Lost nothing now losing a lot

zoomtech16

So I have been dieting and exercising for about a month now, and I have very slowly lost 5 pounds. Two days ago I found out that I wasn't working out hard enough and should only eat like a net of 1200 calories, so I started that, and am working out a lot harder. Now I'm losing 1 to 2 pounds each day. Is this bad? I mean I definitely am eating at least the 1200 calories, but I have a lot to lose and need to make sure it stays off.

jkal1979

Five pounds in a month is good. It's actually right on track with a healthy loss.

Who told you that you needed to drop to 1200 and why?

ETA: Remember that this is not a race. Your "slow" loss will benefit you in the long run. Be patient and read this:

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants

MinnieInMaine

It's possible it's just water weight but going by your ticker, I'm going to say that netting 1200 calories is way too low for you. Who gave you such horrible advice? Workout harder AND eat less - that's a good way to end up burnt out in a short amount of time. Not to mention depriving your body of vital nutrients and energy.

Tiernan1212

Five pounds in a month is good. It's actually right on track with a healthy loss.

Who told you that you needed to drop to 1200 and why?

ETA: Remember that this is not a race. Your "slow" loss will benefit you in the long run. Be patient and read this:

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants

Absolutely this! That link is a great place to start. :flowerforyou:

sticky130

So I have been dieting and exercising for about a month now, and I have very slowly lost 5 pounds. Two days ago I found out that I wasn't working out hard enough and should only eat like a net of 1200 calories, so I started that, and am working out a lot harder. Now I'm losing 1 to 2 pounds each day. Is this bad? I mean I definitely am eating at least the 1200 calories, but I have a lot to lose and need to make sure it stays off.

This sounds like me!! I've been at it for 45 days, lost about 4 pounds, then nada, nothing. I even came on here to have a good moan about it!!

I knew all the figures added up and everyone said stick with it and for the past week every day I've got on the scales it's shifted!! I think I'm just having a whoosh week, but if it carrys on like this I'm going to up my intake a bit.

WelshPhil1975

I recently had a 3-4 week period where I didn't lose a single pound, then I lost 10lb in 2 weeks. I am back to 1.5lb loss now, which is disappointing after such a bonus couple of weeks, but it's what it should be, so I'm not complaining (well, 2lb is what it should be but I won't lose sleep over 0.5 of a lb).

zoomtech16

Well I don't feel bad eating 1200, and I do that because I think I underestimate my food and overestimate my workout. I go to classes a lot, so I barely have time to exercise let alone seriously measure my food, so that gives me a bit of a buffer. And actually cutting out sugary drinks cut most of the calories I had anyways. Yesterday I ate 2,176 calories total, but worked on an elliptical and burned 900. I just don't know if I could eat much more than that.

jollyjoe321

So I have been dieting and exercising for about a month now, and I have very slowly lost 5 pounds. Two days ago I found out that I wasn't working out hard enough and should only eat like a net of 1200 calories, so I started that, and am working out a lot harder. Now I'm losing 1 to 2 pounds each day. Is this bad? I mean I definitely am eating at least the 1200 calories, but I have a lot to lose and need to make sure it stays off.

You need to make sure it stays off. You said it yourself. Is 1200 calories net and working out really hard the key to keeping the weight off? No. It isn't, if your regime is not maintainable then you won't keep the weight off.

5lbs in a month is about right, if you drop your calories and work out too much it knocks your metabolism out of kilter, so the weight loss will slow down anyway and you won't be able to eat as much... I'd always recommend weight training instead with a high proportion of protein in your diet, you should shed the weight and in theory shape up a bit too...

HerbertNenenger

So I have been dieting and exercising for about a month now, and I have very slowly lost 5 pounds. Two days ago I found out that I wasn't working out hard enough and should only eat like a net of 1200 calories, so I started that, and am working out a lot harder. Now I'm losing 1 to 2 pounds each day. Is this bad? I mean I definitely am eating at least the 1200 calories, but I have a lot to lose and need to make sure it stays off.

You need to make sure it stays off. You said it yourself. Is 1200 calories net and working out really hard the key to keeping the weight off? No. It isn't, if your regime is not maintainable then you won't keep the weight off.

5lbs in a month is about right, if you drop your calories and work out too much it knocks your metabolism out of kilter, so the weight loss will slow down anyway and you won't be able to eat as much... I'd always recommend weight training instead with a high proportion of protein in your diet, you should shed the weight and in theory shape up a bit too...

This is great advice. If you can't imagine yourself doing this for the rest of your life, then you will be back to your original weight after losing it. We really don't want to repeat this whole process. Make it sustainable, manageable, and even enjoyable or it WILL NOT work ! Also, you want as little sagging skin as possible, so don't lose it too fast ! Make it work !

StaciMarie1974

With so much weight to lose, you can estimate your portions and find success for the time being. You're right, that if you're estimating and coming up with 1200 that you're probably eating more. Listen to your body though, and if there are days where you feel you need more: add a snack or two.

As to calorie burn estimations - machines are typically very generous, though there are online calculators where you can put in your activity and stats to get an idea of your actual burn. Still an estimate, but some machines do not even consider your height/weight/etc. so anything that does will be closer to accurate.

As you move forward on this journey, and after you've lost 20-30 pounds: you may find the need to firm up your logging. As we lose weight, our body burns less at the same activity. Meaning you'll need to work harder to maintain your deficit, or at least need to accurately weigh/log your food to avoid estimation errors.

Good luck.