Help Pleeease?

MrsKMaree
MrsKMaree Posts: 20
in Health and Weight Loss
Ive been using the app for about a month now to try shift the last of my baby weight(my goal is another 10kg), my youngest is 12 weeks.
Ive been logging my food intake religiously and working really hard at the gym or walking at least 5 days a week.
I eat very little processed food(due to a wheat allergy) and have not gone over my calorie intake.

But the scales haven't shifted in the last 2 weeks, up or down.

I do feel a lot better and my fitness/ strength has improved dramatically.
And I know i should be happy with that.

Im just a little bummed the scales aren't showcasing all the hard work I'm putting in.

Ive opened up my dairy, would really appreciate some feedback from my MFP brothers and sisters on how i can improve somewhere?
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Replies

  • jeanners98
    jeanners98 Posts: 74 Member
    It's so frustrating! Two things I would suggest:

    #1 make sure you are truly drinking 8 cups of water a day. it's mandatory.
    #2 maybe decrease your daily calorie goal a little, or don't eat back your workout calories. i know that i have a fairly low calorie limit but it works for me and feels sustainable. i just think that seeing the numbers drop is really motivating, so i hope you see them soon!
  • SLLRunner
    SLLRunner Posts: 12,942 Member
    Welcome, MrsKMaree.

    To me, your food diary looks like you are eating what you want when you want and staying within a calorie deficit.

    However, I wonder about your exercise calories. Your burns for the elliptical and strength training (?) seem a bit high. Where are you getting your numbers from? MFP really overestimates those burns, and the machines also give inaccurate readings. I speak from experience after getting a heart rate monitor, which gives way lower readings than MFP and somewhat lower readings than the machines.

    For example, 40 minutes on the elliptical would generally come out to about 450 calories according to the elliptical readout. My heart rate monitor say about 315 or thereabouts. The treadmill rendered over 500 calories burned for a 40 minute run whereas my heart rate monitor said 350. According to MFP, I burn 120 calories doing my strength training/circuit training, but my heart rate monitor said 70 calories.

    luckily, with the inaccurate readings I continued to lose weight, but then again I didn't eat a portion of my exercise calories back to account for any logging errors.

    So, I think you should either (1) get a heart rate monitor to accurately track your exercise calories or (2) cut the calories down when entering your data into MFP or (3) don't eat back all exercise calories but leave a portion to account for any errors.

    Also, try and be patient. It takes awhile to lose weight.
  • SLLRunner
    SLLRunner Posts: 12,942 Member
    It's so frustrating! Two things I would suggest:

    #1 make sure you are truly drinking 8 cups of water a day. it's mandatory.
    #2 maybe decrease your daily calorie goal a little, or don't eat back your workout calories. i know that i have a fairly low calorie limit but it works for me and feels sustainable. i just think that seeing the numbers drop is really motivating, so i hope you see them soon!

    It's important to eat back a portion of exercise calories to fuel and sustain your body.
  • Ninkyou
    Ninkyou Posts: 6,666 Member
    It's so frustrating! Two things I would suggest:

    #1 make sure you are truly drinking 8 cups of water a day. it's mandatory.
    #2 maybe decrease your daily calorie goal a little, or don't eat back your workout calories. i know that i have a fairly low calorie limit but it works for me and feels sustainable. i just think that seeing the numbers drop is really motivating, so i hope you see them soon!

    I disagree with #2. Op has a 12 week old baby, which I'm going to assume she's nursing. She needs those calories for her breast milk. Don't drop your calories. Eat back your exercise calories.

    Are you weighing your food? If not, perhaps consider a food scale.
    Do you have a heart rate monitor? If not, consider purchasing one for a more 'accurate' estimate of your exercise calories.

    Otherwise, wait it out. 2 weeks isn't much in the grand scheme of things. I know it's hard to be patient, believe me.
    Also, these 2 weeks you could be retaining water (which can mask loss). Exercise, ovulation, time of the month, sodium intake, etc can all make you retain water temporarily. Just give it some time.

    Good luck.
  • MrsKMaree
    MrsKMaree Posts: 20
    Thank You for your responses!!

    jeanners98 - i drink 3/4 600ml bottles of water a day plus 3/4 cups of tea.
    but i may try increasing my water intake further and see if it helps!
    As for restricting my calories more i started off at 1200, but i just can't function on any less than 1500.
    Unfortunately for now i am very sleep deprived :(

    SLLRunner - I was starting to get suspicious of these burnt calories on MFP!
    Trying to decide between a Polar Watch or a Fit Bit as we speak :)

    At the beginning of this week i increased my calories to 1500 from 1200-1300.
    But i am now entering my earned calories at the end of the day so i don't eat them all back.

