HELP ME!!!!121 days and only 14 pounds!

pianolover2012
pianolover2012 Posts: 168 Member
in Food and Nutrition
OK- I know that I gripe about this a lot, but can any of you who have lost slowly give me some input? I have friends who seem to lost faster than me overall. UGH! So frustrating for me right now!
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Replies

  • traciredjo
    traciredjo Posts: 32 Member
    Your diary shows you eating 1400 cals a day. You may want to try to up your calorie intake by a couple hundred cals. You may be holding weight because your not eating enough (starvation mode). Are you eating over your BMR?
  • allison0820
    allison0820 Posts: 323 Member
    Are they bigger than you?? I have definitely had this same question, ppl who have more to lose will lose faster and with less effort than those who have less to lose....
  • omma_to_3
    omma_to_3 Posts: 3,265 Member
    There could be a lot of reasons, but usually, it's that you're eating too much. We rely on a LOT of estimates in this game. Estimate of our basal metabolic rate, estimate of the calories in food we eat, estimate of the calories we burn off with exercise. It's likely that one of those numbers is incorrect for you. It's usually in the food or exercise calories, though BMR is always possible too.

    Do you weight your food? Or measure? Or eyeball? If you don't weigh it, start weighing everything. A serving size is usually listed on a label as "3/4 cup (27g)". If I measure out 3/4 of a cup of the item, it's almost always more than the stated grams. Sometimes by as much as 20% more! Especially peanut butter LOL. So, start weighing everything so you know if that is accurate with what you've been recording.

    For the exercise, when I was less in shape, MFP actually was underestimating my burn. Now that I'm more fit, it's a slight overestimate, but pretty close. I would recommend using an HRM if you do a lot of cardio and using that to record your burns. Of course, that only matters if you follow the MFP method of eating back exercise calories.

    I'm a slow loser. Over the last 2 years, I've averaged around .8 lbs per week. I've had my BMR tested (higher than expected!), I weigh most of my food, and I use an HRM for the most accurate calorie burn I can do. I'm just a slow loser. It's annoying, but ultimately, it's still coming off so I try to remember it's not a race.
  • canelly
    canelly Posts: 731 Member
    Slow is better!! Don't worry slow progress is still progress!!!! It took me a whole year to lose 29 lbs.
  • liittlesparrow
    liittlesparrow Posts: 209 Member
    From looking at your diary, maybe you should exercise more.
  • pianolover2012
    pianolover2012 Posts: 168 Member
    Your diary shows you eating 1400 cals a day. You may want to try to up your calorie intake by a couple hundred cals. You may be holding weight because your not eating enough (starvation mode). Are you eating over your BMR?

    My weight has stalled for several weeks. I was eating 1600 and my doctor suggested 1400 to see if there was a difference. No difference so far!!! ugh!!!
  • surromom2010
    surromom2010 Posts: 457 Member
    If you're logging accurately it looks like you exercise to little and eat too little. Up your calories maybe by 150-200, and do something a bit more strenuous than walking. Do you lift weights at all? Or if you only want to start with cardio maybe try jogging/walking in intervals to keep your heart rate up until you can work up to a steady jog.
  • RaquelCasul
    RaquelCasul Posts: 26
    That's just under a pound a week, which is a perfectly healthy amount to lose for someone who isn't seriously obese.
  • pianolover2012
    pianolover2012 Posts: 168 Member
    Are they bigger than you?? I have definitely had this same question, ppl who have more to lose will lose faster and with less effort than those who have less to lose....
    Don't think so.
  • pianolover2012
    pianolover2012 Posts: 168 Member
    If you're logging accurately it looks like you exercise to little and eat too little. Up your calories maybe by 150-200, and do something a bit more strenuous than walking. Do you lift weights at all? Or if you only want to start with cardio maybe try jogging/walking in intervals to keep your heart rate up until you can work up to a steady jog.

    Thanks- will try
  • DozzFit
    DozzFit Posts: 12 Member
    yeah this is a tricky one - I must say for me the big lesson has been that I need to distribute the calories more evenly throughout the day. They say this turns your body more into a 'furnace' burning calories constantly rather than as previously mentioned going into starvation mode.

    Slow and steady is a good sign that you wont just yoyo back though! (I mean your rate is like almost a Pound a week..That's not bad at all) ! So good Job!
    (From what others are saying you could add more exercise)
  • sunshinesquared
    sunshinesquared Posts: 2,733 Member
    Maybe more water and less sodium. Processed foods and fast foods are LOADED with sodium!
  • pianolover2012
    pianolover2012 Posts: 168 Member
    There could be a lot of reasons, but usually, it's that you're eating too much. We rely on a LOT of estimates in this game. Estimate of our basal metabolic rate, estimate of the calories in food we eat, estimate of the calories we burn off with exercise. It's likely that one of those numbers is incorrect for you. It's usually in the food or exercise calories, though BMR is always possible too.

