Doing so good, but losing nothing!
mzvanessakay
Posts: 5
Thank you ahead of time for your advice.. I will try to keep it short. I'm 23, 5'9. I decided to get serious with my fitness pal and really track the food I eat. For almost 3 weeks I have been tracking my calories and eating the exact amount I should, sometimes a LITTLE under, sometimes a LITTLE over (literally 100 calories each way, if that). The only "weight" I have lost is the initial first days when you lose the water weight and such. Every time I step on the scale the number fluctuates a pound or 2, but never being below a certain point. I am more focused on eating right now so I don't overwhelm myself, but I do throw in exercise about 2 to 3 days out of the week. This usually consists of ZUMBA for 45 minutes or fast walking for 45 minutes. The days I do work out, I notice the scale will go up the next morning and that makes sense (muscle gain, water retention, etc), but there will be days when I don't work out for days in a row and STILL see no pounds dropping. I am so frustrated! I feel like I am so on top of things and getting no where. please help.
0
Replies
-
You'll need to make your diary public for long enough to get some answers. What is your calorie goal? Desired loss per week? How much do you have to lose? Do you weigh and measure your food? If your goal was generated by MFP did you put the appropriate job activity level? Do you eat back your earned exercise calories? Have you had blood work done to rule out medical conditions that might impact your loss rate?0
-
From looking at your diary, you seem to have a pretty weird diet. It looks like it is all tuna, eggs, and carbs! Where are the veggies?! I think it is time for you reevaluate your diet and maybe cut back on calories further.0
-
If everyday was like yesterday and you increase your exercise, I believe you'll lose weight. 1700 calories for someone your height is about maintenance (don't know your weight). So you're basically only losing what you exercise right now, and I don't know what Zumba is, but I don't think 45 minutes twice a week will show much progress.0
-
Well I'd like to make a comment and try to help, but as I was looking at your diary you made it private...... so I guess you don't really want help with this.
Good luck0 -
I am trying to lose 20 pounds for now. I weight & measure my food as well. I was always told that MFP gives you an amount of calories that will allow you to lose weight even with no exercise (I put sedentary when making my profile), so when I DO exercise and burn 300 calories or so, I feel like I need to eat some of those back or my body will feel deprived and go into starvation mode after a bit. But maybe I'm wrong about that? Maybe the calories MFP has given me are a little more than I should be eating to lose 2 pounds per week because I tried another app called MyPlate and the calories it gave me were about 250 less than MFP.0
-
You're right, you should eat back at least some of those earned calories. Just know that MFP tends to over eatimate burn so eat at least half but up to 2/.3rd if you're still hungry.
With 20 pounds to lose, you should set your weekly weight loss goal to 1/2 pound.
How long have you not lost weight? You could just be in a temporary hold - it happens to all of us. Maybe try to clean up your diet a bit more, drink more water to counteract the water weight and try to add in another workout if you can. Also make sure you're getting enough sleep. That's just as important to weight loss (and health) as eating right and being active.
P.S. Don't listen to Tony. Without knowing your weight, there's no way to say for sure what your maintenance calories are. I plugged your numbers into Scooby's calculator and came up with 1820 for maintenance (aka TDEE) using a mid-normal weight of 150. Here's a link to the website so you can pull the numbers yourself.
http://scoobysworkshop.com/calorie-calculator/0 -
Well I'd like to make a comment and try to help, but as I was looking at your diary you made it private...... so I guess you don't really want help with this.
Good luck
it is not private anymore0 -
its your sodium, your eating way to much. I also noticed that your eating starbucks for breakfast. try and cut that out for a week and see if that helps. i drink a meal replacement shake instead and that finally made the scale move0
-
its your sodium, your eating way to much. I also noticed that your eating starbucks for breakfast. try and cut that out for a week and see if that helps. i drink a meal replacement shake instead and that finally made the scale move
maybe I am just missing the little thing then like sodium and such. I will try a meal replacement shake! Thank you for your response0 -
You're right, you should eat back at least some of those earned calories. Just know that MFP tends to over eatimate burn so eat at least half but up to 2/.3rd if you're still hungry.
