So lost.. Am I doing this right??

try upping your water intake, lowering your sodium and opening your diary so we can help even more!

I agree that you need to weigh yourself at the same time. I seem to alway weigh more at night than in the morning.

Watch that you count all the calories you drink, I can pass on food, it's the drinking that gets me. Coffee with flavored creamers and sweet tea are my down fall on most days taking me over my calories.

I can't see your diary, but what kinds of foods are you eating? Are you eating a ton of processed or packaged foods? Are you getting enough protein and trying to have a protein with each carb? Snacking, or only eating 3 meals a day? Working out?

If you are doing strength training and starting out, you can gain up to 10 pounds (water) as you muscles try to repair the damage.

Also, MFP isn't the great at measuring some calories for exercise. At your weight you should be around 550 per hour of running etc. Half that for walking. And it's possible you are not using a food scale, and it s very easy to underestimate by as much as 60%.

Get a food scale and a measuring cup. it's usually food that is the problem.

sounds like you arent eating enough to me.

your weight is already 'healthy' so a 1 lb loss per week prolly isnt gonna happen.

try strength training. toning can make a dramatic improvement in appearance with no weight actually lost.

If you are doing strength training and starting out, you can gain up to 10 pounds (water) as you muscles try to repair the damage.

Also, MFP isn't the great at measuring some calories for exercise. At your weight you should be around 550 per hour of running etc. Half that for walking. And it's possible you are not using a food scale, and it s very easy to underestimate by as much as 60%.

Get a food scale and a measuring cup. it's usually food that is the problem.

this is so true. Are you sore after a workout. Water retension may be the cause. Give it two more weeks and see if the weight starts coming off

Are you sure all your data in your profile is correct? I am 5'5" with a starting weight of 165. I have lost over 9 pounds in 8 weeks, but my allotted daily calorie intake is only 1200. Also, make sure you are not exceeding your carb and fat amounts. A little extra protein with exercise is probably ok. Weigh the same time each day. I know this program works so hang in there!!!

Yes, please open diary so we can give you better advice.

I too suffered from a similar issue a month ago and was gaining with eating back my exercise calories. So I stopped eating them and what do you know? Of course, losing as I was hoping. In full disclosure, I'm male, much older than you and a whole lot tubbier so it's very easy for me to create a large deficit. That said, I do eat some of my calories back, IF AND ONLY IF, I'm hungry. I do this with an understanding (and commitment to myself) that IF I stall I need to start eating more of them.

One thing you could do for the next 2-3 weeks is try not eating them back (or perhaps half) and see what that does for you. If it works, continue doing so until you stall. When that happens add 200 calories for 2-3 weeks and see if that breaks the stall. If not, add another 150 - 200. So on and so forth.

The other thing I would do is change your Macro settings (if you haven't already). MFP has the Carbs really high (55%) and protein very low. Shoot for 40% Carbs/40% Protein/20% Fat or 40%/30%/30%. You can do this by going back into your goals and doing Custom settings. Simply change the %'s for these fields. When losing weight it's often good to balance your macro nutrients as carbs (for many people) are part of the problem.

Lastly, without even looking at your diary make sure these items are making up 80% of your nutrition. It isn't always just about the number of calories but rather where they come from. Think Whole foods, i.e. stuff that has little ingredients and doesn't come in a "box".

Dairy--Low fat cheeses, greek and reg lowfat yogurts, milk, cottage cheese...if Lactose intolerant or other reason swap Almond/Coconut Milk

Whole grains--These should be your primary carb sources; Whole wheat breads and pasta, quinoa, whole grain rice, etc.

Fruits and veggies--Have one of these with every meal if possible, i.e. banana or fresh fruit with other items for breakfast; protein/carb/veggie for lunch and dinner; Could be salad for lunch with protein and a whole wheat pita or turkey on whole wheat bread sandwich plus a handful of carrots or celery; If you can more veggies than fruits (more carbs and sugar in fruit); Sweet potatoes over white.

Protein--Lean meats including chicken, eggs, turkey, lean beef, fish and shellfish; Dairy foods also have a lot of protein especially cottage cheese; Beans are another good source

Fats--Fat doesn't make you fat...too many calories do. Focus on good fats such as nuts (almonds, walnuts, cashews), nut butters (all natural peanut butter, almond butter, etc.) and good oils like olive, coconut, sesame and canola. Fats make you feel very full and I always use an oil for dinner such as sauteing vegetables.


The last tidbit (and there's lots of controversy on this one) is try to avoid eating 3 hours before bedtime. If you have to avoid Carbs like the plague.

Here's the caveat to the above: If you work out first thing in the morning doing above gives you the ideal fat burning scenario beyond all other suggestions. Why? You're body burns carbs 1st and foremost. When you sleep you deplete the carbs and glycogen (stored carbs) as they fuel your body. In the morning after you've "fasted" for 8+ hours, metabolically your body is in a state where it has no other choice but to burn fat. Make sure you eat a balanced meal after your workout that contains both carbs and proteins (my staple is eggs, 1 slice whole grain wheat and 1-2 cups of fruit).