What am I doing wrong?
rnhoppe
Posts: 111 Member
If anyone has time to look at my diary and help, I'd appreciate it. I lost pretty well for the first few weeks (I know that's expected) but now I'm gaining. I'm up .8 in the last week. I was told I was eating too few calories..so I upped them yesterday. Felt like too much food for me and I was up again this morning. I am doing the 30 day shred 6 days a week and c25 k 3 days a week. Please help. I'm getting discouraged 
Thanks
Thanks
0
Replies
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If anyone has time to look at my diary and help, I'd appreciate it. I lost pretty well for the first few weeks (I know that's expected) but now I'm gaining. I'm up .8 in the last week. I was told I was eating too few calories..so I upped them yesterday. Felt like too much food for me and I was up again this morning. I am doing the 30 day shred 6 days a week and c25 k 3 days a week. Please help. I'm getting discouraged
Thanks
I'm being blunt here but this is not a personal attack:
1) .8 lbs. POINT EIGHT. I can probably fart this. This is trivial.
2) One week is also relatively meaningless.
I don't know your entire plan so I can't comment on how intelligent it is, but generally speaking, the criteria by which you have decided to change your plan, is not good.
If you keep making changes based on trivial things you are never going to settle in on meaningful data.
My suggestion would be to do nothing for at least 3 more weeks.0 -
When I increased my calories, I gained for two weeks in a row, then it started coming off and I've had really good losses every week since then.
Be patient and give it a month.
Edited to correct a typo!0 -
I appreciate the feed back and I know .8 is nothing...but to see the scale move in the wrong direction everyday is getting hard mentally. What can I tell you about my plan to help you help me?If anyone has time to look at my diary and help, I'd appreciate it. I lost pretty well for the first few weeks (I know that's expected) but now I'm gaining. I'm up .8 in the last week. I was told I was eating too few calories..so I upped them yesterday. Felt like too much food for me and I was up again this morning. I am doing the 30 day shred 6 days a week and c25 k 3 days a week. Please help. I'm getting discouraged
Thanks
I'm being blunt here but this is not a personal attack:
1) .8 lbs. POINT EIGHT. I can probably fart this. This is trivial.
2) One week is also relatively meaningless.
I don't know your entire plan so I can't comment on how intelligent it is, but generally speaking, the criteria by which you have decided to change your plan, is not good.
If you keep making changes based on trivial things you are never going to settle in on meaningful data.
My suggestion would be to do nothing for at least 3 more weeks.0 -
If anyone has time to look at my diary and help, I'd appreciate it. I lost pretty well for the first few weeks (I know that's expected) but now I'm gaining. I'm up .8 in the last week. I was told I was eating too few calories..so I upped them yesterday. Felt like too much food for me and I was up again this morning. I am doing the 30 day shred 6 days a week and c25 k 3 days a week. Please help. I'm getting discouraged
Thanks
I'm being blunt here but this is not a personal attack:
1) .8 lbs. POINT EIGHT. I can probably fart this. This is trivial.
2) One week is also relatively meaningless.
I don't know your entire plan so I can't comment on how intelligent it is, but generally speaking, the criteria by which you have decided to change your plan, is not good.
If you keep making changes based on trivial things you are never going to settle in on meaningful data.
My suggestion would be to do nothing for at least 3 more weeks.
He may be blunt but he is dead on here. There are too many people recommending upping calories because they share how they lost weight when doing so. When we are riding a weight loss wave there is a period of time where we will still lose weight even when upping the calories but that ride will end soon if we are eating too much. (on the other hand we have many people on the other extreme as well- its all about balance) A trend/fad is then created within the forum that causes so many folks to mistakenly up their calories and revel in it but then later ask WTF, why am I gaining weight? You have to give this time. Weight loss is not linear. You need some longer term data in order to assess if you are eating too much, too little or just right.0 -
That's good to know. Why did you increase? Was it due to physical activity increase or just a personal choice? It is hard with so many conflicting options on these boards, to make a determination on what to do.When I increased my calories, I gained for two weeks in a row, then it started coming off and I've had really good losses every week since then.
Be patient and give it a month.
Edited to correct a typo!0 -
SideSteel's advice is right on (as usual). Do not focus on the every day fluctuations. And do not change your diet strategy frequently and get frustrated. Pick a strategy. Make sure you're getting enough nutrients, a reasonable amount of protein, healthy fats, lots of fruits and veggies, grains if you want them, and a reasonable amount of calories (I'd recommend at least 1500 for the average woman, personally). Try it for a few weeks to a month. Take a good look at the 'data' (did you lose? How much?), evaluate, adjust your plan.
