Right Choices, Wrong Results?

First, congratulations on the loss so far! That is impressive. Just a couple of thoughts:

If I measure something in grams or ounces, but when I pull the food up in the database, it only gives me the option to log in cups, I use a calculator to convert my grams to cups or tablespoons.

Be careful here. A gram is a unit of weight (technically, mass, but on the earth's surface the distinction doesn't matter). Cups and tablespoons are units of volume. There's some confusion between weight and volume measures because we use the same word, "ounce," to refer to different units, one of weight and one of volume (the liquid ounce), and we sometimes measure solids using volume (as with tablespoons of sugar or cups of flour).

You can't convert weight to volume without also knowing the density of the substance you're converting. And the calorie density is another thing entirely. 1 cup of all-purpose flour weighs 125g and has 455 calories. 1 cup of 1% milk weighs 244g and has 102 calories.

Unless your calculator includes the substance being converted, your conversions might be way off.

I'm glad that a majority of these comments have been supportive but I am utterly appalled by some of them. If anyone thinks 2,000 calories is too much for the average person who weighs over 350 lbs, then you obviously have no idea what you're talking about!!! I have been friends with Cmfruin2012 for quite a while on MFP so I can attest to the fact that normally, she logs her food religiously. So for those of you who are chastising her for missing a few MEALS, get off your high horse! We all have less-than-perfect days or days where we have events or special occasions where we have to estimate how many calories we are eating if only for the fact that we don't have a food scale in our purse.

@Cmfruin2012: I really think that the answer might lie with the medicine you are taking. The calorie goal that MFP gives you is based off how many calories it estimates you burn, just by existing. Then it subtracts off the deficit you'd need to lose your desired amount of weight. Because of your medicine, this estimation might be inaccurate for you. It's even inaccurate for me some days: MFP estimates I burn about 3,000 calories on a daily basis, without exercise, but I actually burn about 2,600 if I'm extremely sedentary, which isn't too often. It really is as simple as calories in versus calories out but because of your lowered heart rate/medication, yours will be different than other women your age, weight, and height.

Here's an article you might find interesting: http://pennstatehershey.adam.com/content.aspx?productId=16&gid=43414

Im not sure what all could be the problem however, if you dont eat back you workout calories then it can slow your metabolism. You body needs it. Also 2026 seems alittle high. I didnt think a woman should ever be over 2000 calories a day and that is still alot. Maybe check with your doctor.

Ever? Really? Why would you say a thing like that?

68 lbs in a year is a HUGE change in the right direction.

Many folks have suggested weighing more food to increase accuracy in logging.
Here'as an additional thought. You are burning less calories now when exercising. It's like you were wearing a 68 lb backpack before and you have set it down now.
To make up for that you need to increase the intensity and/or time of your exercise.
So try swimming 1200m in the time it was taking you to swim 1000m. Go a little faster and further on your walks. Keep on with the kick boxing.
Slow and steady will do it for you-and allow your skin to adapt to the change as well.
Let us know how it goes....

I have found MFP's estimates to be off by a lot, so you're right on not eating back all those calories.

I'm curious, have you been weighing portions with a scale? It's easy to be eating much more than you think, if you're just using measuring cups/eyeballing.

By the way, I think you're playing yourself down too much. You should be proud of yourself, even if you're not hitting the milestones exactly where you thought.

This, this, and this!

My weight loss slowed when I was eating back my calories at the MFP estimates (I didn't check your diary but assume you have been). I now log half the calories of MFP estimates and seem to be back on track. I would try that first, if I were you.

If I have made a wrong assumption and you do not eat back exercise calories, then I would cut my calories some more and/or make sure that any estimates are overestimates.

And I agree that you should be proud of your losses! Don't let comparison steal your joy. I am an extremely slow loser, but I am ok with that--I plan to keep it off forever and I know that I am more likely to stick with a lifestyle change done slowly and in stages than an all at once diet.