About to give up...

Khamerta

Okay I am having a hard time with trying to lose "weight" I am not neccessarily trying to lose any pounds but i am trying to lose inches from my waist and legs.

I (no word of a lie) used to eat at LEAST 3,000 calories a day. A typical day of food was a crossant with cream cheese icing for breakfast, a doughnut for a snack, then a cinnabon for early lunch, a sandwich and pasta for lunch, some other pastery for a snack, a normal dinner of meat, carb and veggies, then like half a pie for dessert. ( I work in a bakery ). I would not do any exercising, other than normal walking around for daily life.

I decided 4 weeks ago that I want to lose a few pounds or inches from my belly and came here to do it properly. It told me to eat 1,200 calories a day and I should lose 6 pounds in 4 weeks. I have been very good and cut back to 1,200 Calories a day like it says to, and have been exercising almost daily. But I am in week 4 and have not lost a single pound or even centimeter from my waist or legs.

I am losing motivation to eat 1,200 calories a day when I love to eat food constatly, I want to eat everything all the time.

I am frusterated that eating less and exercising has had no effect, I feel like I might as well go back to eating whatever I want if it doesn't change anything and be happy that way.

I'm just wondering if anyone knows why I see no results, if there is something more I could do.

I haven't given up yet but I'm getting very frusterated.

Thanks all!! (that was a good vent :P)

DKBelle

Check out if you really eat the right calorie amount. You might have a same problem like I, that your body is in starvation mode!
http://www.freedieting.com/tools/calorie_calculator.htm

miatavixxen

Get in some weight training workouts. I know a ton of people swear by the Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred. 25 minutes of circuits - would definitely help define your body. You can totally do this. I thought I had no willpower, now I find I have TONS (thank you MFP buddies!)

Renea_Kay

One...1200 is the bare minimum. Truly you should probably eat a tad more than that. Also do not just count calories. Watch your fat, sodium, and surgars too! Do not give up!

vanadia

First, hang in there. Second, maybe make an appointment with your physician and have them do some blood work to check your hormones and everything.

You may also want to slightly increase your calories if feeling deprived is making you want to quite. Better to lose at a slower rate than just give up. Keep at it.

staciekins

Ok...for women, the minimum deficit is 1200 cals net/day, men is 1500 cals net/ day.
All you have to do is make sure your net is a minimum of 1200 cals.
If you eat 1200 cals, then burn 400, your deficit is at 800 cals, so you would need to eat that 400 to keep it at 1200. It has been proven in numerous studies that your body CAN, but not always go into starvation mode if you do not get your minimum. Some people hit their starvetion mode after others, but it will happen. Not only can this happen, but you are also depleting your body of the nutrients it needs to stay healthy as well as fight off diseases. When your body goes into starvation mode, instead of digesting and dispelling the food you intake, it stores it because it "thinks" it needs it to stay alive. It's like your body is hoarding what it feels it isn't getting enough of.

crystal10584

it's hard to gauge when you have so many "quick add" calories in your diary. do you get in at least 8-8oz glasses of water a day? are you eating your exercise calories back?

it can be a large number of things. when you're down to the last few, it's always harder to lose (or so I've heard... i'm only 18 lbs into my 73 lb journey)

brewingaz

I think you're starving yourself, in which your body will actually hold on to fat. You should check out what your BMR is. There are numerous ways to calculate it, even have a tool on this site. If you are eating less than the BMR, you're starving your body. You have to eat to lose weight! NO JOKE!

murf19

Try upping your protien level and lowering your carb #. Do a little bit of exercise eachday. Eat good fats for snacks, nuts, olives...
my 2 cents. Everyone is different and you have to play with your numbers to get the results you want. Skip the scale and go by look and feel.

Jassper

Double check your calorie count. If you truly cut back to 1200 calories plus added exercise, you should have dropped at least 5 lbs by now. Are you sure you are not cheating yourself? What do you typically eat a day now?

lbetancourt

I took a peek at your diary. You have a lot of "quicK-add"' calories?? What are you eating? I know it's tough, I don't have a lot of weight to lose but I LOVE to eat and getting into the habit of counting my calories and being honest about what I was eating was difficult. I still struggle.

chevy88grl

I think it sounds like you aren't eating enough. If you're working out and only eating the 1200 calories - your body is going into starvation mode. This would explain why you aren't losing any weight OR inches. Your body has slowed your metabolism and is holding onto fat because it is scared you aren't going to give it enough food. Try upping your calories to compensate for the exercise. Everyone has a minimum amount of calories they need in a day just to survive (mine is 1452). I have to eat a minimum of 2000 calories a day in order to keep my body going and to lose weight. If I go under the 2000, my body stops losing weight.

crystal10584

Check out if you really eat the right calorie amount. You might have a same problem like I, that your body is in starvation mode!
http://www.freedieting.com/tools/calorie_calculator.htm

omg, according to this i need 1440/day for fat loss.. :T oops. 240 calories short a day... maybe I should give it a try...

