So what am I doing wrong?

Virginia90

I completed my first full week of sticking to my calorie intake and exercising, and I didn't lose anything (I'm set at 2lbs a week). In fact, I gained .2lbs. What did I do wrong, and what can I do to fix it? My diary is open. Thank you!

TiffaniBarrett

Hi!

What are the exercises that you are doing?

Tiffani x

_GlaDOS_

First of all, it has only been a week, so patience is key.

However, you may want to rethink your goal. It is normally recommended to set your goal to lose 1 lb per week and eat as many of your exercise calories as possible. It also looks like you are breastfeeding, so I would definitely recommend eating more.

Yooperm35

When I first started, I didn't see much weight loss until about 3 weeks into it. My first indication was not even a number on a scale, but the way my jeans fit! Stick with it, you aren't doing anything wrong if you follow the guidelines - just give it a little time

Virginia90

I'm doing the 30 Day Shred, and also throwing in extra exercise some days (but not all because of lack of time with the kiddo). The extra exercise ranges from walking outside (on warm days) to Zumba on the Wii.

Virginia90

First of all, it has only been a week, so patience is key.

However, you may want to rethink your goal. It is normally recommended to set your goal to lose 1 lb per week and eat as many of your exercise calories as possible. It also looks like you are breastfeeding, so I would definitely recommend eating more.

I have almost 100 pounds to lose though - I thought it was okay to have my goal set at 2lbs until I reach about 75lbs to lose? Then move it down a little?

itsuki

I saw in your diary that you've lost great inches from the shred! Ignore the scale. When you lose inches but not weight that means you're replacing fat with muscle, so don't worry about it!

CaylaJune

What foods are you eating? I used to work out and count my calories, without seeing results. Then I realized that it was WHAT I was eating that was the problem.

I'm 11 days away from giving birth (hopefully less, but that's my due date) and a few years before I got pregnant, I lost a ton of weight by cutting out grains and sugars.

chmiddleton

It could just be water retention due to hormone fluctuations. I weighed 1.5 heavier this morning than yesterday. I know I didn't gain 1.5 pounds over night. Give it time, and stay off the scales for a while. Good luck!

Virginia90

I saw in your diary that you've lost great inches from the shred! Ignore the scale. When you lose inches but not weight that means you're replacing fat with muscle, so don't worry about it!

I'm so paranoid that I measured wrong though. :ohwell:

sandram82

From reading your diary and the notes.. you have lost inches so your on the right path.. and FYI low sodium soya sauce is no better.. I ditched the soya sauce completely and add pineapple sauce to my rice.. you should add sodium into your diary so you can track it as well!!

skierxjes

Are you drinking truck loads of water and watching your sodium as well as calories?

mellynat

it took me several weeks of doing cardio 3, 4xs a week. staying under my calories to see some results.. I was going to give up and I did give up several times before I started MFP. But with the motivation and support I got I stuck it out and started weighing in 1x a week and I finally started showing results. Soo moral of the story don't give up keep doing what your doing and you will defianatly see resutls. And only weigh in the morning after you go to bathroom. before you eat or drink anything. And with less clothes on and possible. lol
GOOOD LUCk! !! ! !

Virginia90

What foods are you eating? I used to work out and count my calories, without seeing results. Then I realized that it was WHAT I was eating that was the problem.

I'm 11 days away from giving birth (hopefully less, but that's my due date) and a few years before I got pregnant, I lost a ton of weight by cutting out grains and sugars.

My diary is open. I eat a wide variety of stuff.

hbiffle

I had the same problem until I started eating more! I know it sounds crazy but before I wouldn't eat back my workout calories and this past week I started to eat back a good majority of them which really helped because I was never "starving" and I ended up losing more weight! Everyone is different, so the first few weeks just try different things and see which one you have the most success with and then go from there. Good luck!!!

atiffany1

I saw in your diary that you've lost great inches from the shred! Ignore the scale. When you lose inches but not weight that means you're replacing fat with muscle, so don't worry about it!

Yeppers!! I lost 8 lbs and then I went about two weeks with out losing any weight and the only indication that things were still going smoothly was losing an inch in my waist, and an inch off both of my thighs.

Vhovell

I agree with what everyone else says...give it time, things don't just happen over night. Also, try and net 1200 calories that's what's worked for me

Good luck, stay positive and you will see the results you want

_GlaDOS_

First of all, it has only been a week, so patience is key.

However, you may want to rethink your goal. It is normally recommended to set your goal to lose 1 lb per week and eat as many of your exercise calories as possible. It also looks like you are breastfeeding, so I would definitely recommend eating more.

I have almost 100 pounds to lose though - I thought it was okay to have my goal set at 2lbs until I reach about 75lbs to lose? Then move it down a little?

True, but since you are breastfeeding, I really don't think it's a good idea to cut calories so much.

Also, you do not really gain muscle from 30DS, and not in such a short amount of time. Losing inches is great, but that does not mean you have replaced fat with muscle.

shawae

Depends what exercise you are doing! You may find that taking your measurements is more motivating as some exercises will add muscle which is heavier than fat! I love to run but my legs bulk up like a rugby players! Waist gets smaller though so its not all bad?

Virginia90

Okay...I'm glad to hear it took a few weeks for some people. My sodium intake was high most day - I'm working on getting mos tof the processed foods outta the house, but have to do it slowly money-wise.

eventing07

I've been at this for 5 weeks and haven't lost a pound. However I have lost 15 inches, 6% body fat, and gained 13lbs of muscle. It's hard not seeing a change in the scale but when you are exercising you put on muscle weight; which is 2x heavier than fat. My nutritionist and trainer both tell me to ignore the scale right now and measurements do not lie!

erickirb

Most likely you did lose some fat, but when starting a new program your muscles will store water to protect them and to aid in recovery. Drink plenty of water and stick with is and in a week or so your body will shed that excess water.

