minor frustration/.5 gain this week~help?

maryzcontrary

Ok. I did all the things I know I am supposed to do, ate within reasonable calorie limits all week, exercised in accordance with my goals (which were 30 minutes 3x/wk) - even doing more than that, yet, this morning, I weigh in, and find I GAINED 1/2 lb. WHY? The only diet "sin" I committed was on Saturday, when I had an egg and 2 pieces of bacon, a piece of toast, 8 jelly belly candies, a handful of multigrain pita chips with cream cheese dip and 2 glasses of rose'. I didn't bother to log it, because it was my "splurge" day. But I didn't really "splurge" or pig out at all, and I remember being very happy about that! I can't see where the sabatoge is - I have leftover calories for several days....and it makes up for the overages ---- I have been very honest and meticulous with my food diary, even listing the times I drank an entire bottle of wine (which won't be happening anymore, no worries!).

1st week I exercised a total of 5 HOURS. 2nd week a total of 1 hour, with another 30 minutes of treadmill coming today, then a 30 - 1 hour walk scheduled for sunday.

I made my diary public for y'all to look at and offer opinions. When I set goals, it was set for me to lose 1.4 lbs. a week, as MFP won't drop me below 1200/day....I lost 2.2 lbs the first week, then boom! 1/2 up the 2nd.

If there is one thing I can think of, it's because I ate sausage last night, which is a little salty. But still, I should show at least a 1 lb. LOSS.

This is one of those defining moments where in the past I would just give up. Please help me not to do that. I have been walking, talking, living and breathing MFP for 2 weeks. Friends are tired of hearing about it! I am so disappointed.

psuLemon

It's a very simple answer.. You are not eating enough. Most days you are barely eating 1000 calories. You have to eat a net 1200 calories or more. That means, you have to eat back your exercise calories. It's a simple concept that scares people becase they have been told to eat less and it's how you lose weight. Problem is, that is actually wrong. Below is a link that provides great data. I would suggest looking at it. Essentially, it takes your size and extropolates your Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR); BMR is the amount of calories you burn if you slept for 24 hours. It then adds in your activity level (which yours is lightly to moderately active) and tells you what calories you should aim for each day.


It's simple, food is fuel. If you don't eat enough, especially if you don't eat your BMR calories, your body will shut down and go into starvation mode which preserves your fat to keep the body moving. Also, if you don't eat enough, you will affect other parts of your body, such as normal brain function and normal organ function.




http://www.fat2fitradio.com/tools/bmr/

maryzcontrary

it just seems like SO much food to do it that way!! I actually get full and don't eat, say 2 cups of ratatouille at lunch, even though that is what I packed and claimed on MFP. I have never been on a "diet" and eaten so MUCH! I will work to get that count up -- I have wondered if I am not eating enough protein, I come from that old school atkins group, but wanted to make a lifestyle change, not a quick-fix diet. Hence, lots of fruits and veggies. I am so enjoying it, but WOW I feel weird with the idea of eating MORE!! Will do, though, at this point I have turned my will and life over to my Highest Power, and I KNOW that I personally do not know what is best for me, or it would have worked before!!!! So I am trusting this site and you good people to guide me....

psuLemon

it just seems like SO much food to do it that way!! I actually get full and don't eat, say 2 cups of ratatouille at lunch, even though that is what I packed and claimed on MFP. I have never been on a "diet" and eaten so MUCH! I will work to get that count up -- I have wondered if I am not eating enough protein, I come from that old school atkins group, but wanted to make a lifestyle change, not a quick-fix diet. Hence, lots of fruits and veggies. I am so enjoying it, but WOW I feel weird with the idea of eating MORE!! Will do, though, at this point I have turned my will and life over to my Highest Power, and I KNOW that I personally do not know what is best for me, or it would have worked before!!!! So I am trusting this site and you good people to guide me....

You sound very much like my wife, she isnt' a big eater either. So I will put it like this; you train your brain to get smarter, your body to get strong and your stomach to eat more. Trust me, I have trained myself to eat 2800 calories in a day, I bet you can train yourself to eat 1500. Eat smaller meals over the period of the day (shoot for 5 meals in a day at least, I eat 7-8). Try to get protein in each meal. I would suggest doing a custom setup under your goals and do 40% carbs, 40% protein and 20% fats.