What am I doing wrong? Help!

2

Replies

  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member


    Are you suggesting her TDEE is less than 1200 and she is not in a deficit?

    She's at too much of a deficit.

    How does that cause one to not lose weight?
  • meredith1123
    meredith1123 Posts: 843 Member
    Could you elaborate on how this is a problem? It may help my efforts. Thanks!

    Eating 1200 calories or less per day over a prolonged period of time will repress your metabolism to the point were you cannot burn fat without starvation.

    BUT that's not what she said. she's eating 1200-1400 a day. She's not eating less than 1200 a day. That would def not work in her favor if so.

    what are you doing for exercising? is it vigorous? are you breaking a sweat and busting your butt? i mean really, its hard work and yes as we get to that near 40 mark, it doesnt make it any easier.
  • SGSmallman
    SGSmallman Posts: 193 Member


    Are you suggesting her TDEE is less than 1200 and she is not in a deficit?

    She's at too much of a deficit.

    How does that cause one to not lose weight?

    This can cause the body to slow its metabolic rate down making it harder to burn excess calories, instead storing everything it can as her body burns more being alive (breathing, walking, organs pumping blood.....) than she is taking in
  • jenafer22
    jenafer22 Posts: 26 Member
    I measured myself I think back in January. I should re-measure and see where I am at.

    Okay I am a Pollock so bare with me.

    So you eat 1500 cals per day and lets say you exercise and burn 500 calories; so you really only ate 1000 cals, correct? Do you eat more cals to get back up to the 1500 or stay at the 1000 cals?

    I work at a computer all day. I think the website was fat 2 fit. It said I should eat either 1784 cals (1-3 days of exercise) or 2010 (3-5 days of exercise). I am not able to eat that many calories in a day. Even drinking protien shakes, I can't do it and eat healthy!

    I also have a Fit Bit tracker. The calorie tracking is based on my activity through out the day. I usually go over my calories. But hardly ever go over my calories on MFP.
  • tricksee
    tricksee Posts: 835 Member
    BUT that's not what she said. she's eating 1200-1400 a day. She's not eating less than 1200 a day. That would def not work in her favor if so.

    She said
    I have been eating 1200-1400 calories a day and even exercised 5 days last week.

    So even if we are generous and say she's eaten 1400 cals, I'd assume she's burning enough calories to put her at a deficit at the end of each day, if not, she's very close.
  • stacey_mntx
    stacey_mntx Posts: 36 Member
    I had the same problem a couple of weeks ago. I agree with others that for some people eating 1200 cal. or less a day is way too low. I'm exercising 4-5 days per week and have drastically cut out sugar from candy, sweets, coffee drinks, etc. I've changed up my diet to include a ton of veggies and fruit as well. When I hit my plateau a couple of weeks ago, I continued with the same types of foods, I just upped my calories to about 2000 for a few days, then reduced it back to my goal of between 1600-1900. This week the pounds started coming off again. The name of the game is not giving up and not expecting the weight to come off in a short period of time. Shows like the Biggest Loser have got many people thinking that weight loss happens fast... It doesn't. It's a slow process, but it's a good process. If you go slow, you are more likely going to be smoking hot 2, 5, even 10 years from now.
  • SGSmallman
    SGSmallman Posts: 193 Member
    I measured myself I think back in January. I should re-measure and see where I am at.

    Okay I am a Pollock so bare with me.

    So you eat 1500 cals per day and lets say you exercise and burn 500 calories; so you really only ate 1000 cals, correct? Do you eat more cals to get back up to the 1500 or stay at the 1000 cals?

    I work at a computer all day. I think the website was fat 2 fit. It said I should eat either 1784 cals (1-3 days of exercise) or 2010 (3-5 days of exercise). I am not able to eat that many calories in a day. Even drinking protien shakes, I can't do it and eat healthy!

    I also have a Fit Bit tracker. The calorie tracking is based on my activity through out the day. I usually go over my calories. But hardly ever go over my calories on MFP.

