Scale won't move

gandydancer

Hi, I am so frustrated because the scale just won't move and I am not overeating , eating junk food somewhat, but keeping under the 1200 calories, have been trying for almost 3 weeks..please help...

ChantalGG

are you eating back your calories that you burned for exercise?

erisfreenici

Try cutting out the junk food, make sure you're measuring everything so as to make sure you're being 100% accurate on your diary. If that doesn't work, try upping your calories a bit. If THAT doesn't work, you should see a doctor and/or nutritionist to figure out the best plan for you: macronutrient percentages, calorie goal, etc.

Sparrow_Feet

Staying under 1200 calories will be putting your body into starvation mode! To lose, you need to eat more. Trust me, it happened to me and I ate more, around 1300 calories a day, and I lost just over 2lb in a week, but hadn't lost for the previous 2 weeks.

Good luck.

Jconner30

does your belt move?

KMcBandit

Up your calories to 1450 i did and it's working.

Hopeinanguish

are you eating back your calories that you burned for exercise?

Why is it that this is always the first issue people bring up? Do we even know she's exercising? Maybe she is using a faulty tool to calculate how many calories she's losing and is eating too much. Maybe the junk food is to blame. Maybe more protein/veggies and better food choices are needed. It's tough to say exactly what's going on since we don't have enough information.

Edit: all the people telling her to eat more have no idea if that is a viable solution. I hate these posts because everyone thinks that they're an expert and just because something worked for them it will work for someone else. Everyone is different!

TinaA72

All I can add is to hang in there!!! I know it is frustrating. I just overcame a plateau of my own recently. So... don't give up keep trying. Calories may be a little low ; may try 1300 or so. See if it gets you over the hump. Just remember, we all hit plateaus during weight loss but the difference is perseverance. Those of us who do will ultimately succeed!!!

AnnaValek

Think about this: Eating a large number of apples is the same as eating a small portion of chips. However, only one apple is a serving size. It's not just about how many calories you eat, but also about nutrient density. Junk food is not sufficient enough in necessary vitamins and minerals to provide your body with the supplement it needs while falling under a certain calorie limit. You want to eat small meals more frequently, therefore you need to make smart choices on what foods you eat. Limit your junk food intake. Make it your snack of the day, but don't eat it so frequently that it appears in every meal.

IMYarnCraz33

ok so you've mentioned you're not overeating but you're eating junk food somewhat...
how's your fitness? Are you exercising or just expecting to lose weight by eating less?
Weight loss is a balance of eating right and exercise.
Also, are you drinking water? (at least 8 8oz. glasses) more if you're consuming
a lot of sodium.

aejbx4x7s

I had trouble losing at 1200 calories. I upped mine to around 1320; I also tried to eat more protein then carbs. You can adjust the percentage of calories from carbs and protein in your MFP goals to keep track. This helped me.

Best of luck!

stanvoodoo

You don't want to be under 1200. 1200 is the min. How much protein are you eating? 65 grams or more? How about your water? 64oz at least?

Next I would ask about your exercise, fat, carbs and sodium levels. Hard to comment since your diary isn't available.

At 64, you might want to check with your Doctor to make sure he doesn't want you to follow a specialized plan.

Be pateint, it takes time, limit your proceessed foods and sometime you lose inches and not pounds.

It will happen!

AnnaValek

are you eating back your calories that you burned for exercise?

Why is it that this is always the first issue people bring up? Do we even know she's exercising? Maybe she is using a faulty tool to calculate how many calories she's losing and is eating too much. Maybe the junk food is to blame. Maybe more protein/veggies and better food choices are needed. It's tough to say exactly what's going on since we don't have enough information.

No hatin' on input. :C

Rhian_81

Make your diary public... 'settings - diary settings' and we'll have a look. Don't lose heart, your in the right place and theres lots of support available here.

Drink lots of water and try to replace the junk food for more nutritious items.

Are you exercising?

FemmeAndi

ugh I totally feel for you!! I've been at my workout for 8 complete weeks and haven't budged 1 pound on the scale!! Now thats disheartening!! I'm just about ready to give up! I have my weight loss set to 2 pounds a week now because when I was at 1 and 1/2 pounds my weight was staying stable so I thought i was eating too much! I mean I feel like I eat more now because of the cals I have to eat back!

I hope you are able to find something that works for you and that you can see a change.

Try Jillian Michaels 30 day shred... u mighten lose anything on the scale but you'll lose cms around the tummy and thighs. I lost about 2cms around the tummy already in 2 months.

niclan724

Sometimes it takes a few weeks of consistency for your body to know that you're serious about losing weight. The most important thing is to stick with it. Make sure you make healthy food choices and are exercising a few times each week. It will start to come off, little by little. Remember, the quicker you lose it, the quicker you put it back on. The slower and steadier your weight loss is, the better the chance that you will keep it off for good!

Keep your head up!

Bellyroll

are you eating back your calories that you burned for exercise?

