Stuck at one weight for over a week

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Replies

  • EDollah
    EDollah Posts: 464 Member
    I view week to week data as just that, data. It's over a 2 week period (min) that I look for a trend. That is, if I gained .5 pounds from week 0 to week 1, I'd shrug my shoulders. If I gained another .5 pounds from week 1 to 2, then I'd evaluate what was going on. I've found that in reality, if you're following a good plan, week 1 to week 2 will give more encouraging results.
  • leebesstoad
    leebesstoad Posts: 1,186 Member
    Have to lose 20 lbs in order to schedule some surgery I need. I'll stick to 1200 calories until I get that far, at least. The more I lose, the safer the surgery will be.

    Ray

    Ray, I think what a lot of people here are saying is that you might do better at a slightly higher calorie allowance. And even if not, it might be a bit safer, easier to stick to, and get you there in not much longer. You want to lose 20 pounds. Even if you did get 2 pounds a week, every week, that would be 10 weeks. At 1.5 pounds a week, it's only 13 weeks but you get to be eating 1450 calories a day. There are many who believe in the theory of eat more to lose more. And I've seen people increase their calories and start losing more. It's counter-intuitive, I know. but it can and does work. And worst case, you spend at most an extra 3 weeks. That's it. For someone your age, your size, I think everyone is saying 1200 calories may be too big of a deficit for your body to be able to handle easily. Just something for you to consider. The suggestion for you to go to scooby's workshop and look up your TDEE is a good one. But the fact that the recommendation of virtually everyone here that you might want to move up from 1200 calories should tell you something and you should think about it seriously.. I understand the need to get there quickly, but look at the experience of the people saying it. People who have been here for a long time. Just consider it.
  • rben1e
    rben1e Posts: 11
    If only dieting were obsessive. This would be a lot easier for me. I am dieting this aggressively because I have a gigantic hernia and must lose at least twenty pounds before the surgery can be scheduled. I spent two years farting around with less aggressive diets and made no progress. Once I've lost the first twenty pounds, I'll back off to a more rational pound a week plan.
    I do not really see why at your current weight that you MUST drop 20lbs to get a hernia surgery. I have had countless hernia surgeries and currently am awaiting another. Most of my hernia surgeries... about 4 of them were performed when i was overweight. I can't imagine any of my doctors telling me that to fix my horribly painful medical problem (that prevents exercise) that i should starve myself...
    If you are a 200lb man you body is starving at 1200 calories plain and simple. I am 115lb girl and i eat 300calories more than you EVERY day and still lose.

    I have a hernia that is 15 - 18 cm across. It's a really big hernia. It took me six months just to find a surgeon who would take on the job because of other complicating factors. I've seen the CT scans. The place where my insides are supposed to go is filled with fat. Since the doctor who is doing this is considered the best guy in the U.S. for this kind of surgery, I'm inclined to follow his advice.

    Up until recently, 1200 calories a day hasn't been a problem. Yesterday was a rough day, so I ate until I felt better, about 2000 calories, and today I upped my goal to 1300 calories a day. If I continue to have problems, I'll raise the calories again. I'm not crazy, just determined that lose the weight.
  • rben1e
    rben1e Posts: 11
    I appreciate everyone's concern. I've upped my calories to 1300 and will raise them more if I need to.
  • DebbieLyn63
    DebbieLyn63 Posts: 2,654 Member
    If only dieting were obsessive. This would be a lot easier for me. I am dieting this aggressively because I have a gigantic hernia and must lose at least twenty pounds before the surgery can be scheduled. I spent two years farting around with less aggressive diets and made no progress. Once I've lost the first twenty pounds, I'll back off to a more rational pound a week plan.
    I do not really see why at your current weight that you MUST drop 20lbs to get a hernia surgery. I have had countless hernia surgeries and currently am awaiting another. Most of my hernia surgeries... about 4 of them were performed when i was overweight. I can't imagine any of my doctors telling me that to fix my horribly painful medical problem (that prevents exercise) that i should starve myself...
    If you are a 200lb man you body is starving at 1200 calories plain and simple. I am 115lb girl and i eat 300calories more than you EVERY day and still lose.

    He is also 30 yrs older than you dear. Age makes a big difference in a lot of areas. Surgery is more dangerous. Extra weight causes more health problems. Metabolism takes a dive.

    OP- Sounds like you have a good plan for your surgery, supported by your doctor. Follow his advice and be patient.
  • redheaddee
    redheaddee Posts: 2,005 Member
    Yes.

    Take more measurements than just the scale.

    My scale has not moved but 3 pounds in 5 months. BUT: I am wearing smaller clothes, including bra & panties. I lift, and my lifts are getting stronger. I have new muscles in places. My energy is through the roof. I don't hate what I see in the mirror.

    You CANNOT rely on the scale only. If you do so, you are setting yourself up to fail. Get a tape measure, a camera, and a body fat caliper.

