I never thought I would be posting this...why am i not losin

mlemonroe2

Ok, I know people ask about this all the time. I usualy am one who gives advice on the subject!! The thing is, I've tried everything I can think of to get the scale moving again (down, not up!) In the last 3 weeks I have gained over a pound. The first week I was on vacation and I didn't eat HORRIBLE but I wasn't on my game, either. I still kept up with my c25k program, though. The past 2 weeks I have been on my A game. Under my calories, watching my sodium, drinking water, eating my exercise calories. I even added a new workout to the mix- jillian michaels fitness ultimatum- on the days I don't do my c25k (before i was just walking on the days i wasn't doing the program) I stepped on the scale this morning and gained another .7 pounds!! I still have 20 pounds to reach my goal and in reality I could stand to lose 50, so it's not like I'm near my goal. I even ate about 400 calories over on Saturday to see if that would jump start my matabolism. Nothing. I am getting really frustrated that I'm working so hard and the scale is going the wrong way!!! What am I missing??????

chovest81

I know that is sooo frustrating..but hang in there...drink plenty of fluids! It will come down if you really stick to it....you can do it. I know how frustrating it is easy and seems so tempting to just say to hell with it...but stick to it!

spaduke

I am not an expert or anything, and i am a horrible dieter but you sound on your game with excersie so mayve you have built up muscle? which they say will put on pounds? Dont get discouraged...i am menopausel so this is the hardest i ever had to work at it to loose a lousey 20 pounds!!!! Good Luck

jnettiedotson

I've been reading all over the place, including some advice from trainers, not to eat your exercise calories back???

tmontgomery69

Ok, I know people ask about this all the time. I usualy am one who gives advice on the subject!! The thing is, I've tried everything I can think of to get the scale moving again (down, not up!) In the last 3 weeks I have gained over a pound. The first week I was on vacation and I didn't eat HORRIBLE but I wasn't on my game, either. I still kept up with my c25k program, though. The past 2 weeks I have been on my A game. Under my calories, watching my sodium, drinking water, eating my exercise calories. I even added a new workout to the mix- jillian michaels fitness ultimatum- on the days I don't do my c25k (before i was just walking on the days i wasn't doing the program) I stepped on the scale this morning and gained another .7 pounds!! I still have 20 pounds to reach my goal and in reality I could stand to lose 50, so it's not like I'm near my goal. I even ate about 400 calories over on Saturday to see if that would jump start my matabolism. Nothing. I am getting really frustrated that I'm working so hard and the scale is going the wrong way!!! What am I missing??????

You could try changing your macros(carbs/protein/fats). I feel that MFP has theirs set up weird......55% carbs to me is way to high. I feel that you need balance. I changed mine percentages to 40% carbs, 40% Protein, and 20 % fat. Or you could do 40% carbs, 30 % protein & 30% fat. The more protein the better! I balance "every" meal and snack with a carb and a protein, it helps you to stay fuller longer.

kerriknox

Do you do weights at all? You need to do something different for a few weeks to bump your body out of it's comfy spot. I'd suggest adding heavy weights 2 or 3 times a week for a few weeks and see if that helps. (try to make them heavy weights though, the lighter ones might be too close to the other stuff you have been doing)

JustMichelleB

I took a peek at your diary, and honestly, it's not a very healthy one (sloppy joes, fries, coca cola). I don't see any/many fruits/veggies and whole grains. I'm all for things in moderation, but at some point ,you need to look closer to your diet and see what is going on.

As for exercise calories - I eat them back (to get to net of 1200cal/day). Some days I leave 10 cals on the table, others closer to 200-300.

Good luck, and don't give up!!

strandedeyes

Try increasing your water intake? Your body may need the flushing out. I find that I can eat very clean all week but if my water intake it bad, my body basically says " sorry... Not gonna lose for you"

busymomyof3

um... maybe it's your TOM.. just a thought.

cpratt55

I know the frustration. I am actually a pound over what I was 2 weeks ago. The other day I was ready to give up. But then I thought about it.......I thought about how I felt 3 months ago before starting to lose weight. I couldn't go up and down stairs without taking a rest. I couldn't bend over and tie my shoes comfortably.....had to sit on the bed and put my feet up to tie them. Since then I have lost 26 pounds and feel so so much better. I walk 3 miles a day, which was not even thought of 3 months ago. I know this is a long battle and a lifetime battle, but we have to hang in there. I got on the scale this morning and had a gain again.....very frustrating. But I am still in a much better place than I was 3 months ago. We'll do this, I promise. Just hang in there with me

Mateo1985

Hey!!!

A platoo of a few weeks is absolutely normal!!!! Everyone has them.

