Am I doing something wrong?

rachaeldab

I've been on my weight loss journey since March 2 and so far I've lost 26lbs. While I am extremely proud of myself, I haven't seen any big losses the past few weeks. I'm talking 5+lbs. My SW was 287 and my current weight is 261. I was eating the calories that MFP had pre-determined for me, which is about 1500 calories, but then my trainer told me to stay between 1200-1400 calories so that I could lose more.

I've been staying as close to 1200 as possible and not eating the calories that I burn off (I work out everyday). I've read a lot about eating the calories that you burn off but I'm also in the obese category so I don't think that this applies to me.

Today my weigh-in said I lost 2.2lbs and last week I lost just over 3lbs. Should I be losing the weight more quickly or am I just being impatient? Any advice is welcomed!

iwantahealthierme13

Staying between 12-1400 cals doesn't mean only eat 1200.

I personally would go back up to 1500 because this site works.

That being said it's unhealthy to lose 5 or more pounds a week.

The first week is a big loss but you can't maintain that. 2-3 pounds is great. You are doing fine.

rachaeldab

Staying between 12-1400 cals doesn't mean only eat 1200.

I personally would go back up to 1500 because this site works.

That being said it's unhealthy to lose 5 or more pounds a week.

The first week is a big loss but you can't maintain that. 2-3 pounds is great. You are doing fine.

I agree with you 100%. I honestly wasn't happy with my trainer so I began to avoid her and it turns out she got fired from the gym I go to just last week. Guess my hunch was right!

I felt better when I was eating 1500 calories a day. I had more energy and I was making better choices. I've been so hungry the past couple of weeks. I think I was being too hard on myself.

Success doesn't happen over night!

megsmom2

eat your exercize calories. really. do it.
And don't stress.. its normal to lose pretty quickly at first and then have it level off to a slower pace, or sometimes no pace at all...which is frustrating, but it IS normal. Hang in there, keep exercizing, keep logging your foods, and you can do this! Have faith!

momwhosbusy

I think your calories may be too low. I am 150 and eating 1500 calories/day and losing .5 lb/week. I have about 10 or so lbs to go. Maybe figure out your BMR and TDEE and shoot for something between the two for calorie goal? And Yes, eat back some/most of your exercise calories.

SPNLuver83

it DOES apply to you. You are not loosing because you are not fueling your body to loose.

jjelizalde

Make sure you take your measurements. Sometimes when the scale doesn't show a loss, the tape measure will.

Pebble321

Staying between 12-1400 cals doesn't mean only eat 1200.

I personally would go back up to 1500 because this site works.

That being said it's unhealthy to lose 5 or more pounds a week.

The first week is a big loss but you can't maintain that. 2-3 pounds is great. You are doing fine.

I agree with you 100%. I honestly wasn't happy with my trainer so I began to avoid her and it turns out she got fired from the gym I go to just last week. Guess my hunch was right!

I felt better when I was eating 1500 calories a day. I had more energy and I was making better choices. I've been so hungry the past couple of weeks. I think I was being too hard on myself.

Success doesn't happen over night!

You have the answer right there... it doesn't happen overnight, but if you are losing 2 pounds or more a week that is already very fast weight loss - and to be honest, you probably won't keep losing at that rate for ever. As you lose weight and get fitter the pounds will come off more slowly, but you just have to keep going and you'll get there. You've already learnt that eating too low doesn't give you energy - stick to your 1500 so you'll feel good as you get healthier.
Keep up the good work!

Charlie175

http://www.fat2fitradio.com/tools/bmr/
fitnessfrog.com

Check out these websites. I was really surprised at the calorie goal it gave me.

Lleldiranne

Staying between 12-1400 cals doesn't mean only eat 1200.

I personally would go back up to 1500 because this site works.

That being said it's unhealthy to lose 5 or more pounds a week.

The first week is a big loss but you can't maintain that. 2-3 pounds is great. You are doing fine.

I agree with you 100%. I honestly wasn't happy with my trainer so I began to avoid her and it turns out she got fired from the gym I go to just last week. Guess my hunch was right!

I felt better when I was eating 1500 calories a day. I had more energy and I was making better choices. I've been so hungry the past couple of weeks. I think I was being too hard on myself.

Success doesn't happen over night!

