Frustrated

emoflosser
emoflosser Posts: 16 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Hello,
The weight just won't seem to come off. I've been doing this a little over a month now and I've had success in the past. I'm using 20% of my TDEE, not the MFP set calories and I get close to it everyday. The only thing that has changed is that I can't exercise very much because I have a labral hip tear. I do work as a nurse with busy 12 hour shifts and I do take walks & do arm workouts.

I used to be a runner but had to stop and then the weight piled on. I have 50 lbs to lose. The first week I started I lost 2.4 and I have basically just bounced around only losing a little over 1 lb since. I just don't get why it's not coming off unless it's due to my inability to exercise like I used to.

I'm considering going to a dietician to help me figure this out. (Also, my measurements have changed very little since I've started this.)

I'm also aware that I know that this is a long road and that I have to be patient, but when I don't see results in any way, shape, or form, I feel like there's something I'm missing.

Replies

  • shadow2soul
    shadow2soul Posts: 7,692 Member
    - Have you had your thyroid tested?
    - Have you had tests done for any other medical conditions that affect your metabolism?
    - Have you been taking measurements?
    - Are you weighing your food out?
  • emoflosser
    emoflosser Posts: 16 Member
    - Yes, my thyroid is normal.
    - I have Crohn's Disease, but that doesn't really affect my metabolism.
    - My measurements have changed slightly, like minus 0.5 inch.
    - Yes, I use measuring cups and I have a digital weight scale to measure food.

    I just don't get it.
  • nomeejerome
    nomeejerome Posts: 2,616 Member
    The first week I started I lost 2.4 and I have basically just bounced around only losing a little over 1 lb since.

    So, you are still losing, just not as fast as the first week?
  • Bekahmardis
    Bekahmardis Posts: 602 Member
    Hello,
    The weight just won't seem to come off. I've been doing this a little over a month now and I've had success in the past. I'm using my TDEE, not the MFP set calories and I get close to it everyday.

    Well, if you are actually using your TDEE, that's supposed to be your *maintenance* calories. Try using TDEE minus about 20% for a month and see how that goes?
  • shadow2soul
    shadow2soul Posts: 7,692 Member
    Measurements changing is a good sign. Maybe try subtracting or adding 100 calories for about 4 weeks and see if you lose. It sounds like you might just have your calorie goal off slightly.
  • emoflosser
    emoflosser Posts: 16 Member
    Sorry, I misspoke, I am using 20% of my TDEE.

    I have lost and gained a pound every week since I lost that first week, so I keep bobbing back in forth.
  • paxbfl
    paxbfl Posts: 391 Member
    Maybe your math is wrong. What is your age, height, weight, BMR, TDEE? How many calories are you eating every day? Are you eating at least 1200 calories? Do you allow yourself a "free day" or is every day about the same?

    Not being able to exercise makes it a lot harder but if you have 50 pounds to lose you should still be able to lose it - just maybe not as fast. Let's see those numbers and see if we can help you figure it out!
  • Bekahmardis
    Bekahmardis Posts: 602 Member
    Then yes, I would subtract a 100 to 200 more calories from your TDEE. It's possible that it was simply miscalculated....not all the calculators are perfect. :)
  • nomeejerome
    nomeejerome Posts: 2,616 Member
    Maybe open your diary, so people can give specific advice?
  • emoflosser
    emoflosser Posts: 16 Member
    I'm 27, I'm 5'8" and weigh 199.1 lbs. My BMR is set from lightly active 1-3 hours a week and it's shown to be 1707, and my TDEE is 2348, which I eat 1763. I do change things up, I have a cheat meal about once or twice a week, but I don't go crazy over.

    I opened my diary now, I forgot to make it public for this.

    Also there's last Friday that it's not showing the rest of my meals that I put in, and Saturday I was camping so I didn't have service to put in my meals.
  • lrmall01
    lrmall01 Posts: 377 Member
    Took a quick peek at your diary and here are a few comments.
    - You need more veggies. Add veggies and fruit to push out some of the lower quality foods.
    - Also hard to tell because many calories are quick adds but it looks like your protein intake is low. Shoot for 100g protein a day.

    If you make an effort to eat 100f protein and as many vegetables as you can each day I think you'll see some movement.

    Good luck.
  • emoflosser
    emoflosser Posts: 16 Member
    lrmall01- You're probably right about the protein, I don't think I do eat enough of that.
    I actually do eat a lot of veggies, I don't log them because they are usually 0 calories and I'm too lazy to add them. I know, I know...
  • cmeiron
    cmeiron Posts: 1,599 Member
    lrmall01- You're probably right about the protein, I don't think I do eat enough of that.
    I actually do eat a lot of veggies, I don't log them because they are usually 0 calories and I'm too lazy to add them. I know, I know...

