exercising a bunch, not losing any weight

purplerose7777
purplerose7777 Posts: 3
in Health and Weight Loss
I need some help and thought someone may be able to tell me what I am doing wrong. I exercise 2 hours a day, eat back most of my calories and still can't seem to lose any weight.

Replies

  • ChristyRunStarr
    ChristyRunStarr Posts: 1,600 Member
    It says you joined this month-how long have you been watching what you eat? It probably hasn't been long enough yet-I didn't lose any weight for the first 3 or 4 weeks even though I was doing everything right. have you figured out your TDEE and BMR yet or just going by the 1200 + workout calories that MFP told you? Read helloitsdan's post if you haven't (http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/912914-in-place-of-a-road-map-3-2013)
  • TigressPat
    TigressPat Posts: 722
    some more info might help!
    what are your height and weight?

    I had a quick look at your food diary, and for once, it actually looks as if you are eating too many calories, but as I don't know what your height weight and activity level are I cannot say.
    how did you come by those numbers? and how long have you been doing this for?
  • nemrut
    nemrut Posts: 398 Member
    It always takes a while for me to start losing weight, sometimes several weeks, but you might also try just eating half of your exercise calories instead of all of them.
    Actually, I just went back and looked at your previous days' food diaries and it looks like you are going over on your calorie intake pretty regularly, which is most likely why you are not losing.
  • LizL217
    LizL217 Posts: 217 Member
    How are you measuring how many calories you burn from exercise? If using MFP's estimates, you may be overestimating your burn. If using a heart rate monitor, you're more likely to get an accurate estimate.

    I echo the sentiments that others have expressed that it might just be too soon to see a change on the scale. I recommend the following:

    1) Take measurements and also pictures, don't rely on the scale alone
    2) Consistently stick to your calorie target every day for at least 4-5 weeks. Then weigh, measure, and take pictures.
    3) If not seeing any positive changes, reduce daily net calorie goal by about 100-200 cals.
    4) Consistently stick to your calorie target every day for at least 4-5 weeks. Then weight, measure, and take pictures (you get it).

    The point is to be really consistent for a prolonged period of time and see whether things are moving in the right or wrong direction. Eventually you'll figure out your true TDEE by doing this, and can form a more informed strategy that way.
  • MonicaT1972
    MonicaT1972 Posts: 512
    You might want to experiment with not eating back exercise calories and see how your body responds. Your diet looks pretty good, you just may be eating too much for your body. It's about finding what your body responds to not always what everyone else says will work.
  • LovesDoctorWho
    LovesDoctorWho Posts: 33
    Measure yourself!
  • michellelemorgan
    michellelemorgan Posts: 184 Member
    My guess would be it's because you're eating back your exercise calories, eating starchy foods and not drinking enough water. You should drink one liter of water for every 50 lbs you weigh. I'm about 116 and I drink 4 liters of water a day if I can manage it. If you correct those three things I bet you'll see the weight fall off.
  • Rockstar_JILL
    Rockstar_JILL Posts: 514 Member
    Give it time......Work out faithfully and eat good...it will all come back and show a loss eventually....
  • theskinnylist
    theskinnylist Posts: 286 Member
    Weight loss is pretty simple: calories in vs calories out.

    Just from a cursory glance of the last few days, you're not staying under. Sometimes it can be that simple. If you can sustain a few successful weeks just on the calories in vs calories out mentality, you might notice a few changes. However, if weight loss still isn't happening, I would try your TDEE - 20%.
  • Jasmine_James
    Jasmine_James Posts: 188 Member
    You're eating a ton of carbs and sodium -- and processed foods in general. I bet if you ate low carb and clean you'd drop like 10-15 pounds within 10 days. Just my advice based on my own experiences.
  • kittyrunner
    kittyrunner Posts: 1 Member
    You seem to be having the same problem I am having. I have been logging in for almost 70 days. I have lost 11 pounds but some weeks I go up, and I am definitely not meeting the projected 5 week weight loss notifications of my typical days. I looked at your food diary and it seems like healthy, wholesome food. But does look like your breakfasts and lunches are mostly the same. I do the same and maybe our bodies need variety. I also burn 600-1100 calories a day so that I can eat more. There is no way I could stick to the 1600 calories that MFP set as my calorie goal (I am 5'11', 157lb). Even though I sometimes consume a bit more than the target, even when I am trying to be good, that is still less than I had been eating before January so it can be discouraging when you don't see the results you think you deserve So I guess you (we) need to decide what is more important...being incredibly fit, healthy and happy or lose weight quickly then put it back on.
  • ILiftHeavyAcrylics
    ILiftHeavyAcrylics Posts: 27,732 Member
    Do you weigh your food and measure free pouring liquids?

    How did you get your calorie goal?

    Try eating back half your exercise calories.