ItsAsha

If you're exercising everyday, you're most likely building muscle....and muscle weighs more that fat. Try taking your measurements, you will see progression then.

debbiequack

I've been really struggling with a plateau. Want to share what you are eating?

I assume I'm gaining muscle mass, as well... My BMI is slowly dropping.

Don't give up-- everyone is different but everyone CAN get healthier!

Debbie

Helice

All i can think, is that the sudden amount of calorie loss is causing your body to feak out and store everything you eat.
Which means there are only two things you can do...
The first one its too go up in calories, risking the chance of getting bigger for a couple of days, but over allmaking it a lifestyle change rather than a crash diet.. If you want to loose weight you'l have to exercise..
Or the second thing you can do, it keep at 1,200 and just wait another couple of weeks until your body has no option but to start eating your reserves...
The 1st option is ofcourse the healthier one...
But i say do which ever one is going to make you happier!

ReneeOfTheFae

I agree with "vanadia": Go to your doctor for a hormone check. It is entirely possible that you may have a thyroid disorder; specifically hypothyroidism. I have that, and once I was put on meds to replace the hormones my thyroid wasn't producing, without even trying, I lost ten pounds over about 6 months. Definitely something you should look into.
Just don't give up. There is a reason your body isn't responding. You just need to figure out what that is, and go from there. We're all here if you need us! *^_^*

starboardzor

Like somebody else said, by your diary nobody can even tell what you're eating. On one day you quick added 1200 into one meal and that was it. I don't like to assume anything about anybody, but my guess is you aren't being accurate with your calorie counting. I really don't understand how somebody can exercise daily, eat only 1200 calories, and not lose a single pound. Something is missing in this equation that at least calls for a doctors appointment... or a more honest and precise food diary.

Khamerta

Thanks all for your comments, my quick adds lately are usually the same foods as my first weeks I just know how much calories are in them so I just add it rather than searching for the food again. I definately eat back any calories I lose exercising thats no question, I find myself exercising so I can eat more because I enjoy eating so much. (that 1200 quick add was a cheating day :P)
I have a very muscular body already so its not that I'm adding muscle and like I said Its not the pounds I care about its the inches.... sorry its so hard to try to answer all the additional questions

susyj

I looked at your food diary and most of the entries are “quick calories”. You might try actually logging every single thing you eat individually. It takes a little more time, but it really holds you accountable. Also, make sure you are eating most of your calories in fresh veggies and fruit, grains and proteins (I call it a ‘plant strong’ diet). Avoid processed food. You will be amazed at how you feel. If that doesn’t work, see your primary care physician for blood work.....DON’T GIVE UP!!!!!!!

agdeierl

Check out if you really eat the right calorie amount. You might have a same problem like I, that your body is in starvation mode!
http://www.freedieting.com/tools/calorie_calculator.htm

Ok this is making me nervous. It says I should be eating almost 400 more calories than MFP says! but I guess there's no built in deficit, so it's basing it on the assumption that I will have the same exact workout schedule each week? I'm a little confused and worried now that I'm not eating enough and that's why my weight loss has been so sluggish.

DKBelle

I know I was so shocked the first time too BUT I changed and now I can say I lost 2 pound in 3 days :P before there were no fat moving anywhere on my body and I figured that so many people were right when saying my body is in starvation mode. Worth to try, but you have to exercise to get the best result. For exercise you can visit:
www.bodyrock.tv
http://www.walkathome.com/try-walk-at-home/
http://www.hipofizis.hu/torna26.php
http://www.diet.com/videos/play/1min-fat-burning-exercise-for-multitaskers

Good luck!

smiley01x

Check out if you really eat the right calorie amount. You might have a same problem like I, that your body is in starvation mode!
http://www.freedieting.com/tools/calorie_calculator.htm

Ok this is making me nervous. It says I should be eating almost 400 more calories than MFP says! but I guess there's no built in deficit, so it's basing it on the assumption that I will have the same exact workout schedule each week? I'm a little confused and worried now that I'm not eating enough and that's why my weight loss has been so sluggish.

ME TOO, I SAYS I SHOULD BE EATING 224 MORE CALORIES A DAY!

agdeierl

Check out if you really eat the right calorie amount. You might have a same problem like I, that your body is in starvation mode!
http://www.freedieting.com/tools/calorie_calculator.htm

Ok this is making me nervous. It says I should be eating almost 400 more calories than MFP says! but I guess there's no built in deficit, so it's basing it on the assumption that I will have the same exact workout schedule each week? I'm a little confused and worried now that I'm not eating enough and that's why my weight loss has been so sluggish.

