3 months, ZERO PROGRESS
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10 pages of discussion on someone complaining of lack of progress but has a closed diary and doesn't weigh her food.
This should have been closed on the first page.
Yup.
Then you get all the "Oh my poor dear, hang in there, please don't give up" Followed by same old advice. Lol.
OP already knows what she needs to do.
Did people skip the middle of this post???
OP has acknowledged quite a lot of good advice and she'll be checking her TDEE. She's also booked an appointment with the doctor and is looking into a registered dietician.
People starting the conversation all over again after she posted said responses it seems.
I know we're used to people complaining and not doing anything with the very valuable info they receive, but this OP is not one of those people.
Chances are that she's not calculating calorie intake correctly or consistently over time. Her closed diary makes it impossible to examine this.
I'm aware of that. She wasn't counting at all, but she has said she WILL start counting again. She also explained why she now won't open her diary and quite frankly I can't blame her. Initially she thought because she was logging into FB it was a different account, someone showed her otherwise. After she acknowledges what several people were telling her to do and actually goes off to set it all in motion, some others came into the thread obviously not having bothered to read it and basically told her she was saying contradictory stuff, so she decided not to open her diary.
I dunno, but I wouldn't want to open my diary after someone was accusatory to me either.
Had she not acknowledged the stuff she needs to do to actually start losing, I'd be with you guys 100%. However she did and she is going to fix the issues that have been mentioned as being her major problem areas such as measuring her food properly and going the TDEE route seeing as she's not getting an accurate burn from her HMR.0 -
I like that! Some people on here are not helpful. You go girl!
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You tell her friend! She is a smarty pants! 0
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No, that's not true, it's never that simple, "end of story".
You're just one of the lucky ones whose body works in an ideal way. Guess you can't see beyond your shoes.0 -
either under estimating calories in and/or over estimating calories out.
End of story.
No, that's not true, it's never that simple, "end of story".
You're just one of the lucky ones whose body works in an ideal way. Guess you can't see beyond your shoes.0 -
either under estimating calories in and/or over estimating calories out.
End of story.
No, that's not true, it's never that simple, "end of story".
You're just one of the lucky ones whose body works in an ideal way. Guess you can't see beyond your shoes.
That's not "the ideal way." It's "the way."
Mass gain or loss is, literally, calories in versus calories out. Period, end of story, fact of life, can't argue it. There are variables that can make the "calories out" value differ from what you expect, but in the end it is always calories in and calories out.0 -
i mean this is the nicest way, this article changed my life.
http://www.acaloriecounter.com/blog/why-am-i-not-losing-weight/
i know it doesn't sound that simple, but it really truly is.
That is a great, great, great article. Bookmarked.
This was the best article i have read in a while! Thanks for sharing0 -
"...one cheat meal a week...."
One cheat meal for me could (AND HAS) sabotage(d) my whole diet plan. It's better to eat what you like in small quantities and budget for extra calories. I try to stick to a higher ratio of whole foods to processed foods, but I have no clue if I'm technically doing 80/20.
When I started measuring and being honest with my portions and counting EVERY meal, EVERY day, I began to lose weight.0 -
I had the same issue, it turned out I was gluten intolerant. I lost no problem after I did that. Maybe your metabolism has slowed.0
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i mean this is the nicest way, this article changed my life.
http://www.acaloriecounter.com/blog/why-am-i-not-losing-weight/
i know it doesn't sound that simple, but it really truly is.
^^YES^^ This is absolutely it, in a nutshell.0 -
I'm not saying that she does have a medical issue, but I got my blood tested and the doctor told me that my thyroid is in the below average range of secreting the appropriate amount of hormones to signal the metabolism to run/function. I didn't just take his word for it, I took up several blood tests, but they were the same results. I've still managed to lose weight though and maybe she is eating too much, but you know, a combination of eating too much and a medical problem could be hindering her process. Don't be so quick to dismiss the "thyroid" issue. I think people want to laugh so much at that now that they forget, it does exist.0
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I'm not saying that she does have a medical issue, but I got my blood tested and the doctor told me that my thyroid is in the below average range of secreting the appropriate amount of hormones to signal the metabolism to run/function. I didn't just take his word for it, I took up several blood tests, but they were the same results. I've still managed to lose weight though and maybe she is eating too much, but you know, a combination of eating too much and a medical problem could be hindering her process. Don't be so quick to dismiss the "thyroid" issue. I think people want to laugh so much at that now that they forget, it does exist.
