Why am I not losing weight?
sophia_t93
Posts: 1
Hi. I'm 5'2" and 170lbs. I've been working out for at least an hour 5-6 days for the past two weeks and I just recently trimmed my calorie intake to 1,200-1,500 calories. I know it's too soon for a noticeable difference but I have not lost any weight at all and it's quite demotivating. Is this normal?
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Replies
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Have you lost inches though?0
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Starting weight loss takes time before progress starts to be made. Make sure that when you are eating, you are correctly measuring all of your servings and not just estimating how much you are eating to get an honest calorie intake each day. Also keep in mind that MFP sometimes over estimates calories burned with their exercises and you may not be burning as many calories as you think you are.
Make sure that if you are exercising a lot you are eating enough. 1,200 calories is not enough food if you are exercising that day. It would be better to eat the 1,200 plus the exercise calories back.
Other things to keep in mind is:
water retention may show a higher number on the scale and will alleviate with time
the number on the scale doesn't show fat loss and muscle gain, taking measurements is a better indicator
it takes time to lose weight in a healthy way, some weeks you may not lose anything and some weeks you may lose a lot, stay patient and continue with your eating habits and exercise0 -
This could be normal, however, 2 weeks seems like a little long to not notice any changes. I can tell you that the advice du jour, and it absolutely works, will be the following:Hi. I'm 5'2" and 170lbs. I've been working out for at least an hour 5-6 days for the past two weeks and I just recently trimmed my calorie intake to 1,200-1,500 calories. I know it's too soon for a noticeable difference but I have not lost any weight at all and it's quite demotivating. Is this normal?
1. Weigh and take measurements around the same time. A generalized consensus is to do it in the morning, sans clothes and after first bathroom visit.
2. Reassess your calorie calculations. We all struggle to report accurately.
3. Reassess your calorie burn on exercise, if you are eating back your calories. It is so incredibly easy to over estimate.
4. Take measurements. Often times they will show you change is occurring when weight alone is not providing evidence.
5. Stick With It! You didn't arrive here in two weeks. It takes time. There will be plateaus that are perfectly normal.
You are not alone is struggling with disappointment about beginning results. This takes commitment and effort. You are already past the hard part; getting of your mental duff and starting. You can do this.0 -
It always seems to be people who just started a fairly aggressive new exercise program that are the ones dealing with scale freeze. Assuming you're being honest and accurate with your calories, it has to be water retention related to exercise. Keep going and you'll see a loss. No one is immune to the calories-in, calories-out rule.0
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Keep doing what you're doing for 4 more weeks and assess. Beginning a new workout/exercise routine will artificially hide weight loss by increasing water retention. If you still haven't lost weight after 4 more weeks, ensure that your caloric tracking is accurate.0
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It always seems to be people who just started a fairly aggressive new exercise program that are the ones dealing with scale freeze. Assuming you're being honest and accurate with your calories, it has to be water retention related to exercise.
I'm dubious. Meaningful water retention requires meaningful muscular stress, but the body can only work so hard on 1200 calories a day. IMO the numbers don't add up, so until demonstrated otherwise I'm going with the "eating more than you think, moving less than you think".
Anyway, need at least a couple more weeks of consistent logging to know for sure.0 -
1. Weigh and take measurements around the same time. A generalized consensus is to do it in the morning, sans clothes and after first bathroom visit.
2. Reassess your calorie calculations. We all struggle to report accurately.
3. Reassess your calorie burn on exercise, if you are eating back your calories. It is so incredibly easy to over estimate.
4. Take measurements. Often times they will show you change is occurring when weight alone is not providing evidence.
5. Stick With It! You didn't arrive here in two weeks. It takes time. There will be plateaus that are perfectly normal.
You are not alone is struggling with disappointment about beginning results. This takes commitment and effort. You are already past the hard part; getting of your mental duff and starting. You can do this.
Ditto.
