Not losing weight yet
hollybygolly316
Posts: 8 Member
Hello,
My name is Holly, and I am 23 years old and currently 380 pounds. I have been on my exercise/healthy eating routine for 2 weeks now and have actually gained 2 pounds. I have cut out every drink but water, all fast food, and basically most junk food (I have a small cheat once in awhile but not very often). I'm wondering if the weight I have gained is muscle or if I need to change something I am doing? Anyone have any suggestions?
My name is Holly, and I am 23 years old and currently 380 pounds. I have been on my exercise/healthy eating routine for 2 weeks now and have actually gained 2 pounds. I have cut out every drink but water, all fast food, and basically most junk food (I have a small cheat once in awhile but not very often). I'm wondering if the weight I have gained is muscle or if I need to change something I am doing? Anyone have any suggestions?
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Replies
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you should open your diary so people can review it and give you more accurate guidance. fyi 2 weeks is not a long time and it is most likely not muscle gain.0
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Can you give us an idea of how many calories you're eating on a daily basis and what you are doing for exercise?
In two weeks, you will not have seen a 2lb gain in muscle mass...that'd be more like 2 months for a woman who is doing everything correctly!0 -
Ok, I think I have the privacy setting right now, so you should be able to see my diary. Any tips are appreciated.0
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If your logging is accurate, it's looking pretty good.
I find that weight came off in the first few days pretty easy, and then there was about a month of plateau before it started coming off again.0 -
Two weeks isn't long in the grand scheme of weight loss.
Are you making sure to weigh yourself at the same time of day? Is it hormones (TOM)? These things can contribute to odd fluctuations in the scale that really don't mean anything.
Also I will say that when I started, I was at 240, my first week I dropped about 5 lbs but my second week I GAINED 3 lbs, then I dropped another ~8lbs, then gained 5 lbs.... It was really weird. But it finally evened out and I started losing consistently.
So final answer is: If you're honest with tracking and feel you are doing it right, just give it time.0 -
Are you doing any exercise? It looks like you are doing good as far as your calorie goals, but maybe going for a walk each day or a few times a week might help. Also, it looks like we're in the same boat when it comes to going over daily sodium goals, but I guess that comes along with a busy life and having to eat convenience foods. I'm sure you'll start seeing results soon if you stick with it. Good Luck!!0
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It looks like your sodium intake is the culprit here. That much sodium in your diet is going to make you retain water, which will mask any actual weight loss. Try to watch out for highly processed or salty foods and keep your sodium levels under your target for a week or two & see how you get on. I'd bet you dollars to donuts you start losing weight. Good luck on your journey!0
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Check with your BMR and make sure you're actually eating enough. If your body isn't getting enough fuel, it will go in to starvation mode, causing it to hold on to fat! Research this for more info
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First, although I don't know what type of exercise you are doing, it is highly unlikely that the 2 pounds is muscle, particularly if you are eating at a deficit. I took a quick look at some of your diary and agree that it is pretty good ASSUMING that you are logging everything AND measure/weighing. Those are big assumptions. The other thing is there are a couple of days where you are way over on your sodium... Like WAY over. I think you really should focus on sodium intake as well as overall calorie intake for a couple of weeks and I think you will see progress. You could be losing fat, but masking it with water weight. Best of Luck and keep up the good work!0
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You are clearly starving yourself. I weight 1/3 of what you do and eat more on a day to day basis. Your really need to be hitting that goal calorie number every day. Eating under 1000 calories should NOT be done by any adult.
You should also drop your carbs in favor of higher fat and protein. Aim for at least 150g/protein and 70g/fat. High carb diets also make you retain water, I'll bet if you drop your carbs to under 200g/day for a week, you'll lose several lbs of water alone.
