I don't know what to do anymore!

Lokitaa21

I'm 5'2 and weigh 159lbs. I want to lose at least 32-36lbs in the next 21weeks but my body will not lose weight. I've been eating 1200 calories everyday maybe a tiny bit more and i work out at least 30min 5times a week. I haven't lost ANYTHING! I don't want to up my calories because then i wont lose the amount of weight i need to. And i change my exercise from jillian michaels to leslie sansone every other day. I dont know what to do anymore. I really want to lose this weight and i dont know what to eat to get my calories in without going over or eating to much. I drink PLENTY of water. Someone help me please!!!

prettier_me

hey girl! losing weight can be SOOO frustrating sometimes. i have a similar problem in that it is very difficult for me to lose weight! i know it seems like if you up your calories you won't lose weight, but why not try it? I suggest going up to 1300 calories a day and aiming for 45minutes-an hour of working out every day, maybe with a day off every week to give your body a rest. don't give up!!! we're all cheering you on

foxxybrown

Try working out for more than 30 minutes. You might not be burning as many calories as you think in 30 minutes and you might be underestimating the amount you are eating.

mariyumm

Also, take measurements ~ it does help to the difference ....
remember a lb of muscle looks better than a lb of fat

Lokitaa21

Thank you(:

And my fear is if i up my calories i might gain weight. Id rather maintain then gain a whole bunch of weight. And i already have a hard enough time getting the calories i need in now. I dont know how im going to get an extra 100 in. I already eat plenty of almonds.

shawna9764

I have realized that it has nothing to do with weight! We are all so busy looking at the scale and I realized that I was not losing any weight. I finally measured myself instead and realized I had lost so many inches and never lost a pound. Muscle weighs more then fat and after you keep at the measuring your weight will go down. Dont give up!!!!!!!!

bjshields

Every body is different, literally. For me, I lose the most weight when I go heavy on the weights and not so much on aerobic exercise. It's kind of like eating, it's all counter-intuitive. If you eat too little, your body will hang on to the weight so you don't go into starvation mode. For some of us, building muscle is what burns the fat much more than aerobic exercise. Ironically, I gained about 20 lbs. when I trained for a 100-mile bike ride because my coach told me to stop lifting weights! I wish I had never listened to him. Good luck!

MelleyJ

Up your calories by 150-200 for a day, then drop back down to keep your body guessing. Also, make sure you drink about 8 cups of water. I was in a short plateau for several days and yesterday I ate a caesar salad and went over by 170kcal. I made sure I got enough water and today I was 1 lb lighter. Good luck and don't give up.

KellyBurton1

First of all Are you eating your excerise calories? Do that, yes beleive me! Second have you tried doing a little zig zagging. Go up for a few days then back down again. Just to make your body feel like its not starving. Hang in there it will come again. I get stuck all the time.

mcurtis01

I am in the exact same boat same height same weight, Scale won't move! That is why I have decided to monitor exactly what is going in and out and to adjust calories if need be until I see some movement again.

Jbonar

I second the above. If you aren't losing now, what's the harm in upping your intake? Give any change you make a couple of weeks before you decide whether it's working.

Mindful_Trent

How long have you been sticking with the diet and exercise? If it's only been a week or two you need to just stick with it... some people lose weight right away, but for others their bodies seem to need time to "adjust" to what's going on.

KellyBurton1

If you want some meal or snack ideas, go through some journals to see what they are eating and second, are you watching your carb intake as well? Bread is my killer. So is salt, keep that as low as you can. It takes a while to get into the grove of things.

Panda86

Try adding strength training. It is a very important and often over-looked part of losing fat. Here's an article that explains a little bit about it. http://www.ptcfrankston.com/doc/newsletter/PTC_Newsletter_IssueNo37.html I kinda ignored the eating part, but it really gives some good information on strength training, and why its not enough to just rely on cardio all the time.

