Whyyyyyyyyyyy????

I am in the same boat and just posted a new topic very similar to yours, haha. I need to lose 20 pounds, but I exercise, and watch calories for the most part. I am also short, which doesn't help. I will be curious to see others' responses!

Are you getting enough of a calorie deficit to lose weight? Maybe like a lot of us you're overestimating the calorie burn or you're eating more calorie than you think you are. The body keeps an accurate log of exercise and food regardless of what we think we did.

As for your weight, perhaps 116 pounds looks better on someone with a small frame whereas you might look better with a bit more pounds than that. I'm average height and 116 is ok for my height, but when I've been at that weight, I looked gaunt. I look better in the 125-140 range.

I don't agree with My Fitness Pal assigning 1200 calories to everyone, despite their height! You need a program that creates more of a calorie deficit for you, 1200 calories may actually be close to a maintenance calorie range for you. That is my opinion. I have a degree in Human Nutrition from Arizona State University so I'm not just making this stuff up.

Thank you for your time. I think I might need to go back to measuring my portions again. I always log my food for more than I have actually eaten, though. Last time I lost it was faster. Guess I am just going to have to have patience and be thankful for .3 lbs. lost in a week. The joys of being vertically challenged, I guess..

Unfortunately I think its the joys or perimenopause. I am 44 and ever since I turned 40 no matter what I do it is incredibly hard to lose even 1 lb.....

I don't agree with My Fitness Pal assigning 1200 calories to everyone, despite their height! You need a program that creates more of a calorie deficit for you, 1200 calories may actually be close to a maintenance calorie range for you. That is my opinion. I have a degree in Human Nutrition from Arizona State University so I'm not just making this stuff up.

MFP gives the 1200 calorie goal to those that set up aggressive goals. (lose 2 pounds per week) If a person sets up MFP properly 1200 is not the automatic number. The OP is short, has a little amount to lose, so it would seem a smaller deficit is appropriate. On another note, it has been three weeks and giving it more time before readjusting seems reasonable.

OP:
Read the link above and all of the links in it.

I am thinking of doing the Metabolism Makeover. (only 5 carbs every 5 hours) I think I would be satiated on fewer than 1200 calories since it would be more protein and fiber dense. In your professional opinion, is this a healthy choice? Phase one is for 8 weeks, then you slowly increase carbs. It is a clean eating type of program as well.

No, it most definitely isn't. You have 10 pounds to lose and there's no reason of trying something so restrictive. Give it time for your current intake to work.

Well........I am 62 and 1/2. Back in January 2011, I started walking, and eating way less. I went down to 140-145 within 8 months. Kept it off up until last summer. Started LIVING The sodium intake went back up, but I still watched my food intake that I wrote down (journal). I am back up to 158!! I was at 225. I am medium framed, 5'2". I wore a size 6-8 at 140-145. Now I still wear a size 8 at 158 lbs.!!, but I am working out on a Gazelle, and floor exercises. I am NOT losing any weight at all. I feel better when I see 145-150. I cannot lose any weight anymore. My calories have increased, sodium too I am the one that has to be under 1000 calories to force a weight loss. You see, I feel good, but my fear is gaining back more weight beyond 158. I want so much to get back to 148, maybe and stay there at my age. People say.....wow!! You look so NOT 62, but 45. when I am between 145-150. I feel the best at 145, but you see, my arms show wrinkling at that weight, and my tummy shows wrinkling. NOW after being on the Gazelle, and doing floor exercises, that is toning up, or am I just gaining WEIGHT instead? I am so off kilter here I need a talking to, and maybe, someone here might see what I am trying to say, or what to do. I have the willpower, and just want to be healthier for my age, and I have done that. But, WHY can't I lose back down to my 145-150 anymore? I write down my food intake for the last 3 yrs., but I think the sodium quickly brings water weight back in, and the Gazelle and floor exercises has caused muscle weight or something. Am I wrong? What should I do to drop back to 145-150? I am embarrassed that I dropped so much weight, and I can't get this little bit of weight off now.........I need serious advice.

Well........I am 62 and 1/2. Back in January 2011, I started walking, and eating way less. I went down to 140-145 within 8 months. Kept it off up until last summer. Started LIVING The sodium intake went back up, but I still watched my food intake that I wrote down (journal). I am back up to 158!! I was at 225. I am medium framed, 5'2". I wore a size 6-8 at 140-145. Now I still wear a size 8 at 158 lbs.!!, but I am working out on a Gazelle, and floor exercises. I am NOT losing any weight at all. I feel better when I see 145-150. I cannot lose any weight anymore. My calories have increased, sodium too I am the one that has to be under 1000 calories to force a weight loss. You see, I feel good, but my fear is gaining back more weight beyond 158. I want so much to get back to 148, maybe and stay there at my age. People say.....wow!! You look so NOT 62, but 45. when I am between 145-150. I feel the best at 145, but you see, my arms show wrinkling at that weight, and my tummy shows wrinkling. NOW after being on the Gazelle, and doing floor exercises, that is toning up, or am I just gaining WEIGHT instead? I am so off kilter here I need a talking to, and maybe, someone here might see what I am trying to say, or what to do. I have the willpower, and just want to be healthier for my age, and I have done that. But, WHY can't I lose back down to my 145-150 anymore? I write down my food intake for the last 3 yrs., but I think the sodium quickly brings water weight back in, and the Gazelle and floor exercises has caused muscle weight or something. Am I wrong? What should I do to drop back to 145-150? I am embarrassed that I dropped so much weight, and I can't get this little bit of weight off now.........I need serious advice.

I am in a similar situation. I am 54, 5'2" and went from 125 lbs to 100. I am small so this is the correct weight. I have put back on 10 lbs and cannot seem to get it off. My new clothes don't fit and I am pissed at myself. I had maintained for over a year and now this extra 10. I want it off and I don't want to obsess about this every day

I'm 5ft. Last week I set my calorie goal to 1200 and I literally felt so weak everyday I could barely do my exercises. This week I upped it to 1450 and I have much more energy and don't feel like I've been restricting myself. I also lost a pound this week and I only have 14 pounds left to lose. However my exercises consisted of 4 days doing 30 day shred and 2 days doing the elliptical/cross trainer holding 5lb dumbbells as I worked out. If I was you I would up your exercise quite a bit and up your calories slightly.
What exercise are you doing and how much is it burning?

Increase your vegetable intake without increasing your carb/fat intake. It could be that you aren't eating enough to keep yourself going. I know it sounds crazy to eat more, but it may for some of us (me for one) it makes all the difference. I think the guides given automatically here are nice, but don't take them as a hard and fast rule; we're all unique and need to treat ourselves that way.
Good luck.