Lost

homerunbetty

I am 42 years old. I have gained 30 lbs. in the past year. I weighed this much when I was about to give birth to my twins 10 years ago! I was not exercising and not watching what I ate. I am a vegetarian and only eat fruits, veggies, carbs (yes, carbs...love bread!) and sweets on ocassion. There are times when I crave sweets, but in the past 2 months when I do, I eat a serving of mini rice cakes.

I have been exercising (boxing) 5 days a week, an hour a day, for 6 weeks. I did not loose a thing. In fact, I gained weight! I do not know what I am doing wrong! I exercise. Eat clean (most of the time). And still gain weight! It is not muscle. I can barely get my clothes on! Some of my clothes that fit me 2 months ago does not fit me now! I don't know what else to do. I was just looking online for diet pills to get me started, but I know that is not the way to go.

UGH...

TheNewDodge

I liked the first season. It lost me a few episodes into season 2

homerunbetty

@TheNewDodge...sorry but I do not understand your reply.

ryry_

^^^I will admit i clicked on it thinking this was going to be post about the TV show lost...But trying hard and not succeeding is always frustrating and demotivating. From what I have read...I believe you may be concentrating on the wrong things which is why you are struggling.

Were you tracking your intake (calories)...If so can you make your diet public?

nomeejerome

You are right, diet pills are not the way.
If you want help, you are going to have to provide more information.

Duck_Puddle

Weight loss is about consuming fewer calories than your body uses. Both clean and dirty food contain calories. Do you know how many calories you ate? Do you know how many calories your body uses?

kotoula01

I can honestly say I feel your frustration. I gained as well while in a marathon training clinic...all that damn running and no weight loss. I have stopped the running and am focusing on short interval workouts like stairs, and using the app 'Workout Trainer' and the 7 minute workout in that app. The whole point of running for me was to maintain a healthy weight, and it wasn't helping me acheive that goal. I have stopped running, because it wasn't working. You might have to stop what isn't working for you as well. And try something else.

I have started eating paleo, most of my animal products come in the form of cheese and eggs. The ONLY thing that works for me is a low GI or low carb eating plan combined with calorie counting. It is shocking to see how many calories are in small servings of my favorite foods, so obviously I'm eating way too many calories (whether carbs or not) to facilitate weight loss. It's a bitter pill because I eat clean, hardly any processed food at all. Feel free to add me and we can try to encourage each other.

Track your calories for a few days and see if you can modify anything that way. Good luck and hang in there!

homerunbetty

This is a serious topic for me and I do not take the weight gain lightly. I am at a complete loss, which is why I titled my topic "Lost."

@ ryry62685 I contacted a nutritionist and here is my plan with each meal being 200 calories or less:

Meal 1: 5 Egg Whites, 1/2 c. Grits, 1 c. watermelon
Meal 2: Protein Shake
Meal 3: 4 oz. fish, 1/2 c. brown rice, 1 c. steamed broccoli
Meal 4: Protein Shake
Meal 5: small salad
Meal 6: 4 oz. fish, 1/2 c. brown rice, 10 asparagus spears

Constant interval training for 1-hour, 5 days a week.

james6998

This is a serious topic for me and I do not take the weight gain lightly. I am at a complete loss, which is why I titled my topic "Lost."

@ ryry62685 I contacted a nutritionist and here is my plan:

Meal 1: 5 Egg Whites, 1/2 c. Grits, 1 c. watermelon
Meal 2: Protein Shake
Meal 3: 4 oz. fish, 1/2 c. brown rice, 1 c. steamed broccoli
Meal 4: Protein Shake
Meal 5: small salad
Meal 6: 4 oz. fish, 1/2 c. brown rice, 10 asparagus spears

Constant interval training for 1-hour, 5 days a week.

Until you establish a daily calorie limit and track calories none of this is going to make a difference, believe it or not you can still gain weight eating totally healthy foods just by eating too many calories worth.

Duck_Puddle

How many calories are in your protein shakes? And what all is in your small salad? You could easily be eating too many calories-depending on how many calories are in the shakes and what's in the salad (or on it for dressing).

