And that's why I don't step on the scale!!!!
msjackie30
Posts: 38 Member
Ok I just got home from the gym and feel highly and extremely discouraged. I am reaching out to my MFP friends for a little insight, advice, encouragement etc. I have been religiously tracking my calories for almost three weeks now. I am at 1600 a day and I work out 3x's a day. My lunchtime workout is not intense, it usually lasts 15-20 mins. its more like a circuit training. Anyhow I look thinner because i see myself naked daily YET I have not lost not one Freaking pound!!!!!!!!! WTF! I have my diary open for some insight. If I eat any less I'll be starving! And I don't want to eat anymore I feel fine at 1600. However I DO lift weights 3-4x's a week. What is going on here?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? Thanks guys 
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Replies
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OMG I don't blame you for feeling this way! I intensely dislike those scales but use them anyway so I can be accountable. Have you been doing your measurements? If you see yourself looking thinner though, THIS IS GOOD - it means whatever you're doing is working! Whatever you do, don't throw your arms up in the air and think oh what's the point! I might as well eat the whole cheesecake right now! I cannot give you the answers to your questions though so will leave to the expert opinion of the others in here who are more in the know.0
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dig out the tape measure...I lost more inches then weight and continue to do so
10.5lbs and 13 inches...0 -
First, I would say that how you feel about the way you look is more important than what the scale says. Many people have a hard time seeing a thinner person in the mirror, so the fact that you can is fantastic!
Keep in mind that weight fluctuates a lot throughout the day due to water retention, food being digested, etc. If I stepped on my scale right now, it would probably say I weigh at least two pounds more than what it said this morning. What time of the day did you weigh yourself last (and how many days ago), and what time of the day did you weigh yourself today? If you got your starting weight in the morning, I would say wait until tomorrow morning and weigh yourself again to see if there is any difference.
If you want another way to quantify the changes to your body, definitely take measurements as well! Measurements can often show you the progress that the scale is masking.0 -
I agree the tape measure is a better guide
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I don't own a scale, so I don't really have this problem, but I know what you're talking about.
I should at least step on a scale somewhere so I can find out where I truly am.
My clothes don't fit as well (in a good way), but my old clothes sure do fit a lot better, and that's all that matters to me.0 -
No worries sugar--you may have hit a plateau. Look at your diet and see if you can lower some of your carbs and replace them with a little protein. My trainer puts us on a VERY strict Adkins for 10 days every 3 months so we don't plateau and to keep your bodies stirred up so to speak. just cull your menu's alittle and see if you have any holes to plug.0
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Thank you ALL! I appreciate your kind encouraging words. I have not tape measured myself but I am sure there is some inch loss there. I will do that and go from there. I will also see where I can tweak my diet, I am not giving up! I just need encouragement and I am glad I found this forum.0
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The short answer is, if you are not losing weight you are simply not in a calorie deficit.
I know you said you log your food but are you absolutely sure that it is accurate? Also 3 weeks is not much time to see a big difference so if you do have everything correct give it some time.
People are going to tell you that you are probably gaining muscle, you're not. Or that you need to eat more, you don't. Or maybe that you are one of the very few that have a thyroid problem, chances are you don't. Either you are not eating as little as you think or if you are logging your exercise you are not burning as much as you think. One or the other.
Something else. I noticed you said you work out 3 times a day? Is that correct? It's not going to cause you not to lose weight but it just seems like overkill.
Good luck!0 -
No worries sugar--you may have hit a plateau. Look at your diet and see if you can lower some of your carbs and replace them with a little protein. My trainer puts us on a VERY strict Adkins for 10 days every 3 months so we don't plateau and to keep your bodies stirred up so to speak. just cull your menu's alittle and see if you have any holes to plug.
Pretty sure she hasn't hit a plateau in 3 weeks....0 -
1600 calories you are maintaining your weight. Raise your protein and lower your carbs lower your calorie level0
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Not losing weight, but body composition is changing? Sounds like muscle gain to me!
Muscles respond to stress, so when someone who was not fit to begin with starts working out, even at a calorie deficit, guess what? Muscle gain! Not body-builder muscle gain, but the muscles DO become stronger, which just doesn't happen unless you're building muscle.0 -
1600 calories you are maintaining your weight. Raise your protein and lower your carbs lower your calorie level
Can't say that for sure without stats. I lose at 1700.
I may go a week or two without losing, then BAM! Two pounds gone in four days.0 -
hey there i can understand your frustration but I agree with other users, dig out a tape measure and see what inches you have lost! also if you are lifting and exercising you are going to build up muscle which weighs more than fat! so you are going to look thinner, healthier and more toned but not necessarily "lose weight" according to the scales.
