Cannot lose weight

Advice please. I am so frustrated. In a year I have put on 3 stones. yet I exercise constantly and cannot lose weight. I found my BMR from various websites and averaged it to be 1639 (Katch McCardle). I am 5 ft 4" and weigh 187 lbs and need to lose at least 50 lbs. I do 10 classes a week (zumba, body pump, spinning, aerobics etc) as well as lift weights in the gym for about 2 hrs a week. MFP tells me I should eat at least 1350 to lose 2 lbs a week and I currently eat between 1600 and 1800 calories. Before I joined MFP I ate between 1,000 - 1200 cals, mostly protein and hardly any carbs and lost nothing. Did Weightwatchers, lost nothing, did 5:2 diet and again lost nothing. I now eat carbs. What am I doing wrong? I had a personal trainer who said my problem was that I did too much exercise and did not eat carbs and definitely did not eat enough food. Now I eat carbs and have only lost about 1 lb in 6 weeks. Help.
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Replies

  • pensierobello
    pensierobello Posts: 285 Member
    Open your diary.
  • Tigermum9
    Tigermum9 Posts: 546 Member
    thyroid?
  • Mystique225to504
    Mystique225to504 Posts: 11 Member
    You may want to see a doctor and see if you have a hormonal imbalance that could making it difficult to lose weight. It could a thyroid or parathyroid issue. It could be anything? Good luck
  • cinmorrowlvn
    cinmorrowlvn Posts: 16 Member
    Absolutely consult with your doctor. If you are working out too much and not eating a balanced diet your body will go into a starvation type mode.

    Talk with a doctor AND a nutritionist.

    Good luck!
  • fushigi1988
    fushigi1988 Posts: 519 Member
    You are working out A LOT, that does not seem healthy. Why so much? Your body needs a lot more food then 100 calories above BMr to support that activity.
  • _Zardoz_
    _Zardoz_ Posts: 3,987 Member
    thyroid?
    second post in is that a record?
  • tipsy1234dopes
    tipsy1234dopes Posts: 7 Member
    I've had it tested several times and it comes back normal
  • tipsy1234dopes
    tipsy1234dopes Posts: 7 Member
    I've been to the doctors about this a few times. They don't have a clue why and do not suggest anything. It is me that suggests my thyroid, but had this tested and it comes back normal.
  • ClementineGeorg
    ClementineGeorg Posts: 505 Member
    How to you estimate your calorie intake? Do you use a scale, measurement cups or you just estimate?
  • gypsy_spirit
    gypsy_spirit Posts: 2,107 Member
    If you have not been diagnosed with a medical condition - the most likely thing is you are overestimating your exercise calories and the REAL culprit - underestimating what you are eating. If you are weighing ( with a food scale) and measuring (with measuring spoons and cups/liquids) every bite you eat - you could be shooting yourself in the foot every day.

    Exercise is great for our health, but the important thing in losing weight is to make sure you are in a calorie deficit for your body. Read the links below and maybe they will help you figure out what's holding you up.

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/872212-you-re-probably-eating-more-than-you-think

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1175494-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/819925-the-basics-don-t-complicate-it
  • tipsy1234dopes
    tipsy1234dopes Posts: 7 Member
    Most of what I eat is estimated by what's written on the packet, or its mostly fruit and veg, but do measure porridge
  • gypsy_spirit
    gypsy_spirit Posts: 2,107 Member
    Most of what I eat is estimated by what's written on the packet, or its mostly fruit and veg, but do measure porridge

    Measure everything. Get a food scale and weigh everything that is solid. Tighten up your logging and be very honest. The thing is, a beautiful diary is irrelevant if you are not being perfectly honest and accurate. That's what was tripping me up when I started 2 years ago. Estimating food is very inaccurate.

    Read all the links and make a plan that will get you on a path to lose.

    ETA: You have to count all the calories in fruits and veggies - your body certainly does. Why wouldn't you?
  • Sarahsteve7kids
    Sarahsteve7kids Posts: 146 Member
    Most of what I eat is estimated by what's written on the packet, or its mostly fruit and veg, but do measure porridge

    Measure everything. Get a food scale and weigh everything that is solid. Tighten up your logging and be very honest. The thing is, a beautiful diary is irrelevant if you are not being perfectly honest and accurate. That's what was tripping me up when I started 2 years ago. Estimating food is very inaccurate.

