Not losing any weight despite what MFP says?

jessicataylor2
jessicataylor2 Posts: 150
in Health and Weight Loss
I have been stuck at the same weight for months now no matter what I do. I try to eat around 1,200-1,400 calories a day and my macros are set to 35C/35P/30F. Plus I try workout a couple times a week along with 3 days of dance team practice that is usually around 2.5 hours long. I do let myself have treats every once in a while but if it fits in my macros. MFP says at the end of the day that I should be losing on average 1.5-2 lbs a week but my weight will not budge. Any help?
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Replies

  • abirkel
    abirkel Posts: 60
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/654536-in-place-of-a-road-map-2-0-revised-7-2-12

    Definitely eat more.

    Good luck! :flowerforyou:
  • Sabine_Stroehm
    Sabine_Stroehm Posts: 19,263 Member
    You're 5'8" and 115LBS?
    I think your body is trying to tell you something.
  • siriusalien
    siriusalien Posts: 207
    You're 5'8" and 115LBS?
    I think your body is trying to tell you something.

    ^ This^
  • deksgrl
    deksgrl Posts: 7,237 Member
    Set your weight loss goal to half a pound a week. At so close to goal, you can't cut enough to lose 1.5 to 2 pounds a week. And, a goal of 110 pounds for your height does seem to be a bit low. How did you choose that goal? It may not be a healthy weight for you.
  • yankeedownsouth
    yankeedownsouth Posts: 717 Member
    You're 5'8" and 115LBS?
    I think your body is trying to tell you something.

    Absolutely.
  • abirkel
    abirkel Posts: 60
    I didn't even realize that you were 5'8" and 115 lbs. In that case, I amend my previous post to: DEFINITELY eat more. You do not need to lose any more weight. Eat at maintenance and focus on building muscle.
  • jessicataylor2
    jessicataylor2 Posts: 150
    When I used to eat normally my body maintained 110 lbs. I have a pretty small bone structure, I can overlap my pinky and my thumb around my wrist. But when I got into some bad eating habits I really screwed up my metabolism and then began to eat garbage and it made me gain, so I would just like to get back to my normal weight. My doctors always said that I was healthy at 110 so I don't need any lectures please. Just some advice on why I'm stuck.
  • deksgrl
    deksgrl Posts: 7,237 Member
    Okay, well at 18, you are still maturing and 110 is not always going to be your ideal weight. But see my earlier post, set your goal to half a pound a week loss and work on that.
  • jessicataylor2
    jessicataylor2 Posts: 150
    I just checked my goals and my projected weight loss says .8 lbs/week with my net at 1,400 cals. But I never eat back my exercise calories because I always felt that kind of defeats the purpose of working out? So my net usually is around 800
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    When I used to eat normally my body maintained 110 lbs. I have a pretty small bone structure, I can overlap my pinky and my thumb around my wrist. But when I got into some bad eating habits I really screwed up my metabolism and then began to eat garbage and it made me gain, so I would just like to get back to my normal weight. My doctors always said that I was healthy at 110 so I don't need any lectures please. Just some advice on why I'm stuck.

    Are you unhealthy at 115 lbs? I really can't image 5 lbs makes any noticable difference on a 5'8" frame but if you want to lose it and you are now maintaining you may just need to play around with your calories a bit. Setting your loss at 2 lbs per week with only 5 lbs to go probably isn't a good idea. I'd suggest setting it to lose .5 lbs per week, log all food and exercise and eat pretty close to what MFP suggests (including the extra calories from exercise).
  • mscoco10
    mscoco10 Posts: 527 Member
    netting 800 calories is not enough when you're only 115 lbs. please eat more but make good choices. hope this helps
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    I just checked my goals and my projected weight loss says .8 lbs/week with my net at 1,400 cals. But I never eat back my exercise calories because I always felt that kind of defeats the purpose of working out? So my net usually is around 800

    Eating so few net calories is not going to fix a "screwed up" metabolism.
  • deksgrl
    deksgrl Posts: 7,237 Member
    I just checked my goals and my projected weight loss says .8 lbs/week with my net at 1,400 cals. But I never eat back my exercise calories because I always felt that kind of defeats the purpose of working out? So my net usually is around 800

    You eat them back because MFP sets your calorie goal to lose weight *without* exercising. You need fuel for the amount you work out.

