Can't beat the 220 lb curse
stephvt1977
Posts: 10 Member
Hello everyone,
I am getting so frustrated with my lack of weight loss. I have lost 15 lbs since the beginning of March but based on what I'm doing i should be loosing more consistently. The 15 lbs were almost immediate in the first 2 weeks of my program and now I struggle to lose weight. I went up 6lbs then back down and now I seem to hover at 220 -222. I can't break 220 no matter what I do it seems. Here is my break down:
Age: 35
Height: 4'11
Weight: 220
TDEE: 2680
BMR: 1729
BMI: 45
4-5 days a week I workout:
- For the last 30 days I have completed 1 hour of water calisthenics (not your grannies water aerobics my heart rate rarely goes below 130)
- leisurely swimming for an hour or so
- Last 10 days I added 1-1.5 hrs of arc machine "jogging" where I burn around 700 - 900 calories. in place of the leisurely swimming
- I do 100 wall squats, 25 ball push-ups, and a routine for arms and abs using 6lb bumbell and the ball (I don't even add this to MFP) 2-3 times a week
- Over the last 6 days I have added 300 flutter kicks a day to meet a 30 day challenge)
What I eat:
I try to keep to 1200 calories a day which I find hard since I am eating healthy food. I have had a maybe 4 days where I have eaten sushi or pizza... for the most part my food intake consists of yogurt, granola, sardines, tuna, cod, haddack, salad, low fat cottage cheese, small amount of red meat, and chicken. I think my diary is public to members if you want to look. This week I had a few "slips" mostly because I'm getting frustrated. But honestly they are minor slips.
If anyone has any idea what I can do to get past the 220 lb curse I would greatly appreciate it. My trainer said that 1200 calories is okay for my weight since I have so much to loose. Wondering what you all think.
I am getting so frustrated with my lack of weight loss. I have lost 15 lbs since the beginning of March but based on what I'm doing i should be loosing more consistently. The 15 lbs were almost immediate in the first 2 weeks of my program and now I struggle to lose weight. I went up 6lbs then back down and now I seem to hover at 220 -222. I can't break 220 no matter what I do it seems. Here is my break down:
Age: 35
Height: 4'11
Weight: 220
TDEE: 2680
BMR: 1729
BMI: 45
4-5 days a week I workout:
- For the last 30 days I have completed 1 hour of water calisthenics (not your grannies water aerobics my heart rate rarely goes below 130)
- leisurely swimming for an hour or so
- Last 10 days I added 1-1.5 hrs of arc machine "jogging" where I burn around 700 - 900 calories. in place of the leisurely swimming
- I do 100 wall squats, 25 ball push-ups, and a routine for arms and abs using 6lb bumbell and the ball (I don't even add this to MFP) 2-3 times a week
- Over the last 6 days I have added 300 flutter kicks a day to meet a 30 day challenge)
What I eat:
I try to keep to 1200 calories a day which I find hard since I am eating healthy food. I have had a maybe 4 days where I have eaten sushi or pizza... for the most part my food intake consists of yogurt, granola, sardines, tuna, cod, haddack, salad, low fat cottage cheese, small amount of red meat, and chicken. I think my diary is public to members if you want to look. This week I had a few "slips" mostly because I'm getting frustrated. But honestly they are minor slips.
If anyone has any idea what I can do to get past the 220 lb curse I would greatly appreciate it. My trainer said that 1200 calories is okay for my weight since I have so much to loose. Wondering what you all think.
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Replies
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My first immediate thought was that you can't possibly be eating enough. You say you struggle to eat 1200. I assume thats 1200 gross calories, not net? With all the exercise you're doing, you're probably eating nothing at all. Your body is probably holding on to the weight because it's thinking it's not going to get any fuel.
Try the TDEE-20% method for a few weeks, see what happens.
On top of that, start lifting heavy weights. Maybe you can shift some inches, if not any lbs.
PS. Open your dairy, please, it'll help the rest of us try and help you.0 -
We can't see your diary. Would love to see if I can offer some assistance, though. On another note, I LOVE your photo.
