Feeling Confused.. I hate feeling like this.

KisforKriss

So Here is the situation.

I am 27 years old, 5 foot 2. I have my stats set to lightly active and my calories for the day are 1340.
I work an active 12.5 hour job and on my days off, i do 15 min of elliptical and 30 min of cardio.

I lost 62 pounds on an old account i had on MFP, and then for 8-9 months i kind of fell off the wagon.
I climbed back on about 3 weeks ago, and have been consistent with logging.
My problem is, i seem to keep bouncing around in this same 5lbs. The scale goes down to 229, then im back up 5lbs... i bring it back down to 230, and now its back up again 5lbs.

First thought was my scale was broken, but after trying a few others and getting the same numbers, give or take a pound, i decided it wasn't broken. My next thought was my salt in take was too high. I did some changes and brought my salt in take down from 2700 - 3000 to between 1500-1800mg.

After speaking with a MFP friend, his theories were that im not burning enough calories per week to make a difference in my weight. And that even though i work 12 hours on my feet and walk back and forth to work 25 min each way, and do 45 min of cardio on my days off, i should probably do 10 min on days i work.

Now i am willing to put in those 10 min, because more excersize can only benefit me... but I feel like there is some other underlying issue.

Besides today, and Saturday Because i was in the hospital today and slept until 4pm and saturday i slept until 1. I have been eating just under ( 50 calories or less ) my daily goal.. but yet i cant seem to just get to the 220's and stay there.. i don't know what im doing wrong or what direction to go in from here.

shadow2soul

Have you had your thyroid tested? Or any other blood work done to check for medical conditions that can slow your metabolism?

Are you eating back exercise calories? If you are, what are you using for the estimated burns?

How long have you been doing this exercise routine? Is it possible that your body is used to the routine and thus not actually burning that many calories?

KisforKriss

Have you had your thyroid tested? Or any other blood work done to check for medical conditions that can slow your metabolism?

Are you eating back exercise calories? If you are, what are you using for the estimated burns?

How long have you been doing this exercise routine? Is it possible that your body is used to the routine and thus not actually burning that many calories?

I get all that stuff checked when i do blood work for my diabetes, my thyroid always comes back normal.
I usually do eat my excersize calories 99% of the time.
I use a Heart rate monitor when i excersize.
This routine ive only been doing it for 2 weeks

shadow2soul

I'd say give it a little more time. When starting a new workout routine, muscles will generally hold onto water for repairs.

If your HRM only reports gross calories, then you might want to only log 70-90% of the calorie burn. This way you aren't double counting your BMR calories (mfp already accounts for those).

Make sure your drinking plenty of water. Not drinking enough water can actually make water retention worse.

If you want to try adding something extra in, maybe try: The 30 Day Shred or The Butt Bible (both can be found on youtube...both generally result in more inches lost than weight usually, but losing inches means smaller clothing)

brentbarrie

How many calories are you burning a day?

KisforKriss

I'd say give it a little more time. When starting a new workout routine, muscles will generally hold onto water for repairs.

If your HRM only reports gross calories, then you might want to only log 70-90% of the calorie burn. This way you aren't double counting your BMR calories (mfp already accounts for those).

Make sure your drinking plenty of water. Not drinking enough water can actually make water retention worse.

If you want to try adding something extra in, maybe try: The 30 Day Shred or The Butt Bible (both can be found on youtube...both generally result in more inches lost than weight usually, but losing inches means smaller clothing)

To be honest, i dont really know what my HRM logs, i dont have an option of putting in any stats about myself, it just goes by the heart rate. I wore it at the gym once to compare it to the tredmill i was on, and the heart rates were consistant, and the calories my monitor said i burned were about 20 calories lower then the tredmill which i was able to put my weight in.
That being said.. 15 min on the elliptical only says i burn 88 calories, perhaps i shouldn't eat back my excersize calories?
30 minutes of Dance Dance revolution is only 130 calories burned.

KisforKriss

How many calories are you burning a day?

Depends on if im working or not.
if im working, maybe 160 for the walk to to work and walk home.
if im not, then maybe 180-200 a day if i do the elliptical and DDR

shadow2soul

What kind of HRM is it? I'm guessing it might not be very accurate if it doesn't ask for stats about you. Things like weight, VO2max, age, and HR will all determine the amount of calories you are burning.

KisforKriss

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Pyle-Heart-Rate-Monitor-Watch-W-Maximum-Average-Heart-Rate-and-Calorie-Counter-/250955171636?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a6e180734&_uhb=1

^^^^

Thats the link to the one i have on ebay.