    I can't see your diary so am unable to comment but i too live a sedentary work life sat at a computer from 8.30am-6.30pm but i manage to eat 1850 on rest days up to 2200 on workout days, Being healthy doesn't mean having to restrict yourself too much..

    I hope you're not in the category of people who eats 'low fat foods' to be healthy?
  • freelancejouster
    freelancejouster Posts: 478 Member
    SCSmallman is probably the most helpful in this thread.

    I don't eat "clean" but I do eat within my macros most days, which is what my body needs to stay healthy. Don't assume because something is low carb or fat that it's healthy just as you don't need to eat only natural things to be healthy. I usually have a handful of crackers and/or teddy grahams and a 100 cal pack of cookies daily, and I usually stay within my macros - though I eat at roughly 1700 daily and try to net an average of 1500-1600 on exercise days. I found my BMR (it's between 1380 and 1450 depending on what counter) and make sure to ALWAYS net over it so I don't risk slowing my metabolism down.
  • jvl1973
    jvl1973 Posts: 36 Member
    My current exercise consists of only cardio at this point. I plan on adding strength training soon. I run/walk 3-5 days a week. Last week I did it 5 days. (14 minutes of jogging and 24 minutes of brisk walking). I can't run the whole thing yet, because I am out of shape. I used to be able to run 3 miles without stopping, so I am building it back up again. After I finish running/walking I am sweating big time and I am very out of breath so I know it is a good workout. I do a cool down after and stretch.
  • kathymhardy
    kathymhardy Posts: 267 Member
    So far these are the basics i've found have been successful for myself and others around me on MFP

    1) Eat your TDEE - 10-20% by creating a calorie deficit your body will use stored fats to fuel your body to live

    2) Strength Training! I can't stress this enough. the more lean muscle mass you have the higher your metabolic rate will be resulting in you burning more calories naturally day to day, plus you want to be fit not skinny. Strength training also helps tone muscle and skin as it reshapes to fit the new you.

    3) DITCH THE SCALES!!! Regardless of what people say weight doesn't matter if you know your Lean muscle mass and body fat % Get out your tape measure and get your body fat % tested. weight can fluctuate by as mucha s 6lbs from eating a large meal, needing the bathroom, water in muscles to help repare after strength training or having a larger than normal sodium intake causing a retention of water.

    Losing 'weight' off the scales doesn't necessarily mean you're losing fat you could be losing water and Muscle mass which once gone can leave room for more fat to be stored and cause terrible problems in later life(osteoporosis....etc)

    This is a lifestyle change you've yo-yo'd in the past, don't aim to lose weight you could end up finding it again and gaining it all back plus more.

    Instead this time treat it as you're going to lead a healthier lifestyle you as a person shouldn't feel tired all the time or grumpy but happy, energetic and you'll notice it in other parts of you're life.

    Good luck :)

    Good post!
  • sarakay17
    sarakay17 Posts: 2
    I feel your pain - I've had the same issue over the years! One thing that I found helps is to eat more small meals (5-6) throughout the day every few hours instead of just eating the typical few larger meals every day. Also, I was doing what you're doing with eating only 1200-1400 calories daily, and according to my doctor, doing that on top of working out actually put my body into starvation mode and messed up my metabolism for a while. Especially having been a yoyo dieter in the past, you might need to give your metabolism a bit of time to reset as I had to. I now aim for 1400-1500 net calories daily, and I'm actually making progress for the first time in almost a year. Also, water really helps!! I drink about 2L daily and it seems to help the water weight stay away (as does keeping track of your sodium intake.... that part was huge for me too!) I hope this helps you a little bit! Good luck!
  • conniemaxwell5
    conniemaxwell5 Posts: 943 Member
    Thank you everyone! I completely understand that yo- you dieting is awful for my body. I just can't break the cycle - when I am stressed I eat or crave bad, unhealthy foods! I have never been overweight until I hit my 30's. I have always been very thin (size 4/6) until I got older. Now I am a 12 and hate it! I gained 22 pounds durinng the months Oct - Feb - YIKES!!!!!!!!!

    I am going to stick to my healthy eating lifestyle and continue to workout and retrain my brain to not go to food during stressful times!