Jessandhannahsmom

I feel your pain! I am 41; over the past couple of years I have steadily gained weight. I wasn't really exercising regularly, but in general, I watched what I ate. I've come to realize that with age comes a HUGE slowdown in metabolism, and my sedentary job and lack of exercise was not helping the size of my butt! Started doing P90X, but quit after 3 weeks of basically zero results. I saw my doctor and her advice was to eat more protein and cut WAY back on the carbs. Also exercise regularly. I talked with other women my age, and they all said carb-cutting was what made the difference in their weight loss, too. I think our bodies just react differently to carbs after 35, and we don't burn them off nearly as easily. I lost about 8 pounds since I took my doc's advice: . I'm currently on a Paleo-Perfect Health diet. Don't resort to pills- none of those are good for your body. Just eat whole, good foods and try to fill up on the lower carb fruits and veggies. Do you belong to a gym? Lots of gyms have a nutritionist on staff who could help you work in more protein and fewer carbs with your vegetarian diet. Good luck!

ktsimons

You won't like what I have to say...PROTIEN. I went thru the exact same thing...kickboxing challenge...for 12 weeks - 5 times a week 2 hours each session. There were people in that class that lost over 20 pounds - I lost 1!! After that I did a considerable amount of reading and found that, FOR ME, protien is what was missing. I stopped the vegetarian thing - I was doing it for "health" reasons, not because animals have a face - and lost 55 pounds over 12 months!!

If you are vegetarian for PETA reasons, there are ways to make it work. Google high protien/vegetarian diets and look thru the menu options. Some things to consider - try a really PURE protien powder - usually whey or egg white - and drink a few shakes every day...If you are working out regualrly, you should be consuming 1 gram of protien for each pound you weigh, otherwise, you run thru the carbs quickly and start eating away at the muscle - which in the long run will slow your metabolisim further. Another thing that worked for ME - Cut down your starchy carbs after 2:00pm - rely mostly on greens and other low carb veg as well as egg whites for your after lunch snack and dinner. If you find a low carb protien powder, a shake before bedtime really keeps your metabolism from crashing while you sleep. And finally - track your calories - you really need to find out what you BMR is - again - GOOGLE this - it is the most important thing you can do for weight loss. It is amazing how many calories I get to eat and I still loose weight...perhaps you are eating too little for as much exercise as you do.

Please keep in mind, these are things that worked for ME - every body reacts differenly to different things. I HAD to cut out all wheat and grain products due to digestion issues, and that really boosted my weight loss. if you still feel that you are flailing around after adding protien in, go to a nutritionist...not a flake, a REAL nutritionist with a REAL degree and see where that takes you.

Good luck!!! :flowerforyou:

homerunbetty

This is a serious topic for me and I do not take the weight gain lightly. I am at a complete loss, which is why I titled my topic "Lost."

@ ryry62685 I contacted a nutritionist and here is my plan:

Meal 1: 5 Egg Whites, 1/2 c. Grits, 1 c. watermelon
Meal 2: Protein Shake
Meal 3: 4 oz. fish, 1/2 c. brown rice, 1 c. steamed broccoli
Meal 4: Protein Shake
Meal 5: small salad
Meal 6: 4 oz. fish, 1/2 c. brown rice, 10 asparagus spears

Constant interval training for 1-hour, 5 days a week.

Until you establish a daily calorie limit and track calories none of this is going to make a difference, believe it or not you can still gain weight eating totally healthy foods just by eating too many calories worth.

The nutrition plan was provided by a nutritionist and was 1,200 calories with an hour weight training workout in the morning (which I did not do) and an hour "aerobic training" in the evening. I did the hour boxing in the evening. I train with a professional boxer and complete the training sessions of what she trained with for her matches.

homerunbetty

You won't like what I have to say...PROTIEN. I went thru the exact same thing...kickboxing challenge...for 12 weeks - 5 times a week 2 hours each session. There were people in that class that lost over 20 pounds - I lost 1!! After that I did a considerable amount of reading and found that, FOR ME, protien is what was missing. I stopped the vegetarian thing - I was doing it for "health" reasons, not because animals have a face - and lost 55 pounds over 12 months!!

If you are vegetarian for PETA reasons, there are ways to make it work. Google high protien/vegetarian diets and look thru the menu options. Some things to consider - try a really PURE protien powder - usually whey or egg white - and drink a few shakes every day...If you are working out regualrly, you should be consuming 1 gram of protien for each pound you weigh, otherwise, you run thru the carbs quickly and start eating away at the muscle - which in the long run will slow your metabolisim further. Another thing that worked for ME - Cut down your starchy carbs after 2:00pm - rely mostly on greens and other low carb veg as well as egg whites for your after lunch snack and dinner. If you find a low carb protien powder, a shake before bedtime really keeps your metabolism from crashing while you sleep. And finally - track your calories - you really need to find out what you BMR is - again - GOOGLE this - it is the most important thing you can do for weight loss. It is amazing how many calories I get to eat and I still loose weight...perhaps you are eating too little for as much exercise as you do.

