What the heck am I doing wrong?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!
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I agree that you are likely to be consuming too few calories. If there is a valid reason that your doctor instructed you to stay at that level then so be it. When I first joined MFP at the start of the year, I was consuming 1200 calories per day and finding it easy to stay under that limit. I found that I'd lose a pound and then gain two, then drop back to my original weight...
After much frustration, I asked for some advice from other MFP and was told to check my BMR and TDEE. I calculated that I should be eating around 1500 calories per day but rather than jump from 1200 to 1500, I increased my daily intake to 1430. I have found that I have had slow and steady weight loss week on week.0 -
I'm not going to give up, but I'm hoping these tears that want to come out actually weigh something! :sad:
Oh baby... jus keep them there and let they come out as happy tears when u see great progress in the long run...wish u luck!!0 -
It's this diet doctor that my friends have all gone to...and they've all successfully lost TONS of weight! One lost 80, one lost 50, and I'm not sure about the other...
To be fair, I have less to lose than they did. I'm down to needing to lose between 20 and 40 pounds (20 will get me into the healthy range...40 will put me closer to the bottom of my healthy range...)
For the first month, I wasn't allowed to eat anything except fish/meat, non-starchy vegetables and 2 servings of fruit per day. I lost 18 1/2 pounds that first month. Since then I keep losing and gaining another 2 pounds and I seem to be stuck around 20 pounds of weight loss. (The rest on my ticker was from before I started this diet).
Now that I'm past that first month, I'm allowed to eat a few more things, but I also had the food sensitivity testing done which took away a lot of my options...I can't have anything dairy, I can't have eggs, etc. I'm allowed more fruits now (in moderation) and I'm allowed a little more starch (again in moderation...like a serving of carrots once a week...stuff like that). And I was finally told yesterday that I can add in some more of the good carbs (again in moderation...a small serving of brown rice once a week...half a sweet potato...)
Oh, this is a "diet" doctor. I thought maybe you were going to an actual doctor who was addressing medical issues beyond weight loss.
Dump the chump.
How would you ever sustain a restrictive plan like that over your lifetime? What happens after you've starved (not literally) yourself down to your goal weight and you don't have the tools to make a healthy life for yourself?
Medically supervised yo-yo'ing is in no way better than doing it on your own.0 -
You just have to keep at it. People will tell you you are consuming too little but I have involuntarily been consuming too little. (Due to an upper denture I got 2 weeks ago that is STILL hard for me to eat properly with) and I am consistently losing too. So if you have a moderate amount of weight to lose, it's not going to hurt your weight loss. I do encourage you to be sure you are eating your TDEE -20 if you don't want to lose muscle mass along the way. I will be doing this once my eating can be normal again. But if you are happy with your calorie intake, exercising and don't seem to be losing. Just hang in there, and keep at it. The scale DOES NOT reflect the amount of work you are putting in and doesn't mean you are doing anything wrong.0
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I haven't taken any new measurements, but I don't really feel like the fit of my clothing is changing all that much either...
I AM extremely guilty of weighing every day...sometimes multiple times a day...lol
I don't really understand the whole BMR/TDEE thing...Can anyone explain it to me. I just ran the numbers from those links you gave me and this is what I came up with:
BMR = 1,464 (I guess this is why MFP put me at 1,200 calories a day...)
TDEE - 2,525 calories per day.
That's a really big difference! And I assume that's what you want to stay at to maintain, not lose? So, what should I actually be doing?0 -
Something dieticians always say is to eat a range of things i.e not stick to the same foods all the time. Try varying your diet such as instead of always eating just veg, try making a low fat casserole, pasta salads or soups. You need to basically mix up the amounts of fat, salt, carbs etc every day or your body gets used to one level and maintains itself at that which is not helpful for losing weight.
Also, don't be afraid to treat yourself after a hard week. Reward yourself for being good but be sensible about it. Like every Sunday you get to eat a dessert after your main meal for sticking to your diet the rest of the week.