    Take some time to reflect on what's really driving you to eat during those stressful times. Learn how to recognize the triggers and find an alternative to food that gives you the same sense of comfort. When we eat to relieve stress, being overwhelmed, loneliness, sadness, etc. we're just stuffing the feelings down with the food. It's better to find a way to let them out - yelling into a pillow, taking a run or walk, hitting a punching bag - whatever works. This helps to keep the stress levels more even. Eating just supresses them temporarily and then you add stress on top of that when you feel guilty for eating or see your weight moving up. Stress also causes your hormones to be imbalanced, which can also lead to weight gain. The real issue is your stress - address that and you will naturally start making adjustments that will result in healthy weight loss.
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member


    Are you suggesting her TDEE is less than 1200 and she is not in a deficit?

    She's at too much of a deficit.

    How does that cause one to not lose weight?

    This can cause the body to slow its metabolic rate down making it harder to burn excess calories, instead storing everything it can as her body burns more being alive (breathing, walking, organs pumping blood.....) than she is taking in

    So, again my question is do you honestly believe her TDEE is less then 1200 and she's not eating a deficit? After one month her BMR has slowed to the point that even with exercise she is not burning > 1200 - 1400 calories per day?
  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,420 Member
    Also, this time I started exercising and eating lower calories at the same time. In the past I did not start exercising until after I lost 20-25 pounds. I feel like concentrating only on my diet worked better for me, but I know that makes no sense. I need both exercise and a better diet.

    You probably lost weight by diet alone because you were eating enough for the amount of activity you were doing. When you add exercise, you increase your energy needs.

    So, that car that sits in your driveway except for the once a week trip to the store doesn't need much gas, does it? What about if you take it on a one hour drive every day? Will it need more gas? Exactly.

    Read this, it will help. You are under eating for your activity level.

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/952996-level-obstacles-lose-weight-target-fat-easy


    There are lots of threads explaining how this site works and how to account for your activity level.


    The other thing you said, "I gain every winter." We all do. But 22 pounds says you overeat by way too much. Logging all your food every day will definitely help you see the error of your ways.
  • SGSmallman
    SGSmallman Posts: 193 Member


    Are you suggesting her TDEE is less than 1200 and she is not in a deficit?

    She's at too much of a deficit.

    How does that cause one to not lose weight?

    This can cause the body to slow its metabolic rate down making it harder to burn excess calories, instead storing everything it can as her body burns more being alive (breathing, walking, organs pumping blood.....) than she is taking in

    So, again my question is do you honestly believe her TDEE is less then 1200 and she's not eating a deficit? After one month her BMR has slowed to the point that even with exercise she is not burning > 1200 - 1400 calories per day?

    At no point did i say her TDEE is less than 1200 Too much of a deficit can cause a negative impact on the bodys metabolism, it's different case by case and without figures and an assessment we can only estimate the situation.

    Sometimes you need to eat more of the right foods and increase your calorie intake to kick start it again. I'm not a doctor and i've stated above that everyone is different and what works for one individual may not for another.

    I don't understand how you asking me that question is beneficial to this post? Without the vital information it's hard to ascertain the reason plus as i don't know her personally, the information we do have (age, weight, diary etc) could be not 100% accurate.
  • kayaksara
    kayaksara Posts: 157 Member
    I am 43 and it happened to me...up and down for years...it will mess you up a bit and eventually when you try again, your body doesn't react the way it did in the past. I would stick with what you are doing. It took me 6 weeks to see the scale move. It's worth it. Try to focus on making a life change and it will be easier. I am on my way too. Also, I eat 1200 - 1350 per day.
  • snowmanluv
    snowmanluv Posts: 200 Member
    So how much are you supposed to eat if too much 1400-1500 is too much. If she is working out and eating then it resets the metabolism, then how do you get the metabolism back up without gaining? I actually feel like I am in the same boat. I am not eating my exercise calories. It said I should be eating more but honestly, it feels if I eat more I will gain more.
  • tricksee
    tricksee Posts: 835 Member
    I am 43 and it happened to me...up and down for years...it will mess you up a bit and eventually when you try again, your body doesn't react the way it did in the past. I would stick with what you are doing. It took me 6 weeks to see the scale move. It's worth it. Try to focus on making a life change and it will be easier. I am on my way too. Also, I eat 1200 - 1350 per day.

    please ignore this whole post.
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member


    Are you suggesting her TDEE is less than 1200 and she is not in a deficit?