    Might ask my husband to hide the scales for a while!

    Thanks for your input!
  • MrsKMaree
    MrsKMaree Posts: 20
    Im not breastfeeding now so i can restrict calories lower in theory .. But honestly until my baby starts sleeping a little better i can't function on any lower than 1500.

    Thank You for your kind words- Ninkyou

    I will try to be more patient!

    Didn't think about Menstral Cycle and Fluid Retention?

    Will look into food scales :)

    Thanks Again :)
  • Mokey41
    Mokey41 Posts: 5,769 Member
    I wouldn't eat back more than 50% of your exercise calories as those burns look quite high. A HRM is only good for steady state cardio so running/brisk walking/cycling, not strength training or any activity that doesn't keep your HR significantly elevated for 20 minutes or more. A Fitbit is a fun tool but is really a fancy pedometer.

    Drinking 8 glasses of water a day as another poster suggested isn't going to increase your weight loss. You need to be hydrated for general health but you probably get plenty of fluids and a good way to know that is by checking the color of your urine. Pale yellow and you're good!
  • fourfiftythree
    fourfiftythree Posts: 203 Member
    Also keep in mind that it can take several months for your hormones to regulate after giving birth, and for your body to let go of the extra fat. I didn't begin losing weight steadily until 6-7 months post partum.
  • SLLRunner
    SLLRunner Posts: 12,942 Member
    SLLRunner - I was starting to get suspicious of these burnt calories on MFP!
    Trying to decide between a Polar Watch or a Fit Bit as we speak :)

    LOVE my Polar F7 HRM and watch!
  • MrsKMaree
    MrsKMaree Posts: 20
    I wouldn't eat back more than 50% of your exercise calories as those burns look quite high. A HRM is only good for steady state cardio so running/brisk walking/cycling, not strength training or any activity that doesn't keep your HR significantly elevated for 20 minutes or more. A Fitbit is a fun tool but is really a fancy pedometer.

    Drinking 8 glasses of water a day as another poster suggested isn't going to increase your weight loss. You need to be hydrated for general health but you probably get plenty of fluids and a good way to know that is by checking the color of your urine. Pale yellow and you're good!



    Totally agree about the burnt calories!
    Will under-estimate my exercise entries from now on!

    I think you have helped confirmed my suspicions :)
  • MrsKMaree
    MrsKMaree Posts: 20
    Also keep in mind that it can take several months for your hormones to regulate after giving birth, and for your body to let go of the extra fat. I didn't begin losing weight steadily until 6-7 months post partum.


    Thank You for reminding me of this :)
    I am also 33 not 21 like i was with my first baby... ;)
  • MrsKMaree
    MrsKMaree Posts: 20
    SLLRunner - I was starting to get suspicious of these burnt calories on MFP!
    Trying to decide between a Polar Watch or a Fit Bit as we speak :)

    LOVE my Polar F7 HRM and watch!

    really?
    i was definitely leaning towards a Polar Watch before your advice, now I'm definitely getting one!
    My PT also wears a white one so they must b ok.
    Is hooking up the heart rate part child friendly?
  • Mokey41
    Mokey41 Posts: 5,769 Member
    SLLRunner - I was starting to get suspicious of these burnt calories on MFP!
    Trying to decide between a Polar Watch or a Fit Bit as we speak :)

    LOVE my Polar F7 HRM and watch!

    really?
    i was definitely leaning towards a Polar Watch before your advice, now I'm definitely getting one!
    My PT also wears a white one so they must b ok.
    Is hooking up the heart rate part child friendly?

    You set the "watch" part when you get it with your age, sex, weight, etc. No different than programming a digital watch. The chest strap just goes around your chest where your bra band would be and it connects wirelessly to the watch. You activate the watch for the heart rate monitoring part when you exercise. Just note you can't wear it all day to get an idea of your calorie burn, the way the algorithms are set up that would give you hugely exaggerated burns. For something like that you need a Fitbit type device.
  • kspark658
    kspark658 Posts: 15 Member
    be patient! You're doing great. Weight loss can be a complex issue, sleep deprivation, changing hormones, change in lifestyle, etc. I find for myself, If I cut too many calories, I don't lose weight. I have to hit the "sweet spot", and even then, it's a slooooooow process. Stick with it, stay healthy, and good luck
  • MrsKMaree
    MrsKMaree Posts: 20
    SLLRunner - I was starting to get suspicious of these burnt calories on MFP!
    Trying to decide between a Polar Watch or a Fit Bit as we speak :)

    LOVE my Polar F7 HRM and watch!

    really?
    i was definitely leaning towards a Polar Watch before your advice, now I'm definitely getting one!
    My PT also wears a white one so they must b ok.
    Is hooking up the heart rate part child friendly?

