I CAN'T lose weight!

embersfallen

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jsp2374

Sorry to read you are disillusioned. Ditch the diet fads and eat as clean as you can. Personally my opinion is if you eat all the good foods, then the carb/fat/protein split shouldnt matter as much as long as you feel satisfied. Have you tried incorporating more weight training in your schedule? This is fantastic for both shaping up and burning calories (although unfortunately trying to get MFP to record cals using strenght training is hit n miss). Maybe split cardio / weight training instead of just walking/cycling. Also, really the walking thing isn't going to do much unless you are getting a good sweat on (uphill). Good luck and keep us updated on your progress.

I have LOST 20.9 pounds with Walking being the Main and Only exercise I am able to do. YOU CAN LOSE WEIGHT WALKING.

jfinder11

I just looked at your diary. You eat gold fish crackers, popcorn, bread, rice cakes, fig newton cookies and cereal. This would cause me to gain, no question. Try cutting these out. These are things i loved eating too. But when i got rid of them the weight started coming off. Good luck!! And drink your water!!lol

Thanks for the idea - I added these because my nutritionist told me I wasn't getting enough carbs. I was getting headaches at work. The fig newtons I use for fuel before a bike ride, but the gold fish were just a left over snack from the airport and I definitely don't get on a regular basis!

jfinder11

So you're eating barely at your BMR. How do you expect your body to function every day on such low calorie intake? Wow... Your body is in a desperate starvation mode.

Subtract 15% from your TDEE and that will be your goal to lose weight.
You should be eating around 1900 calories a day. And I suggest that you eat your exercise calories (when you have them).

I was worried this may be the problem. But I have such a hard time eating 1800 calories. I literally feel guilty!

Chokis

I would fire or sue any nutritionist who would recommend eating rice cakes and goldfish crackers as a form to add carbs to help you lose weight. You need to eat healthy, natural carbs such as veggies, fruit.

Chokis

Your weight loss success is 80% food and 20% exercise. So think about your calories and what kind of food you eat.

photojunkie28

It really sounds like you are doing a GREAT job and it's very inspiring to hear that you are sticking with your goals after so long of a "dry spell". I myself am at a plataeu after having lost 30 lbs and would like to 2nd the reading about Eat More to "Weigh Less. It makes so much sense for me personally and by what you are saying a lot of the same signals are there for you too. I have just started increasing my calories (ultimately back up to an appropriate level to increase my metabolism back to where it should be before too many years of "crash diets") and THEN I can adjust my calories for weight loss. I think the proof in this for me thus far has been that I have drastically been able to increase my calories yet not really gain any weight so I take it that my body is learning to adapt. Do the reading it may shed some light on something else to try. It certainly couldnt hurt right?

jfaure23

I agree with others that you need more information to lose weight. You need to know how many calories you burn each day, then you will know how much you can eat. I would try fat2fitradio.com, click 'All Calculators' to get your 'Military body fat %', then once that is known click on BMR Calculators and follow the instructions. It may be eye-opening to you.

70davis

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Rocbola

Thanks for the idea - I added these because my nutritionist told me I wasn't getting enough carbs. I was getting headaches at work. The fig newtons I use for fuel before a bike ride, but the gold fish were just a left over snack from the airport and I definitely don't get on a regular basis!

Make fruit your fuel. Listen to what "chokis" said, i totally agree with both posts.

kazzari

When I started in January, I was 138. I got down to 132 when I was taking an appetite suppressant (only lasted a couple weeks because I want to be healthy more than skinny). Now I'm back to 140. I've thought about the medications aspect of it. I'm just on birth control, and I know that's been known to cause weight gain. My doctor has told me to stop obsessing, so I didn't get on MFP for about a month and that's when I gained the bulk of my weight back. I'm sure I'm gaining muscle from cycling and I can tell a difference in my leg measurements, but I carry all my weight in my tummy and butt - so that's what I really care about. But I have a bad back from tennis so doing ab workouts is less than pleasurable. My doctor also told me to up by calories to at least 1500 when I don't work out and at least 1800 when I do, but I have such a mental block about it. I plan out every day ahead of time, but just don't feel comfortable eating 2000 calories.

I don't blame you! My weight fluctuates between 138 and 141 and if I ate 2000 calories, I'd be a cow. How tall are you? 138 is good for me at 5'6" and it is very difficult for me to lose from there. Of course, I'm much older and according to the BMR calculator my BMR is 1267. My maintenance calories are about 1500. I've been strength training for six years and that has made all the difference. Don't change anything else, and start lifting! Do that for a few months, cut way back on cardio, and see if you notice any changes.I know how frustrating it is not to be able to lose.

cmriverside

What is your height? 140 is not a lot of you are tall. If you have concerns about your appearance and physique then weight lifting may help tone you up. And with that much exercise you probably aren't eating enough and that can put you at a plateau faster than anything. Find out what your BMR and your TDEE is for starters.

I'm right between 5'4" and 5'5" ...my BMR 1456 and TDEE is 2248.

Like I said in the very first reply to your question. Eat at 10%-15% below your TDEE - so eat 1900-2000 every day. When you work out eat those additional calories too. You are too close to an ideal weight to eat less! Add nuts, use full fat cheeses and dairy, have yogurt with fruit as snacks - it isn't that much food!

That's why you're stuck.
1.) You're already at a healthy weight &
2.) You aren't eating enough.

PeterThompson

Well, maybe it not enough that your dieting alone. You should indulge yourself in exercise you can loose wait to these and in the same time exchange those fat into muscles incorporate it with some weight lifting using dumbbells at your home find the dumbbells that suit you here bestadjustabledumbbellsreviews.com

aoikirin

I sympathize with your plight. I have often heard from people how irritating it is to have those last few pounds be so resistant. Maybe the BC pills are making it harder for you to drop. They may not be making you gain weight, but they may make it harder to drop from where you are. If you try everything else here and all else fails, you could consider using a different BC formulation from your doctor. True they all tend to have this impact on weight, but you might find that one could be a little less so in this area.

Try to focus on the positive - you are taking care of yourself by eating right and exercising. I am sure your body loves you for this. The final drop will happen in time, it may just take a while. Take heart.

norcal_yogi

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