    She's at too much of a deficit.

    How does that cause one to not lose weight?

    This can cause the body to slow its metabolic rate down making it harder to burn excess calories, instead storing everything it can as her body burns more being alive (breathing, walking, organs pumping blood.....) than she is taking in

    So, again my question is do you honestly believe her TDEE is less then 1200 and she's not eating a deficit? After one month her BMR has slowed to the point that even with exercise she is not burning > 1200 - 1400 calories per day?

    At no point did i say her TDEE is less than 1200 Too much of a deficit can cause a negative impact on the bodys metabolism, it's different case by case and without figures and an assessment we can only estimate the situation.

    Sometimes you need to eat more of the right foods and increase your calorie intake to kick start it again. I'm not a doctor and i've stated above that everyone is different and what works for one individual may not for another.

    I don't understand how you asking me that question is beneficial to this post? Without the vital information it's hard to ascertain the reason plus as i don't know her personally, the information we do have (age, weight, diary etc) could be not 100% accurate.

    The OP asked why she wasn't losing weight. I don't understand the "you are not eating enough" answers. A calorie deficit = fat loss, doesn't it? How does one eat at a deficit and not lose weight?

    While I agree that she needs to eat more to prevent her metabolism from slowing in the future, more likely she is building "newbie" muscle and storing water from beginning to exercise.
  • jvl1973
    jvl1973 Posts: 36 Member
    My diary is open to the public now
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    So how much are you supposed to eat if too much 1400-1500 is too much. If she is working out and eating then it resets the metabolism, then how do you get the metabolism back up without gaining? I actually feel like I am in the same boat. I am not eating my exercise calories. It said I should be eating more but honestly, it feels if I eat more I will gain more.

    If your metabolism is lower then you may gain a few at first. Increasing exercise intensity can help, but you still may gain a few before you start losing again. Just have patience.
  • jadermary
    jadermary Posts: 105 Member
    I eat TDEE minus 15-20% and I have been losing approx 1/2lb a week steadily. This helped me a to unerstand a lot of the terms thrown around (BMR, TDEE etc) :

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/912920-in-place-of-a-road-map-3-2013

    Good luck!
    :flowerforyou:
  • jzammetti
    jzammetti Posts: 1,956 Member
    Could you elaborate on how this is a problem? It may help my efforts. Thanks!

    Eating 1200 calories or less per day over a prolonged period of time will repress your metabolism to the point were you cannot burn fat without starvation.

    It will repress your metabolism because you lose lean body mass eating too little. lean body mass is what drives your metabolism.

    I started this path at 40 years old and took it slow delierately. I do not think your age has anything to do with it. I also weight train and eat about 1850 caloires per day.

    If you have been undereating for a prolonged period of time, it may take some time to adjust to eating at the healthy level...put the scale away for a month, calculate your TDEE -15% and eat from there. Your body should readjust well within the 4 weeks and you should see a difference on the scale. Remember this is learning how to eat right forever and not just a quick way to lose weight. Plus, if you are not "dieting" you can keep it up forever and stay healthy.
  • SGSmallman
    SGSmallman Posts: 193 Member


    Are you suggesting her TDEE is less than 1200 and she is not in a deficit?

    She's at too much of a deficit.

    How does that cause one to not lose weight?

    This can cause the body to slow its metabolic rate down making it harder to burn excess calories, instead storing everything it can as her body burns more being alive (breathing, walking, organs pumping blood.....) than she is taking in

    So, again my question is do you honestly believe her TDEE is less then 1200 and she's not eating a deficit? After one month her BMR has slowed to the point that even with exercise she is not burning > 1200 - 1400 calories per day?

