I feel like screaming

iuali81

I'm in a horrible mood today for some reason, so please excuse my attitude. I'm just so frustrated with all the information flying around about what people should and should not eat. I can't believe it's this freaking complicated. I try to read the posts and see what I might be doing wrong. Instead, I end up feeling overwhelmed like my head is spinning and is going to explode. It just seems like there is too much conflicting information. Eat back your exercise calories/don't eat them back. I have no idea what TDEE or BMR means. I just want to eat healthy and exercise and lose weight. I know everyone's body is different and I know that I have to figure out what works for me, but that seems like it could take forever. I have been working out consistently (at least 6 days a week) for about 2 weeks now and I'm gaining weight. Last year I lost over 20lbs doing the same thing and have gained about 10 of it back. I'm trying to get back on track now, but I'm having a hard time staying motivated.

I'm sorry this sounds so whiney. I'm just really irritated today. :grumble:

Lozze

Eh, we all have days like that. So don't apologise.

There is no right or wrong foods to eat. Just hitting your calorie goals. I will point out that if you're doing the same thing as last time, why you back trying to lose weight? It's trying to figure out something that not only works but you can do long term.

If you open your food diary up people can give better advice.

iuali81

Eh, we all have days like that. So don't apologise.

There is no right or wrong foods to eat. Just hitting your calorie goals. I will point out that if you're doing the same thing as last time, why you back trying to lose weight? It's trying to figure out something that not only works but you can do long term.

If you open your food diary up people can give better advice.

What I was doing last time worked. I gained some weight back b/c I quit watching/tracking my calories and hardly worked out at all. If i had maintained what I was doing previously, I wouldn't be in the situation I'm in now.

I actually just saw a good post that explained why it's important to eat back exercise calories, so I feel a little better about that. I am also starting with a personal trainer next week, so hopefully she can help calm me down and explain things in a way I can understand!

SuzyLy

Just take it one day at a time to hit your calorie goals set by MFP. I've been a member for only 3 weeks and have lost weight, but I'm sure I'll hit a plateau and expect to go through the same weight gains while "being good." Only at that time will I worry about TDEE, BMR, etc. Seems to me that you are turning some fat into muscle, and that's good. If you haven't already done it, take your measurements -- you may be seeing a change in your clothes size before you see a weight loss. Keep up with the diet & exercise -- it will eventually pay off!!

JSheehy1965

We all have days like that. It IS confusing when you listen to so many people with conflicting advice. Speak to your personal trainer about it and open up your food diary so that others can see and maybe offer some encouragement and advice there. I've started tracking sodium in my diet and was horrified to see how much sodium I COULD consume in a day. I have my diary open and have had people offer really good constructive advice so I can adjust.

Hope that working with a personal trainer helps - and keep going - you CAN do this!

Lozze

What I was doing last time worked. I gained some weight back b/c I quit watching/tracking my calories and hardly worked out at all. If i had maintained what I was doing previously, I wouldn't be in the situation I'm in now.

That's why I said it didn't work. Because you didn't maintain it. Losing weight is so damn hard. Maintaining is is even harder. But at this point we don't know what you do so it's really hard to offer advice (if that's what you want)

You've already done well. You're gaining but it could be TOM, it could be water retention or just plain dumb luck. KIS (Keep It Simple) and try not to stress (as easy as that is to say!)

vim_n_vigor

I'm in a horrible mood today for some reason, so please excuse my attitude. I'm just so frustrated with all the information flying around about what people should and should not eat. I can't believe it's this freaking complicated. I try to read the posts and see what I might be doing wrong. Instead, I end up feeling overwhelmed like my head is spinning and is going to explode. It just seems like there is too much conflicting information. Eat back your exercise calories/don't eat them back. I have no idea what TDEE or BMR means. I just want to eat healthy and exercise and lose weight. I know everyone's body is different and I know that I have to figure out what works for me, but that seems like it could take forever. I have been working out consistently (at least 6 days a week) for about 2 weeks now and I'm gaining weight. Last year I lost over 20lbs doing the same thing and have gained about 10 of it back. I'm trying to get back on track now, but I'm having a hard time staying motivated.

