Question about weight loss

jj2183 · November 2013

Hi Everyone, I've been using MFP for a while, but I am new to the forums. I have some questions for you experts out there, or anyone who has lost weight. I currently weigh 138 and am 5'4. I am wanting to drop 10-15lbs. I have been eating a 1200 calorie diet for two weeks and working out for about 30 minutes for 3 to 4 days a week. However, I haven't dropped a pound. NOT ONE! I am not cheating on my diet. There are some days where I accidentally eat less, and i know that can sabotage weight loss, so i try not to do that. My cylce also just ended and i was expecting some water weight loss from there, but I haven't dropped anything. I know i need to stay off the scales; every time I get on there, I get so discouraged and it makes me want to give up seeing that nothing has changed. I had a crying fit last weekend because of it.

A lot of people I am seeing on here who are eating too few calories seems to have hit a plateau. I haven't lost ANYTHING, so I can't even get to that point. I use to be able to drop weight more easily, but I haven't had any luck as of late. I am trying to not diet, and just eat healthy as a lifestyle, but this makes me want to give up. Can someone please give me some advice so that I don't get too discouraged

I am 30 y.o if that helps anything.

foxruddellc1 · November 2013

Hi!!
Maybe you can up your cardio? It seems you are doing enough exercise to maintain a healthy weight, maybe try 1 hour of good, sweaty cardio 4-5 times a week.

SLLRunner · November 2013

You have very little to lose, and trying lose 2 pounds a week is too much. You need to change your goals to lose .5 pounds a week and eat your exercise calories back.

That said, if you are not dieting there is no such thing as cheating or not cheating. I think you are underestimating calories in and/or overestimating calories burned, thus no weight loss. Makes sure you accurately log everything, as well as weigh solid food and measure liquids.

In order to lose weight, all that is required is to eat less calories than you burn.

If you open your diary people will be able to provide specific feedback.

herblackwings39 · November 2013

Hi Everyone, I've been using MFP for a while, but I am new to the forums. I have some questions for you experts out there, or anyone who has lost weight. I currently weigh 138 and am 5'4. I am wanting to drop 10-15lbs. I have been eating a 1200 calorie diet for two weeks and working out for about 30 minutes for 3 to 4 days a week. However, I haven't dropped a pound. NOT ONE! I am not cheating on my diet. There are some days where I accidentally eat less, and i know that can sabotage weight loss, so i try not to do that. My cylce also just ended and i was expecting some water weight loss from there, but I haven't dropped anything. I know i need to stay off the scales; every time I get on there, I get so discouraged and it makes me want to give up seeing that nothing has changed. I had a crying fit last weekend because of it.

A lot of people I am seeing on here who are eating too few calories seems to have hit a plateau. I haven't lost ANYTHING, so I can't even get to that point. I use to be able to drop weight more easily, but I haven't had any luck as of late. I am trying to not diet, and just eat healthy as a lifestyle, but this makes me want to give up. Can someone please give me some advice so that I don't get too discouraged I am 30 y.o if that helps anything.

Are you using a kitchen scale to weigh your food? I'd suggest if you're not already to start. It makes tracking more accurate. I do wonder if 1,200 calories might be too low, especially with 10 lbs to lose. Once those 10 are gone you'll be moving up to maintenance level calories so the jump for 1200 to whatever you maintenance is could cause a weight gain. Are you set to lose 2 lbs a week? 1? With 10 lbs you should consider setting your goal to .5 lbs a week. It will be slower, but give you a better chance of keeping the weight off as you up into maintaining.

jj2183 · November 2013

When I say cheating, what I meant by that is that I'm not secretly gorging on food and then saying "i'll try again tomorrow".

I opened my diary. I'm a little ashamed of it

lol

And that makes sense, I never thought about the fact that since i don't have much to lose, it will take a little longer.

You guys are so smart! I just get so discouraged by all this. It's like you eat too much, you get fat, you eat too little, you stay fat UGH!! It's hard for me personally, to find a balance to safely lose weight at a moderate pace.

@herblackwings: What does weighing your food do? I'm not being facetious; I really don't know a lot of this stuff. Does that help with portion sizes?

