SO FRUSTRATED. ABOUT TO GIVE UP.

You didn't say how long you'd been lifting, but there is (at least for me) a period of adjustment as your body gets used to new workouts. Also, according to the numbers you gave, you're eating 1500 calories and burning 2300? You're only netting 800 calories at that level of burn. You should be eating more to fuel the muscles that are now working differently than before. Don't be afraid to eat!

As an aside, I don't lift and I eat upwards of 140g of protein a day to maintain my sugar levels, satiety, and it helps me not retain water, oddly. (That's just what works for me.)

There are some amazing folks here that know the ins and outs of calculating calories, protein intakes, and workout programs that will hopefully give you better insight than I.

Don't give up!

Open up your diary so we can see what the problem is.

not for nothing- but you are not burning 2300 a day.

I would assume she means that's her TDEE - not 2300 just from exercise, which could be pretty accurate.

But it's really important to know which ONE she's doing. when she say's she's burning 2300- it sounds like she's burning that.

But yes- being clear on that and knowing what she is using and how she is using is important.

Agreed

bump

What are the calorie burns from in your diary? You also seem to have full days blank.

I also saw my weight loss halt for a few weeks and then go slow for another few weeks once I started lifting but it's coming off now.

not for nothing- but you are not burning 2300 a day.

I would assume she means that's her TDEE - not 2300 just from exercise, which could be pretty accurate.

Yes- if that's what she is doing. That sounds about right.

But it's really important to know which ONE she's doing. when she say's she's burning 2300- it sounds like she's burning that.

She's using a Fitbit. that's how she got the 2300 TDEE.

I feel you! I am in exactly the same position, nothing seems to move but I am working out every day. Anyhow, I believe I might not eating enough. Can't wait for some helpful answers!
Best of luck and hang in there, at least you are not gaining!
Stef.

If you're not losing it's not because you're eating too little. It's because you're eating too much.

Don't give up!!! If you are calculating your calorie burn and intake correctly you are definitely not eating enough. That may seem confusing but when you don't eat enough your body goes into a protective mode where it is trying to prevent starvation so it actually slows down the burn rate much like a bear in hibernation. You don't want to have a negative net calories at the end of the day and you should probably have at least 1000 net.

I have kind of the same story, except I stuck with lifting and eventually the numbers went back down. Be patient. Switch to TDEE-20%. You're not burning 2300 calories. Fitbits are wildly inaccurate.

ETA: I eat over my calories probably 2-3 days a week and am still losing steadily. Seriously, check your intake vs burned calories, you're probably netting more than you think.

II have looked at your food diary. Forgetting the days which you did not log all but one of the ones I looked at had a very high intake of salt. Salt encourages fluid retention.

I hope this comment made with the best of intentions will help. Please do not give up trying to improve your health because the situation will only deteriorate. Hang on in there because you will not be in the same place in 6 months as you are now.

Looking at your diary, I'd say that there's several possible problems: you don't log everyday, it looks like you use measurements instead of weighing (or at least enter it in your diary that way), you use some generic entries instead of some of the more reliable ones, and you might be estimating. Plus you say that you're eating 1300-1400 from a TDEE of 2300, but you still count exercise calories some days, and you're sometimes over even that.

My guess is that you don't actually know exactly how much you're eating or burning at this point. Plus, you have a relatively new workout routine, which could cause water retention, and you eat a lot of high sodium foods, which could cause water retention.

Focus on logging accurately for a while. Make sure that you pick one method (TDEE- where you don't eat back exercise calories because they're already included, or MFP- where you do eat back exercise calories) and stick to it for one more month. Keep up your workout routine during that month, and make sure to drink plenty of water to try and limit water retention. After one month, look at where you are (weight, measurements, and strength gains), and then re-evaluate your goals. Don't just give up on the weight lifting now, you definitely want to keep that muscle around when you lose weight!

Re-evaluate your calories in and calories out. Also try to focus on the long term, if you are doing exactly what you say then you'll have them. Day to day numbers aren't important, trends over longer periods of time are.

Hang in there+++++