Now What?

shakespearessister

Little background: I have about 20 (more) pounds to lose. I had three babies in 36 months and am trying to get the weight off. I'm also nursing. I have some metabolic issues (PCOS, thyroid, etc), so nothing I've ever done to lose weight has really worked. I eat all organic, clean, and gluten free (celiac). I've been on MFP for about 4 weeks and have been delighted to lose 9 pounds. Finally, something that works. Then this week, I lost nothing. I've done two things differently this week. First, I started exercising about 10 days ago. I'm pretty sedentary, so to exercise every day but one, was huge for me. I'm doing kickboxing, and I could die when I'm done, so I know I'm getting a good workout. Secondly, I didn't really "zig-zag" this last week because I had extra calories most days from exercise. So what's going on? Do I need to eat more, so I"m not in starvation mode (I'm given 1200 calories per day, add 350 for nursing), or is MFP giving me too many calories for the exercising, and I'm eating too much? (MFP is giving me 300 calories for 25 minutes of kickboxing). I am so discouraged. I know it's just one week, but seeing consistent loss is what helps me stick with it. Any ideas?

bjshields

STOP weighing yourself so frequently! Take a week off and chill. I know it's counter-intuitive, but a woman's weight tends to fluctuate because of water intake, sodium intake, hormone fluctuations, etc. Add to that the other issues you have (I have thyroid, too) and weighing yourself every week makes you nutso. I made the mistake of doing this last week, and I thought I'd jump off the deck. Give it 2-4 weeks in between weigh-ins. Also, if you are adding muscle, you could plateau for awhile. This is okay, too, because you are changing your shape and not just your weight. Good luck to you!

JillyCornwall

9lbs in 4 weeks is just brilliant, so I would think that your body is just adjusting...its quite hard to lose very week. I would think its just coincidental that the week you work out is the week you don't lose......you are doing right to eat back your workout calories, especially as you are nursing...this is not the time to put your body under stress by 'underfeeding' so just keep to the MFP plan...you already know it works, just be patient. also well done.....I wish I could lose 9lbs in 4 weeks LOL..I'm happy with a pound a week...!!!

carrie_lebel

I agree with bj. Stop weighing yourself for 2 weeks and go out and buy yourself a measuring tape. I bet you are losing inches. I have not weight this week but I lost a 1/4 inch from each thigh. See what I mean? That is progress. I as well get so fixated that weight loss is the only measure here, think about it people see inches lost when they look at us because they don't pick us up. Keep that in mind. Keep kicking. Ten pounds is fantastic.

Texsox

Trust that you have a human body that will respond like a few billion other human bodies. Better foods and more exercise will get you to your goal, it just takes time.