Another "I'm not losing weight" post...

trustymutsi
trustymutsi Posts: 174 Member
in Motivation and Support
I'm very frustrated. I've been counting my calories very closely, and eating pretty healthy. About 75-90% of my food is prepared at home. My first week I went from 199 to 194. Second week I went to 192. Now for the last two weeks I've been stuck at 194. No idea what I'm doing wrong.

I'm wondering if I'm eating too LITTLE. I remember back when I did Weight Watchers, I got to a point where the lbs came off VERY slowly. When I finally hit my goal weight, I went to maintenance calories. I started dropping lbs faster than when I'd been eating less! Could be the same thing now.

I'm male, 40 yrs old, and 6' 2". My calories intake has been 1320 (to lose 2 lbs a week). Perhaps that's been too aggressive?

Any advice is MORE than welcome.

Thanks :)
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Replies

  • RatherBeInTheShire
    RatherBeInTheShire Posts: 561 Member
    1320 calories for a male seems really low! I think you should add more calories back in and see what happens! =)
  • TigressPat
    TigressPat Posts: 722
    It's much too low. I am female and almost a foot shorter and I eat more than that. Why would you eat so little?
  • now_or_never13
    now_or_never13 Posts: 1,575 Member
    I would imagine you are not eating enough. I am 5' 5", female and weight about the same as you and I eat 1600 calories a day plus my exercise calories.

    How much weight are you trying to lose? At 6' 2" 194lbs is a good weight. Maybe what you need to do is up your calories to a surplus and start lifting heavy to build muscle.

    Unless you have well over 50lbs to lose you should not have your goal set at losing 2lbs per week... it is far too high of a deficit. TOo large of a deficit and you will lose muscle.
  • itsmyvwbeetle
    itsmyvwbeetle Posts: 272 Member
    I think more calories may be the answer. Also, check sodium intake and carb intake. Some people (myself included) are very touchy with carbs. I can be well below my calorie and carb limits but have carbs at every meal and stall out until I readjust.
  • eyeshuh
    eyeshuh Posts: 333
    That seems super low for how tall you are! You only have 20lbs to lose. Set it to .5 or 1lb a week and be patient! Also, be sure to eat back your exercise calories. It will be much easier to go into maintenance and keep it off if you lose slow and steady!
  • LilacDreamer
    LilacDreamer Posts: 1,364 Member
    you've been at this less than a month. you need to give it more time. you are also not eating enough. you are only 20lbs away from your goal and I'm pretty sure you have it set to "lose 2 lbs a week" which is not advisable when you have so little left to lose.

    You didn't put the weight on in a month and you're not going to lose it that fast either. The faster you lose it the easier it is to gain it back.
  • jareno0919
    jareno0919 Posts: 18 Member
    You are NOT eating enough. 1300 calories for a male your height is WAY too little food. Realistic weight loss is .5 to 1.5lbs per week. Aim for that. And if you are working out, you need to eat some of those calories too. You are putting your body into starvation mode when you don't consume enough calories (to a point where it is THAT low)
  • martinh78
    martinh78 Posts: 601
    It's much too low. I am female and almost a foot shorter and I eat more than that. Why would you eat so little?

    Because MFP sets it as this if you are sedentry and want to loose 2lbs a week.
  • TigressPat
    TigressPat Posts: 722
    to my mind, 6'2" and 194 is certainly not overweight. While I understand that you might still want to lose weight and that is certainly up to you, trying to lose 2 lbs a week when you have so little to lose is ridiculous. It's always harder to lose weight when you are close to your goal weight.
  • 2credneck208
    2credneck208 Posts: 501 Member
    I've been stuck for 3 weeks, just went online to figure my bmr and wasn't eating enough. I just fixed my calories to my bmr and hope to god I don't put on weight.
  • saxmaniac
    saxmaniac Posts: 1,133 Member
    Yes, 1300 is too darn low if you're 6'2" and only 200. Change back to lose 1/2, maybe 1 pound a week and focus on consistency and habit.
  • mapnerd2005
    mapnerd2005 Posts: 363
    It's not going to hurt you to experiment with adding calories for a couple weeks. I eat about 1700 a day and have been steadily losing now. If that doesn't get the scale moving, re-evaluate and try making other adjustments. What works for some doesn't work for others. You have to find what will work for you. Also check your measurements, because I have found that sometimes the scale will pause, but my measurements will shrink.
  • bestbassist
    bestbassist Posts: 177 Member
    That's a hard one to judge. I've been stagnant in my weight loss for a few months and I've tried raising and lowering my calories, changing my workouts...everything you can think of. I've stumped 2 trainers in the process. I think, in my case, it is low testosterone and/or testosterone converting to estrogen, as I'm on medication for it. Have you checked your t-level with your doc? Also - different medications can slow/halt weight loss entirely - like antidepressants.
  • da_bears10089
    da_bears10089 Posts: 1,791 Member
    Don't follow what MFP sets. Even for me being 5'5" female looking to lose 30 more lbs, i'm still eating like 1900 a day. You need to figure out your TDEE & BMR. Don't go any lower than 20% below your TDEE. Then you can go into MFP and customize your macros to help you out.

