Eating 1200 calories and exercising , but losing very slowly

2»

Replies

  • BlueBombers
    BlueBombers Posts: 4,064 Member
    I am into my 11th month of losing weight (see ticker below). It did not happen overnight.

    Like others have said....slow and steady wins the race.

    Edited because I can't spell.
  • PetulantOne
    PetulantOne Posts: 2,131 Member
    I would venture a guess that because you went from eating prepackaged food, to "eating clean" (assuming that means cooking for yourself) that you are eating more than you think. Make sure you weigh and measure everything.
  • Woodster83
    Woodster83 Posts: 71 Member
    Doing this! This makes so much sense!

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/931670-bmr-and-tdee-explained-for-those-needing-a-guide

    That's such a good post!
  • PikaKnight
    PikaKnight Posts: 34,971 Member
    If you have 75+ lbs to lose 2 lbs/week is ideal
    If you have 40-75 lbs to lose 1.5 lbs/week is ideal
    If you have 25-40 lbs to lose 1 lbs/week is ideal
    If you have 15 -25 lbs to lose 0.5 to 1.0 lbs/week is ideal
    If you have less than 15 lbs to lose 0.5 lbs/week is ideal


    Even 1lb/week for your weight is still awesome! Slow and steady wins!!!
  • init2fitit
    init2fitit Posts: 168 Member
    I did the TDEE calculator, and when it did my macros, because I would need 209 grams of protein and a bunch of fat bc of my weight, it left me with only 20 grams of carbs for the whole day?! That doesn't even seem healthy! Anybody have any thoughts on that? And why are the suggested macros so different than mfp's? Ugh

    This is because your protein is being calculated by your body weight and not lean body mass.
    Please attempt to get a good reading on your body fat % and LBM, and try to eat 1g of protein for every pound of lbm and that should get you closer to where you need to be.

    Also, you can fiddle with the amounts of each macro that you get, for example, mine is 40/30/30 with carbs being the most.
  • tawalker791
    tawalker791 Posts: 101 Member
    That makes much more sense! Lol
  • tawalker791
    tawalker791 Posts: 101 Member
    Bump
  • _TastySnoBalls_
    _TastySnoBalls_ Posts: 1,298 Member
    Oh, one other thing I just thought of....as nasty as it sounds...monitor your bathroom visits, as it is another indicator your body will give you. Darker urine is your body expelling toxins,etc. Lighter urine, you are getting enough water for your body to flush out toxins,etc. And (cover your eyes/ears for those who are squeamish) your bowel movements should be ...ummm...how do I say this....well, all of my very fit friends have large movements...daily! I know I'm on the right path when my poop makes half a track around the bowl and is solid :embarassed: If not, your not providing your body with enough and might be in starvation mode.

    Whatever you do, don't listen to this lady.
  • Mr_Knight
    Mr_Knight Posts: 9,532 Member
    Bump

    Still no diary....
  • tawalker791
    tawalker791 Posts: 101 Member
    I changed it to public! Didn't realize it was private lol. I also found out my BMR and TDEE and also changed my macros to fit my lean body mass and such, so I am going to up my calories to 1500 this week. Will change my diet to fit my macros (which I did today) and will try this new way for me!
  • SLLRunner
    SLLRunner Posts: 12,942 Member
    I was having the same problem, whenever I first started trying to lose weight and eat healthy. I was monitoring my intake and walking 3-5 days a week for AT LEAST 30 minutes each time. I kept this up for about a month and a half without losing ANY weight and obviously I became very frustrated. Then I heard about green coffee bean and thought, ah that's cool, until someone I know also recommended it to me. I purchased a bottle from Walmart called PurelyInspired green coffee bean. It was about $9 for 60 tablets. Instructions say that you should take two tablets before a big meal twice a day but I've only been taking one tablet before two meals a day and I've seen results already. I've only been taking them about a week and already I've lost a few pounds. I'd definitely recommend giving them a try.
    There's no magic in those green tea pills.
  • SLLRunner
    SLLRunner Posts: 12,942 Member
    I was eating back my exercise calories too and found that my weight loss was slow. As soon as I stuck to my 1200 calorie limit, regardless of exercise, the weight loss got faster. Also, try to do at least 45 mins of cardio (tred mill, stair climber, eliptical) at least 5-6 days a week. Its best to mix it up (different one each day) so you body doesn't "get used" to the same routine. Keep it guessing so it works harder. If your not a runner, you can go at a good walking pace but increase the incline to 7% or more. Not sure how much water your drinking, that helped me too. I drink about 80 oz in a 24 hr period.

    Keep up the good work...you'll reach your goal and when you do, you will be so proud of yourself. :)

    Blessings,
    Candice

    Quick weight loss should not be anyone's goal. Quick weight loss = fat+muscle mass

    If you want to lose mainly fat, if you want to lower your body fat % ......be pateint. Not everyone is large enough to lose 1 or 2 pounds every week.