Please keep in mind, these are things that worked for ME - every body reacts differenly to different things. I HAD to cut out all wheat and grain products due to digestion issues, and that really boosted my weight loss. if you still feel that you are flailing around after adding protien in, go to a nutritionist...not a flake, a REAL nutritionist with a REAL degree and see where that takes you.

Good luck!!! :flowerforyou:

I do NOTHING for PETA reasons. (I hope that does not sound rude, but I do NOT like PETA. ) I do it because I do not like to eat beef, poultry or pork. To me it is like I come take a bite out of your arm. I think it is disgusting. There is plenty of protein in vegetables. I do use 100% Whey for my protein shakes and also use egg whites. The nutritionist I went to is licensed.

I have been in the legal field for over 18 years. Trust me when I say this...I research EVERYTHING before I do it. I do not care if it is something as simple as a microwave, or a nutritionist. If I am going to spend my hard-earned money on something, I do my research to make sure I am getting the best.

Duck_Puddle

I think your nutritionist added wrong. I've got about 1000 calories (give or take-not sure about grits) just from the actual foods listed. A "small" salad with just salad veggies (no meat, no cheese, no toppings, no dressing) is another 50. Add another 100 or so for anything you might add to the salad (each item). I don't do protein shakes, but I've yet to see them listed in diaries for less than 200-300 calories (each), and could be considerably more depending on what you use to make them. So at the very low end (assuming you're eating dry veggie-only salad & the lowest cal protein shakes and measuring/weighing everything), you're at 1450-1650. My guess is the actual calorie count is well over 2000.

homerunbetty

Yes, I belong to a gym. I train with a professional boxer 5 days a week at the gym.

CARBLEGEND

Lost was overrated...pretty bad show

homerunbetty

I think your nutritionist added wrong. I've got about 1000 calories (give or take-not sure about grits) just from the actual foods listed. A "small" salad with just salad veggies (no meat, no cheese, no toppings, no dressing) is another 50. Add another 100 or so for anything you might add to the salad (each item). I don't do protein shakes, but I've yet to see them listed in diaries for less than 200-300 calories (each), and could be considerably more depending on what you use to make them. So at the very low end (assuming you're eating dry veggie-only salad & the lowest cal protein shakes and measuring/weighing everything), you're at 1450-1650. My guess is the actual calorie count is well over 2000.

I do not eat meat, so there would me no meat in my salad. The salad is 1/2 c. lettuce, a few pieces of cucumber and 2 cherry tomatoes with fat free/sugar free dressing.

Each protein shake is used with 8 oz. of water and is 120 calories, 24 g Protein, 5.5 g BCAAs, 4 g Glutamine & Glutamic Acid.

There are 16 calories in one egg white. 50 calories in 1/2 c. instant grits.

I can go through each food item if you need me to do so. I already went through this thoroughly with my nutritionist.

mariposa224

in addition to the advice to actually count your calories accurately, I would add that it's best to find out what your BMR & TDEE are. Don't eat less than your BMR, take about 20% off your TDEE and eat that for at least a month and see where you are. (http://www.fat2fitradio.com/tools/) Also, you can look here for more advice: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/912920-in-place-of-a-road-map-3-2013

One more thing, have you had your thyroid tested?

smwooley

in addition to the advice to actually count your calories accurately, I would add that it's best to find out what your BMR & TDEE are. Don't eat less than your BMR, take about 20% off your TDEE and eat that for at least a month and see where you are. (http://www.fat2fitradio.com/tools/) Also, you can look here for more advice: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/912920-in-place-of-a-road-map-3-2013

^^This. If you're working out that hard and that often, and only eating 1200 calories a day - well, that definitely explains your plateau. Read the above website and see how that helps you. I had the same problems on 1200 calories, and eventually started gaining. You have to feed your body :-)

carstanger

I'm glad you are working with a nutritionist because all of our bodies are different. Keep in touch and you'll hopefully be able to report progress!!

dmpizza

I am 42 years old. I have gained 30 lbs. in the past year. I weighed this much when I was about to give birth to my twins 10 years ago! I was not exercising and not watching what I ate. I am a vegetarian and only eat fruits, veggies, carbs (yes, carbs...love bread!) and sweets on ocassion. There are times when I crave sweets, but in the past 2 months when I do, I eat a serving of mini rice cakes.

