I'm bad at this

trybabytry

Hey,

I am 25 yrs old, 5'10" and ~150 pounds, and I'd like to get to about 135, but I am having sooooo much trouble. I run about 3 miles a day and really enjoy it, so exercise isn't as much of a problem for me as eating is. Since starting MFP about two months ago, I've had two separate weeks where I just messed up completely and ate without a care in the world, and at least one day a week I go over my calories.

So in 2 months I have lost at most only 4 or 5 pounds.

Also, I almost ALWAYS eat back my exercise calories, and I'm thinking maybe that's not the way to go for me?

The biggest problem is my social life, LOL, which revolves around eating and drinking with friends, and another problem, I think, is that I'm not wildly unhappy with my body -- generally, I think it's fine, so when I'm dying for a cookie or something I think, eh, whatever, I'm in decent shape, it doesn't matter -- but god I'd really love to lose those 15 pounds!!!! For once in my life I want to have an AWESOME body, not just an "okay" one.

Anyway, that was chatty, sorry! But there's my story.

lelstar

Are you sure you want to lose more weight? Personally I'm 5'9" and below 70kg I start to look anorexic. You could just to us on eating healthier? Pychobabble for the binge eating, what is triggering it? Eg I know I eat more, or want to eat more, if I'm stressed or bored. A tip for not being hungry all the time is to make sure you have protein whenever you eat, eg I have almonds with my piece of fruit.

trybabytry

I would definitely like to lose the weight, I can assure you I don't look anorexic, LOL. And I eat super healthy, it's just the quantities I find hard... 1400 calories adds up so quickly, especially when I'm eating half my meals with friends who aren't on any kind of diet whatsoever -- I love that they cook for me, but it's often high-calorie food (though still healthy). Not to mention that one bottle of beer is like eating a whole extra meal. How to be young and social and dieting?!

Cyphio

Hello,
I know how it can be to be young, social, and trying to stay fit and healthy. it is not easy by any means and many times friends do not understands. Maybe we can support each other!

DixiedoesMFP

1400 calories a day isn't much, and might be too little, considering your age, height and activity level.

Have you considered weight lifting to transform your body into an awesome body, instead of trying to achieve a certain number on the scale?

pastryari

When you don't have much to lose, 4-5 lbs in a couple months is actually good thing. Patience is key! Good luck.

kristen6022

5'10 and 150 is a perfect weight. Why do you want to get down to 135? I'm 5'11 and 155 and I'd look sick if I dropped much more. You may want to re-evaluate your goals. Eat healthy and keep working out. Incorporate strength training to lose inches rather than weight.

thekacers

Hey, I probably don't have an answer you love, but I've had to shy away from social events, especially those revolving around food. And forget drinking, like you said, beer has a ton of calories... and who can drink just one?! My suggestion to you there would be to greatly limit how much you're drinking and how often. Or go for lower calorie alcohols?
Since I started MFP, I've significantly cut back on going out to eat. On the occasions that I do go to restaurants, I know ahead of time what I'm going to get and I track it before I eat it.
The times I've eaten home-cooked meals with friends, I tried to calculate it, but they got annoyed with me wanting to scan everything. I just made sure to eat smaller portions, especially since the meals were creamy and savory, rather than healthy. I know that what I put into my food diary may not have been accurate, but at least I tried.
You also just have to want it bad enough... you have to be ready to change.
Hey,

I am 25 yrs old, 5'10" and ~150 pounds, and I'd like to get to about 135, but I am having sooooo much trouble. I run about 3 miles a day and really enjoy it, so exercise isn't as much of a problem for me as eating is. Since starting MFP about two months ago, I've had two separate weeks where I just messed up completely and ate without a care in the world, and at least one day a week I go over my calories.

So in 2 months I have lost at most only 4 or 5 pounds.

Also, I almost ALWAYS eat back my exercise calories, and I'm thinking maybe that's not the way to go for me?

The biggest problem is my social life, LOL, which revolves around eating and drinking with friends, and another problem, I think, is that I'm not wildly unhappy with my body -- generally, I think it's fine, so when I'm dying for a cookie or something I think, eh, whatever, I'm in decent shape, it doesn't matter -- but god I'd really love to lose those 15 pounds!!!! For once in my life I want to have an AWESOME body, not just an "okay" one.

