Other factors affecting weightloss?

StarryEyed500

Ok, so I know that weightloss = calories burned - calories consumed but is there anything else that affects how it comes off?
I have been eating my BMR and not doing loads of exercise so I know I'm not under or over eating. I've been losing the same 1-2lb for a month now and it's getting tedious. Just when I think I'm getting somewhere, the weight goes back up!

I have Implanon so wondered if this could be one of the reasons. I also breastfeed but only once a day. I'm planning a visit to the doctors so wondered if there's anything I should get checked?

Cindym82

maybe change up your exercise. You're body gets used to the same exercise and doesn't lose anymore or as much. Also maybe some more protein in the diet

RAFValentina

BUMP FOR GENERAL CURIOSITY OF ANSWERS!

lacroyx

sleep

kristinlough

I'm with moodyc82: change up the exercise! Have you tried HIIT/tabata? What about weight-bearing exercise? If you're doing really low-intensity workouts, you might need to up it some.

If you walk: on a treadmill - up the incline! Outside - look for hills!

Have you tried classes or DVDs? There are tons of ways to help you push a little harder. Good luck! (And definitely do listen to the doctor ... obviously)

It'll get there!

Edited to add: also sleep and reduce your stress. Seriously, stress is murder on the body (I know that's easy to recommend and hard to do)

My1985Freckles

All calories are not created equal. How are your sugars? Are you going over a lot? A woman is supposed to have around 24-30gs of sugar a day. I plateaued for 5 months, but as soon as I started tracking my sugar, the weight started coming off again.

Sugars in fruit are "better" than added sugars, but you should still be watching them. Go for lower sugar fruits and veggies (yep, veggies have sugars too!).

erickirb

Sleep, stress, hormones

StarryEyed500

I don't think I exercise enough for it to need changing yet lol
Example - I have Wii Active 2 and Zumba. I will do these a couple of times a week. I have 2 children so will go to the park with them maybe once a week, weather depending.

My protein is ok-ish. Not sure how I'd increase it. I currently have around 70g per day.


Sleep - ha! I get around 7 hours a day, depending on how awake my kids are.

My1985Freckles

My protein is ok-ish. Not sure how I'd increase it. I currently have around 70g per day.

Eggs, Lean Meats, Nuts, Protein Shakes.

StarryEyed500

All calories are not created equal. How are your sugars? Are you going over a lot? A woman is supposed to have around 24-30gs of sugar a day. I plateaued for 5 months, but as soon as I started tracking my sugar, the weight started coming off again.

Sugars in fruit are "better" than added sugars, but you should still be watching them. Go for lower sugar fruits and veggies (yep, veggies have sugars too!).

I do check my sugar but it's generally between 50 and 75! I don't like many veggies - probably cos of the lack of sugar lol but the only fruits I like are grapes, apples and bananas.

StarryEyed500

My protein is ok-ish. Not sure how I'd increase it. I currently have around 70g per day.

Eggs, Lean Meats, Nuts, Protein Shakes.

Can't eat eggs or nuts. I'm reluctant to do shakes because they're so artificial. My body has an inbuilt intollorance for man-made foods.

ttate002

Are you getting enough water? Some say 64 oz. or half your body weight. I'm not sure, but I see that it makes a difference with me. I think it is possible that the birth control could be the cause especially if you have never had this form before, but that would be something your gyno would know more about. Perhaps check your metabolism and thyroid. I heard that breastfeeding does help with weight loss. Good luck!

Lolli1986

you said you have been losing and regaining the same 1-2 pounds for a month? that is how big my daily fluctuation is.

lots of things affect weight change. it can be as simple as how much salt you ate today, to as complex as what you have been doing for the past few months. quality and quantity of food, and how much and in what way you burn are the most important drivers. My BMR is around 1400, and I usually eat about 1400 cals a day, and do very little due to injury. I, too, do not lose weight. If you're within a healthy bmi your body is working very hard to maintain what it has got.

StarryEyed500

It's possible I'm not drinking enough but would that cause a loss/gain of the same amount for a month?

