Bouncing on the same 6lbs for 6 months. HELP!!

MoreThanMommie

I've been bouncing up and down between 182 and 187 lbs for the last 6 months. I can't seem to figure this out. When is started working out 5 days a week (in January) I did it for 3 weeks and quit when I gained 5 lbs and ended up 191 lbs. A few weeks later I was able to get back into the 6 lb. window I've been stuck in. Now I just walk and run for exercise.

I'm going to buy a tape measure and stop using the scale for a while so I can start working out again. But I'd like to know what you all think I could do to do better.

Please be gentle. Off to open my feed diary...

Thanks!!

**Also, please ignore today's entry. I've been a bit self destructive. :embarassed:

amann1976

too much sugar and salts from all that processed stuff you are eating according to your diary

PepperWorm

too much sugar and salts from all that processed stuff you are eating according to your diary

Pretty much.

Clean it up!

Also, are your calories possibly an overestimate for your lifestyle? It looks right if you work out 5 days a week, at least.

86_Ohms

You're pretty far on your diet goal. You can try adjusting your TDEE around 15-20%.

Also, cutting down on carbs to 50-100 a day, unless you're a long distance runner, usually helps.

lobo_a_gogo

Also, are your calories possibly an overestimate for your lifestyle? It looks right if you work out 5 days a week, at least.

This! When I started logging I "estimated" a lot. Now I'm a crazy person who wields cup measures and a kitchen scale for everything that's not "single serving" that I put in my mouth (except vegetables).

Also, you may want to try doing some heavy lifting. I lost my first 30-35ish doing cardio and counting calories, but I hit a like 7 month plateau, so I started doing NROL4W. I'm only about a month in, but I'm a couple pounds down and NOTICEABLY different in size (see profile pic).

Francl27

I agree that probably too much processed stuff, your sodium is probably very high. And I agree also with reducing carbs a bit, maybe switch one of your rice/bread meals to a salad or something... although in the long run it shouldn't really matter, I often eat around 150g and I've been losing fine.

All I can think of is try to be more active. Even if it's just a 30 minutes work out or a walk in the neighborhood or something. I don't get at all why the person above thought that 1400 looked right for someone who works out 5 days a week. My base is 1400 and I eat 1600-1700 when I exercise. I agree with lifting as well, even if it's just with 5lbs weights in front of a youtube video or something.. look at some strength training videos.

Also, make sure you weight everything. That can of soup that says 2 servings could have 2.5 in it or something...

neanderthin

More than likely your consuming more calories than you think, especially when packaged and fast food is a normal part of your diet.......

lobo_a_gogo

I don't get at all why the person above thought that 1400 looked right for someone who works out 5 days a week.

When the hell did I say that? I said to measure your food. I net around 1800 a day. I plateaued like a motherF-er when I was eating under 1400...

MoreThanMommie

My activity level is set to sedentary. I don't workout 5 days a week, I stopped when I gained weight doing that.

I would love to try heavy lifting but I can't afford to join a gym.

Thanks for all the responses. I'll work on eating less processed food. Not totally sure how, but I'll try and figure it out.

MoreThanMommie

Also, are your calories possibly an overestimate for your lifestyle? It looks right if you work out 5 days a week, at least.

This! When I started logging I "estimated" a lot. Now I'm a crazy person who wields cup measures and a kitchen scale for everything that's not "single serving" that I put in my mouth (except vegetables).

Also, you may want to try doing some heavy lifting. I lost my first 30-35ish doing cardio and counting calories, but I hit a like 7 month plateau, so I started doing NROL4W. I'm only about a month in, but I'm a couple pounds down and NOTICEABLY different in size (see profile pic).

When I lost my first 5 lbs, my reward to myself was a bada$$ food scale. I weigh everything. No estimating here. But very good tip!

lobo_a_gogo

I would love to try heavy lifting but I can't afford to join a gym.

Look up body weight exercises (there's more than just pushups!)

Also, are there any universities or technical colleges around you? I get to work out at the technical college nearby since they have an agreement with my work, but even if I didn't it's something really cheap like $30/semester... (protip: with a lot of schools once you have the ID, they don't even bother swiping it to see if its valid... so one semester may be all you need to pay for)

20kb13

Definitely keep track of your sodium... I noticed you eat morning star products which I also eat, but I have been limiting myself on those and usually only do half the serving because of the sodium content. In the summer it is difficult because I love their veggie burgers on the grill, but I am considering trying to make my own.

I'd track sodium the most and make sure you are eating enough calories but not too many based on your activity level. I have been stuck lately too... especially from exercising, but I realized I wasn't eating enough calories. I wouldn't totally give up on the exercising because I didn't really gain weight from it, but the scale wasn't moving. Give it awhile for your body to adjust and the muscles take up less space in the same weight. Definitely focus on measurements for awhile because I am seeing a difference in that area on myself even when the scale isn't budging. With the right amount of calories, less sodium, some exercise, and avoiding the scale for awhile I'm sure the next time you do check the scale there will be a good difference.. or at least focus on those measurements and how your clothes are fitting

metacognition

Hello, I personally think that the 2700 calorie day may be refilling any deficits you create on the lower calorie days for that week. I had the same problem and stalled at the same weight, I had to eat more on my overall days so that I did not go on a binge / fight cravings.

The sugary snacks will probably leave you feeling hungry, and probably are empty of nutrients. Have you tried adding more exercise, at greater intensity? Like intervals will do more for your body than just walking at the same pace.

MoreThanMommie

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