nothing is happening!

bsuzanne88

Hello everyone and thanks in advance for the help and support. I have been a member of MFP since June 2011. I love how I have learned to be more aware of my eating habits. But currently I weigh 130 pounds (133 on a bad day). I am 5 foot 6 inches tall (incase you wanted to know). I started Jillian Micheal's 30 day shred (my second time) and I rarely eat what I have burned. I am supposed to take in 1200 calories a day. I have not seen a difference in the scale for a while, working out or not, my weight doesn't budge. Do you think I am eating too little and should up my calorie intake. I just thought that maybe my body thinks 1200 is not enough and is storing every thing I eat. I don't know what to change and where to begin. ANY help would be great.

yo_andi

My recommendation is to go here:

http://www.fat2fitradio.com/tools/bmr/

Run your numbers and then see if you're eating too much or too little!

Good luck!

Angie_1991

Hello everyone and thanks in advance for the help and support. I have been a member of MFP since June 2011. I love how I have learned to be more aware of my eating habits. But currently I weigh 130 pounds (133 on a bad day). I am 5 foot 6 inches tall (incase you wanted to know). I started Jillian Micheal's 30 day shred (my second time) and I rarely eat what I have burned. I am supposed to take in 1200 calories a day. I have not seen a difference in the scale for a while, working out or not, my weight doesn't budge. Do you think I am eating too little and should up my calorie intake. I just thought that maybe my body thinks 1200 is not enough and is storing every thing I eat. I don't know what to change and where to begin. ANY help would be great.

Increase your calorie intake..........

_Wits_

I think if you aren't getting results from your current routine, def switch it up.. You may need more calories...try upping up your day by a hundred or two.. Give it a few weeks....see any differences and go from there.

KimberlyDCZ

You only have 5 lbs to lose, right? What is your goal loss/week? Maybe if you have it set at 2, change it to 1, or .5. How many cals do you burn during your workout? I would at least eat your calories back. You need more than 1200 NET

kenazfehu

Sounds like you are height/weight proportionate already. What are you going for?

vtmoon

Without seeing your diary it will be hard to determine what you can change. Also you might need to change your exercise to include some strength training.

californiagirl2012

Hello everyone and thanks in advance for the help and support. I have been a member of MFP since June 2011. I love how I have learned to be more aware of my eating habits. But currently I weigh 130 pounds (133 on a bad day). I am 5 foot 6 inches tall (incase you wanted to know). I started Jillian Micheal's 30 day shred (my second time) and I rarely eat what I have burned. I am supposed to take in 1200 calories a day. I have not seen a difference in the scale for a while, working out or not, my weight doesn't budge. Do you think I am eating too little and should up my calorie intake. I just thought that maybe my body thinks 1200 is not enough and is storing every thing I eat. I don't know what to change and where to begin. ANY help would be great.

Since you are taller you can probably eat more. Always check with your doctor.

I am short and this is what worked for me:

Your body loses weight in chunks, not linear. I have found that you can do everything right and your weight loss seems to plateau but if you are patient and keep exercising and eating at a deficit (however slight) you will lose it, it will suddenly "whoosh". There are so many variables for the scale; water retention, digestion, hormones, allergies, sodium, carbs, water intake, DOMS, inflammation, the list goes on. People mistakenly think they lose or gain weight when they eat more or less because of these fluctuations.

Losing weight requires tremendous patience. You will not lose it when you want it or where you want it. The body does its thing. Some apparent plateaus can last a month or so. You can not make it happen faster. You must focus on two things; calories and exercise. Nothing else matters. Scales and metrics don't matter. The day in and day out grind of exercise and calories are all that matters. It is not very exciting until things fall into place. You get your victories and you ride one victory to the next.

The scale is a trend tool. The scale is good but put it away and only check once a week and only use it as a trend tool. It will fluctuate, it does not matter. Take front side and back progress pictures at least once a month. You will see differences that the metrics won't tell you and it's that little bit of NSV that will keep you going until the next victory.

Some people will say you need to eat more. Some people will say you need to eat less. Only you can decide or check with your doctor. But what would make the most sense? Eating more or eating less, to lose weight? Hmmm..

Taller people have more room in their calorie budget to go up or down. Shorter people like me have less room and get frustrated with "eat more" because that typically does not work for us. If you are confused about it don't just listen to any of us, do some research and get approval from your doctor, then just do what you need to do and tune the rest of us out.