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Eating 1200 cals helps some people, but I don't think you're one of them if you've been stuck at 220 for a while. It sounds counter-intuitive, but you should try increasing your calories. Are you eating back the calories you burn when exercising?0
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Hello everyone,
I am getting so frustrated with my lack of weight loss. I have lost 15 lbs since the beginning of March but based on what I'm doing i should be loosing more consistently. The 15 lbs were almost immediate in the first 2 weeks of my program and now I struggle to lose weight. I went up 6lbs then back down and now I seem to hover at 220 -222. I can't break 220 no matter what I do it seems. Here is my break down:
Age: 35
Height: 4'11
Weight: 220
TDEE: 2680
BMR: 1729
BMI: 45
4-5 days a week I workout:
- For the last 30 days I have completed 1 hour of water calisthenics (not your grannies water aerobics my heart rate rarely goes below 130)
- leisurely swimming for an hour or so
- Last 10 days I added 1-1.5 hrs of arc machine "jogging" where I burn around 700 - 900 calories. in place of the leisurely swimming
- I do 100 wall squats, 25 ball push-ups, and a routine for arms and abs using 6lb bumbell and the ball (I don't even add this to MFP) 2-3 times a week
- Over the last 6 days I have added 300 flutter kicks a day to meet a 30 day challenge)
What I eat:
I try to keep to 1200 calories a day which I find hard since I am eating healthy food. I have had a maybe 4 days where I have eaten sushi or pizza... for the most part my food intake consists of yogurt, granola, sardines, tuna, cod, haddack, salad, low fat cottage cheese, small amount of red meat, and chicken. I think my diary is public to members if you want to look. This week I had a few "slips" mostly because I'm getting frustrated. But honestly they are minor slips.
If anyone has any idea what I can do to get past the 220 lb curse I would greatly appreciate it. My trainer said that 1200 calories is okay for my weight since I have so much to loose. Wondering what you all think.
Have you tried having a 2000 cal day to maybe give you a jumpstart? Perhaps your body has gone into starvation mode? With me I have to mix my cals up a bit to keep the lbs moving. Have 3 low 2 medium and 2 high a week, worth a shot to see if it gets the scale moving. Everyone is different tho so you have to trust what your body is telling u. I lost 60lbs in 5 months doing that. Wish you luck.0 -
Age: 35
Height: 4'11
Weight: 220
TDEE: 2680
BMR: 1729
BMI: 45
Eating 1200 is your problem - you're suppose to eat OVER your BMR as that is the number of calories it takes to keep you alive in a coma, your body is having fits because you aren't eating enough.
As someone said - do TDEE - 20% for 6 weeks and see how you get on, takes measurements as well as weigh yourself. Ignore your trainer - with all that exercise you need to eat more. I'm 5'2 and losing on 1600 and not doing half the exercise you are.0 -
Thank you everyone!
I think I just made my diary public... please check!
I have considered that my caloric intake is to low. I don't mind adding some calories on. It seems I have been more hungry lately anyway. I did add protein shakes after I workout to help with increasing my calories and protein intake after I work out. Perhaps I should drink one in the morning too.0 -
hey girl,
i was stuck at 205 for almost a month and was getting so frustrated!! i was eating 1150 calories a day, doing intense cardio for about 2 hours a day, and it still wasn't coming off! so about a week and a half ago i upped my calories to 1300, and i am now down to 199 (: finally in ONE-derland!! upping your calories does wonders (: hope this helps hun0 -
Definitely increase your intake. Maybe start by eating half of your exercise calories back, or if that's too much (you have really large burns, go you!) at least a quarter.
But judging by your stats, it seems you should be eating a MINIMUM of 1800 calories a day. Otherwise your workouts will suffer, never mind your weight loss.0 -
Thank you everyone!
I think I just made my diary public... please check!
I have considered that my caloric intake is to low. I don't mind adding some calories on. It seems I have been more hungry lately anyway. I did add protein shakes after I workout to help with increasing my calories and protein intake after I work out. Perhaps I should drink one in the morning too.
you are really not eating enough - I hope you are just bad at logging as some days you go as low as 800!
up your calories - you'll be amazed.0 -
So if I were to up my calories to follow the TDEE - 20% rule I would have to eat 2144 calories a day. Ummm, I don't think I can do that unless I want to eat stuff I don't want to eat just to fill that number. I feel that maybe the TDEE - 40% might be more practical for my to start with. That would be about 1600 cal a day.0
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I think it is the 1200 calories that is messing you up. Take it up to 1500 and give it a few weeks to see what happens.0
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The low 800 day was a day I forgot to log for sure! I would pass out if I only ate 800 cals!
I will say that the last week I have been feeling a bit lightheaded at the gym. I thought it was lack of water now that I upped my cardio so much.
Hmmm, it is amazing how much I realize when I'm writing this for someone else to read... duh, headaches and lightheaded probably is more an indicator that I'm not eating enough. Ho hum.0 -
I think there is room in your diary for some slower transit foods. Unsalted nuts, fruit, vegetables, plain protein like boiled eggs, grilled chicken. I would be hungry on your diet because a lot of it will burn off quickly and leave your blood sugar low. Of course I do not know how you are spacing out your meals but I think healthy snacks in between would help you feel full, and add a few more calories, without going crazy about it. 0
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But that's below your BMR. Your BMR is the amount of calories your body needs if its in a COMA. That is, lying in bed doing absolutely nothing. So, just walking around your body needs more calories.