Other helpful hints include:
Weigh yourself once a week, once every two weeks, or once a month, but never more than that. Weigh yourself on the same day at around the same time wearing the same clothes.
Focus on other more meaningful measures of progress. The number on the scale is not really that important. Other important measurements are: How well do your clothes fit? How are you doing with your exercise? Is it getting easier? Are you getting stronger? Faster? Are you breathing easier? How's your blood pressure? How's your heart rate? How are you doing on controlling food intake?0 -
I really do appreciate the bluntness...I'm just new to this and needed some feedback. For a few weeks I wasn't getting to my 1200 cal min and then included exercise. I was losing, but then I started researching about min calls and was told I was eating too little cal each day. So I increased. I guess I need to give it more time.If anyone has time to look at my diary and help, I'd appreciate it. I lost pretty well for the first few weeks (I know that's expected) but now I'm gaining. I'm up .8 in the last week. I was told I was eating too few calories..so I upped them yesterday. Felt like too much food for me and I was up again this morning. I am doing the 30 day shred 6 days a week and c25 k 3 days a week. Please help. I'm getting discouraged
Thanks
I'm being blunt here but this is not a personal attack:
1) .8 lbs. POINT EIGHT. I can probably fart this. This is trivial.
2) One week is also relatively meaningless.
I don't know your entire plan so I can't comment on how intelligent it is, but generally speaking, the criteria by which you have decided to change your plan, is not good.
If you keep making changes based on trivial things you are never going to settle in on meaningful data.
My suggestion would be to do nothing for at least 3 more weeks.
He may be blunt but he is dead on here. There are too many people recommending upping calories because they share how they lost weight when doing so. When we are riding a weight loss wave there is a period of time where we will still lose weight even when upping the calories but that ride will end soon if we are eating too much. (on the other hand we have many people on the other extreme as well- its all about balance) A trend/fad is then created within the forum that causes so many folks to mistakenly up their calories and revel in it but then later ask WTF, why am I gaining weight? You have to give this time. Weight loss is not linear. You need some longer term data in order to assess if you are eating too much, too little or just right.0 -
PICTURES are better than the scale... and pictures are perfect because it's a gradual change, weight changes every time! you drink 16 oz of water, you just put a pound in you. Best time to use a scale is never.. IMO...0 -
Pictures.....
not scale... and def not BMI...0 -
You are so right about focusing on other things like.. is it getting easier, are you getting stronger, etc. I know muscle weighs more than fat and you need muscle to burn fat so that's where a little of the weight gain may be happening. I've stayed steady for a month now and I'm looking at that in the positive light that at least I'm not gaining and my clothes fit a little different too. It is hard but I'm trying to stay positive. We can do it!0
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Stop weighing yourself every day. Problem solved.0
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stop saying muscle weighs more than fat.. .ohh boy.. look at pictures above :drinker:You are so right about focusing on other things like.. is it getting easier, are you getting stronger, etc. I know muscle weighs more than fat and you need muscle to burn fat so that's where a little of the weight gain may be happening. I've stayed steady for a month now and I'm looking at that in the positive light that at least I'm not gaining and my clothes fit a little different too. It is hard but I'm trying to stay positive. We can do it!0 -
stop saying muscle weighs more than fat.. . rather, say muscle looks better than fat.. look at pictures above :drinker:You are so right about focusing on other things like.. is it getting easier, are you getting stronger, etc. I know muscle weighs more than fat and you need muscle to burn fat so that's where a little of the weight gain may be happening. I've stayed steady for a month now and I'm looking at that in the positive light that at least I'm not gaining and my clothes fit a little different too. It is hard but I'm trying to stay positive. We can do it!0 -
Exercise is getting a little easier. Clothes don't fit any better. I just want to make sure I'm doing this right. I lost 100lbs several years ago but doing a low carb, high protein diet...I put 30lbd back on. This time I just want to do it right. I know it's going to be slow...just want to see some progress so I know I'm moving in the right direction.0
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Can you afford a scale that will measure your body fat percentage? We've got a Tanita, I can't speak to its accuracy because I've never had my body fat professionally measured and then compared to it, but I get *consistent* believable results from it.
If you can't afford a scale that measures body fat, take your measurements every week and compare to previous weeks. And pitch that weight-only scale.
What you eat from day to day can cause your weight to fluctuate noticeably - things like salt, water intake, and glycogen storage can make your weight really shift around. A pound from day to day is really nothing, it's much better to look at your results over several weeks.
If you were eating under 1200 calories a day and exercising as much as you were, your body's going to take some time to adjust to the additional calorie intake. In the long run, though, you'll be happier as you won't be starving yourself and seeing maybe teeny tiny losses every week and gaining a pound if you so much as look at a cupcake or a bowl of pasta.