MrsFowler1069

Have you had your thyroid tested? Or any other blood work done to check for medical conditions that can slow your metabolism?

Are you eating back exercise calories? If you are, what are you using for the estimated burns?

How long have you been doing this exercise routine? Is it possible that your body is used to the routine and thus not actually burning that many calories?

I get all that stuff checked when i do blood work for my diabetes, my thyroid always comes back normal.
I usually do eat my excersize calories 99% of the time.
I use a Heart rate monitor when i excersize.
This routine ive only been doing it for 2 weeks

My guess would be that your body is still adjusting to the exercise. Around a month or so after I started changing things, I got a couple of weeks of work roofing. The weather was hovering around 100* daily for the first time this year and I was working hard. Seemed like the pounds should have been raining to the ground, especially so early in my weight loss journey when it is still coming off fast anyway. But between the bit of muscle I was gaining and the fluids that my joints and stressed muscles were holding onto, I literally did not lose one pound. The week after I was done, about the time my fingers didn't feel stiff anymore, I lost five, maybe six pounds!

Hang in there. It'll come. Congratulations on getting back on track.

KisforKriss

Have you had your thyroid tested? Or any other blood work done to check for medical conditions that can slow your metabolism?

Are you eating back exercise calories? If you are, what are you using for the estimated burns?

How long have you been doing this exercise routine? Is it possible that your body is used to the routine and thus not actually burning that many calories?

I get all that stuff checked when i do blood work for my diabetes, my thyroid always comes back normal.
I usually do eat my excersize calories 99% of the time.
I use a Heart rate monitor when i excersize.
This routine ive only been doing it for 2 weeks

My guess would be that your body is still adjusting to the exercise. Around a month or so after I started changing things, I got a couple of weeks of work roofing. The weather was hovering around 100* daily for the first time this year and I was working hard. Seemed like the pounds should have been raining to the ground, especially so early in my weight loss journey when it is still coming off fast anyway. But between the bit of muscle I was gaining and the fluids that my joints and stressed muscles were holding onto, I literally did not lose one pound. The week after I was done, about the time my fingers didn't feel stiff anymore, I lost five, maybe six pounds!

Hang in there. It'll come. Congratulations on getting back on track.

I am really trying to, i just cant shake the feeling i am doing something wrong..
Maybe i shouldnt eat the excersize calories. Maybe i should just work out blindly, not log it, and just eat 1340 calories max.

shadow2soul

That one should have personal stat settings. I have it in pink.

Try this:

Press Mode 7 times
You should see a number flashing and age written in small print on the right
Press the Start/Stop button until you get to your age (saddly there isn't a way to go down in numbers, you have to keep going until it starts back at the lowest if you miss your age)
Press the Set/Reset button
Now you should see a number flashing with kg written in small print (this is where you enter your weight in kg)
Press the Start/Stop button until you reach your weight in kg
Press the Set/Reset button
Now you should see a number flashing with VO2 written in small print (this is where you enter your VO2max)
Press the Set/Reset button
Now it should show your Max HR

KisforKriss

That one should have personal stat settings. I have it in pink.

Try this:

Press Mode 7 times
You should see a number flashing and age written in small print on the right
Press the Start/Stop button until you get to your age (saddly there isn't a way to go down in numbers, you have to keep going until it starts back at the lowest if you miss your age)
Press the Set/Reset button
Now you should see a number flashing with kg written in small print (this is where you enter your weight in kg)
Press the Start/Stop button until you reach your weight in kg
Press the Set/Reset button
Now you should see a number flashing with VO2 written in small print (this is where you enter your VO2max)
Press the Set/Reset button
Now it should show your Max HR

okay i will do this right now, but how do i know what my vo2 max is?

shadow2soul

That one should have personal stat settings. I have it in pink.

Try this:

Press Mode 7 times
You should see a number flashing and age written in small print on the right
Press the Start/Stop button until you get to your age (saddly there isn't a way to go down in numbers, you have to keep going until it starts back at the lowest if you miss your age)
Press the Set/Reset button
Now you should see a number flashing with kg written in small print (this is where you enter your weight in kg)
Press the Start/Stop button until you reach your weight in kg
Press the Set/Reset button
Now you should see a number flashing with VO2 written in small print (this is where you enter your VO2max)
Press the Set/Reset button
Now it should show your Max HR

okay i will do this right now, but how do i know what my vo2 max is?

http://www.shapesense.com/fitness-exercise/calculators/vo2max-calculator.aspx

KisforKriss

Thank you so much, i just set it, the thing was set at 16 years old, 50kg and 40 for vo2, so who knows what difference that would of made in calorie burns..