With 20 pounds to lose, you should set your weekly weight loss goal to 1/2 pound.
How long have you not lost weight? You could just be in a temporary hold - it happens to all of us. Maybe try to clean up your diet a bit more, drink more water to counteract the water weight and try to add in another workout if you can. Also make sure you're getting enough sleep. That's just as important to weight loss (and health) as eating right and being active.
P.S. Don't listen to Tony. Without knowing your weight, there's no way to say for sure what your maintenance calories are. I plugged your numbers into Scooby's calculator and came up with 1820 for maintenance (aka TDEE) using a mid-normal weight of 150. Here's a link to the website so you can pull the numbers yourself.
http://scoobysworkshop.com/calorie-calculator/
Thank you so much for your response! I didn't think anyone would even help me out... very cool. I appreciate your advice. I will plug my numbers in!0 -
I agree, you have really high sodium. Try to lower your intake and drink lots of water - at least the recommended 8 cups, if not more like 10-12 cups, per day. Also I noticed there are days you don't log at all or you don't appear to complete your logging. Maybe there are cheat days and you enjoy taking that day off from logging but since you're at a standstill, I would get back to logging consistently. Also, if you're not already weighing and measuring things, start a.s.a.p. There's no way to know for sure what's wrong if you're not as detailed as possible.
And you're very welcome
0 -
hi - I looked at your diary - just for a couple days - here is what it looks like is a problem - which is causing you to be on a "maintenance" rather than weight loss type of eating.. (maintenance will keep you at your current weight for as long as you do it).
Too much sodium. Too many calories in one meal. some days you went over. No veggies.. moderate amount of snacks.
What I would change is - eat no more than your allotted calories. Keep sodium under 1,500. You had some meals that were over 1,000 calories or close to it.
I would made the meals less calories and instead eat more low calories veggies.
i dont know if this affectts you like me, but i find when i eat more at night, i wake up in the morning when i weigh myself as not doing well.. but if i eat my most calorie-meal at lunchtime, by the time the morning weigh-in happens, it seems like i show a bigger weight loss on the scale. Try this and see if that helps.
I do not believe you can eat ANYTHING you want, as some foods are not going to work with our bodies, for some reason, its not a scientific fact, but just what i'vve observed and maybe that can help you too.0 -
It sounds to me like you don't have quite enough of a calorie deficit going on. I think if it were me I would cut 100-200 more calories a day from my goal. I'd probably do 1500. If you increase your exercise you could still eat about the same, but still have more of a deficit. Foods that make you feel fuller are things like lean protein and high fiber foods. I do agree that the MFP exercise calculator over estimates a bit, so I wouldn't eat back ALL of the calories it says you burn.0
-
You're right, you should eat back at least some of those earned calories. Just know that MFP tends to over eatimate burn so eat at least half but up to 2/.3rd if you're still hungry.
With 20 pounds to lose, you should set your weekly weight loss goal to 1/2 pound.
How long have you not lost weight? You could just be in a temporary hold - it happens to all of us. Maybe try to clean up your diet a bit more, drink more water to counteract the water weight and try to add in another workout if you can. Also make sure you're getting enough sleep. That's just as important to weight loss (and health) as eating right and being active.
P.S. Don't listen to Tony. Without knowing your weight, there's no way to say for sure what your maintenance calories are. I plugged your numbers into Scooby's calculator and came up with 1820 for maintenance (aka TDEE) using a mid-normal weight of 150. Here's a link to the website so you can pull the numbers yourself.
http://scoobysworkshop.com/calorie-calculator/
I said "about". Like I said, don't know her weight. She could be 130 lbs or 150 lbs, both instances will spit out numbers around 1700 +/- 200 calories. If she continues eating at 1700 everyday and is not losing weight over a sustained amount of time. The answer is, lower your calorie intake and/or increase your calorie expenditure. 0 -
I am 5'7" 180 lbs. I am allowed 1320 cals a day. With exercise I can do about 1600 which I never do. I am not sure how much you weigh. I have lost about 1 lbs a week0
-
Hi there. I'm 23 and 5'8. I was in the same boat as you, not losing any weight for weeks. I switched to the calories calculated using TDEE and have lost 4 lbs in a month (which is great for me!) I would suggest using that. Add me as a friend if you would like, we're in the same 'boat" good luck!! 0
-
1700 calories for someone your height is about maintenance (don't know your weight).
