I know this has been addressed before but......

Going back through your diary in August you appear to be eating very low net calories. To the point of eating less than you burn in exercise some days. Is that accurate? You can get away with that for a little while when you're very overweight, but it sounds like maybe it's catching up with you.

It might be time to start actually hitting your calorie goals and give your body a break from the stress you've been putting on it.

Going back through your diary in August you appear to be eating very low net calories. To the point of eating less than you burn in exercise some days. Is that accurate? You can get away with that for a little while when you're very overweight, but it sounds like maybe it's catching up with you.

It might be time to start actually hitting your calorie goals and give your body a break from the stress you've been putting on it.

Starvation Mode: ACTIVATE

I only looked at a week or so back, but your logging is really inconsistent. I can relate to that. That could lead to all sorts of potential problems. You could be eating too little, or you could be underestimating how much you're eating.

1) Log consistently and accurately

2) Focus on living your life. Losing weight is not your job, so don't act like a disappointed manager when you don't hit your metrics

3) Weigh yourself 1/month and take measurements.

And if you care about body composition instead of just weight loss, some increased protein and resistance training might help.

This isn't a tv show.

Log accurately, eat accordingly, move more, and have patience.

Perfect.

This is exactly what I personally needed to hear... thank you!

Weight loss isn't linear. Some months you lose 20 pounds, some you struggle to lose 1. A lot of things can contribute to it, so you have to be patient.

Make sure your calorie goal is appropriate. Don't make it too low, you'll burn out and give up (and I have known quite a few people who lose better at a slightly higher daily calorie intake … I don't buy into "starvation mode" but I've seen results from upping calories 200-300 a day). And then, eat the calories your allotted. Also make sure that your new eating plan is something you can stick with long term. This isn't a drastic change till you're there and then go back to old habits. This is a permanent lifestyle change (assuming you want to keep the weight off )

Make sure you are logging everything correctly. This is usually the culprit when someone stops losing. Grabbing a few chips as you go past, a cookie as you're serving the kids, a handful of grapes from the fridge, etc, and forgetting to log can add up, so make sure you count everything (including liquids!!). Make sure you're measuring correctly. I'll be the first to admit I'm lazy about measuring (you get used to what it looks like after a while), but if I stop progressing, I know that is the first thing I need to look at.

Eat back at least part of your exercise calories, but be careful of overestimating how many you get. Change up your exercise regularly to keep from getting bored and to keep your body from adapting too much (i.e. when walking for 30 min at 3 miles per hour is easy, you need to increase time or speed - I vote for speed - to get the same effects as when it was hard).

Take measurements - body fat % and circumference at waist, chest, hips, etc. Take before pictures. Many times the scale doesn't show our true results. Judge your success on decreased bf%, inches lost, looking better, and increased performance. And remember, you're healthier by trying, even if you fall short of your goals, than by not. If you quit today and went back to your old lifestyle, you'd probably gain back those 20 pounds and lose any other gains you've made.

This is my first time posting but I am at a loss as to what to do. I have been seriously working on weight loss since July 1. The first six weeks I lost 20 pounds and was stoked! Now, nothing for three weeks straight :sad: . I have a history of getting discouraged and I don't want to this time. I would like suggestions, tips, any kind of advice if I am missing something! My goal is 100 pounds by April 2014 I am okay if I just hit close to that, but stuck at a 20 pound loss-um, no.

Not sure if my diary is public so if you can't see it let me know! And thank you for any help you can provide

Maybe if you were a bit more disciplined with logging and really check what you eat and look honestly at your exercise so you can find the source of you not losing, might help you to get going again. You eat a lot of processed food ( which is ok for weight loss , but keeps many people often hungry ) which does not sustain the supposedly large periods of exercise ( do you really walk two or more hours each day carrying a 15-pound load or infant, or do you just guess ? ). You need to be honest and accurate to be able to figure out a plan in regard to diet and exercise that will allow you to lose weight and also stay or become healthy.
Good Luck !

Going back through your diary in August you appear to be eating very low net calories. To the point of eating less than you burn in exercise some days. Is that accurate? You can get away with that for a little while when you're very overweight, but it sounds like maybe it's catching up with you.

It might be time to start actually hitting your calorie goals and give your body a break from the stress you've been putting on it.

Starvation Mode: ACTIVATE

Oh wow. They have less than 4% body fat huh?

I just went back to Monday in your diary and see nothing logged except for this morning. That is your problem right there.

I agree- I went through your food diary as well. You are not regularly logging your food- and when you do- you are WAY under your caloric intake goals. Your body needs fuel in order to burn fat, and it doesn't seem you're getting enough. I can usually feel it if I eat less than 1200 calories throughout the day- there's a gnawing in my stomach that reminds me that my body needs more!

I also noticed the types of food you're eating. Yes- I love PB&J too- but you can put it on light whole wheat- with reduced fat peanut butter and sugar free jelly- that will save you a ton of calories! And make sure you're serving/portion sizes are correct.

You can eat whatever you like- in moderation and finding better options! It's a balancing act!