    This right here is probably your issue (one, anyway). I eat probably 200 -300 calories of veggies every day, and I eat what would probably be considered a fairly average/normal amount. There's no such thing as "zero calorie" veggies. Weigh and log those. You'll probably be surprised at the difference in your intake estimates.
  • 89nunu
    89nunu Posts: 1,082 Member
    lrmall01- You're probably right about the protein, I don't think I do eat enough of that.
    I actually do eat a lot of veggies, I don't log them because they are usually 0 calories and I'm too lazy to add them. I know, I know...
    And this might well be your problem! There are no 0 calorie foods. Even veg got calories! You need to log everything!
  • michellechawner
    michellechawner Posts: 892
    lrmall01- You're probably right about the protein, I don't think I do eat enough of that.
    I actually do eat a lot of veggies, I don't log them because they are usually 0 calories and I'm too lazy to add them. I know, I know...

    Veggies are NOT zero calories. All the veggies I eat have at least some calories. It may be low, but it's still calories

    Def make sure you get enough protein, and maybe sure you log everything, and not just quick add calories... I try not to use quick add because it doesn't show all the nutrients i'm trying to log, plus it's just a guess, and I could be way off, like I usually am with quick add.
  • emoflosser
    emoflosser Posts: 16 Member
    Okay, I will start logging my veggies. Do you think I'm eating enough or should I be eating more? Every TDEE calculator that I'm looking at right now says I'm barely eating above my BMR?
  • cmeiron
    cmeiron Posts: 1,599 Member
    Okay, I will start logging my veggies. Do you think I'm eating enough or should I be eating more? Every TDEE calculator that I'm looking at right now says I'm barely eating above my BMR?

    Start with tracking EVERYTHING you eat first. Using a scale, not measuring cups, unless its a liquid. Do that for a couple of weeks, assess your progress, then adjust your intake as needed.
  • 89nunu
    89nunu Posts: 1,082 Member
    Okay, I will start logging my veggies. Do you think I'm eating enough or should I be eating more? Every TDEE calculator that I'm looking at right now says I'm barely eating above my BMR?

    Start with tracking EVERYTHING you eat first. Using a scale, not measuring cups, unless its a liquid. Do that for a couple of weeks, assess your progress, then adjust your intake as needed.
    This

    I don't see why your calorie goal should be wrong for your stats
  • loveswalking
    loveswalking Posts: 355 Member
    If you are eating alot of vegetables like you say and not recording them. Then you would not be eating at minus 20% of your TDEE but more at maintance..........Vegies do add up calorie was, some have more calories then others. You really do have to track everything...........
  • ryry_
    ryry_ Posts: 4,966 Member
    As everyone else has said...I think you problem is your inaccurate tracking is causing you to eat more than you think you are. Also your cheat meals, if out at a restraunt or something, and if it involves alcohol, also means you are likely eating back that deficit you created during the week. Your plan, if followed to a T and assuming all estimations are correct, is only going to get you a pound a week (which is what we want). So any cheat meals or inaccurate measuring is only going to result in a smaller #.
  • paxbfl
    paxbfl Posts: 391 Member
    I agree with what's already been said. Log everything carefully - at least until you know how everything adds up. You have to know the real numbers, not guesstimates.

    One other thing I'd suggest. When computing your TDEE, use "Desk Job with Little Exercise" to calculate it unless you have a very active job - like you walk a postal route or something. Then, log your exercise separately - I realize you're injured but if you walk, log that.

    Do NOT eat those exercise calories back. Put those calories toward weight-loss.

    So, on the calculator I use, your BMR is 1689 and your TDEE (with no exercise) is 2027. If you accurately eat around 1,800 calories a day you should lose a little under 1/2 a pound a week (1400 cals). If you're able to burn 300 calories a day through walking, you can burn a pound a week (3500 cals).

    Not sure if you're already doing it, but try eating 5-6 small meals a day instead of 3 big meals. So eat 6 meals of 300 calories each spread throughout the day. This helps keep your metabolism, blood sugar and energy levels stable throughout the day. Plus, you're less likely to be hungry. 300 calories is a decent amount of food - a 6 inch Turkey Subway sandwich and an Egg McMuffin are each about 300 cals. If you're having a bigger dinner, just eat 5 meals that day and double up with a 600 calorie dinner (which is manageable eating out at most restaurants if you're careful).

    Hope this helps - good luck!

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