She's 1.25' taller than me and 11 years younger and my maintenance is 2600 calories. OP, PM me if you want some non-forum help figuring out your numbers. This is a great resource for help: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/975025-in-place-of-a-road-map-short-n-sweet . Check out the "roadmap" or IPOARM and you can also join the group.
For the mathematically challenged, I'm 5'7 3/4 and 34 years old (and 158 pounds).You had some meals that were over 1,000 calories or close to it.
No big deal to have large meals unless it hurts your tummy.0 -
I'm 5ft 8, 140 pounds and netting 1200. Yours seemed a bit high at 1700?
I'm no expert though...0 -
its your sodium, your eating way to much. I also noticed that your eating starbucks for breakfast. try and cut that out for a week and see if that helps. i drink a meal replacement shake instead and that finally made the scale move
maybe I am just missing the little thing then like sodium and such. I will try a meal replacement shake! Thank you for your response
Yes, try and skip the breakfast sandwich from Starbucks. I used to go to Dunkin Donuts three days a week and get a egg-sausage bagel sandwich. I cut those out of my diet and instead bring scrambled eggs with me to work and have oatmeal with bluberries...it made a big difference! The meal replacement shake can also work...
I would suggest cutting out all the cheese and dairy...I have personal beliefs surrounding dairy products and the cheese and don't find any use for them in my diet.
Also try and get your sodium down to maybe like 1800 or so? Hope this helps 0 -
Take a look at your measurements a minute. I have been with MFP for about a month and have lost minimal weight. I have, however, taken 5 " off my hips. I feel discouraged about what the scale says sometimes, because that is what it is all measured by...but I take comfort in knowing the dimensions are coming down and my pants are fitting better.0
-
I'm in the same boat I've been eating healty following Fit2Fat2Fit meal plan for a month now and started working out 3 weeks ago. I haven't lost anything and have only gained a few pounds. I've noticed since I'm not going anywhere with my weight I've started to slip into old habits of eating out more and more. I'm trying to stop it before it's too late. Can I get some help too? I started the the meal plan July 27 or 28 and don't look at this last week because I know it's not good and isn't helping.0
-
Thank you ahead of time for your advice.. I will try to keep it short. I'm 23, 5'9. I decided to get serious with my fitness pal and really track the food I eat. For almost 3 weeks I have been tracking my calories and eating the exact amount I should, sometimes a LITTLE under, sometimes a LITTLE over (literally 100 calories each way, if that). The only "weight" I have lost is the initial first days when you lose the water weight and such. Every time I step on the scale the number fluctuates a pound or 2, but never being below a certain point. I am more focused on eating right now so I don't overwhelm myself, but I do throw in exercise about 2 to 3 days out of the week. This usually consists of ZUMBA for 45 minutes or fast walking for 45 minutes. The days I do work out, I notice the scale will go up the next morning and that makes sense (muscle gain, water retention, etc), but there will be days when I don't work out for days in a row and STILL see no pounds dropping. I am so frustrated! I feel like I am so on top of things and getting no where. please help.
I know you want to lose weight...and NOT seeing that scale move can be heartbreaking. However, let me tell you something that it took me a LONG time to understand. The scale is a lying witch. Even the tape measure can lie to you on occasion. Pictures will never lie.
0120100909 by crochetmom2010, on Flickr
IMG00856-20121123-0837 by crochetmom2010, on Flickr
march and april 2013 by crochetmom2010, on Flickr
These 3 pictures are taken over a 2-3 year period, wearing the same shirt, and weighing within like 2 pounds.