    If you were using any other conventional "diet", then you would be eating more calories than you are now, but that includes the amount you would need for workouts.
  • Imserene
    Imserene Posts: 5
    I agree that your body is trying to tell you something. I'm 5'3" and weigh 115 lbs and I am a very thin...at 5'8" you must be model thin and that's fine as long as you're healthy. Others opinions of you won't matter at all if you truly love yourself and accept yourself for who you are not what you look like. Only then you will be comfortable in your own skin and then whatever you do for diet and excercise will be about taking care of your body and mind. Instead of trying to make yourself outwardly perfect because you think that if you look a certain way you will feel comfortable in your own skin. Some of being comfortable with yourself just comes with age. I like yoga, meditation and prayer to help with feelings of inadequacy. I have never felt more comfortable in my own skin. It only took 38 years! Do whatever you do for you and your well being not for others you will never be able to please everyone and absolutely no one is perfect! Best of luck to you:heart:
  • iWaffle
    iWaffle Posts: 2,208 Member
    My doctors always said that I was healthy at 110 so I don't need any lectures please. Just some advice on why I'm stuck.

    If you're accurate on calories consumed (Get a food scale for the best accuracy) then look at your macros. Try to eat 1 gram of protein per pound of lean body mass, eat low-glycemic carbohydrates (Drop the junk food), and exercise. Do you have a strength training routine or are you just doing cardio? Try doing fasted cardio in the morning (before you eat) or put your cardio at the end of a strength training routine. You're pretty close to goal so you're going to need to do some "tricks" to squeeze out that last bit of weight. Don't expect overnight results. Don't make adjustments to your calorie intake unless you're stuck for 2-3 weeks. Keep eating good and clean, keep exercising.

    I realize that your metabolism will be lower when you're 115 but I don't subscribe to the starvation mode talk you see around here. Your body requires food so you won't magically stop burning calories at 115. This is basic calories eaten vs. calories burned. Adding a good challenging exercise routine is the best way to keep your metabolism running higher. Besides, you want to be slim and fit, not slim and flabby. Pick up some heavy stuff a couple times a week.
  • GreekByMarriage
    GreekByMarriage Posts: 320 Member
    Eating back some of your calories does not defeat the purpose of weight loss... it is fueling your body for your activity level. I will use myself as an example.

    I am 33 - Female - 5'2"
    My Daily Calorie Burn is about 2100-2200 calories per day (no exercise, sitting at my desk all day at the computer)
    If I exercise my Daily burn raises to 2300-3100 depending on what I did for the day.
    I eat anywhere from 1500-2500 calories a day to maintain between a 500-1000 calories deficit per day which has me losing between 1-1.5 pounds a week most weeks.
    I bought a BodyMedia Fit so I know what my daily calorie burn is. If you are burning alot of calories per day between LIVING and EXERCISE you need to fuel your body to be able to keep up.
  • dalgirly
    dalgirly Posts: 280 Member
    Your body changes quite a lot even as you have passed puberty. And that could just be it.

    You'd probably do better eating your exercise calories back AND only trying to lose a pound a week.

    And don't be frustrated if you don't lose it at all. As you may not. If you're body has gone through any changes, this may be your new low normal.
  • jamface11
    jamface11 Posts: 87
    I would say with so little to lose, move to 0.5lbs/week. Enjoy your extra calories with healthy high protein foods and lift heavy :)
  • victorious27
    victorious27 Posts: 250 Member
    I'm sorry if this comes off rude... but I honestly fail to see how 115 lbs is unhealthy for you? For my height, which is 5'4, the lowest I should "technically" weigh is 104-110. If you're 4" taller, I can't see how you're anything but at a healthy weight. I understand personal preference...I just don't see why you're so determined if you're absolutely healthy.
  • xxMyWeighxx
    xxMyWeighxx Posts: 91
    I agree with most of these people - I don't think you belong on sites like this. You're healthy & at a good weight. Not trying to be mean.
  • jessicataylor2
    jessicataylor2 Posts: 150
    Just because my weight may be "healthy" doesn't mean that I should be happy with it. I do not look fit, I have the "skinny fat" look so I would like to lose that bit of fat. Yes I do lift weights, not only cardio. But even with eating high protein (around 100 g), my body has a very hard time putting on muscle.


    Thank you to those who have been truly helpful instead of criticizing me :smile:
  • deksgrl
    deksgrl Posts: 7,237 Member
    Sounds like you are on the right track. Just work on making at least 1,200 NET calories. You need that for the amount you are burning with the lifting.
  • Rinkermann
    Rinkermann Posts: 108 Member
    your weight goal is up to you.

    i tend to eat 50% of my workout calories. your body does need fuel to do those workouts, so there is a chance that your body feels the need to hog your fat stores.

    i can only suggest you calculate how much you're burning in workouts (machines can be way out with their calorie estimates, so be careful), and then eat back at least some of the calories.

    EDIT: it's also worth knowing your bodyfat percentage and waist/arm/thigh measurements. your weight might be staying the same, but maybe your bodyfat percentage may have gone down, you've gained a little muscle and your body could be smaller.
  • Mummyadams
    Mummyadams Posts: 1,125 Member
    You're 5'8" and 115LBS?
    I think your body is trying to tell you something.
    Yep!
  • Anastacia1119
    Anastacia1119 Posts: 157 Member
    Just because my weight may be "healthy" doesn't mean that I should be happy with it. I do not look fit, I have the "skinny fat" look so I would like to lose that bit of fat. Yes I do lift weights, not only cardio. But even with eating high protein (around 100 g), my body has a very hard time putting on muscle.


