I don't understand what's wrong....

kellymotherfreakink
kellymotherfreakink Posts: 8
in Motivation and Support
Ok, so I just started my weight loss journey exactly 1 month ago. I'm a 31 year old male, 355lbs. When I got married 4 years ago I was at around 200. I'm 5'11.

So as of last month, I cut my calories down to around 1300 a day and started working out 5 days a week. I run a mile on the Eleptical and then I do the 30min biggest loser circuit that they have set up at planet fitness. I drink a protein shake after every work out.

Like I said, I've been doing this for a month. I have lost no weight, and no inches. I'm so bummed. I don't understand how I can make such a huge change and get NO results at all!!! Before I was eating over 5000 calories a day and just sitting at a desk all day!!!

If anyone can give me some insight into what is going on or what I should do, I would really appreciate it!!

I'm not going to quit, I just wish I could understand...
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Replies

  • Lizzy622
    Lizzy622 Posts: 3,705 Member
    You may have shocked your system too much. At 5'11" I would say you definitely need to eat more than 1300. If you just started exercise your muscles retain water for a while until they are accustom to the new workout. Drink lots of water and be patient. You can do this.
  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,371 Member
    It's my gut reaction too. That's WAY TOO LITTLE food. Seriously. Go to http://scoobysworkshop.com/calorie-calculator/, pick a 20-25% deficit, and eat that.
  • rayneface
    rayneface Posts: 219 Member
    I agree that 1300 might be too low. I am also 5'11, female, age 28. I eat at least 1800 calories every day and have found that lets me successfully lose some weight without too much exercise as long as I am consistent and keep my protein quite high.
    As Lizzy622 says, you can do this! It just takes some figuring out at first, don't give up :)
  • Jtorres326
    Jtorres326 Posts: 157 Member
    You gained 155 lbs in 4 years. I would tell you to consult a doctor first, even if the calories are too low for long term weight loss, you should have had some initial loss. Make sure you don't have a metabolic or thyroid disorder that could interfere with your goals if untreated. If you've been given a clean bill of health, then raise those calories a bit.
  • ForeverCharlie
    ForeverCharlie Posts: 183 Member
    EAT MORE TO WEIGH LESS. It sounds kind of backwards, I know, but it is true. Good luck to you!
  • kellymotherfreakink
    kellymotherfreakink Posts: 8
    Man, I didn't t think there was a thing as cutting calories TOO much. Haha. Ok, i will try and raise that a bit. My mind just thinks that raising my calories is only going to cause me to go backwards. I'm so tired of how I look and feel. I want this change so bad I just thought going as low on my calories as possible would be best. Then I've read dozens of stories where guys cut calories down to around 1300 and they lost 150 lbs in a year without working out!

    I guess it's just hard doing this alone and not really knowing what's right or wrong.
  • jimmmer
    jimmmer Posts: 3,515 Member
    Dude, seriously:

    Accurately measure your food.

    Eat more. Like, you can easily lose weight on 2000 cals with your stats.

    Get enough protein: something like 160-200g per day.

    Get plenty of hydration and avoid high-sodium foods.

    Give it 2 weeks, then re-measure.
  • kellymotherfreakink
    kellymotherfreakink Posts: 8
    I did see a doctor thinking it my be a thyroid problem, but after blood work, he said I was all good. So maybe it is just that I'm not eating enough. I will def give that a try. It does seem backwards, but at this point I'm willing to give it a shot.

    I appreciate all of you.
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    Man, I didn't t think there was a thing as cutting calories TOO much. Haha. Ok, i will try and raise that a bit. My mind just thinks that raising my calories is only going to cause me to go backwards. I'm so tired of how I look and feel. I want this change so bad I just thought going as low on my calories as possible would be best. Then I've read dozens of stories where guys cut calories down to around 1300 and they lost 150 lbs in a year without working out!

    I guess it's just hard doing this alone and not really knowing what's right or wrong.

    how can you go backwards?! you're not losing weight as it is! no one has said to eat 5000 cals again... but 1300 is way too little!
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    grrr, double post!
  • kellymotherfreakink
    kellymotherfreakink Posts: 8
    That's a good way to look at it! Haha, ok, I'll try and raise my calories to around 2000 a day and see what happens there.

    I've also got in the bad habit of weighing everyday... I read that that is def not the way to go. So as of today I'm going to TRY and only weigh once a week.
  • Barbonica
    Barbonica Posts: 337 Member
    Congratulations on making the decision to change your lifestyle! Hang in there, you will see results.

    Are you logging everything, and using a food scale? Are you eating back your exercise calories, and if so, how are you estimating the burn?

    If the last 4 years were consistent in your weight gain, you were eating at a 375 calorie per day surplus (3500 cal/pound, 155 pound weight gain, 4 years of time). Another way to look at your target would be to create a deficit from your previous net calories by 1,000 to 1,500, which would result in a 1.5 to 2 pound loss per week.

    It might help if you opened your diary for us to take a look and make suggestions. I would suggest that you are likely overestimating your burn or underestimating your intake.

