Basically the Same Weight After a Month

2

Replies

  • jenilla1
    jenilla1 Posts: 11,118 Member
    Are you measuring and weighing everything? When I first started I was guesstimating a lot and going over by hundreds calories without realizing it. Also, double-check the food entries in the database - many of them are dead wrong.

    Also, serving sizes on packaging can be a bit off, too. Go by weight if you can. For example, this morning I had Pumpkin Flax Granola. A serving size is 56 grams or 3/4 cup. When I measured it out, 56 grams was only 1/2 a cup. If I'd eaten the full 3/4 of a cup (instead of weighing it) I would have eaten an extra 115 calories from breakfast alone...I wonder how often this happens throughout the day...

    Just something to think about!
  • To Phildawson75:

    you can't eat only eat crap food below your calories and lose weight?? So I can eat only hershey bars for the rest of my life below my calorie count and still lose weight? I don't think so and you will never convince me of that.
  • Irysh - I feel the same way you do. I started first week of January on MTF and started a 6 week fitness class (4 days a week they kick my butt with cardio and strengh). I went from doing nothing and eating what I wanted to eating healthy, exercising and I am drinking 9-12 glasses of water a day. I feel like I should be down 10 lbs or so after all the changes, but as you can see from my ticker I haven't lost much. I do feel better but want to see progress on the scale. I am sticking with it because our instructor said that it would take 4-5 weeks for our bodies to adjust so hoping this coming week will be the magic week when my body decides it is ready for change.

    I am going to check on the "In Place of a Road Map" and see what that is about. I am always under in my calories so it just seems like with all the positive changes I should be seeing more change!! I haven't lost any inches either which is frustrating!!!!

    Good Luck and I hope you find the right combo for you!!!!! Just don't give up!!!!
  • mizz_pris
    mizz_pris Posts: 8 Member
    I was on the same boat at i got stuck at 247 for 4 months and just recently i went down to a 240.

    at the beginning of January I started to things different. What i did different was that I wasnt eating breakfast instead i was having a protein shake. I drink a water bottle before I eat any of my meals, I eplaced the shakes for an oatmeal or cereal you know something sensible and i started snacking 2 hours after my meals, because I wasnt snacking at all. I do 300 calories for breakfast, 200 caloires for snack, 300 for lunch, 200 for snack and 300 for dinner, if after dinner i get hungry i eat 200 calories snack. I try to make sure that what I eat has at least 10g of protein because protein keeps me full for a longer time. I Added alot of water 10 cups a day. I cut down my caffeine intake I was drinking 5 cups of coffee and 2 sodas. I only have 1-2 cups of coffee and i limit myself to one diet soda a day, but sometimes i dont even drink soda. I work out 3 times a week, i do Zumba for 40 minutes and I burn like 500 calories. I work out like an hour after dinner. I also added fiber which has been helping to get rid of my food if you know what I mean ;) because that adds food weight.

    Dont weigh yourself every day at least once a week is okay.

    After doing this i've managed to loose pounds :)

    I hope this helps, i know its so frustrating, i was working out everyday, I was told that my body is probably used to whatever I was doing and that I should just work out every other day and let my metabolism catch up. I guess i just needed to break my body from the same routine and change it up so my body is probably like "what the heck is she doing this is different" lol

    Just dont let it get to you I know its hard but the more you worry about it the harder and frustrating its going to get. trust me I KNOW!!
  • alanlmarshall
    alanlmarshall Posts: 587 Member
    First, you can take comfort that you will not be the first person in history to defy the laws of physics and not lose weight eating less and exercising more. It will happen. :smile:

    Second, it's not true that you are not losing weight because you are eating too few calories. (see laws of physics previously mentioned above.) BUT, it is true that you are not *permanently* losing fat because you are eating too few calories. Fat lost fast tends to come back fast. Change to 1 pound or 1/2 pound a week.

    Third, be patient. A month's fat loss can't really be acurrately measured. My guess is either you have lost fat and you can't measure it yet or you have inadvertantly underestimated your calories. If it's the later that's probably a good thing since you really shouldn't starve yourself on 1220 calories a day anyway.

    Best wishes to you.
  • Wed 02/06/13 03:21 PM


    QUOTE:


    (possible starvation mode?). I have a problem with "white" carbs.

    nothing to do with starvation mode, this is probably the worst spread myth on MFP caused by lots of misguided people reading and regurgitating the same bullsh.it.


