Minimal weight loss. Am I doing something wrong?

leopardjunkie

make sure you are weighing at the same time each weigh in, preferably before eating and after using the rest room when you wake up Your weight fluctuates during the day and weighing at different time can cause a difference. I like to wear the same clothing or similar when weighing as well.


I would look at weight loss as a whole instead of weekly. I use the weekly just to make sure I am not making gains/or holding steady.

Also, and you don"t have to answer but take into mind that your body maybe storing water weight if you are not getting enough water or are close your your cycle. If you don't get enought water your body will store the water you are getting to get what it needs. so make sure you are getting your water.

Some week I loose .5 sometimes 3 depends on the week a loss is a loss it all adds up. It is best to take it slow

Also if you are lifting weights during your work out (which is a good idea it will fuel your weight loss) You may see an increase in your weght as you build muscle, but the muscle will help you burn fat faster! So try and measure and weigh weekly so you can use the two together so see your progress. Measurements will help you see changes that the scale does not

LorinaLynn

The only thing you're doing wrong is having unrealistic expectations.

Weight loss isn't linear. Some weeks you'll lose more, some you'll lose less, some you won't lose at all and there might even be some weeks you gain.

Track your progress with more than just the scale.

Take a buttload of "before" pictures in minimal clothing from every angle. Take progress photos in a few weeks, and compare them. Take measurements, and compare them in a few weeks. Set fitness goals for yourself, whether it's to train for a 5k or complete the 30 Day Shred or just make a point to exercise 5 days a week. Go by how clothes fit, and go shopping just to try stuff on every now and then.

The scale is just ONE fraction of your progress. And not a very reliable one.

http://www.isthisbliss.com/101-reasons-to-ditch-the-scale/

ido426

My diary is a bit deceiving. I try to complete my entires quickly so if my whole grain bread is stored under lunch I enter it as lunch even if it is a dinner. I'm new so that's the way I have been making it easier to log food.

chicadejmu

A lot of people on the forum (including myself) believe in eating more to lose weight. I was scared by the idea but have given it a try and am finally starting to lose. Also, I'm not starving anymore. It took almost 3 weeks for my body to adjust to my new lifestyle (trying to make permanent changes, not just a diet) and now I'm finally seeing movement in the scale. YAY.

If you are interested in eating more to lose weight, send me a message I'll send you a link to a thread that explains it all very well. I'm not on the computer where I have it bookmarked. (or maybe someone else reading this can post it)

tidesong

Like everyone says, losing weight is a slow, non-linear process. And that's the correct way to be doing it. Any week with any kind of loss is a victory!

You didn't say in your post, and no one's actually asked it seems, but what are you doing for exercise? It really is the combination of diet and exercise that helps you lose weight the most effective way. Even if it's just starting with 10 minutes of a walk around the block, and building from there.

Keep with it! It can get discouraging at times, I know that all too well. But many small steps make for great strides. I'd like to be down more pounds now than I am almost 6 months in to my journey. But I shouldn't be turning up my nose at the near 40 pounds down. Unfortunately, in a numbers-based society, it makes it hard to celebrate our victories if it's not what we want to see, even if they are victories nonetheless.

ido426

I do eat later but my days are shifted. I wake up at 9am and work 4p-12a. I don't go to bed till 1am. So my dinner at 8pm is realistic. Otherwise I am starving at 11pm and that is dangerous. Especially if the ER goes crazy and I'm running like a fool.
And wine is essential. I won't give up a glass or two of wine unless someone tells me I will absolutely not lose weight due to the habit. Cheese and wine, man mfp is a slap in the face. What a reality check.

blueyedmami

“It takes 4 weeks for you to notice your body changing, 8 weeks for your friends to notice, and 12 weeks for the rest of the world to notice. Give it 12 weeks. Don’t QUIT!"

Also, try using an exercise ball to sit instead of a chair at work. It'll not only help you improve your core muscles and posture.
Take the stairs instead of the elevator if possible. Get a pedometer if you don't have one. Knowing how many steps you take actually makes you want to walk more.

Little things can add up to a lot. Just don't give up! You've got this!

jeffrodgers1

Just had a quick glimpse at your logs.

Couple of things that may help... Water. Drink it, log it, love it. Water is great for many things... some people will argue that we get a lot of our essential water from the foods we eat. This is true, however consider the following;

1. No one ever got fat drinking water. The same can not be said for wine, flavored coffees, soda pop, and even milk.
2. Water helps volumize food. Drinking a glass of water before a meal helps to expand the food in your stomach and slows digestion. You can feel more full for longer and improves your sense of satiety.
3. Your brain processes hunger and thirst in a similar manner. Quite often we mistake the impulse for thirst with the one for hunger. Try drinking a glass of water and waiting 10 minutes before you eat. You may find you don't really need a meal or snack.
4. Water purifies and helps cleanse your body of all the stuff it doesn't need.
5. If you are drinking water, you aren't drinking something else.

You might also want to consider adding more veggies to your diet. We get a great number of essential minerals and vitamins in our diet thru vegetables. They are nutrient rich and usually low in fats and calories (depending on how they are cooked and served...i.e. a baked potato is only as healthy as the toppings you put on it)

When I first started on my journey to a leaner, healthier me... I pledged to do 5:30. 5:30 means this... 5 Servings of fruits and vegetables and 30 minutes of exercise a day. Commit to this and you may be surprised at how quickly it all works out for you.

I lost my first 80 pounds using this before I heard of MFP.

belgerian

No big suggestions from me just stay the course and you will loose it quicker than you gained it. Its a process and a learning experience as long as your not gaining your on the right track. Like the above poster said I elimated processed suger dropped to about 1600 to 1800 calories a day and excersised for about 45 min to 60 min at least everyother day. and ate clean well 80 percent anyways and still do.

Koldnomore

I don't really know your stats so I can't really comment with regards to calories but you are doing well sticking to them. As a few people have mentioned water is crucial to ensuring you are able to flush the sodium out of your system. I see a lot of processed foods, lunch meats, cheeses etc. Nothing bad by any means but a lot of sodium. MFP sets its 'goal' higher than is generally considered safe for most people so if you are not tracking it as a point of interest you may be retaining water and thus slowing your weight loss.

I wouldn't say you are doing anything wrong as I normally give at least 2 - 3 weeks before I make any changes to my macros/calories etc. Keep at it for a little longer and try to slowly change towards more healthy natural choices. Definitely do a little research as what will work for someone will not necessarily work for others and we all have to find our own ways thru.

ido426

I am 5'10 146lbs. I am mostly composed of fat, little muscle mass. I do drink 80+ ounces of water a day but don't log it because its natural for me to drink this much. Thanx for the advice on sodium too. I noticed mine is very high. I didn't know it can slow weight loss.

cristileigh

160 day and 19 lbs ... thats just barely a pound a week. Its slow but keep moving forward.