I'm sorry this sounds so whiney. I'm just really irritated today. :grumble:

Your profile pic shows a pretty young kid. How is your sleep this time compared to last time? Are you nursing? These kinds of things can change how you lose weight. Give it time.

fruitloop2

I really feel your frustrations today. I'm pretty new to this whole thing and haven't been on this life change for very long but find it frustrating to not see the scale move a whole lot in 2 weeks even though I've been working my butt off. I do see results in inches though (lost about .5" in my waist) and I feel better but it's hard when you get on that scale and it's not moving...or moving the wrong way. This is not an easy task for me and I'm trying to keep it in my head that nothing worth doing comes easy and I keep the reasons for changing my lifestyle in my head to keep me going and staying on task. I hope your day gets better and keep looking forward!

Bumdrahp

I feel your pain. I too can't figure out wtf to do. I just need to track my calories, hit my goal, ( or a bit under) and work out.. I can't sit here and try to listen to everyones advice only because so many people have different opinions.. everyones body works differently.. Just try and hit your daily goal and work out. If you're under your goal, you dont HAVE to eat those calories, unless you are so under you could go into starvation mode.. in that case, add something! That's just my opinion.

Xo :flowerforyou:

iuali81

I'm in a horrible mood today for some reason, so please excuse my attitude. I'm just so frustrated with all the information flying around about what people should and should not eat. I can't believe it's this freaking complicated. I try to read the posts and see what I might be doing wrong. Instead, I end up feeling overwhelmed like my head is spinning and is going to explode. It just seems like there is too much conflicting information. Eat back your exercise calories/don't eat them back. I have no idea what TDEE or BMR means. I just want to eat healthy and exercise and lose weight. I know everyone's body is different and I know that I have to figure out what works for me, but that seems like it could take forever. I have been working out consistently (at least 6 days a week) for about 2 weeks now and I'm gaining weight. Last year I lost over 20lbs doing the same thing and have gained about 10 of it back. I'm trying to get back on track now, but I'm having a hard time staying motivated.

I'm sorry this sounds so whiney. I'm just really irritated today. :grumble:

Your profile pic shows a pretty young kid. How is your sleep this time compared to last time? Are you nursing? These kinds of things can change how you lose weight. Give it time.

My baby is 1.5 now. Both of them sleep through the night, so that's not really an issue. When I started working out last year, I was nursing. I know nursing burns calories, so maybe that's why I saw such quick results last time. I'm not nursing anymore.

I just made my diary public, (eek!) so please feel free to offer some advice if you can! (this is to everyone!)

yoovie

Hey its totally ok. I know it can get crazy around here for sure. Especially since this isnt just a weight loss site- most of my friends on here are in maintenance for their weight but woring on changing up heir body composition or getting bigger or stronger by now- so there is indeed a lot of information based on where you are right now and what you are trying to accomplish personally.

But for losing weight and getting fitter- you can always stick to the one true guaranteed method- eat healthily, exercise consistently, sleep soundly and drink water like a mermaid.

Everything else is additional science behind the why's, or its more detailed and complicated ways to speed up this area, or this process, or this growth spurt or to help your body metabolise different things better or in another way. Its all icing on the cake. Its all fine details. Its all the kinds of stuff you'll probably want to dive headfirst into when you are at a different point. But for right now- now you are completely allowed to stick to the basics.

Because these basics are what allllllllllllll the rest of this overwhelming amount of info and anagrams and math is built on.

Its ok to just keep making good decisions as you come to them, moving every chance yo get, cutting out drinking enormous amounts of calories and replacing them with water to bathe your insides and get some sweet dreams.

The restyou'll use when you want it, when you need it, later- when youre ready

noweightfisherj

Keep it simple.

Eat better.

Eat in moderation.

Eat at a calorie reduction.

Exercise.

leesee88

yep.
exactly. i actually made an appointment with a dietician/ nutrition counselor yesterday. I am overwhelmed, confused, frustrated, etc etc. Things that worked before dont work now.....

I have no idea if seeing a dietician is the answer, but I am hoping someone who was educated in this field might have some better insight than people just spewing information all over the internet.

tlc12078

I know for the first 2 weeks being up here I was becoming overwhelmed. Eat you cals everyone would say. Well, my brain tricking solution is, I am earning my food. I exercise so I can eat whatever, but food was also the issue. So am figuring out how to outsmart that one too. Instead of ground beef, do turkey, turkey bacon, instead of eggs, use the eggs in the container, even with baking or cooking. 1 egg of the container is 40 cals less than a regular egg. I know my family wont eat what I am eating so everything I buy, I portion out my sizes and freeze them. I have my 1 coffee, cut the sugar n creamer. I drink water, get sick of it and add MIO. I was noticing, veggies are very low in cals and I can eat a whole bunch adn become full. I am still out thinking the meat. Bread, omg love my bread, but noticed 1 slice of regular white was 90 cals. WHAT!!! Ah hello you need to 2 slices to make a sandwich, so I found hearth 100% lite whole wheat bread, 2 slices are 70 cals. SO I think its all about out smarting it than anything. I hope this helped. Oh n muscle is good, muscle burns fat.