    You set the "watch" part when you get it with your age, sex, weight, etc. No different than programming a digital watch. The chest strap just goes around your chest where your bra band would be and it connects wirelessly to the watch. You activate the watch for the heart rate monitoring part when you exercise. Just note you can't wear it all day to get an idea of your calorie burn, the way the algorithms are set up that would give you hugely exaggerated burns. For something like that you need a Fitbit type device.


    Thank You so much it sounds pretty easy!
  • MrsKMaree
    MrsKMaree Posts: 20
    be patient! You're doing great. Weight loss can be a complex issue, sleep deprivation, changing hormones, change in lifestyle, etc. I find for myself, If I cut too many calories, I don't lose weight. I have to hit the "sweet spot", and even then, it's a slooooooow process. Stick with it, stay healthy, and good luck

    Thank You :)
  • RllyGudTweetr
    RllyGudTweetr Posts: 2,019 Member
    It's so frustrating! Two things I would suggest:

    #1 make sure you are truly drinking 8 cups of water a day. it's mandatory.
    #2 maybe decrease your daily calorie goal a little, or don't eat back your workout calories. i know that i have a fairly low calorie limit but it works for me and feels sustainable. i just think that seeing the numbers drop is really motivating, so i hope you see them soon!
    There's nothing magical or mandatory about 8 cups of water a day.
    http://www.snopes.com/medical/myths/8glasses.asp

    Declining to eat back workout calories while using the metrics provided by MFP is quite simply not using the app as it's intended, and could well be an indicator of disordered thinking about food. Please reconsider this 'advice.'
  • Mokey41
    Mokey41 Posts: 5,769 Member
    Declining to eat back workout calories while using the metrics provided by MFP is quite simply not using the app as it's intended, and could well be an indicator of disordered thinking about food. Please reconsider this 'advice.'

    It's fine to eat back exercise if you know for sure that you earned those calories but those of us with HRM's have found that MFP can be very liberal with calorie burns which can really derail your calorie deficit if you eat them all back. It isn't disordered thinking about food to try to be accurate with your calorie intake.
  • RllyGudTweetr
    RllyGudTweetr Posts: 2,019 Member
    Declining to eat back workout calories while using the metrics provided by MFP is quite simply not using the app as it's intended, and could well be an indicator of disordered thinking about food. Please reconsider this 'advice.'

    It's fine to eat back exercise if you know for sure that you earned those calories but those of us with HRM's have found that MFP can be very liberal with calorie burns which can really derail your calorie deficit if you eat them all back. It isn't disordered thinking about food to try to be accurate with your calorie intake.
    Declining to eat any calories back while otherwise following the MFP plan is putting your body at a deficit higher than the app intends, and - depending on exercise and pre-exercise caloric intake - can very easily be a recommendation to net below 1200 calories on a consistent basis. If you think this is healthy and a good approach to have toward food, all I can say is 'good luck.'
  • stevieb986
    stevieb986 Posts: 1
    I saw your post about needing help and if I may I would like to recommend this site. It has really worked for my wife and I and I am more than happy to share it with anyone. Please feel free to contact me in regards to this topic.

    I lost 26 pounds in 49 days and what's so amazing about that is my target goal had been 20 pounds in 90 days. There is a 2 min video watch it please.

    Stevieb
  • SLLRunner
    SLLRunner Posts: 12,942 Member
    SLLRunner - I was starting to get suspicious of these burnt calories on MFP!
    Trying to decide between a Polar Watch or a Fit Bit as we speak :)

    LOVE my Polar F7 HRM and watch!

    really?
    i was definitely leaning towards a Polar Watch before your advice, now I'm definitely getting one!
    My PT also wears a white one so they must b ok.
    Is hooking up the heart rate part child friendly?

    I think so. You just hook it under your bra under your top. Nobody even knows it's there.
  • SLLRunner
    SLLRunner Posts: 12,942 Member
    It's so frustrating! Two things I would suggest:

    #1 make sure you are truly drinking 8 cups of water a day. it's mandatory.
    #2 maybe decrease your daily calorie goal a little, or don't eat back your workout calories. i know that i have a fairly low calorie limit but it works for me and feels sustainable. i just think that seeing the numbers drop is really motivating, so i hope you see them soon!
    There's nothing magical or mandatory about 8 cups of water a day.
    http://www.snopes.com/medical/myths/8glasses.asp

    Declining to eat back workout calories while using the metrics provided by MFP is quite simply not using the app as it's intended, and could well be an indicator of disordered thinking about food. Please reconsider this 'advice.'

