2. The person who takes up exercise gets tired from the exercise and is less active than they previously were throughout the day, thus burning less calories than they used to.

You can combat the first by being honest with yourself.

You can combat the second by setting a timer and getting up every hour and moving around.

This sort of stuff might not matter for some, but for shorties, these small difference can cause issues.

I’m doing none of the above.... I’m more active than before. I’m adding hiking on Monday’s , adding 2 miles runs on tuesdays and thursdays:... that’s on top of gym time. I don’t sneak food, I’m pretty militant about what I eat. My vanity won’t allow me to “sneak” food. I don’t know why you would assume when I have not implied it but..... OK lol

I wasn't implying it about you specifically, I was just saying that it's known to happen. As middlehaitch pointed out, I was pointing out generalizations to cover all the possibilities here.

You also misunderstood what I said about being active. The activity I meant didn't refer to your hiking and running. It meant how often your sitting and doing things like fidgeting throughout the day. Increased exercise has been shown to make some people more lethargic through the day in the aftermath of the exercise, and that lowers their overall calorie burn.

quiksylver296

TavistockToad wrote: »

a diet break might not be a bad idea, and then restart with recalculated calories to lose 0.5lb per week in the new year?

Agreed. Check out this thread.

https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10604863/of-refeeds-and-diet-breaks/p1

Maxxitt

I agree with you, OP, that losing 12 # by year's end is not feasible. If you have been more or less maintaining (or up a pound or two) since Sept then probably there is no need for a diet break. I would 1) Recalculate for current weight via MFP and set to lose .5 # a week 2) Eat half of exercise calories back to start 3) See how you do for a full menstrual cycle if you are menstruating, since hormonal shifts can cause fluid retention. Also - with a toddler and potential holiday stress and such, getting enough sleep is crucial to the process. Intermittent fasting might be useful in that having a shorter "eating" window can allow for larger meals which can be more satisfying especially if your calorie allotment is on the low end. You're already weighing solids and measuring liquids so keep that up. Good luck!