Am I doing enough?

WhiteRabbit1313

Well, just by looking at your diary, I think there may be some judgment errors/database errors recorded as part of your diary. This stands out to me: "La Favorita - Corn Tortia Chips, 14 chips" equals "84 calories"? Usually, 14 tortilla chips (or 1 oz.) is closer to 140 calories, for MOST brands. Does this brand have fewer calories? Additionally, unless you ate a few bites of your cake, 100 calories seems a little low to me.

I suggest you really measure/weigh your food and see if that helps.

gmthisfeller

1) have you done your BMR/TDEE calculations? Make sure you're not eating at too high of a deficit. Usually when you're in the home stretch you need to pull back to a smaller deficit to continue losing.
2) You say that you're doing strength training but your protein intake is VERY low. Your body needs the protein to recover/rebuild those muscles... try swapping out some of the empty calories for a protein shake or something atleast on lifting days.
3) Remember.... you want to eat at a deficit OR do cardio. If you're eating at a deficit already.... you need to eat back your workout calories. Too high of a deficit... especially at the very end will cause your weight loss to stall. Think of calories as money and cardio as your job to earn more calories(money). If you don't need more calories to eat, don't do cardio. (like, if you already have money you don't have to work)

Good luck!

ETA I agree with another poster suggesting more proper lifting routine... check out New Rules of Lifting for Women. My weightloss was stalled before I started the program and now I'm losing again. Check it out! It will change your life.

+1

I bet you never thought that if you asked for advice/support/help you would get all these replies!

Looking at your diary, meeting your goals is all over the place, and your guess may be off, though you may be spot on, too; but when you say "1 plate" is that an 8" plate, a 9" plate, a salad plate? How high is the food piled? Will this be holding you back? You bet it will! Knowledge is power, and know for sure how much you actually take in will serve well, for the rest of your life, even. If you squeeze out the funds, buy an inexpensive scale and use it.

Up your exercise. Combining cardio with weight training is great. Kudos to you for mixing it up; up it! The weight training will make you more and more fit, and give you the "guns and girls" you may have always wanted...well...at least the guns! If you go this way, then focus more on your body measurements than on your weight; don't forget your weight, but be conscious of how your body might be changing in size and shape.

If you up your workouts, then watch your deficits very carefully. Being under is OK, but getting too far under will only slow your weight loss down. You need the calories to make new muscle tissue, and repair the damage to your existing musculature to encourage it to change and grow. Adequate intake is vital. Again, you need to run a deficit, but not too large.

Lastly, you should be proud of what you have accomplished. There are many MFPers who want to do what you have done. You are rockin'!

sevsmom

D@MN! Now I want Puppy Chow. My friend makes the BEST puppy chow ever!!! Must look up her phone number........