Why no weight loss?!

I have been courting cals and exercising for 2 weeks now, and haven't seen a single drop in the scales - what's going wrong?

I've dieted before and lost and I can't work out why it's not happening this time?! Any suggestions?
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Replies

  • SezxyStef
    SezxyStef Posts: 15,267 Member
    Give it some time.....

    or you are

    overestimating calorie burns and/or underestimating intake of calories...
  • Flab2fitfi
    Flab2fitfi Posts: 1,349 Member
    Opening your diary and giving us some stats would help.

    How tall are you, what you weight and how many calories a day are you netting plus type of exercise and if you have recently increased this? Also how are you calculating exercise calories and are you eating them back?
  • _Zardoz_
    _Zardoz_ Posts: 3,987 Member
    Looking at your ticker you only have 24 pound to lose so it will be slow going. If you open your diary though people will be able to give more specific advice
  • Nachise
    Nachise Posts: 395 Member
    I've been losing inches, but not pounds. I was put on the impedance machine to look at my body composition, and for every pound of fat I've been losing, I have been gaining a pound of muscle. I call it the even-exchange program. If you were particularly flabby when you started and have been exercising a lot, that could be what is happening. The scale is not the only indicator of progress.
  • thanks guys

    I've been sticking to 1200 per day or there abouts. Minus last Saturday which would have been over but not horrifically.

    My exercise cals are, I would say spot on, as am using fitness apps when working out and am running/walking so not guessing the pace, but I'm not eating these back.

    I'm 5 foot 3 and currently 11 stone 10.


    I just would have expected to see something! I dropped 2lbs on Sunday, but they are back on (and due to dehydration I think)
  • SezxyStef
    SezxyStef Posts: 15,267 Member
    I've been losing inches, but not pounds. I was put on the impedance machine to look at my body composition, and for every pound of fat I've been losing, I have been gaining a pound of muscle. I call it the even-exchange program. If you were particularly flabby when you started and have been exercising a lot, that could be what is happening. The scale is not the only indicator of progress.

    Yah no You can't gain muscle on a deficet.

    I agree the scale is not the only indicator.....
  • Flab2fitfi
    Flab2fitfi Posts: 1,349 Member
    Some apps can under or over estimate. i use an app to track my run but the calories are different from my heart rate monitor. You also need to eat back your calories otherwise it will be taking you under 1200 calories a day. What setting have you got mfp set up - if you are only trying to lose 24 lb the max you should be trying to lose is a 1lb a week.
  • I've been losing inches, but not pounds. I was put on the impedance machine to look at my body composition, and for every pound of fat I've been losing, I have been gaining a pound of muscle. I call it the even-exchange program. If you were particularly flabby when you started and have been exercising a lot, that could be what is happening. The scale is not the only indicator of progress.

    I have always been under the impression, that it's very hard to gain a lb of muscle in the time frame it takes to lose 1lb of fat?
  • Some apps can under or over estimate. i use an app to track my run but the calories are different from my heart rate monitor. You also need to eat back your calories otherwise it will be taking you under 1200 calories a day. What setting have you got mfp set up - if you are only trying to lose 24 lb the max you should be trying to lose is a 1lb a week.

    It's set up at 1200 a day which should be seeing a 1lb loss. - so really I need to be eating more? 24lbs will take me to the high end of healthy - it's not my ultimate target, just a start point.
  • Phoenix_Warrior
    Phoenix_Warrior Posts: 1,633 Member
    I've been losing inches, but not pounds. I was put on the impedance machine to look at my body composition, and for every pound of fat I've been losing, I have been gaining a pound of muscle. I call it the even-exchange program. If you were particularly flabby when you started and have been exercising a lot, that could be what is happening. The scale is not the only indicator of progress.