Lozze

You've only got a week but the only 'issues' I saw was at the start you weren't eating enough (and I'm hoping by the fact that you're eating more towards the end of the week you're focussing on hitting your calories. Well done!) and no water is logged. Water really is so helpful for your body. Yes you can get it other ways but personally as someone who never drunk it before this time it's made SUCH a difference.

Just keep logging. I doubt it's fat, just a normal blip. Remember that weight loss isn't a constant downward scale, as long as you're eating the right amount of calories you'll lose weight.

chachita7

ONE TWO THREE... SCREAMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM

Try not to feel overwhelmed, you are correct not one thing works for everyone. Baby steps is all you can take... do your own research and curve your own program

Best of luck to you

reddi2roll

Try to keep it as simple as possible. Go with what MFP tells you. Despite what you see on numerous posts you have to be a little careful eating back ALL your exercise calories because you may not always be sure that the calories burned in the data base are totally accurate for your age, current wt, gender and you may be off in estimating mph etc. So, eat healthy, stick to your calorie base and eat back some of your exercise calories, make sure you always eat at least 1200 (never a problem for me) and relax. It will happen. Also make sure to stay away from foods loaded with sodium and drink your water. That's my nickles worth.

sandown12

Hi was the same until this week Ive spent 22 years yoyo dieting and hungry until some lovely MFP buddies expalined I should eat more as my losses are low.

TDEE = Total Daily Energy Expenditure = Calories you burn all day including exercise
BMR = What calories we burn if we were at bedrest all day

To lose weight find your TDEE fitnessfrog.com is good and eat -20% below that thats the simplest way.

Ill add you as Ive had a tough few weeks of bad losses and have been only eating 620 NET calories

We will get you sorted x

BrettPGH

When it gets too crazy just keep it simple. Eat healthy and exercise and you can't go wrong. If you're really having trouble, like no weight loss for weeks at at time, then you can look into what your BMR/TDEE is doing, buy an HRM and all the other abbreviations.

But for now just take a step back, breathe and have a healthy snack. You can do this. It's only hard if you make it hard.

WhittRak

I was so overwhelmed the first few weeks of my lifestyle change. But honestly, eat healthy, exercise, drink plenty of water, get enough sleep and you will be good to go.

sedosher

I have felt like that for a few months now and so I totally understand. I have spent the last few months trying all the different ways that are always talked about here...but I think I've found what works for me. Check out this group if you are interested, it has been the only thing thats worked for me so far.

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/3817-eat-more-to-weigh-less

angieleighbyrd

The reason there is so much conflicting information is because everyone's body chemistry is different.

sjcply

just eat clean and exercise and it will come off. limit processed foods and sugar!!

butterfli7o

I totally hear you. I'm actually taking a break from all the informational posts (or at least not taking them all so seriously) because I was feeling the same way...totally overwhelmed and not sure what numbers to believe. I honestly think in this case that there is such a thing as over-thinking it, so I'm just going to do what I've been doing...exercising, eating healthy, staying within calorie goal. But I'm not going to stress over my BMR and TDEE, if I should or should not eat back my calories, etc. People lose weight all the time by just exercise and eating healthy, so I'm going to give that a go for now and not obsess over the rest.

howeclectic

I'm in a horrible mood today for some reason, so please excuse my attitude. I'm just so frustrated with all the information flying around about what people should and should not eat. I can't believe it's this freaking complicated. I try to read the posts and see what I might be doing wrong. Instead, I end up feeling overwhelmed like my head is spinning and is going to explode. It just seems like there is too much conflicting information. Eat back your exercise calories/don't eat them back. I have no idea what TDEE or BMR means. I just want to eat healthy and exercise and lose weight. I know everyone's body is different and I know that I have to figure out what works for me, but that seems like it could take forever. I have been working out consistently (at least 6 days a week) for about 2 weeks now and I'm gaining weight. Last year I lost over 20lbs doing the same thing and have gained about 10 of it back. I'm trying to get back on track now, but I'm having a hard time staying motivated.

