Over a month and little to results

So I have been on and off MFP for the last year, but I got back on regularly a little over a month ago. I have three kids, the youngest born in March of last year and with each one I couldn't lose the last 10lbs so I am now 30-35lbs heavier than I would like to be. I have MFP set at 1200 calories a day, but most days I earn from exercise so it ends up being more like 1500 - 1700. In the first two weeks I lost 8lbs, but I think that was just because I had spent the month before on vacation or sedentary and eating whatever I wanted. Now that I am working out hard 4 - 5 times and watching what I eat, I haven't seen any results. Now, I don't measure myself, so I am not sure about inches -- but the lbs are definitely not coming off. Has this happened to anyone else? I have no intention of quitting, but it is frustrating not to be seeing any consistent loss. Any advice would be welcome. Thanks!

Make your food diary public so we can see what you've been eating. What kind of workouts are you doing? How much weight are you looking to lose?

Sorry - didn't realize it was private. It's public now...be kind

Okay, I've gone back about ten days, and I've noticed a few things:

1) Your logging is kind of spotty. This past weekend you didn't log at all. Even if these are "cheat days," I cannot stress the importance of logging everything all day every day.

2) On the days you have logged, you've gone over your calorie limit a few times. I applaud you for going ahead and logging this stuff even when you go over. Many people stop logging once they go over.

With that said, though, if you are going over your calorie limit on some days you log, and you don't know how many calories you ate on days you didn't log, it's easy to see how you could not be losing. Please please PLEASE log anything and everything, and try your darnedest to keep close to that calorie goal.

Also, some questions: Are you using a HRM to count exercise calories? Are you using a digital scale to weigh your food? These are very useful tools to keep you on track too. :-) I hope this helps!

ETA: Also, it's important to keep your plateaus in perspective. Just because the scale isn't moving doesn't mean progress isn't being made. Maybe you should make some fitness goals in addition to your weight loss goals. I do this so that I still feel like I'm achieving something even if I'm not losing weight. For example, running/walking 20 miles in September. And DEFINITELY start taking your measurements!

The answer is simple!

http://www.acaloriecounter.com/blog/why-am-i-not-losing-weight/

You are right about the not logging - it's always the weekends and for some reason, I just can't get myself to do it, even if I haven't really cheated. I will be better about that!

No, I'm not using an HRM or a scale. For the calories burned I usually use whatever the elliptical machine is showing me, or for Zumba, whatever MFP has. I have noticed though that those are not the most accurate esp. since when I work out at home using the xbox trainer, the calories burned are WAY lower, even though I am huffing and puffing through a 40 minute circuit training -- so I think that may be part of it too -- over estimating how much I burned.

Thanks!

DEFINITELY invest in a food scale, you can get them anywhere for pretty cheap! It's amazing to see actual portion sizes once you start to weight them, it really makes a difference!

To be honest with you, you do go over often (in the last week from what I looked at) and if you don't log on weekends, you are probably going over then too. You are not losing because you are probably eating too much.

Give it more time, log appropriately and don't give up, after all quitting will most likely result in more gaining. Who wants that to happen?!? Take baby steps to get back into the groove and LOG LOG LOG!

Good luck!

I recently invested in an HRM and it has been worth every penny!!! I actually tried to throw a dollar in a jar every time I worked out and then used that money to help fund my HRM Good luck to you!

Awesome idea!

I looked over the last week, and when you did log, you went over your calories by a considerable amount. I'm willing to bet it's the same on the days you don't log.

Like other people suggested, I would get a food scale. Then you can log more precisely and maybe more consistently, too.

Don't stop. I will tell you that the older you get, the harder it is to loose weight. I'm 57 and weighed in at 385 4 years ago. I just dropped below 300. What I have learned is that you don't have to kill yourself with exercise and diet. Just do as much as you can and keep moving. As for the diet, yes give up fast food, fried food and all junk. But when your feeling crappy go ahead and have a chocolate bar or a cocktail, even 2 cocktails. Yes they are empty calories but so what. I hate the gym, but I love to swim. So that is my routine, I swim at least 4 days a week and do a minimal amount of weights at home. 20 lbs max. You can use your own body weight to work your muscles. No fancy equipment needed. I wasn't going to add this but here goes. Last October I had half my heart rebuilt because I never took care of myself. Scared the crap out of me. That is my motivation. I want to live as long as I can. Good Luck.

I also agree with upping calories if for nothing less than the mental effect of being able to hit or be slightly under a calorie goal. If I had my calories set to 1200 and I ate 1500 and see that red number it really does something to my pysche! So my calories now are set at 1689 which is much much more attainable and so at night I get to see the green numbers and feel even more motivated for the next day.