Please don't starve yourself. It's super counterproductive.0 -
Ok, I think I have the privacy setting right now, so you should be able to see my diary. Any tips are appreciated.
your sodium is out of control - and i suspect is one of the reasons you gained. lots and lots and lots and i mean LOTS of water to help flush out all that unnecessary sodium. now as for your eating habits i see alot of processed foods in your diet. have you thought about making some of the foods you eat (velvetta mac and cheese is not the best thing for you) but you can make your own cheese sauce using hard cheeses, milk, flour, salt and pepper by doing this you're able to control the amounts plus you could use whole wheat pasta too. also instead of deli meat how about thin sliced chicken breast for your sandwich. it's these little changes that will make a world of difference. 0 -
I do see that I have a lot of sodium in my diet, and the sad thing is that it was way higher before I started this, because of all the fast food we used to eat. I basically eat the same thing for breakfast and lunch and generally dinner on the weekdays, because I am working full-time, and it's convenient for me. I've seen a couple tips on here such as reducing sodium and carbs and increasing my fats and proteins. Any tips on making some of these changes? I've been eating the sandwiches and rice, because the fiber/whole grains help me feel fuller. If I start to feel hungry, I have a tendency to binge and go crazy, so I've been trying to make sure I don't get that hungry feeling. What could I substitute to help lower the carbs/sodium while increasing the fat/protein without feeling like I'm hungry all the time?0
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I highly recommend preparing your workday meals on Sundays. Invest in a $20 crockpot, some Tupperware, and an insulated lunch bag.
On Sunday mornings, throw 5lbs of chicken/beef/port into a crockpot with seasonings and a little water, sliced potatoes, and veggies of your choice (frozen works as well as fresh if you don't want to spend the time prepping!). Cook on high 6-8 hours.
Set aside 1/2 the meat for easy dinners or freeze for next week. Separate out the rest into 5 portions of the meat, potatoes, and veggies into the tupperware. Now you have lunch for the workdays. In the morning, throw a container of food into your lunch bag and add to it apples/bananas/etc, string cheese, cups of greek yogurt, cottage cheese, or trail mix. Surround yourself with healthy, whole foods.
Dedicating 10 minutes Sunday morning to tossing ingredients together and 20 minutes after it's cooked will actually save you time compared to making sandwiches every morning.0 -
I do see that I have a lot of sodium in my diet, and the sad thing is that it was way higher before I started this, because of all the fast food we used to eat. I basically eat the same thing for breakfast and lunch and generally dinner on the weekdays, because I am working full-time, and it's convenient for me. I've seen a couple tips on here such as reducing sodium and carbs and increasing my fats and proteins. Any tips on making some of these changes? I've been eating the sandwiches and rice, because the fiber/whole grains help me feel fuller. If I start to feel hungry, I have a tendency to binge and go crazy, so I've been trying to make sure I don't get that hungry feeling. What could I substitute to help lower the carbs/sodium while increasing the fat/protein without feeling like I'm hungry all the time?
Try to make small changes in the way you eat. Start with cutting out one of those high salt foods you eat all the time. The highest I see is that broth. It says low salt but that is far from low salt. To prevent that feeling of always being hungry you may want to try low calorie dense foods. Try having a large fresh salad with diced up fresh chicken breast on top. Roast your own boneless skinless chicken breasts and every day dice one up and put it over a salad in a container to take with you to work. It will keep you fuller longer than those 2 slices of deli lunch meat which is high in sodium and is better for you.
I used to have high BP. The first thing I did when my dr. said I had high BP was to cut out all salt, move more, and try to lose weight. You're off to a good start.
Also high in sodium are those processed cheese and that mac and cheese stuff you eat. Start to make small changes every day and you''ll get there.0 -
I do see that I have a lot of sodium in my diet, and the sad thing is that it was way higher before I started this, because of all the fast food we used to eat. I basically eat the same thing for breakfast and lunch and generally dinner on the weekdays, because I am working full-time, and it's convenient for me. I've seen a couple tips on here such as reducing sodium and carbs and increasing my fats and proteins. Any tips on making some of these changes? I've been eating the sandwiches and rice, because the fiber/whole grains help me feel fuller. If I start to feel hungry, I have a tendency to binge and go crazy, so I've been trying to make sure I don't get that hungry feeling. What could I substitute to help lower the carbs/sodium while increasing the fat/protein without feeling like I'm hungry all the time?
