Counting EVERY Calorie!

lovingmygoldens
lovingmygoldens Posts: 1
in Health and Weight Loss
I started tracking my calories on Jan 1st. After going through the MFP goals, it recommended that I eat 1300 calories per day. I am very overweight (obese) so my goal is to lose 2 pounds per week, at least for right now. I track every single thing that goes in my mouth. I weigh and measure everything. I have never been below 1250 or above 1350 calories for the past month. Other than 1 Skinny Cow treat each day, everything is healthy, nutritious, and balanced. I exercise 5-6 days a week, usually 30-45 min. I do Zumba 1-2 times per week, step aerobics 3-4 times per week, and the elliptical the rest of the time. I have a fitbit one that syncs to MFP, so I do not enter any exercise manually. MFP always gives me calories due to exercise but I still do not eat more than 1350, regardless of exercise.

I'm wondering what I'm doing wrong. I can understand not losing much for a week or two, but this has been going on a month. I'm losing under 1/2 per week. With as overweight as I am, I know I should be able to lose more than that. I've done it before, although that was a different diet (low carb). This time around my goal is a lifestyle change, not an elimination diet, so I am eating a healthy balance of protein, fat, and carbs. I'm just starting to get frustrated, because I want to see some results from my incredibly hard work! Thanks for any advice!

-Nicole

Replies

  • cathipa
    cathipa Posts: 2,991 Member
    You may need to eat more (sounds crazy) but I've been where you are. Check out this link

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants

    Keep at it and it will pay off! Good luck and feel free to add me for support.
  • inktink
    inktink Posts: 135 Member
    You can try that, and you definitely could eat more and lose, but I think there's more to this.

    Have you taken measurements? We don't always change our physique by losing pounds, sometimes the inches change when the pounds don't (and vice versa).

    I would honestly suggest trading out some of your cardio workouts for strength training. Muscle burns fat, so the more you have the more you burn. If you really want to keep up the cardio, do circuit training. Strength training really is a vital part of weight loss.
  • ashenriver
    ashenriver Posts: 498 Member
    There could be a number of things

    1. Are you sure that you are eating the calories you say you are? Have you weighed and measured everything correctly? Using the right foods in the database
    2. You should be eating back at least half your exercise calories
    3. Have you checked your BMR and TDEE numbers as well?
    4. Any health conditions that could cause slow weight loss?
    5. You just might need more time
    6. Maybe change up your exercise routine a bit? Add a bit of strength training or amp up your cardio exercise for a bit
    7. You could just be at a plateau since you have lost 23lbs already.
    8. Have your body measurements changed?

    Celebrate any weightloss
    Keep up the good work
  • kelleybean1
    kelleybean1 Posts: 312 Member
    open your diary so we can see what you're eating.

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