And upping the cardio is probably a good idea. I just am being completely honest when i say i HATE working out. it takes so much mental energy for me to do it. I feel better afterward, but just me even doing 30 minutes is a lot for me. It just ruins my whole day knowing I have to do it at some point. ugh.

Any more advice is appreciated. I am being impatient, but I know there has to be a way. I am doing something wrong. It never use to be this hard

(

jj2183 · November 2013

"Are you using a kitchen scale to weigh your food? I'd suggest if you're not already to start. It makes tracking more accurate. I do wonder if 1,200 calories might be too low, especially with 10 lbs to lose. Once those 10 are gone you'll be moving up to maintenance level calories so the jump for 1200 to whatever you maintenance is could cause a weight gain. Are you set to lose 2 lbs a week? 1? With 10 lbs you should consider setting your goal to .5 lbs a week. It will be slower, but give you a better chance of keeping the weight off as you up into maintaining. "

Great advice, thank you. And man, congrats on losing 117lbs!! That's awesome!!:drinker:

herblackwings39 · November 2013

When I say cheating, what I meant by that is that I'm not secretly gorging on food and then saying "i'll try again tomorrow".

How do I open up my food diary? Sorry, i'm not quite as savvy on this website yet. I'll check my phone app.

And that makes sense, I never thought about the fact that since i don't have much to lose, it will take a little longer.

You guys are so smart! I just get so discouraged by all this. It's like you eat too much, you get fat, you eat too little, you stay fat UGH!! It's hard for me personally, to find a balance to safely lose weight at a moderate pace.

@herblackwings: What does weighing your food do? I'm not being facetious; I really don't know a lot of this stuff. Does that help with portion sizes?

And upping the cardio is probably a good idea. I just am being completely honest when i say i HATE working out. it takes so much mental energy for me to do it. I feel better afterward, but just me even doing 30 minutes is a lot for me. It just ruins my whole day knowing I have to do it at some point. ugh.

You guys are so smart, thanks for replying. Any more advice is appreciated

I find that it helps a great deal. If a serving size is 1/2 cup or 50 grams try it both ways and most of the time I've found that the 1/2 cup is usually at least 1 1/2 times the gram weight because it's so easy to pack things into a measuring cup. Weigh out potato chips. The package may say 10 chips or 15 chips, but if you weigh it the 1 ounce could be 5 chips or it could be 20 depending on size. And don't get me started on what a "small" baked potato is when compared to weight. Seriously, kitchen scales can be bought for as little as 10-15 dollars and they really are invaluable. I get double use from mine because I love to bake and use it to weigh my ingredients out for recipes.

jj2183 · November 2013

Thanks for the response! I will get a kitchen scale this weekend. Anyone else have any tips?

Brunette122 · November 2013

Your story sounds a lot like mine. Weight has never been an issue for me. I'm 28 and started on MFP at 145 in the beginning of September. I didn't think it'd take this long to lose but in any case I'm finally losing. I don't lose every week either. My goal weight is 125 and my height is also 5'4. Feel free to add me. I was really frustrated in the beginning because I didn't see the scale move for about a month. Keep at it and don't give up. Your body may be getting used to the working out and calorie adjustment. You can do it!

rushfive · November 2013

I am close to your goals,
5'4 133# 1200 calories GW. 125#

My advice is burn more calories and check to make sure you are logging food correctly. ie. 1/2 cup ends up actually being 1 cup. I am lucky to lose a pound a week. Some weeks 0 some 1#.. I think mine is all dependent on how much exercise I do... and like you - " I Don't Like To Exercise".!!! Wish I could find that exercise I like to do, but have not found it yet..

Good Luck, and stick with it..

jj2183 · November 2013

I am close to your goals,
5'4 133# 1200 calories GW. 125#

My advice is burn more calories and check to make sure you are logging food correctly. ie. 1/2 cup ends up actually being 1 cup. I am lucky to lose a pound a week. Some weeks 0 some 1#.. I think mine is all dependent on how much exercise I do... and like you - " I Don't Like To Exercise".!!! Wish I could find that exercise I like to do, but have not found it yet..

Good Luck, and stick with it..

Thank you! I'm going to try. Anyone please feel free to add me. I need all the encouragement i can get

Question about weight loss

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