Trust me, mixing things up will really help. You can remain within your calorie limits still and have a varied diet. That is probably what the problem is c:0 -
I went to the DR on Dec 26 weighed in - went back on Jan 26 1 month later I weight exactly the same amount. I had been weighing and measuring every byte of food I ate and working out 45 minutes to 1 hour every other day. I am now down 9 lbs. still doing the same things I was doing last month. It will happen just done lose hope.0
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Just read that you only have 20-40 to lose, definitely look into TDEE-20 and eat more calories.0
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Do you notice the trend here? Everyone who is having a hard time losing is eating too few calories. Figure out your BMR and your TDEE. Make sure you NET somewhere in the middle.
http://www.fitnessfrog.com/calculators/bmr-calculator.html
http://www.fitnessfrog.com/calculators/tdee-calculator.html
Do this^^^. You didn't mention your height or weight or goals so most advice as to whether you're eating too much or too little isn't considering your own real situation. Figure out your calorie needs with those calculators yourself and make sure you're getting enough. Underestimate or disregard exercise in the calculations if you're planning on eating those extra calories burned later on.0 -
I haven't taken any new measurements, but I don't really feel like the fit of my clothing is changing all that much either...
I AM extremely guilty of weighing every day...sometimes multiple times a day...lol
I don't really understand the whole BMR/TDEE thing...Can anyone explain it to me. I just ran the numbers from those links you gave me and this is what I came up with:
BMR = 1,464 (I guess this is why MFP put me at 1,200 calories a day...)
TDEE - 2,525 calories per day.
That's a really big difference! And I assume that's what you want to stay at to maintain, not lose? So, what should I actually be doing?
If your BMR is 1,464 a day, don't eat less than 1,464 a day. That's what your body needs just to function.
The basic math: one pound is roughly 3,500 calories. So to lose one pound a week, shave 3,500 calories a week (500 a day) off your TDEE. That works out to 2,025 calories a day.
Some people say TDEE - 10%, others say TDEE - 20%. I've had good success with TDEE - 3500 calories/week. Your mileage may vary.0 -
TDEE-20 would be that you should be eating 20% below your TDEE to lose weight. So your calorie goal would be approximately 2000 calories give or a take a few. I've found with what MFP gives ME that if I were to eat back my exercise calories, it would be the same as my TDEE-20
BMR=how much calories it would take for doctors to sustain your body if you were in a coma
TDEE=how much calories you should eat to maintain current weight
TDEE-20=how much calories you should eat to lose weight at a safe rate0 -
Add me to the chorus of voices suggesting you calculate BMR and set your net calorie goal to AT LEAST to that amount.
Try it.
No, really.
Take the leap and try it for awhile.
I think you'll be glad you did.
This, plus be patient. It's not a race.0 -
Also - an alternative to eating more is exercising less
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I ran the TDEE at if I were sedentary (hey, we all have those days ocassionally! lol) It said 1,757. So, basically, I need to stay around 1,400 calories per day and just eat back my exercise calories but make sure I don't go over approximately 2,000?
I think I get it...
I'm a little nauseous at the thought of all that food...but I'll do whatever I have to do to drop this weight!
As for the sugars, what fruits have less sugar? Most of my sugars are coming from blueberries. I was basically told you can never eat too many blueberries. Which is great if it's true, because it's where I've really pushed my sweet tooth tendencies! lol0 -
I ran the TDEE at if I were sedentary (hey, we all have those days ocassionally! lol) It said 1,757. So, basically, I need to stay around 1,400 calories per day and just eat back my exercise calories but make sure I don't go over approximately 2,000?
I think I get it...
I'm a little nauseous at the thought of all that food...but I'll do whatever I have to do to drop this weight!
As for the sugars, what fruits have less sugar? Most of my sugars are coming from blueberries. I was basically told you can never eat too many blueberries. Which is great if it's true, because it's where I've really pushed my sweet tooth tendencies! lol
I wouldn't run it at sedentary. You workout too much for that. Run it at lightly active.
There are several ways to up calories without adding a ton of food. I noticed you eat apples regularly for your snacks. Add a serving of peanut butter with it. Cook with olive oil and butter. Little changes can add a few hundred calories.0 -
I ran the TDEE at if I were sedentary (hey, we all have those days ocassionally! lol) It said 1,757. So, basically, I need to stay around 1,400 calories per day and just eat back my exercise calories but make sure I don't go over approximately 2,000?
I think I get it...
I'm a little nauseous at the thought of all that food...but I'll do whatever I have to do to drop this weight!