What helps me a lot is to make things ahead of time so I don't have to use so many convenience foods. Boiled eggs are a great source of protein, and you can boil a bunch ahead of time to take to work. Or make up a big batch of real macaroni and cheese and pack it to go.
Carbs may make you feel fuller at first, but proteins will actually keep you fuller for longer.
When I first started I wasn't counting calories. I was just eating what made my body feel good. Processed food makes me feel like crap, fresh food gives me energy. You should think about how the food makes you feel.0 -
My favorite go to for dinner is stir fry. Again, I cook up enough for several meals...I guess I don't mind eating the same thing for days at a time
Fill your biggest fry pan with sliced meat and a couple bags of frozen veggies. Saute in some olive oi, soy sauce, and teriyaki sauce. I like to eat mine with some sliced avocado or full fat cheese sprinkled on top (a little cheese goes a long way if it's full fat!). Load up on the veggies and healthy fats and you shouldn't need the rice to help feel full. Do you know how many veggies you could eat instead of that one serving of rice?? A LOT!
Peanut butter spread on a couple of celery sticks, baby carrots, or an apple are a great snack for a sweet tooth. I love my air popper for popcorn. I spray it with the spray butter and sprinkle with parmesan cheese or ranch seasoning if I need something other than chips. You may also want to check out a chocolate protein powder (if you are a chocolate fan!). I mix a 1/2 scoop (60cal) with a cup of almond milk(30cal) for a chocolate milk fix.
Feel free to PM me, I'd love to give you more suggestions!0 -
eating fast food because its "convenient" isn't an excuse, especially if you are seriously motivated to lost the weight. To start, like everyone else has already said, your sodium is OUT OF CONTROL. I would assume most of us MFP are working adults, much like yourself, and eating fast food is a conscious decision to not prepare foods that you know are healthier and quite frankly cheaper. Learn to prep your meals the day before, or heck even the week before. I usually do most of my cooking and meal preps on Sunday and then put them in tupperwear so in the morning I can grab and go--the new fast food. If you have a smart phone invest in apps like Fooducate. It will triple your time in the supermarket but learn to read the labels and see exactly what is bombing out your diet. It will help tremendously.
Learn to change your old habits and excuses. Making excuses for your bad food habits will hurt no one except yourself. It takes a minute before you might start seeing results. Be patient.0 -
I have looked at your diary and have to agree with a lot of the posts on here that the issue would seem to be processed foods.
You will be amazed how much better you feel both physically and mentally when you eat a so-called "clean" diet.
Lots of protein will make you feel fuller for longer and release energy much slower than sugar and carbs.
If you still feel hungry I would recommend something like berries - you can eat plenty of these with very low calorie intake and feel like you are still getting "volume". A nice snack is blueberries and 0% fat yogurt / greek yoghurt for example - and no prep time!
Some tips that I use myself - porridge oats mixed with just water for breakfast - takes 2 mins in the microwave. Cook up some chicken or other lean meat at the weekend and turn this into lunches or use as snacks. Have lots of fresh fruit on hand at home and at work.
You will be carrying plastic boxes everywhere you go but you won't be hungry and the weight will drop off!!
Best of luck.0 -
eating fast food because its "convenient" isn't an excuse, especially if you are seriously motivated to lost the weight. To start, like everyone else has already said, your sodium is OUT OF CONTROL. I would assume most of us MFP are working adults, much like yourself, and eating fast food is a conscious decision to not prepare foods that you know are healthier and quite frankly cheaper. Learn to prep your meals the day before, or heck even the week before. I usually do most of my cooking and meal preps on Sunday and then put them in tupperwear so in the morning I can grab and go--the new fast food. If you have a smart phone invest in apps like Fooducate. It will triple your time in the supermarket but learn to read the labels and see exactly what is bombing out your diet. It will help tremendously.
Learn to change your old habits and excuses. Making excuses for your bad food habits will hurt no one except yourself. It takes a minute before you might start seeing results. Be patient.