    You must tell bodybuilders your secret.
  • Flab2fitfi
    Flab2fitfi Posts: 1,349 Member
    I set at 1300 and eat back at least 50% of your exercise calories. Make sure you net 1200 at least a day.
  • ndj1979
    ndj1979 Posts: 29,136 Member
    I've been losing inches, but not pounds. I was put on the impedance machine to look at my body composition, and for every pound of fat I've been losing, I have been gaining a pound of muscle. I call it the even-exchange program. If you were particularly flabby when you started and have been exercising a lot, that could be what is happening. The scale is not the only indicator of progress.

    Yah no You can't gain muscle on a deficet.

    I agree the scale is not the only indicator.....

    you beat me to it ..

    not sure how you would be replacing a pound of fat with pound of muscle if you are eating in deficit...unless you have some magic formula...
  • ndj1979
    ndj1979 Posts: 29,136 Member
    I've been losing inches, but not pounds. I was put on the impedance machine to look at my body composition, and for every pound of fat I've been losing, I have been gaining a pound of muscle. I call it the even-exchange program. If you were particularly flabby when you started and have been exercising a lot, that could be what is happening. The scale is not the only indicator of progress.

    I have always been under the impression, that it's very hard to gain a lb of muscle in the time frame it takes to lose 1lb of fat?

    you, are correct sir!
  • diary is now public.... I think I might not be eating enough..
  • I have been courting cals and exercising for 2 weeks now, and haven't seen a single drop in the scales - what's going wrong?

    I've dieted before and lost and I can't work out why it's not happening this time?! Any suggestions?

    Where are you in your cycle? Give it a solid 4 weeks then reevaluate.
  • janicelo1971
    janicelo1971 Posts: 823 Member
    your diary looks good...clearly as you said you went over by 1000 calories one day, so eating less the rest of the week to make up for that makes sense....I look at the weekly total...Im eating 1200 calories on non workout days and I do eat about half the burn back on other days..none of us ever gained weight from not eating enough!! Keep up the great work:flowerforyou:
  • I have been courting cals and exercising for 2 weeks now, and haven't seen a single drop in the scales - what's going wrong?

    I've dieted before and lost and I can't work out why it's not happening this time?! Any suggestions?

    Where are you in your cycle? Give it a solid 4 weeks then reevaluate.

    Which Cycle? lol sorry.
  • LH85DC
    LH85DC Posts: 231 Member
    diary is now public.... I think I might not be eating enough..

    It's hard to say whether you're not eating enough- you're still really early on in this weight loss attempt. Most importantly- make sure that you are accurately tracking things- weighing your food will be far more accurate than eyeballing 1/2 a can of beans, or whatever it may be. If you aren't accurately weighing and measuring you may be eating more than you think.

    That said, if you are accurately tracking your food and exercise, you should be able to eat back some of your exercise calories (maybe 50% to be safe) and still lose weight. That's how the system is set up. Give it a few more weeks and re-evaluate.
  • jennegan1
    jennegan1 Posts: 677 Member
    I recently read it takes 4 weeks to start seeing any type of weight loss so with that said you might loose fat weight or loose some other type of weight such as from your bowels or muscle mass....
    Another thing I see you add in your beers but not water, are you drinking enough water? Also remember empty calories put on weight and doesnt help with the weight loss either.
    How much fiber are you getting in your diet? I see that you do eat veggies but also remember to eat more healthier options of your breads which I see alot of days you are having a bread product which will make your blood sugar spike. Carbs turn into sugar which sugar turns into fat. Im not calling you fat but remember that method. But not all carbs are bad there are good healthy carbs out there also....Also try eating more protein based food as well as protein is essential for building more muscle

    http://impruvism.com/slow-fat-loss/
    for this 2nd one read number 8 http://www.acaloriecounter.com/blog/why-am-i-not-losing-weight/
  • I have been courting cals and exercising for 2 weeks now, and haven't seen a single drop in the scales - what's going wrong?

    I've dieted before and lost and I can't work out why it's not happening this time?! Any suggestions?

    Where are you in your cycle? Give it a solid 4 weeks then reevaluate.