KristinAshli

I am in the EXACT same boat as you. I told my MFPers that "I WAS DONE!" Cause here's the thing...I do Zumba on Tuesday and Wednesdays, and on the other days I am either running on treadmill, doing P90X or Jillian Michaels DVD. It sucked because my scale is going up and I'm working my butt off everyday working out and trying to eat right and the scale shows nothing. Everyone kept telling me that I wasn't eating enough for how much calories I was burning. So..with all that in mind, I felt like giving up and I took a week off...this is actually my first day back on MFP since LAST THURSDAY! And guess what...i did ZERO exercise, (except for my Zumba yesterday) and I have lose 1.5 pounds. I think our bodies need a break every once in a while. And when i mean break, it's not, take a break and eat everything. It's just taking a break from exercising and eating just 1200 calories, or whatever your base need for nutrition is. It's frustrating..ive been there, but my advice would be to take a week off from exercising, if you feel like you are exercising EVERYDAY, and see what the scale does. Maybe you aren't eating enough calories like I was. Try NO exercise and 1200 cals. And don't feel guilty about not exercising. I think your body will need it. Hope that helps! Sorry for the novel! lol Good Luck! Befriend me if you'd like!

trud72

try dinking more water that sometimes helps!.....(yuk) lol

bjohs

I am no expert either, but here are a couple things that worked for me when I hit a plateau:

1. I see that most mornings your breakfast is pretty light. Try to make that the largest meal of the day and then go lighter at lunch and dinner. That was the only change I made a couple of months ago and went from being on a plateau to losing almost 10 pounds in 3 weeks.

2. I'm doing a silly experiment right now since I've been working on the same 2 pounds for the past 3 weeks. Having chocolate as my evening snack! I noticed I always seemed to be down in the morning when I would have a little chocolate before bed. Yesterday I was down .6 pounds and this morning I'm down .4 pounds. Sounds crazy, but I thought I would try something new.

freerange

You said you tried eating more, have you tried eating less?

carradoc

Well, my suggestion is relax and keep doing what you have been doing. It will come. You have been so successful at it. Keep it up!

sgoldman328

Do you do weights at all? You need to do something different for a few weeks to bump your body out of it's comfy spot. I'd suggest adding heavy weights 2 or 3 times a week for a few weeks and see if that helps. (try to make them heavy weights though, the lighter ones might be too close to the other stuff you have been doing)

Yea, I've heard that bodies can get two comfortable with "routine" work outs. Maybe try bumping up your intensity or switching things up? Good luck!

ejmcam

ok, so I know that a ton of people are probably going to jump on me for this....and I'm aware that everyone is different. But I dont eat back my exercise calories, and I have managed to lose 24.5 lbs since january without hitting any plateaus. I know people swear you need to eat back your calories, but if its not working for you, maybe try not eating them all back for a week or so. My calories are set at 1260 for the day and I usually exercise between 350 - 450 calories per day. I eat atleast 1260, usually more around 1350 calories per day, but it shows my Net calories as less because of my exercise. It worked for me.

NanBar

Your sodium is HIGH. The NEW recommendation is 1500 mg. Yesterday you were at 2800- there is your weight gain.

You also eat out a lot. I know restaurants post nuitrtional info- but that varies from location- and when you are eating SO close to your daily goal- you may very well be going over by 200-300 calories a meal. You do that 2 or 3 times a week and you have depleted your deficit.

If you are not using a HRM- you should be--and do not forget to subtract your BMR from your burned amount on the HRM, and you might want to think about giving yourself some room incase you overestimate your calories in.

mattbryan

Another thing to try.....modify your eating schedule if you can. You don't reference your routine, but anything that you do that alters your routine has the potential to shock your body off its plateau.

gingerball

If your working out you may be gaining mussle which weights more then fat. Are you clothes fitting different?? Whatever the reason is just don't give up. Best of luck to you.

dmoses

I might also suggest that you watch your sugar intake. The meal replacement bar has a lot of sugar.

Good luck!

mlemonroe2

I took a peek at your diary, and honestly, it's not a very healthy one (sloppy joes, fries, coca cola). I don't see any/many fruits/veggies and whole grains. I'm all for things in moderation, but at some point ,you need to look closer to your diet and see what is going on.

As for exercise calories - I eat them back (to get to net of 1200cal/day). Some days I leave 10 cals on the table, others closer to 200-300.

Good luck, and don't give up!!

i am a very healthy eater. i have diet coke once in a blue moon. the frys are homeade, cut potatoes with olive oil and baked. sloppy joes are homeade too with veggies and lean meat. the banana bread aslo homeade with 100% whole wheat flour. i don't eat canned vegies, fresh or frozen. i cook dinner myself and put a lot of veggies in it. i even started making my own pasta suace so it is fresh and less sodium.

TS65

What are your settings? I've been going through the same thing (for 3 frickin MONTHS!). The other day, I found this:

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/61706-guide-to-calorie-deficits

Turns out, my settings were wrong. I had been set at sedentary (because I sit at my desk all day... BUT, I also work out for 3-4 days per week at 1 hour each. As such, I SHOULD have been set to very active - I bumped it down to active, because sometimes it's only 3 times.)

