5'6, weight loss stopped. help!

hi everyone, I just started actually sticking with mfp and my weight loss plan, and at first I was losing, I've lost about 9 lbs, on a 1200 calorie diet, with mostly all healthy foods, and exercise every other day, but recently I've stopped losing at all even though I'm doing the same thing. I'm 5'6, 156 lbs looking to lose around 20-30 more, but not getting anywhere and starting to get frustrated. should I eat more? I know my body is used to a way bigger calorie intake, but I'm not sure what to do, I always figured it was just eat less, lose more.

Replies

  • diannethegeek
    diannethegeek Posts: 14,776 Member
    How long have you been stalled? If it's been less than 3 weeks it's entirely possible there's nothing wrong.

    Are you using a food scale? Measuring cups? Or eyeballing portion sizes?

    Are you logging everything? Including cheat days, condiments, cooking oils, etc?

    Would you be comfortable opening your diary?
  • marissanik
    marissanik Posts: 344 Member
    At 5'6, 1200 calories caused my weight loss to stop as well. Research BMR and TDEE. I've lost all my weight eating no fewer than 1600 calories.
  • s13v
    s13v Posts: 4
    I've been stalled for only a couple weeks I guess. I'm not using any measuring really, but I know i'm not eating a lot more than I think. I have been logging everything, yes
  • s13v
    s13v Posts: 4
    okay, thanks for the info!
  • mactaffy84
    mactaffy84 Posts: 398 Member
    At 5'6, 1200 calories caused my weight loss to stop as well. Research BMR and TDEE. I've lost all my weight eating no fewer than 1600 calories.

    Piffle! Eating 1200 calories is NOT going to stop weight loss. Goodness, if it boils down to calories in vs calories out (and personally, I do believe other factors can come into play, but for simplicity sake, let's say this), how can eating lower amounts of calories cause you to stop losing weight? What probably happens is that it causes you to be ravenously hungry so you over-eat and THAT will stall the weight loss. Some people just don't realize how much they eat. Go into a hospital and get put on a 1200 calorie diet, and you will lose weight.
  • dcnemesis
    dcnemesis Posts: 31
    Ahh you sound exactly like me right now!!!

    I am about 5'7 and 157 lbs and I am totally stalled!!! I agree with the above posters that say try eating a little bit more. If you can't do that, add a 30 min random workout into your routine to suprise your body! I find dieting doesn't always do it you need that extra metabolism boost.

    to the last poster, yes it is about cals in and out but weight loss is a battle with your body. your body doesnt want to lose weight it is fighting to stay the same. if you go too low in calories you can go into starvation mode so your metabolism slows down and therefore you can stop losing.
  • diannethegeek
    diannethegeek Posts: 14,776 Member
    I've been stalled for only a couple weeks I guess. I'm not using any measuring really, but I know i'm not eating a lot more than I think. I have been logging everything, yes

    If you aren't really measuring your food then you don't really know how many calories you're eating.
  • cootason
    cootason Posts: 59 Member
    Been fighting this issue as well its not bloody easy to get through I can tell you that mate after losing 30 kilo to get where I am training 5-6 days a week and eating every couple of hours then all of a sudden it all comes grinding to a halt I am at my second Major Plateau after only just 5 kilos I had one before and it took months to pass I am sedentary during the day until I head over to the gym or get out for a walk I have just recently started changing my diet again to get back on track its finicky a few birthdays over a couple of months slowed me down a little but I am starting to get back on track with it be glad once I am down to 82 Kilograms. sometimes its not just the food if your doing a lot of weight training you might be adding muscle weight which is what I am kinda dealing with I would rather not lose that. but seems to be making the losing side really slow dont always base the scales on everything but it can be off putting as our body's fluctuated all over the place during the day week etc some days your at your lightest some heaviest to track I simply wait till my body is at its lightest (Waking up) and wait until it shows me lighter then that to be of any progress its painful tho if your feeling fitter bugger the scales just keep eating right and if you have to use it monthly instead.
  • nxd10
    nxd10 Posts: 4,570 Member
    First, make sure you change your goals. When you lose weight MFP has to adjust your calories for your new weight. You need to do it manually. Every time I stalled, that was part of it.

    Second, weight loss is uneven. Double down on basics - measuring, logging, etc. You need to MEASURE MEASURE MEASURE. It's hard to estimate portions. But if that's okay, just stay the course. You can lose 5 pounds one week and then be stable for a month doing exactly the same thing.

    Third, I also recommend measuring, as well as your scale. Not just because of stalling, but because it really is pretty impressive. And sometimes you lose inches when your weight loss is stalled.

    Good luck!
  • s13v
    s13v Posts: 4
    okay thanks for the help everyone.