It's so much more rare than logging/miscalculation issues, it would be dumb to even suspect it before ruling something else out.
Telling someone who isn't losing weight but is unable to verify correct logging/calculations to get their thyroid checked is like replacing a car's engine because the low coolant light came on.0 -
While you are meeting your calorie goals/going under them what are you eating in a day? Often things could be low in calories but crazy high in fat or sodium. I've found I can meet my "calorie allowance" but what I'm putting into my body has so many other things(i.e carbs,sodium,fat) that it ultimately does nothing. You should be able to have a cheat day, if not you'll burn yourself out-- so enjoy your french fries once a week! In addition if trying to lose a lot of weight and then tone after I would focus mostly on cardio as opposed to lifting. My trainer told me often times if you start lifting but haven't taken time to burn the fat then you are building muscle on top of fat which ultimately keeps you the same size. ;/ Hope this helps!0
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While you are meeting your calorie goals/going under them what are you eating in a day? Often things could be low in calories but crazy high in fat or sodium. I've found I can meet my "calorie allowance" but what I'm putting into my body has so many other things(i.e carbs,sodium,fat) that it ultimately does nothing. You should be able to have a cheat day, if not you'll burn yourself out-- so enjoy your french fries once a week! In addition if trying to lose a lot of weight and then tone after I would focus mostly on cardio as opposed to lifting. My trainer told me often times if you start lifting but haven't taken time to burn the fat then you are building muscle on top of fat which ultimately keeps you the same size. ;/ Hope this helps!
Calories come from carbs, protein, and fat. That's the only place they come from. Every calorie in a piece of food comes from one of those 3 sources. If you're meeting your calorie goal, it's impossible to get so much carbs or fat that it hinders your weight loss.0 -
My diary isn't linked here. I can post what I ate yesterday, if it helps - almost every day is the same for me.
I am 5'2", 205 (ish). My cheat day is one meal on Wednesday with my mom where I get to have french fries, my biggest weakness. I can give it up, but I try to eat as clean as possible on that day so that the french fries don't completely blow my day.
I eat a ton of protein to prevent muscle loss from under-eating and over-working. Example - FP says my estimated protein intake should be at 15% on their spiffy new pie chart. I was at 24%.
I am around your height (5'3.5") and I started at 204. I would burn anywhere from 300-600 calories during my workouts (and I do use a HRM with a chest strap), but it wasn't until I started eating back some of my exercise calories that the weight started coming off for me (I was netting way less than 1200 a day and my body held on to EVERYTHING). My suggestion.....I would try eating back some of your exercise calories. Give it 3-4 weeks and see if it works. Everyone's body is different, so what works for me may not work for you. Good luck!!! :-)0 -
Calories from alcohol do not fall into the 3 macro nutrients.0
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Calories from alcohol do not fall into the 3 macro nutrients.
sugar is a carb0 -
While you are meeting your calorie goals/going under them what are you eating in a day? Often things could be low in calories but crazy high in fat or sodium. I've found I can meet my "calorie allowance" but what I'm putting into my body has so many other things(i.e carbs,sodium,fat) that it ultimately does nothing. You should be able to have a cheat day, if not you'll burn yourself out-- so enjoy your french fries once a week! In addition if trying to lose a lot of weight and then tone after I would focus mostly on cardio as opposed to lifting. My trainer told me often times if you start lifting but haven't taken time to burn the fat then you are building muscle on top of fat which ultimately keeps you the same size. ;/ Hope this helps!
Strong first post. smh.0 -
Can I just say that I am amazed this thread is still active? Some of the posts seriously made me laugh.
Guys, I never once said I wasn't taking anyone's advice here. Only one person so far has acknowledged that yes, I am actually reading everything posted and taking it into consideration. Want a list? Rock on.
