1 year on MFP 2 pounds lost!

elsyoommen

you are also eating a great deal of sodium - this causes water retention. You do not eat enough fibre or protein. Processed foods tend to have lots of sodium, little fibre, and little protein. You seem to be eating lots of simple carbs - when I eat like that I get hungry again very quickly.

Add vegetables, oatmeal or oatbran, lean meats, greek yogurt, cottage cheese. A bit of fruit would also be good. These would help you to feel full / satiated.

castlerobber

For the past couple of weeks I've been trying to stick to 1500. Still doing my normal exercises (light aerobics with small hand weights 50 minutes each morning and walking a mile every day abut 3.5 mph).

I looked at several weeks of your diary. All that sugar--a couple of Pepsis a day, cinnamon rolls, brownies, sugar cookies--is probably what's keeping you from losing weight. There isn't much protein in there, either. While some people can lose weight on a diet of nothing but Twinkies and other junk, others of us have to change WHAT we eat, not just how much. Calories in/calories out isn't the whole story.

Also, are you increasing the intensity of your workouts any? Trying to walk farther and/or faster, lifting heavier weights? Your body will adapt and burn fewer calories if you don't challenge it.

Mr_Knight

For the past couple of weeks I've been trying to stick to 1500. Still doing my normal exercises (light aerobics with small hand weights 50 minutes each morning and walking a mile every day abut 3.5 mph).

Ok, so past two weeks it looks like you're average around 1700-1800 a day, plus there are a bunch of unlogged days. Seems safe to say that you are over your 1500 target by a fair amount.

Also the exercise - don't eat those calories back, because they are very small numbers. A one mile stroll for a 140 pound burns around 40 net calories, you are best of ignoring that burn altogether.

Bottom line: you are eating too much and not moving enough. IMO the very first step should be consistent, diligent logging. Once you see what's what, then it's time to figure out the goals, which will probably be down 1000-1200 calories/day, and even at that, it will be relatively slow fat loss.

Eating "better" isn't going to do anything for you, unless you also eat less and move more.

silken555

Thank you all for your responses. I will try to work harder and eat less!! I am finding myself ravenous in the evening on 1500 calories though. I have plenty of muscle from my daily workout which includes push ups, etc. there's just a layer of flab/water on top of it. I know I need to cut out the pepsi. I used to drink over 6 a day. I am down to 2 now. I didn't lose any weight after that change but I quit smoking about the same time. I am 36 and hormones are crazy and I find myself losing 5 pounds in one day only to see them come right back. And no, the measuring tape is showing no change either.

I didnt see anyone here tell you to eat less. Only to eat BETTER.

susannamarie

I'd start with logging on weekends for 2 months and see if that makes a change. Honestly I wouldn't cut calories lower.

If you are starving in the evening I would look into adding more fat and protein earlier in the day. For many people, having very little but carbs before noon leads to being starving later in the day. A can of soda and instant oatmeal, for me, would be worse than eating nothing with respect to hunger at lunch and dinner. Also, adding some veggies like steamed broccoli or beans is pretty low-cal, very easy, and quite filling along with some meat.

Stage14

Thank you all for your responses. I will try to work harder and eat less!! I am finding myself ravenous in the evening on 1500 calories though. I have plenty of muscle from my daily workout which includes push ups, etc. there's just a layer of flab/water on top of it. I know I need to cut out the pepsi. I used to drink over 6 a day. I am down to 2 now. I didn't lose any weight after that change but I quit smoking about the same time. I am 36 and hormones are crazy and I find myself losing 5 pounds in one day only to see them come right back. And no, the measuring tape is showing no change either.

THIS is where the "what you eat matters" part comes in. If you were actually eating 1500 calories of junk food a day, you would still be losing weight. but you aren't. You're eating quite a bit more than that, which is why you aren't losing weight (you aren't eating at a calorie deficit). Choosing better foods, whole foods with protein and fiber, will help you NOT be ravenous on 1500 calories a day. Any diet/lifestyle change only works if you actually DO it.

septembergrrl

Just looking through your diary and there are a few issues.

1) Way too much sodium - lots of crackers.

2) Where are the fruit and vegetables? - I would feel awful if I ate as little as you do.

3) A can of pepsi is not a meal and what nutritional benefits doe sit give you.

4) You can still have things such as bacon but why fry it - less fat and calories if you grill it.

I dont think your issues are with the calories but how you are using them.

This. The calories look fine to me, but I'm not seeing a lot of "there" there. Cut back on the fried/starchy/sugary/salty, add more fruits, veggies and whole grains, and see what happens. You might feel better even if the weight doesn't come off.

cunfewzed1

I would love some pointers from successful people on here! I am 5'2" currently 138. I have been on here logging for about a year with no success to speak of. I started out with the 1200 that MFP suggested and felt sluggish. I read all the posts "eat more to lose" and quickly upped my calories to 1500 and ate back exercise calories. Still no success. Did this for a few months. Thought maybe my exercise calories are overestimated and stopped eating them back. For the past couple of weeks I've been trying to stick to 1500. Still doing my normal exercises (light aerobics with small hand weights 50 minutes each morning and walking a mile every day abut 3.5 mph). I log everything during the week and measure my food. I skip weekends but I don't overdo it at all. I am getting married soon Would love to drop a few by then!!!!! Especially since I have been trying so hard for so long. I am frustrated!!!

lol

you're not measuring your food and your weekends are killing your progress. Don't eat more to lose more. Silly. Stick to your calorie goal, weigh your food, and track EVERYDAY. end of story.

Francl27

1) Weigh your food, don't 'measure' it
2) Log week ends
3) Calculate your TDEE and eat 15-20% less

skinny4me2be

I was a weekend skipper (not logging on the weekends) all summer long. I lost 3 lbs in February and I maintained it from Spring until early October-by no logging my weekends. I recommitted and started logging my weekends and wham! The weight and inches are coming off. I obviously was eating/drinking at maintenance which I didn't realize. Its slow, but now moving in the right direction...and I'm doing TDEE-20%.