    Do you weight your food? Or measure? Or eyeball? If you don't weigh it, start weighing everything. A serving size is usually listed on a label as "3/4 cup (27g)". If I measure out 3/4 of a cup of the item, it's almost always more than the stated grams. Sometimes by as much as 20% more! Especially peanut butter LOL. So, start weighing everything so you know if that is accurate with what you've been recording.

    For the exercise, when I was less in shape, MFP actually was underestimating my burn. Now that I'm more fit, it's a slight overestimate, but pretty close. I would recommend using an HRM if you do a lot of cardio and using that to record your burns. Of course, that only matters if you follow the MFP method of eating back exercise calories.

    I'm a slow loser. Over the last 2 years, I've averaged around .8 lbs per week. I've had my BMR tested (higher than expected!), I weigh most of my food, and I use an HRM for the most accurate calorie burn I can do. I'm just a slow loser. It's annoying, but ultimately, it's still coming off so I try to remember it's not a race.

    ** I try to measure my foods but maybe I need a better scale or measurements. I will look into this! Thanks for the info.
  • careydesignstudio
    careydesignstudio Posts: 16 Member
    Definitely need to exercise more. Take that 20 minute walk at "walking the dog" pace up to 45-60 minutes at a very fast pace (15 min/mile or so). Even three days a week at this pace would help. Then you can do the "walking the dog" pace the other 4 days.
  • pianolover2012
    pianolover2012 Posts: 168 Member
    Maybe more water and less sodium. Processed foods and fast foods are LOADED with sodium!

    Will try with the water and sodium! Thanks!
  • susanwair
    susanwair Posts: 78 Member
    :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou: Don't forget about age- I am 51 and it is a constant battle that I am still not winning. I know you a lot younger than me- but in our 40's is when the metabolism begins to change.
    Don't give up---
    I am going to talk to my doctor to see if she has any suggestions.
    Good Luck
  • surromom2010
    surromom2010 Posts: 457 Member
    Your diary shows you eating 1400 cals a day. You may want to try to up your calorie intake by a couple hundred cals. You may be holding weight because your not eating enough (starvation mode). Are you eating over your BMR?

    My weight has stalled for several weeks. I was eating 1600 and my doctor suggested 1400 to see if there was a difference. No difference so far!!! ugh!!!

    If you were losing at first with 1600 and then you stalled out you need to INCREASE your calories. Your body has spared probably all of the fat it wants to when all it expects is 1400, or 1600 cals a day, make it known to your body that you aren't limited to that amount and it will release fat again instead of eating your muscles, another thing you may do is measure yourself, not just hop on the scale. For the last 3 weeks of burning 600-920 cals a day and eating 1800-2000 calories I have actually GAINED a lb, but have lost another 3 inches everywhere and am starting to see abs =)
  • pianolover2012
    pianolover2012 Posts: 168 Member
    Definitely need to exercise more. Take that 20 minute walk at "walking the dog" pace up to 45-60 minutes at a very fast pace (15 min/mile or so). Even three days a week at this pace would help. Then you can do the "walking the dog" pace the other 4 days.

    Exercise is difficult for me. I have a 45 minute commute daily which REALLY annoys me! I leave at 6:45am and return about 6pm daily. I try to walk at work (in dress clothes) on my breaks and at lunch so getting up a really sweat is not what I am looking for- just trying to ge the heart rate up some. I will try to add additional hard-core exercise at night if possible. Thanks!
  • meggonkgonk
    meggonkgonk Posts: 2,066 Member
    Dude, that's 14lbs in 17 weeks. That's what you are supposed to do. This is a totally reasonable pace. There's nothing wrong with your weightloss, just your expectations.
  • Hezzietiger1
    Hezzietiger1 Posts: 1,256 Member
    You are not eating much protein, and on some days your calories are pretty low. I'd add in another meal- lean protein- try about 4-6 oz of chicken with lots of veggies- about 2 cups. cook with olive oil, non stick cooking spray, grilled or pan fried.. maybe around lunch time.
  • Pixi_Rex
    Pixi_Rex Posts: 1,676 Member
    blah blah wha wha... 121 days 14 pounds down.

    I am 3 years into this and still sitting at 6 pounds down from my highest. It takes time I am sure it took you over 121 days to pack on the pounds, it will more than likely take you more than 121 days to take them off.

    My suggestion? Suck it up, move on, take measurments and revel in the success you have had.

    A litte harsh? Maybe but its the truth. Sometimes the truth sucks.
  • moonbutt
    moonbutt Posts: 9
    okay i am no expert so....maybe more of what you are eating.
    cut the french fries. late night ice cream snack. things like cobbler for lunch. eat complex carbs not the simple carbs of bread and then try no carbs for dinner but lean meat and salad.
    oatmeals for breakfast with egg white. then some brown rice at lunch with lean meats and salad.
    up your water intake to 8 glasses. it shows you don't drink water or you are not logging it and get rid of the cheese. allow yourself one cheat meal on the weekend only.
    i dropped 12 pounds in one month eating this way. i have a whacked thyroid and am over 40 and have been struggling for years.
    i have had to be realistic about my diet. p.s. you will feel better with a clean diet
  • johmo215
    johmo215 Posts: 1 Member
    Ditto on eating several times a day. I have been eating every three hours or so and it has helped me lose almost 10 pounds in 10 weeks. I try to eat 300 - 500 calories at meals and 200 calories for snacks in between.
  • jlapey
    jlapey Posts: 1,850 Member
    Pound wise, you're ahead of me. I've been here 235 days and only lost 13 pounds. BUT, I definitely look different thanks to lifting weights. Have you tried measuring, trying on smaller clothes or taking pictures? You might be surprised at how far you've come in spite of the scale number. Don't be discouraged. It's still 14 pounds lost! Just think if you hadn't done anything.