H_Factor

I'm doing the 30 Day Shred, and also throwing in extra exercise some days (but not all because of lack of time with the kiddo). The extra exercise ranges from walking outside (on warm days) to Zumba on the Wii.

you are doing TOO MUCH exercise. I know a lot of folks jump into the journey full on....but, first, there's no need to exercise this much to burn fat (even once you're fit)...and second, working out too much can be harmful. Eating right is the most important thing to burning fat. Exercise is great for cardio health and other things...and burning those extra calories will allow you to eat more and still burn fat....BUT, if you exercise, you have to accept some things: (a) your muscles will retain more water while they are recovering so that adds "scale weight"; and (b) your muscles need TIME to recover and repair themselves...this cannot happen if you are exercising the same muscles every day or otherwise overworking your muscles.

I didn't exercise during the first 2+ months of my journey and I lost weight. I wanted to get my eating in order first and lose some weight before beginning exercise. I then worked into an exercise program. I didn't work out every day and I certainly didn't work out twice a day. Now, nearly 12 months into my journey, I do some pretty exciting and intense exercise routines...but I still don't work out every day and I do not work out more than once a day. Sometimes I work out only 3x a week and I don't sweat that. Most weeks I work out 4 or 5x a week. What matters is that I'm working out hard during the time I do exercise and I accept that my muscles need time to recover in between. I love exercise, but I want to be smart about it.

horndave

There could be a number of reasons. Water retention from exercising. I didnt look at your calorie intake but sodium intake or you might not be eating enough. Give your body time to adjust to your new routine and lifestyle. It will come off, be patient. The extra lbs for all of us didnt come over night and magically appear, they will not magically disappear either. It is a process and and refinement. Do not get discouraged. I hate that scale, I wouldnt even weigh for the first month.

Virginia90

First of all, it has only been a week, so patience is key.

However, you may want to rethink your goal. It is normally recommended to set your goal to lose 1 lb per week and eat as many of your exercise calories as possible. It also looks like you are breastfeeding, so I would definitely recommend eating more.

I have almost 100 pounds to lose though - I thought it was okay to have my goal set at 2lbs until I reach about 75lbs to lose? Then move it down a little?

True, but since you are breastfeeding, I really don't think it's a good idea to cut calories so much.

Also, you do not really gain muscle from 30DS, and not in such a short amount of time. Losing inches is great, but that does not mean you have replaced fat with muscle.

I'm not worried about the breastfeeding - it's definitely minimal - she only BFs before naps and bedtime and once at night, so I doubt I'm even using 200 calories for that (which I'm accounting for), and my lactation consultant said it was okay and to just keep an eye on my supply with my decreased calorie intake - so far I haven't had a change in supply so it's all good in that area.

atiffany1

Oh and watch your protein intake, if you eat too much with out using it, it turns into fat.. Athletes who exersize a lot can eat a lot of protein and it gives them the energy they need to do so much physical activity, but these are people that put hours into physical activity which allows them to eat a lot of protien. I know you are doing 30 day shred and some other things but watch your protien intake because you might not be using it all. Drink lots of water and eat lots of veggies. The more water you drink the less water retension you will have.

stormieweather

It takes me about 3 weeks to start seeing results. If a month goes by and you've still not lost anything, then review and revise your plan.

Did you take measurements? It's always a good idea to keep track of that as well. If you got slimmer but the scale stayed the same, you'd be happy, right?

Hang in there! :flowerforyou:

Virginia90

I didn't know that about my muscles retaining water - good to know! And I also didn't know it was bad to workout more than once a day - I've been doing it because it feels good - my body apparently likes to be moving. :laugh: I will cut back on the extra exercise for now.

erickirb

Oh and watch your protein intake, if you eat too much with out using it, it turns into fat.. Athletes who exersize a lot can eat a lot of protein and it gives them the energy they need to do so much physical activity, but these are people that put hours into physical activity which allows them to eat a lot of protien. I know you are doing 30 day shred and some other things but watch your protien intake because you might not be using it all. Drink lots of water and eat lots of veggies. The more water you drink the less water retension you will have.

What are you talking about. No nutrient, even fat, will turn into body fat unless you are in a caloric surplus. If you chose to lose weight on MFP you are in a deficit and don't have to worry about gaining fat.

On top of that, your body actually burns more calories digesting protein than any other macro, so more protein is good for this reason and it keeps you full longer. MFP has low protein guidlines 15% of total calories, a balanced diet can consist of up to 30% (double MFP's recommendation) and may people eat even more than that. Protein is very important while dieting as when in a caloric deficit you will lose some muscle, protein helps you retain more of it then you would otherwise.

jillica

If you are breastfeeding, that may play a role. Hormones make everything complicated. Some people swear their weight melted off with nursing but NOT ME! Good for you. Good for your baby. Good job, Mama!

I like the advice of staying patient and measuring yourself - inches loss doesn't necessarily mean pounds loss.

Also, I don't think 2 lb/week goal is too much for you. It looks like you want to lose 50+ lbs - totally acceptable!

I would also recommend that you eat those exercise calories. I know you plugged in your goals at the start, but MFP still treats you like your sedentary until you prove it wrong.

You can do this! Good Luck!

Virginia90

So...protein...is extra good or bad? =/