Feeling really defeated!

Chin up!
I don't know anything about the 30 Day Shred, but I can relate to the struggle to eat the proper amount of calories.
I have lost 27lbs since July by maintaining under 1200 a day. Normally it's hard for me to get to 1000, but it's my obsessive nature that gets me. I don't exercise much but recently started. I have noticed that if I eat 900-1000cals a day for a couple weeks, I stop losing weight, so I add calories and boom, I start losing again. Go figure! 1200 really should be the minimum, otherwise the body goes into starvation mode.
I hope you get it figured out, just don't stop trying and stay committed!!

You may have lost more than you think you have because starting or intensifying an exercise program can lead to water weight gain for several weeks. Your body uses that water to repair. And there is just no telling when it will drop off. One day you might wake up with 2 or 3 pounds mysteriously gone, or it might come off slowly so you never notice. But it isn't real weight.

Chin up!
I don't know anything about the 30 Day Shred, but I can relate to the struggle to eat the proper amount of calories.
I have lost 27lbs since July by maintaining under 1200 a day. Normally it's hard for me to get to 1000, but it's my obsessive nature that gets me. I don't exercise much but recently started. I have noticed that if I eat 900-1000cals a day for a couple weeks, I stop losing weight, so I add calories and boom, I start losing again. Go figure!
I hope you get it figured out, just don't stop trying and stay committed!!

Ummm..no. No no no. Unless it is doctor supervised, do NOT do 1000 calories or less. I know you said that it is "hard", but you need to learn to eat smarter. There are lots of food that you don't need to eat a lot of to have the higher calorie count - things like a glass of milk, oatmeal, protein powders, eggs, real butter, peanut butter, avocado oil, olive oil, etc.

For those eating below their BMR (which I think 1200 is below your BMR to be honest), not going to preach at you, but here's something you might want to look at:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/81391-starvation-mode-myths-and-science
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/859495-if-only-i-had-known?page=1#posts-12919931

For the whole eating under a 1000 calories....
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/521480-1000-calories-or-less-a-day
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/3047-700-calories-a-day-and-not-losing
http://www.fitwatch.com/weight-loss/3-reasons-why-eating-less-than-1000-calories-is-a-waste-of-time-3347.html


If you want, check out this link by MFPer Heliotsdan - It'll give you a detailed walkthrough (with pictures even) on finding your TDEE and calculating what you should be eating.
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/654536-in-place-of-a-road-map-2-0-revised-7-2-12

Or for a different version to figure out your TDEE, as well as some great advice...check out:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/833500-what-do-i-do-common-sense-cliff-notes


Also, if you are worried about the calorie intake, I also suggest you read this thread that has numerous people who met their goals and are maintaining. Some for years and they also provide their calorie intake and how often they work out.
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/816542-let-s-hear-it-for-maintainenance


For more information about fitness and nutrition, I highly suggest checking out and joining this group: (Read all the stickies. It's great information to know.)
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/10118-eat-train-progress


Yes, this is can all be overwhelming and complicated , but you are more than welcome to ask questions on the post.
One of the things that I have found that has been one of the best methods for me to get fit is to understand fitness. To understand where all these figures, etc come from.

The good thing is once you get the hang of it - it is something you'll be aware of constantly and you'll get a better understanding about your eating habits.

So I HIGHLY suggest making the effort to take every chance to educate yourself. Even if you don't end up going with any of these methods, calculations, etc - at least you understand what they are, where others are coming from, and maybe they will still be able to help you figure out what is best for you.

Measure yourself

Between this picture


Photo 009 by yanicka.hachez, on Flickr

and this one


11614737_104 by yanicka.hachez, on Flickr

I have not lost a single pound!!!!!

Are you sore from exercise? Sore = inflammation = extra fluid. Once the muscles, ligaments, and tendons heal, they will release the extra water.

keep putting in work! good things will happen

I started dieting and doing the 30 day shred on 1st Jan (so that's 3 weeks tomorrow?) and the weight has barely been coming off.

