Dieting and Working out but weight is not coming off!

HI, Ive been dieting for almost 2 months now and I have only lost 12lbs and at one point I was down too 283 then shot back up to 285 and I eat only like 1600 calories and work out for 2-3 hours 4 days a week. I am starting to get discouraged is this normal? I really want to get down to 275 by the end of next month. Can some one give me some advice?

Replies

  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    It's normal to be discouraged when your expectations are too high, which is sounds like yours are.

    You've made solid progress, ~1.5lbs per week... you need to be more patient.

    Additionally, weight loss is not linear, and scale weight is highly variable. Expect some ebbs and flows, especially if your sole gauge of progress is the scale (daily fluctuations of ~5lbs are normal).

    .
  • Open your diary.
  • Tandksmommy11
    Tandksmommy11 Posts: 399 Member
    I don't know to much about it- heck, I created my own thread begging for help this AM. But, open up your diary so people can see what you are eating and give you an accurate answer. Also, anything over 1lb (suggested) per week can be hard to maintain. I'd say 1.5lbs is pretty good. You didn't gain it overnight, it won't come off overnight. Best of luck! It's frustrating, I know!
  • now_or_never13
    now_or_never13 Posts: 1,575 Member
    Are you eating back your exercise cals? Eating only 1600 cals and working out that much will cause too high of a deficit if you are not consuming your exercise calories.
  • Ritzbrit
    Ritzbrit Posts: 211 Member
    Patience patience patience. I know it's hard but you need to trust the process if you're doing it right. Weird as this may sound, you might not be eating enough for working out 2-3 hrs 4x a week. Are you eating back your exercise calories? You need to figure out your BMR and TDEE and go from there. Opening your diary may help to see the food decisions you are making though. And drink tons of water! But overall, I think (like everyone else has said) 1.5lbs a week is excellent progress. I too was (and still kinda am) a scale nazi! So I only weigh myself once a month now. Get a tape measure! Better and more accurate account of loss anyway.
  • quirkytizzy
    quirkytizzy Posts: 4,052 Member
    12 pounds in two months is amazing. Drop your expectations and take your time - it took more than 2 months to put the weight on, it's unlikely that it will take 2 months to get it off. Most people are lucky if they lose 5 or 7 pounds in 2 months.
  • JOYOUS62
    JOYOUS62 Posts: 104 Member
    Took me 5 weeks to lose 1.5lb :~
  • rainbowbow
    rainbowbow Posts: 7,490 Member
    HI, Ive been dieting for almost 2 months now and I have only lost 12lbs and at one point I was down too 283 then shot back up to 285 and I eat only like 1600 calories and work out for 2-3 hours 4 days a week. I am starting to get discouraged is this normal? I really want to get down to 275 by the end of next month. Can some one give me some advice?

    There's your problem.
  • its on average 1600 calories, and I do this because I am not hungry and I am not going to eat when Im hungry. but thanks everyone for the advice
  • wolfchild59
    wolfchild59 Posts: 2,608 Member
    Eat more calorie dense foods when you are hungry and you will be able to give your body the fuel it needs without trying to force yourself to eat when you aren't hungry.

    Also, I would sell my soul to lose 12lbs in two months. I'm not sure why you think that's a bad amount to have lost.
  • auddii
    auddii Posts: 15,357 Member
    It is easy to restrict your diet too much; you cut out all the "bad" food, and low and behold, you aren't over eating anymore! But, you also end up undereating. A guy your size shouldn't be eating 1600 calories a day, and if you are, you should be eating back every calorie you burn through exercise. Fast weight loss can lead to stalls, loose skin, binging, and unsustainable eating habits (granted, not for everyone, but these are common).

    As someone else said, eating calorie dense foods when you are hungry will increase your calorie count. Eat a spoonful of peanut butter, cook with olive oil, eat a serving of nuts, add an avocado to a salad, etc. Hell, there are lots of people who have a bowl of ice cream or a poptart to finish off their calories for the day. And they've lost plenty of weight.
  • ladyace2078
    ladyace2078 Posts: 460 Member
    You've lost 12 lbs in 2 months which is safe amount. Yet you are saying that the weight is not coming off? I'm confused.

    Set reasonable expectations. Be patient. Use something besides the scale to track progress. Eat more, work out less. You are undereating and over-exercising. Search for the road map and learn about safe & healthy weight loss.
  • bpotts44
    bpotts44 Posts: 1,066 Member
    HI, Ive been dieting for almost 2 months now and I have only lost 12lbs and at one point I was down too 283 then shot back up to 285 and I eat only like 1600 calories and work out for 2-3 hours 4 days a week. I am starting to get discouraged is this normal? I really want to get down to 275 by the end of next month. Can some one give me some advice?

    Your loss mimicks mine when I started. Patience and consistency are the key components to long term success. Be proud of the 12 lbs you have lost and just continue on.