    You should eat back a portion of them if you're not sure about the calorie burns. However, if you just take it on face value the MFP is correct in their calories burns, which they definitely ARE NOT, and eat back al your exercise calories, you are essentially eating more food than you are allowed. You will either maintain and not lose or your will gain weight.

    Heart rate monitors work off your heart rate, thus it seems to me the calorie burns are more accurate. MFP does not track your heart rate.

    As for water, of course there is nothing magical in water, but I sure feel a whole lot better when I drink a lot of water. I could hydrate with other liquids but water is pretty much my beverage of choice.
  • gregpack
    gregpack Posts: 426 Member
    I know the scale hasn't moved, but has your waist/hips decreased in size? It's possible that you are changing composition.

    I'd also say the exercise calories are estimated on the high side and could possibly be what's slowing your rate of loss.
  • Ninkyou
    Ninkyou Posts: 6,666 Member
    Just wanted to check back and say I got the Polar FT4 (pink!). I love it. Goes right under the bra line. You can't even tell it's there. I was concerned when I first bought it that the strap would fit me, because I'm obese, but it was more than enough. Seriously, it was worth every penny.

    Again, Good luck! :)
  • MrsKMaree
    MrsKMaree Posts: 20
    I know the scale hasn't moved, but has your waist/hips decreased in size? It's possible that you are changing composition.

    I'd also say the exercise calories are estimated on the high side and could possibly be what's slowing your rate of loss.

    Your right.
    My clothes are fitting better/ getting looser, and definitely noticing some added muscle tone each week.

    Going to under estimate my earned exercise calories and ditch the scales for a while :)
  • MrsKMaree
    MrsKMaree Posts: 20
    Just wanted to check back and say I got the Polar FT4 (pink!). I love it. Goes right under the bra line. You can't even tell it's there. I was concerned when I first bought it that the strap would fit me, because I'm obese, but it was more than enough. Seriously, it was worth every penny.

    Again, Good luck! :)

    Thanks for the recommendation! :)
  • MrsKMaree
    MrsKMaree Posts: 20
    It's so frustrating! Two things I would suggest:

    #1 make sure you are truly drinking 8 cups of water a day. it's mandatory.
    #2 maybe decrease your daily calorie goal a little, or don't eat back your workout calories. i know that i have a fairly low calorie limit but it works for me and feels sustainable. i just think that seeing the numbers drop is really motivating, so i hope you see them soon!
    There's nothing magical or mandatory about 8 cups of water a day.
    http://www.snopes.com/medical/myths/8glasses.asp

    Declining to eat back workout calories while using the metrics provided by MFP is quite simply not using the app as it's intended, and could well be an indicator of disordered thinking about food. Please reconsider this 'advice.'

    You should eat back a portion of them if you're not sure about the calorie burns. However, if you just take it on face value the MFP is correct in their calories burns, which they definitely ARE NOT, and eat back al your exercise calories, you are essentially eating more food than you are allowed. You will either maintain and not lose or your will gain weight.

    Heart rate monitors work off your heart rate, thus it seems to me the calorie burns are more accurate. MFP does not track your heart rate.

    As for water, of course there is nothing magical in water, but I sure feel a whole lot better when I drink a lot of water. I could hydrate with other liquids but water is pretty much my beverage of choice.


    A few weeks ago I originally worked off a calorie intake of 1200 p/d that MFP set for me.
    But this was at a lightly active entry.
    Im now training 5/6 days a week and the revised calorie intake is 1350 p/d.
    Although i manually set it to 1500 a couple of days ago as i KNOW i must be burning at least 150 calories on training days.
    Ive been entering my exercise calories just before going to bed to avoid eating too many back.
    Although it will be interesting to see an accurate burn from a HRM!

    What you have said makes a lot of sense :)
  • Stage14
    Stage14 Posts: 1,046 Member
    As for water, of course there is nothing magical in water, but I sure feel a whole lot better when I drink a lot of water. I could hydrate with other liquids but water is pretty much my beverage of choice.

    That's nice and all, but it still doesn't make 8 cups of water a day mandatory for weightloss, as pp stated.
  • PikaKnight
    PikaKnight Posts: 34,971 Member
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1105036-article-on-flexible-dieting-by-armi-legge?page=1#posts-17068746

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1122891-9-reasons-fat-loss-is-always-slower-than-you-d-like
  • MrsKMaree
    MrsKMaree Posts: 20
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1105036-article-on-flexible-dieting-by-armi-legge?page=1#posts-17068746

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1122891-9-reasons-fat-loss-is-always-slower-than-you-d-like

    ALL THESE!
    So Good :)

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