advice needed, please :(

yogamazinglife

I don't know what I'm doing wrong. The first two weeks were going fine. The first week I lost about 1lb, the second I lost another lb but this week I've gained them both back. And I've been as healthy, if not healthier this week than the previous. I haven't had anything to drink, I've stopped the mindless munching, I've incorporated better snacks with more protein and fiber to keep me satisfied until the next meal but still the two pound gain.

I have measured my waist, which is the largest part of me, and it's down by 1/2 inch, which is fabulous but that was the same last week as well, when I was still losing.

I've been wondering if I'm not eating enough, actually. my base is 1200 cals but most days I acquire anywhere from 230-450 cals from exercise, which I use but I also walk to and from work every day. It takes me 45 minutes each way but most days I don't count that. If I did my daily calorie intake could raise to almost 1800 a day which seems really high, especially as I walk this much about 90% of my days so my body is used to this work.

I've unlocked my profile so you can view it if you're interested. I know 2lb isn't a lot to gain back but it's discouraging to be good and hold myself back from stuffing my face for a gain. Rationally, I know it's muscle but irrationally, it's disheartening to see.

athandtia

Hi I know how frustrating this can be! do you think maybe you are not eating enough? The body will go into starvation mode, so just be careful and dont be too hard on yourself. Good luck!

lotusfromthemud

If you're walking for an hour and a half each day and not logging it as exercise, you should at least change your activity level from sedentary.

1200 calories is most likely not enough. With so little weight to lose, you should have a smaller calorie deficit.

A good bit of advice from my trainer (for free) when you're 10 pounds from what you think your goal weight is, "the scale is meaningless". Go on your measurements, eat your calories (bump them up gradually, say 100 calories per week for a few weeks so you're system isn't too overwhelmed) and try to move away from the scale and concentrate on size.:flowerforyou:

kwardklinck

The closer you get to your goal, the harder it is. I was losing pretty steadily but the last few weeks have been up and down. Is it close to your period time? I always gain 2-3 pounds the week before and then lose it a few days into my period. It's really frustrating but that's just how it is for me. You also may look at your weight loss goal. If you've gained muscle mass 120 may be too low. I used to weigh 119. Now I weigh 130 and I wear the same size I used to because I've built a lot of muscle. This is the first time I've actually used exercise to lose weight and may just have to go by my measurements and what size pants I wear rather than a number on the scale.

sonjavon

It may very well be that you need to eat more calories. But also - when are you due for TOM? Is it possible that you're retaining water?

PoeRaven

:drinker: Hi!

I took a peek at your food diary and from the information there I notice that even though you are eating good, healthy foods, a lot of times you go over on your carbs. You might try cutting down in that area. Also, it seems to work best if you eat the biggest part of your daily carbohydrates early in the day...I would suggest to eat most carbs for breakfast (this gives you energy for the rest of the day) and less carbs for lunch and as few as possible for dinner.

I also noticed that you either don't drink much water or are just not logging in your water consuption. Drink at least eight 8 ounce glasses a day. For me this isn't a problem...I drink the stuff constantly! :drinker:

Last, and this may be the most important of all...I see that a lot of days you are eating under 1200 calories. This only puts your body into starvation mode and will make you gain weight. Eat at least 1200 calories and at least half of your exercise calories.

Recap:
Cut back on the carbs
Drink lots of water
Eat more calories (low carb ones!)

I think if you make these few simple changes you will be right back on track.
Good Luck!

Jan AKA PoeRaven




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KatWood

You may need to eat more but 3 weeks is not long enough to have gone into starvation mode. Your weight can naturally fluctuate a few lbs so the fact that the scale said you gained the 2 lbs back does not necessarily make it so.
My advice is to stick with it. 3 weeks is too soon to determine success or failure. It will take time. Focus less on the weekly results and more on your general progress. Is your general trend weightloss (i.e. over a larger length of time, say a month)? In general are you feeling better and are you clothes looser? The scale will not always be a true representation of your progress so focus on other factors as well.