You can still eat your healthy way, and there are healthy calorie-dense foods such as nuts, avocados etc.
If you feel starting with a number like 1600 would be better, by all means do so. But be sure to build on that, because your body needs fuel. Give it a few weeks at each stage for the changes to be visible though, it may not necessarily work after a week
Good luck!0 -
From what I've seen in your diary you need some decent protein, most days. Are you using a heart rate monitor for your calorie burn? I'm sure someone makes one you can use in a pool, but it's probably more expensive. There are several affordable ones you could use for the other workouts you are doing. You need some green leafy veggies, some berries,nuts, avocados... Your diet doesn't seem adequate enough to support all that working out. Your profile says you lost 135 lbs before how did you do it? Can you maybe go back to that? Wishing you the best!0
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I think 1500 - 1600 calories is doable.
In a few weeks my calorie burn is going to reduce as I will be going back home to VT from NC where I have no gym access. I'm planning and plotting my exercise activities in leu of swimming and the arc. Weights are on the list!0 -
I eat a lot of salad but not much in terms of berries and nuts lately. Yes, I have lost 135 lbs in the past and most of it was lost in the pool lap swimming, on a bike, and doing capoeira... I was a lot younger then and my body burned a lot faster!
I don't think doing the same things will work as well this time around! Plus I live in the sticks not the city anymore so I can bike but the swimming is seasonal and there are no hot brazilian men to play capoeira with! Gonna have to find new things. I hope to do more hiking and kayaking this spring. I will also find a routine or two to do at home. Any recommendations? I heard p90x is really effective.0 -
Your TDEE is 2680 and you're eating only 1200 calories? That's way too low. Try bumping your calories slowly to TDEE -20%, which would be about 2144. I wasn't losing weight for the longest time and finally started when I upped my calories.0
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Ok, just took a look at your diary, it seems that the only days that you even get close to what you should eat are the days when you eat something like pizza or sushi. Most other days you were below 1000, which isn't good if you're burning upwards of 600-900 calories a day. I would still say to up your calories AT LEAST to your BMR, if not to TDEE -20% and maybe up your protein goal to 25-30% since you're so active.0
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1. You lost 15lbs in the beginning of a month. That is concerning, and a ****ton of weight to lose in less then a month.
2. The weight you lost was on a highly restrictive diet. Initially that will get rid of allot glycogen and the like, not much muscle or fat. That's the kind of weight a healthy person wants to keep.
3. Weight loss is not linear, you shouldn't see a consistent drop of continuous weight loss, that would be a concerning health problem.
4. Way to go on the exercise, that is impressive! Keep up the great work. Be careful though, on a highly restrictive diet this can result in getting easily injured when you are not supplying yourself with enough food to repair. You can only get as much energy out of a system as you put into it.
5. You are a 35 year adult and eating less then a child, why?
6. Eating healthy food doesn't necessarily mean health when you're not eating enough. That's why my sister showed no signs of health problems until she started a diet that consisted of mostly vegetables and chicken. Sounds like a good idea right? Well both of your ideas of healthy is concerning. "Healthy food" doesn't consist of a particular thing, it's all the things together as a whole that makes it healthy. Eating the things you consider healthy are mostly low fat. You're not going to be absorbing the nutrients in those nutrient dense 'healthy foods' if you're not eating enough fat, as those nutrients are fat soluble.
Do not rely on trainers to know about nutrition. If someone tells you something, look it up. I know many trainers personally, and I while some are well meaning, I would trust them as far as I could throw a car. In fact doctors know little about nutrition as well, that can be observed just by looking at many of them. I know 2 friends who lost a lot of weight. Both were told to go on highly restrictive diets by their doctors. One did it and he admits the way he went about it was torturous and wasn't very effective compared to the other friend. The other friend cut down calories slightly and gave himself enough fuel to run triathlons. Both of them lost about 100 pounds, guess who looks better now and actually changed their view on how they look at themselves?
Eat more, there are many people who have been stuck in the same situation you are, take it from my friend Taso:
And a favorite of mine:Not necessarily, as starvation mode is a overused/abused terms. But there is a high probability that it will hinder your long term success.
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/419136-what-am-i-doing-wrong
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The least I would eat is to your BMR anything less than your just asking for trouble long term0
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I had an almost 5 week stall which was VERY hard for me as I was absolutely anal about my diet the entire 8 weeks and not seeing that scale move was hard. Thankfully i still stuck to it, because i was simply devoted to healthier eating, but I had lost 10lbs before that relatively quickly and i am no where near my weight loss goal, so to stall was hard for me. It was suggested I up my calories, which I did to 16-1700 (more if I work out more) and two days later I lost 2lbs - yes it seems counter intuitive but I am losing weight weekly now!