Cathleenr

Dump the cardio for now. Start on a circuit weight routine, or better yet, get "The New Rules of Lifting for Women" and start stage 1. True, you will eat more, and begin to rethink the way yuou see fats in your diet. But the workouts are about 30 minutes (exclusive of any warmups you do, or interval sets) and as you build muscle, should begin to communicate with your body about how it feels when it needs fuel. Eating 5-6 times a day keeps the metabolism going and insulin leveled out.
The changes in your body comp are extraordinary. After a workout,(increasing the weight incrementallty with every rep and every set) you should **feel** like you have worked out and the next day moreso. I am nearing the end of stage 1 and am so pleased with the definition and fat loss.
You can always fill your non-weights days with a little cardio, say 30 minutes. Better yet are intervals, which take anywhere from 12-28 minutes. Plyometrics are awesome and take a few minutes (I do mine before a circuit), but have impressive results.
Keep your body guessing as to what its going to ingest each day and what you are going to be asking it to do, and it wont adapt.
Good luck.

prettier_me

you said you eat plenty of almonds...i'm not sure what your daily intakes are looking like, but maybe you need to vary up your foods. make sure you're only eating a serving of almonds. nuts are very high in fat, and while they're good for you, too much of a good thing can be harmful! be sure to eat plenty of fresh vegetables, fruits, and whole grains!

JulieBoBoo

Look up the symptoms for PCOS. If you have a few of them book an appt with your doctor. Failing that and your unwillingness to up your calories, I can't help you.

jrow5

I too am 5'2"....I started at 156.86lbs. On Nov 5th I began a WW style of dieting. I'm a nurse, working part time, so I'm on my feet a lot - as well as mom to 5 kids.

Honestly, I don't work out much because I just don't have time.

My CW is 138.2lbs. I aim for about 19-20pts for a daily total, I don't use "extra" points BUT I do go a little "free" on the w/e with my eating, not anything crazy.

I don't lose much the week of my period so maybe that is what is going on with you too? Stress = cortisol = weight gain. I think measuring yourself is a wonderful idea! Best wishes!

lutzsher

Lots of great suggestions here . . . I agree . . .

#1 - make sure you are measuring and weighing all food as it is VERY easy to overestimate
#2 - add strength training to your routine a few times per week (can be done every 2nd day)
#3 - up your water from 8 glasses to 10 per day
#4 - calorie shift, this means consume a different amount of calories every day. Since I've been doing this I've had the best success. One day I eat 1200, the next 1350, then 1150, etc . . . I NEVER eat the same thing 2 days in a row nor do I eat the same amount of calories 2 days in a row.

Shake it up!

Panda86

Also, this is a common problem- People get on here and automatically set their calories to the lowest allowed limit. You need to work toward that, so it is very likely that you aren't eating enough. It was recommended to me to gradually lower my calories as I lost weight, and then as I get closer to my goal weight, to slowly add calories so I can work toward maintenance. Make sure you are properly fueling your workouts!

kimwalker247

Don't stop trying, you have know where to go with stopping. So, I agree that you should up the exercise to 45 minutes or longer, that should be about 2 miles of walking per day. Also drop your calories down to 1200, When I was on Jenny Craig I was only allowed 1000 per day, so that gives you a range to play with and watch your salt intake.

Stepmom1

I'm 5'2 and weigh 159lbs. I want to lose at least 32-36lbs in the next 21weeks but my body will not lose weight. I've been eating 1200 calories everyday maybe a tiny bit more and i work out at least 30min 5times a week. I haven't lost ANYTHING! I don't want to up my calories because then i wont lose the amount of weight i need to. And i change my exercise from jillian michaels to leslie sansone every other day. I dont know what to do anymore. I really want to lose this weight and i dont know what to eat to get my calories in without going over or eating to much. I drink PLENTY of water. Someone help me please!!!

I am not familiar with Jillian or Leslie's workouts, but I do a routine of workouts myself that have greatly helped me in loosing weight and keeping it off. From the things I have learned, this is what you may want to consider:

1. Sometimes we don't eat enough and our bodies think that we are in "starvation" mode and slow down the metabolism. Which means we burn less calories.
2. Weights are excellent for burning more calories and fat than cardio. If you add weights to your weekly workouts, you can build lean body mass and more cals and fat.
3. Write everything you eat down so you can keep track of everything you are eating
4. Don't eat anything white, like white flour, white rice, white potatoes, etc.. Replace with 100% whole wheat products or whole grain, brown rice. Eat veggies, salads and lean meats and proteins and fish.
5. Drink plenty of water (which I am always trying to do) and exercise 5-6 days a week.
6. Buddy up with someone to keep you accountable and motivated
7. Take supplements like multi-vitamins, protein bars, whey protein (but whey protein only if you want to build some muscle).

I hope this tips help you out!

Good luck!