    Hang in there, make adjustments to your eating and exercise to make sure you have a deficit. Be honest and accountable - which can only be done if you are weighing and measuring your food. Make sure you don't forget to include soda, fruit drinks, fruit, veggies. Many have a surprising number of calories and depending on quantity, can add up.

    MFP calories for exercise are overstated, based on my personal experience as well as reported by many MFP users. Depends on the person, but it seems like many people discount them by 30% - 50%.
  • ahdiab93
    ahdiab93 Posts: 1
    Dude, seriously:

    Accurately measure your food.

    Eat more. Like, you can easily lose weight on 2000 cals with your stats.

    Get enough protein: something like 160-200g per day.

    Get plenty of hydration and avoid high-sodium foods.

    Give it 2 weeks, then re-measure.

    Yes to all of this. But WHY eat more? Here's why: when you make a drastic change like that too quickly, your body will essentially go into starvation mode, and hold on to all of the calories that it's been taking in. much better to slowly decrease your calorie count. at 5' 11", 2000 calories to start off is a good number. once you've lost 10% of your body weight, decrease your intake. slow and steady wins the race. :)
  • mccindy72
    mccindy72 Posts: 7,001 Member
    Ok, so I just started my weight loss journey exactly 1 month ago. I'm a 31 year old male, 355lbs. When I got married 4 years ago I was at around 200. I'm 5'11.

    So as of last month, I cut my calories down to around 1300 a day and started working out 5 days a week. I run a mile on the Eleptical and then I do the 30min biggest loser circuit that they have set up at planet fitness. I drink a protein shake after every work out.

    Like I said, I've been doing this for a month. I have lost no weight, and no inches. I'm so bummed. I don't understand how I can make such a huge change and get NO results at all!!! Before I was eating over 5000 calories a day and just sitting at a desk all day!!!

    If anyone can give me some insight into what is going on or what I should do, I would really appreciate it!!

    I'm not going to quit, I just wish I could understand...

    Are you using a food scale to weigh all of your food so you know your calorie counts are accurate?
  • serindipte
    serindipte Posts: 1,557 Member
    Dude, seriously:

    Accurately measure your food.

    Eat more. Like, you can easily lose weight on 2000 cals with your stats.

    Get enough protein: something like 160-200g per day.

    Get plenty of hydration and avoid high-sodium foods.

    Give it 2 weeks, then re-measure.

    ^^ This --- Especially the "accurately measure".. like, with a scale. I can't imagine a man of your size going that long on 1300 calories and not losing anything. It's all too easy to under estimate what you are eating. 1300 is way too low for you, but it should have resulted in a loss.
  • cathipa
    cathipa Posts: 2,991 Member
    It's my gut reaction too. That's WAY TOO LITTLE food. Seriously. Go to http://scoobysworkshop.com/calorie-calculator/, pick a 20-25% deficit, and eat that.

    Can't agree enough. Eating 1300 calories per day is not enough and you will probably give up (like most of us who start out typically do) since it is just not enough to even sustain life. Use the calculator. Eating more to lose does work! It may not be as fast as you want it, but you didn't gain all this weight over night either. Good luck to you! Don't give up!!
  • kickivale
    kickivale Posts: 260 Member
    I just want to jump in and say I am really glad you're not coming at this problem pissed off and making excuses. You have a positive outlook, a determined voice, and it means a lot that you end your post by saying this will not make you quit. With those qualities on your side you will be successful.
    I agree with everyone, 1300 cals is a little low LOL. I am a 5'6 female, 127 lbs and I eat 1360 cals a day. And I'm losing weight. Add 500 cals a day…keep working out. You're going to get there!!
  • dbanks80
    dbanks80 Posts: 3,685 Member
    Did you fill out the MFP profile? That should give you an accurate assessment for how many calories you should eat for your height and size. 1300 is low. I am a woman and I eat 1200 calories.
  • rml_16
    rml_16 Posts: 16,414 Member
    Are you sure you're counting calories correctly -- weighing and measuring your food rather than eyeballing it?

    And 1,300 calories for you is so not enough.
  • kellymotherfreakink
    kellymotherfreakink Posts: 8
    I haven't been using a food scale. I've relied pretty much entirely on the MFP app. I put in everything though. I cut out all soda and fruit drinks. I'm only drinking water or unsweet tea. I drink milk with my protein shake.
  • mccindy72
    mccindy72 Posts: 7,001 Member
    Dude, seriously:

    Accurately measure your food.

    Eat more. Like, you can easily lose weight on 2000 cals with your stats.

    Get enough protein: something like 160-200g per day.

    Get plenty of hydration and avoid high-sodium foods.

    Give it 2 weeks, then re-measure.