I want to stress measurements are absolutely needed. I once had a weight loss plateau for 3 1/2 weeks and would have quit if I had not measured.0 -
Do you use a food scale and weigh everything you put in your mouth? More than likely you are eating more than you think.0
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Thank you so much for posting your concern, since I have exactly the same one. I feel my metabolism is simply dead. I am NOT a couch potato, and I don't sit around eating bonbons, but the scale does not want to budge. In my logging, I dropped the caloric burn today from the 600's that it mentions for jazzercise to 250. I have been doing that since I started logging (putting in a smaller number than is mentioned), thinking there is no way that I burn that much in exercise. I am tracking like a hawk and being very careful with inputting, so please include your progress after following any of the suggestions these folks gave you so I can see there is hope. I am getting out the measuring tape, since in the past I have been on plans where I followed it exactly, and was the only one who did not lose weight, but did lose fat. This slow weight loss does feel exasperating at times. Also, I am logging very carefully since I want to see what a practitioner tells me when I show them what I have been eating and the way I lose weight like a turtle. I simply do not believe in the calorie in, calorie out thing. That is science from the past. All calories are simply not created equal. One thing I am noticing is that my sugar grams are higher than what fitness pal says they should be and sugar is sugar, regardless if I am getting it from carrot juice or a candy bar, so I am going to try and eat less fruits and carrot juice and really pay more attention to the sugar grams in everything to see what I can do in that area, since my calories are good, and all the other elements are good, including exercise. Thanks again.0
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Do you use a food scale and weigh everything you put in your mouth? More than likely you are eating more than you think.
This ^
It is very difficult to measure calories accurately without using a scale. Also, make sure you have accurate data. Some of the calories in the database are just plain wrong, or have the same calories listed for multiple portion sizes. And always log food before you eat it, so you can judge how much you want.
That being said, two weeks isn't enough to see real weight loss. You will lose a few pounds of water the first few days -- which may be masked if you have your period now -- but the normal ups and downs of water weight from day to day are greater than the real total of lost fat weight right now.
You can gain weight from exercise if your muscles are sore and stiff. It's water that makes them stiff. Don't let it discourage you.0 -
Do you use a food scale and weigh everything you put in your mouth? More than likely you are eating more than you think.
THIS. Sorry, OP, but unless you have a metabolic or other health problem that is preventing your weight loss (which, btw, is possible), then this is probably the case.0 -
Hi. I'm 5'2" and 170lbs. I've been working out for at least an hour 5-6 days for the past two weeks and I just recently trimmed my calorie intake to 1,200-1,500 calories. I know it's too soon for a noticeable difference but I have not lost any weight at all and it's quite demotivating. Is this normal?
4'11 here And noticed that my body got used to the cutting calories within 3-4 months. Then after, I started losing weight!
Patience and consistency is the key.
also try to think of this.
losing thirty to forty pound jus by cutting calories and being sedentary takes a year. so yeah, just keep on doing what your doing. if youre hungry then eat at maintenance kcal. mine is 1500.
Goodluck!0 -
Do you use a food scale and weigh everything you put in your mouth? More than likely you are eating more than you think.
This ^
It is very difficult to measure calories accurately without using a scale. Also, make sure you have accurate data. Some of the calories in the database are just plain wrong, or have the same calories listed for multiple portion sizes. And always log food before you eat it, so you can judge how much you want.
That being said, two weeks isn't enough to see real weight loss. You will lose a few pounds of water the first few days -- which may be masked if you have your period now -- but the normal ups and downs of water weight from day to day are greater than the real total of lost fat weight right now.
You can gain weight from exercise if your muscles are sore and stiff. It's water that makes them stiff. Don't let it discourage you.
This too might be hindering ur weight loss!0 -
Thank you so much for posting your concern, since I have exactly the same one. I feel my metabolism is simply dead. I am NOT a couch potato, and I don't sit around eating bonbons, but the scale does not want to budge. In my logging, I dropped the caloric burn today from the 600's that it mentions for jazzercise to 250. I have been doing that since I started logging (putting in a smaller number than is mentioned), thinking there is no way that I burn that much in exercise. I am tracking like a hawk and being very careful with inputting, so please include your progress after following any of the suggestions these folks gave you so I can see there is hope. I am getting out the measuring tape, since in the past I have been on plans where I followed it exactly, and was the only one who did not lose weight, but did lose fat. This slow weight loss does feel exasperating at times. Also, I am logging very carefully since I want to see what a practitioner tells me when I show them what I have been eating and the way I lose weight like a turtle. I simply do not believe in the calorie in, calorie out thing. That is science from the past. All calories are simply not created equal. One thing I am noticing is that my sugar grams are higher than what fitness pal says they should be and sugar is sugar, regardless if I am getting it from carrot juice or a candy bar, so I am going to try and eat less fruits and carrot juice and really pay more attention to the sugar grams in everything to see what I can do in that area, since my calories are good, and all the other elements are good, including exercise. Thanks again.
All calories are the same, but not all people are. The calorie consumption equation assumes everyone keeps their thermostat at the same temperature, that two people of the same age are equally active, that two people of the same weight have the same relative amounts of muscle and fat, etc. It gets you in the neighborhood of the correct amount, but small differences add up if you're actually measuring. I'm one of the lucky people who burns more calories than the equation says, but other people will burn less. If you've been measuring carefully, make a graph of what your weight was and what it should have been as time went on, and you should hopefully see a difference in slope that shows you what your actual consumption is.