I'm making an appointment to get the implant taken out. I haven't had a period (sorry, TMI) in over 3 years, since I got pregnant with my youngest! I'm not sure if I can get my metabolism checked - they might not do that here.
I will ask about my thyroid. I had it check last year and it was borderline but when I had it rechecked a couple of weeks later it was ok.


Thanks for all the replies

Helloitsdan

Ok, so I know that weightloss = calories burned - calories consumed but is there anything else that affects how it comes off?
I have been eating my BMR and not doing loads of exercise so I know I'm not under or over eating. I've been losing the same 1-2lb for a month now and it's getting tedious. Just when I think I'm getting somewhere, the weight goes back up!

I have Implanon so wondered if this could be one of the reasons. I also breastfeed but only once a day. I'm planning a visit to the doctors so wondered if there's anything I should get checked?

Eating BMR is incorrect dieting and can result in 20-50% of losses being lean mass.
Someday youll have to add that lean mass back.
That results in you having to eat above TDEE for a period of time and thus....adding back possible fat.

Figure out your TDEE and take 20% off that, youll get a number around 1600-2k daily for calories to eat.
This is proper dieting and youll only lose fat with little to no lean mass loss.

lmsharris

Thanks for the tip on sugar - this is my biggest downful! Even when I have close to 1,200 calories (far too low) my sugar and fat intake are too high.....it's a tough balancing act.

StarryEyed500

you said you have been losing and regaining the same 1-2 pounds for a month? that is how big my daily fluctuation is.

Yes, as in I start at 153.5, go down to 151.5, back to 153.5, down to 151.5. Currently at 152.8

lots of things affect weight change. it can be as simple as how much salt you ate today, to as complex as what you have been doing for the past few months. quality and quantity of food, and how much and in what way you burn are the most important drivers. My BMR is around 1400, and I usually eat about 1400 cals a day, and do very little due to injury. I, too, do not lose weight. If you're within a healthy bmi your body is working very hard to maintain what it has got.

I wish I were in a healthy BMI

StarryEyed500

Ok, so I know that weightloss = calories burned - calories consumed but is there anything else that affects how it comes off?
I have been eating my BMR and not doing loads of exercise so I know I'm not under or over eating. I've been losing the same 1-2lb for a month now and it's getting tedious. Just when I think I'm getting somewhere, the weight goes back up!

I have Implanon so wondered if this could be one of the reasons. I also breastfeed but only once a day. I'm planning a visit to the doctors so wondered if there's anything I should get checked?

Eating BMR is incorrect dieting and can result in 20-50% of losses being lean mass.
Someday youll have to add that lean mass back.
That results in you having to eat above TDEE for a period of time and thus....adding back possible fat.

Figure out your TDEE and take 20% off that, youll get a number around 1600-2k daily for calories to eat.
This is proper dieting and youll only lose fat with little to no lean mass loss.

My TDEE - 20% = my BMR.

maddiedog22

U could see if ur thyroid is off. Birth control always made me gain weight tho.

therealangd

From my point of view, if it's only been a month, that's not long enough for it to be a problem.

If you are eating at your BMR and not really doing a whole lot of exercise, then there isn't really a whole lot of deficit. I would really only expect a loss of a pound or two a month, maybe three. Not that there is anything wrong with that. Slow and steady wins the race. But your body can gain and lose a few pounds just from natural causes (I've seen myself gain as much as 5 over night). Time of the month, sodium, water retention, food etc. So at that level of weight loss, it's going to take a few months to see a consistent loss.

Keep doing what you are doing. The weight will come off.

ETA: Eating at least your BMR is absolutely correct.

XXXMinnieXXX

medication is a big factor x

StarryEyed500

... I would really only expect a loss of a pound or two a month, maybe three...

That's kind of my point. I haven't lost anything. I expect to lose at least a pound a month and it's not budging.

medication is a big factor x

I'm not on any medication apart from the contraceptive implant.

trishiemo

All calories are not the same. Even Weightwatchers just changed their program to include the glycemic index. Counting calories in general resulted in a 1-2 pound loss per week for me. So I changed it up. I cut out aspartame and diet sodas (I now drink 0 cal SoBe drinks). I cut out carbohydrates after 3:00, as your body needs to exercise to burn them, if you eat them at night, they are just stored. Eat protein late, which causes your RMR (resting metab. rate) to increase to digest the protein while you sleep.