It really depends on your RMR. If you are short like I am then your RMR is really just above the 1200 limit so you really don't have much room for a calorie deficit and going up is less likely to work. If you are taller you will have a higher RMR and can go up or down and still be in a deficit so you can lose no matter what. All that matters is a calorie deficit. If you are short it can be hard to have a deficit at 1200 or above so your only option is to check with your doctor. I did and he agreed and had me go down. So I had to tune everyone out around here, as some of us short girls will say, the "eat more" bullies.

Once I got leaner I had to taper UP my calories. The leaner you get the less of a calorie deficit your body can handle. It needs to be a long slow shallow deficit. For me still under a doctor’s care, this is around 1000-1200 calories because I am so short, petite, and am under 12% body fat where I truly can go into starvation mode if I ate under 1000 calories. I have supporting documentation below. Again, you must seek your doctor’s advice. No one here can tell you how many calories to eat, either up or down.

Seek advice from your doctor. Myself or anyone else on here can’t tell you how much to eat, or to go up or down. If you have a lot of body fat reserves you would be surprised at how little you can eat (unless you have emotional eating issues or disorders). The leaner you get the less your body has to draw from and then you have to taper up your calories. There is no such thing as starvation mode for woman over 12% body fat or men over 6% body fat. I pretty much proved that for myself by staying strong and building muscle and doing what I did. I'm the leanest, most muscular, and most fit that I have ever been in my life at almost 52 years old. My doctor looked at my blood work throughout my journey and it remained fine even with “taking breaks from eating” for periods of time and eating less. Even now at less than 12% body fat everything is A-OKAY. I am healthy, active, and vibrant, muscular not skinny. I have never had eating disorders nor do I now. If you have eating disorders you should not be on a diet unless you are under a doctor’s care and/or get those issues resolved first. I do not advocate unhealthy eating or promote eating disorders.

While there is no one size fits all I listed the things that worked for me here --> http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/740340-i-lost-60-lbs-at-age-51-anyone-can-any-workout

I found the following quotes helpful for sorting through all the myths plastered all over the place

What is the exact number of calories for you?

We’ve been trying to figure out an exact NUMBER of calories that everyone should be eating, without recognizing that everyone is slightly different. In truth, the calories aren’t the end game. Your body is. So the EXACT amount of Calories that are right for you is the EXACT amount that will allow you to maintain your ideal bodyweight no matter what some calculator or chart says.

In other words, an online calculator might tell you that you need to eat 2,500 calories
per day to maintain your ideal bodyweight. But the only way to know for sure if this is
the right amount for you is to test it out. If you gain weight or can’t lose weight eating
that much, then you know you need to eat less to lose weight no matter how many
calculators and text books say otherwise.

This doesn’t mean your metabolism is broken, it just means the estimate of your needs
was just a bit off.

-John Barban (The Body Centric Calorie Guide from the Venus Index and Adonis Index Manuals)

The Theory of Fat Availability:
•There is a set amount of fat that can be released from a fat cell.
•The more fat you have, the more fat can be used as a fuel when dieting.
•The less fat you have, the less fat can be used as a fuel when dieting.
•Towards the end of a transformation, when body fat is extremely low you
may not have enough fat to handle a large caloric deficit anymore.

At the extreme low end, when your body fat cannot ‘keep up’ with the energy deficit
you've imposed on your body, the energy MUST come from SOMEWHERE. This is
when you are at risk of losing lean body mass during dieting (commonly referred to
as ‘starvation mode’). This happens at extremely low levels of body fat, under 6% in
men and 12% in women [Friedl K.E. J Appl Phsiol, 1994].

-Brad Pilon and John Barban (from The Reverse Taper Diet in The Adonis Index and Venus Index manuals)

Ever since I finally lost the 60lbs and went from Obese to super fit I've realized that tiny people like me simply need less calories than most other people. Even now as healthy and vibrant as I am, with 100's of people stalking my diary, I get questioned almost daily about my calories seeming to low. Why do people ask when they don't even know my height or RMR? Since I'm so small my RMR is only 1380 and that is based on my recent DXA scan which isn't nearly as accurate as going to a lab and blowing into the tube several times to fine out a more accurate number, but it is certainly more accurate than an online chart. I will never be able to eat the 2000 calorie diet everyone thinks is necessary, I'm just too small for it.

