Frustrated

AllisonST

Hi. I have been diligently logging my food, water and exercise for 40 days now. I am always at or slightly below goal. I am 49 years old with a BMI in the "morbidly obese" range and have at least 100 pounds to lose.

Despite all my efforts, including now an hour of exercise (walking and/or swimming) every day, I have lost NOT ONE OUNCE.

Help!

I am eating much much more "clean" (limiting processed food) have virtually eliminated junk food and eat plenty of fruits and vegetables.

How can it be I have not lost weight?

I will say I do look better - though I have not dropped a dress size.

ironanimal

Open up that thar' diary ma'am, fer the perusal of us folks ta see where we can put ya right.

AllisonST

I am not sure I follow what you are saying. I set my calories to lose one pound a week, then two pounds a week. So I have been netting no more than 1,500 calories a day. Are you saying I should net much less than that? When I have, the program tells me I am undereating.

AmyFett

Mine always tells me if I eat 1000 or lower than I'm under-eating. I'm 5'2 and 25, about 100 to lose as well. I'm set for 1300 calories and try and net that much each day. I haven't lost anything either, but i'm just over 2 weeks now. I dunno what to tell you :frown: I've also only lost 2 lbs in 3 months of trying to lose weight too.

ahelsel1970

Hi,
I think everyone is saying to show us your food diary so we can help.

AllisonST

How do I open it up?

KiwiGran

Have you consulted your doctor? There are medical reasons (under-active Thyroid is one example) why some people don't lose weight.

ironanimal

I am not sure I follow what you are saying. I set my calories to lose one pound a week, then two pounds a week. So I have been netting no more than 1,500 calories a day. Are you saying I should net much less than that? When I have, the program tells me I am undereating.

Pu was assuming you were on 1lb a week I think.

2lbs is a 1000 cal deficit as he suggested. Anyway, there is another way to do this which removes a lot of the guess work;

www.fat2fit.com/tools

Use the Military Body Fat calculator then
The BMR/Calorie calculator

It will give you your estimated BMR at the top. Use the Katch McArdle result.

Multiply that number by 1.375(generally accepted lightly active multiplier) so for instance BMR 1000 x 1.375 =
1375. Which would be the TDEE of someone lightly active with a BMR of 1000.

Multiply your TDEE by 0.8, so 1375 would become 1100. That gives you a 20% deficit to your estimated maintenance.
Your numbers will probably be much higher.

This removes the guess work; it averages out your week rather than concerning you with specific amounts of calories burnt. 1100 would be what you eat every day if your BMR was 1000, as per the case above. Don't eat your exercise calories back following this method.

If you want to go more in depth, split your macronutrients down into 40% carbs, 30% protein and 30% fat.

If you eat at the calculated number for a month and don't drop a pound, knock 100 cals off a day.

And it's nearly 4am here now, so if you have any questions drop me a message. I'm sure Pu will be happy to help as well.

AllisonST

1,800 calories. I am now netting 1,500 a day.

Jaceeka

I have a similar weight loss journey ahead of me. I've been back on track for three weeks now and have lost a little over 11lbs. My daily goal set by MFP is 1560, but I usually only eat 1200-1350 calories in a day. My net is usually below 1200 because of my activity. The only time I get the message that I'm not eating enough is when my daily food intake is below 1200. I tried before eating the 1560 calories assigned by MFP and my body just wasn't losing anything. Once I dropped my foot intake a little, I started dropping weight.
Good luck to you! I hope you find the right combination for you!

cathyb60

I'm new to this site and love it, but the site has set my calorie intake, in my opinion, much higher than I feel I can lose weight at. They have me set at something in the area of 1600-1700 calories per day, then if I do exercise they add more calories...there is no way I would ever come close to losing weight with that amount of calories. I also have around 100 pounds to lose. I am just starting to use the message boards and finding lots of useful information and inspiration.

AllisonST

I have not consulted a doctor. I am thinking 40 days doing this, with not one off day - never going over calorie limits of 1,800 and now 1,500 and doing about an hour of walking and/or swimming a day - that perhaps something else is going on.

wyze

Maybe you are underestimating how much you are eating. Some of the foods in the data base is wrong. Get a food scale and maybe a heart rate monitor if you can. This will help you accurately measure your calorie burn and your food. I was surprised by how much i underestimated calories after i got my food scale. Also open up your diary so people can help you see whats up.