    At no point did i say her TDEE is less than 1200 Too much of a deficit can cause a negative impact on the bodys metabolism, it's different case by case and without figures and an assessment we can only estimate the situation.

    Sometimes you need to eat more of the right foods and increase your calorie intake to kick start it again. I'm not a doctor and i've stated above that everyone is different and what works for one individual may not for another.

    I don't understand how you asking me that question is beneficial to this post? Without the vital information it's hard to ascertain the reason plus as i don't know her personally, the information we do have (age, weight, diary etc) could be not 100% accurate.

    The OP asked why she wasn't losing weight. I don't understand the "you are not eating enough" answers. A calorie deficit = fat loss, doesn't it? How does one eat at a deficit and not lose weight?

    While I agree that she needs to eat more to prevent her metabolism from slowing in the future, more likely she is building "newbie" muscle and storing water from beginning to exercise.


    Eating at too low a deficit will cause you to lose weight but weight is made up of
    A- fat
    B- Muscle
    C-Water

    I guarantee you will lose mostly muscle and water.

    The more muscle (lean Mass) you have the higher your metabolism the higher your metabolism the more you burn meaning you need to eat more to keep your BMR up.

    Please read this and educate yourself about TDEE and BMR and why eating at too low a deficit is detrimental to FAT loss and health.

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/937709-in-place-of-a-road-map-ver-3-0

    Then read this

    http://io9.com/5984275/the-worst-lies-that-mainstream-nutrition-has-told-you

    If that doesn't help i can go further into the discussion on how sugars are what make people Fat and not Fats, Healthy fats are essential to fat loss confusing yes but learning this will help define your lifestyle and how well you adapt.
  • SGSmallman
    SGSmallman Posts: 193 Member
    Could you elaborate on how this is a problem? It may help my efforts. Thanks!

    Eating 1200 calories or less per day over a prolonged period of time will repress your metabolism to the point were you cannot burn fat without starvation.

    It will repress your metabolism because you lose lean body mass eating too little. lean body mass is what drives your metabolism.

    I started this path at 40 years old and took it slow delierately. I do not think your age has anything to do with it. I also weight train and eat about 1850 caloires per day.

    If you have been undereating for a prolonged period of time, it may take some time to adjust to eating at the healthy level...put the scale away for a month, calculate your TDEE -15% and eat from there. Your body should readjust well within the 4 weeks and you should see a difference on the scale. Remember this is learning how to eat right forever and not just a quick way to lose weight. Plus, if you are not "dieting" you can keep it up forever and stay healthy.

    AMEN!!!

    Want to get fitter and healthier? Don't go on a diet, make a lifestyle change ditch the scales and work hard.
  • Basco0614
    Basco0614 Posts: 3 Member
    This is my second round on doing the yoyo thing and it is much harder to lose weight this time. I am also wanting to tone more then lose weight so I think that I am building muscle. One thing that I noticed I needed to drink more water, and the second thing was eat the calories you burn working out ALWAYS. If I have a ton of extra calories from working out and I don't eat them I will wake up and weigh more. I hope that you find why you have this going on and kick its butt :) Good luck.
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member


    Are you suggesting her TDEE is less than 1200 and she is not in a deficit?

    She's at too much of a deficit.

    How does that cause one to not lose weight?

    This can cause the body to slow its metabolic rate down making it harder to burn excess calories, instead storing everything it can as her body burns more being alive (breathing, walking, organs pumping blood.....) than she is taking in

    So, again my question is do you honestly believe her TDEE is less then 1200 and she's not eating a deficit? After one month her BMR has slowed to the point that even with exercise she is not burning > 1200 - 1400 calories per day?

    At no point did i say her TDEE is less than 1200 Too much of a deficit can cause a negative impact on the bodys metabolism, it's different case by case and without figures and an assessment we can only estimate the situation.

    Sometimes you need to eat more of the right foods and increase your calorie intake to kick start it again. I'm not a doctor and i've stated above that everyone is different and what works for one individual may not for another.