    Yes to all of this. But WHY eat more? Here's why: when you make a drastic change like that too quickly, your body will essentially go into starvation mode, and hold on to all of the calories that it's been taking in. much better to slowly decrease your calorie count. at 5' 11", 2000 calories to start off is a good number. once you've lost 10% of your body weight, decrease your intake. slow and steady wins the race. :)

    Solid first post.
    Uh, no.
    Starvation mode is bunk. Your body will NOT hold on to all the calories you take in, it can't do that, if you're eating at at deficit. The risk of eating too few calories is that you will lose lean muscle rather than fat and then if you do regain, it will be fat.

    Buy a food scale, weigh all your solid food, and measure your liquids. Set a reasonable goal of 1-2 lbs per week, wait a month and then weigh yourself and take measurements. Don't overestimate calorie burns either. Gyms machines and MFP both do that. Buy a heart rate monitor with a chest strap, it will be more accurate for cardio workouts.
  • mulligan00
    mulligan00 Posts: 5
    your body is in starvation mode... take in more calories but make them healthy CLEAN calorie. Clean eating is definitely the way to go, get rid of the "3 white deaths... flour, sugar and salt" (along with all the chemically junk) I know its hard, especially when you want to just grab something and go.. that granola bar isn't the healthiest thing in the world but it is better than a snickers. just keep going minor changes and you will be on the way to skinny living!!!!
  • kellymotherfreakink
    kellymotherfreakink Posts: 8
    Oh, I'm also wearing the body the media armband. I just started that a few days ago.
  • mccindy72
    mccindy72 Posts: 7,001 Member
    I haven't been using a food scale. I've relied pretty much entirely on the MFP app. I put in everything though. I cut out all soda and fruit drinks. I'm only drinking water or unsweet tea. I drink milk with my protein shake.

    The problem with relying on the MFP app is that most of what is in it has been added by users and is unverified. a LOT of it is terribly inaccurate. Please buy a food scale, you can get a good one on Amazon for like 15 bucks.
  • 19TaraLynn84
    19TaraLynn84 Posts: 739 Member
    This has probably been said before, but it's important, so.......

    Eat more! For a male, 1300 calories is way too low. That's actually too low for many females. I am 5'2", weigh 145 pounds, and I lose weight eating 1400-1500 calories. You can definitely lose weight eating more than I do. Weight loss is hard, but it doesn't have to be torture.
  • nancyluckhurst3
    nancyluckhurst3 Posts: 122 Member
    1300 calories for an adult male of your age is way too low. You have put your body in starvation mode and your metabolism slows way down to protect you. yes you do need to increase your calorie intake and that should straighten out. You could go as high as 2000 with no problem is my guess. the heavier you are the more calories you can eat and still lose weight. It may sound crazy but it is very true.
    Man, I didn't t think there was a thing as cutting calories TOO much. Haha. Ok, i will try and raise that a bit. My mind just thinks that raising my calories is only going to cause me to go backwards. I'm so tired of how I look and feel. I want this change so bad I just thought going as low on my calories as possible would be best. Then I've read dozens of stories where guys cut calories down to around 1300 and they lost 150 lbs in a year without working out!

    I guess it's just hard doing this alone and not really knowing what's right or wrong.
  • erickirb
    erickirb Posts: 12,294 Member
    If you are not using a scale for weighing solid foods or measuring liquids you may be eating 10-50% more than you think you are.
  • mccindy72
    mccindy72 Posts: 7,001 Member
    your body is in starvation mode... take in more calories but make them healthy CLEAN calorie. Clean eating is definitely the way to go, get rid of the "3 white deaths... flour, sugar and salt" (along with all the chemically junk) I know its hard, especially when you want to just grab something and go.. that granola bar isn't the healthiest thing in the world but it is better than a snickers. just keep going minor changes and you will be on the way to skinny living!!!!

    Please don't advise this stuff. It's not helpful and is very inaccurate. There is no starvation mode, flour sugar and salt are fine in moderation.
  • lauren3101
    lauren3101 Posts: 1,853 Member
    I've just looked up your stats, and your BMR alone is nearly 3000 calories.

    Your TDEE based on a moderate activity level is 4600 calories. If we go on the basis that 1lb is 3500 calories, you could eat 3600 calories a day and still lose 2lb a week.

    Basically, you need to eat a lot more. That's some increase from what you've been doing, so I'd recommend increasing a little each week or you're going to struggle. Try eating calorie dense foods like peanut butter, nuts, avocado, full fat dairy, and cooking in oil to bump the calories up.
  • rml_16
    rml_16 Posts: 16,414 Member
    I haven't been using a food scale. I've relied pretty much entirely on the MFP app. I put in everything though. I cut out all soda and fruit drinks. I'm only drinking water or unsweet tea. I drink milk with my protein shake.
    Have you measured yourself? Inches around your waist, neck, etc.?

    I stick by you need to eat more just simply because it isn't healthy to drop weight too fast (not because of starvation mode). However, even if there is a bit of a mess-up in your calorie calculations, it's hard to believe you're eating enough to maintain that weight if you're aiming for 1,300 and you're using a scale.

    I recommend you start taking measurements or pay attention to how your clothing fits.

    Intense exercise like that can cause muscles to retain water the first few weeks, so you may be losing but not see it on the scale.

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