    Edit: Also start doing some heavy lifting at a gym or at home. Right now the scale isn't moving a lot for me, but i'm definitely losing inches.
  • TigressPat
    TigressPat Posts: 722
    It's much too low. I am female and almost a foot shorter and I eat more than that. Why would you eat so little?

    Because MFP sets it as this if you are sedentry and want to loose 2lbs a week.


    there are tons of posts in this forum about the flaws in the MFP system so I'm not going to reiterate. Nevertheless, it's too low, and he's probably not sedentary.
    Not to mention, at 6'2" he's not overweight, and 2lbs a week is unrealistic.
  • martinh78
    martinh78 Posts: 601
    As above though, I got stuck around the 78kgs mark after loosing 14kgs. Changed mfps goals to loose 1lb a week and am loosing weight again.


    Remember, you won't put on weight by upping your goal, so long as it remains in a deficit.
  • Akimajuktuq
    Akimajuktuq Posts: 3,037 Member
    Really? Two pounds per week? Gee 1320 might be too low; ya think?

    Wow, I must be doing it wrong, I'm eating more than you (I'm a woman), exercising less (but adequately), and eating high fat foods that are filling and make me feel awesome. And I'm not expecting to lose 2 pounds per week, but I am averaging about 1.33 which will DECREASE over time. It's a journey, not a race with a finish line; at least for me.

    Edit: and as already pointed out, you are already likely at a healthy weight for your size. Maybe your body is trying to tell you something? Two pounds a week when you have so little to lose? These posts are funny.
  • eAddict
    eAddict Posts: 212 Member
    I've been stuck for 3 weeks, just went online to figure my bmr and wasn't eating enough. I just fixed my calories to my bmr and hope to god I don't put on weight.
    THIS. Just don't understand eating to lose weight. I have been tracking since last Feb and am down from 270 to 210. Been 210 more or less since the beginning of Nov '12. Can't seem to bust through this plateau.
  • martinh78
    martinh78 Posts: 601
    It's much too low. I am female and almost a foot shorter and I eat more than that. Why would you eat so little?

    Because MFP sets it as this if you are sedentry and want to loose 2lbs a week.


    there are tons of posts in this forum about the flaws in the MFP system so I'm not going to reiterate. Nevertheless, it's too low, and he's probably not sedentary.
    Not to mention, at 6'2" he's not overweight, and 2lbs a week is unrealistic.

    Not disagreeing with you. But loads of folk get asked teh same thing/bashed for having too low calories. MFP DOES set them at this and it takes a lot of reading and understanding to have the courage to move up/away from it.
  • 2credneck208
    2credneck208 Posts: 501 Member
    I've been stuck for 3 weeks, just went online to figure my bmr and wasn't eating enough. I just fixed my calories to my bmr and hope to god I don't put on weight.
    THIS. Just don't understand eating to lose weight. I have been tracking since last Feb and am down from 270 to 210. Been 210 more or less since the beginning of Nov '12. Can't seem to bust through this plateau.

    I don't either but after 3 weeks of sweat and tears I gotta try something.
  • Akimajuktuq
    Akimajuktuq Posts: 3,037 Member
    It's much too low. I am female and almost a foot shorter and I eat more than that. Why would you eat so little?

    Because MFP sets it as this if you are sedentry and want to loose 2lbs a week.

    That's where using one's brain comes in. This is software. Two pounds per week is unrealistic except for the most obese people. Computer software = Garbage in, garbage out.
  • TigressPat
    TigressPat Posts: 722
    It's much too low. I am female and almost a foot shorter and I eat more than that. Why would you eat so little?

    Because MFP sets it as this if you are sedentry and want to loose 2lbs a week.


    there are tons of posts in this forum about the flaws in the MFP system so I'm not going to reiterate. Nevertheless, it's too low, and he's probably not sedentary.
    Not to mention, at 6'2" he's not overweight, and 2lbs a week is unrealistic.