    Just found this for you Irysh:

    Don't Cut Out Too Many Calories
    While cutting and burning calories is an important part of weight loss, there are some dangers in cutting too many calories out of your diet. Calories are a measure of energy; the more calories you have in your body, the more energy you have to burn. MSN Health warns that any diet in which less than 800 calories a day are consumed can be a problem, as it puts your body into "starvation mode."

    This is the reason that so many dieters hit a plateau while dieting; if your body thinks you are starving, it won't burn fat. To the contrary, a body that thinks it is starving will conserve calories and energy, making it difficult for you to lose weight. Instead of cutting your caloric intake dangerously low, eat the right kinds of foods and do plenty of exercise to create the deficit you need to lose weight.



    Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/280376-can-i-consume-2000-calories-a-day-lose-weight/#ixzz2K9wz3cWv
  • I'm pretty new at all this but you mentioned being able to eat extra calories because of your exercise. I'd reccomend not eating those extra calories, and not going by what MFP says when you enter in 'walking' and the amount of calories you burn. I went to the gym Sunday for the first time...was on the stationary bike for 20 mins. The bike said I burned 150 cals, then MFP says that's only 11 minutes on the bike. I felt gipped haha!

    PS I love Zelda!
  • Gerald_King
    Gerald_King Posts: 2,031 Member
    When you start a new exercise program your body retains water to help your muscles heal the micro tears from exercising , you can actually gain a few pounds ,it usually last about 2 or 3 weeks hope this helps
  • You're in basically the same boat as I'm in, as far as weight goes. What I've found has worked for me is spacing my meals out throughout the day. I eat breakfast, snack, lunch, snack, dinner every day. It keeps my metabolism up and running and actually helps a lot. I eat about 1600 calories a day, plus more if I exercise. I work at a desk job, so I don't do a ton during the day unless I work out. I've done some reading on how to test your metabolism. You can check your temperature early in the morning, it should be as close to 98.6 as possible. When I first started all of this, mine was 95! So, I've started eating more, snacking, eating less sugar, etc, and now my temps are up to 97 and I'm losing weight. So, that might be something that would help you.
  • UnderCoverShyGirl
    UnderCoverShyGirl Posts: 254 Member
    I'm one of those the weight seems to stick to (even though i've now lost 106 lbs!!). Basically it seems that i'll lose like crazy for a week and sometimes too, and then the scale doesn't budge for a good month, sometimes two...then all of a sudden i shed 10 lbs in a week type of thing. I don't know why our bodies differ like this, but i guess they do.

    I find that sometimes eating a day where i am over calories, seems to kick off the weight loss....so maybe it is a matter of just sticking to it for a few months, understanding your body, and then if things don't move in the right direction, either up your cals or increase your exercise, or something to see if it makes a difference.

    In the end, it's not what we lose/don't lose in a month, it's over the course of time. In a year, if you are where you want to be (or however long that takes), this won't matter a bit.

    But i hear ya...soooo hard to deal with!!!
  • RotterdamNL
    RotterdamNL Posts: 509 Member
    The exrecises you are doing now are worthless. You need high intensity interval training HIIT, pick up programs like, 30 day shred, insanity, les mills combat, work hard, eat healthy and you will see results.

    I am doing 3 workouts atm, 2 in the morning (50 min) and 1 at night (30-60 min)
  • When you start a new exercise program your body retains water to help your muscles heal the micro tears from exercising , you can actually gain a few pounds ,it usually last about 2 or 3 weeks hope this helps

    I had heard that too, but thanks for confirming.
  • I have only just joined mfp- but have been weight watching since May 2011 and have lost 4 stone. Have you really looked at the type of foods you are eating and when you are eating them as this can make a big difference? I am really strict with my calorie counting and there could be hidden calories in the food you are eating, for example if i am measuring something out i try to be 100% accurate. It is frustrating and very disheartening when you don't see the results on the scale you were expecting- the trick is to keep on trying. Are you eating a lot of gluten based products as i find even if i stick to my cals that it slows my weight loss down? Best to go for foods as close to their natural state as possible. Good luck and don't give up!
  • Danni1585
    Danni1585 Posts: 250 Member
    You did the right thing posting this, and seeking advice. Well done !! Don't I've up, it's all about tweaks, highs and lows. You will get there. Add people that have given you advice and open up your food diary. Keep smiling xx
  • The exrecises you are doing now are worthless. You need high intensity interval training HIIT, pick up programs like, 30 day shred, insanity, les mills combat, work hard, eat healthy and you will see results.

