What's wrong with the projected weight loss function?

AMKaloha
AMKaloha Posts: 2
in Motivation and Support
I have been at or below my calorie limit for a month, The projected weight loss tells me that I should lose 6 lbs in 5 weeks if I eat as I've been eating. It is almost 5 weeks and I stepped on the scale to find that I have GAINED a lb. I am so discouraged as I've weighed and measured everything that went into my mouth. Any help out there???:sad:

Replies

  • slim4life9112013
    slim4life9112013 Posts: 15
    If you don't eat enough we gain; living proof starvation mode here. You need to keep your metabolism up & food / H20 does this. I lost 90 lbs. previously in 35 weeks age 57 just to go back to poor eating habits through my G-Sons 1st deployment [whom I raised] to have gained most of it back; when I started skipping meals. When losing weight important to work from inside out; this way we prevent from having to be on the diet roller coaster. Now on 2nd deployment & had to quit smoking; so I really need some support... I'm always looking for support; feel free to add me
  • khall86790
    khall86790 Posts: 1,100 Member
    If you don't eat enough we gain

    This.
    How many calories has it given you to eat per day?
  • fresh_start59
    fresh_start59 Posts: 590 Member
    I took a quick peak at your profile and noticed that you are in the "older" category. (Me, too! I'm in my mid-50s, but my health is like someone quite a bit older).

    Not sure why, but for those of us who are not athletic 30-somethings, the weight stubbornly clings to our bodies. We just need to be patient and understand that our losses will be much slower than the average MFP member of our same gender, height and weight.

    Your food diary is not open so I don't know about your calorie range. In reading some fo the posts, it appears that MFP appears to underestimate the calories needed each day. Also, from what I understand, if using MFP settings, you should be eating back most of the calories you've burned during exercise.

    I do not follow the MFP guidelines so I am not sure how that works. I just know what I've read in the MFP threads.
  • RunWinterGarden
    RunWinterGarden Posts: 428 Member
    I never believe that number when I finish my diary, it's fun to dream about what it would be, but that's assuming that every single day is exactly like the other, also, there really is no way to truly predict how each and every body will react daily. The bottom line, it's fun to look at, but just like BMI it's not much more than a good tool to give you an idea if you are on the right track or not.
  • maricash
    maricash Posts: 280 Member
    Are those the only times you've weighed yourself? Your weight fluctuates daily, so you could have taken your initial weight at a low ebb and your second weight at a higher point. I think it's a good idea to weigh every day and record your weight for awhile. I've done it for a year, but even a month or six weeks of data will give you a sense of your natural fluctuations.

    Also, everyone's metabolism is not exactly the same. If you are eating below your TDEE you should lose, but it's probably not going to be as exact as the "you'd weigh this" calculation makes it. I sometimes lose less than the math says I should, other times I lose more. Try not to make your expectations too specific, because even if you do everything right, you probably won't lose on an exact schedule.
  • dsjohndrow
    dsjohndrow Posts: 1,820 Member
    There are too many factors, but the more you have you lose, the easier it is. When I started I was dropping 2-4 pounds a week. I leveled off after about 6 months, and it took 8 months to lose 10 more. The final 20, they suck. True story.

    Just follow the plan, get a measuring cup and a food scale.
  • gkozub
    gkozub Posts: 22
    Myfitnesspal isn't always right. It is telling me to eat 1,200 calories per day. Not only was I starving when I did that, but I didn't even lose any weight because my body was like--"hold up there, you're starving, and theres no way I'm letting you lose weight".
    Instead, you should work out your BMR. Then, take into account your level of physical activity. The more you move, the more you should eat. Focus must be on clean, healthy foods.

    2000 calories of junk is not the same as 2000 calories of fruits, veg, whole grains, nuts, lean protein, and so on. Maybe you're not eating clean and that is also hindering your weight loss goals.
  • AMKaloha
    AMKaloha Posts: 2
    Thank you to all of you who answered my plea! I really do appreciate your help and advice. Yes, I'm one of the "older" ones -- 73 to be exact. I have had problems losing weight all my life and yes, I agree, it is harder the older you are. I have lost 50 lbs but it took over 2 years. I find I do better when counting carbs rather than calories. Perhaps this is proof. The profile gives you the amounts of calories, carbs, proteins, fats, etc. that you are suppose to eat. They give me many more carbs than I used to allow myself. They give me over 100, I used to keep it at 35. I guess eating the extra carbs was my downfall. I have been successful on Atkins and South Beach in the past. I will have to adjust my carb limit. Seems that's more important for me than calories.

    I have learned how weighing too often is a trap. You lose and think you deserve a reward, or you gain and you take your disappointment out with food! So now I only weigh the first Sunday of the month. That's what discouraged me so; it was a month of logging food and staying on track. I do eat healthy; avoid the "whites" - sugar, flour, rice, potatoes and pasta. Instead I use stevia, almond or flax flour, brown rice/quineoa, sweet potatoes and Dreamfield pasta which is lower in countable carbs (only rarely though). On the lower carb I don't eat as many fruits, but do eat most veggies, and my protein is higher.

    I found the Harris-Benedict formula for calculating how many calories you need. This program gave me 1550, the H-B formula said I need 1386 to stay the weight I am now. Big difference! I know it is just a starting point, but it is a good place to begin. I know counting carbs also means not over eating calories either, so off I go to another month of trial and error.

    Thanks again to everyone who answered my call. Best wishes and Blessings to you. :flowerforyou:

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