    Thank you to those who have been truly helpful instead of criticizing me :smile:

    I don't think it's weight you need to lose.You need to build muscle. If that is what you are looking for, losing the weight is not going to make you look better. Losing those 5 pounds will not make you look firmer. Keep at it at the gym, keep lifting. It takes a long time to build muscle. Don't give up! :smile:
  • iWaffle
    iWaffle Posts: 2,208 Member
    I do not look fit, I have the "skinny fat" look so I would like to lose that bit of fat. Yes I do lift weights, not only cardio. But even with eating high protein (around 100 g), my body has a very hard time putting on muscle.

    If you're totally serious about this being a new lifestyle and want to look amazing you might be at the point where you need to start cycling between adding muscle and cutting fat. It's going to be cooler soon which means no swimsuits, shorts, and lots of clothing layers. If you have the nerve and patience switch things up a bit. Totally drop all your cardio, eat a modest surplus of calories (w/plenty of protein) and do some really heavy (for you) strength training. Don't sweat it if you gain a few pounds. I'm not advocating that you go from 115 to 130 but gaining 5-10 pounds gradually over several months isn't too big of a deal. You need this surplus calorie intake to add muscle mass.

    After a few months of this switch to cutting, calorie deficit, add cardio back in, continue strength training and eating good. You'll lose a bit of the muscle but you'll lose more fat than anything. After a few cycles of this you can be at 115 pounds and probably have an even smaller waist size than you do now. I'm totally serious. Question is are you? Getting a lean looking body doesn't happen simply by eating less. You need to work on your muscle groups. Start with something like New Rules of Lifting for Women.

    I could be wrong but I think this is what you're really after. Lean, slightly defined abs, nothing that jiggles. People just need to read between the lines. I don't get that you're trying to starve yourself. To me it seems you just want to be more fit so don't focus too much on a specific weight goal.
  • Sabine_Stroehm
    Sabine_Stroehm Posts: 19,263 Member
    I just checked my goals and my projected weight loss says .8 lbs/week with my net at 1,400 cals. But I never eat back my exercise calories because I always felt that kind of defeats the purpose of working out? So my net usually is around 800

    Eating so few net calories is not going to fix a "screwed up" metabolism.
    ^^ THIS^^
    Best of luck figuring things out sooner rather than later.
  • victorious27
    victorious27 Posts: 250 Member
    Just because my weight may be "healthy" doesn't mean that I should be happy with it. I do not look fit, I have the "skinny fat" look so I would like to lose that bit of fat. Yes I do lift weights, not only cardio. But even with eating high protein (around 100 g), my body has a very hard time putting on muscle.


    Thank you to those who have been truly helpful instead of criticizing me

    I was not criticizing, merely not understanding and curious. You said you wanted to lose weight, not tone up...and there is a difference. You shouldn't be aiming for a weight goal, just a fitness goal. Keep doing your strength training, and probably adding more weights as you go. Cardio won't help you tone up as much as strength training. Best of luck.

    Edit: Also, you're not giving the entire story and then you get frustrated because people are showing concern and saying they disagree with you needing to lose weight. If you want a helpful answer to your question, you should probably specify a little more onto your problem.
  • 2hobbit1
    2hobbit1 Posts: 820 Member
    Eat more! 5'8" at 115 is a BMI of 17.5 and if you are aiming for 110 your BMI would be 16.7 both are underweight and no doctor will tell you that you need to lose any weight.

    If you do not like your skinny fat look, losing more weight will only make you a smaller skinny fat.

    You need to build muscle not lose weight. You can not build muscle on a deficit. Read "The New Rules of Lifting for Woman" It has an outstanding section on the nutrition needed to build muscle.
  • firstsip
    firstsip Posts: 8,399 Member
    Your body changes quite a lot even as you have passed puberty. And that could just be it.

    You'd probably do better eating your exercise calories back AND only trying to lose a pound a week.

    And don't be frustrated if you don't lose it at all. As you may not. If you're body has gone through any changes, this may be your new low normal.

    ^ This. Puberty in middle school is kind of a myth--it doesn't just end a year after your period. Most women aren't fully finished "developing" until their early 20s (the ideal time for childbirth generally). You are 18. You're saying you gained from "messing up" your metabolism... but your body seems to be wanting to hold on to that weight even though you stopped your bad eating habits (if they were truly bad, since you're netting 800, which isn't healthy).

    When was the last time you went to a doctor? I'm telling you--115 at 5'8" when you're a adolescent isn't quite the same thing once you're an adult.

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