    Not disagreeing with you. But loads of folk get asked teh same thing/bashed for having too low calories. MFP DOES set them at this and it takes a lot of reading and understanding to have the courage to move up/away from it.

    again, flaw in the MFP system which has been discussed ad nauseum. Not sure why MFP doesn't fix it but moot point to this thread.
    Still, I'm not sure why someone so obviously not overweight sets their requirments to 2lbs a week.
    Makes me wonder if 10lbs a week was an available choice if 90% of the people on this site would be eating 300 cal a day.
  • bestbassist
    bestbassist Posts: 177 Member



    Remember, you won't put on weight by upping your goal, so long as it remains in a deficit.

    Not always true. I've moved up within a deficit and put on 5-7 pounds each time. Metabolism is a b!tch. :mad:
  • trustymutsi
    trustymutsi Posts: 174 Member
    I've been told often that I don't need to lose weight for my height, gender, and age, but I still have uncomfortably large rolls of fat on my waist, and I'd like to lose them.

    I tried the weight training, and have been experiencing muscle pain in my center chest. So I'm laying off for a little while to see if the pain goes away, or is from something else. In the meantime I will be doing cardio.

    I will try upping the calories. Guess 2 lbs a week was too aggressive. I'm being impatient.
  • cnelson1974
    cnelson1974 Posts: 235 Member
    I don't believe your eating enough, either.

    Also, I don't see many veggies and I see a lot of processed foods. Try making a gigantic salad with lots of protein (almonds, walnuts, chopped chicken, tuna, etc.). I buy frozen veggies in bulk and add them to as many meals as I can. You can do it! :)
  • trustymutsi
    trustymutsi Posts: 174 Member
    It's much too low. I am female and almost a foot shorter and I eat more than that. Why would you eat so little?

    Because MFP sets it as this if you are sedentry and want to loose 2lbs a week.

    That's where using one's brain comes in. This is software. Two pounds per week is unrealistic except for the most obese people. Computer software = Garbage in, garbage out.

    I don't have a brain? Maybe I just don't have the experience yet to KNOW that. I come in with a good attitude, have been TRYING to learn and be healthy, and I get THIS?

    Good thing there are also thoughtful people on this board who don't blast others the second they don't understand something.

    Future tip: Give people some grace. It takes enough courage to try and get healthier. Insulting them is the last thing they need.

    To most of the other people here who have been very helpful: Sorry, I just had to go off. I'm not in the mood to deal with rude people today. I appreciate everyone's help.
  • TigressPat
    TigressPat Posts: 722
    not trying to be insulting, but having a quick look at your diary I do notice that it's common for you to spend over 100 calories of your meager 1300 on coffee creamer and 300 calories on brownies or other desserts.
    Not to bash on sweets, and Im sure I'll get a lot of blasting from the calorie in calorie out crowd, but when I see that you eat half a chicken breast in a day and 400 calories in coffee and dessert, I don't think this is terribly healthy.
    You are a big guy, your body needs food.

    really, if you would up your calories I'm sure that would help.
    You look to me like you are starving.

    Also, you mentioned fat rolls, but have nothing in your profile about previous weight loss efforts or any information on your past attempts. Are the rolls from previous weight loss?

    A few people have mentioned lifting, and as you are really not overweight in any way but dislike your body shape/type/composition this would really be advantageous to you.

    You will probably gain weight, but look much better. But again, you need to feed your muscles way more.

    Good luck to you.
  • now_or_never13
    now_or_never13 Posts: 1,575 Member
    It's much too low. I am female and almost a foot shorter and I eat more than that. Why would you eat so little?

    Because MFP sets it as this if you are sedentry and want to loose 2lbs a week.

    That's where using one's brain comes in. This is software. Two pounds per week is unrealistic except for the most obese people. Computer software = Garbage in, garbage out.

    I don't have a brain? Maybe I just don't have the experience yet to KNOW that. I come in with a good attitude, have been TRYING to learn and be healthy, and I get THIS?

    Good thing there are also thoughtful people on this board who don't blast others the second they don't understand something.

    Future tip: Give people some grace. It takes enough courage to try and get healthier. Insulting them is the last thing they need.

    To most of the other people here who have been very helpful: Sorry, I just had to go off. I'm not in the mood to deal with rude people today. I appreciate everyone's help.

    Great way to respond!

    If you experience pain when working on lifting weights check it out with your doctor. It could be something medical, it could be your form.

    If you are unhappy with parts of your body best thing is to increase your calories to at or above maintance and lift weights (but have the pain you are experiencing checked out first). When you eat at a deficit you will lose fat... but you will also lose some muscle especially with how high of a deficit you have yourself set at. It is far too high for you.

