Finding it difficult to lose weight?

goldair23
goldair23 Posts: 160
in Health and Weight Loss
So I've been eating particularly healthily and exercising regularly for the past 2 or so months and haven't lost any weight, and for the most part my measurements have stayed the same. The only difference would be in my skin, a lot glowier, but even beforehand I've never exactly had bad skin so even that's not a big difference.

I'm 20, 5'7 and 165lbs. I seem to hold most of my weight around my hips and lower stomach, my legs and arms are fairly toned and slim and my waist is quite small - same measurement as my friend who is 2 dress sizes smaller than me.

I've been aiming for between 1200-1400 calories a day, sometimes I have been a little lower due to not having anything on hand to eat. I eat lots of veges, I'd say enough protein (although some days I could include more). I drink minimum 2L water a day, and I'm usually below sodium on my diary.

I go to the gym about 3 times a week and do a mixture of cardio and strength training. I work 5 days a week which includes standing for 9 hours straight without a break and running around after customers. Not exactly exercise I know, but it's definitely not a sedentary office job.

I've been to my doctor, she said my thyroid will be fine, just that it takes time. Which I understand, I know I can be impatient, but 2 months and little to no change?

I've tried cutting wheat out before and I stopped before any real difference would be noted, but I did feel lighter and more energetic? I know I won't be allergic, but I've heard a lot of people just generally feel a lot better without it? It's my one downfall too, I barely ever eat junk food and drink rarely, so wheat is my main reason for being a pudgy little lady haha!

Any suggestions or opinions would be much appreciated!
Thank you xo

Replies

  • bms34b
    bms34b Posts: 401 Member
    Wait, you're having 1200-1400 calories a day and working out regularly and not seeing results over 2 months?

    Two suggestions..

    1) See your doctor and tell her all of that. That doesn't add up.

    2) I could be off base, but maybe you aren't logging correctly. It just doesn't quite add up.

    All the best to you and good for you for sticking to healthy foods for the last few months!
  • goldair23
    goldair23 Posts: 160
    Yeah I spoke to her about it and she's run a few tests, only thing that came back was that I'm a little low in iron..?!
    She said just to stick to it, don't eat any less than what I am now and that it should eventually come off.

    I think maybe it could be because I haven't actually cut many calories from what I used to eat, but I also don't want to eat any fewer than this. I used to eat about 1500 calories a day before this past 2 months. And the food's I'm eating aren't that different either, more water than usual and fewer carbs, but on the whole pretty similar to before. But like I said, I've always eaten quie healthily (enforced rule at home! have never had junk food in the house ha). I've cut portions down, but should I maybe cut them down a little more? Or completely cut out wheat?

    I've also been thinking maybe I should try exercising more often? It's just hard cause I'm so knackered after work and my feet ache like hell after 9/10 hours on 'em!

    It's just so frustrating! Grrrrrrr x
  • 47Jacqueline
    47Jacqueline Posts: 6,993 Member
    I just lost two pounds after two months of a stand still. I'm 5'4" and I eat 1200 to 1600 calories a day. I do five days of cardio and strength training for about an hour to two hours a day. My nutritionist said it was probably because I was building muscle faster than my fat cells were shrinking.
  • ievHB1994
    ievHB1994 Posts: 4
    I recognise your situation..
    I only want to lose a couple of kilo's, but they just won't drop off.. I've even gained a bit in weight (not in size) the last 2 months.. I don't know where i'm goning wrong.. Maybe i'm counting wrong, but i'm sure I have not eaten MORE than what I used to eat, so I shouldn't have gained..
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,428 MFP Moderator
    Wait, you're having 1200-1400 calories a day and working out regularly and not seeing results over 2 months?

    Two suggestions..

    1) See your doctor and tell her all of that. That doesn't add up.

    2) I could be off base, but maybe you aren't logging correctly. It just doesn't quite add up.

    All the best to you and good for you for sticking to healthy foods for the last few months!

    Actually it kind of does add up. She is young, very little weight to lose, has an active job and exercise and is eating low calories. Heck, her estimated BMR alone is around 1600 calories. Then you add in she is active and she burning close to 2200 calories, than add in exercise (lets say 300 calories) and she is burning close to 2500 calories. That is almost over a 1000 calorie deficit most days. Hormones alone can prevent weight loss.


    OP, I would suggest eating more. Probably closer to 2000 calories. I would also adjust macro's to 35% carbs, 40% protein and 25% fats. I would add 200 calories a week until you hit around 2000 calories. Monitor it for 4-6 weeks to see if there is any progress. If after 6 weeks, there is no progress, drop it down to 1800. Essentially, you need to find a sweat spot. Additionally, I would drop some of the cardio you do and increase the weight training. Make the 3 days you go to the gym your weight training days. Do compound moves or a program like strong lift 5x5. Compound moves will get your heart rate up and burn plenty of calories.
  • nxd10
    nxd10 Posts: 4,570 Member
    I suggest measuring accurately. It is very, very easy to mis-estimate.
  • marinebiologist_girl
    marinebiologist_girl Posts: 300
    Yeah I spoke to her about it and she's run a few tests, only thing that came back was that I'm a little low in iron..??
    Iron deficiency lowers your energy (or at least, it does if it's low enough: I talk from experience, being anaemic myself). Thus, your body may be trying to conserve food a bit more to make up for that? Perhaps? I have no scientific basis for that suggestion but I had trouble losing at first and I also had low iron.
  • kirstyg1980
    kirstyg1980 Posts: 302
    Wait, you're having 1200-1400 calories a day and working out regularly and not seeing results over 2 months?

    Two suggestions..

    1) See your doctor and tell her all of that. That doesn't add up.

    2) I could be off base, but maybe you aren't logging correctly. It just doesn't quite add up.

    All the best to you and good for you for sticking to healthy foods for the last few months!

    Actually it kind of does add up. She is young, very little weight to lose, has an active job and exercise and is eating low calories. Heck, her estimated BMR alone is around 1600 calories. Then you add in she is active and she burning close to 2200 calories, than add in exercise (lets say 300 calories) and she is burning close to 2500 calories. That is almost over a 1000 calorie deficit most days. Hormones alone can prevent weight loss.


    OP, I would suggest eating more. Probably closer to 2000 calories. I would also adjust macro's to 35% carbs, 40% protein and 25% fats. I would add 200 calories a week until you hit around 2000 calories. Monitor it for 4-6 weeks to see if there is any progress. If after 6 weeks, there is no progress, drop it down to 1800. Essentially, you need to find a sweat spot. Additionally, I would drop some of the cardio you do and increase the weight training. Make the 3 days you go to the gym your weight training days. Do compound moves or a program like strong lift 5x5. Compound moves will get your heart rate up and burn plenty of calories.

    This guy knows what he's talking about

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