WHAT AM I DOING WRONG (PLEASE HELP)

iamluce

i've been trying to stay calm about this and not freak out but it's starting to really worry me.
i hit my first plateau about three and a half weeks ago. i reached 143, a "healthy weight" considering my age and height (20 and 5'4") and i stopped losing (and gained back a pound a little after)
i didn't really exercise and, as many have pointed out, i wasn't eating enough calories.
so to boost my metabolism and start losing again, i started exercising more.
i walk everywhere i have to go. i don't take the bus unless it's a really long distance.
i started pole dancing 2 a week and i've been doing the 30 day shred for 6 days.
i also upped my calories and have been making it to 1200 calories and even going over to 1300 (which is really hard for me because i am NOT used to eating that much. healthy or unhealthy, i never used to eat so frequently.)
and still
the scale won't move.
many have told me that maybe i should stop paying attention to the scale, but i can't. not when i still have so much to lose.
my goal weight was 120, and while i plan on waiting and seeing if i'm comfortable at 130 or 125, i don't want to give up and settle for 143.
healthy or not, i feel and look fat weighing this.
and i don't really want a super toned body. this might be weird for some people here but i don't find "muscular" bodies attractive. not that they're NOT attractive, but i'm more of a lanky figure fan. i'm not tall enough to be like that, but i wouldn't mind being skinny and "fragile" not muscular and strong.

anyway. my diary is open so you can check and tell me what to change. i don't think i could manage eating more than what i'm eating now because i feel too full most of the time and it's already a struggle to force myself to eat sometimes, but maybe i need to change WHAT i eat?


i'm trying not to lose motivation but it's really hard when you work your *kitten* off and it still doesn't pay off

xxjacqueline

Have you checked with a doctor to make sure that there is nothing going wrong inside your body that you don't know about? Also, it could be that your stressing your body out by doing TO much activity. I have got to the point where I feel like I am doing everything right yet not losing weight and I find that when I relax and, take a few days to a week off of exercise and stop being so strict on myself it really helps. I've only had to do this a few times but the kind of mental stress and expectations we all put on ourselves can be very overwhelming. There are things you can try with your eating, like calorie zig zagging, or Intermittent fasting. Good luck!

sandhillsmom

When I look at your food diary the one thing that strikes me is the low amount of protein. You might want switching out some carbs for proteins and see what happens.

Robin_Bin

If you haven't been eating enough for a long time, your body will need time to adjust to the higher calories and exercise. Read some of the "pinned" posts about that. On a quick read of what you say, it sounds like you probably still aren't eating enough.

Three weeks may not be enough time to figure things out, especially if you take into account your menstrual cycle. Wrong time of the month can affect your weight by several pounds.

Robin_Bin

By the way, please don't YELL at us.

Here are some useful links:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/welcome/guidelines
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/512956-tdee-what-is-it-and-why-you-should-not-eat-below-your-bmr
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/3817-eat-more-to-weigh-less

And check how much fiber you're eating. I think MFP sets that too low, and my guess is that you're under even their low levels.

Try eating more, including more fiber and more water. Good luck!

JLD81

I think it has probably been about 2 weeks since I lost on the scale as well, but that doesn't mean I'm not losing. As u workout u will gain muscle, but gaining muscular doesn't mean you will look it. Do u realize how much ballet dancers workout and how.much they eat? They also have A LOT of muscle. But they do workouts that promote long lean muscles. I know I have lost this week because the.pants that were tight a week ago got progressively as the week went on. U may be like me. I will.not lose and not lose the all of a sudden lose 6 lbs quickly the another 5 quickly. Then it may be another 3 weeks before the scale budges. I have a history of eating disorders and don't want u too worry too much about that number. Don't go where I have been. That demon will sit on your shoulderfor the rest of your life if u do and u will always have to fight to keep everything healthy. If u want a fit toned body then go by what Pauline Nordin says bc she is right. I have been extremely skinny and heavier but look better. She says that u can be skinny and not gain muscle but u will still be skinny and flabby. Gain muscle and tighten and u will weigh More on the scale but wear smaller clothes and not jiggle anywhere. NYC ballet workouts are great for gaining muscle that won't look bulky. U may want to try that

hooah_mj

2 bits of advice:

up your protein....gotta fuel your weight-loss

get some significant weights in twice a week....bodypump

simonlcube

Perhaps your body knows that Harry Styles probably wouldn't mind 143?

My suggestion would be to slowly add more protein and fibre, and build some muscle. Then aim to break that plateau in a few weeks time, if it doesn't happen on its own. Relax, it will happen, just not at the pace you thought it would happen at.