ETA: And there's nothing wrong with doing low carb, high protein, if it's maintainable for you and you can meet all your macros doing it. Just don't neglect your veggies in the interest of being low-carb.0 -
Thanks for the scale suggestion. I will look into it.Can you afford a scale that will measure your body fat percentage? We've got a Tanita, I can't speak to its accuracy because I've never had my body fat professionally measured and then compared to it, but I get *consistent* believable results from it.
If you can't afford a scale that measures body fat, take your measurements every week and compare to previous weeks. And pitch that weight-only scale.
What you eat from day to day can cause your weight to fluctuate noticeably - things like salt, water intake, and glycogen storage can make your weight really shift around. A pound from day to day is really nothing, it's much better to look at your results over several weeks.
If you were eating under 1200 calories a day and exercising as much as you were, your body's going to take some time to adjust to the additional calorie intake. In the long run, though, you'll be happier as you won't be starving yourself and seeing maybe teeny tiny losses every week and gaining a pound if you so much as look at a cupcake or a bowl of pasta.
ETA: And there's nothing wrong with doing low carb, high protein, if it's maintainable for you and you can meet all your macros doing it. Just don't neglect your veggies in the interest of being low-carb.0 -
Can you afford a scale that will measure your body fat percentage? We've got a Tanita, I can't speak to its accuracy because I've never had my body fat professionally measured and then compared to it, but I get *consistent* believable results from it.
If you can't afford a scale that measures body fat, take your measurements every week and compare to previous weeks. And pitch that weight-only scale.
What you eat from day to day can cause your weight to fluctuate noticeably - things like salt, water intake, and glycogen storage can make your weight really shift around. A pound from day to day is really nothing, it's much better to look at your results over several weeks.
If you were eating under 1200 calories a day and exercising as much as you were, your body's going to take some time to adjust to the additional calorie intake. In the long run, though, you'll be happier as you won't be starving yourself and seeing maybe teeny tiny losses every week and gaining a pound if you so much as look at a cupcake or a bowl of pasta.
ETA: And there's nothing wrong with doing low carb, high protein, if it's maintainable for you and you can meet all your macros doing it. Just don't neglect your veggies in the interest of being low-carb.
if you saw my photos, I have my stats and the pic of the results from a tanita. I heard that the results are pretty close to accurate as long as you are well hydrated.0 -
Hang in there! I admire your determination. I have been struggling, too, but in differnet ways and for different reasons. I have had a lot of stress related to being unemployed and caring for my three year-old, and I am snacking to much to ease my nerves--emotional eating.
It doesnt seem like your weight gain is too much or shows a true upward trend.. It could easily be water and muscle gain(as I assume you are being phyiscally active). I agree you should not cut back on your food too much. I think it is important to not get into a negative mind frame and rather foucs on your real success and say: "This is a new day and I am moving forward."
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Thank you. I really am trying.Hang in there! I admire your determination. I have been struggling, too, but in differnet ways and for different reasons. I have had a lot of stress related to being unemployed and caring for my three year-old, and I am snacking to much to ease my nerves--emotional eating.
It doesnt seem like your weight gain is too much or shows a true upward trend.. It could easily be water and muscle gain(as I assume you are being phyiscally active). I agree you should not cut back on your food too much. I think it is important to not get into a negative mind frame and rather foucs on your real success and say: "This is a new day and I am moving forward." 0 -
I would recommend for you to use Libra - Weight Manager (Android app) to record your weight IF you feel you must weigh yourself everyday. Libra tracks your weight using a trend line as suggested by "The Hacker's Diet" (free book on internet). The reason this is helpful is because it takes into account all the variables & fluctuations in weight loss and gives you more of a true measure of your actual weight.0
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I would recommend for you use Libra - Weight Manager (Android app) to record your weight IF you feel you must weigh yourself everyday. Libra tracks your weight using a trend line as suggested by "The Hacker's Diet" (free book on internet). The reason this is helpful is because it takes into account all the variables & fluctuations in weight loss and gives you a more of a true measure of your actual weight.
I'll look into it. Thanks.0 -
Nice tip, LabRat529.0
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If anyone has time to look at my diary and help, I'd appreciate it. I lost pretty well for the first few weeks (I know that's expected) but now I'm gaining. I'm up .8 in the last week. I was told I was eating too few calories..so I upped them yesterday. Felt like too much food for me and I was up again this morning. I am doing the 30 day shred 6 days a week and c25 k 3 days a week. Please help. I'm getting discouraged
Thanks
What seems to be working for me now is
1 - its not a diet - diets fail and I am going to succeed - Im making lifestyle changes.