    I am doing 3 workouts atm, 2 in the morning (50 min) and 1 at night (30-60 min)

    If you enjoy killing yourself...Irysh...my friend is doing something like this (P90X). YES, she is seeing results, but she HATES doing it, loves the results, but hates it. I would rather see you change your routine a bit, (maybe lifting some weights) but ENJOY your exercise. I know I have to enjoy my exercise or I would never stick to it....I have been for 5 weeks because it is not making me dread it. If you would like to ramp it up, GO FOR IT! But your results will come, without doing Insanity.
  • cnelson1974
    cnelson1974 Posts: 235 Member
    I can't see your diary, but are you eating your meals throughout the day? I had a huge success eating 5 smaller meals spaced out every 2 to 3 hours during the day. At 5'6" I started at 256 and it set my intake at 1600 because my life is seditary (I don't count walking my dog).

    Feel free to view, critique, slam my diary. I found it helped me to eat all day rather then try to eat 1000 calories divided between 2 meals (lunch and dinner).

    Cheers :)
  • 15 or 10 or even 5 pounds in a month are all good losses. This is going to take a while and it has been my experience that I often will drop at particular times of the month even though my exercise/diet are essentially consistent. Think in terms of longer goals and don't get freaked out by a temporary stall in the process. Easier said than done, believe me!!! But here I sit, doing the work, eating more than mfp suggests (1650 ish and mfp has wanted me at 1200 for months now) and 15 months later, I am down 154 pounds. No surgery, no crazy diets - just eating better and spending my calories :). You can do this!!
  • Gramps251
    Gramps251 Posts: 738 Member
    Are you measuring and weighing everything? When I first started I was guesstimating a lot and going over by hundreds calories without realizing it. Also, double-check the food entries in the database - many of them are dead wrong.

    Also, serving sizes on packaging can be a bit off, too. Go by weight if you can. For example, this morning I had Pumpkin Flax Granola. A serving size is 56 grams or 3/4 cup. When I measured it out, 56 grams was only 1/2 a cup. If I'd eaten the full 3/4 of a cup (instead of weighing it) I would have eaten an extra 115 calories from breakfast alone...I wonder how often this happens throughout the day...

    Just something to think about!

    ^^This^^
  • Gramps251
    Gramps251 Posts: 738 Member
    To Phildawson75:

    you can't eat only eat crap food below your calories and lose weight?? So I can eat only hershey bars for the rest of my life below my calorie count and still lose weight? I don't think so and you will never convince me of that.

    You wouldn't be happy but you would lose weight. You can eat nothing but butter as long as you burn more calories than you take in. (But I wouldn't suggest either option.)
  • bumblebums
    bumblebums Posts: 2,181 Member
    Weight loss is not linear. For women especially, it can be more like a punctuated equilibrium scenario. We can retain water and tend to dump it in sudden bursts. More here:

    http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/fat-loss/of-whooshes-and-squishy-fat.html

    The other thing I wanted to mention about water retention is that it can cause increases not just in weight but in measurements. Are your legs sore at all? Sore muscles retain water; it's one of the symptoms of DOMS. So don't panic--you could be due for a "whoosh". If you suspect you could be retaining water, check your sodium-potassium ratio in your diary (see the Reports feature) and eat more potassium-rich foods, like parsley and bananas and spices such as curry. Or at least cut out the sodium for a while and drink more water.
  • cnelson1974
    cnelson1974 Posts: 235 Member
    Are you measuring and weighing everything? When I first started I was guesstimating a lot and going over by hundreds calories without realizing it. Also, double-check the food entries in the database - many of them are dead wrong.

    Also, serving sizes on packaging can be a bit off, too. Go by weight if you can. For example, this morning I had Pumpkin Flax Granola. A serving size is 56 grams or 3/4 cup. When I measured it out, 56 grams was only 1/2 a cup. If I'd eaten the full 3/4 of a cup (instead of weighing it) I would have eaten an extra 115 calories from breakfast alone...I wonder how often this happens throughout the day...

    Just something to think about!

    ^^This^^

    I agree with this 100%. I used to buy Blue Diamond Whole Natural Almonds in the 1 oz. packs to save time. But when I counted out the one serving (1 oz.) it was supposed to be 24 nuts. The packages ALWAYS had more then 25, often up to 30. You're probably thinking, geez, what's 5 extra almonds? One serving is 160 calories so that extra 5 nuts was 33 calories.

    Small amounts like that makes a difference through out the day because people commonly eat 15 to 30 different items a day.