If you havent lost anything, but havent gained either I would think you should slightly lower your calorie intake to create a deficit. These things take time though, dont get discouraged the results will come eventually!0 -
EEEEER NoNot losing weight, but body composition is changing? Sounds like muscle gain to me!
Muscles respond to stress, so when someone who was not fit to begin with starts working out, even at a calorie deficit, guess what? Muscle gain! Not body-builder muscle gain, but the muscles DO become stronger, which just doesn't happen unless you're building muscle.0 -
I agree that
#1 The scale isn't the only way to measure, you should go more by how you look (you said your looking better) and measuring tape.
#2 Three weeks isn't very long. I wouldn't even call it a plateau yet. I forgot to look at where you are, but the closer you are to your goal the harder it can be to get those last few pounds to shift. So be patient.
#3 If you're not losing weight, chances are you aren't eating at a deficit. But I'll add to this one: I know how you feel - I'm at 1600 calories a day too (and do TDEE method so I don't get to eat back exercise calories) and I can't imagine eating less most of the time. But, if you are close to your scale goal, maybe you should ignore that goal and focus on your gains in other areas. Like #1. Also, making gains in lifting (I went from bench pressing ~60 to 90 and from deadlifting ~60 to 155 in two months, but haven't lost any weight). If you are eating at maintenance, you can work on body recomposition; you maintain your weight but look better in the scale in the long run.
Make sure you aren't burning yourself out by overexercising (3 times a day sounds a bit excessive; maybe just once plus your lunchtime walk would be better). If you feel tired, worn out, or constantly hungry, it's a good sign to dial things back. Remember the goal is to look better and have better overall health. No one will know your weight unless you tell them.0 -
Raise your protein and fat, lower your carbs and calories. Hit macros with nutrient dense foods. Good luck :flowerforyou:0
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I did a couple of triathlons last summer. While one is participating they have two numbers written in marker on their body. Their participant number and their age. This can be very encouraging (or discouraging) as we pass or are passed. In the real world we do not walk around with our weight marked on our forehead. That number is not as important as we sometimes give it credit.0
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1600 calories you are maintaining your weight. Raise your protein and lower your carbs lower your calorie level
The first part of this is ok advice... maybe.
Lowering you cals is a BAD idea. If you are working out three times a day (which is probably overkill anyway) then eating less than 1600 cals is likely to lead to burnout or a binge!0 -
Not losing weight, but body composition is changing? Sounds like muscle gain to me!
Muscles respond to stress, so when someone who was not fit to begin with starts working out, even at a calorie deficit, guess what? Muscle gain! Not body-builder muscle gain, but the muscles DO become stronger, which just doesn't happen unless you're building muscle.
It takes quite a few month of very heavy and intense lifting for women to develop a few pounds of muscle. For women it is much more difficult than men and for those it isn't easy either, especially if done the healthy way. There is no way that a woman can develop several pounds of muscle in three weeks.....not even taking steroids.0 -
Not losing weight, but body composition is changing? Sounds like muscle gain to me!
Muscles respond to stress, so when someone who was not fit to begin with starts working out, even at a calorie deficit, guess what? Muscle gain! Not body-builder muscle gain, but the muscles DO become stronger, which just doesn't happen unless you're building muscle.
Sorry but not quite. Someone can and will get stronger without muscle hypertrophy occurring. A muscle doesn't have to grow to get stronger. Most strength gains for a couple of months in untrained individuals comes from the muscle tissue becoming more efficient and the nervous system "learning" to be more efficient at lifting weights.
Also with the very best diet and exercise routine a woman is only going to gain at best a quarter to maybe a half pound a week of muscle. And that would be in a calorie surplus...0 -
I just looked at your diary and you eat out a lot. It is possible to eat out and lose weight, but try to cut it out and see what happens first and slowly re-add it. I think you underestimated the calories in your Chinese food for lunch the other day unless you literally had 4-5 bites. The 1/8 of a plate at TGI fridays is an eye-balled portion. So maybe you are eating more when you are out than you think.0
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Ok I just got home from the gym and feel highly and extremely discouraged. I am reaching out to my MFP friends for a little insight, advice, encouragement etc. I have been religiously tracking my calories for almost three weeks now. I am at 1600 a day and I work out 3x's a day. My lunchtime workout is not intense, it usually lasts 15-20 mins. its more like a circuit training. Anyhow I look thinner because i see myself naked daily YET I have not lost not one Freaking pound!!!!!!!!! WTF! I have my diary open for some insight. If I eat any less I'll be starving! And I don't want to eat anymore I feel fine at 1600. However I DO lift weights 3-4x's a week. What is going on here?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? Thanks guys:(
I would assume that maybe several factors play into your not losing weight. I think maybe you eat more than you log ( even 150-200 calories day make a difference ( more than a pound a month ), maybe you don't burn as many calories as you think or your machine says, plus if you are new to exercise your muscles hang on to water to repair themselves....and as we all know, waters weighs.