    I don't understand how you asking me that question is beneficial to this post? Without the vital information it's hard to ascertain the reason plus as i don't know her personally, the information we do have (age, weight, diary etc) could be not 100% accurate.

    The OP asked why she wasn't losing weight. I don't understand the "you are not eating enough" answers. A calorie deficit = fat loss, doesn't it? How does one eat at a deficit and not lose weight?

    While I agree that she needs to eat more to prevent her metabolism from slowing in the future, more likely she is building "newbie" muscle and storing water from beginning to exercise.


    Eating at too low a deficit will cause you to lose weight but weight is made up of
    A- fat
    B- Muscle
    C-Water

    I guarantee you will lose mostly muscle and water.

    The more muscle (lean Mass) you have the higher your metabolism the higher your metabolism the more you burn meaning you need to eat more to keep your BMR up.

    Please read this and educate yourself about TDEE and BMR and why eating at too low a deficit is detrimental to FAT loss and health.

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/937709-in-place-of-a-road-map-ver-3-0

    Then read this

    http://io9.com/5984275/the-worst-lies-that-mainstream-nutrition-has-told-you

    If that doesn't help i can go further into the discussion on how sugars are what make people Fat and not Fats, Healthy fats are essential to fat loss confusing yes but learning this will help define your lifestyle and how well you adapt.

    How does that explain that she wouldn't lost weight at a calorie deficit. Since muscle is heavier than fat if she's losing more muscle wouldn't one expect to lose more weight?
  • SGSmallman
    SGSmallman Posts: 193 Member
    How does that explain that she wouldn't lost weight at a calorie deficit. Since muscle is heavier than fat if she's losing more muscle wouldn't one expect to lose more weight?

    Yes and that's why people who only weigh themselves on scales and are on too low a calorie intake think they're losing weight it's just muscle.

    You are making this much harder than it should be. You need to eat at a deficit but not too great a deficit.

    I am 5'11 24 years old and my starting weight was 220lbs now that seems pretty heavy but when you look at what that total weight adds up to it's not as bad as others. I have 77kg of lean mass and a then body fat % of 28 which is what im working on lowering.

    My goal is to drop my body fat by 12-15% while maintaining and buliding lean mass so my TDEE - 20% is 1850 Calories a day. I eat that amount on a non workout day then a slightly higher amount depending on how much extra i've burnt exercising.

    I am losing 2lbs a week but plenty of inches this is healthy weight loss as im also building muscle and getting stronger.
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    How does that explain that she wouldn't lost weight at a calorie deficit. Since muscle is heavier than fat if she's losing more muscle wouldn't one expect to lose more weight?

    Yes and that's why people who only weigh themselves on scales and are on too low a calorie intake think they're losing weight it's just muscle.

    You are making this much harder than it should be. You need to eat at a deficit but not too great a deficit.

    I am 5'11 24 years old and my starting weight was 220lbs now that seems pretty heavy but when you look at what that total weight adds up to it's not as bad as others. I have 77kg of lean mass and a then body fat % of 28 which is what im working on lowering.

    My goal is to drop my body fat by 12-15% while maintaining and buliding lean mass so my TDEE - 20% is 1850 Calories a day. I eat that amount on a non workout day then a slightly higher amount depending on how much extra i've burnt exercising.

    I am losing 2lbs a week but plenty of inches this is healthy weight loss as im also building muscle and getting stronger.

    I'm a 51 yo woman in maintenance for 2 years. My BF% is in th fitness range (barely, but still there). I usually eat somewhere in the neighborhood of 1600 - 2200 calories per day (about 1800 on average). I don't make it hard, and I'm not questioning your diet advice.

    I am questioning how the response "you are eating too little" makes any sense when asked "why am I not losing" by someone dieting for one month by eating 1200 calories. The OP doesn't fall into the category of "weigh themselves on scales and are on too low a calorie intake think they're losing weight it's just muscle". She said she's not losing.

    While the advice is good, it doesn't answer the question. Why isn't she losing if she's on a deficit?
  • tricksee
    tricksee Posts: 835 Member
    "Muscle is heavier than fat"

    Evacuate thread!!!!!

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