Hi and welcome! I know that you understand this, but I'm going to remind you that you can't judge anything by one week - it's not enough time! Also, with your calories all over the place your body does not know what to expect from you right now. Consistency is key. You need to stick with something for a good month before evaluating whether or not it's working.

Also, if you don't mind sharing your stats - age, weight, and height it might be a good idea to double check your numbers. Also, what are you using for activity level?

AND your pants felt loose - this is AWESOME! Scale weight fluctuates for a variety of reasons, but the way your clothes fit is a reliable indicator of progress!

I agree. If your clothes are loose and you feel better, who cares what the scale says? put it away and don't let it dictate your self esteem. It's a number. Take out a measuring tape and go by that. I upped my cals to 1600 4 weeks ago, hid my scale, and took pics and measurements. I know the scale is likely up, but I measured my waist last week and 1.5 inches gone!!?? That's what truly counts. The number on the stupid scale can be affected by absolutely anything. It's the worst gauge of success.

Something to keep in mind...if you're muscles are sore due to exercise, you're liking retaining a little water as well which would cause weight "gain". I've noticed that whenever I start any kind of strength training after a few week's off, I'll be sore, and my weight will jump a little. It usually comes back down after my body has adjusted to the weight training again.

Like Sweatpantsreb said, give it some more time. One week is not nearly enough to truly judge if it is working for you.

Also, start taking measurements. Clothes and measurements are better indicators for progress. Although I do understand how good it feels to see that scale go down.

Yes, I think you're more likely moderate. Most people end up falling into the moderate category. I ran your stats and here's what I came up with (per Scooby).

TDEE - 2292
15% cut - 1948
10% cut -2063

So I think you could still be eating more! Another thought I have for you to consider is whether or not you need a full reset. When you did lower cal, how low are we talking? And did you do that for an extended period of time? If you feel like your metabolism might need to be reset, then go up to TDEE for a good month or so before dropping to cut. If you feel like that's not the case, then you could try 10 or 15% cut. I included your number for 10% because some people find more success with a 10% cut vs a 15% cut. It does take some tweaking to find your sweet spot and numbers do need to be recalculated after 5 lbs. loss. I would encourage you to pick one of the above numbers and stick with it for an entire month before tweaking.

I know that it sucks to see an "obese" number on the scale - trust me - I really really know!! BUT this is about long term health and fitness. I've lost this same weight several times in my life, but here I am. If I had known this slow and steady route ten or so years ago I wouldn't be here today. So which route is really the slowest in the long run? I KNOW it's hard, but your mindset about the scale and that "obese" number will trip you up. This EM2WL thing isn't just about changing our bodies - it's about changing our whole way of thinking.

You can do this. It's hard, but so worth it!

Hi,

I'm over 200lbs and did a 12 week reset - you think you can't eat more - but you would get used to it - the bloating only lasts for a few weeks.

I would definately recommend a reset to everyone, it is very challenging mentally, but it really sorts out your head and relationship with food - and helps you to realise that there is no quick fix for losing weight - it took me over 20 years to get the body I've got now, and it won't (however much I wished it, and whatever I did) be fixed in 6 weeks (although it won't take me 20 years to get the body I want).

This is not a diet to fix something, it is a lifestyle, a way of life for me to get the body I want and for it to last me for my lifetime.