I have been exercising (boxing) 5 days a week, an hour a day, for 6 weeks. I did not loose a thing. In fact, I gained weight! I do not know what I am doing wrong! I exercise. Eat clean (most of the time). And still gain weight! It is not muscle. I can barely get my clothes on! Some of my clothes that fit me 2 months ago does not fit me now! I don't know what else to do. I was just looking online for diet pills to get me started, but I know that is not the way to go.

UGH...

NO DIET PILLS TO GET YOU STARTED.

Exercise will get you started.

I don't know, but I have a few guesses.
We actually don't age slowly, our bodies click our hormones on and off like valves. You might now eat waaayyy more than is appropriate for your current age and activity level. .

I find it hard to believe that if you are actually boxing, that you could gain that much. Are you moving enough? Do you sweat heavily when exercising?

Anyway good luck.

ktsimons

This is a serious topic for me and I do not take the weight gain lightly. I am at a complete loss, which is why I titled my topic "Lost."

@ ryry62685 I contacted a nutritionist and here is my plan with each meal being 200 calories or less:

Meal 1: 5 Egg Whites, 1/2 c. Grits, 1 c. watermelon
Meal 2: Protein Shake
Meal 3: 4 oz. fish, 1/2 c. brown rice, 1 c. steamed broccoli
Meal 4: Protein Shake
Meal 5: small salad
Meal 6: 4 oz. fish, 1/2 c. brown rice, 10 asparagus spears

Constant interval training for 1-hour, 5 days a week.

NOT ENOUGH CALORIES!!! NOT ENOUGH PROTIEN!!! EAT MORE OR WORK OUT LESS

Please feel free to friend me - I was an EAT MORE skeptic too...

_HeartsOnFire_

in addition to the advice to actually count your calories accurately, I would add that it's best to find out what your BMR & TDEE are. Don't eat less than your BMR, take about 20% off your TDEE and eat that for at least a month and see where you are. (http://www.fat2fitradio.com/tools/) Also, you can look here for more advice: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/912920-in-place-of-a-road-map-3-2013

^^This. If you're working out that hard and that often, and only eating 1200 calories a day - well, that definitely explains your plateau. Read the above website and see how that helps you. I had the same problems on 1200 calories, and eventually started gaining. You have to feed your body :-)

This.

I am also a vegetarian. I started out on the 1200 only calories and was working out 5-6 days a week. Though it sounds like your workouts are much tougher than what I was doing. It seems to me that you might actually need to eat more. I lost weight for awhile and then stopped on the 1200 calories because I had to start upping how much I was eating because my body needed fuel. Your car can't go very far on $10 of gas, your body can't go far on that little fuel. I know it contradicts all we ever hear is "to lose weight eat less and move more" that may be true at first if you have a lot to lose, but it will stop.

I highly agree with the above. I have just recently switched to the TDEE-20% method and am finding it's helping me.

I log every single thing I put into my protein shake, I log everything I take period.

homerunbetty

I am 42 years old. I have gained 30 lbs. in the past year. I weighed this much when I was about to give birth to my twins 10 years ago! I was not exercising and not watching what I ate. I am a vegetarian and only eat fruits, veggies, carbs (yes, carbs...love bread!) and sweets on ocassion. There are times when I crave sweets, but in the past 2 months when I do, I eat a serving of mini rice cakes.

I have been exercising (boxing) 5 days a week, an hour a day, for 6 weeks. I did not loose a thing. In fact, I gained weight! I do not know what I am doing wrong! I exercise. Eat clean (most of the time). And still gain weight! It is not muscle. I can barely get my clothes on! Some of my clothes that fit me 2 months ago does not fit me now! I don't know what else to do. I was just looking online for diet pills to get me started, but I know that is not the way to go.

UGH...

NO DIET PILLS TO GET YOU STARTED.

Exercise will get you started.

I don't know, but I have a few guesses.
We actually don't age slowly, our bodies click our hormones on and off like valves. You might now eat waaayyy more than is appropriate for your current age and activity level. .

I find it hard to believe that if you are actually boxing, that you could gain that much. Are you moving enough? Do you sweat heavily when exercising?

Anyway good luck.

Above I stated I began boxing 6 weeks ago. I gained 30 lbs over the past year.

I am not sure how to take a lot of your posts. I know when people "type" it is "read" differently. From what I am gathering, I am lying about what I do to exercise, my nutritionist is a phony, I'm eating too much, I'm eating too little, I don't count my calories...I could go on and on. I feel like people aren't reading through the posts and just putting what they "think" instead of reading what is fact.