    Until you can get the pain checked out set your goal to lightly active (if it isn't already... or higher if you have a more active job/home life) and set your weekly loss goal to 0.5lbs per week. 2lbs per week is far too high for you... while I understand wanting to lose the weight quickly (don't we all)... quick isn't the best way to go.
  • trustymutsi
    trustymutsi Posts: 174 Member
    not trying to be insulting, but having a quick look at your diary I do notice that it's common for you to spend over 100 calories of your meager 1300 on coffee creamer and 300 calories on brownies or other desserts.
    Not to bash on sweets, and Im sure I'll get a lot of blasting from the calorie in calorie out crowd, but when I see that you eat half a chicken breast in a day and 400 calories in coffee and dessert, I don't think this is terribly healthy.
    You are a big guy, your body needs food.

    really, if you would up your calories I'm sure that would help.
    You look to me like you are starving.

    Also, you mentioned fat rolls, but have nothing in your profile about previous weight loss efforts or any information on your past attempts. Are the rolls from previous weight loss?

    A few people have mentioned lifting, and as you are really not overweight in any way but dislike your body shape/type/composition this would really be advantageous to you.

    You will probably gain weight, but look much better. But again, you need to feed your muscles way more.

    Good luck to you.

    Not insulted at all. At no point did you call me stupid. You're giving me good advice.

    Very good point on the sweets. For some reason, I felt like 100 calories on sweetener wasn't bad. But as you put it, it's a huge percentage of my calories.

    Maybe that's why I've been struggling with my exercise. I'm probably not feeding my body enough protein. I tried doing some serious strength training, but have been getting pain in my center chest. I'm taking a little time off to see if it's from the exercise. If the pain is still there I'll get professional advice.

    I did weigh 235 lbs at one point, so maybe that's where the rolls are from.
  • TigressPat
    TigressPat Posts: 722
    not trying to be insulting, but having a quick look at your diary I do notice that it's common for you to spend over 100 calories of your meager 1300 on coffee creamer and 300 calories on brownies or other desserts.
    Not to bash on sweets, and Im sure I'll get a lot of blasting from the calorie in calorie out crowd, but when I see that you eat half a chicken breast in a day and 400 calories in coffee and dessert, I don't think this is terribly healthy.
    You are a big guy, your body needs food.

    really, if you would up your calories I'm sure that would help.
    You look to me like you are starving.

    Also, you mentioned fat rolls, but have nothing in your profile about previous weight loss efforts or any information on your past attempts. Are the rolls from previous weight loss?

    A few people have mentioned lifting, and as you are really not overweight in any way but dislike your body shape/type/composition this would really be advantageous to you.

    You will probably gain weight, but look much better. But again, you need to feed your muscles way more.

    Good luck to you.

    Not insulted at all. At no point did you call me stupid. You're giving me good advice.

    Very good point on the sweets. For some reason, I felt like 100 calories on sweetener wasn't bad. But as you put it, it's a huge percentage of my calories.

    Maybe that's why I've been struggling with my exercise. I'm probably not feeding my body enough protein. I tried doing some serious strength training, but have been getting pain in my center chest. I'm taking a little time off to see if it's from the exercise. If the pain is still there I'll get professional advice.

    I did weigh 235 lbs at one point, so maybe that's where the rolls are from.

    hi, not sure about this having never lost more than 40lbs or so myself, but I would think the 40lb drop is not enough to give you rolls unless you dropped the weight very quickly. If so, I would still think that it will fix itself with time as you did not lose enough weight to have excess rolls of skin that many people worry about when losing over 100lbs or so.

    I would just keep up what you are doing, definitely add more protein to your diet in terms of lean meats and even healthy fats like nuts etc. I would not worry so much about the creamer in itself, but more in the quality of what you are eating as a whole. I know when I try to lift on days where I am keeping a very low calorie total I have far less energy. You need to feed your body for it to work properly. I have no idea what your calorie needs would be, being female and much shorter than you, but there are lots of posts on this site about TDEE and BMR as well as many helpful links.
    At a guess (big guess, please don't blast me!) I would think you'd need a minimum of 1600 calories daily and more on the days you lift. So keep the creamer and the brownies if they make you happy, but add more healthy food.

    IMO there's nothing wrong with having some sweets in your diet (I would personally go nuts without any!) in fact there is one guy who often posts about how he eats a minimum of two poptarts and a full pint of ice cream daily and has lost a ton of weight. I believe he eats more than 3000 calories daily, not sure how that works for him, but apparently it does.

    Weight loss is partly about finding the formula that works for you and sticking to it even when you don't lose weight weekly.

    It is normal, as someone already posted, to be sore after strength training, but it should not last for more than 2-3 days. If you are still hurting from working out last week for example, then possibly you pulled something and should see a doctor.
    With the weight training, do not try to do too much, don't lift everyday, or work the same muscle groups consecutively.

    Also, you might want to consider doing more weight for less reps.

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