Not Losing :(

You're losing, but gaining muscle, that's probably why the scales aren't moving.

Like the ladies above have said, you are on the right path. Ignore what the scales say if you know that you're losing body fat. Scales are evil.

Just give it time.

I can guarantee you that you are not gaining new muscle. It is impossible. It is virtually impossible to gain muscle while cutting fat. When you cut fat, your body is catabolic (consuming less than you burn) and you need a anabolic state for your lean body mass to grow... so hate to say it,but not, it's not new muscle.


Your issue probably is you are not fueling your body enough. So your body is release hormones to prevent weight loss. Also, when you just start a gym routine, then you body will retain water to repair muscle. Also, MFP already has the deficit built in, so you should eat back 50-75% of the exercise calories (MFP is a bit high for most). Or if you go to the gym 5 days a week consistently, set your account to moderately active and don't worry about exercise calories.


BTW, how much d o you have to lose to get to a normal weight (not a goal weight)?

I was at a plateau for about a month. Scale wasnt moving at all! I was eating 1270 plus I eat my exercise cals. I recently raised my cals to 1570, plus eating back exercise cals and the scale has started to drop again. I am 5'2.5 and do cardio 3 days a week and strength train for 2-3 days a week.

Scales aren't the only way to measure that you're losing weight. Progress pictures, tape measures to measure your waist, hips, etc, and feeling a difference in how your clothes fit are the best way to find out if you're losing or not. If your clothes fit looser, then you're clearly doing something right. Who cares what the damn scale says!?

I can guarantee you that you are not gaining new muscle. It is impossible. It is virtually impossible to gain muscle while cutting fat. When you cut fat, your body is catabolic (consuming less than you burn) and you need a anabolic state for your lean body mass to grow... so hate to say it,but not, it's not new muscle.

Thank you!!!

Well you can't aim for 1.5 lbs of weight loss per week.. It's a very aggressive goal. I can bet you are already in a normal range but are aiming to lose 15 lbs of fat (according to your ticket). At most, you want to aim for 1lb per week, but realistically, it's more like 1/2 lb per week. In ten weeks, I have lost 5 lbs and only have 8 more lbs of fat I can lose to maintain my lbm. This would put me at 187 lbs at 6% body fat. The next bigger question is, do you know your body fat? If you don't, you should spend $10 and get some calipers. Knowing your body fat will allow you to understand you true weight goal and here is why. When I first started my weight loss journey, I wanted to be 175 (i started around 205) because that is what I was in high school. Well after researching and finding out I had 167 lbs of lean body mass, I would have to cut 10 lbs of muscle to achieve those results. So I upped my weight goal by 10 lbs. Muscle is key to a healthy body. The more you have, the better your body will function. You will be less prone to injury, have a better immune system, a faster metabolism and better insulin control. Also, muscle is lean... so your body will be tighter (as demonstrated in the two links below).


http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2011/07/21/meet-staci-your-new-powerlifting-super-hero/

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/392784-skinny-fat-vs-fit-photo?hl=skinny+fat


Now, that I have my rant out of the way, lets try to look at your caloric requirements. If you want to post your age, weight, height and workout routine, we can estimate your true needs and then get you to slowly increase your calories. If you don't want to publicly post, then send me a private message. Generally, women are around 1700-2000 if they are active.

Like the ladies above have said, you are on the right path. Ignore what the scales say if you know that you're losing body fat. Scales are evil.

Just give it time.

AMEN

Try not to worry until it's been like 4 months and no progress. Then see a doc for some lab work on thyroids and the endocrine system.
That is where I currently am. Going at it since April only shed ~10lbs .... Seeing an endocrinologist in October.

Another person asking for help, but not opening their diary. hmmm...

Likely you are not eating enough. 1.5 pound loss per week for someone who has so little to lose is too much. I hope that you are not avoiding healthy dietary fat too, that will hinder your progress as well.

Well you can't aim for 1.5 lbs of weight loss per week.. It's a very aggressive goal. I can bet you are already in a normal range but are aiming to lose 15 lbs of fat (according to your ticket). At most, you want to aim for 1lb per week, but realistically, it's more like 1/2 lb per week. In ten weeks, I have lost 5 lbs and only have 8 more lbs of fat I can lose to maintain my lbm. This would put me at 187 lbs at 6% body fat. The next bigger question is, do you know your body fat? If you don't, you should spend $10 and get some calipers. Knowing your body fat will allow you to understand you true weight goal and here is why. When I first started my weight loss journey, I wanted to be 175 (i started around 205) because that is what I was in high school. Well after researching and finding out I had 167 lbs of lean body mass, I would have to cut 10 lbs of muscle to achieve those results. So I upped my weight goal by 10 lbs. Muscle is key to a healthy body. The more you have, the better your body will function. You will be less prone to injury, have a better immune system, a faster metabolism and better insulin control. Also, muscle is lean... so your body will be tighter (as demonstrated in the two links below).


http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2011/07/21/meet-staci-your-new-powerlifting-super-hero/

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/392784-skinny-fat-vs-fit-photo?hl=skinny+fat


Now, that I have my rant out of the way, lets try to look at your caloric requirements. If you want to post your age, weight, height and workout routine, we can estimate your true needs and then get you to slowly increase your calories. If you don't want to publicly post, then send me a private message. Generally, women are around 1700-2000 if they are active.

This. ^^^ I agree 110%

the number on the scale is just a number,,,but, it is a validation for all of your hard efforts. No doubt, if the scale said you lost 4 pounds this week, you would be on cloud 9. the same way that when it says no gain, it is a mental slap in the face. we all need validation for our hard efforts, and the scale is just one place

Thank you, thank you, thank you!! I understand that it's the best of intentions when folks say ignore the scale, but then cheer at a loss, but it's disheartening to see that stupid number stay the same day after day or week after week!