So now i just need to decide if eating back those calories is going to hurt or help me right now.

SiXiam

I think your problem is that any exercise you do isn't going to overcome your snacks. One little 2 tbsp serving of nutella would take too long to burn off. Also with that 'afternoon snack' and 'things you nibbled on' your snacks are cutting into your meals. You could eat less snacks and prepare higher calorie meals that will be more filling.

I also think you are falling for gimmicks like reduced calorie margarine, weight maint bread, etc. These are generally more expensive and have a negligible difference from the alternative. A 1/2 tbsp butter is only 50 calories.

chani8

I think you should reset for 'sedentary' and then on the days you work out hard, you can eat those calories back.

Consider a low carb, hight fat (ketogenic) diet, with only non-processed foods. A family member cured his diabetes 2 by doing this, and counting calories to lose weight.

Every time you lose weight, recalculate your BMR. The thinner you get, the less calories you get to eat.

shadow2soul

I'd guess it's going to make a pretty big difference. For example, I have mine reported 268 for 30 mins of Dance Central 2 (I have my watch set at 178.2lbs and the last time I checked vo2max, it was about 32). I logged 183 of the calories it reported. (roughly 68-69% of the calories reported)

Try it for 4 weeks and see what happens. If in 4 weeks, nothing has changed or you ended up gaining weight, then log a smaller portion of the calories burned for the next 4 weeks to see if that helps.

shadow2soul

...

KisforKriss

I'd guess it's going to make a pretty big difference. For example, I have mine reported 268 for 30 mins of Dance Central 2 (I have my watch set at 178.2lbs and the last time I checked vo2max, it was about 32). I logged 183 of the calories it reported. (roughly 68-69% of the calories reported)

Try it for 4 weeks and see what happens. If in 4 weeks, nothing has changed or you ended up gaining weight, then log a smaller portion of the calories burned for the next 4 weeks to see if that helps.

So i should probably go by half of what my HRM is going to tell me.?

MelissaBoydston82

increase your calories just a little. i was having the same issue (got to a certain weight and then the numbers just bounced up and down, but wouldn't go lower!) I increased my calories, 2 days later I was down 2 lbs lower than my lowest weight since starting MFP. then I lost 0.4 more. in the same week. going to keep this up and see if it works! lol

but yea, you might need more calories. especially since you are on your feet all day most days.

mmipanda

I'm going to go opposite to everyone else and say that working 12 hour shifts on your feet doesn't sound like 'light' work to me.

Coming from someone who has progressed from bartending to desk job - I didn't think I did that much movement at work until I started doing nothing.


The other thing is, looking at your diary you seem to use loads of 'diet' foods that aren't actually any good for you. Like I'd drop the diet margarine for real, normal butter. Drop the 'weight maintenance' bread for a small bit of organic rye sourdough.


Between those two things, I'd say you could be struggling to lose weight because you aren't getting what your body needs.

shadow2soul

I'd guess it's going to make a pretty big difference. For example, I have mine reported 268 for 30 mins of Dance Central 2 (I have my watch set at 178.2lbs and the last time I checked vo2max, it was about 32). I logged 183 of the calories it reported. (roughly 68-69% of the calories reported)

Try it for 4 weeks and see what happens. If in 4 weeks, nothing has changed or you ended up gaining weight, then log a smaller portion of the calories burned for the next 4 weeks to see if that helps.

So i should probably go by half of what my HRM is going to tell me.?

Up to you. Personally I like to start higher and work my way down as needed.

KisforKriss

I'm going to go opposite to everyone else and say that working 12 hour shifts on your feet doesn't sound like 'light' work to me.

Coming from someone who has progressed from bartending to desk job - I didn't think I did that much movement at work until I started doing nothing.


The other thing is, looking at your diary you seem to use loads of 'diet' foods that aren't actually any good for you. Like I'd drop the diet margarine for real, normal butter. Drop the 'weight maintenance' bread for a small bit of organic rye sourdough.


Between those two things, I'd say you could be struggling to lose weight because you aren't getting what your body needs.

The only reason im eating those things is to leave room for other food. 160 calories for two slices of bread compared to 90 is almost a snack to me =/ it almost seems like im giving up food to eat, and im hungry enough through out the day as it is, thats why i have snacks, cause i work in a kitchen, im around food constantly

KisforKriss

So confused *sigh*

Some people say to give up snacks, others say its best to eat small meals and more frequently..
but if i give up the lower calorie options, i have to give up eating the snacks..
This is absolutely depressing.

shadow2soul

So confused *sigh*

Some people say to give up snacks, others say its best to eat small meals and more frequently..
but if i give up the lower calorie options, i have to give up eating the snacks..
This is absolutely depressing.

