What am I doing wrong?

firstloveyourself

Can someone check my diary and give me some advice? I've been eating better and exercising for 23 days (I'm on a 90-day quest) and I don't see or feel any results. I've heard it takes 6 weeks to start seeing results but, other than a 5 pounds loss at the beginning (which I'm attributing to water weight), I haven't lost an ounce.

theatregirl4416

Well done on the 5 lb loss!

Two things I can suggest, and not being harsh:

1) I see you are overdoing it a little bit some days on salt/sodium. Try cutting that back? I dont see a column for sugar either, maybe add one and keep an eye on that. Those two things can sometimes be the first thing you need to watch, I know its not easy, I'm trying it myself at the moment and its tough going to begin with!

2) Have you seen a difference in your measurements, waist, hips, etc? Often the exercise will tone you up and so the difference wont show on the scale but it will on a measurement side of things.

Good luck

firstloveyourself

Thank you!

I do have issues with sodium. That causes water retention, right? I'll add a column for sugar and watch that too

I have gone down a few inches all around!

Thank you

christineellis

It looks like you are up and down on your daily calories and carb/fat/protien ratios. I didn't look to see if you were eating back your exercise calories, so that may explain it.

I would suggest reworking your goals, based on a 2lb per week loss and sticking to the ratios.

If you are up for trying something different, cut out all processed/pre-packaged foods, corn, wheat and sugar, perhaps dairy as well.

You could also try to keep your blood sugar stable by making sure you eat any carbs with protein, not with fat. It is ok to eat fat and protein together, but not with carbs.

Again, these are just suggestions, if you are interested. If not, then disregard.

Good luck!

ndj1979

It looks like you are up and down on your daily calories and carb/fat/protien ratios. I didn't look to see if you were eating back your exercise calories, so that may explain it.

I would suggest reworking your goals, based on a 2lb per week loss and sticking to the ratios.

If you are up for trying something different, cut out all processed/pre-packaged foods, corn, wheat and sugar, perhaps dairy as well.

You could also try to keep your blood sugar stable by making sure you eat any carbs with protein, not with fat. It is ok to eat fat and protein together, but not with carbs.

Again, these are just suggestions, if you are interested. If not, then disregard.

Good luck!

what happens if I eat fat, protein, and carbs at the same time? Will my body fat go up ten percent, or will I just spontaneously combust???

HeidiCooksSupper

I would recommend cutting way back on processed foods and introducing more vegetables into your diet. There are many hidden sugars in the processed foods that are not doing you any favors. Also, your calorie intake seems quite low. Take a look at the Healthy Eating Plate at http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/ and start using that as a model for your eating.

MrsFowler1069

It looks like you are up and down on your daily calories and carb/fat/protien ratios. I didn't look to see if you were eating back your exercise calories, so that may explain it.

I would suggest reworking your goals, based on a 2lb per week loss and sticking to the ratios.

If you are up for trying something different, cut out all processed/pre-packaged foods, corn, wheat and sugar, perhaps dairy as well.

You could also try to keep your blood sugar stable by making sure you eat any carbs with protein, not with fat. It is ok to eat fat and protein together, but not with carbs.

Again, these are just suggestions, if you are interested. If not, then disregard.

Good luck!

what happens if I eat fat, protein, and carbs at the same time? Will my body fat go up ten percent, or will I just spontaneously combust???

lol

benefiting

1. You seem to eat a lot of processed crap.
2. You're probably not eating enough.

magerum

It looks like you are up and down on your daily calories and carb/fat/protien ratios. I didn't look to see if you were eating back your exercise calories, so that may explain it.

I would suggest reworking your goals, based on a 2lb per week loss and sticking to the ratios.

If you are up for trying something different, cut out all processed/pre-packaged foods, corn, wheat and sugar, perhaps dairy as well.

You could also try to keep your blood sugar stable by making sure you eat any carbs with protein, not with fat. It is ok to eat fat and protein together, but not with carbs.

Again, these are just suggestions, if you are interested. If not, then disregard.