1. Doctors appointment - no, I don't think I am a medical anomoly, I am just due for my annual and it certainly won't hurt to ask my doctor what she suggests since she is a medical professional. Maybe she could recommend a dietician I could ask questions of. If I get my thyroid checked, that's good too - both my mom and aunt have thyroid issues so it isn't insane to think I might have some, too. I'm hoping that isn't the case, though, as all my tests in the past have been clear.
2. Yesterday was my usual cheat day. Rather than go all out like I had been doing - and I knew that my one cheat meal was going into the 1500+ calorie range, I wasn't completing ignoring that - I bought the burger, and made my own fries. No soda. It brought my cheat meal down to 904 calories. I went home and did a bit of cardio and some upper body weight training, and I felt comfortable with my day. Higher in carbs and sodium than a regular day, but I was careful before dinner so I could indulge a bit. And it was better than store bought fries any day.
3. My MFP calorie intake is set to 1480 at the moment. I have spent my time researching cheap and easy meals I can make myself that are clean (or cleanER) and I have been sticking to it, and intend on continuing.
4. I am going to assume that my HRM will always be wrong, that it will always overestimate. Keep in mind, I am still obese, so it isn't completely impossible to believe that my heart rate rises and stays up longer than someone who has a much healthier heart than I do. I am worrying less about the HRM total (and I really have only worn it a few times to get an idea of where I was at anyway), and more about how I feel. I lift to failure. I sprint in place until I just can't anymore. I squat, both weighted and not. And yes, I am covered in sweat by the time I am done, and if I am not, I work out more.
This thread has taught me a multitude of things, not least of all that I should ask such a loaded question in the face of people that think they know all of the answers. But those that helped me, helped me well.
And now I think we can let it be
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This is going to sound brash...
Minnesota Starvation Experiment, done by Dr. Ancel Keys at the University of Minnesota. Participants were put on a very low calorie diet for a year. Guess what happened? They all lost weight - a ton of weight. Granted, they went crazy and their metabolisms dropped, but they still dropped the weight. And why wouldn't they? Nobody's body can defy the laws of physics. Absolutely positively nobody. It is a scientific impossibility.
It truly does come down to 4 words "eat less, move more".
If you really think that your body is that special, I challenge you to go to Google Images, and do an image search for "starvation in africa". Notice that you won't see any fat people. And why would you?
Or just in case it hasn't hit home yet, do another Google Image search, this time for "holocaust victims starving".
You're not special. Your body isn't different. Eat less. Move more. Have an awesome day!0 -
Changed my mind on replying after I posted, sorry.0
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Saying "End of story." in this context is the conversational equivalent of crossing your arms, turning around and walking away. Is that your intended message?
I don't know if you mean me or someone else, but I don't think anyone can really offer anything to the conversation at this point that hasn't already been said.0 -
Measuring cups are good for liquids but really not so good for solids, it's easy to get the amount wrong -best to use a kitchen scale that weighs in ounces or grams. I weigh pretty much everything other than salad veg and I can still surprise myself at how inaccurate my eyeballed portions can be. Try not to be too frustrated, think back to when you were over-eating and not exercising you must be so much fitter and healthier now even if you aren't seeing the numbers drop on the bathroom scales. Weigh your food more and yourself less and keep up your good work.
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AimeeJolene, I was literally about to post exactly what you have written in your original post. I am 5'6", 200lbs. I am 4 months in to my diet and fitness, with absolutely no results. I've had a series of blood tests, all of them clear. I religiously track all food and drinks, all my portions are weighed. According to MFP, I should be eating 1200 a day. I generally come in at 1100- 1200. I exercise 4-5 out of 7 days, alternating 5k runs with 30 day shred.