Why is it that this is always the first issue people bring up? Do we even know she's exercising? Maybe she is using a faulty tool to calculate how many calories she's losing and is eating too much. Maybe the junk food is to blame. Maybe more protein/veggies and better food choices are needed. It's tough to say exactly what's going on since we don't have enough information.

Edit: all the people telling her to eat more have no idea if that is a viable solution. I hate these posts because everyone thinks that they're an expert and just because something worked for them it will work for someone else. Everyone is different!

When you put up post you should be expecting for respones,even if you dont like them.

HMonsterX

As for the eating more answer, i find that it's a very viable option. Many people, myself including, end up thinking "if i eat less and less, ill lose more and more", when it really doesnt work that way. Lots of us have found the scales not moving, then we eat MORE, and they go down. All people are doing is suggesting ideas, not saying its a surefire answer.

Its hard to wrap our heads around we need to eat MORE to LOSE weight. It just doesnt compute, although those that have tried it have found it often works.

Rikki444

Perhaps it's time to kiss the junk food good-bye?? While the calories may be under your goal, you may be consuming too many of the wrong, sabotaging things.... like sodium or sugar or saturated fat. If your body is trying to regulate your insulin levels, for example, it may be some time before the scale moves again.....so what would happen if you take the junk out?

I understand, once in a while is probably not going to hurt you..... but it's not going to help you. It will be a give and take.

Best of luck.

DestinyDarbi

What exactly would be the point of asking for help if you don't, you know, want advice??

cabul3

i know how you feel! i actually gained a lb in 3 weeks, even tho i thought i was doing pretty good. so then i took my measurements and compared them against 3 weeks ago to discover i had actually lost 3.5 inches! so my body is losing, even if the scale doesn't prove it, the tape-measure does. maybe try taking measurements?

gandydancer

Oh my gosh, I didn't realize anyone answered my post as I am so challenged on the computer, THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR ALL OF YOUR ADVICE, I feel so great that somebody cares and replied, I was so down wondering what was wrong, and somehow I saw all of your answerss, I feel like such a dunce...I am going in now and try to make my diary available, I didn't know it wasn't...THAK YOU ALL AGAIN...LOVE ANY ADVICE,,,,I sure will try to help anyone I can also.....gandydancer

gandydancer

I feel for you as well because it is disharteening to try and try and get nowhere...I was able to open my diary but never logged my water or liquids, forgot all about thaat, will do better...gandydancer

MaryB2

are you eating back your calories that you burned for exercise?

Why is it that this is always the first issue people bring up? Do we even know she's exercising? Maybe she is using a faulty tool to calculate how many calories she's losing and is eating too much. Maybe the junk food is to blame. Maybe more protein/veggies and better food choices are needed. It's tough to say exactly what's going on since we don't have enough information.

Edit: all the people telling her to eat more have no idea if that is a viable solution. I hate these posts because everyone thinks that they're an expert and just because something worked for them it will work for someone else. Everyone is different!

When you put up post you should be expecting for respones,even if you dont like them.

I was thinking the same thing. She asked for advice and did not seem offended by the responses. I'm not sure why this other poster was so offended by it. Nobody is claiming to be an expert but are instead answering gandydancer's question based on their own experience.

Rhian_81

Hi Gandy

I've had a look and I think you're diet looks good. Plenty of fresh food. A bit of junk food but totally in moderation, I wouldn't worry about it.

I notice that you are averaging only around 1000 calories a day. I think your probably undereating and you've hit a plateau with your body holding onto the fat because it doesn't know when it will next be fuelled. Try increasing your calories to around 1400 or 1500, (in goal setting) and consume them all. Its hard to get your head around eating more is the answer to your plateau, but give it a go and I think you'll be surprised.

Your going to hear alot about starvation mode on the MFP forums. Folks get quite passionate about it. This link discusses starvation mode and while theres alot to get through, its worth a read.

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/220277-starvation-mode-a-myth?hl=starvation+mode+the+myth&page=1#posts-2902653

Copy and paste the above into your browsers address bar.

I hope you don't mind but I'm going to also post this message into the forum post as well, other people may benefit from reading it and we're all here to help :flowerforyou:

Good luck & I cheer you on...

deenaspell

I've stopped weighing because of this! My body is looking leaner and clothes are looser, but I haven't lost any weight in 3 weeks. I'm losing about an inch every week or two, but no pounds. I'm lifting weights, though, so the muscle is replacing fat. Don't get discouraged! Pay attention to your body, not the scale! It lies :-)

mystiloo

I agree with Jagged_01, you probably should up your calories some! I'm not sure how you aren't sleeping all the time!! I would be out...keep up the good work!

stanvoodoo

After looking at the diary, my first thoughts were confirmed. Below 1200 calories and no where near enough protein.

You have to give the body fuel to burn or your body will hold onto everything and/or burn muscle. You have to have the calories and protein to burn fat and build lean muscle!

Get in lots of fiber and water too along with some exercise and it will happen!

Good Luck!

gandydancer

Wow grat news on your inches lost..that is a great feeling..I don't lift weights but do exercise, if you get a minute will you check my food diary? Did better today but way too much food lol