    ETA there are a few on here that may be eating too little. TDEE-20% is generally the best calorie goal, as long as it is at or over your BMR, which is the base amount your body needs to sustain organ function. You might want to research and find a better number, but 12-1300 for a male sounds very low.
  • 3foldchord
    3foldchord Posts: 2,918 Member
    You're not stuck yet, it's only a week. Have patience.

    I assume you're a male, and 1200 calories is too low for a 200 lb male (and a much smaller female). You might want to rethink your calories, or you're due for a lot of stuck weeks in the future, though.

    Quoted for Truth!

    And repeating the phrase: " Weight Loss is not linear."
  • A_Fit_Mom
    A_Fit_Mom Posts: 602 Member
    Very common, I lost a lot in the first 3 months around 29 pounds. But I have only lost 6 pounds in the last 2 months. I am close to goal, so I bet these last 5 pounds will take another 2-3 months. I am ok with that, since I know it isn't always about the scale.
  • MrsFowler1069
    MrsFowler1069 Posts: 657 Member
    When I started, a little over four weeks ago, I set a goal of losing 2lbs a week. I weighed 212 lbs. I need to get to 190 lbs, and would like to get down to 160 lbs. I've been eating 1200 calories a day, plus some of what I burn in cardio. I've been over a couple times, but not by more than 50-100 calories. I dropped the first few pounds pretty quickly, down to 206, but then bounced back up to 207 where I seem to be stuck.

    Is this common?

    Ray
    If only dieting were obsessive. This would be a lot easier for me. I am dieting this aggressively because I have a gigantic hernia and must lose at least twenty pounds before the surgery can be scheduled. I spent two years farting around with less aggressive diets and made no progress. Once I've lost the first twenty pounds, I'll back off to a more rational pound a week plan.
    I have a hernia that is 15 - 18 cm across. It's a really big hernia. It took me six months just to find a surgeon who would take on the job because of other complicating factors. I've seen the CT scans. The place where my insides are supposed to go is filled with fat. Since the doctor who is doing this is considered the best guy in the U.S. for this kind of surgery, I'm inclined to follow his advice.

    Up until recently, 1200 calories a day hasn't been a problem. Yesterday was a rough day, so I ate until I felt better, about 2000 calories, and today I upped my goal to 1300 calories a day. If I continue to have problems, I'll raise the calories again. I'm not crazy, just determined that lose the weight.
    I appreciate everyone's concern. I've upped my calories to 1300 and will raise them more if I need to.


    Hi, Ray. Congratulations on making healthy choices and on the progress you've accomplished so far. I just wanted to add that part of the reason for what seems to be a stall could be that your body is also still adjusting to a new exercise routine, during which it tries to store extra water and glucose in the muscles for ready use. As this levels off, you will probably see a loss.

    In the meantime, following the advice of your doctor is a great choice. I definitely hope you get your medical problem taken care of. You are to be commended for taking this so seriously and taking control of your health.

    For what it's worth, I think you're making the right choice in re-evaluating your calorie levels and continuing to do so. For the sake of progress, satisfaction, and sustainability, I think you'll be glad you did.

    Take care. Hang in there.
  • MissSaturday
    MissSaturday Posts: 784 Member
    change workout every two weeks! :D
  • MelissaPhippsFeagins
    MelissaPhippsFeagins Posts: 8,063 Member
    I personally refuse to acknowledge what is commonly referred to as the "plateau"....

    When the scale seems to not want to move, I take some drastic measures to confuse my body as to what is really happening. NO GETTING INTO A RUT, BODY!

    4- Treat Day - this is my favorite one...sometimes your body detects your intentions as detrimental. Unless you have been cheating and not being honest with yourself first, give your body the chance to take a day off and know that you are not intending to deprive it of every simple pleasure. This is not an opportunity to drink two bottles of wine, but have a glass or two; don't eat the 32 ounce porterhouse, but enjoy the 6 oz filet; don't eat the loaf of fresh baked sourdough and the whole cube of butter, but enjoy a nice hot melty treat piece. Still eat your veggies, still eat your fruit, still eat your dairy, but maybe as icecream instead of cottage cheese.

    8- Pick a NEW diet habit to focus on: like taking vitamins if you don't - or - discontinuing eating after 5 pm - or - trying to learn how to prepare the odd vegetables we never buy in a tasty diet friendly way (jicama? fennel? bok choy? collard greens?) Be creative and inventive.

    , drank the rest of the yummy scotch I had on my last fat day ($$$ = too pricey to dump - had to drink it)

    Those are my secrets. Happy to share what has worked for me in the past.


    I am totally in agreement with not getting into a rut.

    Your #4) Love the treat days - had one yesterday and still dropped .5lbs on the scale. :-) At the cookout I went to, someone mentioned that he could see a difference in my appearance in the last three weeks. (He's a good family friend and I run by his house every other day...)

    Your #8) I chuckled at the thought that collard greens are an unusual food. I am a good rural Southern girl...I've been fixing collard greens forever. They are best with soup beans (no ham or bacon if you're trying to go low fat) and cornbread. Do wilt them in real butter though. The extra calories are worth it. :-)

    I would have kept the Scotch for treat days or for days like this one when I feel a cold coming on....
  • Sarauk2sf
    Sarauk2sf Posts: 28,072 Member
    I think debbs1970 has some very good tips for changing up what you're doing when stuck at a weight.