Good luck!

what happens if I eat fat, protein, and carbs at the same time? Will my body fat go up ten percent, or will I just spontaneously combust???

Well, yeah.

ladypitek

Eat more calories!! This is the advice I got a few weeks ago and it WORKS! I had plateaued for 3 months and increased the intensity of my workouts and didn't lose a single pound. On the advice of the MFP community I increased my calories and have lost 5 pounds in the past 2 weeks! Definitely eat more and you will see a difference.

ndj1979

It looks like you are up and down on your daily calories and carb/fat/protien ratios. I didn't look to see if you were eating back your exercise calories, so that may explain it.

I would suggest reworking your goals, based on a 2lb per week loss and sticking to the ratios.

If you are up for trying something different, cut out all processed/pre-packaged foods, corn, wheat and sugar, perhaps dairy as well.

You could also try to keep your blood sugar stable by making sure you eat any carbs with protein, not with fat. It is ok to eat fat and protein together, but not with carbs.

Again, these are just suggestions, if you are interested. If not, then disregard.

Good luck!

what happens if I eat fat, protein, and carbs at the same time? Will my body fat go up ten percent, or will I just spontaneously combust???

Well, yeah.

which one combustion or ten percent increase in body fat...or would I spontaneously combust into an extremely obese person and lose all my gains?

ndj1979

Eat more calories!! This is the advice I got a few weeks ago and it WORKS! I had plateaued for 3 months and increased the intensity of my workouts and didn't lose a single pound. On the advice of the MFP community I increased my calories and have lost 5 pounds in the past 2 weeks! Definitely eat more and you will see a difference.

hmmm, I have decreased my calories and lost 8 pounds...

which is better...?

ladypitek

Eat more calories!! This is the advice I got a few weeks ago and it WORKS! I had plateaued for 3 months and increased the intensity of my workouts and didn't lose a single pound. On the advice of the MFP community I increased my calories and have lost 5 pounds in the past 2 weeks! Definitely eat more and you will see a difference.

hmmm, I have decreased my calories and lost 8 pounds...

which is better...?

I think it depends on the intensity of your workouts and how many calories you were eating to begin with. It looks like most days she's not even eating 1200. Especially if she's working out this is not nearly enough to fuel her day let alone her workouts.

littlerjh

Looking at your diary it looks as if you're staying in your calorie range but its what you're eating. I don't know your lifestyle but instead of french toast or pancakes for breakfast have an omelet with like onions, 1 oz of sara lee mesquite turkey breast (tastes like ham) & top with 1/8 c. weight watchers shredded cheese & 2 tsp of salsa. You will be held over much longer to the next snack/meal & feel much fuller. If its processed food that you can pop in the microwave don't eat it. Eat meals & snacks that need you to prepare them. Vegies vegies vegies!! BE PROUD OF THE 5 LBS!! Keep on keepin on! Good luck!

oDDnySS

I know for me that sugar is my weakness- I still haven't completely given it up, but I did find that upping my protein intake (not too much though- your body will convert surplus into fat when not utilized), staying hydrated with water, and keeping my fiber and carb levels pretty stable, it warded off hunger, and I had TONS of energy to put into everyday activities- are you getting adequate sleep? Don't worry- you WILL see results soon, your body is adapting. Keep with it- you have some pretty cool goals listed out on your profile (I should be that specific with mine! Haha)- and once you start losing, it will be unbelievably motivating, trust me!

cmcollins001

Reach your calorie goal by eating foods you enjoy, eat back most, if not all, of your exercise calories...exercise, lift heavy for better end result body composition.

Simple. Don't overthink it.

skullshank

what happens if I eat fat, protein, and carbs at the same time?

then you, sir, have a cheeseburger....and i am jealous.

RGv2

If its processed food that you can pop in the microwave don't eat it.

firstloveyourself

Oh gosh. I wasn't expecting all of this info!

