MFP lies to me.

ennaejay

I have a puzzle. Every night when I finish my food diary, MFP says that "If every day were like today, you'd weigh ____lbs in 5 weeks". It's bull.

I've been on here for 8 weeks and haven't lost a single pound.

I work out regularly, I run an average of 15 miles a week and do circuit training videos with 5-lb weights. I'm lean, 128lbs, slim, strong. But I want to trim down my tummy, thighs and butt, and I canNOT seem to do it.

I eat around 1600 calories a day, give or take 100-200. I hardly ever go over 2000. I burn about 200-450 calories 5x a week.

Without getting into the obnoxious "do you eat your exercise calories", just go off of what I've told you, and tell me what I need to do to slim down a bit.

Cardio? Should I run, run run? Or strength, should I do squats and plank rows until I burst a vein somewhere? Or a combination, like I've been doing?

I don't care if I never weigh 125 lbs, although that's my "goal". I just want slimmer thighs and a smaller butt, and a tighter tummy. How do I get there?? My weight hasn't changed a lick in 8 weeks. Yes, I'm eating enough. No, I'm not eating too much. Give me other input pretty please!

TIA!

YukonJoy

I would add in way more strength training.

princesslmc2

A friend of mine was in a similar situation... Just a few pounds from her goal, yet content with where she was. She did HEAVY weight lifting/training (particularly ChaLEAN Extreme), and she lost another 10 pounds and HALF of her body fat. I can attest to that too (though I still have a bit of poundage to lose). So my suggestion.... lift heavier weights!

chubbyandawkward

I am going through the EXACT same thing. It's so frustrating!
I look more toned but I've put on 6lbs! 6lbs is NOT muscle no matter what any one says.
I'll be interested in what people say to this

Cat52169

It seems to me that you aren't necessarily in need of losing weight but you want to tone. I would suggest some weight training just to tone and tighten what you have.

thebunnies

i find that running is very slimming.. you use your entire body to run. the elliptical at different resistances has slimmed out my thighs. also, doing Nike Training Camp workouts have really helped me slim out my arms, legs, and tighten my tummy.

melaniecheeks

What height are you? I'm going to guess that you're already pretty close to a healthy weight for your height, and so those last few pounds are really loath to come off!

If you're more focussed on shape than the number on the scale, then better training incorporating weights is the answer, not more and more cardio.

Good luck!

n_woodall

It won't be accurate if you are already at an extremely low amount of body fat. You can be skinny and still appear out of shape. You may need to gain some muscle to fill out a bit. This is why I get my body fat percentage checked from time to time. Typically some muscle loss will occur while cutting fat.

CatMauro

Switch up your work out. Try a box fit class (fitness of boxers, not boxercise) Guarantee you'll lose those last couple of spots.

aj_rock

Yeah, I don't understand why MFP states that after you finish your day either. False hope/unrealistic goals.

Based on what you say, maybe you should look at your BF%. At your weight/height, considering that you're in pretty good shape, you might be pretty lean, and what you see is just muscle :ohwell:

To get lower would require more stringent regimes than you'll see typically in/around MFP...

erickirb

I would add in way more strength training.

Agreed, and also throw in HIIT to replace a day of your regular cardio. With so little to lose try setting your goal to 0.5 lbs/week as you should not expect to lose more than that with only 3 lbs to go.

thamre

Have you tried the 30 Day Shred by Jillian Michaels? I have seen some awesome results on here.

shelbygeorge29

You want to look more like a Fitness model I'm guessing, a bikini model-type look?

Hit the weights, don't be afraid to make them heavy. I would consult the ladies at bodybuilding.com or the T-Vixens at t-mag.com. You are never going to wake up one day and look like a She-Manazon no matter how heavy and hard you were to lift the weights, unless you were to add some testoterone shots coupled with an insane diet.

koosdel

Have you checked the mirror lately? Your freakin hot.. what's the problem?

SpaceMarkus

I was in a similar boat. Did ChaLEAN Extreme and dropped 15lbs fast. Cut my body fat and leaned out, too. Add more weights to your routine.

ladyhawk00

Can almost guarantee your loss per week goal and expectations are too high.

If you have very little fat, you won't lose 2 lbs a week, or even 1. You'll lose VERY slowly, and it won't be linear (as in, you won't see a loss every week, or even every month.)

When you are interested in losing the last 5 lbs and improving body composition, you need a VERY conservative deficit (or possibly maintenance) and more strength training. And you need to look more at other markers, such as measurements and body fat %, not weight.

