Have stopped losing weight! :-(

lynnp46
lynnp46 Posts: 3 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I have been using Myfitnesspal since the beginning of December and (apart from Xmas) have stuck to it rigidly. I have been steadily losing weight until 3 days ago when I put on 2.5lb overnight! I haven't cheated and carried onkeeping to approx 1200 cals per day. I had lost 17.8 lbs and was so motivated, but just feel fed up now - need some motivation from someone pls!!

Replies

  • AmyRhubarb
    AmyRhubarb Posts: 6,890 Member
    Well you didn't put on 2.5lbs of fat overnight, so no worries. :smile: It could be water weight from too much sodium in what you ate yesterday, not drinking enough water, or muscles retaining water if you've been working out hard or started something new (or hormones - time of the month will get us every time!). Either way, it will likely drop right back off again.

    Don't let it get you down - the scale isn't always the best way to judge progress. Do your clothes still fit? Do you take measurements? I have dropped a full pants size and lost several inches without losing a pound on the scale. Hang in there.

    Also - at 1200 per day, are you eating back your exercise cals? MFP is set up that you should, especially at 1200 a day. Eat too little for too long and it can cause weight loss to slow or come to a screeching halt - gives the body a reason to store fat rather than burn it.
  • mmddwechanged
    mmddwechanged Posts: 1,687 Member
    Did you start in December 2012? And lost 17 lbs? Wow. That aside all I can think of to say is keep doing what you are doing. It works. The scale fluctuates as much as five pounds quite naturally. If after a month or so of consistent logging in if you still feel the same way you may want to look at changing your calories and macros. I've lost about ten pounds but haven't reached my goal weight yet. I was one pound away in November and last week! I "gained" four pounds over night the other day. It's ok though I know I'll maintain or lose as long as I am under my TDEE.
  • lynnp46
    lynnp46 Posts: 3 Member
    I keep hearing about this TDEE but have no idea what it is. I have used up the calories I have burned exercising, but not always, especially if I go for a power walk after I have eaten, don't want to eat again late at night.
    Its just so frustrating, not doing as much exercise as I thought I would but have tried to do something every day at least. I want to lose another 20 lbs so am being a bit impatient I suppose :-(
  • lynnp46
    lynnp46 Posts: 3 Member
    thanks for the reply, have been trying to drink at least 4-5 glasses of water and don't think there is any monthly time that is bad at the mo. Just getting impatient I suppose and nearly hit the chocolate tonight but resisted as I want to lose another 20 lbs
  • mmddwechanged
    mmddwechanged Posts: 1,687 Member
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/654536-in-place-of-a-road-map-2-0-revised-7-2-12

    Check it out!
  • DanaDark
    DanaDark Posts: 2,187 Member
    Do the roadmap thing.

    It sounds like you need a bit of education on weight loss so that you do not go too hard/fast.

    We all start somewhere! Just be sure to get involved on MFP. Make friends, post on forums, etc. It REALLY helps motivate you to stay the course!
  • leeanneowens
    leeanneowens Posts: 319 Member
    I go through slumps. I started MFP in August and during that time I will lose weight steadily for weeks and then the scale seems to stand still for a week or two. Then suddenly I start losing again. I wouldn't be surprised if that happens to you too.
  • kgavins25
    kgavins25 Posts: 24
    In the same boat as you. Im still trying to figure out numbers and good cal goal for me. I started at (August) 1400/1500 cal, not loggin weekends, and burning about 1000 cal/week. (Oct. logged more diligently, more events so not as strict to cal goal, but still burned. Didn't see pounds come off until end of November. I was not staying near 1200 cal but still burning, ate what i wanted for thanksgiving, didnt eat over board but still lost about 5 lbs. Since December fell off on logging, got pretty busy, but once started again tried to stay close to 1200 1300 with burning a 800 cals. during the week. I also started Jillians 30ds. im on day 8, and actually gained 2 lbs. Very pissed, and not sure what to do. Should i try to up my cals to 1300 /1400 and continue 30ds 4x a week. or stay close to 1200 1300 with 30ds 4x week. I would like to eventually get back into running, but feel im too heavy right now to comfortably run. Im trying to eat more veggies and fruits, but not sure what else to do. I have 3 weddings to attend this year, and need to figure this out asap.

    SW: 190
    (Nov): 185
    CW: 189
    GW: 130-toned
  • FLBachatera
    FLBachatera Posts: 9
    Sounds like you could use more water, our bodies need at least 8 glasses a day. If you're exercising you need even more, try to up your intake and see if you can flush out that extra water!! Also to repair your muscles if you are doing any sort of resistance/weight training you should have some protein after you work out.

    You've lost alot already, aim for long term (ie low and slow) weight loss, it doesn't happen overnight :) I lost 70lbs gradually, and its stayed off.

    Celebrate the success you've already had and keep going at it.
  • AmyRhubarb
    AmyRhubarb Posts: 6,890 Member
    I keep hearing about this TDEE but have no idea what it is. I have used up the calories I have burned exercising, but not always, especially if I go for a power walk after I have eaten, don't want to eat again late at night.
    Its just so frustrating, not doing as much exercise as I thought I would but have tried to do something every day at least. I want to lose another 20 lbs so am being a bit impatient I suppose :-(
    TDEE is Total Daily Energy Expenditure - the amount of calories you burn in a day, based on your BMR (basal metabolic rate - what you'd burn if you were in bed in a coma all day, no activity at all) plus your activity level (sedentary, lightly active, moderately active, etc).

    So basically, you could eat up to that amount of calories per day and just maintain your weight. The plan in that link, and what I follow, is to find my BMR and my TDEE, the lowest amount I need and the highest amount I burn, and eat in between those two numbers. Simple. I took my TDEE and subtracted 15% from it (I'm near my goal weight, so didn't want to create too large a deficit at this point) - which gives me an 1800 calorie goal each day. My exercise is figured into this number, so I don't eat exercise cals back UNLESS my net calories for the day are below my BMR of 1400. I net at least 1400, and eat 1800 or more, as needed for BMR or if I'm hungry.

    Read that Road Map thread - great info and even pictures to walk you through the whole process of setting your own numbers. :smile:

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