Should I be Discouraged?

ajohn252 · May 2012

I've been doing this seriously now for a month (counted calories before
but not on the site) and I feel like I'm doing everything right for the most part.
I allow myself what I'm craving in total moderation, eat healthy the rest of the time, and
exercise six days a week for an hour or more.

I could just be new to this and not sure how fast my weight or inches should be coming off
but I feel like I should have seen more progress for how well I'm eating and exercising.

I recently upped my calories also because I was eating way too few after exercising (now
I'm eating 1500 and working off 300 to reach 1200 at the end of the day) so hopefully that will
help. Still though I feel like something isn't right and I should be seeing more results.

By the way I'm around 5' 7", currently 145.4 lbs, 19 years old.

billsica · May 2012

Your still not eating enough.
Just a very quick look, your diary says you have between 300 and 500 calories extra a day.

eat them. go ahead, do it! At this point what have you got to loose? And doing it the MFP way might actually work!!

wlgreen379 · May 2012

I've been discouraged repeatedly in this process, but then I remind myself that it took me a long time to get to the size I'm at and it is going to take some time to get it gone. My advise to you is to take your measurements and pay attention to how clothes fit and how you feel. Weight is simply a measurement just like the measurement of your neck, waist, hips, arms, etc.

Take your time, be mindful of the types of food you eat, keep calm and chive on, and things will work out.

Good luck to you!

ironanimal · May 2012

And how much have you lost in inches or lbs then?

Barbellsandthimbles · May 2012

Just in looking at your diary I would say you may want to track your sodium too. It could be you're getting a lot of sodium which is causing bloating. I think upping your cals will help as well. I've been eating at my BMR for the past 3 weeks and my weight is going down when it was stalled a bit.

Helloitsdan · May 2012

5'7" should be netting 1800+ daily.

Basic calculations.....

BMR 1468 so eating below this you have already lost the fight.
TDEE 2275 eating above this will help you gain if needed.

Perfect weight 141lbs so you are almost to goal.
You may not feel that way if you are skinny fat but there are ways to fight this.

Set MFP to 1820 daily.
Protein and Fat 30% each.
Continue your routine and measure your success with tape and not the scale.

Dont log activity on this type of static number.
Just eat for nutrition sake and workout maybe 3 times a week and youll lose fat faster.
=D

therealangd · May 2012

At 5'7" and 145 lbs, I think you should only be trying to lose .5 to 1lb per week. It's going to take a long time, but it really is the healthiest way to achieve the results you want.

A net of 1200 calories (1500 - 300) is too low for somebody that is working out on a regular basis. Your BMR is 1500. You really should be netting this amount because you have a low amount of weight to lose. So in your case, you would be eating 1800 - 300 calories that you are working out.

I also think that if you haven't started, you should be working on a weight training program. At the size you are now, you are going to have more benefit from a weight training program than you would from a cardio only program.

JDKD82199 · May 2012

You may be gaining muscle along with fat loss which makes the number on the scale deceiving. I would suggest keeping measurments.

tigerlily8045 · May 2012

Well you should never be discouraged! If any progress is being made whether it be on the scale or by the tape. Progress is progress! If you lose slowly it is less likely to come back. You didn't say how much you have lost in that month. I am sure it also depends on how much you have to lose to start with. Try not to have too high of goals. 1 lb per week is standard. Just remember that.

jeawashko · May 2012

hmmm interesting, i am about the same stats as you and i'm only eating 1200 a day, working out around 250-400 off a day and trying not to eat them all back... maybe i should be eating more too. in anycase, i've been back on MFP for about 2 weeks and i've lost 3lbs. just goes to show you everyone is different! i agree with taking your measurments and seeing if there is a loss there. good luck and feel free to add me as a friend if you'd like since we're so similar!

billsica · May 2012

Out of curiosity, how much muscle mass do you have? you seem like you work out a lot, and you work outside. Maybe your already in shape.

Dragonwolf · May 2012

At your height 145 is a good weight (for however much stock you put in the BMI, you're at 22 and the "healthy" range is 18-24).

I recommend that you stop worrying about losing weight and consider focusing on body composition (losing fat, gaining muscle). Because you're pretty much at your healthy weight, it will be hard for you to continue just flat-out losing weight. If you focus on your body fat percentage, you may lose a few more pounds, but more importantly, you'll gain lean mass and lose fat (which you'll be able to see in the tape measure, even if the scale doesn't change). This can be done by starting a heavy lifting or good bodyweight strength training program.

You probably also have your weight loss goal on MFP set too high. Your goal should be no more than 1lb a week, because that's all you'll be able to sustain. Fuel your body, lift heavy stuff, and lose the fat.

cfriend71 · May 2012

I feel the same way. I am just going to keep going and doing it right. If you "cheat" just get right back on the horse, so to speak. Keep exercising and eating healthy and eventually things will change. My clothes are feeling a little better and I feel better, despite very little change in the scale. I think most of us expect an overnight change and it just doesn't happen. Give it time, this is what I have to keep telling myself too.

ajohn252 · May 2012

I definitely will keep upping my calorie intake over the next few weeks
(I'll take it slow and hopefully over come the challenging mental aspect of "eat more lose more").