May help to read these threads:

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

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/12250-1000-calorie-deficit-not-for-people-with-healthy-bmi

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/181080-mfp-s-most-common-user-pitfall-to-avoid

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/283663-not-losing-weight-you-re-asking-the-wrong-questions

theba2il

I understand how ya feeling! I don't even press the button anymore. Lol

momof3and3

add hills to your runs and add distance to some of them....add in more strenght training... up your weight, 5lbs is pretty light weights..squats, lunges, dead lifts, etc...also try a spinning class...spinning really helps to work legs, hips and core.

You'll notice inches melting away...

Leannek74

I was NOT eating my workout calories when I was losing 1.5-2 pounds per week. I noticed and extra 100-200 calories would stall my loss too.

ltf304

Eat clean, lift heavy weights. read New rules of lifting for women, and eat more. Do these things and you will lose body fat.

ennaejay

It won't be accurate if you are already at an extremely low amount of body fat. You can be skinny and still appear out of shape. You may need to gain some muscle to fill out a bit. This is why I get my body fat percentage checked from time to time. Typically some muscle loss will occur while cutting fat.

I'm not super low body fat. I'm muscular and in good shape. I'm really quite happy with my endurance and my tone - It's the BF% in the trouble zones I want to cut back.

Strength training seems to be the general consensus..... I'll do that. I'll add another video or two to my collection and buy slightly heavier weights. 8lbs, y'all think?

What about weights on the ankles??? Is that weird? I hesitate upping my weights from 5lbs because I'm very happy with my arms and shoulders and don't want to look wiry. It's the last of the body fat I want to get rid of. BMI is 21 and I think my BF% is around 23 last I checked (online - I don't belong to a gym). I'm 5'6".

Good advice, keep it coming... I didn't expect to hear so much strength training.

I will keep running though; kindof addicted to that.... :blushing:

ennaejay

Spinning

---

great thought! I don't bike currently. I'll hook up my bike to DH's Cycle-ops and add that in a couple times a week.

And I'm buying 8lbs weights tonight. Look out WalMart!

cheryl72076

Give PILATES a go. This will help you tone and achieve lean muscles. And of course up your water. And I know you said you dont want to hear this but be careful of liquid calories. I just downed some grape juice and afterwards realized it was 280 cals for 16oz!!! YIKES!!! :sad:

AggieCass09

i'm in the same boat as you and i'm trying to add more strength training using the New Rules of Lifting for Women book.

erickirb

It won't be accurate if you are already at an extremely low amount of body fat. You can be skinny and still appear out of shape. You may need to gain some muscle to fill out a bit. This is why I get my body fat percentage checked from time to time. Typically some muscle loss will occur while cutting fat.

I'm not super low body fat. I'm muscular and in good shape. I'm really quite happy with my endurance and my tone - It's the BF% in the trouble zones I want to cut back.

Strength training seems to be the general consensus..... I'll do that. I'll add another video or two to my collection and buy slightly heavier weights. 8lbs, y'all think?

What about weights on the ankles??? Is that weird? I hesitate upping my weights from 5lbs because I'm very happy with my arms and shoulders and don't want to look wiry. It's the last of the body fat I want to get rid of. BMI is 21 and I think my BF% is around 23 last I checked (online - I don't belong to a gym). I'm 5'6".

Good advice, keep it coming... I didn't expect to hear so much strength training.

I will keep running though; kindof addicted to that.... :blushing:

You may need much heavier than 8 lbs for a lot of exercises. Make sure when you lift you do 8-12 reps, if you can do more than 12 up the weight so you are struggling to keep good form on your last few reps.

ennaejay

Eat clean, lift heavy weights. read New rules of lifting for women, and eat more. Do these things and you will lose body fat.

"Eat Clean", you say. Anything specific? I cook from scratch most of the time. Lots of fruits and veggies, whole grains, low-fat dairy (except for the raw milk). I do have a sweet tooth though and sometimes go overboard on sugar. What would you recommend cutting back?? I get tons of fiber. This is a PITA. I don't even drink a lot.

You're built a lot like I am. Nice scope. I picked off a groundhog from our backyard a couple weeks ago, open sights. :bigsmile:

ladyhawk00

It won't be accurate if you are already at an extremely low amount of body fat. You can be skinny and still appear out of shape. You may need to gain some muscle to fill out a bit. This is why I get my body fat percentage checked from time to time. Typically some muscle loss will occur while cutting fat.

I'm not super low body fat. I'm muscular and in good shape. I'm really quite happy with my endurance and my tone - It's the BF% in the trouble zones I want to cut back.