I am not getting the "warm fuzzies" from this site. I thought this was where people came when they needed motivation and guidance. I sure hope my feelings are wrong.

homerunbetty

in addition to the advice to actually count your calories accurately, I would add that it's best to find out what your BMR & TDEE are. Don't eat less than your BMR, take about 20% off your TDEE and eat that for at least a month and see where you are. (http://www.fat2fitradio.com/tools/) Also, you can look here for more advice: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/912920-in-place-of-a-road-map-3-2013

^^This. If you're working out that hard and that often, and only eating 1200 calories a day - well, that definitely explains your plateau. Read the above website and see how that helps you. I had the same problems on 1200 calories, and eventually started gaining. You have to feed your body :-)

This.

I am also a vegetarian. I started out on the 1200 only calories and was working out 5-6 days a week. Though it sounds like your workouts are much tougher than what I was doing. It seems to me that you might actually need to eat more. I lost weight for awhile and then stopped on the 1200 calories because I had to start upping how much I was eating because my body needed fuel. Your car can't go very far on $10 of gas, your body can't go far on that little fuel. I know it contradicts all we ever hear is "to lose weight eat less and move more" that may be true at first if you have a lot to lose, but it will stop.

I highly agree with the above. I have just recently switched to the TDEE-20% method and am finding it's helping me.

I log every single thing I put into my protein shake, I log everything I take period.

I greatly appreciate your comments. I have no clue what the TDEE method is and will need to research this more. I am willing to try anything at this point. My father died of a massive heart attack when he was only 52 years old. My mother died of kidney failure due to not maintaing her diabetes properly. I do not have any health issues and want to keep it that way. I have 10 year old twins and want to be there for them as long as God allows. We bring our kiddos to boxing with us each day. They love The Wolfe and she is good with them showing them how to modify the workouts for their age. We are honored to have the opportunity to work out with a heavy weight world champ!

mariposa224

Above I stated I began boxing 6 weeks ago. I gained 30 lbs over the past year.

I am not sure how to take a lot of your posts. I know when people "type" it is "read" differently. From what I am gathering, I am lying about what I do to exercise, my nutritionist is a phony, I'm eating too much, I'm eating too little, I don't count my calories...I could go on and on. I feel like people aren't reading through the posts and just putting what they "think" instead of reading what is fact.

I am not getting the "warm fuzzies" from this site. I thought this was where people came when they needed motivation and guidance. I sure hope my feelings are wrong.

I was just offering advice that I know has been proven repeatedly by tons of users. I mentioned accurately counting your calories because I didn't see you say anywhere that you were actually tracking them, but going by a basic menu set by your nutritionist. I *do* believe that it may be too little, but I can't say that for certain with the information you've provided. You don't list a weight or height, you don't state ho\w many calories you're burning with your workouts. I imagine you burn quite a bit with boxing, which is why I think, given the sample menu you provided, that it may be too little. You have a private diary, so I can't see what/if you're logging. So I gave the best ideas I have.

And I'm hypothyroid, which is why I asked if you had been tested. It can cause you to continue to gain weight even with added activity and fewer calories.

Have you checked the links I provided?

homerunbetty

Above I stated I began boxing 6 weeks ago. I gained 30 lbs over the past year.

I am not sure how to take a lot of your posts. I know when people "type" it is "read" differently. From what I am gathering, I am lying about what I do to exercise, my nutritionist is a phony, I'm eating too much, I'm eating too little, I don't count my calories...I could go on and on. I feel like people aren't reading through the posts and just putting what they "think" instead of reading what is fact.

I am not getting the "warm fuzzies" from this site. I thought this was where people came when they needed motivation and guidance. I sure hope my feelings are wrong.

I was just offering advice that I know has been proven repeatedly by tons of users. I mentioned accurately counting your calories because I didn't see you say anywhere that you were actually tracking them, but going by a basic menu set by your nutritionist. I *do* believe that it may be too little, but I can't say that for certain with the information you've provided. You don't list a weight or height, you don't state ho\w many calories you're burning with your workouts. I imagine you burn quite a bit with boxing, which is why I think, given the sample menu you provided, that it may be too little. You have a private diary, so I can't see what/if you're logging. So I gave the best ideas I have.

And I'm hypothyroid, which is why I asked if you had been tested. It can cause you to continue to gain weight even with added activity and fewer calories.

Have you checked the links I provided?