Untitled by crochetmom2010, on Flickr
this last picture is taken over a few months. The blue top is back in mid may. The middle picture, and the picture in the bikini top were taken just a few days apart. I've lost a whole 2 lbs since May.0 -
OP- use the calculator provided to you by several people so that you could figure out what your caloric intake should be. Once you decide how many calories you want to eat- you could eat whatever you want as long as you're within your caloric goal for the day. If your goal is weight loss- then it doesn't matter where your calories are coming from as long as you're creating a deficit. High intakes of sodium can cause water retention- but that can easily be rectified by drinking more water and increasing your potassium intake.0
-
Too much sodium. Too many calories in one meal. some days you went over. No veggies.. moderate amount of snacks.
I would made the meals less calories and instead eat more low calories veggies.
i dont know if this affectts you like me, but i find when i eat more at night, i wake up in the morning when i weigh myself as not doing well.. but if i eat my most calorie-meal at lunchtime, by the time the morning weigh-in happens, it seems like i show a bigger weight loss on the scale. Try this and see if that helps.
I do not believe you can eat ANYTHING you want, as some foods are not going to work with our bodies, for some reason, its not a scientific fact, but just what i'vve observed and maybe that can help you too.
I agree with less sodium, more veggies AND all foods and liquids are not created equal when it comes to the mystery of our bodies..I have and I am sure most here have observed that some foods are not weight loss friendly no matter what the calorie count says.0 -
Too much sodium. Too many calories in one meal. some days you went over. No veggies.. moderate amount of snacks.
I would made the meals less calories and instead eat more low calories veggies.
i dont know if this affectts you like me, but i find when i eat more at night, i wake up in the morning when i weigh myself as not doing well.. but if i eat my most calorie-meal at lunchtime, by the time the morning weigh-in happens, it seems like i show a bigger weight loss on the scale. Try this and see if that helps.
I do not believe you can eat ANYTHING you want, as some foods are not going to work with our bodies, for some reason, its not a scientific fact, but just what i'vve observed and maybe that can help you too.
I agree with less sodium, more veggies AND all foods and liquids are not created equal when it comes to the mystery of our bodies..I have and I am sure most here have observed that some foods are not weight loss friendly no matter what the calorie count says.
Only in that some foods are more satiating than others, so if I stick to those it's easier to stay in my allotment for the day. Of course you should eat good ratios of veggies, proteins and fats for your health, but it doesn't really affect weight loss by a significant amount (assuming no medical conditions that affect weight loss).
If it did, I'd still be back at 5lbs lost. My attempts to eat a balanced diet are a bit (OK, more than a bit) on again, off again. I love cake. And I love to bake cake, especially out of my brand new Vintage Cakes cookbook :bigsmile:.0 -
Something that works really well for me and you can try is keeping my protein and carbs at about the same ratio or even more protein than carbs. But that being said I work out a lot. Also, start logging your water. Increase your water, especially on the days that you increase your sodium.
I agree with everyone else about getting more veggies (I should practice what I preach on this one).
You may also eventually want to look into strength training to add lean muscle. Zumba is great!
Good luck!0
Categories
- All Categories
- 1.4M Health, Wellness and Goals
- 393.6K Introduce Yourself
- 43.8K Getting Started
- 260.3K Health and Weight Loss
- 175.9K Food and Nutrition
- 47.5K Recipes
- 232.5K Fitness and Exercise
- 431 Sleep, Mindfulness and Overall Wellness
- 6.5K Goal: Maintaining Weight
- 8.6K Goal: Gaining Weight and Body Building
- 153K Motivation and Support
- 8K Challenges
- 1.3K Debate Club
- 96.3K Chit-Chat
- 2.5K Fun and Games
- 3.8K MyFitnessPal Information
- 24 News and Announcements
- 1.1K Feature Suggestions and Ideas
- 2.6K MyFitnessPal Tech Support Questions