Anyway, that was chatty, sorry! But there's my story.
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Woolooloo

Maybe if you are more or less happy with your body as is, then maybe you are doing it right. Enjoy your life, get your exercise like you are, enjoy time with your friends. You say you are losing a couple pounds a month doing it this way, so by the end of the year you will be near your goal. Maybe the sacrifices to get their earlier are not worth it.

Or maybe you want to reach your goal in time for the summer bikini season, so maybe you use that as your motivation to eat better. I think it depends on what you want to achieve.

If you want to improve on what you are doing, then maybe it is in eating back your exercise calories. You say you are already having a cheat day or two a week, so maybe you just say that is where your exercise calories are going and do not eat them back on a daily basis. Good luck!

therealangd

I'd incorporate a weight lifting program into your program. The goal will be to get smaller, but stay the same weight. That way you can eat at your current level to maintain, but you will be the smaller size that you want to be, without having to actually lose the weight.

placeboaddiction

I'm 5'11. 190 lbs. I have a larger muscular frame, though I've never lifted weights (Childhood sports from like 4-16)

I don't think I can be 140 without amputation of a limb or sometin'. tsst.

My doctor told me Friday that I was healthy, and my weight was great for my build. Thats at 194 lbs(clothed and shoes) at the doctors office Friday. Grant it, I'm in Texas, and I can see how I could be fat in new york (pics of me on profile).

I agree with most the replies. 5 pounds to lose is a LOT for someone under 150. Patience.

Calorie intake seems low, but I'm not 140 lbs.

pkfrankel

According to the formula presented by the Center for Disease Control, your BMI would be 19.4% if you dropped to 135 pounds. That would be near the bottom of the healthy range so be careful.

I suggest great patience in losing weight. I would also suggest that you offer to make healthy side dishes for your friends that are cooking. Al least you can eat some of the healthier food also.

trybabytry

Thank you for all your answers! I wonder if maybe strength-training is the way to do this... but I simply can't afford to join a gym. Maybe I'll look on YouTube for videos and get some free-weights? Has anyone had success with this?

Also I am going to stop eating back my exercise calories (*sob* I love those calories LOL).

As for my weight being fine as-is, I do appreciate the concern, but as you all know, every body is different -- and 150 on me does NOT look too thin, I can assure you. I'm built on very narrow lines and I'm quite small-boned, so extra weight really shows up on me because my frame itself is small. For example, Kristen6022, I checked out your pictures and let me tell you I do NOT look that good! Maybe 150 would be perfect for you but on me it ain't.

wjharris10

Wait... you're 5'10? Weighing 150? Should you get any smaller than that? I'm 5'7 weighing 170 but the LOWEST I should be at my height is 130 so I'm almost certain your goal should be higher... I'm thinking about this from a HEALTHY aspect not exactly an APPEARANCE aspect.

Hey,

I am 25 yrs old, 5'10" and ~150 pounds, and I'd like to get to about 135, but I am having sooooo much trouble. I run about 3 miles a day and really enjoy it, so exercise isn't as much of a problem for me as eating is. Since starting MFP about two months ago, I've had two separate weeks where I just messed up completely and ate without a care in the world, and at least one day a week I go over my calories.

So in 2 months I have lost at most only 4 or 5 pounds.

Also, I almost ALWAYS eat back my exercise calories, and I'm thinking maybe that's not the way to go for me?

The biggest problem is my social life, LOL, which revolves around eating and drinking with friends, and another problem, I think, is that I'm not wildly unhappy with my body -- generally, I think it's fine, so when I'm dying for a cookie or something I think, eh, whatever, I'm in decent shape, it doesn't matter -- but god I'd really love to lose those 15 pounds!!!! For once in my life I want to have an AWESOME body, not just an "okay" one.

Anyway, that was chatty, sorry! But there's my story.

lelstar

Seeing as you really don't want to stay the same size I agree with the other who have suggested weight training. Toning will have you fitting your frame better without being under weight. As for the gym its actually surprisingly easy to do those exercises at home. Sit ups and push ups are the most obvious. Use things out of the cupboard (like tinned food or milk bottles) if you can't afford to buy weights - I certainly can't lol! Also you should be able to find a cheap Pilates DVD, Pilates is super good for toning and will make sure you're doing it in the right way to support your back etc. You can even do thing like lunges and squats while you hang washing lol.