New here! And having trouble losing ANY weight.

jordenmakelle
jordenmakelle Posts: 11
in Health and Weight Loss
Hi everyone!
I just started using the app to count calories/track exercise and I wanted to get some advice as far as losing weight. I have always been pretty small for my height and able to eat pretty much whatever I wanted. However, I began to put on lots of weight (probably from around 127 to around 150) around November of last year.

I finally got tired of carryig the extra weight around. For the past month, i have been tracking calories, cutting carbs and fatty foods, eating protein, and working out vigorously about 1 1/2 hrs, 5 days per week.
I have only been using the diary for a day, but looking at it is a pretty good indicator of my daily food intake. (Minus the candy bar-which I almost never eat but I was having a chocolate craving lol) and also I usually work out 2 to 3 times as long.
Right now I'm sitting at 150 lbs and none of my clothes fit, etc. it's really frustrating to have been doing this for a month and not see any changes, but I'm trying to stay positive. Anyone have suggestions as to what I'm doing wrong? Am I not eating enough? It seems counterproductive to eat more so I haven't been. Any insight or similar experience is welcome!

Thanks!

Replies

  • Serah87
    Serah87 Posts: 5,481 Member
    How many calories are you doing a day??
  • jordenmakelle
    jordenmakelle Posts: 11
    I would say about 1200-1300 calories per day on average, but then im burning a lot of that off by exercising too.
  • notnikkisixx
    notnikkisixx Posts: 375 Member
    I would say about 1200-1300 calories per day on average, but then im burning a lot of that off by exercising too.

    You need to eat back the calories you are burning! 1200-1300 is pretty low on it's own...but it is especially low when you're burning that off.

    Another thing to consider is that you may not be portioning your foods correctly and in that case may be consuming way more calories than you think.
  • jordenmakelle
    jordenmakelle Posts: 11
    Thanks! Alright. I will start eating more. Any suggestions on portioning or good meals for a college student budget? Right now I eat lots of tuna, grilled chicken, and lots of fruits and veggies. I also drink a good amount of water.
  • notnikkisixx
    notnikkisixx Posts: 375 Member
    Invest in a digital food scale, they're about $10 at Target and I've gotten TONS of use out of mine. I never realized how out of whack my portions were until I started actually measuring.

    As far as food goes, I'd say to buy in bulk and freeze what you won't be using immediately. I do a lot of my produce shopping at Costco to save money. If you'd like to add me, I think my food diary is a pretty good place to look for meal ideas and portion sizes.
  • dwh77tx
    dwh77tx Posts: 513 Member
    when you say "working out vigorously" do you mean lots of cardio? I have not lost any weight all summer, but my clothes are fitting MUCH better now that I've been doing strength training, with lots of push ups, planks, squats. Try that!!
  • _HeartsOnFire_
    _HeartsOnFire_ Posts: 5,304 Member
    when you say "working out vigorously" do you mean lots of cardio? I have not lost any weight all summer, but my clothes are fitting MUCH better now that I've been doing strength training, with lots of push ups, planks, squats. Try that!!

    Agree!!! Do some body weight exercising!!! If you aren't already...
  • jordenmakelle
    jordenmakelle Posts: 11
    Typically i do both cardio and weights/squats etc daily! i will try to do more, I guess? based on a lot of posts I've read on the site it seems like I'm not eating enough, but I want to be certain that's the problem before I up my daily caloric intake - I certainly don't want to gain weight or stay at 150 lol
  • jordenmakelle
    jordenmakelle Posts: 11
    I am doing weights... Maybe I should do more? Anyone have a set amount of time they do cardio vs set amount of time doing things like lifting/squats/abs?
  • _HeartsOnFire_
    _HeartsOnFire_ Posts: 5,304 Member
    Are you eating back your exercise calories or no?

    I will agree you may not be eating enough. Depending on your preferences, you can stick with MFP and eat back your exercise calories (you will still be at a deficit). Or if you like knowing that X is your number and that's it, then you may want to try the TDEE-10-20% (20 is if you have a lot, I mean a LOT of weight to lose). You can track your exercise just log it as only 1 calorie burned.
  • jordenmakelle
    jordenmakelle Posts: 11
    I have not been eating back my exercise calories. Hmmmm. Maybe I Should do that and just aim for my NET to be 1200 calories. Until now, I have been eating 1200 calories and burning a lot off also by exercising!
  • _HeartsOnFire_
    _HeartsOnFire_ Posts: 5,304 Member
    Yes, you need to be eating them back...here's why...

    1200 - 300 (burned from exercising) = 900...your body needs at least 1200 to continue to function properly (and some people need more). If it doesn't get at least that then it will hold on to every cell it can.

    I would find out what your BMR is. Eat above your BMR and below your TDEE.

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/654536-in-place-of-a-road-map-2-0-revised-7-2-12

    There's kind of a step by step. Good luck. Feel free to add me.
  • _HeartsOnFire_
    _HeartsOnFire_ Posts: 5,304 Member
    Also, if you don't have a lot of weight lot lose you should be aiming at losing 1/2 to 1 lb a week.
  • jordenmakelle
    jordenmakelle Posts: 11
    Thanks for the advice! I'm trying to go from 150 to 125.

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