What am i doing wrong?

gtm124

Same thing here, have exercised for 30+ days in a row for the first time in my life, controlled my portions and eaten healthier and had not lost a single lb until a week ago, so frustrating.
The only explanation I've gotten is that the exercise is building muscle which weighs more than fat...and while I know that sounds lame and dosent make us feel any better...my weight has shifted a little, my thighs dont seem as big, my belly feels tighter...my arms look slimmer, even though I weigh the same!
Only thing is to stay at it! The body will have no choice but to react, and all the while you are getting healthier!

Actually 1 pound of muscle = 1 pound of fat. The difference is 1 pound of muscle takes up less space. I think that is what you meant. That is why you are feeling slimmer and not losing.

fmorpurgo

Me too! I have been more often that not, eating 1200 calories a day, not always eating back the exercise calories, but sticking rigidly to the bloody thing! I have been doing this since April 27th and not lost a pound. How do I open up my food diary and what is this HFP thing you talk about to log exercise calories-help! need advice and someone to find the answer to my problem! :frown:

erickirb

Same thing here, have exercised for 30+ days in a row for the first time in my life, controlled my portions and eaten healthier and had not lost a single lb until a week ago, so frustrating.
The only explanation I've gotten is that the exercise is building muscle which weighs more than fat...and while I know that sounds lame and dosent make us feel any better...my weight has shifted a little, my thighs dont seem as big, my belly feels tighter...my arms look slimmer, even though I weigh the same!
Only thing is to stay at it! The body will have no choice but to react, and all the while you are getting healthier!

Actually 1 pound of muscle = 1 pound of fat. The difference is 1 pound of muscle takes up less space. I think that is what you meant. That is why you are feeling slimmer and not losing.

I think you are mistaken, the reply never said that 1 lb of muscle weighs more than 1 lb of fat, so you are putting words into their mouth. Because muscle is denser, the Earths gravitational pull makes it heavier on a volume basis. When comparing the weights of 2 things you should keep volume constant, just as you should keep weight constant when comparing volumes. You are trying to compare the 2 using 2 variables, but that is only correct if that is what the intention was. And you know, and I know that was not the intention.

If you think they weigh the same you must think carrots and butter have the same caloric content, because 100 calories of carrots has the same caloric content as 100 calories as butter. Again this argument ignores density. Because butter is more calorie dense it have more calories than carrots, just like fat to muscle.

afbigg

many people hit plateus or just fall off the map for a little bit. A lot of people I have talked to as well as myself have hit a wall every now and then where we are just at a stand still; eating right, exercising normally if not more than usual, and nothing worked. If you aren't taking your measurements you should start, people lose the inches but the actual number for their weight doesn't go down. I have also heard others say that after so long you have to change up your exercise routine, you have to understand that the more weight you lose, the less calories are burned with the same exercises.

fmorpurgo

but i haven't lost ANY weight yet, not even off the starting block :explode:

meanjeann

Losing 1 to 2 pounds per week is perfect. Shows like the Biggest Loser make all of us feel like anything less than 5 pounds a week is bad. The kinds of weight loss they see is unrealistic for normal, working people and unhealthy if not closely supervised.

Be sure to eat back your exercise calories! There are several great discussions on MFP about this topic. Your body needs at least some of those calories back or you will plateau. On my last plateau, I increased my activity level in my profile, which increased my calories per day very slightly. And all of a sudden the weight started to come back off!

I'm in another plateau right now, and am just starting to break through. I've targeted to up my heart rate and increase the intensity of my cardio workouts. Getting a good HRM will definitely help you.

Good luck! You're doing a great job. Just remember that your reality is what's important. Not the 'reality' that TV tries to sell us. Feel free to add me as a friend for encouragement.