Frustration...

espdee99
espdee99 Posts: 2 Member
edited December 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
Okay, I've got a stumper for all my metabolic magicians who may understand this better than I do. I started monitoring my calories 2 1/2 weeks ago, and I've been shooting for about 1200 kcals, but have averaged about 1338 over the past 2 1/2 weeks..... Haven't lost an ounce, and, in fact, I'm up 1.5 pounds. Now-- I'm pretty darn accurate on my recording-- I've been measuring my food to make sure it's really accurate. and I'm honest in my recording, scanning bar codes whenever they are available. By my own calculations (BEEX1.2), I should be down at least 4 pounds. I've been working on a menu project with a deadline at work for the past month, so SEDENTARY has been my middle name, but I can pick that up in the next week. I'm over 40, for the record, my thyroid was checked less than a year ago, and it was fine. Why isn't the calorie deficit model working in my body???

Replies

  • JesterMFP
    JesterMFP Posts: 3,596 Member
    I don't know why you've gained, but try not to panic. A couple of weeks is not a lot in the grand scheme of things and although most people lose at first, I do see quite a few people who gain in those first couple of weeks and then start losing.

    When you say you're measuring things accurately - do you weigh your food on scales, or just use measuring cups/spoons? A lot of people find that when they just use the cups/spoons, it's not as accurate as they presume.

    Another thing is - it's possible that some of the entries in the food database that you're using are wrong. Most of them are added by other users and mistakes do happen. I can't imagine there would be a big enough error in enough of the foods that you're adding to mean that you would end up gaining, but it's worth checking that. Make sure the nutritional content of the foods you add (especially ones you add regularly) match up against the packets.

    Weight loss isn't linear, and it's not uncommon to gain on the scales some weeks. Obviously, it's hugely frustrating if that happens in the first few weeks, but it's possible that it's just water weight. You say you haven't started exercising yet (which can make you retain water) but have you had any other changes? Have you drastically changed the types of things you're eating? An increase in sodium or carbs can make you retain water. Hormones can also have an effect on water retention.

    Sorry not to be of more help. Personally, I would just keep at it, try and pick up some exercise when you can, and see how things are in another few weeks. It just might take your body a little time to settle into it. In the meantime, if you don't mind making your diary public, that might help people give more specific advice, and if you want to give your height & weight, that would help people to check your calorie calculations... if you want, that is!
  • lkcuts
    lkcuts Posts: 224
    I have the same problem.Keep upping and lowering my cals,watching nutrients (salt and sugar intake) I almost gave up when in two months had not lost a thing . I started picking up more days on excersise and low and behold I started to lose. I carry most of my weight in the middle so strength excersises added to the walking helped. I also started taking iodine/iodide drops to give the ole thyroid a boost (Even though the tests come back ok, I read that some people show ok and its not, because of the KIND of test they run) a good natural multivitamin and minerals. Sleep is important and stress can be a killer. I am over 50 so I feel your pain. It comes off A LOT slower. its taken me 6 months to get 24 pounds off. I Do know it matters what you eat for your calories..YOu may be at your calorie range but those cals may have consisted of lots of extra carbs sugar and salt. Sugar is the enemy. Watch your labels if it has high frutose sugar listed, walk away. too much sodium can retain your water..speaking of which, Drink lots of it.
    People here will tell you to open your diary so they can see what you might be doing wrong.. I think you have to keep tweeking things till you find what works for you
    Don't give up it just takes time.. GOod Luck:wink:
  • espdee99
    espdee99 Posts: 2 Member
    I did my BEE using Harris Benedict, but just rechecked with the other equation on the Tools tab... my BMR is 1738. Using an activity factor of 1.2 (sedentary) my calories for weight maintenance should be 2085. (I'm actually a too-chunky RD, using myself as a lab rat...)

    I'm measuring with cups, not weights. Lately, I've been eating more legumes-- as I find them filling, (and I've been pushing them in my current project, so they are on my brain 8 hours a day). Occasionally, I just enter the ingredients of what I ate individually because I don't want to enter and analyze recipes (easy with my single-serve stirfry), but I have noticed the great irregularity of the various food listings. Good point. I'm going to have to do some more specific recipe analysis.

    Hmmm water weight and sodium... I am finding that I'm eating more homemade soups... which ups my sodium...

    Just noticed the neck, waist, hips measurements.. (didn't notice that on my Ipad, but found it on my laptop) Maybe I need to enter those in to see if my progress is actually happening in size but not weight....

    Thanks!
  • dave4d
    dave4d Posts: 1,155 Member
    All people are different. Some people need to watch certain foods, where others don't. (You may need to do low carb, or gluten free in certain circumstances.) Your sodium could be high, without seeing your diary people can only guess. Are you exercising? are you eating your exercise calories? If you are, could you be over-estimating your caloric burns?

    Make sure you are drinking enough water, Avoid soda, and other foods that will make you retain water. Take measurements; Some people will lose fat without losing much weight. If your waist is shrinking, whatever you are doing is working...Unfortunately, measurements might take longer to see a difference than scale weight.

    The biggest factor in all this is: Are you feeling healthier? You may just need to give it more time.
  • amnsetie
    amnsetie Posts: 666 Member
    If your BMR is 1738 you are not eating enough
    read the OP here
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/10589-for-those-confused-or-questioning-eating-your-exercise-calo
  • JesterMFP
    JesterMFP Posts: 3,596 Member
    Oh yes, I was going to suggest taking measurements. They will help you to see if you're making progress over time. Also, take some good "before" pictures as they can be great too. You can usually see a difference in pictures before you can in the mirror.
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