Stopped Losing Weight

emartin949
emartin949 Posts: 34 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Hi guys,

I don't post very often (or visit the actual site, in fact- I log from my iPhone) but I'm in need of some help.
I've stopped losing weight, or at least it's gotten a lot harder to lose weight, and I'm not sure why.
School has started back up this week and I've been walking back and forth from campus every day, and I'm planning on joining a gym to get in some quality cardio and strength training next week when things get a little less hectic. I'm looking forward to getting back into a routine.

Anyway, my diary is open. Give it a look and see if you can note any specific problems. I'd really appreciate some feedback :)

Replies

  • KateK8LoseW8
    KateK8LoseW8 Posts: 824 Member
    How long has this been going on? Complete stalls in weight loss lasting 1-3 weeks are very normal and should be expected. Also, as you lose weight, the harder it gets to keep losing. I'm at a point now where I am only a few pounds overweight, and my weight usually stays the same for a week or more, then a lose a little bit, stays the same for another week or so, lose a bit again, etc. That is also normal. Also, are you weighing your portions and logging absolutely everything? Weight is the most accurate way to measure your food, and relying on measuring spoons and cups can result in a lot of hidden calories being consumed.
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,428 MFP Moderator
    How long have you plateaued and do you measure and weigh your foods?
  • valorieflowers
    valorieflowers Posts: 154
    I'd recommend changing your macros and upping protein intake. When I started doing 30-40% protein it helped a lot. I do 40 carb, 30 fat and 30 protein now, that works pretty well.
  • emartin949
    emartin949 Posts: 34 Member
    Thanks for the input.

    I do weigh/measure all of my foods. This slow weight loss has lasted pretty much my entire weight loss journey, I'm okay with it because it's a lifestyle change and as long as I'm losing... well. I would just prefer to lose more quickly than I am now.

    I have changed my macros, I try to keep it at about 40 carbs /30 protein /30 fat.
    Also, I log religiously on my phone, which never leaves my side :)
  • Xalanii
    Xalanii Posts: 20 Member
    It looks fine, but add some exercise and you'll see improvement.
  • laurelobrien
    laurelobrien Posts: 156 Member
    If you've lost weight, you're going to need to keep lowering your calories. Smaller people use less calories. If you wanna lose faster you gotta eat less or burn more, simple as that :)
  • emartin949
    emartin949 Posts: 34 Member
    Lower my calories below what I'm already eating?
    I've been eating around 1200-1300 with whatever exercise I'm doing each day, so netting even lower than that.
    ...I'm not sure I should lower my calories? Or should I?

    And I'm planning on joining a local gym, but I just started classes back up this week and have been walking back and forth between campus and my apartment each day so I won't just be sitting on the couch until I get my membership next week.
  • herblackwings39
    herblackwings39 Posts: 3,930 Member
    If the 1200-1300 is set up with MFP try eating back a portion of your exercise calories.
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,428 MFP Moderator
    Lower my calories below what I'm already eating?
    I've been eating around 1200-1300 with whatever exercise I'm doing each day, so netting even lower than that.
    ...I'm not sure I should lower my calories? Or should I?

    And I'm planning on joining a local gym, but I just started classes back up this week and have been walking back and forth between campus and my apartment each day so I won't just be sitting on the couch until I get my membership next week.

    NO you shouldn't lower your calories, in fact, you should probably minimize the deficit and increase them. You not have much weight to lose, so 1 lb a week is optimal. The more active you are, the more calories you will need. How much do you weigh, how tall are you and what is going to be your workout plan?

    More than likely, you will probably need someone around the 1700+ range. Most women I know are eating that much to lose and maintenance is around 2400. But I will reserve that information for once I get more information.
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,428 MFP Moderator
    If you've lost weight, you're going to need to keep lowering your calories. Smaller people use less calories. If you wanna lose faster you gotta eat less or burn more, simple as that :)

    Unfortunately, this is a blanket statement that isn't right. I know plenty of 5' women who lose weight at 1700+ calories. In fact, statements like this can hurt results. Yes, they burn less calories at rest, but if you they a very active lifestyle and workout plan, they can burn a ton of calories.
  • 0OneTwo3
    0OneTwo3 Posts: 149 Member
    look in the boards (or google) for the term "metabolic damage".

    this should make you start loosing again: increase your calories by 50-100 every week until you get to 1800-2000 kcal. then slowly cut to loose again but stay over your bmr. (yes you will loose a few weeks of dieting but after this you can loose weight while eating a lot more.)

    edit: the numbers are an estimate but since you have 50+lbs to loose i'm assuming you are over 170lbs.
  • emartin949
    emartin949 Posts: 34 Member
    NO you shouldn't lower your calories, in fact, you should probably minimize the deficit and increase them. You not have much weight to lose, so 1 lb a week is optimal. The more active you are, the more calories you will need. How much do you weigh, how tall are you and what is going to be your workout plan?

    More than likely, you will probably need someone around the 1700+ range. Most women I know are eating that much to lose and maintenance is around 2400. But I will reserve that information for once I get more information.

    I'm 5 foot 3 inches, 22 years old, currently 181-182 lbs (I fluctuate). I walk back and forth from campus 5 days a week, which varies between 35-45 minutes depending on how much my path strays at 3.5 mph.

    I'm getting my gym membership next week, and will most likely workout at the gym Monday, Wednesday, Saturday. I'm planning on doing Yoga on Sundays. I also have a stationary bike that I'll use on non-gym days if I don't have too much homework.

    I'd like to end up at around 125-135 lbs, depending on how satisfied I am with my loss. I started at 205 lbs, so I've lost about 24lbs since March, which is pretty slow considering I've been eating anywhere from 1200-1400 without eating exercise calories back.

    And just in case anyone looks at my diary today, as a head's up I'm going to be eating a lot more than usual. I've been starving and tired today so I'm going to probably end up netting about 1600 calories. I figured one day won't hurt.
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,428 MFP Moderator
    Once you are full routine 1900 calories would probably be better. Before then 1600 would probably be a better goal. Macros I ljke around 40/30/30 c/p/f. That should help you hit 1g of protein per lb of lbm.

    If you want a good weight training routine there is strong lift 5x5, beginner lift, new rules of lifting for women or find routines on bodybuilding.com or nerdfitness.com

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