The standard "help I'm not losing weight" post

laceymcmath
laceymcmath Posts: 44
in Health and Weight Loss
Hello all,
I do a lot of reading around on here, but not much posting, so I know you don't know me. I hope, however, that you'll take mercy on me and help me out a bit... I'm feeling very stuck!

I am a female, 22 years old, 5'1", and started out weighing 152 lbs (carrying most of it in belly fat, so I was looking very large!)
I started this out wanting to lose from 22-32 pounds (I decided to get to the 22 lbs lost mark, then see how I felt before deciding if I would keep going or not). Right now I have another 10 lbs to lose before reaching the 22 lb goal. So, granted, I didn't have a TON to lose when I started, so I knew it would be slow going.
I've lost steadily through January & February, but now have not lost since the beginning of March. I have fluctuated up and down quite a bit, between 145-140, but haven't been able to get below 140 lbs (except for one morning when I hit 139.6, but then jumped right back up the next day). I am super frustrated... at this point I just want to crack that 140 point!

I have been doing Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred, but haven't been able to do it every day because of work schedules and an injury that made me take a break. Unfortunately I didn't have the presence of mind to take measurements before I started, so I don't know exact results from that, but some clothes have been a LITTLE better ... nothing amazing, though. I plan on doing the last day tomorrow.

According to http://scoobysworkshop.com/calorie-calculator/, which I have seen recommended on here, my numbers are:
BMR = 1440
TDEE = 1729
and I have been eating 1400 calories a day. Granted, I do not understand the math and everything that goes into this very well. My question is, should I increase or decrease my caloric intake to start losing again? If so, which direction, and by how much?

Please help.

*Edited to add- I'm sure some of you will fuss at my for having a lot of quick add calories on my diary. My husband and I both love to cook, and so when I cook, I figure the calories on the meal and he adds them as quick add calories, and vice versa. Until MFP lets us share recipes between users, that's the best way we've figured out to do it.
Also, for a while I was losing weight just fine eating things like Snickers bars (my weakness), as long as I counted the calories. When I quit losing, though, I tightened up a little better on things like that, now mainly just indulging in "healthier," homemade "junk food" every once in a while. ;-)

Replies

  • FlaxMilk
    FlaxMilk Posts: 3,452 Member
    I would recommend following what MFP told you to do to lose 1 lb a week. Throw out the other calculations and follow this site. It works. If you find yourself too tired, bump up the calories or take a close look at your nutrition. Remember to eat back exercise calories but don't go too generous with yourself on them (by this I mean eat them back, just don't overestimate them. Some people do 50-75% for this reason.)
  • BflSaberfan
    BflSaberfan Posts: 1,272
    Hello all,
    I do a lot of reading around on here, but not much posting, so I know you don't know me. I hope, however, that you'll take mercy on me and help me out a bit... I'm feeling very stuck!

    I am a female, 22 years old, 5'1", and started out weighing 152 lbs (carrying most of it in belly fat, so I was looking very large!)
    I started this out wanting to lose from 22-32 pounds (I decided to get to the 22 lbs lost mark, then see how I felt before deciding if I would keep going or not). Right now I have another 10 lbs to lose before reaching the 22 lb goal. So, granted, I didn't have a TON to lose when I started, so I knew it would be slow going.
    I've lost steadily through January & February, but now have not lost since the beginning of March. I have fluctuated up and down quite a bit, between 145-140, but haven't been able to get below 140 lbs (except for one morning when I hit 139.6, but then jumped right back up the next day). I am super frustrated... at this point I just want to crack that 140 point!

    I have been doing Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred, but haven't been able to do it every day because of work schedules and an injury that made me take a break. Unfortunately I didn't have the presence of mind to take measurements before I started, so I don't know exact results from that, but some clothes have been a LITTLE better ... nothing amazing, though. I plan on doing the last day tomorrow.

    According to http://scoobysworkshop.com/calorie-calculator/, which I have seen recommended on here, my numbers are:
    BMR = 1440
    TDEE = 1729
    and I have been eating 1400 calories a day. Granted, I do not understand the math and everything that goes into this very well. My question is, should I increase or decrease my caloric intake to start losing again? If so, which direction, and by how much?

    Please help.

    *Edited to add- I'm sure some of you will fuss at my for having a lot of quick add calories on my diary. My husband and I both love to cook, and so when I cook, I figure the calories on the meal and he adds them as quick add calories, and vice versa. Until MFP lets us share recipes between users, that's the best way we've figured out to do it.
    Also, for a while I was losing weight just fine eating things like Snickers bars (my weakness), as long as I counted the calories. When I quit losing, though, I tightened up a little better on things like that, now mainly just indulging in "healthier," homemade "junk food" every once in a while. ;-)
    .

