1200 seems to be more than I was eating before

paprad

I find it very difficult to budge my weight - in the past, even with a strict diet or tons of exercise, I found that my weight might drop by say, 2 pounds, and then a week later it would be back on. I am pre-menopausal, and water retention could be one problem.

When I logged onto MFP, I was told my Maintenance Calories are 1710, and for a weight loss of 1 lb a day I should eat 1200 calories.

The irony is this - that I find 1200 calories seem to give me more food than I was eating before. I find I can happily have a buttered toast or pasta or rice and still make it within the 1200 calories. I have been very religious in logging all my foods.

Could it be that I was under-eating all this while and so my metabolism was sluggish? I asked a doctor friend and she pooh-poohed this theory. I have a fairly sedentary life - but the last two weeks I logged in 6 days of yoga, 6 days of weight training and 10 days of cardio. I ate back my exercise calories.

I lost 1 lb in 10 days but when I checked after a week - I had put it back on. I felt very discouraged yesterday and today and promptly pigged my way to guilt. Now want to pick up my socks and try in earnest tomorrow.

My worry is this : how come I am eating more than before joining MFP and stil staying within 1200 calories? And if I am now eating correctly, why am I not losing at all?

stylistchik

You may be eating more and that's ok. Your body will need to adjust to the new amount of food you're taking in so just be patient. It's also best to eat several smaller meals instead of 2 or 3 big meals (think "grazing"). On the other hand, 1200 is just a number. Eat until you are full. Filling foods include fiber, fat and protein so eat these frequently. Drink lots of water and pay attention to how you feel. Learning to be healthy is the first step, weight loss will follow.

paprad

Thank you for your words of encouragement, stylistchik - I suppose I should just go on keeping the faith