At this for 3 weeks never lost a lb what am I doing wrong??

trudibus

hey all
I have working my butt off for the last 3 weeks haven't lost a lb...though I just started tracking food this week. need a jump start ....any ideas??

msShari1

You may find your answer when you start tracking food.

trudibus

I tracked all week and most days I didn't have enough calories.....new to this...never had to diet before..:(

MissingMinnesota

try not to quick add calories you might be under estimating on how many calories you actually ate and you do seem to miss quite a few days of logging around the holidays so since you are only 3 weeks in you might have ate more then you actually think during those times with high sodium which could be adding water weight.

MarkC1963

My weight vacillated alot during the first 5 weeks of attempted weight loss, then I started losing a consistent 1.4 lbs per week. Now I average 2 lbs per week. I've lost 46 lbs since June. I'll send an invite to be a friend if you'd like someone to cheer you on! Best, MarkC

RunnerLynne

Do you measure your food? I am finding a scale is helpful.

Could you be gaining muscle and toning?

trudibus

my quick add calories are what I took form the package of what I ate since I couldn't find it on here...I just started tracking calories this week but have been running like a mad woman for 3....just hoping to see something...on a positive note I don't feel so bloated and do feel better ... so I guess that is progress..:)

queenpushycat

There could be a few reasons... Someone did post something about plateau, and... I myself hit that plateau too... after a month, my weight just goes up and down... (not so much. but I didn't lose at all)

I kinda wanna try a less carb diet. But it's gonna be hard for me! (T_T)

trudibus

maybe I am adding muscle...hopefully that is the case

trudibus

carbs are my killer....not bread but crackers

penmosha

I tracked all week and most days I didn't have enough calories.....new to this...never had to diet before..:(

If you are under your calories, your body may be going into starvation mode, try to up your calories, log all your food (it'll be easier after a few days as MFP will remember them) and make it good food, clean food - go back to basics, keep the good oils in your diet in moderation. It'll come off you soon enough.
oh, and move more!!

GemaG

Keep tracking it is the only way otherwise we all get dieters amnesia and underestimate how much we really eat. Also take measuments of your waist bust hips and you will probably see that you have lost inches even if you havent lost weight.Good luck

trudibus

trying to eat clean!!! No processed food and crap!!! I think I have to move more...did 5k on Thursday it was awesome!!!! I think I need more of that!!!

getfitdiva

I would track everything that goes in your mouth (sauces/dips, added sugar/salt, dressings, drinks etc.). Give it 4-6 weeks to see some initial results. Pick a time of the month to weigh-in, take measurements, and pics to compare for the same time next month. When I started I did this every 5th of the month to gauge my progress.

trudibus

I did measure so hopefully I will see results there

kaylyngt

I have found that I am really bad at estimating how much I am really eating. Measuring and weighing your food will help and give you an accurate calorie count. Try to get as close as you can to your calorie limit for the first little while so your body will not shut down and go into starvation mode. Also keeping to your carb, fat, and protein limits helps too. Even when I stay under my calorie goals but go over on fat it slows my progress down. Good luck and you can do this!

cdawnmoon

Focus on eating more protein. You should be getting 1 gram of protein per pound you weigh.

carlita123

It's definitely important to consistently track all of your food, this will definitely help you figure out what is going on - make sure that you are recording your exercises as well. If you aren't eating enough calories, you could easily be putting your body into starvation mode and you will not lose weight. Don't give up, you will lose the weight!

ElizBald

If you are exercising you may be adding muscle as you lose weight. Muscle weighs more than fat. But you also need to keep careful track of what you are eating so you can learn just what your eating habits are. Trying to cut calories before you know how much you actually consume can be self defeating. A food diary and taking measurements as well as weighing are all important.