As for the sugars, what fruits have less sugar? Most of my sugars are coming from blueberries. I was basically told you can never eat too many blueberries. Which is great if it's true, because it's where I've really pushed my sweet tooth tendencies! lol
No reason to avoid sugars except as necessary to keep under your calorie numbers while leaving enough room for food to keep you satisfied.0 -
I was on a 1200 cal plan and lost at first. Then I got stuck and figured out my BMR. I raised my calories to 1500 a week ago and lost 4 pounds. I have been drinking 100+ oz of water a day too. I would raise your cals if I were you.0
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Ask your doctor to refer you to a Registered Dietitian. Most doctors receive well under the recommended 25 hours of nutrition education. You need to be speaking to a specialist.
^This. If you doctor just recommended the 1200 cals because you said you wanted to lose weight then try upping the cals. I used to eat 1200 but saw no change. Three weeks ago I upped my cals to 1400 and have noticed a great change in my body! I have soooo much more energy, too. If you're having a tough time eating 1400 cals than either a) eat high cal foods (eggs, avocado, olive oil, nuts) or b) excerise 5 times a week instead of 7. Try this for 2-3 weeks and see if you see a change.
**If you doctor put you on the diet for health reasons other than losing weight, then listen to that advice. Good luck 0 -
Just looked at a couple of your diary days - I'm someone who knows that excess fat consumption is "better" for me than sugar i.e. if I go over on fat I stil l lose (good fat) but sugar is leathal.. I still get my 5+ a day but I do try and avoid huge quantities of fruit.. Might be worth trying to reduce your sugar for a few days and see if it makes a difference..0
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I lost weight doing South Beach. Went to counting calories on January 15th and started to gain weight after a few days. Gained back almost all I lost. I upped my calories from 1200 to 1400 and I have been losing slowly but steadily since I started eating the 1400 calories. I have been going over a few calories but have not been eating my exercise calories back, and I have been exercising about an hour five-ish times a week.0
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I'm with you. I feel your frustration because I am there as well. However I know that what others are saying is most likely true. Even for me. Meaning...Doctors are practicioners heavy on the workd PRACTICE. Two months is not being impatient in my opinion but have you taken your before and after measurements. I have officially lost 7.5 inches over all since I started Jan2 and I am yo yo ing between 3-4 lbs weight loss. 1000 calorie intake seems way to little for someone who is working out daily for that matter just living.
I once gaine 25lbs because I wasn't eating enough. REALLY! I joine WW and they told me to eat 5 times a day. Not candy bars of course but there were complexed carbs..regular simple carbs...and healthy fats in my meals. I lost 35 lbs doing this.
I would talk with some other nutritionists about what your calorie intake really should be.0 -
For the past few weeks I've been completely plateaued!
<snip>
For the past few weeks, I've been going to the gym EVERY DAY and sometimes even TWICE a day! And, honestly, the exercise seems to be what stopped the weight loss....which doesn't make ANY sense!
When you start an exercise program, it's normal to hold onto water weight to help muscles repair. That can mask weight loss. It's normal and temporary.
And if you're going twice a day, you might be overtraining, too.0 -
It's this diet doctor that my friends have all gone to...and they've all successfully lost TONS of weight! One lost 80, one lost 50, and I'm not sure about the other...
To be fair, I have less to lose than they did. I'm down to needing to lose between 20 and 40 pounds (20 will get me into the healthy range...40 will put me closer to the bottom of my healthy range...)
For the first month, I wasn't allowed to eat anything except fish/meat, non-starchy vegetables and 2 servings of fruit per day. I lost 18 1/2 pounds that first month. Since then I keep losing and gaining another 2 pounds and I seem to be stuck around 20 pounds of weight loss. (The rest on my ticker was from before I started this diet).
Do you think it's normal to lose 18 pounds in one month. It's not.. and I wouldn't be suprised if it all came back on. You need to be geared towards a lifestyle change, not a diet. You need to make long term plans, not short term ones. If you want to lose the weight and keep it off, you need to see a registered dietician, not a "diet doctor".0 -
It sounds to me like you may be in the "fit" stage level. If your are just trying to look lean and slightly ripped it will be harder to lose that extra bit of body fat. You will have to trick your body into losing it.