    Cheers!
  • Gramps251
    Gramps251 Posts: 738 Member
    Lots of new people here after the new year. Check this out.

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/654536-in-place-of-a-road-map-2-0-revised-7-2-12
  • KenosFeoh
    KenosFeoh Posts: 1,837 Member
    Keep in mind how long your body has been in fat storage mode. Now you want it to be a fat burner. It's going to take some time. Imagine that you've been doing something a certain way for years, then somebody comes along and tells you not to do it that way anymore, do it this other way that seems bass-ackwards and doesn't make any sense to you. If you stick with it, you'll get it, and so will your body.

    Patience.

    I know that some bodies switch over right away with no problems whatsoever, but those bodies are not our bodies. Some of us are going to take our own sweet time. Don't give up!
  • childermass
    childermass Posts: 115 Member
    THANK YOU for posting this and for everybody's helpful responses.
    I was in dire need of this myself today and came here looking for some help. Like most, I lost a lot in the beginning but now hitting a long slow hill.
    I'll just keep slogging it out until my body believes I'm doing this for real (and maybe some regular exercise won't go astray). Good luck getting over your hump!
  • Energizer06
    Energizer06 Posts: 311 Member
    Phil is wrong. You can build muscle while losing weight on a caloric defecit plan....its hard, but not that hard. Depends on when your eating and your %'s. Here's a decent article out of about a billion out there that explain why and how. If your eating right ater you workout or taking a recovery drink then that would explain alot. I don't know what your exercise routine is but if you do a nice 30min brisk walk after strength training days, works great for burning the fat cells.
  • wahmx3
    wahmx3 Posts: 633 Member
    (possible starvation mode?). I have a problem with "white" carbs.
    nothing to do with starvation mode, this is probably the worst spread myth on MFP caused by lots of misguided people reading and regurgitating the same bullsh.it.

    Losing weight is just about eating all kinds of food in moderation, its never the case you should stop eating certain types of food, just stick to a deficit and you'll be using up more calories than you're taking in. You can take exercise out of the equation. You could sit on a sofa just eating crap as long as its less than your TDEE you'll lose. Eat more than your TDEE you'll gain.

    Again you need to be in a position of eating more than your TDEE to be gaining muscle. You only lose fat which reveals your muscles, they aren't getting bigger.
    Totally disagree....you never really answered her question or gave helpful advice. While I don't neccesarily agree with the whole starvation thing, but there is no way her body is fully functioning. She is eating way below her BMR. It also does make a huge difference in what you eat.
  • wahmx3
    wahmx3 Posts: 633 Member
    Drink more water, try adding fresh fruit if you don't like plain water or get bored with it. Eat more....just to compare, I am 5'4", weigh 145 and eat around 1500 calories a day. Your body is hungry and hanging onto every calorie it can. Do you track sodium? It is a killer for me in weight loss (no health issues). Do you eat back your exercise calories? Do you do any strength training? Also have patience....it does take time, don't give up, eat more, drink more water and weigh yourself in a week. You can do it!
  • I just started this MFP today. I use an elliptical and do 3500 steps in 30 minutes and burn 410 calories. My elliptical has focus workout programs and I think this is why/how I get the higher burn calorie count. I have been dieting and exercising since January 2nd and haven't lost 1 pound. I am hoping this will help. Wish me luck!! :-)
  • edenwish
    edenwish Posts: 20 Member
    I am also there. For as long as I remember, I have been trying to lose weight. Never happy.
    But this time, I am going all the way. I have only lost 1 lb so far!
    It is so frustrating.
    Wonder what I can eat or drink to stay satiated?
    I am vegetarian(no eggs)
  • lpina2mi
    lpina2mi Posts: 425 Member
    Weight loss is not linear. For women especially, it can be more like a punctuated equilibrium scenario. We can retain water and tend to dump it in sudden bursts. More here:

    http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/fat-loss/of-whooshes-and-squishy-fat.html

    The other thing I wanted to mention about water retention is that it can cause increases not just in weight but in measurements. Are your legs sore at all? Sore muscles retain water; it's one of the symptoms of DOMS. So don't panic--you could be due for a "whoosh". If you suspect you could be retaining water, check your sodium-potassium ratio in your diary (see the Reports feature) and eat more potassium-rich foods, like parsley and bananas and spices such as curry. Or at least cut out the sodium for a while and drink more water.

    Thanks for this, I am doing my own little plateau thing--but the thing is I don't believe that I am not losing.