Confused / Need guidance

Jsma11
Jsma11 Posts: 6 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Hello,
I start MFP a month ago and, since then, have lost 6 lbs. unfortunately I stopped loosing the weight 2 wks in and feel very discouraged.... like I might be doing something wrong.
I was doing 1200 net calories. I am 5'3 and currently at 144 lbs.... Goal weight =120 lbs and I speed walk about 2 miles/ 3 days a week.
When I looked up my BMI, it said I should be eating 1350 cals to maintain the weight I am now. My question is, how many net calories should I eat in order to loose at least .5 a week? I know that "you should never eat under 1200 net calories or you will go into starvation mode" but I've even tried 1400 net calories for 3 days and the scale hasn't budged. Any advice from someone experienced would be great! If you need more information in order to give me better advice, let me know. I am all ears!

Replies

  • SugaryLynx
    SugaryLynx Posts: 2,640 Member
    There's no way you should maintain your weight at 1350. I'm 5'3.5" and maintain 116 lbs on 2150ish just weightlifting 3x a week and taking care of my kids.

    The first thing I notice in your diary is that you do a lot of quick added calories. This can lead to inaccuracies and make it difficult to pinpoint any errors. Also, do you weigh and measure your food? Are you sure you're logging every little thing? Bites, licks, or tastes? Weight loss is not linear. Some weeks I lost, some weeks I didn't. There's a number of factors. Water retention, bowel movements, time of the month, excess cortisol from stress can all cause imbalance.

    Another thing I noted is you seem to be consistently low in protein. Try to find about your lean body mass and aim to eat about 1g per pound. This will help retain muscle along with possibly picking up a resistance training program like heavy lifting. This will make you look leaner as you lose. If there's anything I've forgotten you can find it here

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

    This information helped me immensely and I hope it can help you as well!
  • sun_fish
    sun_fish Posts: 864 Member
    There's no way you should maintain your weight at 1350. I'm 5'3.5" and maintain 116 lbs on 2150ish just weightlifting 3x a week and taking care of my kids.

    The first thing I notice in your diary is that you do a lot of quick added calories. This can lead to inaccuracies and make it difficult to pinpoint any errors. Also, do you weigh and measure your food? Are you sure you're logging every little thing? Bites, licks, or tastes? Weight loss is not linear. Some weeks I lost, some weeks I didn't. There's a number of factors. Water retention, bowel movements, time of the month, excess cortisol from stress can all cause imbalance.

    Another thing I noted is you seem to be consistently low in protein. Try to find about your lean body mass and aim to eat about 1g per pound. This will help retain muscle along with possibly picking up a resistance training program like heavy lifting. This will make you look leaner as you lose. If there's anything I've forgotten you can find it here

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

    This information helped me immensely and I hope it can help you as well!

    Yep, what she said ^^^
  • the_dude00
    the_dude00 Posts: 1,056 Member
    Only way to figure out real intake is to closely monitor yourself for a few weeks. I.E. Eat 1500 calories for a week and see if your weight changes, note the amount of exercise you do, and monitor progress. A single calorie count held for one week isn't really enough time, but after 3 weeks you'll have a good idea around your burn level. You can adjust calories up or down to reach your goal.
  • Jsma11
    Jsma11 Posts: 6 Member
    Very helpful! Thanks for taking the time????
  • Jsma11
    Jsma11 Posts: 6 Member
    I just wanted to update to let ya'll know your advice worked! Since this post, I have bumped up my calories to 1500 and added more protein to my diet. The lbs keep coming off and I can't believe how easy it is! I've always associated weight loss with deprivation so the fact that I feel full and satisfied at the end of the day but still loose weight really blows my mind! Thank you!
  • MityMax96
    MityMax96 Posts: 5,778 Member
    Glad to hear.

    Make sure you track your food accurately. :wink:

    Good luck
  • _HeartsOnFire_
    _HeartsOnFire_ Posts: 5,304 Member
    I just wanted to update to let ya'll know your advice worked! Since this post, I have bumped up my calories to 1500 and added more protein to my diet. The lbs keep coming off and I can't believe how easy it is! I've always associated weight loss with deprivation so the fact that I feel full and satisfied at the end of the day but still loose weight really blows my mind! Thank you!

    Awesome! Good job!!!
  • deksgrl
    deksgrl Posts: 7,237 Member
    I just wanted to update to let ya'll know your advice worked! Since this post, I have bumped up my calories to 1500 and added more protein to my diet. The lbs keep coming off and I can't believe how easy it is! I've always associated weight loss with deprivation so the fact that I feel full and satisfied at the end of the day but still loose weight really blows my mind! Thank you!

    tumblr_inline_mskhfhQqb51qz4rgp.gif
  • sun_fish
    sun_fish Posts: 864 Member
    I just wanted to update to let ya'll know your advice worked! Since this post, I have bumped up my calories to 1500 and added more protein to my diet. The lbs keep coming off and I can't believe how easy it is! I've always associated weight loss with deprivation so the fact that I feel full and satisfied at the end of the day but still loose weight really blows my mind! Thank you!

    Yay!
  • PetulantOne
    PetulantOne Posts: 2,131 Member
    I just wanted to update to let ya'll know your advice worked! Since this post, I have bumped up my calories to 1500 and added more protein to my diet. The lbs keep coming off and I can't believe how easy it is! I've always associated weight loss with deprivation so the fact that I feel full and satisfied at the end of the day but still loose weight really blows my mind! Thank you!

    :drinker:
  • ILiftHeavyAcrylics
    ILiftHeavyAcrylics Posts: 27,732 Member
    I just wanted to update to let ya'll know your advice worked! Since this post, I have bumped up my calories to 1500 and added more protein to my diet. The lbs keep coming off and I can't believe how easy it is! I've always associated weight loss with deprivation so the fact that I feel full and satisfied at the end of the day but still loose weight really blows my mind! Thank you!

    Awesome! :flowerforyou:
  • gypsy_spirit
    gypsy_spirit Posts: 2,107 Member
    I just wanted to update to let ya'll know your advice worked! Since this post, I have bumped up my calories to 1500 and added more protein to my diet. The lbs keep coming off and I can't believe how easy it is! I've always associated weight loss with deprivation so the fact that I feel full and satisfied at the end of the day but still loose weight really blows my mind! Thank you!

    Very nice! :wink:
  • Forty6and2
    Forty6and2 Posts: 2,492 Member
    I just wanted to update to let ya'll know your advice worked! Since this post, I have bumped up my calories to 1500 and added more protein to my diet. The lbs keep coming off and I can't believe how easy it is! I've always associated weight loss with deprivation so the fact that I feel full and satisfied at the end of the day but still loose weight really blows my mind! Thank you!

    Yay!

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