Questions--

cmbrysonussery

OK, according to my BMR here on the site: Your estimated BMR is: 1,517 calories/day*.

It has me set on eating 1200 calories per day to lose about 1.4 per week.

I don't exercise at all. (On doctor's orders until I have the required surgery to repair my herniated disc in about a month.)

I typically eat between 1200-1300 calories, but I am not losing. I'm maintaining, or possibly even gaining a little.

If I just do normal activities I'm around 1900 calories a day my body just uses, so that's a 600-700 deficit a day or 4200 calories a week, well over a pound a week. Why can't I loose? Am I still eating too little?

I just want to get as much off as I can before surgery....

Stats:
H: 5'3"
SW: 199 (I haven't lost weight in about 9 months)
CW: 175
GW: 125
Female

Sublog

You're likely counting your calories wrong to not be losing @ 199 lbs

Why do you think you're using 1900 calories per day?

cmbrysonussery

I'm currently at 175.

I began losing weight 10-01-10 and lost until I injured my back at Christmas 2010. I am eating similar to as I was while losing weight with the exception I have cut nearly all processed microwavable meals out, drink 0-1 diet soda per day (did 0 only water for about 3 months, but still didn't lose), and have upped my veggies. So if anything I am eating better now.

I am also super careful about counting the correct calories and try to stay as clean as possible in my eating to help make it easier to count calories. I use a food scale to weigh most foods for accuracy. I'm not saying I'm definitely never off, but I shouldn't be off by very much.

godroxmysox

I started at 199.8lbs and i was only eating 1200 cals a day....I dropped weight like crazy!

cmbrysonussery

The 1900 comes MFP

YOUR DIET PROFILE TARGET
Calories Burned
From Normal Daily Activity 1,900 calories/day
Net Calories Consumed*
Your Daily Goal 1,200 calories/ day
Daily Calorie Deficit 700 calories
Projected Weight Loss 1.4 lbs/ week

cheekyleonie

Don't forget too that this isn't 100% correct as doesn't take into consideration individuals metabolism etc.

What's right for one person isn't right for another :-)

MinnieInMaine

It may be more about what you're eating than how much you're eating. Are you tracking your sodium? If you happen to eat a lot of packaged/frozen foods, or drink a lot of diet soda (or even diet waters) all that sodium can add up to water weight.

Are you measuring your food so that you know for sure that you're getting the portions correct?

For brand name foods, are you double checking any labels or just going by what's on the database? Remember, a lot of what's on the food database is entered by members and not always correct. Just today I corrected an entry for a brand of turkey meatballs that I use a lot - one was even confirmed by several members but was showed about 20 calories less per serving than the label did. 20's not much but it can add up if you have more than one serving!

Make sure you're drinking all your water (if not a little extra), it really can help.

wrevhn

eating to low can kill your metabolism. you should work your way down. also what you eat matters. and our bodies get use to things so you must mix it up or it will learn to maintain what its getting. and working out is a big key, and water is also. it could also be loss. i gain like 2 lbs in water before losing a few lbs of fat.

grannygethealthy1111

I would get a second opinion about NO exercise whatsoever before surgery. That is not the usual protocol for disc herniation. My husband had herniated discs in his entire lumbar spine and he was encouraged to do exercises before his surgery, but no heavy lifting. It will help you with your recovery from the surgery and aid in your weight loss. Walking and swimming is usually encouraged. Ask if you can work with a physical therapist before surgery.

Second, I would weigh everything that went into my mouth without exception. Portion control is key. Do you have underlying health issues that would prevent you from losing such as hormone imbalance, thyroid, etc.? What kind of medications are you on? Meds can affect your ability to lose weight. Talk to your physician about your meds and their side effects. Sometimes switching meds helps.

Put the salt shaker away. Record the sodium in the food you eat. I personally would lower my daily caloric intake, especially in light of no exercise whatsoever. A good starting point would be 1400 calories per day. Try it and see what happens. Your metabolism may be in the toilet if you have been unable to exercise for so long. Best wishes!