    Maybe you aren't eating enough? I'm 5'2 and am eating 1600-1700 calories per day
  • FlaxMilk
    FlaxMilk Posts: 3,452 Member
    Also, if your TDEE is really only 1729, then you are probably getting the results that would be expected. At 1400, that's a 329 calorie deficit per day, which would be less than a pound a week.
  • hookilau
    hookilau Posts: 3,134 Member
    I'm interested in the replies as well. I'm in the same boat, basically. I'm 5', and my numbers are very much the same as yours. I started at about 158# and aim for netting 1400 cal/day. My current exercise program is lifting, 5x5. I've been at the *same* weight for quite a while...pulling up a chair.
  • FlaxMilk
    FlaxMilk Posts: 3,452 Member
    I'm interested in the replies as well. I'm in the same boat, basically. I'm 5', and my numbers are very much the same as yours. I started at about 158# and aim for netting 1400 cal/day. My current exercise program is lifting, 5x5. I've been at the *same* weight for quite a while...pulling up a chair.

    You are probably eating at maintenance. If your goal is fat loss, you probably need to eat at a bit more of a deficit. If you are willing to be patient, you should probably eat a little less than where you are now so you don't sacrifice your strength training gains. Maybe try netting 1300 for a while?
  • laceymcmath
    laceymcmath Posts: 44
    Also, if your TDEE is really only 1729, then you are probably getting the results that would be expected. At 1400, that's a 329 calorie deficit per day, which would be less than a pound a week.

    So, I shouldn't be losing any faster than I am at this deficit? Because I am pretty much at a standstill. Should I go to a bigger deficit? I'm not all about losing tons of weight super fast... I'm okay with slow & steady. It's just that right now, I'm pretty much at a standstill, and sometimes backwards. =(
  • FlaxMilk
    FlaxMilk Posts: 3,452 Member
    Also, if your TDEE is really only 1729, then you are probably getting the results that would be expected. At 1400, that's a 329 calorie deficit per day, which would be less than a pound a week.

    So, I shouldn't be losing any faster than I am at this deficit? Because I am pretty much at a standstill. Should I go to a bigger deficit? I'm not all about losing tons of weight super fast... I'm okay with slow & steady. It's just that right now, I'm pretty much at a standstill, and sometimes backwards. =(

    If you are at a deficit, you should be losing a bit, not at a total standstill. That's why I would scrap the other sites and follow this one, since you aren't able to exercise consistently. You would probably be best served by this site, which will take it day by day based on your activity. Eat your exercise calories, just be realistic with what they are. What does MFP tell you to do for 1 lb a week?
  • cmeiron
    cmeiron Posts: 1,599 Member
    *Edited to add- I'm sure some of you will fuss at my for having a lot of quick add calories on my diary. My husband and I both love to cook, and so when I cook, I figure the calories on the meal and he adds them as quick add calories, and vice versa. Until MFP lets us share recipes between users, that's the best way we've figured out to do it.

    Just a quick tip here - my partner and I share info when we cook by going to the other person's diary and clicking "quick tools" under the entry - it lets you copy meals to your own diary from someone else's :) - that way you get not just the calories but the macros, and the name of the item.
  • FlaxMilk
    FlaxMilk Posts: 3,452 Member
    When I put your numbers in using lightly active, MFP recommended 1280. I would try that and eat back exercise calories.

    Edit: I apologize, I hadn't adjusted for your height over mine. At 5'2 and 140.8 lbs, it recommends 1330 on lightly active and 1200 on sedentary.
  • laceymcmath
    laceymcmath Posts: 44
    When I put your numbers in using lightly active, MFP recommended 1280. I would try that and eat back exercise calories.

    Edit: I apologize, I hadn't adjusted for your height over mine. At 5'2 and 140.8 lbs, it recommends 1330 on lightly active and 1200 on sedentary.
    Yes, It had me eating 1200. I am a bank teller with no kids, so I put myself at sedentary and then ate back my exercise calories. I tried that for a while and lost NOTHING, so that's why I went hunting down other places and upped it to 1400... that's when I finally started losing.

    Maybe I will go to 1300 and try that for a while?
  • laceymcmath
    laceymcmath Posts: 44
    *Edited to add- I'm sure some of you will fuss at my for having a lot of quick add calories on my diary. My husband and I both love to cook, and so when I cook, I figure the calories on the meal and he adds them as quick add calories, and vice versa. Until MFP lets us share recipes between users, that's the best way we've figured out to do it.

    Just a quick tip here - my partner and I share info when we cook by going to the other person's diary and clicking "quick tools" under the entry - it lets you copy meals to your own diary from someone else's :) - that way you get not just the calories but the macros, and the name of the item.

    Really? I will have to try that... that would make our lives a whole lot easier. We cook almost every meal, eating out VERY rarely, and it poses a whole new set of challenges when you have two people doing that.

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