    Which Cycle? lol sorry.
    Period, there is usually anywhere between 2-7lbs of water weight gain around certain times. Usually the week before you start, and is gone by the time it ends. This can easily hide your weight loss.
  • I have been courting cals and exercising for 2 weeks now, and haven't seen a single drop in the scales - what's going wrong?

    I've dieted before and lost and I can't work out why it's not happening this time?! Any suggestions?

    Where are you in your cycle? Give it a solid 4 weeks then reevaluate.

    Which Cycle? lol sorry.
    Period, there is usually anywhere between 2-7lbs of water weight gain around certain times. Usually the week before you start, and is gone by the time it ends. This can easily hide your weight loss.

    Oh I getcha - I don't have them. I've got the implant so not had one since about April time.
  • I recently read it takes 4 weeks to start seeing any type of weight loss so with that said you might loose fat weight or loose some other type of weight such as from your bowels or muscle mass....
    Another thing I see you add in your beers but not water, are you drinking enough water? Also remember empty calories put on weight and doesnt help with the weight loss either.
    How much fiber are you getting in your diet? I see that you do eat veggies but also remember to eat more healthier options of your breads which I see alot of days you are having a bread product which will make your blood sugar spike. Carbs turn into sugar which sugar turns into fat. Im not calling you fat but remember that method. But not all carbs are bad there are good healthy carbs out there also....Also try eating more protein based food as well as protein is essential for building more muscle

    http://impruvism.com/slow-fat-loss/
    for this 2nd one read number 8 http://www.acaloriecounter.com/blog/why-am-i-not-losing-weight/

    I drink herbal and squash which I haven't logged - I guess I should start.

    I've been looking to up my protein - what would you suggest? I don't like cheese particularly nor do I like pork or lamb, only minced beef and I can't afford chicken so that's off the menu too...
  • diary is now public.... I think I might not be eating enough..

    It's hard to say whether you're not eating enough- you're still really early on in this weight loss attempt. Most importantly- make sure that you are accurately tracking things- weighing your food will be far more accurate than eyeballing 1/2 a can of beans, or whatever it may be. If you aren't accurately weighing and measuring you may be eating more than you think.

    That said, if you are accurately tracking your food and exercise, you should be able to eat back some of your exercise calories (maybe 50% to be safe) and still lose weight. That's how the system is set up. Give it a few more weeks and re-evaluate.

    thanks - yeah, I do weigh foods out when I'm serving them to make sure I'm not under estimating my cals (or over)

    and I'll try eating 1/2 my exercise cals today. see what happens.
  • jennegan1
    jennegan1 Posts: 677 Member
    I recently read it takes 4 weeks to start seeing any type of weight loss so with that said you might loose fat weight or loose some other type of weight such as from your bowels or muscle mass....
    Another thing I see you add in your beers but not water, are you drinking enough water? Also remember empty calories put on weight and doesnt help with the weight loss either.
    How much fiber are you getting in your diet? I see that you do eat veggies but also remember to eat more healthier options of your breads which I see alot of days you are having a bread product which will make your blood sugar spike. Carbs turn into sugar which sugar turns into fat. Im not calling you fat but remember that method. But not all carbs are bad there are good healthy carbs out there also....Also try eating more protein based food as well as protein is essential for building more muscle

    http://impruvism.com/slow-fat-loss/
    for this 2nd one read number 8 http://www.acaloriecounter.com/blog/why-am-i-not-losing-weight/

    I drink herbal and squash which I haven't logged - I guess I should start.

    I've been looking to up my protein - what would you suggest? I don't like cheese particularly nor do I like pork or lamb, only minced beef and I can't afford chicken so that's off the menu too...