I know I eat too much processed food, but unfortunately I don't make a lot of money; most days I have to eat whatever I have a coupon for. I usually don't eat back exercise calories...I've heard that I should, and I've heard that I shouldn't, so I'm a little confused.

My breakfast is usually protein powder in almond milk--I only eat stuff like french toast and pancakes on Sunday mornings (because they serve it at church). I don't like eggs so omelets aren't an option

cmcollins001

Oh gosh. I wasn't expecting all of this info!

I know I eat too much processed food, but unfortunately I don't make a lot of money; most days I have to eat whatever I have a coupon for. I usually don't eat back exercise calories...I've heard that I should.

My breakfast is usually protein powder in almond milk--I only eat stuff like french toast and pancakes on Sunday mornings (because they serve it at church). I don't like eggs so omelets aren't an option

Fixed the bolded part for you. And omelets are da bomb diggity...just sayin'

firstloveyourself

I just changed my goals to a 2lb loss per week and it has me eating just over 1400 calories a day. (I was at like 1630 I think)

firstloveyourself

Oh gosh. I wasn't expecting all of this info!

I know I eat too much processed food, but unfortunately I don't make a lot of money; most days I have to eat whatever I have a coupon for. I usually don't eat back exercise calories...I've heard that I should.

My breakfast is usually protein powder in almond milk--I only eat stuff like french toast and pancakes on Sunday mornings (because they serve it at church). I don't like eggs so omelets aren't an option

Fixed the bolded part for you. And omelets are da bomb diggity...just sayin'

Haha, well I've been set straight then I might try making an omelet with just egg whites...I can tolerate those.

hzliiz

Hi OP, just throwing my 2 cents in. I eat way too much processed food, hate cooking, love eating out and my microwave is my BFF. What I've done is instead of trying to do a complete 180 and turn myself into a whole-foody which is just not realistic for me, I've committed to replacing a few processed/microwaved meals per week with "real" food. I keep it really simple and do a salad w/ some chicken and avocado for some healthy protein and fat, or instead of making it into a salad I'll stuff it into a pita. I'll do one of those usually every other day or so for either lunch or dinner. Maybe twice a week I'll make an egg scramble w/ veggies and cheese or a fried egg sandwich. Really simple meals are your friend! My diary is public so feel free to take a peek if you want to see what another over-processed girl eats. Other suggestions that have worked for me: Really try to hit your macros especially the protein and fat, and make sure you're getting enough fiber -- foods with those three things will keep you full and satisfied. Try to eat as close to your calories that MFP sets for you as possible at least over the course of the week and eat back at least half of what your burn off. Best of luck to you!

firstloveyourself

Hi OP, just throwing my 2 cents in. I eat way too much processed food, hate cooking, love eating out and my microwave is my BFF. What I've done is instead of trying to do a complete 180 and turn myself into a whole-foody which is just not realistic for me, I've committed to replacing a few processed/microwaved meals per week with "real" food. I keep it really simple and do a salad w/ some chicken and avocado for some healthy protein and fat, or instead of making it into a salad I'll stuff it into a pita. I'll do one of those usually every other day or so for either lunch or dinner. Maybe twice a week I'll make an egg scramble w/ veggies and cheese or a fried egg sandwich. Really simple meals are your friend! My diary is public so feel free to take a peek if you want to see what another over-processed girl eats. Other suggestions that have worked for me: Really try to hit your macros especially the protein and fat, and make sure you're getting enough fiber -- foods with those three things will keep you full and satisfied. Try to eat as close to your calories that MFP sets for you as possible at least over the course of the week and eat back at least half of what your burn off. Best of luck to you!

Added. You only had 3 pounds to lose though...I have over 100 :x

hzliiz

Those were the last of a few pounds I regained after I stopped tracking. Lesson learned will not stop tracking! I came back to lose them and keep on track. But initially had 27 lbs to lose. Not as hard as 100 I know but I did lose it using the same approach I use now. The only difference was I ate about 1500 calories plus exercise calories, whereas now I'm eating a couple hundred more on average b/c I'm trying to get back into maintenance.