BTW, most of your calories go to keeping your body warm. Exercise outside and peel off layers as you get warm. You'll burn a lot more calories if you are losing heat to the environment.0 -
I'm just gonna chime in to say that 2 weeks isn't really long enough to gauge progress if you're just starting out. It took me 3 weeks to see the scale move when I started. Also, weight loss isn't linear for a lot of people. I don't lose a set amount every week, my weight stagnates for 2 weeks, then my cycle hits and I may even gain weight , and a week after that my body will flush anywhere from 0.5 to 2 lbs, never to be seen again. Rinse and repeat. It's been like that for months and I've had a fairly consistent calorie goal so far.
So yes, definitely heed the advice of being as accurate as possible with logging the food and exercise, but also give it some time. It may take some time to get things rolling.1 -
You haven't made your diary public, which makes it hard to see if there could be a problem there. I agree with everyone about weighing and measuring EVERYTHING. And don't forget that sauces, cooking oils, sodas, fruit juices etc all have LOADS of calories in them. You can easily destroy a calorie deficit with just these things.0
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The two week mark is always where I find myself standing on the scale or in front of the mirror asking myself "Why do I bother!" LOL! And then inevitably if I hang in there for another week I start to see some results. It seems like about twice a year I'll go off the workout/nutrition wagon and put on 10 pounds and have to go through it again and every time it's the two week mark that gets me depressed. Hang in there and as somebody else mentioned, keep in mind the fact that if you are a smaller person you might not be burning as many calories as you think when you work out. Oh and a food scale helped me a lot. Anyway keep up the good work. You can do it!1
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Eld2310....that is just not true. and those who say less calories with working out works too-- is not accurate either.. I am a rare case where I have gained weight without trying for 5 years. 5 years of constant wondering trying new things and I gained 45 pounds. I am insulin resistant. I have sugar in my cells and I don't eat candy, cookies and soda.. I eat meat and vegies. and was eating bread minimally and whole wheat. I found with a naturopath two supplements that has recently made a difference. its n-acetylcysteine and pgx. Now I am losing weight I am now 167 and this is HUGE! My body would not burn the sugar-- I could not lose it til now. Now my workouts are successful, Now the sweating is paying off. I work out 4 days a week zumba and weights.0
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Agree with the measuring. As an example, I was eating some dip with pita chips and the serving size said x grams (about 10 chips). Since I weigh everything I got out my scale and started piling on average size chips. At 7 chips I was above the serving weight in grams. Had to break one in half to get the right serving size. That means that if you ate the recommended 10 chips, then you would have consumed 35% more calories than you thought you had.
Also, the database is FRUSTRATINGLY variable in the reported numbers. I was at SAM's Club tonight and was going to have a Nathans hot dog with sour kraut. Luckily I tried to look it up before ordering. There was a range in the calories from 297 to 460. That is 163 calories different which is over 10% of what your daily target is. All of the numbers in the database are USER reported and some seem to be absolute guesses. When ever there is a range like that, try to find info on the company's web site or verify from multiple sources. (BTW, I was so annoyed that I skipped the dog and bought a rotisserie chicken and went home and ate it with wild rice.)0 -
Read the links in here, if nothing works then, see a dr. something is probably physically wrong.
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/833026-important-posts-to-read0 -
I am working out and losing fat but I weight the same as i did when i wasn't losing weight why is that?0
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Work out for 2 hours per day?0
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I am working out and losing fat but I weight the same as i did when i wasn't losing weight why is that?
You're gaining muscle? Perfect!0 -
I seem to lose weight slowly and it can be frustrating, but you have to take other things into account as well. How are your stress and energy levels since you started working out? Are you sleeping enough? Over all are you starting to feel better?
I also agree with weighing and measuring your food. Losing weight is a big commitment and it takes time to get into a routine. It would help us all if your diary was made public, but for now, all I can tell you is that 2 weeks is not enough time to really get a handle on your weight loss routine and eating habits. It's enough time to start changing them, but breaking habits and learning to limit takes much longer. My suggestion is to make some small goals. Some of my friends on my FL have these amazingly detailed goals where they want to lose BF% and lift a certain weight, and run marathons. I have learned I am not them. My goals right now are to focus on pre planning my meals, eating more balanced, and figuring out a workout schedule and routine that fits my busy life.