    Within 15 pounds of goal.......1/2 pound a week is good progress.


    cardio, cardio, and more cardio will not help you keep existing muscle mass either......:flowerforyou:
    So agree.
  • benefiting
    benefiting Posts: 795 Member
    Eat more. Continue eating clean but don't restrict yourself from treats. You'll be fine. :)
  • gabbymom2
    gabbymom2 Posts: 175 Member
    I love and agree with what you wrote!
  • MapleFlavouredMaiden
    MapleFlavouredMaiden Posts: 595 Member
    If I were you, I'd read up on Eat More 2 Lose Weight (website). Also, I'd do your calculations at Scoobycalc (google that).

    1500 still is barely over a small person's BMR. It's not enough food.
  • Marcolter
    Marcolter Posts: 103 Member
    As long as you are losing why stress out creating bad hormones? The trouble with Modern Life is we want Instant Success.

    That is why people make millions on skipping the pain or need for patience. Besides weight, is your body getting toned up? Are

    clothes getting looser. The scale is a base line but does not rule my life about weight loss. How I feel, energy wise, and pain leaving

    from my bones due to lighter body, and clothes fit. Go by the total package plus most important blood work and blood pressure.
  • SLLRunner
    SLLRunner Posts: 12,942 Member
    I changed it to public! Didn't realize it was private lol. I also found out my BMR and TDEE and also changed my macros to fit my lean body mass and such, so I am going to up my calories to 1500 this week. Will change my diet to fit my macros (which I did today) and will try this new way for me!

    I looked at your diary. I think you exercise calories are overestimated. I questions that a half hour of any aerobic/exercise video burns 300-500 calories. Where do you get these estimates from?

    Also, are you weighting food? This is essential to accuracy.

    For example, I can almost guarantee your that 28 almonds at .88 ounce is off. First of all, it takes about 22 to 24 almonds to make one ounce, or 28 grams (just weighed and counted), thus 28 almonds most likely weighs around 32 grams. That increases the calories by quite a bit.

    If you don't already have one, digital food scales are only around $20.00.
  • JMel86
    JMel86 Posts: 124 Member
    If you have 75+ lbs to lose 2 lbs/week is ideal
    If you have 40-75 lbs to lose 1.5 lbs/week is ideal
    If you have 25-40 lbs to lose 1 lbs/week is ideal
    If you have 15 -25 lbs to lose 0.5 to 1.0 lbs/week is ideal
    If you have less than 15 lbs to lose 0.5 lbs/week is ideal


    Even 1lb/week for your weight is still awesome! Slow and steady wins!!!

    This is something I have been driving myself nuts with! I have 13.5 lbs left to lose. I have my weekly weight loss goal at 1lb a week. I should change that to 0.5 a week???
  • tawalker791
    tawalker791 Posts: 101 Member
    I am getting my calories burned by using the Polar FT4 watch/HRM...it's pretty extreme exercise for the 30 mins and its a mix of strength/cardio but Idk, and as far as like the almonds, it says 28 nuts is 170 calories on the bag, and I only needed 150 cals or whatever so I calculated how many calories each nut is, and just had to play with the "serving size" on there until it got to 150 because I can't just enter that I ate 25 nuts or however many I'm eating.
  • parkscs
    parkscs Posts: 1,639 Member
    I am getting my calories burned by using the Polar FT4 watch/HRM...it's pretty extreme exercise for the 30 mins and its a mix of strength/cardio but Idk, and as far as like the almonds, it says 28 nuts is 170 calories on the bag, and I only needed 150 cals or whatever so I calculated how many calories each nut is, and just had to play with the "serving size" on there until it got to 150 because I can't just enter that I ate 25 nuts or however many I'm eating.

    Your Polar is only accurate for steady state cardio. It's not really designed to estimate your caloric burn from strength training or HIIT.
  • tfoste6278
    tfoste6278 Posts: 18 Member
    How much water are you drinking? I consume 101 oz of water daily, do Leslie sansone 7 to 6 times a wk, and started out on 1200 cals a day now up to 1800 but I don't eat up to that. I try to stay under it when I can. I feel great. I losing about 3-4lbs a wk. which I think its too fast but I will take what I can.
  • howeyd2211
    howeyd2211 Posts: 23
    Oh, one other thing I just thought of....as nasty as it sounds...monitor your bathroom visits, as it is another indicator your body will give you. Darker urine is your body expelling toxins,etc. Lighter urine, you are getting enough water for your body to flush out toxins,etc. And (cover your eyes/ears for those who are squeamish) your bowel movements should be ...ummm...how do I say this....well, all of my very fit friends have large movements...daily! I know I'm on the right path when my poop makes half a track around the bowl and is solid :embarassed: If not, your not providing your body with enough and might be in starvation mode.

    Whatever you do, don't listen to this lady.


    Why? Any scientific evidence to back this up?
    Many articles talk about weight loss and bowel movements such as:
    http://caloriecount.about.com/you-regular-diet-exercise-affect-your-b520953
    or
    http://www.annapolis-nutrition-fitness.com/michaels-blog/170-constipation
    or
    http://www.ichoosethin.com/bowel-movement-from-beginning-to-end.html

    It is a good indicator. Although I should clarify, I have a high energy efficient toilet and is smaller so the bowl is smaller than a toilet made in the 80s.

Categories