Thanks for your advice! I do not keep track of my caloric intake because I was eating this every day for every meal. I was allowed a "cheat" day of 45 minutes each Saturday. I could not go over the 45 minute time period. I just added up my calories from the nutrition plan listed above and it is a little under 1,000 calories. However, I was taking lots of supplements, which I believe may make up the other 200 calories. I am TERRIFIED to add food. Lord only knows how much more weight I will gain. I am looking at the link you provided right now.

I have not been tested for thyroid. Well, let me take that back. I have been tested for a basic thyroid panel, despite my request for a complete thyroid panel. My basic panel came back okay. However, I have seen research where a basic panel can come back within range, but there could still be issues remaining, which is why a complete panel is necessary. I found a local company that does a saliva test and looks at all hormones, thyroid, deficiencies, etc. and compounds anything necessary to correct any issues.

I do not eat sweets. If I wanted to it would be something chocolate, but chocolate causes migraines. I do not eat fried foods. I do not eat fast food. If we go out to eat, I get grilled fish and steamed broccoli. I do not drink sodas or use substitute sweetener because it causes migraines. I recently had injection treatment for my migraines and happy to say I have not had a migraine or even a headache in over 6 weeks! Yeah me! Especially since I have been suffering with migraines for over 20 years.

I am 42 years old, 5'5" and weigh 152 lbs. As I stated in another post, I weighed this much in my 8 month of pregnancy with my twins. Before I got pregnant, I was under weight (around 108-110) due to health issues (appendix ruptured). I was told I had to gain a minimum of 60 lbs. to have healthy babies. I gained exactly 60 lbs. when I delivered the twins.

_HeartsOnFire_

I am not sure how to take a lot of your posts. I know when people "type" it is "read" differently. From what I am gathering, I am lying about what I do to exercise, my nutritionist is a phony, I'm eating too much, I'm eating too little, I don't count my calories...I could go on and on. I feel like people aren't reading through the posts and just putting what they "think" instead of reading what is fact.

I am not getting the "warm fuzzies" from this site. I thought this was where people came when they needed motivation and guidance. I sure hope my feelings are wrong.

You have to not take things so personal. A lot of people here don't mean any harm, but they just are very blunt and straight forward. It doesn't mean that anyone thinks you are lying or that the nutritionist is a phony. There are some that also don't read the entire threads and do themselves a disservice because then they just post what they think and it's probably been said or it's irrelevant.

Mariposa is correct though, we don't have a lot of info, height, current weight, how much are you currently burning, etc.

TDEE - if you read that thread in place of a road map it will explain the whole thing. It does a great job at that. Step by step. It's awesome. With TDEE-10-20% - (20 may be too aggressive if you don't have a lot to lose) I track my workouts but only put that I burned 1 calorie. I don't eat my exercise calories back because it's already in the calculation.

If you stick with the MFP way...or what you are doing right now...1200 calories a day only...and if you are not eating your exercise calories back, then you are not fueling your body properly. I say that because...You eat 1200, say you burn 400 calories boxing. That leaves you with 800 net calories. Your body can't function properly on that so it holds onto everything you have. Your body needs at least 1200 a day no matter what. Sure, your body will function for awhile like that, but it's not good and it'll hold onto everything it can. Hence, no losing weight. Does that make sense?

How much are you wanting to lose?

_HeartsOnFire_

You just said you have a cheat day and it's only 45 minutes. Do you just sit there and eat straight whatever you want for 45 minutes?

Personally, I don't believe in cheat days or meals. I look at this as a lifestyle change and it has to be sustainable for the rest of my life. So I do not deprive myself of anything. It's about moderation, not deprivation.

I eat whatever I want to as long as I have the calories for it. I've lost 44 lbs. If I go over, it's no biggie, I work out harder or I go a little under the next day. I'm currently eating 1688 calories a day. I do kickboxing and I just started a couch to 5k program.

I know you can do this.

The keys to doing this are...
1) Tracking!!! Log every little thing you eat/drink.
2) Decide which way works best for you...
a) MFP's 1200 + eating back your exercise calories on the days you work out (which can be a variable because of the workout type/calories burned, etc.)
b) TDEE-10-20% - where you know the exact limit every day of how many calories you can eat. You do NOT eat back your exercise calories. You can track them, just make it so that you burned 1 calorie for that workout.
3) Make it a sustainable lifestyle change that you can do for the rest of your life.

_HeartsOnFire_

With the deciding which way works best for you, you'll have to give it 4-6 weeks at least doing the same way.