I'm pushing myself hard with the exercise and I'm being really careful with the diet (although I follow the old weight watchers plan so it's very flexible) in fact my biggest problem is eating enough. I find it really really hard to eat what I should

This last week I actually GAINED 400g

So after 3 weeks of diet and exercise I have only lost 1.2 kg

Healthy weight loss would be about 1.5 kg - 3 kg

Please don't be fooled into thinking that I have very little to lose either because when I started I had a BMI of 30.5 and I think the small weight loss has just tipped me into the realm of extreme-far-end-of-over-weight! I have a lot to lose and I've only just started so the pounds should be melting off and instead they just aren't!

I'm feeling so miserable about it all.

OMG let me let you into a little secret...that you can not share with your body OK?

I mean this really sincerely cos I have been there..as have a lot of people...all you have to do is keep on doing what you are doing and the weight will come off. The big secret is do not give up !!!

Maybe the "flexible" eating plan isn't providing the nutrition your body needs. WW did nothing for me but take my money, make me sicker, and struggle more with my weight. Perhaps you are exercising too much. Perhaps your expectations are too high. If what you are doing now is not fun and not sustainable you won't stick with it; hence "feeling defeated'. Find a permanent healthy lifestyle where you are not struggling. Also, are you eating too little thinking that you will lose faster? That usually back fires quite dramatically.

Edit: you are averaging a loss of one pound per week. That is a very quick weight loss. Really.

Chin up!
I don't know anything about the 30 Day Shred, but I can relate to the struggle to eat the proper amount of calories.
I have lost 27lbs since July by maintaining under 1200 a day. Normally it's hard for me to get to 1000, but it's my obsessive nature that gets me. I don't exercise much but recently started. I have noticed that if I eat 900-1000cals a day for a couple weeks, I stop losing weight, so I add calories and boom, I start losing again. Go figure!
I hope you get it figured out, just don't stop trying and stay committed!!

Ummm..no. No no no. Unless it is doctor supervised, do NOT do 1000 calories or less. I know you said that it is "hard", but you need to learn to eat smarter. There are lots of food that you don't need to eat a lot of to have the higher calorie count - things like a glass of milk, oatmeal, protein powders, eggs, real butter, peanut butter, avocado oil, olive oil, etc.

For those eating below their BMR (which I think 1200 is below your BMR to be honest), not going to preach at you, but here's something you might want to look at:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/81391-starvation-mode-myths-and-science
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/859495-if-only-i-had-known?page=1#posts-12919931

For the whole eating under a 1000 calories....
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/521480-1000-calories-or-less-a-day
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/3047-700-calories-a-day-and-not-losing
http://www.fitwatch.com/weight-loss/3-reasons-why-eating-less-than-1000-calories-is-a-waste-of-time-3347.html


If you want, check out this link by MFPer Heliotsdan - It'll give you a detailed walkthrough (with pictures even) on finding your TDEE and calculating what you should be eating.
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/654536-in-place-of-a-road-map-2-0-revised-7-2-12

Or for a different version to figure out your TDEE, as well as some great advice...check out:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/833500-what-do-i-do-common-sense-cliff-notes


Also, if you are worried about the calorie intake, I also suggest you read this thread that has numerous people who met their goals and are maintaining. Some for years and they also provide their calorie intake and how often they work out.
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/816542-let-s-hear-it-for-maintainenance


For more information about fitness and nutrition, I highly suggest checking out and joining this group: (Read all the stickies. It's great information to know.)
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/10118-eat-train-progress


Yes, this is can all be overwhelming and complicated , but you are more than welcome to ask questions on the post.
One of the things that I have found that has been one of the best methods for me to get fit is to understand fitness. To understand where all these figures, etc come from.

The good thing is once you get the hang of it - it is something you'll be aware of constantly and you'll get a better understanding about your eating habits.

So I HIGHLY suggest making the effort to take every chance to educate yourself. Even if you don't end up going with any of these methods, calculations, etc - at least you understand what they are, where others are coming from, and maybe they will still be able to help you figure out what is best for you.

^^^^^^^this is great advice and don't give up because you can do it!