My lifestyle prior to last May was pretty sedentary, and I was overeating to the tune of approx 3000 calories a day, mostly junk, sugar filled foods. So i did assume, even by cutting my intake by 1000 a day and a little exercise, that I would see a difference. But nothing. Considering the lifestlye changes I have made, I would have expected to see some movement on the scales, or in my clothes. I am sticking at it because I do think it has to happen at some stage, and I am not letting all my hard work go to waste. I am so puzzled, I know I am not overeating, I have read hundreds of blogs and checked hundreds of websites, and they all basically are coming down to the same thing. To lose weight, eat less, move more. I'm beginning to think I am the exception to that rule!!!0 -
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Aimee,
I learned the lesson early on about how easy it is to overestimate burned calories and underestimate food calories. I did not see progress for a few months and it was frustrating.
I was eyeballing those portions because I ate the same things every day, but then I learned my eyeballs were a bit bigger than I thought. Now I weigh the solids and measure the liquids. I weigh meat prior to cooking and not after.
I was using the MFP calorie burned estimations, but I learned those are off too. My pedometer estimates are fairly close to the treadmill and elliptical machines at the gym, so I take the lower of the two. NOT has me burning 100 calories for 30 minutes of circuit training, but that's bogus. I enter 50 calories.
I was not logging accurately, thus I missed putting down some calories. No wonder I wasn't losing. I learned this lesson by starting to log accurately and saw I was eating more than I thought I was.now, I plan my food for the day, log anything extra I might eat, and make sure I log ccurate amounts and calories for food. I don't have a HRM, but I I have heard they can be inaccurate anyway.
I have lost 23 pounds and have 10 more to go, and the changes HAPPENED when I reassessed my food, exercise, and logging methods.0 -
Calories from alcohol do not fall into the 3 macro nutrients.
sugar is a carb
Alcohol calories are not sugar(carb). Alcohol is COMPLETELY seperate from carb,protein, fat.
Per http://www.mckinley.illinois.edu/handouts/macronutrients.htm
"Besides carbohydrate, protein, and fat, the only other substance that provides calories is alcohol. Alcohol provides 7 calories per gram. Alcohol, however, is not a macronutrient .
WHAT ARE MACRONUTRIENTS?
Macronutrients are nutrients that provide calories or energy. Nutrients are substances needed for growth, metabolism, and for other body functions. Since “macro” means large, macronutrients are nutrients needed in large amounts. There are three macronutrients:
Carbohydrate provides 4 calories per gram.
Protein provides 4 calories per gram.
Fat provides 9 calories per gram."0 -
AimeeJolene, I was literally about to post exactly what you have written in your original post. I am 5'6", 200lbs. I am 4 months in to my diet and fitness, with absolutely no results. I've had a series of blood tests, all of them clear. I religiously track all food and drinks, all my portions are weighed. According to MFP, I should be eating 1200 a day. I generally come in at 1100- 1200. I exercise 4-5 out of 7 days, alternating 5k runs with 30 day shred.
My lifestyle prior to last May was pretty sedentary, and I was overeating to the tune of approx 3000 calories a day, mostly junk, sugar filled foods. So i did assume, even by cutting my intake by 1000 a day and a little exercise, that I would see a difference. But nothing. Considering the lifestlye changes I have made, I would have expected to see some movement on the scales, or in my clothes. I am sticking at it because I do think it has to happen at some stage, and I am not letting all my hard work go to waste. I am so puzzled, I know I am not overeating, I have read hundreds of blogs and checked hundreds of websites, and they all basically are coming down to the same thing. To lose weight, eat less, move more. I'm beginning to think I am the exception to that rule!!!
I would have to say if you are working out 5-7 days a week and only eating 1100-1200 calories, you are not eating enough. I started at 200 3 weeks ago, I have my profile set to 2lbs a week and I eat back my exercise calories, and have been averaging 2lbs a week and I am 5'4". I work out 6 days a week, Cardio 3 days and strength training 3 days.0 -
One of the things that helped me get over my stall was purchasing an armband by Body Media. One of the first things I found out is that my BMR is higher than I previously believed based on calculations/calculators in general use. Once I had that number I realized that I wasn't eating enough.
I brought this up because a lot of time we forget that we are individuals and most things are based on averages. You may need to tweak your fitness routine a bit or you may have to work out more than average.
Also, it might be a good time to visit your doctor. There may be an underlying cause to your issues. I hope you find your solution soon.0
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