Also, depending on what your exercise routine is, 1200 calories may not be enough. I know you said 1500 is also what you eat at, but again without an open diary it's hard to see how much and how often.
Don't give up! Don't overwhelm yourself. Start small and work your way into learning what works for you.0 -
Are you eating back exercise calories? If so, maybe you're overestimating your burns.0
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It always seems to be people who just started a fairly aggressive new exercise program that are the ones dealing with scale freeze. Assuming you're being honest and accurate with your calories, it has to be water retention related to exercise. Keep going and you'll see a loss. No one is immune to the calories-in, calories-out rule.
Either this ^ or this > http://www.acaloriecounter.com/blog/why-am-i-not-losing-weight/0 -
This could be normal, however, 2 weeks seems like a little long to not notice any changes. I can tell you that the advice du jour, and it absolutely works, will be the following:Hi. I'm 5'2" and 170lbs. I've been working out for at least an hour 5-6 days for the past two weeks and I just recently trimmed my calorie intake to 1,200-1,500 calories. I know it's too soon for a noticeable difference but I have not lost any weight at all and it's quite demotivating. Is this normal?
1. Weigh and take measurements around the same time. A generalized consensus is to do it in the morning, sans clothes and after first bathroom visit.
2. Reassess your calorie calculations. We all struggle to report accurately.
3. Reassess your calorie burn on exercise, if you are eating back your calories. It is so incredibly easy to over estimate.
4. Take measurements. Often times they will show you change is occurring when weight alone is not providing evidence.
5. Stick With It! You didn't arrive here in two weeks. It takes time. There will be plateaus that are perfectly normal.
You are not alone is struggling with disappointment about beginning results. This takes commitment and effort. You are already past the hard part; getting of your mental duff and starting. You can do this.
^^ +1 All of this information is important and well put. I would invest in a kitchen scale (This change my entire view on portion size), weight everything. If you are eating back your exercise calories, I would invest in a HRM. I find that they are more accurate with calories burned than just relying on the machine. Stick with it! You can do this. 0 -
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you may be eating more than you think. i lost a bunch in the first month. 20 pounds. but i also started at a much heavier weight than you and dropped calories to 1400. and just walked. walked and walked and walked.0
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Thank you so much for posting your concern, since I have exactly the same one. I feel my metabolism is simply dead. I am NOT a couch potato, and I don't sit around eating bonbons, but the scale does not want to budge. In my logging, I dropped the caloric burn today from the 600's that it mentions for jazzercise to 250. I have been doing that since I started logging (putting in a smaller number than is mentioned), thinking there is no way that I burn that much in exercise. I am tracking like a hawk and being very careful with inputting, so please include your progress after following any of the suggestions these folks gave you so I can see there is hope. I am getting out the measuring tape, since in the past I have been on plans where I followed it exactly, and was the only one who did not lose weight, but did lose fat. This slow weight loss does feel exasperating at times. Also, I am logging very carefully since I want to see what a practitioner tells me when I show them what I have been eating and the way I lose weight like a turtle. I simply do not believe in the calorie in, calorie out thing. That is science from the past. All calories are simply not created equal. One thing I am noticing is that my sugar grams are higher than what fitness pal says they should be and sugar is sugar, regardless if I am getting it from carrot juice or a candy bar, so I am going to try and eat less fruits and carrot juice and really pay more attention to the sugar grams in everything to see what I can do in that area, since my calories are good, and all the other elements are good, including exercise. Thanks again.
All calories are the same, but not all people are. The calorie consumption equation assumes everyone keeps their thermostat at the same temperature, that two people of the same age are equally active, that two people of the same weight have the same relative amounts of muscle and fat, etc. It gets you in the neighborhood of the correct amount, but small differences add up if you're actually measuring. I'm one of the lucky people who burns more calories than the equation says, but other people will burn less. If you've been measuring carefully, make a graph of what your weight was and what it should have been as time went on, and you should hopefully see a difference in slope that shows you what your actual consumption is.
BTW, most of your calories go to keeping your body warm. Exercise outside and peel off layers as you get warm. You'll burn a lot more calories if you are losing heat to the environment.
I kinda of forgot about that, with it being frigid cold out and my room having a draft I work out with a thin long sleeve shirt on and a sweatshirt on. Some days I sweat more then other and yes Im talking about the same routine. Some days I do amp it up and other days I dont but couldnt figure out if Im using the same amount of clothing to work out in why some days Im sweating more then others and Im talking about the days that I dont amp it up. Thought well maybe Im not pushing my self more then thats why im not sweating as much.....When I work out today Ill try to just do my thin shirt and see if thats why0
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