Not Getting Results...Please Help!

you are definitely getting too few net calories. make sure you're getting between 1200 and 1300 net calories every day. and losing about a pound a week isn't "not getting results"...that's measurable, sustainable weight loss. be proud of yourself.

Don't give up! I don't have any answers, but am sending my support.

I would agree you are eating to few calories. Why don't you try to eat 1500-1800 calories daily. Also, a person generally can not sustain a 2 lb per week weight loss. I would suggest it's more realistic to aim for 1.5 lb per week and push yourself hard on workouts. Ideally, it's better to fuel your body from the beginning so you reduce the chances of plateaus and frustration.

While 1 lb per week seems slow - it will help you to keep that weight off long term. You are doing things the right way. Perhaps add a few extra calories in to account for what you are burning in workouts, but keep at it!!

Something else... when I start a new program and I start to get lean, I tend to gain a little bit of weight even though I'm losing inches. Muscle does weigh more than fat, so if you are adding muscle to your body, it takes a bit of time for it to show up on the scale. Perhaps do some other measurements - like thigh, arm, waist and chest - to get a different sort of account of your success!

Yes, I got it! That makes sense. But, it seems that the weight would be coming off a little more since I'm eating less calories than the net. I know I shouldn't compare myself to others. But, my girlfriend has lost 13 pounds in 6 weeks and she doesn't exercise like I do. I have been on this journey for the past 20 years. My weight has gone up and down. However, I never stuck with a program more than a month. I'm more determined than I've ever been, but it's very discouraging. I appreciate the support. I really need it.

You do realize that you have water retention with exercise? Also, she is probably losing more because she isn't create a huge deficit and having hormones prevent it. Bodies do not like to starve, that is why they have hormones like cortisol.. to prevent famine. I have seen so many more women succeed at eating 1700-2000 with a good workout program consisting of weight training (heavy weights) and some mild cardio and those eating 1200 calories and working out a lot. You may lose less weight, but you will lose more fat if you properly fuel your body, eat adequate protein and lift heavy. Also, exercise allows you to maintain weight loss. It's a long term game, don't screw it up with short term aggressive goals.

But, my girlfriend has lost 13 pounds in 6 weeks and she doesn't exercise like I do.

There is more to fat loss than weight. Your girlfriend is probably losing a healthy (unhealthy) amount of muscle as well, whereas you are hopefully maintaining yours through exercise.

fwiw, I also thing you need to be eating more baseline calories and need to be eating back your exercise calories. I also think losing 1 lb a week is GREAT progress. Its more important to do it healthily and change your habits long term than to compete with your friend over a number.

Hang in there. I have been on this trip since Sept and have only lost 21 lbs. I think part of it is because I am older. I do eat my calories from exercising, not all of them but some. Eat between 1300 and 1500 most days. Its slow going but I am not giving up. So its going to take me more than a year to get to my goal weight. I am learning to eat better and making better choices and I am moving more. i started out at 245 and now down to 224. Not a big loss for 4 mo, but I feel 100% better. Cutting way back on processed wheat has helped my joint pains. I didn't mean to go gluten free, just I have issues with bread and pasta so I avoid it to not pig out.

And I am moving more. With injuries and surgeries and then foot and knee issues I had become very sedentary. Now I can exercise for an hour at once. Its been slow going but I am committed to logging my food, which when I am choosing what to eat makes me think do I want to eat that? And also I can review my food choices and see where I could make better choices. And of course I want to eat more so I have to move more to eat just that 100-150 cal. extra. I can now fit into clothes I couldn't wear 3 years ago.

There is no secret to being successful, just one day at a time making the right choices. I have a friend here who started at the same weight and same time and she has lost 2xs the amount I have. She exercises more, is younger, and eats cleaner (less processed foods). That's ok, I am getting there. So are you. 7 lbs in 6 weeks is wonderful. That's 5 lbs a month, you are right on track. In 12 months you will be down 60 lbs! I take it one day at a time. I didn't get this fat over night and not going to lose it overnight. I long for the day when I can wear fun clothes and be able to hike 5 miles and still go out dancing at night, but not going to happen tomorrow and that's ok. My goal for June is to be able to jog 2 miles without walking any. Gotta have realistic goals. Actually that is a pretty big goal as I haven't done that for 20 years!

Yeah the weight isn't moving but I am learning to take care of myself. That is going to take time and patience. Learning to appreciate and love this body I have been gifted with after years of looking in the mirror saying you disgust me is huge. Not going to happen overnight.

Namaste.

