what should i be doing different?

blueelephant1212

ok, so i know i've only been at this for a week, but seriously... working out and staying under my calorie goal (except one day) should have done something for me, right?? i've not lost a thing. not one... well, thought it was one earlier, but now i'm back up to the original weight. what is going on??? do i need to exercise more or eat less?????

tjradd73

it would help to be able to see your diary...but some general advice...make sure you are getting at least 2 days of rest a week, switching up your workouts to work diff areas of your body, try not eating more than half or your extra calories from working out, try drinking half your weight in ounces of water each day plus another 8 oz for every 20 min of working out, keep your sodium under 2500mg, and make sure you put your goals in correctly for the site so that it is giving you the appropriate amount of calories to begin with hope this helps!

MrsVerhaeghe

Your weight can fluctuate throughout the day due to water and other things. So you should weigh at the same time everyday. Mine will fluctuate sometimes five pounds in one day from water intake and what not! Just keep with it! It will pay off trust me!

blueelephant1212

ok, i made the diary thingy public. other than the soda (which i used to guzzle until last thursday) i don't think i'm doing anything horrible. i've only been over calories once, and only by 100 calories.

4lafz

I did not lose for the first TWO weeks. Then lost 5 lbs. Give it time - your body is shocked right now!

aippolito1

More protein, more fiber, eat healthy fats (olive oil, avocado, unsalted/unsweetened nuts, etc.). Go to dietitian.com/bodycalc.php and see what it tells you, then go to My Home / Goals / Change Goals / Custom and type everything in. It's much more accurate than MFP and should help give you a better idea what your body needs according to various things (some which MFP includes, some that MFP does not). Protein should be at least 25%, I think MFP sets it at 15%? And fiber should be at least 20g as well, you only got 10g today and I'll tell you now... being backed up is NOT fun, and once you're going regularly (like, at least twice a day - after every big meal though is what is recommended/most healthy), you'll see the weight drop off and you'll feel a LOT better.

I'm glad to see you're watching sodium... also, water. I didn't even look at your water intake, but shoot for half your weight in ounces of water MINIMUM. So if you weigh 200, you should be getting at least 100 oz. of water per day. Get a bottle that's at least 16 oz. and that will help you get your water intake up a little higher.

tjradd73

no it looks like you are doing pretty well...did oyu make sure your settings are right on the site so its giving you the correct amount of calories? how much did it say you would lose a week if you stay within your range? it is possible that you are retaining water from the working out...did oyu take your measurements because that is another way to know whats going on? the only other thing is that you should be drinking more water! other than that everything looks great so just keep doing what you are doing and you will see changes, even if its not on the scale at least in your inches lost!! great job

aippolito1

PS - MORE VEGGIES! Green ones are great for losing weight. Think spinach, green beans, peas, kale, romaine lettuce, asparagus. Go to the message boards and search "superfoods". I've posted at least three topics with great lists of foods that really help you lose weight - it's not bogus, it's how God created our veggies!!

Also, along with the "going" concept... when you wake up in the morning, before you eat anything, have a big cup of water mixed with lemon juice (freshly squeezed or bottled - I use bottled because it's less messy & cheaper!) - it should look cloudy, that's when you know there's enough. You'll really taste the lemon. Guzzle it down. Every morning I do this, eat, and then I can easily go and I feel a lot better. Supposedly it's a natural cleanse for your liver so it's good for you!

blueelephant1212

thanks everyone! i'll try to drink more water... i don't like sugar substitutes, so i just drink it plain or w/ a splash of lemon or lime. i'll try to add a salad or something w/ my dinners, i can't really keep anything while working because i'm in between clients all day long. that's a big downfall, but the protein bars/ string cheese/ fruits have been ok so far.

MommyGrace

When I started at nearly 200 pounds I had to make some radical changes to get
my body to respond. I had to stop drinking soda all together, NO carbs after 2, No eating after 6pm, switched to sugar free creamer... Salads for lunch and dinner.... High protien meals. I also had to kick up my exercise as well. I joined a zumba class 3 days a week. I went down 11 pounds in one month!
Avoid processed foods. Drink tons of water! Burn at least 200 calories in exercise 3-4 days a week.

But DON'T give up! Make healthy choices at ever meal. You will see changes- maybe in your clothing first before the scales move!
I haven't lost any weight in 2-3 weeks but I have dropped a size- muscle weighs more than fat!

Also, deffinatley look at your program. Most programs have calories at 1200-1400 a day. That may help as well.

Sweet13_Princess

I commented to your status, but I'll post here as well. I agree with a few other people have said about water weight/body being in shock to the change. I know when it's "that time," I've gained as much as 1.5 pounds! It can be discouraging, but remember that your body is always changing. You could have also built muscle mass as well, which could mean the scale hasn't moved. Muscle weighs more than fat. Just keep working at it. It might take a few weeks to notice a change, but it's happening.

Also, be careful with the protein bars. Although some "sound" healthy, they can be loaded with ingredients that are sabotaging your weight loss. You might want to do a post and ask people for healhty recommendations. I dont' know any off of the top of my head, but I remember reading in my fitness magazines how they can be loaded with sugar and fat.

Shannon