I appreciate your honesty and suggestions, but at the same time, it is a little discouraging to have someone who has probably never been even half my weight scolding me like I'm a lazy child. If you read some of the previous comments, you would see that I said I have completely cut out fast food (i.e. McDonald's, Arby's, etc.). The only "fast food" I eat is microwavable macaroni and cheese, because it was something that was portioned small and was easy to throw in the microwave once I had lunch at work. I didn't come on here to make excuses. I have been doing my research, and the whole reason for this post was to help me get additional ideas to help me change some of my old habits. I am working on changing the old habits, but I need to learn new habits and what works/what doesn't work. That's why I posted this in the first place, to get advice from people who have done this longer than me and have had personal experience with what can work in my situation. I don't appreciate the assumption that I am trying to make excuses because I came on here asking for advice. It is precisely this attitude from "healthy" people that discourages really obese people like myself from even trying in the first place.0 -
If you felt like I was scolding you because you asked for an opinion, I am sorry but that is so off base. Don't get defensive if you ask for an opinion, you receive one, and then automatically assume you are being scolded. Just like I don't know you, you don't know me either. And don't get discouraged if someone says something you don't like and then say that its "healthy" people, such as myself that discourage you from losing weight. You are making quiet a few assumptions about me too, you know.
Please don't seek out advice and then get upset when someone says something you feel is hurtful. Remember that it was you asked for suggestions.0 -
eating fast food because its "convenient" isn't an excuse, especially if you are seriously motivated to lost the weight. To start, like everyone else has already said, your sodium is OUT OF CONTROL. I would assume most of us MFP are working adults, much like yourself, and eating fast food is a conscious decision to not prepare foods that you know are healthier and quite frankly cheaper. Learn to prep your meals the day before, or heck even the week before. I usually do most of my cooking and meal preps on Sunday and then put them in tupperwear so in the morning I can grab and go--the new fast food. If you have a smart phone invest in apps like Fooducate. It will triple your time in the supermarket but learn to read the labels and see exactly what is bombing out your diet. It will help tremendously.
Learn to change your old habits and excuses. Making excuses for your bad food habits will hurt no one except yourself. It takes a minute before you might start seeing results. Be patient.
I appreciate your honesty and suggestions, but at the same time, it is a little discouraging to have someone who has probably never been even half my weight scolding me like I'm a lazy child. If you read some of the previous comments, you would see that I said I have completely cut out fast food (i.e. McDonald's, Arby's, etc.). The only "fast food" I eat is microwavable macaroni and cheese, because it was something that was portioned small and was easy to throw in the microwave once I had lunch at work. I didn't come on here to make excuses. I have been doing my research, and the whole reason for this post was to help me get additional ideas to help me change some of my old habits. I am working on changing the old habits, but I need to learn new habits and what works/what doesn't work. That's why I posted this in the first place, to get advice from people who have done this longer than me and have had personal experience with what can work in my situation. I don't appreciate the assumption that I am trying to make excuses because I came on here asking for advice. It is precisely this attitude from "healthy" people that discourages really obese people like myself from even trying in the first place.
i think you may be misinterpreting what the poster is trying to say to you. i read and reread her response and while it's direct i don't believe her intentions are to hurt and discourage. i know it's frustrating to struggle with weight (i myself have struggled almost my whole life - no i was never over 200lbs but we all have our own weight issues). it's difficult to hear that what you ARE doing is still not right however it's not that it is not right per say it is more half correct than anything else. we are all guilty of eating quick meals for the very reason they are on the shelves at the grocery store - they are quick and mindless. the most important thing a person can learn about healthy eating is quick AND mindless are never a good thing. you don't actually learn anything from eating these foods. you don't learn portion sizes, you don't learn what healthy food is. the knowledge you will gain from this is just as important as the weight loss.
my suggestion: spend an afternoon (or just a few hours) learning how to prepare the foods you eat now (those quick and mindless meals); add frozen veggies to your homemade mac and cheese; add fruit to a salad of grilled chicken breast with almonds and dried cranberries. figure out how to incorporate veggies and other healthy things (like flax seed and nuts and fish) into the foods you already eat. little steps like this will make a world of difference later on down the line.
and congratulations on taking the biggest most important step in changing your lifestyle - joining here.:flowerforyou: 0 -
I'm with pretting much everyone else, your sodium is off the charts. I have very low BP, well around 90/60 on a good day. I don't eat much salt but my doctor keeps telling to increase it a bit. But I don't like salt. Or really salty things (other than sunflower seeds) but that's as bad as I get.
