Anyone start out with not much weight to lose?

A_Fit_Mom

I did lose 35 pounds last year. But I took a 6 month break and now I am back wanting to lose the last 10 or so. Since it has been that long, it almost feels like a new journey for me. I am just starting at a much lower weight now.

ticribbs

So if I increase my calories to lose .5 pounds a week my net is 1,430 and when I factor in exercise that's close to 2,000 calories! That can't be right?

That's what happens to me too - I am NOT eating 2000 calories a day. I know I dont' lose when I do that. For reference I am 5'0" and started at 153 - currently at 138 and trying to get around 120. Maybe lower, maybe not - we will see when I get there, depends because I have added strength training to my routine now and maybe as the body recomps I'll change my mind.

I try to keep it around 1200 and eat back exercise - I figure that means if i log something wrong or take a day off it won't kill the progress. I lost the first 10 pretty quick - but the last 3 have been a bit slower. I dont' care tho - as long as it keeps going down and the tape measure shows progress (which it has) I'll take it! I didn't get to 153 overnight and I haven't been below 120 since the summer of 2007! If it took 6 1/2 years to get here - its gonna take some time to get back there.

So you net 1,200?

jlynnm70

I net between 1100-1200 (because I only eat back part of the exercise calories- I don't totally trust MFP calorie burns) Also I figure it allows for errors if I don't weigh something (I weigh things at home, but not when out so cals could be off)

I figure MFP gives me 1200 - If I eat back part of my exercise cals (look at my diary - sundays don't count because I roller skate with the kids and the calorie count for that is CRAZY and I don't believe it) and there are any errors in my weights and measurements - I probably net 1100-1200 or maybe even a little more. And some days I go even higher.

At this point I am comfortable with it - It's a learning process - everyone has their own theory on the "too low" thing. I also am very short - so I know I don't need as many calories as someone 6" taller than me. I'm still working on the macros (that is something I've only recently started even looking at) Losing 1# a week isn't an unhealthy rate by any means - and as long as I keep seeing a downward trend, I'll take it. As I exercise more, I'll add more cals back in - but I'm not that active (desk all day) so I'm still working on the exercise thing.

ticribbs

I net between 1200 and 1300, eating back my calories. I don't follow MFP calorie burns, I follow the machine I'm on at the gym. MFP is always high on those :-/. I might get a heart monitor in the future for a more accurate reading. It's so frustrating when you have around 10 pounds to lose, it seems like it never comes off

Junebuggyzy

I hear you on not trusting MFP calorie burns. I have heard that what you burn from exercise isn't that much and you shouldn't subtract it from the calories you eat. Last night I did the exercise bike for an hour, and it said something like 500 calories. The readout on the bike said about 200 calories.

ticribbs

I hear you on not trusting MFP calorie burns. I have heard that what you burn from exercise isn't that much and you shouldn't subtract it from the calories you eat. Last night I did the exercise bike for an hour, and it said something like 500 calories. The readout on the bike said about 200 calories.

I subtract my exercise calories to net 1,200. When I enter my exercises into MFP I just modify the number to what the machine said. Today I burned 570 total, which is quite a bit of calories, at least for me.

Zx14chick

I net between 1200 and 1300, eating back my calories. I don't follow MFP calorie burns, I follow the machine I'm on at the gym. MFP is always high on those :-/. I might get a heart monitor in the future for a more accurate reading. It's so frustrating when you have around 10 pounds to lose, it seems like it never comes off

I would definitely invest in a HRM. I find that a lot of times, I am higher than MFP calculations and sometimes lower. It just depends on your intensity level that day. And I COMPLETELY agree that it seems to take forever to lose ten pounds.

flippy1234

Why were you told you cant get there again???

ticribbs

Why were you told you cant get there again???

Me? I was never told I couldn't get there. I just said it's been a really big struggle to get 10 pounds off.

PrincessEliNa

I can relate I was at 131 for the longest time, trying to get to 125. Then I didn't have internet (myfitnesspal) for about a year and quickly ballooned up to 146. Smh. I'm down to 140 now, but man oh man is it a struggle. Just gotta keep at it. I'm trying weights.

Sharon_C

I started at 190 and wanted to get down to 160. I hit 165 and can't seem to lose those last 5 pounds. So I decided to stop worrying about them and I started weight training instead. I'm not losing pounds but I'm losing inches rapidly. People are noticing those lost inches too. I feel stronger and I can tell a difference in my body. The added muscle has changed my body shape in a good way.

MikesGirl0692

I'm at 150 right now (highest weight ever without being pregnant), trying to get back to 140 (where I had been for years). I'm 5'6.

Zx14chick

Why were you told you cant get there again???

Just because I'm not as young as I once was. Silly, right!?