Never again will I let anyone tell me what to eat, when to eat, or how much to eat. I learned what works for me. I OWN IT. No one will ever pressure me to eat birthday cake at a party or anywhere else, I DECIDE. No one else decides for me. I eat when I want to eat and I don't eat when I don't want to eat.

flynnfinn

i am in EXACTLY the same situation as you! same height, 125ish for weight. trying to lose those last 5 vanity pounds and NOTHING IS HAPPENING! i just posted the same exact question as you did too. i think it comes down to not eating enough. i rarely NET over 1000 calories. i exercise a lot too! so i've decided to cut back on cardio, focus on strength training and try to NET my TDEE-15% for daily calories. that's about 1600-1800 calories which is a lot! i usually net 600-900 daily.

if nothing you've done so far is working, it means you have to try something different. i've tried more cardio...that didn't work. i've tried eating less...that didn't work. so now, i'm going to try less cardio and eat more. seems counterintuitive but almost everyone here on MFP says i need to eat more. and at this point, i've got nothing to lose...except 5lbs!!

Vince_1964

You are already in your "ideal" weight range for your age/height/gender. Your current weight puts you at 21% BMI - ideal for women your age. If you're looking to drop a few more pounds, you may actually need to increase your calorie intake and continue with the exercise ...

auroranflash

What exactly are you wanting to happen? You are 5'6" and 130lbs... You may want to focus more on body composition than weight loss. I am 5'6" 1/2 and I looked my best at 130-135. Now I am at 150lbs and looking to get back down.

I suggest learning to lift heavy things and put them back down. Build muscle, raise your RMR, eat more lean protein, and enjoy a life where you don't have to stress over every calorie you put in your mouth.

There are lots of succesful women on this board who have lost weight only to still not be satisfied with their appearance because their body fat % was too high despite being at their goal weight. Most countered this with a reasonable calorie increase to support building lean muscle and adding weight/resistance training to their routines about 3x a week, doing mild to moderate cardio 1-3 times a week, and resting at least one day...

Check out the success threads to see some of their stories. Very inspiring.

bsuzanne88

Thanks a lot. I just wanted to lose another 5 pounds. i tried that site and it told me I need to intake 1700 calories if my activity level is moderate. I do exercise 5 days a week. MFP tells me I burn 172 for a 22 minute workout. I will up my calorie intake to 1400 NET and see where that gets me.

firstsip

Woah, woah, woah... you are 5'6" and 130lbs and you're still eating 1200 calories? 1200 is DEFINITELY a big deficit for you--if you are just trying to close the gap of your goal weight, try eating closer to you TDEE--you are literally not eating your BMR right now.

As for those "5 lbs"--are you aiming for a number on a scale, or a personal preference for how you look? You might need to disregard the scale and aim for body fat %--which will come from body recomposition with building a bit more muscle, which would be close to impossible with eating at such a deficit.

EDIT: If you want the ultimate success story about body fat % > number on a scale, look up LorinaLynn's posts and blogs.

Espressocycle

You are a great weight, so why not just declare victory?

bsuzanne88

Without seeing your diary it will be hard to determine what you can change. Also you might need to change your exercise to include some strength training.

There is strength training in the 30 day shred. I love Jillian Micheals workouts.

bsuzanne88

I am fine with my weight right now...I mainly have some flab to take care of...so wouldn't I see a difference in my Body fat percentage as I work out? (which hasn't happened)

LorinaLynn

You're so close to your goal that the number on the scale is meaningless at this point.

Track your progress through how clothes fit, measurements and most importantly, progress photos. Take snapshots from front, back, sides... all angles, in minimal clothing. You don't need to share them with anyone, but don't delete them.

Calculate your TDEE as suggested above. Eat maybe 10% below that. Get at least 100g of protein a day, and add some form strength training. Jillian Michaels is a good place to start, it's mostly cardio. Plus, if you're not getting sore and achy from the dumbbells you're using, it's time to move on to something heavier. I was doing body weight and 5# dumbbell stuff, but eventually, it stopped being effective and that's when I moved on to heavier weights.

Take photos again in another month.

auroranflash

Without seeing your diary it will be hard to determine what you can change. Also you might need to change your exercise to include some strength training.

There is strength training in the 30 day shred. I love Jillian Micheals workouts.

You're going to need to go heavier and look into compound lifts if you want to see a major change.

LauraDotts

I am fine with my weight right now...I mainly have some flab to take care of...so wouldn't I see a difference in my Body fat percentage as I work out? (which hasn't happened)

Your body cannot build muscle without enough calories. You need more calories.

firstsip

I am fine with my weight right now...I mainly have some flab to take care of...so wouldn't I see a difference in my Body fat percentage as I work out? (which hasn't happened)

Not necessarily.

That's why people say body "composition"

You're not going to be "toning" (an arbitrary term) if you're not eating enough to build lean muscle. You lost weight (some of which MAY have been lean muscle since you ate at such a big deficit for such a long time--I'm seeing on your profile you've been doing so for over a year?)... now it's time to up your calories so your body has something to BUILD lean muscle.

