Eating 1200 Calories but not losing weight
belletar
Posts: 14 Member
I am 5'6 and currently 133-135 pounds. I would like to get down to 128. I have been eating 1200 calories net for the past 4 weeks, and I work out 2-4 times a week. I don't understand why I haven't lost any weight, and why my weight fluctuates by 1-2 during the week. It's very fraustrating and I want to give up. Please help!
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Replies
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How old are you?
You're not eating near enough, hence no weight loss.
Have a look into TDEE / IIFYM. 15 - 20% less than your TDEE for weight loss.
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Seriously 4 weeks and your getting worked up??? Relax keep doing what u are doing. It took years to put it on and u expect it gone in a month??? ????0
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You're already at a reasonable weight, so it takes a lot of time to lose the last few "vanity pounds." I would suggest having patience and setting your calorie goal to something less aggressive.0
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You're right in the middle of the healthy BMI range trying to lose 5 lbs. Not impossible but you might have to really track well. I would skip the 'netting' because then you introduce measurement error on both sides-- estimating your intake and your workouts. If you haven't lost in 4 weeks you've taken in what you've burned so something's measured wrong somewhere or else you're retaining water to offset any actual weight loss. Which is also very possible when dealing with such a short time.0
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I am 33-- so maybe my metabolism is slower now. In the past I would lose the weight very quickly. Maybe I should increase my intake to 1500?0
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I like the idea of skipping netting... I will go for this and see if it works. Thank you!0
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I agree, the 1200 calories is a low amount. Take a look at the quality of foods that you are eating as well. The better the quality food, the more efficient your body becomes.
Someone said to be patient. I agree. It will come off. Give it time.
Have a great weekend! 0 -
1. Check your methods of calculating your food intake
2. Be patient.
3. Proceed.0 -
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You're trying to lose what many call "vanity pounds" and those are the hardest to lose. At 5'6" - 133 is a fine weight. 5-10lbs are always the hardest b/c your body doens't HAVE to get rid of it. Your body is a machine and know what it needs so it will fight you to get rid of those pounds.
The science is there that if you are truly eating a net of 1200 at 5'6" you SHOULD lose weight. The adage of "eat more to lose more" does not work for everyone. Eating at a deficit should equal a loss. But again - your body knows what it needs and I undertand your frustration. You need to change things. Maybe you do need more calories (certainly not less). Try upp'ing calories by 100 per day. change your workout routine (add more intensity) as your body may be used to yoru workouts and its become "habit" so your body will not respond as it did before. You can even try taking a week off and let your body rest then get back to it 100% the next week. Log everything and measure everything.
With only 5lbs to lose it may take 2+ months to do it. I know how frustrating that is....I really really do... but you HAVE to be patient! Keep up your diet and workouts and you will see change!!0 -
More than likely your eating much more than you think and not in a deficit.
Do you own a food scale?
Do you weigh ALL your food?
Do you count every bite/nibble you eat?0 -
My diary is open. Am I not eating healthy enough? Please advise!0
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You're trying to lose what many call "vanity pounds" and those are the hardest to lose. At 5'6" - 133 is a fine weight. 5-10lbs are always the hardest b/c your body doens't HAVE to get rid of it. Your body is a machine and know what it needs so it will fight you to get rid of those pounds.
The science is there that if you are truly eating a net of 1200 at 5'6" you SHOULD lose weight. The adage of "eat more to lose more" does not work for everyone. Eating at a deficit should equal a loss. But again - your body knows what it needs and I undertand your frustration. You need to change things. Maybe you do need more calories (certainly not less). Try upp'ing calories by 100 per day. change your workout routine (add more intensity) as your body may be used to yoru workouts and its become "habit" so your body will not respond as it did before. You can even try taking a week off and let your body rest then get back to it 100% the next week. Log everything and measure everything.
With only 5lbs to lose it may take 2+ months to do it. I know how frustrating that is....I really really do... but you HAVE to be patient! Keep up your diet and workouts and you will see change!!
Thank you! I do need to be patient.0 -
This. A lot of your entries are "medium fruit" or half a cup for dry items like oatmeal. I'd invest in a scale. Many times when you measure things with measuring cups you're getting more than a serving. Get a scale, log accurately and reassess after a few weeks.More than likely your eating much more than you think and not in a deficit.
Do you own a food scale?
Do you weigh ALL your food?
Do you count every bite/nibble you eat?
ETA: Also, be sure your goals are reasonable. Since you only have a little weight to lose, change your goal to lose about half a pound a week.0 -
More than likely your eating much more than you think and not in a deficit.
Do you own a food scale?
Do you weigh ALL your food?
Do you count every bite/nibble you eat?
Yes, I do own a scale, and I measure everything I eat. I use MFP's calorie estimates also.0 -
This. A lot of your entries are "medium fruit" or half a cup for dry items like oatmeal. I'd invest in a scale. Many times when you measure things with measuring cups you're getting more than a serving. Get a scale, log accurately and reassess after a few weeks.More than likely your eating much more than you think and not in a deficit.
Do you own a food scale?
Do you weigh ALL your food?
Do you count every bite/nibble you eat?
ETA: Also, be sure your goals are reasonable. Since you only have a little weight to lose, change your goal to lose about half a pound a week.