I see yesterday you had:
Minute Maid - Brown Rice, 1 Cup 300 68 3 6 20 0
Kraft - Singles - American Cheese, 1 Slice (21g) 60 2 4 3 200 1
Oscar Meyer 95% Fat Free - Oven Roasted White Turkey, 2 slice 60 2 3 6 440 0
Aunt Millie's - All Natural 100% Whole Wheat, 2 slice 180 34 2 8 300 4
Meijer - Chicken Broth Ready to Serve Reduced Sodium , 1 cup 10 1 0 1 570 1
Meijer - Rotisserie Chicken , 5 oz 267 2 17 28 550 0
You took in 2080 sodium in one meal. I think that is a lot, in my opinion. You had a sandwich and a meal for dinner, correct? If you have this meal again, try leaving out the sandwich and adding a salad. I see no veggies in your in any of your meals yessterday. Do you not like vegetables?
I understand the monotony of eating the same thing daily. You can look at my diet and see what I mean. But I love salad. So I have added a medium/lage salad to ever meal. I'm no dietician but I know how to modify what I eat. Like everyone else is saying to you have to surround yourself with healthy whole foods. Get more fruits, veggies, whole grains and cook at home. I use Mrs. Dash when I make my meats. I use every other seasoning except salt. I don't even keep it in the house anymore. I used to use it ito boil eggs and pasta, but stopped doing that. Go onto the internet, like cookinglight.com, and pull up easy, light, healthy recipes. Choose 5-7 recipes and shop them in your grocery list. This is what I do so that I have dinner every night. And most of my meals for dinner only take 20-30 mins to cook.
As for excerise, I have every excuse not to, but that is me. I'm busy trying to lighten the load on my knees and ankles a little bit before I start that part. But I do walk, a lot. I just don't do anything more than walk the dog 3.0mph. I'm slowly losing weight down 7lbs since I started. I've upped my calories by adding healthy stuff to my diet, in the form of snacks! The Cheese and yogurt and Special K snacks. Sometimes when I feel weak and woozy I know it's my BP acting funny so I'll steal a Chicken Cup Noodle. But that's like once a week, to balance out.
I hope you find everyone's suggestions healthy and happy.
Happy Deductions!
Nika0 -
I too agree...that I think it is the sodium levels...there are way too many processed foods in your diet, which always tend to have higher sodium. Really start reading labels when you buy foods so that you are aware of sodium levels, and try not to include a lot of processed foods in one day, because although calorie wise they might be good, sodium wise they are not. The other issue is you also would have to be concerned about possibly getting high blood pressure if you have so much sodium all the time.0
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I agree and thank you for saying it. I thought everyone here had a common goal of losing weight. Not everyone is saavy about foods and how the body works, or we would all be thin and healthy. It's a learning process, and we should be helping with that process. Unhealthy habits and behaviors don't appear over night, and they don't change overnight, nor can you expect to change everything all at once. Change is hard, and cutting out fast food was a good first step. The next step could be to start food swapping. This helped me immensely. I took one item per week and found a healthier alternative to it so that the changes came slowly and I could sustain them, like egg beaters for eggs, plain greek yogurt for sour cream etc. If you like mac & cheese, try Annie's Organics white cheedar. Make a couple of boxes and bulk it up with veggies, non-canned chicken, or tuna, portion it out and you have lunch for several days. I am also a big fan of make-ahead foods to "grab-n-go". The other thing I find helpful is if you have a smart phone, download the Endomondo app. It's an easy way to track exercise and calories and I find lyself going for walks just so I can use it. It syncs with MFP and adds it to your log for you and it's free. Feel free to send me a friend request.0
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