You've got it right, here. And losing 2 lbs a week is great! Be aware as you get closer to goal weight that it will slow down to 1 lb a week at some point; that is still a great amount.

family_girl2626

I found that when I tried to do the 1200 calories I was hungry. Then I was more tempted and sometimes gave into the snacking temptation. Now that I have switched back to the 1500 cal it is more than enough to keep me satisfied. I would suggest this for you. It is normal to plateau!!!!!! At this point it doesn't mean you aren't changing, as you may be losing inches and not pounds. Hang in there.

allycat54

You should eat your exercise calories. It's too hard to maintain if you don't and it's worked for me. Plus it encourages me to exercise so I can eat more

mcott1012

Wow... it sounds like your hunch was right on the trainer . And my journey seems to be very close to yours. For the first little while I was losing 2-4 lbs per week. Then I started over-thinking things and trying to keep my net cals as close to 1200 as possible, no matter how much I worked out and my weight loss pretty much stopped. About three weeks ago I totally changed how I was doing things ( I stopped weighing myself every week and started just aiming to keep my cal count in the green, but as close to my daily goal as possible). I got on the scale this morning, and what do you know... I'm down 4 lbs!! So just be patient and eat healthily, I've done the crazy rapid weightloss thing in the past, and not only do you feel like crap while your doing it, it never lasts! Good luck my dear, you can do this!!

sschmidt928

Super fast weight loss doesn't generally stick, and it's really hard on your body. It's so much better to lose it more slowly and allow your body to adjust. If this is a lifestyle change you're aiming for, baby steps are truly the way to go. I know it's frustrating, believe me - I am going down very slowly myself. Hang in - you're doing an awesome job and a big high five to you for getting up and getting started on the journey.

sherim71

Go figure. I was at 1700 cal on MFP in March when I signed up for a trainer. Granted, my weight wasn't moving. Trainer says I should be at 1500 so I go there. I lose 5 pounds right away and then plateau. I go back up to 1700 last week and have now lost another 2 pounds.

avartikyan

When you work out you gain muscle and burn fat. Muscle is heavier than fat, therefore you dont see any loss, and at first might actually see a gain. I can tell by my pants, even if the scale shows I havent lost any weight, my pants are loose (yyyeeeiii!!)

byrnet18

Sounds like you've gotten some good responses. I agree with increasing your calories. I hit plateaus and once I increased my calories my weight loss would pick up again. But 2 pounds a week is awesome weight loss, just keep doing what you're doing. You'll get there if you are persistent. Best wishes!!

Linda_Darlene

Yep! You are being impatient! Gradual weight loss will not only allow your skin to keep up and shrink up, but will make you more likely to be successful in keeping the weight off long term. Up your calories a bit!:bigsmile:

purpleipod

May I ask why in the hell you're expecting to lose 5+ pounds a week?

PepeGreggerton

You're metabolism is more likely coming to a grinding hault do to your low calories.

halt*

tatlona12

You are loosing weight super fast!

taso42

Am I doing something wrong?

Yes, this:

I've been staying as close to 1200 as possible and not eating the calories that I burn off (I work out everyday).

Either "eat back" calories or bump your target up to like 1600.

sherim71

Hun wanting to lose 5 pounds a week is unrealistic when you are in the "real world". That is Biggest Loser stuff when they are on the ranch and do nothing but work out under doctor care all day long. If you lose 1-2 pounds a week that is great and safe!

Lift_hard_eat_big

Kindly ask your trainer to stop giving people bad diet and nutrition advice.

jrev86

What exactly are you eating in your diet? Hitting the calorie mark and fulfilling the nutrients that your body craves to burn are different. You need to eat plenty of whole grains, greens...veggies, fruits, and proteins that contain omega 3s like fish and chicken. Avoid salts, more sodium less weight loss. Eating red meat should be only once a week and by adding it the one time, helps force your body to burn more. Enjoy one treat a week to build your metabolism. Just the one, so if it is a drink or that brownie....just the one and a small portion.

Now, be patient on the weight loss as well. You don't want to lose more than 2 or 3 lbs a week because the more you lose the more loose skin you will have. Drink plenty of water....hydration is very important! I can't stress that enough. Good luck on your weight loss journey!

omgzstef

Kindly ask your trainer to stop giving people bad diet and nutrition advice.

DING DING DING! There's no way someone of your weight should be eating such little calories, especially after working out/not eating back your exercise calories. I say, go to a different trainer who actually knows what they're talking about. Also, you're losing weight pretty quickly! Slow & steady wins the race

odusgolp

You're metabolism is more likely coming to a grinding hault do to your low calories.

halt*

Really? That's the one word you decided to correct? *LOL* If you're going to go all grammar nazi, for the love of God, go balls to the wall.

omgzstef

You're metabolism is more likely coming to a grinding hault do to your low calories.

halt*

Really? That's the one word you decided to correct? *LOL* If you're going to go all grammar nazi, for the love of God, go balls to the wall.

Just died at this post. Hahahaha

CoryIda

You're metabolism is more likely coming to a grinding hault do to your low calories.

halt*

Really? That's the one word you decided to correct? *LOL* If you're going to go all grammar nazi, for the love of God, go balls to the wall.

I love you.

sherim71

Hell I love the pic of the dog "***** I'm Fabulous" Frickin awesome cuz I think my dog thinks that!!!

sherim71

OH , and her trainer got fired just a few days later guys. . .