As well I do, do some weight lifting every day but quite light because my upper body is my
weakness when it comes to strength, and honestly I wouldn't know what to do with myself
to be lifting the proper weight to see results.

JesterMFP · May 2012

Well, you are already at a healthy weight, and judging from your ticker, your goal weight is towards the low end of "healthy". It is much harder to lose weight when you don't have much to lose. If you've lost 5 pounds in that month, then that's actually very good and I would be very pleased with that. As you say that you're shooting more for a "look" than a certain weight, it might be worth focussing less on the scale and trying to change your body composition instead. That might mean eating quite a bit more than you are doing now and incorporating strength training.

ajohn252 · May 2012

I really don't have that much muscle mass and I'd like to work on that for sure.
I think the key to getting the results that I'm looking for will be to find a perfect balance
of cardio and strength training because right now my cardio far outweighs my
time spent of lifting and things like that.

I recently just purchased 30DS and RI30 and plan on starting them
asap and I've seen people's amazing results with those on this site.

beccadaniixox · May 2012

I agree with everyone.
Deff up your calories.
I'm 5 inches shorter than you and my goal is 120.
Maybe try to loss 5 more pounds and focus more on gaining muscle/cutting fat.
A low weight doesn't always equal healthy

jennifer52484 · May 2012

Don't be discouraged. Each body takes time to see scale results. What worked for me was I upped my protein to at least 100g and reduced my carbs by the same amount. Add in some strength training a few times a week and make sure you are getting enough water.

rprussell2004 · May 2012

Don't be discouraged. Each body takes time to see scale results.

Nono - the BEST thing to do is get discouraged.

Learn to zero-in and obsess on the scale every day.

That way leads to the most satisfying and fun approach to weight loss in the world.

I mean... it must... right?

Otherwise why on earth would so many people do it?

Lleldiranne · May 2012

You don't mention how much you have lost in the last month. But considering your height/weight I would say that you can't expect to lose very quickly. You're already near where you should be. People who have a great deal to lose can expect to see 2 lbs a week (or up to 10 lbs a month) at first. Those who are closer to healthy weight (or already in healthy BMI) are going to lose more slowly.

I also agree with other posters that you need to eat all your calories given to you by MFP. It honestly seems to make a difference for me. And, if you don't already, incorporate resistance (ie weights) into your weekly routine. By building muscle mass you will slim down, even if the scale doesn't show those "magical numbers" and increase your overall health.

Helloitsdan · May 2012

I really don't have that much muscle mass and I'd like to work on that for sure.
I think the key to getting the results that I'm looking for will be to find a perfect balance
of cardio and strength training because right now my cardio far outweighs my
time spent of lifting and things like that.

I recently just purchased 30DS and RI30 and plan on starting them
asap and I've seen people's amazing results with those on this site.

I wouldnt even do cardio unless its just walking TBH.
Anything steady state can effect lean mass composition and add extra stress to the system.
Focus on picking things up and putting them down 3 times a week and work in a 3-5 rep range for maximum strength gains.
To build up lean mass youll need to eat above TDEE on lifting days so lets say you lift 3 times a week and walk for 20 mins a day....

Sunday 1800 calories
Monday lift for 20-50 mins 2400 calories
Tuesday 1800 calories
Weds lift for 20-50 mins 2400 calories
Thursday 1800 calories
Friday lift for 20-50 mins 2400 calories
Saturday and sunday full rest 1800 each.

Your TDEE is 2200 cals so 2200x7=15400

On this plan youll be taking in fuel on days needed to promote lean tissue growth as long as you lift heavy.

Your weekly calorie intake would be:
1800x4=8430
2400x3=7200

7200=8430=15630

Thats only 230cals above TDEE for the week.
Thats what....1/10th of a pound a week possible gains?
Youll lose fat and stimulate growth and get to eat like a champ!
As long as its 90% whole foods with 10% junk....
=D

cfriend71 · May 2012

Don't be discouraged. Each body takes time to see scale results.

Nono - the BEST thing to do is get discouraged.

Learn to zero-in and obsess on the scale every day.

That way leads to the most satisfying and fun approach to weight loss in the world.

I mean... it must... right?

I don't agree. I think people expect the change too soon and the scale can be discouraging. Yes you should weigh in but probably not everyday - some say once a week or even once every two weeks.

Otherwise why on earth would so many people do it?

rprussell2004 · May 2012

Don't be discouraged. Each body takes time to see scale results.

Nono - the BEST thing to do is get discouraged.

Learn to zero-in and obsess on the scale every day.

That way leads to the most satisfying and fun approach to weight loss in the world.

I mean... it must... right?

I don't agree. I think people expect the change too soon and the scale can be discouraging. Yes you should weigh in but probably not everyday - some say once a week or even once every two weeks.

Otherwise why on earth would so many people do it?

(Psst. Sarcastic cat is sarcastic.)

[edit: quote levels]

Should I be Discouraged?

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