2 - Writting down my goals - everything from what size clothes I want to be able to wear to total weight lost and everything in between
3 - stop looking at the scale and focus on inches and % of body fat lost - a persons weight can fluctuate as much as 5 lbs day to day and not actually reflect weight gained/lost - retaining water adds weight but isnt actual weight gain
4 - check out this link - it'll give you a better more accurate calorie/day number than using straight MFP (although this is good too!) You may have to readjust your cals/day to reflect the amount of exercise you're doing
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/654536-in-place-of-a-road-map-2-0-revised-7-2-12
5 - get strength training to build up the muscle while you lose the weight.
and a 1lb of fat and a 1lb of muscle both weigh the same - muscle is just denser so it takes up less space!
Good luck & happy losing!!!0 -
First of all, stop being so hard on yourself! Be proud of your weight loss so far - 10 pounds in a few week is fantastic!
It could be that your body is just stabilizing from the initial loss. I went through this when I first started losing and still do on occassion. I just get to the point where I'm starting to get frustrated and bam, there goes another pound or two. This whole process is a real lesson in patience and determination!
Also I noticed your sodium was a bit high yesterday so that could be it. I don't think it has anything at all to do with your calories because your goal is still fairly low.
Keep on keepin' on!0 -
First of all, stop being so hard on yourself! Be proud of your weight loss so far - 10 pounds in a few week is fantastic!
It could be that your body is just stabilizing from the initial loss. I went through this when I first started losing and still do on occassion. I just get to the point where I'm starting to get frustrated and bam, there goes another pound or two. This whole process is a real lesson in patience and determination!
Keep on keepin' on!
This whole process is a lifestyle change and takes time. Anything that you've lost and the changes you have made are what is most important.
There really is no point in getting frustrated because every day is different and you and your body react differently each day.
Taking a personal example I used to eat 6 oreos in one sitting, for the entire *month* of August I had 6 oreos. Those are the types of changes you are looking for. That change won't show up on the scale other than as part of the whole, work towards that!0 -
I really do appreciate the bluntness...I'm just new to this and needed some feedback. For a few weeks I wasn't getting to my 1200 cal min and then included exercise. I was losing, but then I started researching about min calls and was told I was eating too little cal each day. So I increased. I guess I need to give it more time.
Make sure you always eat at least 1200 calories. I would also say trust the program. IF you selected a reasonable goal - say one pound per week - then eat the calories it tells you to eat. Personally, the only way I ever can lose weight consistently is to eat 1200 pre-exercise calories. For me, 1400 or 1500 is too much.
Tena0 -
Three of the five most recent days you didn't even eat 1200 calories (or did I look at it wrong). You need to eat at least 1200 calories per day.0
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Your body loses weight in chunks, not linear. I have found that you can do everything right and your weight loss seems to plateau but you are patient and keep exercising and eating at a deficit (however slight) you will lose it, it will suddenly "whoosh". There are so many variables for the scale though: water retention, digestion, allergies, sodium, carbs, water intake, DOMS, inflammation, the list goes on. People mistakenly think they lose weight when they eat more because of these fluctuations.
If you have a lot of body fat reserves you would be surprised at how little you can eat (unless you have emotional eating issues or disorders). The leaner you get the less your body has to draw from and then you have to taper up your calories. There is no such thing as starvation mode for women over 12% body fat or men over 6% body fat. I am a living breathing example of that. I went from obese to now under 12% BF and I've maintained for one year and built muscle the whole time. You don't BUILD muscle in starvation mode, so I proved everyone wrong.
It sound like you are close to your goal so you walk a thin line like I do. If you eat to much you lose ground, it you eat too little its bad for your health. You might have to experiment with calories. I'm lucky because I was willing to invest in myself with the Venus Index program which has something called the Reverse Taper Diet which has a calculator which helps me.
You are probably at a point where you need to ditch the scale!0 -
This has been said over and over again. Take your measurements. Inches coming off is way better than what the scale says. It could be numerous amounts of things when it comes to the scale. Sore muscles, water weight, time of day you weigh, that time of the month and bloating. My scale goes up and down and I've been working out for six months, but I'm definitely losing inches. Inches outweight fat so start using a measure tape instead of the scale to monitor your progress. Eventually you will see a difference but don't let a tiny number discourage you. It should only make you work harder.0
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I appreciate the feed back and I know .8 is nothing...but to see the scale move in the wrong direction everyday is getting hard mentally. What can I tell you about my plan to help you help me?
I think that is his point: your mental approach. it's ok that you're going up .8, it's normal. the body can fluctuate up to 5 lbs DAILY. you answered your own question, I think, in saying it's hard mentally. that's where you need to change, not in your plan just yet.0
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