No weight lost - just a bit of advice or support please...

chezileigh
chezileigh Posts: 255
edited December 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
Hi guys,

Having dieted in the past, using a site very similar to MFP, I expected this time to be similar, in fact better. Last time I dieted I set the calories to lose 1lb per week. I set it to sedentary and then added things such as mucking out my horses and riding, and walking the dogs. I also ran three times per week on a schedule quite similar to couch to 5k, and added those calories in. I tended to eat back most of my exercise calories if I was hungry or fancied a treat, but not always. I didn't eat particularly clean, in the sense that I did allow myself a treat provided it was within my calories, often I would be clean all week with lots of fruit veg and nuts, and allow a treat at weekend, using up some of the calories saved in the week. I found that I lost a lot in the first few weeks, like 3lb per week (even with the log set at 1lb per week), and then it would settle down to 1lb per week after that.

This time, I have been doing ALOT more specific exercise. Running every other day, 30 day shred for the last 3, and some resistance training. I have upped my walking too inbetween times. This was my first week and I have eaten the same way as described above, apart from that I have my log set to 2lbs per week. I do find that I feel slightly hungry a lot of the time, whereas before I didn't (obviously I'm eating less calories). I am eating my exercise calories if I need to but often have around 200 left at the end of the day.

Now I know that maybe the weight I lost in the first few weeks last time was possibly water or muscle, and this time I am exercising more and doing strength, so maybe the reason I didn't lose weight this week (actually put on almost a pound) is because I have built some new muscle? It isn't because I'm not eating enough is it? I am eating plenty particularly when you take into account the exercise calories, but am still feeling hungry a fair bit.

I have taken photos and measurements. My body feels different, and I have lost half an inch around my hips, a whole inch under my bust, and a quarter to half an inch around my waist.

In the photos you can see a slight difference I think.

Just wondered if anyone had similar experiences and what your advice would be.

Thanks.

Replies

  • leappleton
    leappleton Posts: 29
    Hi, you have pretty much posted exactly my situation too!
    I am eating healthily and trying to eat back my exercise calories but like you find that I have about 200- 300 left at the end of most days. I am doing the 30 day shred every day and going to the gym 3 or 4 times a week as well where I am doing a 3k run on the treadmill (5k once a week), 10 mins bike and 10 mins cross trainer, on the days I have the gym and the shred I find it very difficult to eat back all of the calories as I have loads!!
    I have been using my fitness pal for 3 weeks now and am still exactly the same weight as when I started. I can see a difference in my body, especially my arms and abs from the shred but it feels very discouraging to work out so much and not see any weight loss!
    My other half keeps telling me that it is because I have built muscle and it will take time before I start losing weight but to be honest I have been going to the gym at least 5 times a week since january and have lost less than a stone and so I am starting to lose faith that it's just 'building muscle' and that they weight loss will come eventually..! when?!
    I am getting married in December hence the hard work and my goal weight is 1.5 stone less than what I am now, I cant see me ever losing that at this rate.
    I will keep an eye on your responses as I really would like some advice to on how I can lose the weight, I think people will say the scales are not the only measure but surely all this hard work should result in some weight loss??

    In the meantime I would say keep up the exercise as I do feel so much stronger and better and hopefully we will get there!
  • chezileigh
    chezileigh Posts: 255
    I do think we have to keep at it and have faith that changing your lifestyle and increasing your fitness must have an effect on your weight at some point.

    Are you losing inches?
  • stellarcanicula
    stellarcanicula Posts: 50 Member
    This is how i feel too. I can drink one glass of wine and the next week im back up 2lbs. It's crazy, but for me this is a definite lifestyle change, not just weightloss. I can't even think of all the ways my health(mental, physical, emotional) has changed for the better. I know I've only been going for about two months(one month wasn't on MFP) but I won't even entertain the idea of going back to the way I was.

    I guess what I'm trying to say is, there are other rewards other than just losing weight and inches, and that means more to me than anything else.
  • chezileigh
    chezileigh Posts: 255
    Glad you're benefiting from a lifestyle change stella, that's the best type of benefit I think :)
  • NewChristina
    NewChristina Posts: 250 Member
    Keep doing what you're doing. I stopped losing for almost two months before the scale staring moving again. But I trusted MFP. I just stayed with it. No changes. Next thing I know, I can't wear the capris that were tight on me a few months ago (They're falling off of me.) I have to throw away my belt and dig out my old ones (It's way too big.). I feel better, I'm getting compliments, and I'm ready to start shopping for new clothes!! :bigsmile:
  • smithy85
    smithy85 Posts: 104 Member
    I lost a few pounds in my first few weeks (to be fair ive still got a poor diet) Im a picky eater.

    BUT i lost inches, your body is toning when loosing weight and puttng on muscle, use a tape measure, sometimes people hit a platuea and cant get out of it.

    Try upping your calories for a week and then coming down again, change your exersize at the gym as your body will get used to it, so if you do 5k run, do 5k on the Eppi.

    You should start to loose, ont dispear it will happen.

    Keep it up xx
  • TheLittleKittie
    TheLittleKittie Posts: 32
    That you are noticing body changes, shows its working. Im doing shred and only just got loss of 2lbs. Interestingly I used boots diets to lose 4 stone in the past where my cals were 1450 a day. Mfp since dec last year at 1200 and I have been at a frustrating plateau and because of medication I GAINED weight. Last week I reset my mfp cals to 1450 and then today recorded that loss. So I dont know if its shred, or if I honestly am more active than I think and needed extra cals. Keep going and good luck. Its hard work but our health is the biggest benefit - not the number.
  • sarahkate1971
    sarahkate1971 Posts: 1
    You both came up with the answer yourself regarding the slow up in actual weight loss. So think of it as FAT LOSS instead, as you are adding muscle (which in turn increases your metabolic rate, which in turn, means you burn more calories etc etc..it's all good..!)
    Weight is a number, it's a guide, and it's not something you should be 100% focused on, Your shape, the inches and how you feel on the inside are just as, if not MORE important.

    Also, look to vary what exercise you are doing, to give your body something different to think about. i.e circuit training where you use muscle groups you wouldn't use in your usual sessions.

    Well done and Good luck

    S
  • chezileigh
    chezileigh Posts: 255
    Thanks all, I will keep going with it and see where I am at the end. I hope I do weigh less because my body does need to lose weight as well as the other benefits, but I'll trust it and keep recording any changes until I finish it.

    Cheers for the encouragement :)
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