Not losing

Okay.....I started back on this journey the first full week in January. I have been exercising, eating healthy, cutting WAAYYY back on diet soda, drinking water and other things to lose all this weight. I have stayed in my calorie goal almost every day. I have only been over two days. The first week I lost five pounds, the second, third and fourth weeks I didn't lose anything! I am doing five hours a week of zumba burning massive amounts of calories. I'm eating at LEAST 1/3 of the calories I was eating before I started to change my lifestyle. Which by the way, I maintained my weight for 11 years for the most part. Bouncing between the same twenty pounds up and down. So to me it only makes sense that I should lose weight even by adding exercise and not changing my diet. But......I HAVE changed the way I eat, TOTALLY!!! And I'm still not losing! I know there could be a million and one reasons that I am not losing, so I'm not asking for advise. I'm just wondering if anyone else has had this experience? I think my body is on strike and wondering what in the heck I am doing to it. I know if I just keep doing what I am doing that it will eventually HAVE to come off. No, I'm not giving up. Yes, I get frustrated. Just like anyone else would. But.....I am in this for the long haul. I'm even going to add weight lifting this week! I can't wait.

Replies

  • Blakelynn3
    Blakelynn3 Posts: 127 Member
    When I exercise I tend to have a temporary weight gain the next day. (I only exercise 3x/week right now). Also, when I started I was trying to stay on a 1200 calorie diet and I didn't want the end of day update to say I'd gone over, so I'd eat less than 1200 calories and I was also never eating back any of my exercise calories. I wasn't losing weight. I complained about it on my profile, read up about it on the message boards and it finally sunk in that I need to eat more. Since then I've been steadily, if more slowly than I'd like, been losing weight. It's also been recommended to me to eat 3 small meals and two snacks a day to keep my metabolism regulated. So, that's something to consider. Also, make sure you're getting enough water. If you're not, you'll retain it which will cause 'weight gain'. Anyway, those are my experiences. Maybe they'll be helpful to you.
  • Aellyn
    Aellyn Posts: 75 Member
    Did you take your measurements when you started last month? It may be that you are losing inches even though you are not losing weight.
  • Julie_Donahue
    Julie_Donahue Posts: 394 Member
    Are you eating too few calories? I don't quite understand how that works, but apparently some people say you have to eat more to lose more.
  • gettinfit320
    gettinfit320 Posts: 32 Member
    Be sure to take your measurements.... I would venture to guess with that much Zumba you ARE losing inches. I do Zumba too and noticed that my clothes were looser.... my scale didn't reflect a change...but I loved that my clothes were getting bigger on me. The hard work you are doing WILL payoff. Don't give up - but remember make small changes that you can live with the REST of your life, in order to keep it off. All the best!
  • Thanks ladies!! I know I need to drink more water. Water is almost all I drink, but I'm pretty sure I don't drink enough. I did my measurements three weeks ago, but I haven't done them again. I also feel like I'm eating enough. I eat my 1700 a day and sometimes I eat into my exercise calories. I know it will come off at some point. I'm not giving up, I'm determined to get this extra person in weight off my body. I do get frustrated because of all my hard work. If I wasn't working so hard and doing all that I can to get healthy it wouldn't be nearly as frustrating. BUT.....I will keep going. I'm NOT giving up!!! Thank you for all your input. I truly appreciate it!! :)
  • tinatatertoes
    tinatatertoes Posts: 100 Member
    I just wanted to chime in. If I don't watch my carbs, I won't lose weight at all. Im not suggesting low carb like Atkins or anything but I try to keep my carb count down to 2-3 servings per meal and 1 per snack and spread them out throughout the day. If I don't do that, then I won't lose any weight.

    At any rate, you are making positive changes to become a more healthier you. There are all kinds of reasons why the numbers might be stuck for a while. Continue to concentrate on being healthy and the numbers will eventually follow. Congratulations on your life change!!!
  • demilade
    demilade Posts: 402 Member
    Definately make sure you eat enough, try eating all your calories plus half your exercise calories. Also what time at night are you eating? if you eat too late you dont get a chance to burn it off.
  • stephgas
    stephgas Posts: 159 Member
    read up on BMR and TDEE. never eat below your BMR, don't eat over your TDEE. i never eat back exercise calories UNLESS not eating them would put my net calories under my BMR. and stick within your macros - you should be getting a certain amount of calories from carbs, fats, and proteins. i use that to make sure i'm not eating too many carbs and am eating enough protein.

    also, the first time i really worked at losing weight, i lost 11 pounds in the first WEEK. i think it was mostly water weight because i only lost three pounds over the next three weeks. it takes time to find out where your calorie needs are. i suggest at least two weeks between changes. if you plateau for two weeks, switch something up. add 100 calories a day (as long as it's under your TDEE still). swap some cardio out for light weight training - or vice versa.
  • rlv2
    rlv2 Posts: 21 Member
    I was having the same problems.... I now eat 2 carbs and 2 fruits a day.. but make sure I consume them by 2pm... so for dinner I only have protein and lots of yummy veggies.. and a yogert for snack... It has really helped to get that scale moving again...
  • RobynUnfiltered
    RobynUnfiltered Posts: 62 Member
    A coworker who has lost over 100 pounds w/ MFP reminds us all the time to drink tons of water and to eat all our calories by choosing healthy lean protein and veggies. I know it can be frustrating, but if you average it out you are losing a pound a week or so. Good luck to you!!
  • antitek
    antitek Posts: 121 Member
    Everyone's advice is really good. Another thing you can do is take a look back at the detailed reports of your food journals. This will show you if you are leaning too heavily on one type of food such as carbs, fat, sugars, etc. If you really want to make sure you are understanding how you are doing and what changes you need to make, I highly recommend consulting with a certified trainer. An occasional consultation doesn't cost much and can give you a good boost.

    I'm lucky enough to have a sister who is ACSM certified for personal training. It is too bad the drive to her place is 13 hours, BUT having her check my exercise and meals is a huge help.

    Melissa
  • cm99camper
    cm99camper Posts: 7 Member
    I found I lost inches with Zumba before I lost pounds