ME TOO, I SAYS I SHOULD BE EATING 224 MORE CALORIES A DAY!

Yeah, and at the same time, I am not that quick to trust a random website that apparently requires you to workout the same each week to determine your calories....I mean, I've gotten so many different numbers from websites, I don't feel like I can just give them all a try! I will f***ing LOSE it if I gain from upping my calories...I just wish someone knew exactly what I should do! I guess I'll have to see a dietician for that!

robertf57

MEASURE EVERYTHING that passes your lips. DON'T just guess. We routinely overestimate the calories we burn and underestimate what we eat. Next, cut WAY back on the carbohydrates. That will help with hunger pangs and cravings. Finally, don't give up. You CAN do this!

Good luck.

staciekins

Check out if you really eat the right calorie amount. You might have a same problem like I, that your body is in starvation mode!
http://www.freedieting.com/tools/calorie_calculator.htm

Ok this is making me nervous. It says I should be eating almost 400 more calories than MFP says! but I guess there's no built in deficit, so it's basing it on the assumption that I will have the same exact workout schedule each week? I'm a little confused and worried now that I'm not eating enough and that's why my weight loss has been so sluggish.

ME TOO, I SAYS I SHOULD BE EATING 224 MORE CALORIES A DAY!

Yeah, and at the same time, I am not that quick to trust a random website that apparently requires you to workout the same each week to determine your calories....I mean, I've gotten so many different numbers from websites, I don't feel like I can just give them all a try! I will f***ing LOSE it if I gain from upping my calories...I just wish someone knew exactly what I should do! I guess I'll have to see a dietician for that!

You also have to realize, it is factoring in exercise...it isn't your deficit, just your total and doesn't take into account what you actually might burn.

jojoworks

you don't state starting weight, just that you want to lose 10 lbs. maybe you are already at an ideal weight....its harder to lose weight when you're already at or close to your ideal healthy weight. maybe you need to reexamine your goals to determine if you really need to lose weight, or what your ideal goal weight should be.

if you were eating 3,000 calories a day and not obese I'm guessing you lead a very active life and have a very active metabolism. eating only 1200 calories a day on top of all that activity may not be a good thing for you.

I'm no expert, just wondering...

lovinmamaxo

Check out if you really eat the right calorie amount. You might have a same problem like I, that your body is in starvation mode!
http://www.freedieting.com/tools/calorie_calculator.htm

omg, according to this i need 1440/day for fat loss.. :T oops. 240 calories short a day... maybe I should give it a try...

This can't be right... it's saying i need 3,048 calories for weight loss i eat no more than 1,400 and i've lost 20 lbs so far... strange.. and MFP has me at like 2100 or so.

Khamerta

you don't state starting weight, just that you want to lose 10 lbs. maybe you are already at an ideal weight....its harder to lose weight when you're already at or close to your ideal healthy weight. maybe you need to reexamine your goals to determine if you really need to lose weight, or what your ideal goal weight should be.

if you were eating 3,000 calories a day and not obese I'm guessing you lead a very active life and have a very active metabolism. eating only 1200 calories a day on top of all that activity may not be a good thing for you.

I'm no expert, just wondering...

Yes, I weigh 142 lbs, I am not over weight, but I don't at all live an active lifestyle, I'm horribly lazy (at least all winter) thats why I say that I don't care if I lose "pounds" I want to lose "inches" really I just want to get in shape, but at this point I'm feeling like I can eat 3,000 calories a day and probably just add some sort of physical activity and get there....

jojoworks

you don't state starting weight, just that you want to lose 10 lbs. maybe you are already at an ideal weight....its harder to lose weight when you're already at or close to your ideal healthy weight. maybe you need to reexamine your goals to determine if you really need to lose weight, or what your ideal goal weight should be.

if you were eating 3,000 calories a day and not obese I'm guessing you lead a very active life and have a very active metabolism. eating only 1200 calories a day on top of all that activity may not be a good thing for you.

I'm no expert, just wondering...

Yes, I weigh 142 lbs, I am not over weight, but I don't at all live an active lifestyle, I'm horribly lazy (at least all winter) thats why I say that I don't care if I lose "pounds" I want to lose "inches" really I just want to get in shape, but at this point I'm feeling like I can eat 3,000 calories a day and probably just add some sort of physical activity and get there....

I hear ya....
maybe eating in a more healthy, mindful matter, tracking what you eat and engaging in some good physical exercise will get you in shape. It can't hurt! You may not see the inches change as quickly as you'd like, but being healthy is a reward in and of itself!