Now, add on top of that, my anniversary was on Monday so I went out for a nice dinner. Ate WAY more than I should have. Within the next 2 days, I dropped 2 lbs. Since then, I've continued to drop. All I can figure is that I was eating too little at 1200 calories (even though I've always eaten my exercise calories).

I would advise you to read the article, adjust your settings and eat all of your exercise calories. Give it TWO WEEKS (not just 1 day).

**Oh... and believe me, I was scared as heck when I saw how many calories it wanted me to consume. On days that I run (burning 600 calories each time), I'm eating 2000! BUT... that's where my body lets me lose weight. *totally weird, but I'll take it!*

A lot of people want to question starvation mode, etc. - but from what I've seen (and witnessed), we need to take the advice of MFP and the EXPERIENCED losers (they've been through it). I realize it totally contradicts what we THINK we should be doing, but if it works, it works!

mlemonroe2

Your sodium is HIGH. The NEW recommendation is 1500 mg. Yesterday you were at 2800- there is your weight gain.

You also eat out a lot. I know restaurants post nuitrtional info- but that varies from location- and when you are eating SO close to your daily goal- you may very well be going over by 200-300 calories a meal. You do that 2 or 3 times a week and you have depleted your deficit.

If you are not using a HRM- you should be--and do not forget to subtract your BMR from your burned amount on the HRM, and you might want to think about giving yourself some room incase you overestimate your calories in.

i do have an hrm- i don't eat out a lot. i make food homeade and add it in the recipies. the frys are not real "frys" they are potatoes with olive oil and baked in the oven

AngieM76

I took a peek at your diary, and honestly, it's not a very healthy one (sloppy joes, fries, coca cola). I don't see any/many fruits/veggies and whole grains. I'm all for things in moderation, but at some point ,you need to look closer to your diet and see what is going on.

As for exercise calories - I eat them back (to get to net of 1200cal/day). Some days I leave 10 cals on the table, others closer to 200-300.

Good luck, and don't give up!!

I agree with this.

CristalBelle

I looked at your diary, and first thing I see it your breakfasts suck. Coffee doesn't count as breakfast, and you are not starting your day giving your body the signal to burn calories. Second thing I noticed is that you go either way over or way under on your calories, and not with good foods. It looks like you eat what a kid eats(and I think you have one correct?), but you need to eat what is right for you. Add in more lean protein, and veggies and fruits, yogurts, low fat dairy, and try to keep your meals more consistant and even in size so that your body isn't over or underwhelmed. Someone else also mentioned your sodium is high. That one is HARD to fix, but just watching little things can help with that. I hope tweeking some things will help you see some changes. : )

aranchmom

A lot of people want to question starvation mode, etc. - but from what I've seen (and witnessed), we need to take the advice of MFP and the EXPERIENCED losers (they've been through it). I realize it totally contradicts what we THINK we should be doing, but if it works, it works!

Totally. What she said. I like to ask people who have lost weight what to do, since they have obviously more experience vs. ideology. Hence no other advice from me!

ccbloom1

I'm in the same boat, so I'm not even going to offer any advice...but just an understanding of what you're going through...and it sucks!!!!

mlemonroe2

I'm in the same boat, so I'm not even going to offer any advice...but just an understanding of what you're going through...and it sucks!!!!

thanks!

fairygirl716

First off, if you are viewing this time of your life as a "diet" you will gain your weight back eventually anyway. But, if you look at the larger scale of things and see this as a lifestyle change and you can see yourself eating this way and exercising this way for your lifetime...then you will see lasting results. Hitting a pleateu is normal. Your body will start to adjust to your new normal and it will work with what you give it. If overtime you are eating less calories than your body requires to function you will lose more weight. It will most likely take longer than you would like to see the weight fall off but, if it is a lifestyle, you have a lifetime to get there (not that it will take a lifetime).

However, that being said...I know how hard it is to hit a plateau. Not seeing the scale move or even seeing it move in the other direction can be dishearting. When this happened to me, I talked to my docter. She told me to eat less exercise more. There is no medical reason to eat your exercise calories back. I don't know how this became the thing to do. You exercise to tone your body and burn more calories...not so you can eat more.

Since August, I have lost almost 85 lbs. I was 235 when I started. I have about 1200 calories each day (doctor recommended, she even told me that I can lower my calorie intake to increase my results without hitting that false perception of "starvation mode") I chose to eat the same and exercise more and bam! The scale started to move again. It took 5 weeks of being at the same weight but now I'm down 10 more.

Another thing that should be included in your healthy living...determination to make your life healthier, not the number on the scale smaller. If you are living a healthy lifestyle, the scale will in time reflect this lifestyle. Too many of us focus on the number and not the living! I can bet that if you are exercising as much as you say you are...you are building muscle. Muscle does weigh more. Instead of just checking the scale number, how about the pants size number or other measurements. Even though I wasn't losing weight...I was still losing inches.

Don't be discouraged by the numbers...be encouraged by your life. If you have children, you are teaching them good habits. Even if you aren't, I bet your friends and relatives are seeing your healthy living and being encouraged too!