AllisonST

ironanimal: That is a commercial site. I see nothing on it about BMR etc. Am I mistaken? Thanks.

AllisonST

wyze: Thank you. Also, I don't know how to open up my food diary. How do I do that?

MissShancey

eat more to lose more... nothing from a box or bag, none of that man made crap ... meat, fruit, veggies, whole grains. period.
a galon of water a day no food 3 hours before bed time ... make leafy greens and lean protein your best friend

i have lost almost 50 pounds by just doing that

AllisonST

OK folks. Just opened up the food diary. I think the suggestion about the food scale is very sound. Generall, I have been overestimating what I eat, just to be on the safe side.

djrs1234

I am only 4'10" and when I followed a 1200 cal diet I maintained or gained. I am in the health care field and work with dietitians. One of my favorite dietitians told me I cannot eat more than 1000 cals or I will gain.

djrs1234

I use a food scale, measuring spoons and cups. If you do it often enough, you can estimate fairly accurately when you are away from home.

AllisonST

I am 5 foot 7 so nearly a foot taller than you. But 1,500 seems reasonable. Also, I do not eat when i am not hungry. That just seems counterproductive - to eat back those exercise calories.

AllisonST

Jaceeka: Thanks. That is very helpful advice.

AmyFett

Have you consulted your doctor? There are medical reasons (under-active Thyroid is one example) why some people don't lose weight.

yep... but it's still possible to lose weight with an under active thyroid.

AmyFett

I am 5 foot 7 so nearly a foot taller than you. But 1,500 seems reasonable. Also, I do not eat when i am not hungry. That just seems counterproductive - to eat back those exercise calories.

It's not though, because your 1500 is NET.. not just in general. MFP is saying you should NET 1500 a day. So if you exercise and burn off 200, then eat 1700. It didn't make sense to me either at first, now I try to keep netting my 1300.

whamann1

Definately see your doctor and get a complete physical. I have heard that food sensitvities/alergies can wreak havok. I would also suggest double checking your portion control. I measure portions periodically to make sure I am not slipping

Helloitsdan

Make protein about 30% of your cals per day.
Make fat about 30% of your cals per day.
If you work out eat more if you dont then chill.

A quick primer on how I lost my weight....
>>>>>IMPORTANT!!! To get your numbers right please visit---> http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/654536-in-place-of-a-road-map-2-0-revised-7-2-12 <---read the instructions. I lay everything out to help you have a true fat burning diet.<<<<<<<

whamann1

Maybe you are eating TOO FEW calories! You are working out daily so your body needs calories. Keep working on this. You will figure it out. Praying for you!

bulbadoof

How's your sodium and water intake? If you see a difference in the mirror but the numbers aren't budging, you may be retaining water. Get your 8 glasses a day and try to cut the salt.

Another possibility is that you are building muscle and burning fat, though this is very unlikely on a calorie deficit.

Personally, I'd say that if you feel better and look better, forget the numbers. Visiting your doctor is a great idea to make sure nothing's amiss, but honestly, your body is the best indicator of your progress.

Rachelmilloy

To allow everyone to view you diary:
- go to 'My Home' tab.
- go to 'settings' tab.
- under 'Diary Settings', see 'Diary Sharing'... Select 'public' for now. After you get the responses you need, may wart to change to 'friends only'.

Best of luck!

AllisonST

Diary is now open. I appreciate the helpful tone of all your feedback. I do have a food scale but haven't used it yet. Duh. :frown:

AllisonST

My water intake is great. I don't always log it but drink water all day. I have cut out the diet soda too. Sodium? I never add salt and with limiting processed food really don't think that is an issue. Thanks.

TasTam

Definitely weigh and measure your food. Eyeballing it can make you go over your calories. Personally, I had about 3 weeks where I wasn't really losing weight and I upped my calories about 300 a day and it kick started be to losing weight. I am from the old school where less was better but this eating more seemed to make sense and work for me to get it going again. Theres a thread on here that talks about that. I think it's called www.eatmore2weighless.com. You might check it out.