This is my first post here on MFP. I need some advice. I've been exercising 5-6 times per week and eating the allowed calories based upon the amount of pounds I want to lose per week (2 lbs). I weigh 243 and I've been eating 1200-1300 calories per day. I burn 250-275 calories when I work out. I allow myself a treat on Saturdays. I do not eat up the extra calories I get from exercising daily. I have only lost 6 lbs in 7 weeks. I am toning, but shouldn't I have lost more weight than that. My husband said I should be eating my exercise calories, and that I'm not eating enough calories and that I should be losing only a 1 lb per week. Please shed light on this for me. I'm ready to throw in the towel because I'm working my butt off almost everyday in the gym and getting no results.

Thanks,
Candy

A 6 pound loss in 7 weeks is awesome! Don't get to fixated on a certain number and let yourself feel good about your accomplishment. I would recommend eating more that 1200 and definitely eating back your exercise calories. Stay consistent with your calorie goal, log everything, eat healthy, work out, drink lots of water and you will get results!

6 lbs in 7 weeks is amazing! I am working out every single day since 31st of December and have lost just 0.5 lb!

In the similar post like yours, when I said I am not eatling my work out calories back, I was adviced against it. Now it make sence to me. 1200 is just not enough calories, so the body might be clinging on the weight.

you are probably gaining muscle which is heavier than fat. If you are toning that's probably what it is. Which is good because that muscle just burns fat by itself while you do nothing. To see if you are getting smaller I would recommend taking your measurements of you waist, bust, hips and see if the number are going down.

1lb per week is a steady weight loss and you should be very proud of yourself - here's a link for what 1lb of fat looks like - http://www.minimins.com/slimming-world/170135-what-pound-fat-looks-like-not-nice-picture.html - and you've lost 6 of those!!! So please don't give up - just take the advice that some of the lovely people have posted in response to your question and you'll get there - keep up the great work

Hey Candy,

This will sound like something you may have heard before...but its a journey. My first question with my clients or new folks coming through is " How long have you had the desire to lose weight?"

Most say..." A long time and Ive tried everything!"

The big secret? Do not diet. Eat well, eat balanced and avoid ALL man made, process foods...drink water and tea only. Limit alcohol.

From there learning the basics with macro nutrient rations for YOUR body. Unfortunately many people, including Dr.'s, RD's and some health professionals still use the outdated food pyramid to recommend ratios that keep most Americans over weight and lead them right into adult onset diabetes.

I'll typical use a formula I've used for 33 years with myself, military personnel and now in my civilian fitness training business, M2 Fitness Pros and online as "Mr. Fat Loss"

There are millions of steps to take and getting the frame work will take time to master while moving toward your goal. Get your mind and body to "feel" the success you want, not the failure from previous attempts...but the image of success in your mind. Like an actor preparing for a roll in a movie, you need to "see" yourself in the new thinner you role before it can be a reality.

The other element is proper time perspective of weight loss. Faster is always nice and sells products, supplements, gym memberships and most dreams in the health and fitness industry. My experience has been slow is more permanent and we learn best over time to appreciate our efforts and the goals archived.

Like the lottery winner broke with a few years, the weight loss person having limited success with a drug or quick fix usually will gain the weight back plus after a short time as well.

Think long time for the rest of your life the new sexier you FOREVER. Not just for the meantime...for life. Feel me?

Without getting crazy...I understand well the feelings associated with depression and disappointment for ALL of us that have had challenges with food, drugs or alcohol addiction and its hard unless we really fall in love with who we are enough as a person...a valuable person...to do this for our future and those that depend on who and what we are and do in the world.

Be who you need to be and KNOW you can do this...and fight every day until you achieve the success you know you want.

Emile Jarreau, aka, Mr. Fat Loss

P.S. If any questions, hit me back...this is my passion in life...as you see when visiting my page

Yes, I got it! That makes sense. But, it seems that the weight would be coming off a little more since I'm eating less calories than the net. I know I shouldn't compare myself to others. But, my girlfriend has lost 13 pounds in 6 weeks and she doesn't exercise like I do. I have been on this journey for the past 20 years. My weight has gone up and down. However, I never stuck with a program more than a month. I'm more determined than I've ever been, but it's very discouraging. I appreciate the support. I really need it.

Just remember: This is NOT a program, this is a LIFESTYLE change!

you are probably gaining muscle which is heavier than fat. If you are toning that's probably what it is. Which is good because that muscle just burns fat by itself while you do nothing. To see if you are getting smaller I would recommend taking your measurements of you waist, bust, hips and see if the number are going down.

Since she is on a caloric deficit, she did not gain muscle. It takes a lot of hard work and dedication to actually gain new lean body mass and a caloric surplus. Plus, I don't believe the OP is even doing heavy weight training.