There is nothing wrong with snacks providing your weighing all of your food and logging everything that passes your lips. I eat snacks sometimes, sometimes I don't, sometimes I eat before bed, and again sometimes I don't.

Depends on what you get. I buy whole wheat bread and depending on the brand I grab it usually ranges from 50-60 calories per slice (not much more than what your eating now).

I buy full fat cheeses (didn't look to see if you did) and a slice of pepper jack is usually 70-90 calories depending on brand.

As for butter, well I buy light butter, but the regular is 100 calories (light is 50) for a TBSP. I know people generally argue over stuff like using light items, but when my husband cooks he tends to use a lot so the light is just a safer choice to have around right now.

mmipanda

I'm going to go opposite to everyone else and say that working 12 hour shifts on your feet doesn't sound like 'light' work to me.

Coming from someone who has progressed from bartending to desk job - I didn't think I did that much movement at work until I started doing nothing.


The other thing is, looking at your diary you seem to use loads of 'diet' foods that aren't actually any good for you. Like I'd drop the diet margarine for real, normal butter. Drop the 'weight maintenance' bread for a small bit of organic rye sourdough.


Between those two things, I'd say you could be struggling to lose weight because you aren't getting what your body needs.

The only reason im eating those things is to leave room for other food. 160 calories for two slices of bread compared to 90 is almost a snack to me =/ it almost seems like im giving up food to eat, and im hungry enough through out the day as it is, thats why i have snacks, cause i work in a kitchen, im around food constantly

so are you a chef? I'd say you're underestimating your caloric output at work. Try eating more, say bump up your allowance by 200 for a week and see how you go. BUT eat real, fresh stuff instead of highly processed diet foods.

MINI STORY. I spent 3 months eating lite & easy frozen meals. I went to the gym regularly and lost a measly 3kg in that time. I was ALWAYS HUNGRY and craved all the junk food. So I switched my diet up completely to a combination of paleo/primal/clean eating and dropped 4kg in 4 weeks without going to the gym. No cravings, no hunger pangs, no calorie counting.

KisforKriss

I'm going to go opposite to everyone else and say that working 12 hour shifts on your feet doesn't sound like 'light' work to me.

Coming from someone who has progressed from bartending to desk job - I didn't think I did that much movement at work until I started doing nothing.


The other thing is, looking at your diary you seem to use loads of 'diet' foods that aren't actually any good for you. Like I'd drop the diet margarine for real, normal butter. Drop the 'weight maintenance' bread for a small bit of organic rye sourdough.


Between those two things, I'd say you could be struggling to lose weight because you aren't getting what your body needs.

The only reason im eating those things is to leave room for other food. 160 calories for two slices of bread compared to 90 is almost a snack to me =/ it almost seems like im giving up food to eat, and im hungry enough through out the day as it is, thats why i have snacks, cause i work in a kitchen, im around food constantly

so are you a chef? I'd say you're underestimating your caloric output at work. Try eating more, say bump up your allowance by 200 for a week and see how you go. BUT eat real, fresh stuff instead of highly processed diet foods.

MINI STORY. I spent 3 months eating lite & easy frozen meals. I went to the gym regularly and lost a measly 3kg in that time. I was ALWAYS HUNGRY and craved all the junk food. So I switched my diet up completely to a combination of paleo/primal/clean eating and dropped 4kg in 4 weeks without going to the gym. No cravings, no hunger pangs, no calorie counting.

....im not eating frozen meals.
I serously want to scream... then i want to cry... or maybe just cry because i feel like ive changed everything i am, and unless i go out into the @#$%^ing woods and shoot my own animals and eat them raw, im never gonna lose weight. besides bread and margarine, i cook everything i eat. so you know what... screw it. I quit.

MelissaBoydston82

I'm going to go opposite to everyone else and say that working 12 hour shifts on your feet doesn't sound like 'light' work to me.

Coming from someone who has progressed from bartending to desk job - I didn't think I did that much movement at work until I started doing nothing.


The other thing is, looking at your diary you seem to use loads of 'diet' foods that aren't actually any good for you. Like I'd drop the diet margarine for real, normal butter. Drop the 'weight maintenance' bread for a small bit of organic rye sourdough.


Between those two things, I'd say you could be struggling to lose weight because you aren't getting what your body needs.