My complex carbs are pretty much gone from my diet. I eat fresh fruits and veggies, not much bread/pasta (or I use gluten free pasta). I do have cereal or egg/toast in the am. Once I broke the carb cycle, I no longer craved it.

now I am losing at 4 pounds/week on avg (last 3 weeks.)

Helloitsdan

Ok, so I know that weightloss = calories burned - calories consumed but is there anything else that affects how it comes off?
I have been eating my BMR and not doing loads of exercise so I know I'm not under or over eating. I've been losing the same 1-2lb for a month now and it's getting tedious. Just when I think I'm getting somewhere, the weight goes back up!

I have Implanon so wondered if this could be one of the reasons. I also breastfeed but only once a day. I'm planning a visit to the doctors so wondered if there's anything I should get checked?

Eating BMR is incorrect dieting and can result in 20-50% of losses being lean mass.
Someday youll have to add that lean mass back.
That results in you having to eat above TDEE for a period of time and thus....adding back possible fat.

Figure out your TDEE and take 20% off that, youll get a number around 1600-2k daily for calories to eat.
This is proper dieting and youll only lose fat with little to no lean mass loss.

My TDEE - 20% = my BMR.

Incorrect

How tall are you?
How much do you weigh?
How often do you work out?
Whats your fat%?
How old are you?

I'll post numbers now....

TinkrBelz

I have heard that the implant and the shot can make it nearly impossible to lose weight. So, getting that removed might help a lot.

Have your thyroid checked...but do some research before you do. Some doctors will keep you in the "normal" range...and that could be the high end of normal. I still gain weight and feel sluggish at the high end. I need to be on the low end of the normal range. You might be the same.

I try to follow 35/35/30 Protein, Carbs, Fat ratio in my diet. It might be more like 40/25/35 because I eat coconut oil and that pops up my fat.

I know you said that your body does not respond to man made food, but it looks like it is not responding to what you are doing now. I say add a protein shake, it really will increase your protein...but find a low carb/low sugar protein. I drink mine with milk, but I have done Almond milk and it is great too. Boca burgers (soy burgers) Yummy, and cottage cheese is low in carbs and high in protein.

StarryEyed500

How tall are you?
How much do you weigh?
How often do you work out?
Whats your fat%?
How old are you?

I'll post numbers now....

I'm 5ft. I weigh 152.8lb (69.3kg) today. I don't 'work out'. I do more than my daily work maybe 2-3 times a week for 30 mins but I do have 2 children to look after. I'm 33. My fat% depends on what calculator you use, but roughly 40-45%

Edit - just thought I'd add, on days I do more than 'normal' I eat more than my BMR.

My1985Freckles

Helliotsdan.... My BMR is TDEE - 20%... I am sedentary. The activity multiple is 1.25... BMR = 1464 TDEE - 20% = (1830 - 366) = 1464..... SOOOOOOOOO, YES! OP's BMR can = her TDEE-20%

therealangd

... I would really only expect a loss of a pound or two a month, maybe three...

That's kind of my point. I haven't lost anything. I expect to lose at least a pound a month and it's not budging.

[/quote]

You didn't read the rest of my post.

Because of normal daily fluctuations, you may not see a loss trend for a couple of months.

chevy88grl

I think I would try upping my calories. Eating your BMR means you're eating the bare minimum calories for the day. If you are breastfeeding (even if only once a day) - that alone means you should be eating more than your BMR. I would find out what your TDEE is and deduct a deficit from that. Too many people do a disservice to themselves by severely restricting their calories.

cbcw1964

Make certain to have your thyroid checked...and note that if it is hypo and you start medication for such it will be difficult to lose weight but I have had success so far and I am hypo...I had my babies later in life and was diagnosed hypo after second pregnancy. Try to get as much exercise as you can and watch what you eat...also watch when you eat...I try to not eat fwo hours prior to bedtime and I take my thyroid meds at night rather than in the morning (so I can take my vitamins in the morning without interferring with my levothyroxin)...good luck!

kristinL16

How about exercising more and see what happens?