    -Try intermittent sprinting during your walks. Boosts your heart rate and burns fat a little faster (so I hear)
    -Also try some strength training, If you can't join a gym, there are plenty free programs online using body weight and household items.
    -Reassess your calorie intake, perhaps you are eating too little or too much. Try the calculators at Fat2fitnessradio.com.
    -Do some research into things that might work for you and check out this group: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/forums/show/10067-eat-train-progress- Lots of good info there.

    Keep it up! Don't compare yourself to others, just keep improving.
  • triathlete5301
    triathlete5301 Posts: 182 Member
    I would say increase your heart rate as much as you can. Try Jillian Michael's 30 day shred. It's mostly about getting your heart rate up.

    Overall it has to be kcal out > kcal's in.

    I'm a slow loser as well... It's taken me 6-9 months ( I fell off the wagon for a bit in there) to looose about 20 pounds so I feel your pain!

    Some weights would also be good- if you increase your muscle, you increase the amount of calories that you burn. However, muscle weighs more than fat, so you will probably lose inches rather than weight overall.

    Also take the suggestions about sodium, check your BMR, also make sure you have enough protein and fiber in your diet as well.

    good luck! :smile:
  • gaylynn35
    gaylynn35 Posts: 854 Member
    I have been on here for 265 days and have only lost 24 pounds! I am 49 yo and 4'10", so this is a real struggle for me.

    I haven't given up yet and I don't intend to. So what if we lose it very slowly, at least we are losing!!

    I still have another 36 pounds to lose so I am thinking it will take be the better part of 2 years to get where I want to be.

    Slow and steady wins the race.

    I know it is very frustrating to see others lose a lot more quickly than you. I see this everyday! You just have to try to concentrate on you and not so much on what others are doing.

    I agree, you should probably do more exercise than you are currently doing. If you don't have time during the week because of work maybe you can get at least 30 minutes a day on the weekends.

    Good luck to you!!!

    You can do this!!!
  • wswilliams67
    wswilliams67 Posts: 938 Member
    Not schilling any products here, but explore this... http://www.bodymedia.com/explore.html

    Keep your daily deficit to 500 cals/day for 1 lb/week or 1000 cals/day for 2lbs/week. I was stalled for 3 months. Got the armband and now I steadily lose 2-3 lbs/week. I know EXACTLY what my TDEE burn is and I adjust my intake to stay at 1000 cals deficit.

    It has removed ALL guesswork, reduced my stress and frustration level and made tracking and losing actually fun. I was skeptical at first, but now I'm a believer.
  • pianolover2012
    pianolover2012 Posts: 168 Member
    :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou: Don't forget about age- I am 51 and it is a constant battle that I am still not winning. I know you a lot younger than me- but in our 40's is when the metabolism begins to change.
    Don't give up---
    I am going to talk to my doctor to see if she has any suggestions.
    Good Luck

    *** Thanks****
  • pianolover2012
    pianolover2012 Posts: 168 Member
    I have been on here for 265 days and have only lost 24 pounds! I am 49 yo and 4'10", so this is a real struggle for me.

    I haven't given up yet and I don't intend to. So what if we lose it very slowly, at least we are losing!!

    I still have another 36 pounds to lose so I am thinking it will take be the better part of 2 years to get where I want to be.

    Slow and steady wins the race.

    I know it is very frustrating to see others lose a lot more quickly than you. I see this everyday! You just have to try to concentrate on you and not so much on what others are doing.

    I agree, you should probably do more exercise than you are currently doing. If you don't have time during the week because of work maybe you can get at least 30 minutes a day on the weekends.

    Good luck to you!!!

    You can do this!!!

    *** Thanks so much for taking the time to encourage me! I appreciate your post!
  • pianolover2012
    pianolover2012 Posts: 168 Member
    Not schilling any products here, but explore this... http://www.bodymedia.com/explore.html

    Keep your daily deficit to 500 cals/day for 1 lb/week or 1000 cals/day for 2lbs/week. I was stalled for 3 months. Got the armband and now I steadily lose 2-3 lbs/week. I know EXACTLY what my TDEE burn is and I adjust my intake to stay at 1000 cals deficit.

    It has removed ALL guesswork, reduced my stress and frustration level and made tracking and losing actually fun. I was skeptical at first, but now I'm a believer.

    I am waiting for the FITBIT wristband to get on the market- hoping it will help with my tracking better. Thanks!

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