    Be patient.
  • simplydelish2
    simplydelish2 Posts: 726 Member
    I looked at three days of your diary....every day was over your calories - and they were pretty much the same. You eat a ton of processed foods...unhealthy at best. Try eating a bit cleaner. Exercise - if you are using MFP as your calorie burn source, you are most likely eating back way too many calories. Try eating back half. Lastly, give it some time....you just joined MFP and don't have many pounds to lose - they most likely will come off slow.
  • michellekicks
    michellekicks Posts: 3,624 Member
    Don't exercise 2 hours a day. That's not a life. Keep your workouts to 60 minutes and under... eat less food. Weigh and measure every portion size. Use the proper brand names and nutritional information in the MFP food database to track what you eat. Eat at restaurants seldom.

    And if you only have 17 lbs to lose, set your goal to lose 1/2 a pound weekly. But definitely track EVERY bite.
  • themedalist
    themedalist Posts: 3,218 Member
    Do you weigh your food and measure free pouring liquids?

    How did you get your calorie goal?

    Try eating back half your exercise calories.

    Be patient.

    I agree, Check out this 3 minute video on the importance of weighing your food. It's very easy to eat more calories than you think if you are only using measuring cups. Get a digital scale.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVjWPclrWVY

    Unless you know you are sensitive to carbs, I don't think you need to cut back, but do try to hit your protein goal. I've lost 45 pounds and am now at my goal weight and complex carbs are 50-60% of my daily intake. Calories in and calories out.

    I'm not sure 2 hours of exercise is helping you though. Do you take rest days? Excessive exercise can be detrimental to weight loss. One hour a day should be plenty.

    Best Wishes!
  • purplerose7777
    purplerose7777 Posts: 3
    I'm 5' 7" 142pounds right now. I have been watching what I eat for about a year. I just got a heart monitor with calorie counter ( polar ft7) about a month ago. Also only started keeping track of what I eat daily about a month & a half ago. BMR & AMR results from Jillian Michaels says I should be eating 1700 calories a day. it all gets kind of confusing. Everyone normally says to eat back the workout calories so thats what I've been doing lately. At one time I was lucky to eat 1000 cals in a day and still wasn't losing anything.
  • ShawnaPomakis
    ShawnaPomakis Posts: 2
    What you eat to replenish what you have excersized off is very important. Personally- if you are really hungry after you excersize...have an apple or a delicious salad with lots of greens ready on hand. pre make your meals before a work-out.
    I lost 3 pounds right away by staying away from any 'dead food' after a work out. ( dead food means anything that wasn't grown from a plant. -that can stay on a shelf for a long time without going bad.) fresh fruit and veggies-you can eat as many as you want-all day and loose weight!!! Good luck :smile: P.S. fruits with a lot of water contain help fill you up, and there are usually very few calories to worry about burning off.
  • gamommaof3
    gamommaof3 Posts: 59
    I'm 5' 7" 142pounds right now. I have been watching what I eat for about a year. I just got a heart monitor with calorie counter ( polar ft7) about a month ago. Also only started keeping track of what I eat daily about a month & a half ago. BMR & AMR results from Jillian Michaels says I should be eating 1700 calories a day. it all gets kind of confusing. Everyone normally says to eat back the workout calories so thats what I've been doing lately. At one time I was lucky to eat 1000 cals in a day and still wasn't losing anything.

    I wouldn't eat back your exercise calories. Honestly, at 5'7" and 142 lbs you are probably pretty thin. How much are you wanting to lose? I am 5'4" and weigh 137 lbs now and I am thin (wear size 2 and 4 clothing). A lot of mine is muscle, but you only weigh a little more than me. Are you drinking plenty of water and getting enought sleep?
  • purplerose7777
    purplerose7777 Posts: 3
    I want to get down to 125 pounds which is what I weighed when I was younger, 36 years old now. I need to lose some around my stomach mostly. I sleep okay And drink 32 oz of water a day. Maybe I will try eating back half my calories:)
  • gamommaof3
    gamommaof3 Posts: 59
    I want to get down to 125 pounds which is what I weighed when I was younger, 36 years old now. I need to lose some around my stomach mostly. I sleep okay And drink 32 oz of water a day. Maybe I will try eating back half my calories:)

    You need to drink at least 64 oz of water a day. I wouldn't get so set on a weight number. Set goals physically and that is more important than the number on the scale in my opinion. If I were you I would take measurements and track progress that way also. Good luck!
  • ILiftHeavyAcrylics
    ILiftHeavyAcrylics Posts: 27,732 Member
    Since you're close to goal set MFP to .5 pounds/week. Eat back half your calories. You want a small deficit so close to goal. Weigh your food.

    If you've been a chronic under-eater it can take awhile to get your hormones straightened out. Just be patient. Try whatever changes you make for at least a month before switching.

    I also think 2 hours of exercise per day may be excessive.
  • ILiftHeavyAcrylics
    ILiftHeavyAcrylics Posts: 27,732 Member
    I'm 5' 7" 142pounds right now. I have been watching what I eat for about a year. I just got a heart monitor with calorie counter ( polar ft7) about a month ago. Also only started keeping track of what I eat daily about a month & a half ago. BMR & AMR results from Jillian Michaels says I should be eating 1700 calories a day. it all gets kind of confusing. Everyone normally says to eat back the workout calories so thats what I've been doing lately. At one time I was lucky to eat 1000 cals in a day and still wasn't losing anything.

    Are you using a food scale to weigh your food?

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