I'm sorry this sounds so whiney. I'm just really irritated today. :grumble:

I think the most important thing you can do is purchase a digital food scale and start measuring things. Make sure those portions are what you think you are. Looking at your diary... you otherwise look pretty darn good. Working out as much as you are will cause your weight to go up or sometimes stay the same. It takes a couple of months for the body to adapt to new exercise. This leads to the second most important thing you can get.... a tape measure. Ignore the scale... start measuring your waist.

Most important... just keep it up... it takes time...

secretlobster

Weight loss is really not complicated. When you have a lot of weight to lose, fat comes off when you consume fewer calories even if you don't exercise or think about the nutritional content of what you're eating.

People nitpick over macronutrients when they aren't significantly overweight but they want to change their body composition, because at that point it does become more complicated about how the body processes nutrients, builds muscle efficiently, etc.

MinnieInMaine

Took a quick look at your diary and have a few suggestions:

1) Saw you didn't log your food last weekend - not sure if this is a regular thing for you but try to keep track, even if you have to write it down on paper and then log everything Monday morning. Better to know your complete history than have no clue how your weekend eating/drinking/activity effects you overall. If you're like most of us, you tend to indulge a little due to dining out or social events and if you let that get out of control, it can derail all the hard work you did Mon-Fri.

2) You're not tracking your water - make sure your drinking at least 8 cups per day, more on the days you're active. You did have a couple of high sodium days and have increased your activity so it's very likely that the trouble you're having is partially from water retention based on these two things (and possibly TOM - time of month - as well).

3) I'm sure you're right about it being easier to lose while you're breast feeding. I've heard my friends say that they experienced the same thing.

4) Saw your post about knowing why to eat exercise calories back now. Glad to hear it because I was going to suggest that you should eat back at least half of them. Gotta fuel the machine!

Good luck!

steph0924

I'm in a horrible mood today for some reason, so please excuse my attitude. I'm just so frustrated with all the information flying around about what people should and should not eat. I can't believe it's this freaking complicated. I try to read the posts and see what I might be doing wrong. Instead, I end up feeling overwhelmed like my head is spinning and is going to explode. It just seems like there is too much conflicting information. Eat back your exercise calories/don't eat them back. I have no idea what TDEE or BMR means. I just want to eat healthy and exercise and lose weight. I know everyone's body is different and I know that I have to figure out what works for me, but that seems like it could take forever. I have been working out consistently (at least 6 days a week) for about 2 weeks now and I'm gaining weight. Last year I lost over 20lbs doing the same thing and have gained about 10 of it back. I'm trying to get back on track now, but I'm having a hard time staying motivated.

I'm sorry this sounds so whiney. I'm just really irritated today. :grumble:

You totally just wrote out what I am feeling too! I hate it when you know something has worked in the past and it is not working now. Early last year I lost 17 pounds and I would say it was relatively easy. Well, I gained six of those pounds back after getting really busy at work and holiday rush and now I am having the hardest time getting rid of those six pounds. They just don't want to budge!!! And those 6 pounds get me from a size 12 to a size 10 and from my flab hanging over my pants I totally get your frustration. We just need to keep pushing though. I'm not gonna give up. Also, your pic of your two boys is just precious. My girls are 5 and 9 and I miss when they were that little.

qtpieprnsz

My suggestion was going to be to hire a trainer if you could afford it. i wouldn't have reached the point I am today without mine. He's awesome!!! And good looking, so it helps to get me in the gym!!! LOL

Keep the faith and stay strong!!

kaetmarie

According to your ticker, it looks like you're about halfway through ... be patient. I had about 60 pounds to lose and I lost the first 30 pretty quickly (like 3 months) and in the past 3 months, I've only lost about 5.

Stay consistent, eat well, eat in moderation, continue to exercise, and DRINK WATER!

When I felt like you do now, I hid my scale. For an entire month. I spent my time focusing on making good choices for my body without worrying about a number, that truthfully does not tell the whole picture. It helped me so much and here I am, still going even though I'm frequently frustrated (ask anyone on my FL!!).

It can be trying, but this is where you get to make a decision to continue. You can do this!!

kaetmarie

double post