Strength training seems to be the general consensus..... I'll do that. I'll add another video or two to my collection and buy slightly heavier weights. 8lbs, y'all think?

What about weights on the ankles??? Is that weird? I hesitate upping my weights from 5lbs because I'm very happy with my arms and shoulders and don't want to look wiry. It's the last of the body fat I want to get rid of. BMI is 21 and I think my BF% is around 23 last I checked (online - I don't belong to a gym). I'm 5'6".

Good advice, keep it coming... I didn't expect to hear so much strength training.

I will keep running though; kindof addicted to that.... :blushing:

You may need much heavier than 8 lbs for a lot of exercises. Make sure when you lift you do 8-12 reps, if you can do more than 12 up the weight so you are struggling to keep good form on your last few reps.

Yeah, based on your pics and what you've said, I can't believe 8 lbs is nearly enough to challenge you. When we say strength, we mean it should be HARD. Highly recommend New Rules.

PlanetVelma

It won't be accurate if you are already at an extremely low amount of body fat. You can be skinny and still appear out of shape. You may need to gain some muscle to fill out a bit. This is why I get my body fat percentage checked from time to time. Typically some muscle loss will occur while cutting fat.

I'm not super low body fat. I'm muscular and in good shape. I'm really quite happy with my endurance and my tone - It's the BF% in the trouble zones I want to cut back.

Strength training seems to be the general consensus..... I'll do that. I'll add another video or two to my collection and buy slightly heavier weights. 8lbs, y'all think?

What about weights on the ankles??? Is that weird? I hesitate upping my weights from 5lbs because I'm very happy with my arms and shoulders and don't want to look wiry. It's the last of the body fat I want to get rid of. BMI is 21 and I think my BF% is around 23 last I checked (online - I don't belong to a gym). I'm 5'6".

Good advice, keep it coming... I didn't expect to hear so much strength training.

I will keep running though; kindof addicted to that.... :blushing:

You could get weights for your ankles/wrists for walking/running/etc...

Personally, I'd get 10 lb weights....another thing you could try is do your weight training before your cardio. I remember reading an article somewhere about how you burn more if you do your weight training before cardio. That is something I've done in the past (and I'm doing currently). It sure is a time saver for those of us who are crunched for time and trying to squeeze in a workout! LOL

erickirb

It won't be accurate if you are already at an extremely low amount of body fat. You can be skinny and still appear out of shape. You may need to gain some muscle to fill out a bit. This is why I get my body fat percentage checked from time to time. Typically some muscle loss will occur while cutting fat.

I'm not super low body fat. I'm muscular and in good shape. I'm really quite happy with my endurance and my tone - It's the BF% in the trouble zones I want to cut back.

Strength training seems to be the general consensus..... I'll do that. I'll add another video or two to my collection and buy slightly heavier weights. 8lbs, y'all think?

What about weights on the ankles??? Is that weird? I hesitate upping my weights from 5lbs because I'm very happy with my arms and shoulders and don't want to look wiry. It's the last of the body fat I want to get rid of. BMI is 21 and I think my BF% is around 23 last I checked (online - I don't belong to a gym). I'm 5'6".

Good advice, keep it coming... I didn't expect to hear so much strength training.

I will keep running though; kindof addicted to that.... :blushing:

You could get weights for your ankles/wrists for walking/running/etc...

Please don't do the ankle weights for running or walking, this is a good way to mess with your knee and hip joints.

ennaejay

Have you tried the 30 Day Shred by Jillian Michaels? I have seen some awesome results on here.

Ohhhhh yes. And most of her other DVDs. Annoying as hell, but good workouts.

You want to look more like a Fitness model I'm guessing, a bikini model-type look?

Hit the weights, don't be afraid to make them heavy. I would consult the ladies at bodybuilding.com or the T-Vixens at t-mag.com. You are never going to wake up one day and look like a She-Manazon no matter how heavy and hard you were to lift the weights, unless you were to add some testoterone shots coupled with an insane diet.

Well..... I guess. If you want specifics, losing 2" off my thighs and 2" off my butt would be ideal, and the last of the tummy fat around my navel. It's stubborn. Think of Cameron D, like that. No hormones, no insane diet, I just want to reach my goal in a reasonable way, and don't want to lose the muscle I DO have because I'm more concerned with weight than fitness. That's no good.

And shoot, all right, I'll make it 10-lbs. You guys are tough. I asked for it. :laugh:

ennaejay

thanks also erickirb -- someone else recommended more HIIT training, even doing intervals when I run, which I don't currently. I guess that works to spike the heart rate and "shock" the system. Cool.