    I think some of them are terrible tbh.

    OP: as others have said, weight loss is not linear. Large deficits can stress the body and be more likely to lead to water retention. I realize that you need to lose weight pretty quickly for surgery. However, I urge you to up your calories after. Eating more will help healing and recovery. There are a bunch is reasons not to continue on those very low calories, including greater risk of loss of LBM, insufficient protein and fats, insufficient micronutrients, the risk of adherence and energy issues, hormonal issues...
  • guessrs
    guessrs Posts: 358 Member
    I lose weight in about 5 pound chunks once a month. So be patient. It will fall off.
  • MelissaPhippsFeagins
    MelissaPhippsFeagins Posts: 8,063 Member
    Ray,
    I just want to wish you luck with your surgery and that I totally understand the surgeon's recommendation that you lose the weight first. In addition to the hernia having allowed your fat to take over the space where the organs should be, there can be anesthesia complications in morbidly obese patients. (I don't know if you personally are/were clinically morbidly obese, and since you working at fixing it, I don't care, I'm just pointing it out to some readers who don't know that about anesthesia.)
    Take care,
    Myssi
  • SLLRunner
    SLLRunner Posts: 12,942 Member
    rben1e,

    What you describe is normal. In fact, when I figured out I'd gained weight back over the last five years and started using MFP, I didn't lose for the first month or so. Now, I lose but it's different amounts each week. I think I've had a week where I didn't lose at all, but that's okay too. Nobody weighs exactly the same all the time.
    I appreciate everyone's concern. I've upped my calories to 1300 and will raise them more if I need to.

    Scheduled operations are generally a month to several weeks out from the date you schedule them, unless the illness/problem is life threatening. I would also raise your calorie intake to more than 1300, since you are male. If you are having an operation soon, your body must be in the best condition that you can make it.

    Also, have you gotten a second opinion on needing to lose 20 lbs before you can have a hernia operation? It seems a strange thing for a doctor to say when there are overweight and obese people who have hernia operations.
  • itsjustdawn
    itsjustdawn Posts: 1,073 Member
    Why are you eating so little??
  • CMB1979
    CMB1979 Posts: 588 Member
    I went from 265 to 185 in about 5 months. I've been stuck between 180-185 now for 2 years. Each time I hit 180, I bounce back up to 185. That's a plateau.
  • meeper123
    meeper123 Posts: 3,347 Member
    Week isnt long enough to br stuck -.0
  • connie_messina
    connie_messina Posts: 495 Member
    I've gotten past that first hump, apparently. Now I'm down to 203, only 13 lbs more to go to reach my first goal. Once I've reached 190, I'll slow down to about one pound a week.

    BTW, my ticker doesn't seem to work, never shows any progress. Is there a way to fix it?

    If your weight loss is not correctly reflected in your account, or if your weight loss graph is showing unusual results, you may have an accidental weight or date entry. We recommend checking your past entries. The program calculates your weight loss by subtracting your very last weight entry from your very first.

    For example, if you start the program on January 1st, with a weight entry of 200 pounds, take some time away from the site, and return on February 1st with a weight entry of 205 pounds, MyFitnessPal still considers your starting weight to be 200 pounds. Your ticker will not reflect a weight loss until you log a weight lower than 200 pounds. To use a weight entry other than your very first entry for calculating your total weight loss, we recommend deleting entries earlier than your desired starting weight.

    After you have made any needed corrections, the next time you log your weight, the correct amount of total weight loss should be reflected in your ticker.
  • grumpadon
    grumpadon Posts: 24
    Have to lose 20 lbs in order to schedule some surgery I need. I'll stick to 1200 calories until I get that far, at least. The more I lose, the safer the surgery will be.

    Ray
    you will have a better chance at losing the 20 pounds if you increase your calories. you don't have to do a drastic change. go to 1500. if your body doesn't get enough nutrients. your metabolism slows down. when you finish your food diary for the day. you should see a note in red warning of starvation mode. I was stuck at one weight for 3 months after an initial 16 pound loss when I first joined a gym. I tried all kinds of small things to kick start the loss again. it finally worked when I increased my calories. just a suggestion. btw. my total weight loss is 85 pounds. it's been 15 pounds since joining MFP. joining got me past the 3 month plateau.
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  • funkim55
    funkim55 Posts: 216 Member
    Don't worry about being stuck at the same weight for a week. For the first 2 months of my diet, I would lose 4 pounds every other week. The weeks in between I would lose nothing. The body is shocked you are watching your calories and exercising. Keep up the good work.

    Also, try and get 8 hours of sleep each night. The body needs to rest in order to be in peak condition. Otherwise, you might not lose weight as fast.

    Congratulations on your weight loss!!!
  • rben1e
    rben1e Posts: 11
    I'm down about nine pounds, now. Only 2 more to go to break 200 lbs. Thanks again to everyone for their support.
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