Help! Stuck for weeks. What am I doing wrong?

VGib1
VGib1 Posts: 3
in Health and Weight Loss
I started my exercise and FP plan on August 19 (about 6 weeks ago) weighing 154lbs. I work out 6 times a week, 3 times for 30 minutes at boot camp style class and 3 times at home (30 min on bike and 30 min weight/resistance training). FP says I need to keep calories at 1240 a day if I want to lose 1 lb a week.

Here's the problem, I've been really good at sticking close to 1240 calories a day and busting my butt on workouts but after losing 5 lbs in the first 3 weeks, I have been totally stuck for the last 3 weeks.
I read about eating back calories, which I'm not doing. So if I burn 300 calories on exercise, I do not eat 1540 calories that day but stick to the 1240. I looked at my net calorie report and my net calories per day are pretty low, but I'm afraid if I try to eat more calories I will gain back what little I've lost.
So I would appreciate it if people could look at my diary and tell me what I'm doing wrong. I read the post with the graphs showing that a 2-3 week plateau after initial weight loss is normal and that I could expect a drop after that. That made me feel better until today but I'm now past the 3 week point and still no further weight loss. ANY feedback is really appreciated!

Replies

  • prat27
    prat27 Posts: 73
    keep with it. your body is adjusting. Losing a quick 5 lbs is normal. Now you are burning real fat. Not just shedding water, and carrying less food in your stomach. The fat is burning if you are following your plan.

    One other thing, if you are fitting alcohol in your calories budget, cut them out and you will see the difference. Alcohol makes you bloat with water and slows your metab down even if you are including those calories. Trust me I know this because I love to drink...LOL.
  • Jagreene62
    Jagreene62 Posts: 4,782 Member
    I'm not a pro at this at all....but when I looked back at your numbers (back through last Tuesday only) you were over in your calories of 1240 and protein. So, it does look like you are eating some of the workout numbers. Also, not sure, but I think although protein is really good for you....I think it helps build muscle. Which, muscle is going to weigh more than fat. Maybe, you can google some of this and find out more. Please don't take my word for it. I'm still learning all this stuff too. :flowerforyou:
  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,371 Member
    I'd say with 14 lbs to lose, I'd eat more. Maybe don't eat all your exercise calories back, but eat some at least (which I guess you've been doing to an extent). You need fuel.

    And don't worry about going over on protein, MFP's protein goal is way too low.

    And make sure you weigh everything properly too. It's easy to underestimate if you don't weigh your food.
  • VGib1
    VGib1 Posts: 3
    I have to add that as you can see in my diary, I did try to eat some of my exercise calories back last week to try and see if that would work but it didn't seem to have much of an effect. I was wondering if protein is an issue too since I just checked mine is really high but I eat low carb which makes my protein intake higher (you can only eat so many calories worth of veggies).
    And I am completely anal and meticulous about weighing and measuring everything. My family even laughs at me for eating things out of measuring cups sometimes! So my reporting is truly honest and as accurate as it can be.
  • Jagreene62
    Jagreene62 Posts: 4,782 Member
    I have to add that as you can see in my diary, I did try to eat some of my exercise calories back last week to try and see if that would work but it didn't seem to have much of an effect. I was wondering if protein is an issue too since I just checked mine is really high but I eat low carb which makes my protein intake higher (you can only eat so many calories worth of veggies).
    And I am completely anal and meticulous about weighing and measuring everything. My family even laughs at me for eating things out of measuring cups sometimes! So my reporting is truly honest and as accurate as it can be.


    LMAO....I eat out of measuring cups too!! :laugh:
  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,371 Member
    Well if you're eating out of measuring cups, you're probably using them too much. I never use mine. The scale is way more accurate.
  • VGib1
    VGib1 Posts: 3
    I weigh some things like meats, cheese, lunch meat, etc. Other things I measure, like liquids, berries, ice cream, nuts and condiments. So if MFP has nutrition info by weight, I weigh it. If it has it in oz, or tablespoons, cups, etc. I use measuring spoons and cups.
  • init2fitit
    init2fitit Posts: 168 Member
    If you only have 14lbs to lose, I'd set the goal at .5lbs a week, rather than a lb.
  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,371 Member
    I weigh some things like meats, cheese, lunch meat, etc. Other things I measure, like liquids, berries, ice cream, nuts and condiments. So if MFP has nutrition info by weight, I weigh it. If it has it in oz, or tablespoons, cups, etc. I use measuring spoons and cups.

    There you go. Use the scale. Most labels will have the nutrition info in grams. Measuring things like nuts or ice cream without a scale is a recipe for disaster.

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