    Tuna fish or fish in general. Protein Shakes, just be careful what kind as alot of them are high in sugar so always opt out for the powders and then add water or fat free/low fat milk into it. Protein bars....I know how it goes for the chicken but what Ive been doing for a year now is I buy them in bulk {dont know where you live} but the grocery stores around here run them on sale about once a month sometimes more sometimes less but I buy the 5-6lb packages and cut the breast down into smaller pieces and freeze them. Also turkey breast if your store sells them as well
  • I recently read it takes 4 weeks to start seeing any type of weight loss so with that said you might loose fat weight or loose some other type of weight such as from your bowels or muscle mass....
    Another thing I see you add in your beers but not water, are you drinking enough water? Also remember empty calories put on weight and doesnt help with the weight loss either.
    How much fiber are you getting in your diet? I see that you do eat veggies but also remember to eat more healthier options of your breads which I see alot of days you are having a bread product which will make your blood sugar spike. Carbs turn into sugar which sugar turns into fat. Im not calling you fat but remember that method. But not all carbs are bad there are good healthy carbs out there also....Also try eating more protein based food as well as protein is essential for building more muscle

    http://impruvism.com/slow-fat-loss/
    for this 2nd one read number 8 http://www.acaloriecounter.com/blog/why-am-i-not-losing-weight/

    I drink herbal and squash which I haven't logged - I guess I should start.

    I've been looking to up my protein - what would you suggest? I don't like cheese particularly nor do I like pork or lamb, only minced beef and I can't afford chicken so that's off the menu too...

    Tuna fish or fish in general. Protein Shakes, just be careful what kind as alot of them are high in sugar so always opt out for the powders and then add water or fat free/low fat milk into it. Protein bars....I know how it goes for the chicken but what Ive been doing for a year now is I buy them in bulk {dont know where you live} but the grocery stores around here run them on sale about once a month sometimes more sometimes less but I buy the 5-6lb packages and cut the breast down into smaller pieces and freeze them. Also turkey breast if your store sells them as well

    ah fish and turkey are also no goes! Didn't realise how fussy I was until OH moved in.

    I was always under the impression that protein shakes/bar were only for those who work out a lot, which I don't feel I do... maybe something to look into.
  • SLLRunner
    SLLRunner Posts: 12,942 Member

    overestimating calorie burns and/or underestimating intake of calories...

    This. I looked at your diary and it seems to me you are really overestimating your calorie burns. I doubt you burned 252 calories running 5.0 mph for 30 minutes.

    I think you are underestimating food calories too. I notice you had around 100 calories for 1.5 banana. Nope. A banana is about 110 calories so 1.5 would be around 160 calories.

    Are you weighing all solid food and measuring all liquid food? Are you logging every single thing you put in your mouth?
  • jennegan1
    jennegan1 Posts: 677 Member
    Beans are high in protein as well....I forgot to add in, its ok to have a "cheat day" meaning eating unhealthy or drinking your alcohol but either make sure to get your excersize in for that day or the day after in order to burn off of those extra calories and to try to stay in your calorie goal for the day as close as possible. Like last night I drank some wine I did go over a little bit but I stayed close to my calorie goal for the day so today im making sure to get my excersize in
  • piratebear1
    piratebear1 Posts: 88 Member
    Just a thought - you mention you drink Squash and dont log it? not sure what squash - but some squash has a LOT of empty calories

  • overestimating calorie burns and/or underestimating intake of calories...

    This. I looked at your diary and it seems to me you are really overestimating your calorie burns. I doubt you burned 252 calories running 5.0 mph for 30 minutes.

    I think you are underestimating food calories too. I notice you had around 100 calories for 1.5 banana. Nope. A banana is about 110 calories so 1.5 would be around 160 calories.

    Are you weighing all solid food and measuring all liquid food? Are you logging every single thing you put in your mouth?

    The app I used just logs it at running 5pmh for 30 mins, that's not what I'm actually doing, it's interval training and longer than 30 mins a time. - although, as I don't eat back my exercise cals, this wouldn't affect it surely?

    with regards to the banana - I'm only eating 1 small banana, but I know that a small one is in the region of 100-115 not what the calorie estimate on here has it at so I increased it. I do weigh dry foods and liquid foods, e.g the potato shapes I had last night, came it at a much smaller portion. I had by eye guessed I was eating 100g but weighing them show it to be much less.

    The only things I don't log are the sugar free squash I drink and the herbal teas.