Tujuannaevans

Don't panic. You are going to be just fine. You have to track everything (I found out), every little snack, drink, sweetners, etc. It is some serious homework to help you think about every little detail until you learn how it all works. You will get the balance soon. Your exercise will have to be tracked also. It makes you feel really good at the end of the day to know that you are taking total control. Good luck and keep me posted, I just started as well and I some serious work ahead of me. You can friend me if you would like. I will inspire you the best way I can. (Tujuannaevans) They call me Toni.

jennifeffer

Make sure you are eating enough. If you run that much you may be under and you don't lose if you don't eat enough. Make sure you get all your water and avoid salt like the plague! Good luck!

nancy5012

Water - you need to drink a lot of water - 8 glasses or more. You are probably taking in more sodium than you think.

smiles4support

I lost inches before I started to see the scale move....just my experience
Do your clothes fit a little looser?

beckyinma

THe problem with quick add, is that it's not showing you any of the other good/bad things that you are eating besides calories. Life is not just about calories, it's about sodium, protein, carbs, fats and fiber etc. If you don't know how much sodium you're eating, you could be going to 4000mg and not getting enough water to compensate. You could be getting too much fat and carbs and sabotaging without even knowing. You neeeeeeed to take the time and add the foods you're eating to the database or recipe builder, measure your food and be honest about what you're eating, and how you're moving, then you'll truly start to get an idea of where you need to make adjustments.

It's not just about counting calories and moving a little, it's about taking the time, making the time commitment to a better you. The 5 minutes extra per meal to add the food properly will pay off.

mrichternh

I have found wearing my pedometer really keeps me aware of how much I am moving. Every step counts! I aim for my 10,000 steps every day. I even where it when I work out. Keep tracking your food. I got a food scale and use the mobile MFP app which helps a ton. I also stick to mainly foods that are grown (meats, veggies, fruit) during the day. I am finding I am having a hard time getting close to my calorie goal for the day when I eat that way. You may friend me if you would like.

laddyboy

I tracked all week and most days I didn't have enough calories.....new to this...never had to diet before..:(

This is part of your problem. Plus you need a good solid plan. I don't see any resistance in your exercise so you're not building muscle. Message me and let's talk...if interested. I'm here to help.

ahavoc

God's little joke on us all. We have to eat to lose weight. You need to never eat below 1200 calories. You need to use a food scale and measure everything that passes your lips. Strength train 2 days a week, cardio 4 to 5, and eat back 1/2 your exercise calories.

AZackery

hey all
I have working my butt off for the last 3 weeks haven't lost a lb...though I just started tracking food this week. need a jump start ....any ideas??

Scale weight loss and fat loss aren't the same thing. Just because you haven't lost scale weight, it doesn't mean you haven't lost pounds of fat. Start tracking your body fat percentage to see the difference between scale weight loss and fat loss.

Scale weight is broken down into two categories: Pounds of fat and Pounds of lean body mass.

Formula:

Weight x Body fat percentage = Pounds of fat
Weight - Pounds of fat = Pounds of lean body mass

The amount of pounds of fat you have is the not the amount of fat or scale weight you need to lose. What determines how much pounds of fat you need to lose, if your body fat percentage. Your pounds of lean body mass is the requirement for your body. You want to maintain or increase that number. When a person gain muscle, they will gain scale weight too. If you are losing and your your pounds of lean body mass is going up, it's not because you are gaining muscles, it's because you are gaining lean body mass. Muscle is part of the lean body mass.

Have you lost inches? The scale doesn't have to move, for a person to lose inches.

SheilaSisco

Make sure you are tracking EVERYTHING. If there is a food you are eating that is not on the site, add it (and ALL of its package info). I always make sure the information I put in my diary is as accurate as possible. One of my biggest downfalls when I started was not realizing the amount of sodium I was putting in my body. Sodium causes your body to hold on to all kinds of water weight. When I started tracking my sodium and kept it at lower levels I started losing MUCH more quickly. Also, you want to make sure you are always at or over the 1200 calorie mark every day. Your body won't like you much if you're consistently below a healthy level of calories. Try boosting them with calorie dense foods like almonds, peanut butter, avocado... It should help. Good luck!

ETA: I'd say look at my diary, but I don't think it would do you a whole lot of good... I don't eat 'clean' and haven't been tracking real well since the holidays... working on getting better at that again though! But, I HAVE lost almost 50 pounds, so I promise I have at least some inkling of what I'm talking about.

SamSlim2012

A lot of times when one first starts working out really hard, they will gain some weight, or appear to not lose at all. This is because you are gaining some muscle and losing some fat%, do't worry, women won't bulk up bu doing this, it's just a natural process.
Keep doing what you are doing, and I will bet in the next couple of weeks you will see some changes. BTW, are your clothes fitting differently? That's the best indicator of change.:happy:

trudibus

ok I am going back to change my breakfast i am adding my food....I agree that my quick calories do not give a clear idea of what I Am eating.... thanks guys.....keep me on track!!