The muscle will take the place of the fat, making your body much leaner and stronger (and increasing your metabolism more than just simply doing cardio would do).

You've been eating at 1200 for so long at a height that's closer to tall than short (I'm the same height), you may experience a brief gain/water retention once you up your calories... but as you continue specifically strength training (I'd incorporate weights either with or after you're doing Jillian Michael) you will lose that weight again, or better yet, lose the body fat. What IS your body fat % right now?

bsuzanne88

I am fine with my weight right now...I mainly have some flab to take care of...so wouldn't I see a difference in my Body fat percentage as I work out? (which hasn't happened)

Not necessarily.

That's why people say body "composition"

You're not going to be "toning" (an arbitrary term) if you're not eating enough to build lean muscle. You lost weight (some of which MAY have been lean muscle since you ate at such a big deficit for such a long time--I'm seeing on your profile you've been doing so for over a year?)... now it's time to up your calories so your body has something to BUILD lean muscle.

The muscle will take the place of the fat, making your body much leaner and stronger (and increasing your metabolism more than just simply doing cardio would do).

You've been eating at 1200 for so long at a height that's closer to tall than short (I'm the same height), you may experience a brief gain/water retention once you up your calories... but as you continue specifically strength training (I'd incorporate weights either with or after you're doing Jillian Michael) you will lose that weight again, or better yet, lose the body fat. What IS your body fat % right now?

On my scale at home I am at 31 pounds of fat.

dawlschic007

Since you're so close to goal, I agree with the others and think you should try eating more food. It's a slower weight loss but it'll help you get to your goal and will be easier to transition into maintenance once you finally make it. I also used that fat2fitradio.com site to figure out my goal weight maintenance calories and just eat at that.

Also, what are your macros set for? Maybe try aiming for 40% carbs/30%protein/30% fat (healthy fats). That ratio has worked really well for me for fat loss.

bsuzanne88

Since you're so close to goal, I agree with the others and think you should try eating more food. It's a slower weight loss but it'll help you get to your goal and will be easier to transition into maintenance once you finally make it. I also used that fat2fitradio.com site to figure out my goal weight maintenance calories and just eat at that.

Also, what are your macros set for? Maybe try aiming for 40% carbs/30%protein/30% fat (healthy fats). That ratio has worked really well for me for fat loss.

I just changed my macros to 40/30/30 the other day.

firstsip

OP, did you do this calculator by chance? http://www.fat2fitradio.com/tools/bf/

31 lbs of body fat doesn't mean body fat %, and I can't quite calculate a body fat % without measurements (you can do all that on the site).

bsuzanne88

OP, did you do this calculator by chance? http://www.fat2fitradio.com/tools/bf/

31 lbs of body fat doesn't mean body fat %, and I can't quite calculate a body fat % without measurements (you can do all that on the site).

The site gave me a 24.7% (32 pounds)

Vini9

I know what it feels like while I am not in your spot (wight or height). I justed uped my calories cause I am not loosing and I have ALOT to lose. I have had my carories the same for like 6 months, very frustrating. I love Jillian Micheals Advice. I can't stand her workouts. We have a love /hate relationship. She has a newletter she sends out and also you can watch her on daily dose with Jillian Micheals. She says as you get more muscle, you need more calories to help keep up with the weight loss of fat. Mucsle will burn mucsle first if it can't find it in food. So I read you upped your calories and I think that is great. I would try it for at least 2 weeks and see if it works. If it dosn't try something else, above all else listen to your body. Jillian has a ton of info out there, look her up. She knows her workout programs best. Good Luck!

bsuzanne88

I know what it feels like while I am not in your spot (wight or height). I justed uped my calories cause I am not loosing and I have ALOT to lose. I have had my carories the same for like 6 months, very frustrating. I love Jillian Micheals Advice. I can't stand her workouts. We have a love /hate relationship. She has a newletter she sends out and also you can watch her on daily dose with Jillian Micheals. She says as you get more muscle, you need more calories to help keep up with the weight loss of fat. Mucsle will burn mucsle first if it can't find it in food. So I read you upped your calories and I think that is great. I would try it for at least 2 weeks and see if it works. If it dosn't try something else, above all else listen to your body. Jillian has a ton of info out there, look her up. She knows her workout programs best. Good Luck!

