what i'm i doing wrong?

lejla2002

Hello, I'm fairly new here and i've been set to lose 1.5 lb per week at 1200 calories per day, which i maintain, I started at 159Lb by second week I was at 153.5 now it shows at 157lb i'm confused i don't go over my daily calorie limits? what's wrong? I'm 5'3" and my goal is 135lb. Suggestions? anyone else have this problem?

Princess_Lee2013

Hey! So I have some comments based on what you wrote here:

1) It's great that you are not going over your daily calories limit, but are you watching the contents as well? I cant' see your diary but if you want to open/add me I'm happy to give comments on the types of calories( foods) you are eating. I know a lot of my girls that have tried to lose pounds and are pleased that they are not going over the calories, but you'll see greater results if you are eating the appropriate amounts of protein, fat, carbs and in my opinion, MFP tells you to eat too many carbs and not enough protein.

2) You say you are fairly new - so don't get discouraged! The initial large drop you experienced in the second week could have been an auto response by your body which included dropping a lot of water weight - it often takes a few weeks/month or so of being committed to see a real actual result...last year I started at 178 lbs and was eating low cal but not "the best food" and it took me like two months of working out and eating well to see results...I can offer you some tips for faster results if you are interested but slow and steady wins the race in my exp!

GOOD LUCK!

diannethegeek

Weight loss is not linear. Your weight is going to fluctuate from day to day and from hour to hour. You may have been holding onto some extra water weight (sodium, exercise, carbs, hormones, stress can all cause it). The important thing is to see the trends over time. Look at the big picture and try not to let the scale fluctuations get to you.

trogalicious

So you're new here. These tips might help:

1. don't trust the initial setup that MFP provides. If you put in the wrong/inaccurate information, it'll tell you to eat an amount that may not be applicable.
2. Make sure you eat enough.
3. Figure out what works for you and is sustainable/healthy/long term.
4. avoid fads. don't buy in to any "Hey, try the twinkie and vodka diet"
5. Don't cut out anything now that you don't plan on literally giving up forever.
6. GET A FOOD SCALE. Weigh everything. No, seriously.
7. Get an HRM with a chest strap. You'll at least have a better idea of what you're burning. It'll be more accurate than the generic info in the exercise database.. and even more than the cardio machines. This is great for steady state cardio (run/walk/etc)
8. Don't go balls out. You'll burn out. I see 300 lb people show up here, instantly start working out and cutting their intake SEVERELY... trying to cut out all of their carbs at once.. whatever. Take it slow. Figure out how much you need to eat FIRST in order to lose.. then incorporate exercise.
9. Don't cardio yourself to death.
10. Take the information on the forums with a grain of salt. A lot of people that have been here for a while.. and have been successful, may seem jaded. They give out GREAT advice day after day, only to be met with people that refuse to listen.
11. Eat real food. Not diet food. Not "low fat, sugar free, now without X." It's easier to get/find/count.
12. don't set time restrictions.
13. measure yourself weekly. Don't just weigh. Measure and take pictures.
14 BE PATIENT.
15. Avoid forum topics that have "1200" in the title. It's just full of butthurt. Lots of it.
16. This isn't a game, it's about changing your lifestyle. Do that.

pretty much that.

...and don't fall into the "1200 calorie" vertigo of suck because of:

the typical MFP users does this:
1. I wanna lose weight, let's try MFP.
2. OH! Wow, it tells me I can lose 2 lbs a WEEK? AWESOME!
3. I just sit at a desk when I'm not working out, I guess I'm sedentary.
4. MFP tells them 1200 calories, and they don't even eat that.. then they work out on top of it.. creating an even bigger deficit.
5. Lose a lot, fast, brag about 1200 calorie success.
6. Come back in a few months trying to figure out why they're dizzy, tired, not losing weight.
7. Get on the forums, ask why they aren't losing.
8. Get two responses (I eat 1200 and lose) (I eat 2200 and lose)
9. Argument ensues about who is right.

Now. That being said. These threads happen hundreds of times per day. Most times, and I mean really.. seriously.. 95% of the time.. people get the 1200 number because they don't put the right information in when they set up the account. There are a great number of people that are trying to help. I'm one of 'em.

I'm a hardcore advocate of actually finding out what works for the individual.. by means of other calculators, averages, time, practice, and patience.

Blanket prescriptions of 1200 calories "because it worked for me" is more harmful to the generic new user than the "figure out what you need to eat." Unfortunately, one is a LOT easier to type.

Find out what you need: http://scoobysworkshop.com/accurate-calorie-calculator/
Take the tips, links, and info above and make the cart more manageable to stay on.

EmilyOfTheSun

Try using a food scale to ensure accuracy.

lejla2002

@emily great tip, I do look at the servings and calories on back of the product and go by that info.

lejla2002

@troga it feels like i'm stuck on what the app tells me lol, if i was suppose to lose 1.5lb per week I would have lost 4.5lb by now but in rality only 2lb thank you for such great tips

lejla2002

@princess... seems like it's mostly carbs what it shows in the graph, is that good or bad?

sweebum

You don't have a lot to lose, you are not going to lose 1.5 lbs a week.

lejla2002

@dianne thanks!!

lejla2002

@swee i know 1.5lb isn't alot per week but what i hear you shouldn't aim for more weight loss since it's a short period of time.

Princess_Lee2013

I would more pay attention to the actual number per day - if you try and stick around 100 carbs you shuld be all good!