I would suggest you really weigh and measure everything you eat for maybe a month and make sure that you log your calories burnt correctly. By then your muscles should also have gotten used to your exercise routine. Most importantly, if you do that you have a point of departure from where to make informed adjustments to your regimen. Without that information all it ever will be is guesswork.
Good Luck !0 -
hey there,
When you step on the scale your body is not just measuring fat its measuring muscle,organs and water etc. the most accurate
time to check weight is first thing in the morning on an empty stomach after you've gone number 2.
Your weight can fluctuate anywhere from 2-5 pounds by the end of the day,
the scale is deceiving but pictures never lie.
Also i would not recommend working out 3 times a day rest is very important
keep at it0 -
1600 calories you are maintaining your weight. Raise your protein and lower your carbs lower your calorie level
Can't say that for sure without stats. I lose at 1700.
I may go a week or two without losing, then BAM! Two pounds gone in four days.
You can say that... If someone is eating a certain amount of calories and not gaining or losing weight they are eating at their maintenance intake, no matter their stats.
If you lose weight at 1700 then your maintenance is higher than 1700.0 -
my trainers would say your working out to much, only 3 days a week of weights and never 2 days in a row.....and cardio 5 days.. they also have told me that no woman needs to eat more then 1300-1400 calories a day until your an athlete, just passing on what they've told me, now does it work for everyone....prolly NOT !!!!! good luck0
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which is why you should never listen to trainersmy trainers would say your working out to much, only 3 days a week of weights and never 2 days in a row.....and cardio 5 days.. they also have told me that no woman needs to eat more then 1300-1400 calories a day until your an athlete, just passing on what they've told me, now does it work for everyone....prolly NOT !!!!! good luck0 -
my trainers would say your working out to much, only 3 days a week of weights and never 2 days in a row.....and cardio 5 days.. they also have told me that no woman needs to eat more then 1300-1400 calories a day until your an athlete, just passing on what they've told me, now does it work for everyone....prolly NOT !!!!! good luck
Why would they tell you that "no" woman needs to eat more than 1300-1400 calories? Everyone's TDEE is different. Trainers shouldn't make blanket statements like that. That should throw up a HUGE red flag as to everything else they tell you. Always check your trainers credentials before taking advice from them. Just because they work at a gym doesn't mean they have a clue what they are talking about.0 -
WOW! What an overwhelming response from all! I dont even know who to answer or what to say! I have been working out for many years. I just never tracked my calories as much as I do NOW. I know that it has been an area that I lacked in before AND never really ate clean until now. I am in the Army so working out in the morning is not an option lol! I HAVE to do it. We run Mondays and Friday's and ruck march 2-4 miles on Wednesdays and strength training Tues and Thurs. My lunchtime routine like I said is more to jumpstart my metabolism some more. My evening workouts are the more intense ones. I will keep at it and see where I am at in another three weeks. I'll take in more protein, I feel that my snacks are not that great. Usually when I look at my diary its always an area that I want to fix I just don't know what kind of snacks I can use that have more protein in it. I usually go for fruits. Thanks guys I appreciate it ALOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!0
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my trainers would say your working out to much, only 3 days a week of weights and never 2 days in a row.....and cardio 5 days.. they also have told me that no woman needs to eat more then 1300-1400 calories a day until your an athlete, just passing on what they've told me, now does it work for everyone....prolly NOT !!!!! good luck
Oh. My. Goodness. I would die if I ate 1400 calories a day. I would say on average I NET around 1900 every day and have lost 43 pounds which means I actually need more than 1900 net calories a day to maintain my weight (which I don't want to do, but is beside the point). Oh and I am a woman. I am really really appalled that a so-called "professional" would actually say this to someone. They should be reported.0 -
WOW! What an overwhelming response from all! I dont even know who to answer or what to say! I have been working out for many years. I just never tracked my calories as much as I do NOW. I know that it has been an area that I lacked in before AND never really ate clean until now. I am in the Army so working out in the morning is not an option lol! I HAVE to do it. We run Mondays and Friday's and ruck march 2-4 miles on Wednesdays and strength training Tues and Thurs. My lunchtime routine like I said is more to jumpstart my metabolism some more. My evening workouts are the more intense ones. I will keep at it and see where I am at in another three weeks. I'll take in more protein, I feel that my snacks are not that great. Usually when I look at my diary its always an area that I want to fix I just don't know what kind of snacks I can use that have more protein in it. I usually go for fruits. Thanks guys I appreciate it ALOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Good Luck!!! :flowerforyou:0
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