I'm glad we are both trying the same thing. I wish you the best of luck and let me know if it works for you and if you hear of any other good tips.

karamini

Hello everyone and thanks in advance for the help and support. I have been a member of MFP since June 2011. I love how I have learned to be more aware of my eating habits. But currently I weigh 130 pounds (133 on a bad day). I am 5 foot 6 inches tall (incase you wanted to know). I started Jillian Micheal's 30 day shred (my second time) and I rarely eat what I have burned. I am supposed to take in 1200 calories a day. I have not seen a difference in the scale for a while, working out or not, my weight doesn't budge. Do you think I am eating too little and should up my calorie intake. I just thought that maybe my body thinks 1200 is not enough and is storing every thing I eat. I don't know what to change and where to begin. ANY help would be great.

I'm in the same boat. I'm 5"2 about 130 pounds, and I've been stuck at this weight for months. I'm not unhappy with the way I look (although I think 130 sounds a little high for someone my height), but for my body type it seems to work. All I REALLY want and what have been trying to achieve for what feels like forever is to tone up more (ideally I'd be at 125 lbs).
I usually do some form of cardio 5 days a week and recently I've been doing the 30 day shred. Despite the different work outs I've tried over the past year or so nothing seems to really change for me (I feel fit and look the same). I also eat about 1200 calories a day, and it's been suggested that I try more.. I guess it would be worth a shot.

dawlschic007

Hello everyone and thanks in advance for the help and support. I have been a member of MFP since June 2011. I love how I have learned to be more aware of my eating habits. But currently I weigh 130 pounds (133 on a bad day). I am 5 foot 6 inches tall (incase you wanted to know). I started Jillian Micheal's 30 day shred (my second time) and I rarely eat what I have burned. I am supposed to take in 1200 calories a day. I have not seen a difference in the scale for a while, working out or not, my weight doesn't budge. Do you think I am eating too little and should up my calorie intake. I just thought that maybe my body thinks 1200 is not enough and is storing every thing I eat. I don't know what to change and where to begin. ANY help would be great.

I'm in the same boat. I'm 5"2 about 130 pounds, and I've been stuck at this weight for months. I'm not unhappy with the way I look (although I think 130 sounds a little high for someone my height), but for my body type it seems to work. All I REALLY want and what have been trying to achieve for what feels like forever is to tone up more (ideally I'd be at 125 lbs).
I usually do some form of cardio 5 days a week and recently I've been doing the 30 day shred. Despite the different work outs I've tried over the past year or so nothing seems to really change for me (I feel fit and look the same). I also eat about 1200 calories a day, and it's been suggested that I try more.. I guess it would be worth a shot.

I was in the same position as you for awhile. I'm 5'3 and was stuck at 135 for the longest time. I also was doing mainly cardio (running) and eating around 1200 calories (NET). But I upped my calories to between 1700 - 1800 calories (depending on how hard I work out, I might even go higher) and have never looked back. I'm now down to 125 pounds and looking to lose about 10 more before I hit my goal weight. The weight loss is slower, but since you are really close to a healthy weight anyways, this is the best way to go for long term results. It'll also help prepare you to transition to maintenance easier once you finally achieve your goal weight. Since what you're doing now isn't working, why not give it a try for a few months and see how it goes? Slowly up your calories 100 calories each week, until you reach your desired calorie goal. Also, you will notice a small initial weight gain (minor 1 - 2 pounds) but don't panic! This is normal and your body will get rid of it shortly after. It's just your body rebalancing itself and adjusting to the higher calorie intake. Good luck!

karamini

I was in the same position as you for awhile. I'm 5'3 and was stuck at 135 for the longest time. I also was doing mainly cardio (running) and eating around 1200 calories (NET). But I upped my calories to between 1700 - 1800 calories (depending on how hard I work out, I might even go higher) and have never looked back. I'm now down to 125 pounds and looking to lose about 10 more before I hit my goal weight. The weight loss is slower, but since you are really close to a healthy weight anyways, this is the best way to go for long term results. It'll also help prepare you to transition to maintenance easier once you finally achieve your goal weight. Since what you're doing now isn't working, why not give it a try for a few months and see how it goes? Slowly up your calories 100 calories each week, until you reach your desired calorie goal. Also, you will notice a small initial weight gain (minor 1 - 2 pounds) but don't panic! This is normal and your body will get rid of it shortly after. It's just your body rebalancing itself and adjusting to the higher calorie intake. Good luck!

Thanks for the advice! Long term is definitely what I want, and I think it would be worth a shot to up my calorie intake. I work a 9-5 office job so I sometimes find it difficult to get in enough calories - especially since I don't want to be eating too much when I get home at night. But I am definitely going to start making an effort to bring snacks (healthy ones) to work and eat more throughout the day. Hopefully I'll have the same luck as you!

dawlschic007

I work a 9-5 desk job as well. I just pack my lunch and bring healthy snacks for the day and eat every few hours. It takes a little more effort but it's doable!