The only reason im eating those things is to leave room for other food. 160 calories for two slices of bread compared to 90 is almost a snack to me =/ it almost seems like im giving up food to eat, and im hungry enough through out the day as it is, thats why i have snacks, cause i work in a kitchen, im around food constantly

so are you a chef? I'd say you're underestimating your caloric output at work. Try eating more, say bump up your allowance by 200 for a week and see how you go. BUT eat real, fresh stuff instead of highly processed diet foods.

MINI STORY. I spent 3 months eating lite & easy frozen meals. I went to the gym regularly and lost a measly 3kg in that time. I was ALWAYS HUNGRY and craved all the junk food. So I switched my diet up completely to a combination of paleo/primal/clean eating and dropped 4kg in 4 weeks without going to the gym. No cravings, no hunger pangs, no calorie counting.

Yes ^

and not everyone agrees with the whole paleo/clean eating thing. i mean, i still love to have my ice cream when i can. sometimes i drink a diet soda. but what i've figured out is, i can eat a pretty good sized meal that makes me feel absolutely stuffed that is pretty "low" calories....IF I eat real whole foods.

For instance, 25 cheez it crackers (150) and one slice of pepper jack cheese (90cal) = 240 calories. that's a snack. that won't fill me up for long at all.
4oz of chicken (roughly 100 cal) and a whole baked sweet potato (roughly 100 cal) - 200 calories and would keep you very full for a very long time.

I'm not saying you have to ONLY eat these clean whole foods all day everyday, but you'll find that if you try to eat more fresh REAL food, you can get away with eating a LOT more for way less calories. you'll be fuller, have more energy, and bonus! you might have enough calories left over for the occasional piece of chocolate or ice cream.

shadow2soul

I'm going to go opposite to everyone else and say that working 12 hour shifts on your feet doesn't sound like 'light' work to me.

Coming from someone who has progressed from bartending to desk job - I didn't think I did that much movement at work until I started doing nothing.


The other thing is, looking at your diary you seem to use loads of 'diet' foods that aren't actually any good for you. Like I'd drop the diet margarine for real, normal butter. Drop the 'weight maintenance' bread for a small bit of organic rye sourdough.


Between those two things, I'd say you could be struggling to lose weight because you aren't getting what your body needs.

The only reason im eating those things is to leave room for other food. 160 calories for two slices of bread compared to 90 is almost a snack to me =/ it almost seems like im giving up food to eat, and im hungry enough through out the day as it is, thats why i have snacks, cause i work in a kitchen, im around food constantly

so are you a chef? I'd say you're underestimating your caloric output at work. Try eating more, say bump up your allowance by 200 for a week and see how you go. BUT eat real, fresh stuff instead of highly processed diet foods.

MINI STORY. I spent 3 months eating lite & easy frozen meals. I went to the gym regularly and lost a measly 3kg in that time. I was ALWAYS HUNGRY and craved all the junk food. So I switched my diet up completely to a combination of paleo/primal/clean eating and dropped 4kg in 4 weeks without going to the gym. No cravings, no hunger pangs, no calorie counting.

....im not eating frozen meals.
I serously want to scream... then i want to cry... or maybe just cry because i feel like ive changed everything i am, and unless i go out into the @#$%^ing woods and shoot my own animals and eat them raw, im never gonna lose weight. besides bread and margarine, i cook everything i eat. so you know what... screw it. I quit.

Don't quit. I know it can be confusing and sometimes slightly hard to figure out, but it will all be worth it in the end.

kaned_ferret

Rather than having diet foods to leave calories, and if you're hungry all the time, exercise more to get more calories to eat. I also work long days and yes it's the last thing you want to do after a shift, but I am finding that by doing 30 minutes a day I'm getting myself a couple hundred extra calories to eatand it's working well. i usually do 15 minutes on my cross trainer then 15 minutes of zumba or my fitness pal on the wii. I also feel less hungry when I'm exercising.

Are you 100% sure of the calories you are inputting with the nibble here and nibble there? I bet it's really easy to not realise quite how much is going in if you're pecking at bits as you cook. I love cooking and am terrible for trying as I go and often I don't realise how much I might've had until I serve dinner then realise I'm not actually hungry (I wonder why hehe!)

Try giving yourself a more regimented food diary - I was terrible for snacking as where I work there is a never ending supply of haribo, chocolate, ribena and other sweets. I would easily graze 500 calories plus a day when I actually counted it. Since i have cut these small things out, and made myself have breakfast instead, I have stopped feeling hungry even though I am picking and consuming less