No Difference... HELP!

alisonmarie85

My department at work decided to do a weight loss challenge. At that time I weighed 140 (this was back in January), and with eating healthier and working out 4-5 times a week, I dropped down to 136lbs. Since then I went on vacation to Barbados in May...which didn't help because now I'm up to 143.6lbs. For the past few weeks I've been eating much better, and back at the gym 4-5 days a week again. Am I just being impatient or should I be seeing results? The scale just seems to keep going up and up and up. I drink close to 9 glasses of water a day.

HELP! My food diary is open for any suggestions with food, and exercise.

Thank you

deevatude

1200 calories might not be enough for u

Jezebel_Barbie

You don't, judging by your profile pictures, have a lot to lose. That means weight loss will seem slower compared to someone who is obese or very overweight simply because you have less to lose.

Could it be a case of needing to 'firm up' rather than 'lose weight'? If that's the case I suggest weight lifting, you'll see better results that way.

You could also try eating back more of your exercise calories so you're closer to your allowance. You're quite close to the 1200 mark some days.

What are your stats? What's your goal?

carrieblue052

You don't, judging by your profile pictures, have a lot to lose. That means weight loss will seem slower compared to someone who is obese or very overweight simply because you have less to lose.

Could it be a case of needing to 'firm up' rather than 'lose weight'? If that's the case I suggest weight lifting, you'll see better results that way.

You could also try eating back more of your exercise calories so you're closer to your allowance. You're quite close to the 1200 mark some days.

What are your stats? What's your goal?

I agree use the weights to tone and tighten the body.

DanaDark

I have a feeling your BMR is above 1200 calories. You should not eat below your BMR.

Calculate your BMR and TDEE. from there, set your calorie goals to in between those two numbers.

Dropping calories below levels your body needs to simply run your organs and upping expenditure via cardio combined tend to cause a bit of havoc on the body. This also typically leads to "Skinny Fat".

nikkitodhunter

I have a feeling your BMR is above 1200 calories. You should not eat below your BMR.

Calculate your BMR and TDEE. from there, set your calorie goals to in between those two numbers.

Dropping calories below levels your body needs to simply run your organs and upping expenditure via cardio combined tend to cause a bit of havoc on the body. This also typically leads to "Skinny Fat".

^^ THIS.

1200 a day was really hard for me, even with a low BMR due to being short and not having that much to lsoe. I went and calculated my BMR and TDEE on this http://www.health-calc.com/diet/energy-expenditure-advanced (be honest with it and you'll get great accurate results XD) and now I'm eating 1300 as my minimum. I find that a LOT easier to stick to, some days I'm even under it and have to struggle to make up the cals!
Also, in my food notes every day I ahve my TDEE (around 1780) and then I put in my cals eaten that day, then subtract the cals eaten from the TDEE and so I get a much more accurate reading of my TDEE each day. Which is way more motivating I find! And also means that even if according to mfp I'm in the red, I can still see that I have, say, a 300cal deficit

Rambo313

1200 calories is most;y likely to low especially if you are working out 4-5x a week. What kind of exercise are you doing? cardio? strength training? a combo? I suggest like others have to incorporate strength training into your routine if you don't already. Also remember the scale is not the only determinant of success!

alisonmarie85

Hey there, thanks for your feedback. You're right I don't have A LOT to lose, but I'd like to tone and reshape my body as I am much flabbier than you see in my pictures. My profile picture is from 2008, so that's where I would like to be ultimately.
I wouldn't care so much about my body weight if I was toned. I do body pump (weight lifting class) 2-3 times a week and it's a 60 minute class. Then I do cardio on the other days.

alisonmarie85

What do you mean by stats? My weight? Currently it is 143.6, and it keeps fluctuating up to 144 and 145 then back down to 143. I know this could be water weight, but I am doing really well with keeping hydrated.
My goal would be 130 ultimately.

Jezebel_Barbie

Then I suggest weight lifting as your main work out as opposed to cardio. 10lbs isn't much so don't expect it to all drop off in a month, but you can definitely achieve it.

Your calories seem quite low for someone doing that much weight lifting. I'd try to increase your calories and see where that gets you.