Maria

morefitmom

HI! I am a shortie too.. 5'1" and currently 145 lbs. I have only lost 2 lbs since I began and seem to have hit a stump. Thanks for posting the question because these suggestions might help me also. GOOD LUCK AND DON'T GIVE UP!!

wibblewobblekaz

Remember when you work out your building muscle, muscle weighs more than fat, so even tho you are not seeing a different yet, you will in time, muscles weighs more than fat and once you build muscle, you will butn fat quicker, whenever I have returned to the gym my scales have gone up before going down, stick with it, and thing long term, you can do it but don't give up x

secostley

Trying two things may be helpful: 1. Try tweaking your calories up by about 100 and monitor what happens. Also, either lengthen your cardiio time to 45 ming - 1 hr, or increase the intensity (measured by your HRM) so you can get a true feel for calories lost.

I'd hesitate on lowering your calorie intake any more than it alread is.

I'm assuming that you are actually tracking calories and monitoring your HR, correct?

Let me know how your progressing!


Shawn

lisamaria63

I'm 5'2 and weigh 159lbs. I want to lose at least 32-36lbs in the next 21weeks but my body will not lose weight. I've been eating 1200 calories everyday maybe a tiny bit more and i work out at least 30min 5times a week. I haven't lost ANYTHING! I don't want to up my calories because then i wont lose the amount of weight i need to. And i change my exercise from jillian michaels to leslie sansone every other day. I dont know what to do anymore. I really want to lose this weight and i dont know what to eat to get my calories in without going over or eating to much. I drink PLENTY of water. Someone help me please!!!

I am at your exact weight and height! I have the same goal but in 24 weeks.. (vacation time) I find I have trouble eating 1200 calories.. Tonight I had to eat some yogurt to get it up to 1200. Although I am over weight my problem is getting enough calories.. Since being on MFP I am doing real good at staying between 1200 /1300 calories a day. I'm drinking my water.. I am exercising daily with the exception of today because I worked 9.5 hours and I am tired. (lame excuse) ANYWAYS, I am having the same problem.. my first week I lost one lb.. this week nothing. It's hard to see with all my effort nothing has changed. The scale is my biggest motivator! I wish you lots of luck, patience may be the key.. I understand your frustration.. maybe we can somehow help one another. WE can & WILL do this!

tonisteedley

These are all fantastic ideas !!! I was plateaud for almost a year. Until I joined MFP !! These people on here are great.. I totally agree with the " CALORIE SHIFTING" Someone on here suggested that to me , because I never ate enough, and I worked out 1.5 hrs 5 days a week and was not losing a pound EVER !!! But now I have taken such wonderful advice from people, I have lost 4lbs with Calorie shifting in the last week and eating more food that is good for you. Good Luck.. Dont be scared to try and eat more calories, " It might just pay off " Just make sure you dont eat crap for your extra calories. Make it count. You can do it !!!!

jenne29

Zig-zagging your calories really does help. You should try to stay at the 1200 calories 5 days. Choose two days to go up an extra 200. You may also try giving up meats other than fish and seafood. We became pescetarian nearly a year ago. We started losing weight and fat without trying. Good Luck! Never give up! The reward is worth it.

mjf0461

Change the way your eating and what your eating..Do a system SHOCKER.. Once you've done that change the type of exercise your doing.. Need to shake up your system and see if that works. If you still don't see a change you might want to have your thyroid/horomones check. They could be out of whack and causing nothing to work for you...

Lakeside54321

I don't know if anyone else has mentioned this, because I didn't have time to read every response.... BUT..... make sure in your calorie counting that you aren't missing something, or counting too few, or leaving off something you think doesn't have any substantial calories. If I have something fried, my tendency is to not remember the oil.... a tablespoon of any oil out there is going to be 120 calories. So just make sure you re evaluate everything you eat. If this is not the problem, then there are some other suggestions on here as well. DON'T give up!

kristinwalker

It is really important that you are feeding your body correctly. If you are eating 1200 calories but the food is not good, healthy food then your workouts are done in vain. Try eating 200 calorie meals 6 times a day that consist of a protein, a complex carb, and some sort of vegetable. Limit oils and fats to one small amount (about 1tbsp) a day. Usually when my workouts get to a point of plateau I check my meals. This is the fastest way I saw results after I had my 1st kid.
Another thing is to change your workouts. Alternate cardio with resistance training. Your muscles may be getting used to what you are doing and you may need to push yourself now. It will take 6-8 weeks before you will see major results and 12 weeks to reset your metabolism. Just hang in there and don't be afraid of the weights. The more muscle you build the higher metabolism and the more fat you will burn. Finally remember women are different from men...you won't bulk up unless you really push it and also we tend to choose more cardio related workouts, which overtime our bodies get used to.
Keep at it and good luck!