Try upping your caloric intake to 1200-1500 with Protein/Carbs/Fat in that order of most to least. Incorporate a supplementation of Fish Oils for Omega 3 & 6, also add a mutlivitamin if you haven't done so already. Such low caloric levels mean your losing out on some essential minerals and such.
Then since you're not hungry much use the Intermittent Fasting approach, whereby you intake your calories in an 8 hour window; essentially fasting for 16. What I am doing now is eating between 12:00-20:00 so I can still have supper with family/friends etc (I also supplement with protein shakes because I can't afford 2 steak dinners daily). Try to do your exercising in the morning while you are fasted. I use a BCAA supplement (14g pre and post workout) to counter any muscle loss. Training while fasted will make the body attack fat cell calories more than food calories if you've been training at the end of the day. Drinking water is highly recommended during the fast, and coffee WITHOUT whitener or sugars (sweeteners) may help give you that push.
Try it if you like.
Here's some info for you to read more...
http://www.leangains.com/2010/04/leangains-guide.html0 -
Have you measured inches??? Also, are you doing strength training? Are you sore? If your sore, then you tore muscle. If you tore muscle, your muscles will have retain fluid to repair the muscle. If your strength training, you should be building muscle. Muscle weighs more than fat but takes up less space.
Also, if your stressing about it, this will only make matters worse. If I am stressed, my body will not lose weight no matter what I do.
How does your water intake look? If your not drinking enough water, your body will retain fluids.0 -
I know that 18 pounds in a month isn't normal. I also know that the first 8 pounds was in the first week and was mostly water weight because I gave up all liquids except water and I dropped my sodium intake DRASTICALLY. As for the other 10 pounds...I don't think 10 pounds in 3 weeks is really that abnormal when you start a new weight loss regime.
Most of my workout is cardio. I joined a new gym and the equipment looks completely foriegn to me for some reason! lol
As for the stress...that could be a problem...I'm a single working mom with more on my plate than I can handle most of the time. I think it's why I've become addicted to cardio...it's a mindless hour or two a day when I can forget my problems for a little bit!
I'm doing A LOT better with my water intake since starting this diet...I've never been a drinker of really anything...even sodas, which I loved, would get thrown away half full at the end of the day. So, I've been extremely conscious of taking in more water...that being said, I still have a REALLY hard time drinking more than 4 to 5 glasses a day...0 -
For the first month, I wasn't allowed to eat anything except fish/meat, non-starchy vegetables and 2 servings of fruit per day.
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I can't have anything dairy, I can't have eggs, etc.
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in moderation...like a serving of carrots once a week...
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a small serving of brown rice once a week...half a sweet potato...)
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A diet that doensn't allow you to eat this, that, and that, is generally not what you want if you want a long-term solution. a serving of carrots once a week??
You lost some weight the first month, but my guess is, as you already pointed out, it was mostly water weight. If you want to lose body weight, eat more, eat healthy, eat everything you want, and eat untill you reach -20% of your TDEE.
Try to get as much protein in as you can
Try to get as much water in as you can
Don't over-exercise :-)0 -
I totally sympathize with you!! I am in the same boat! The first week I dropped like 4- 5 lbs, then a lb or 2 since, but have stayed between 171 and 173 for the last 2 weeks. I workout 5 times/wk, and have , for the most part, stayed below my calories, which I thought would increase my weight loss! It is definitely frustrating! From the responses you have gotten, it does appear that we are just not eating enough. Let's take everyone's advice and see where we are in a few weeks! WE CAN DO THIS 0
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My opinion, doctor's aren't qualified to give nutritional advice. You should see an nutritionist if you are going to rely on someone else's opinion. The problem with having such a low calorie intake is eventually you will get sick of only being able to eat 1000 calories a day, and you are going to give in one day, then it will turn into two days... and then there goes the whole diet. i've seen it happen so many times, and i've done it also.0
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Your weight has plateaued because your not eating enough calories and your metabolism is in starvation mode, so your body is clinging onto anything you eat. A better idea would be to increase your calorie intake to 1400 calories. You might be thinking you need to reduce your calorie intake even further, no, stop! Increase those calories. I read an article the other day about a woman who was obese and was convinced her weight had nothing to do with her diet because during the week she ate hardly any calories, well this was true but she'd binge at the weekend, her body was in starvation mode, so when she had those binge days her body would just hold the calories.0
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