Please help - I'm really trying and failing

The "easiest" fix would be to drop the calories consumed. While programs like MFP are good for tracking, they are not always 100% accurate on things like resting metabolism, so it might not be predicting the calories you need correctly. If you eat fewer calories, you will lose weight.

The other option would be to change the kinds of foods you are eating. I noticed you have a lot of processed foods in your diary. If it's processed, it will also be high in sodium (whether it tastes salty or not) and probably sugar as well. While weight loss can definitely be boiled down to calories in vs. calories out, the quality of the calorie can make a difference. I would try cutting out some of the processed (aka packaged) foods, and cutting back on some of the unnecessary things (maybe leave off the jelly when having peanut butter on your cinnamon raisin bread, or switch to plain whole wheat bread for less sugar in there). Go for home cooked meals as often as you can, and generally avoid any packaged food that boasts some big health benefit (sugar free = more fat, fat free = more sugar, etc.). If you need a crunchy, salty snack, opt for baked chips instead of regular.

Also, it's important to get enough, though not too much, protein. Make sure every meal or snack has some protein in it. I personally don't think you need to or should be supplementing with whey powder or any other protein supplement, but instead focus on a whole food source for your protein, whether it's chicken, fish, nuts, or beans.

Finally, make sure you're drinking enough water. Hunger can often a sign of thirst. A good trick that I've heard is to drink a glass of water when you get hungry and wait 10 minutes. If you're still hungry 10 minutes later, go ahead and eat. Since the water will take up room in your stomach, it will help you eat less as well.

Good luck with your weight loss! I hope you find something that works for you.

Your calories don't add up to your macros. I would try and ensure

1) You hit or exceed the protein every day
2) you stay under on the carbs and sugar
3) you make sure your food info is correct

I counted up the macros to several days and one was off by 700 calories! You thought you ate 1700 but you ate 2400!! That is a big difference...

OMG. This is something I have never checked in my own diary before . . . it never even occurred to me that it was a possibility! On the two sites I used to use before MFP, they would both correct erroneous data by upping the calories in the food to match the entered macros.

I'm going to be going through my diary for the last month and adding everything up.

I would definitely increase your fiber and your protein. MFP goals for fiber are too low....you should be at least 25 - 30 g /day. And protein is so very necessary especially if you are weight training. You are lacking in that everyday. Watch your sodium levels and drink lots of water....especially if you have a high sodium day. Don't get discouraged...Just keep moving along. IF things haven't changed in this long then you need to change things up. Make sure you are accurate with your food measures and your calories burned. Get a food scale...a definite must and maybe a Heart rate monitor if you don't already have one. These things make it so much easier to be accurate.

Good luck and DON'T GIVE UP !

I'm similar in age and height to you and I'm currently a little below your goal weight. I maintain on what you are eating each day, so maybe your calories are too high. If I ate what I've found to be my TDEE, I'd definitely gain weight! What worked for me was figuring my TDEE at a step lower than my actual activity level. My net has to be below 1350 for me to lose any weight at all, and even then it is slow. Good luck to you and don't feel bad for the last two months. You probably gained some good experience counting calories, you might have figured out what doesn't work, and it looks like you've been working out a lot and are in better shape. Good luck to you and I hope you figure this out.

Your calories don't add up to your macros. I would try and ensure

1) You hit or exceed the protein every day
2) you stay under on the carbs and sugar
3) you make sure your food info is correct

I counted up the macros to several days and one was off by 700 calories! You thought you ate 1700 but you ate 2400!! That is a big difference...

Sorry but I still don't understand why? Isn't it the total calories that count? Why would I need to add up the macros? Is there a link somewhere that explains this. Thanks.

^^^^^^^Could someone please explain this to me? Something I've never really heard about, but I find it interesting!

I just checked my own. The don't add up. They're out between 49 and -35 everyday, and average out to 7.375 over the course of eight days.

Carbs are 4 calories per gram.
Fats are 9 calories per gram.
Proteins are 4 calories per gram.

Calculate your total calories for each of your macros. Add them together. Do they match your total calories consumed?

I would probably lower your calorie goal or excersise more( since you dont eat those calories back ), either way the way we lose weight is by cosuming less than we take in, so I think thats the most obvious answer.

Also per another suggestion try to pay close attention to your macros. keep your sugar low and protein high and drink lots of water. I hope that this helps... I can understand how frustrated you might be. Don't give up!

It looks like we're in the same boat. I'm the same age, though taller, and my scale has been stuck for months as well. I have little advice since I'm still trying to figure this out as well.

What I've done is put the scale away for the time being and am focusing on my strength training. I'll reevaluate after a month to see where I stand.

I've sent you a friend request. Good luck!

Hi. I noticed that you were not counting your sodium intake and I see that you eat a lot of things that have extremely high sodium. I would suggest tracking that as well and see if you can get the numbers down.

This. It's something people often overlook. Whenever you get something that is pre-packed and processed its LOADED with sodium. Also, you don't log water.... are you drinking atleast 8 glasses? This is VERY important. you're probably holding onto lots of water weight.

I think this is one instance where no one's gonna tell you to eat more to lose more.

I'm going to agree with some of the others and say that I think you might be eating more at maintenance. Some people just don't fit into those TDEE calculators (myself for example). I'm 5'7", 133 pounds, 44 years old, and maintain at what you are eating. If I want to lose, I have to drop my calories from there.

I also agree with what the others are saying about food choices. I find that if I eat a bunch of junkie foods, even if I stay within my calorie limits, I don't have the results I do if I'm eating healthy, whole foods.

I'm glad you're sticking with it! Keep at it, and you'll find that sweet spot that works for you!

ya-sorry to say your diary doesn't look very "healthy"
lots of junk and processed foods=high sodium.
your fat grams allowed are super high and your protein is low-remember 1g (per lb of your weight) is the norm.
weight training is great but I think you also need to add some cardio.