You're right.. I'm probably eating more than I thought. I will use the scale now instead of MFP estimates.0 -
It took me almost a year to lose my last 5 pounds eating at a net of 1500. The closer you are to goal the longer it is going to take.
If you are getting frustrated, maybe you should give up. Your weight is excellent for your height. Why make yourself crazy?0 -
It took me almost a year to lose my last 5 pounds eating at a net of 1500. The closer you are to goal the longer it is going to take.
If you are getting frustrated, maybe you should give up. Your weight is excellent for your height. Why make yourself crazy?
ONE YEAR?!! O_O0 -
How old are you?
You're not eating near enough, hence no weight loss.
Have a look into TDEE / IIFYM. 15 - 20% less than your TDEE for weight loss.
I just have to point out, that that is most certainly NOT the case.0 -
It took me almost a year to lose my last 5 pounds eating at a net of 1500. The closer you are to goal the longer it is going to take.
If you are getting frustrated, maybe you should give up. Your weight is excellent for your height. Why make yourself crazy?
ONE YEAR?!! O_O
It's called eating at your goal weight and it's a great way to lose those last few pounds. The slower they go, the easier they are to keep off.0 -
Everyone above is correct. I am about your height and weight. I eat net 1700 calories a day. You don't have much to lose and that is harder sometimes. Focus on how you look and feel and don't focus on your weight. My weight fluctuates every day, which is why I rarely weigh myself. Scale isn't everything.0
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Yah I looked at your diary and I could see you don't use a scale.
Often times you are under 1200 per your diary
There are days that are not complete or nothing at all.
Get that kitchen scale our and use it.0 -
EAT MORE!0
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It took me almost a year to lose my last 5 pounds eating at a net of 1500. The closer you are to goal the longer it is going to take.
If you are getting frustrated, maybe you should give up. Your weight is excellent for your height. Why make yourself crazy?
ONE YEAR?!! O_O
Yup, and I loved every minute of it. I didn't have to obsess about numbers, deprive myself, or freak out if I had a high day (or week). Years and years of yo-yo dieting were the result of trying to lose too much too fast. I am thrilled with my results and have maintained my sanity in the process.0 -
Well, there could be a lot of reasons.
I agree fully with the people saying that you're probably not eating enough, 1200 calories isn't usually enough calories for anyone. However that being said. For your height you're actually at a good weight.
Your weight fluctuates throughout the day/week, in simplest terms, because you eat food and drink liquid
Suggestions:
Try scaling back your goal from 2lbs per week to half. Or look into TDEE - 15% or 20%. Read up on TDEE and BMR and make sure you're not eating under your BMR.
Make sure you're logging accurately. food scale and all that happy jazz
BE PATIENT. When I started counting calories and exercising regularly I didn't see the scale move for nearly 3 months. Yes, that's right, it took at least a full 10 weeks to drop even 1 pound.0 -
It took me almost a year to lose my last 5 pounds eating at a net of 1500. The closer you are to goal the longer it is going to take.
If you are getting frustrated, maybe you should give up. Your weight is excellent for your height. Why make yourself crazy?
ONE YEAR?!! O_O
Yup, and I loved every minute of it. I didn't have to obsess about numbers, deprive myself, or freak out if I had a high day (or week). Years and years of yo-yo dieting were the result of trying to lose too much too fast. I am thrilled with my results and have maintained my sanity in the process.
And you look awesome!0 -
It took me almost a year to lose my last 5 pounds eating at a net of 1500. The closer you are to goal the longer it is going to take.
If you are getting frustrated, maybe you should give up. Your weight is excellent for your height. Why make yourself crazy?
ONE YEAR?!! O_O
Yup, and I loved every minute of it. I didn't have to obsess about numbers, deprive myself, or freak out if I had a high day (or week). Years and years of yo-yo dieting were the result of trying to lose too much too fast. I am thrilled with my results and have maintained my sanity in the process.
And you look awesome!
She sure does!0 -
You 1200 calorie diet might actually be the hindrance, eat clean and eat more calories. Your body might be going into starvation mode due to which, the body starts storing food.0
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She is not in starvation mode. Since 11/4, she's had two 1700 + calorie days and a 1500 + calorie day. (Which is fine, it's just not starvation mode.) There are also days that aren't logged or incomplete. The lighter we are, the less we get to eat unless our activity makes it up for us. OP, you seemed to like the idea of upping to 1500 calories. Why not try eating at 1500 daily and not adding in more for exercise calories?
Whether you stick to 1200 + exercise calories or go with a flat 1500, logging daily and accurately will probably make the difference for you. Maybe consider shifting your mental focus to your working out since you really are at a great weight. You'll still lose the fat, but if you focus in on fitness, you'll be less likely to be as impatient.0 -
She is not in starvation mode. Since 11/4, she's had two 1700 + calorie days and a 1500 + calorie day. (Which is fine, it's just not starvation mode.) There are also days that aren't logged or incomplete. The lighter we are, the less we get to eat unless our activity makes it up for us. OP, you seemed to like the idea of upping to 1500 calories. Why not try eating at 1500 daily and not adding in more for exercise calories?
Whether you stick to 1200 + exercise calories or go with a flat 1500, logging daily and accurately will probably make the difference for you. Maybe consider shifting your mental focus to your working out since you really are at a great weight. You'll still lose the fat, but if you focus in on fitness, you'll be less likely to be as impatient.
Thank you0
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