My husband is insanely carbohydrate sensitive. He eats low carb for his health and weight just drops off him when he is careful (did I mention it just melts off him immediately and he reaches goal weight in 3 months . . . ). He suggested I try it (tons of protein, fat and good veggies), and I lost no weight for 5 weeks. I decided to up my healthy carbs (adding a bit of rice, quinoa, a healthy fruit etc) and that makes a difference on my personal cravings as well as my weight loss. If he eats grain, rice, breads etc his bp suffers - interestingly enough, his Mom is that way are is his two aunts and his Grandma (really really carb sensitive).
If I eat too much fat (he eats a lot of healthy fat) I get nauseous and may even throw up. SO, each of us has to fiddle with things to get what works for our bodies.
You work out an insane amount compared to me. If i can get my outside chores done (we milk and have lots of animals), i am happy to also get in a good walk or a step routine with light weights. Maybe somebody else can kick in in re. to the exercise - sometimes it helps to cut back (in place of a road map talks about cutting the cardio back to 3 days instead of 5 and losing weight). 0 -
I think I'm going to go 1600 a day for a week or two and see what happens. If nada I will up it again. However, as I said in a previous post I will be losing my gym access at the end of this month so I will have to shift it all again based on whatever new workout plan I can devise and adhere to at home. I think that will be another thread.
Thank you everyone!0 -
What has recently worked for me, I've changed my focus from the calorie intake to making sure I get over an hour of a workout yielding more than 1,000 calories burned w/ cardio using my HRM, walk more than 10k steps/day, lowered my sodium from 2500 to 1500 mg, upping my potassium to strive to achieve 4,000 mg min/day, and drinking more than 1/2 my body weight in oz of water.
In the beginning of the day, I start out w/ 1660 cal, but if I stay under my sodium level of 1500, I maybe go up 200 calories of my 1,000+ calories from my workout. Eating more fruits & veggies keeps me from feeling hungry.0 -
1. It's only been a month. Calm down! As long as you are averaging 1-2 pounds lost a week, you are doing good and you are well above that. The weight doesn't come off consistently. Some weeks you lose inches and not pounds and some weeks you get a drop.
2. I agree that 1200 is too low. Plus I looked at your food diary and what you are eating is kind of crap. If you insist on eating that low, you need to make sure you are eating the right foods and getting the proper percentage of fats, carbs and proteins. I did 1200 calories with my trainer using this meal plan:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/wendybird5/view/low-sodium-low-sugar-diet-413023
Otherwise, you need to eat more and opt for something better than an entire cheese pizza. 80% of weight loss is what and how much you eat. Exercising harder wont make up for it and may get you injured instead. That was the mistake I always used to make0 -
Just to be clear, the "entire cheese pizza" was one day out of 30 and it was not accurate but the closest I could find to what I did it, which were several very small pieces of cheese pizza. Sometimes I prefer to over estimate rather than under especially when it comes to something like pizza. This last week I allowed myself to eat some things I wouldn't eat normally because I felt I earned a bit of a break.0
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Chances are you'll gain weight in a week or 2. On a suppressed metabolism if you feed it food you'll have glycogen come back with a vengeance (noticed how I said glycogen and not fat and muscle). Give it a few weeks at least. There's lots of "upping calories and what to expect" threads wandering around here somewhere. To give you an idea though I would definitely be losing weight on 1600 calories a day, I lose weight on more then that and as you can see by my profile pic and ticker there's not much to me anymore.I think I'm going to go 1600 a day for a week or two and see what happens. If nada I will up it again. However, as I said in a previous post I will be losing my gym access at the end of this month so I will have to shift it all again based on whatever new workout plan I can devise and adhere to at home. I think that will be another thread.
Thank you everyone!0 -
I agree that what I eat is very important and I have eaten less variety than I started out with. I have slacked on the cashews and almonds, avocados and I really don't want to eat animal protein anymore than I have to so I have been struggling with that. I have been increasing the animal protein in an effort to balance it out but it sure is hard for me.
Noted, mix it up and add back some of the foods I have ignored recently + some berries which I love!
Thank you everyone!0 -
Thank you Coder, I will look up the "upping calories and what to expect" threads. So complicated I need a dietician!0
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I figured a few things out along the way:Thank you Coder, I will look up the "upping calories and what to expect" threads. So complicated I need a dietician!
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/637094-cinderella-s-weight-loss-knowledge0
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