    Read all the links and make a plan that will get you on a path to lose.

    ETA: You have to count all the calories in fruits and veggies - your body certainly does. Why wouldn't you?

    ^^^^^ very we'll said! I finally got honest with counting and the weight has fallen off!
  • nusiax
    nusiax Posts: 39 Member
    If you Doctor says you have no hormonal imbalance. Then it could be a low metabolism. I have that issue. Means it takes more for your body to burn calories than normal. Have a Metabolism Test. And seek out a trainer. I have this problem. And I have to live with only losing 1 to 2 KG per month. But it can be done. Take your time. Keep healthy. It will work. Just takes longer!!!!!
  • tipsy1234dopes
    tipsy1234dopes Posts: 7 Member
    Thanks for your comments but it still doesn't explain how I can exercise for 12 hours a week, follow a calorie controlled diet and still not lose. I had a trainer who said I ate far too less for the amount I burn so my body is starving but then I up my calories and still cant lose. Very confusing. I mostly eat plain fish, chicken, veg, fruit, nuts and seeds, so healthy food but still nothing. is the answer then to stick with 1,000 - 1,200 calories, continue exercising and lifting and don't eat back those calories?
  • jeffpettis
    jeffpettis Posts: 865 Member
    I've had it tested several times and it comes back normal

    ...then you are eating more than you think, or burning less than you think, or a combination of both. Either way if you are not losing weight you are simply not in a calorie deficit.
  • brianpperkins
    brianpperkins Posts: 6,124 Member
    Overestimating caloric burn + underestimating intake = gaining weight when you think everything is done correctly.
  • momentofmadness
    momentofmadness Posts: 7 Member
    Until you accurately measure your calories then you really haven't got the information you need - why not put up a typical day? Do you snack (secret eater who hoovers up small snacks, scraps etc?)

    Sounds like you're in denial to be honest, you asked for advice so why not try it?

    Good luck - we're behind you but you've got to help yourself too and be honest.

    :wink:
  • gypsy_spirit
    gypsy_spirit Posts: 2,107 Member
    Thanks for your comments but it still doesn't explain how I can exercise for 12 hours a week, follow a calorie controlled diet and still not lose. I had a trainer who said I ate far too less for the amount I burn so my body is starving but then I up my calories and still cant lose. Very confusing. I mostly eat plain fish, chicken, veg, fruit, nuts and seeds, so healthy food but still nothing. is the answer then to stick with 1,000 - 1,200 calories, continue exercising and lifting and don't eat back those calories?


    You will never outrun a calorie overestimation. It's that simple. Exercise all you want during the week. Until your body gets to a calorie deficit with food - you probably won't lose weight. How long have you been eating at the higher calories? Because if is has just been in the last 2 or 3 weeks, a temporary gain in normal. Your body will adjust and begin losing again.

    Other than that, you seem to believe that you are doing everything correctly. Believing that you are doing it right - and still not getting results - would make me rethink my plan. Aside from that, you can continue to post questions and maybe someone will have a different answer for you.
  • pensierobello
    pensierobello Posts: 285 Member
    Yet another person who whimpers about why they can't lose weight but won't open their diary. Waste of time!
  • PinkyFett
    PinkyFett Posts: 842 Member
    thyroid?

    Sounds like it could be.

    If it is, your levels need to be optimal or you still won't lose. Even if they are, it is much slower of a process.
  • PinkyFett
    PinkyFett Posts: 842 Member
    If you Doctor says you have no hormonal imbalance. Then it could be a low metabolism. I have that issue. Means it takes more for your body to burn calories than normal. Have a Metabolism Test. And seek out a trainer. I have this problem. And I have to live with only losing 1 to 2 KG per month. But it can be done. Take your time. Keep healthy. It will work. Just takes longer!!!!!

    Isn't that about 2-4 lb? That's not a bad thing.
  • 3dogsrunning
    3dogsrunning Posts: 27,167 Member
    Thanks for your comments but it still doesn't explain how I can exercise for 12 hours a week, follow a calorie controlled diet and still not lose.

    If you are not weighing, measuring and logging everything you have no idea how much you are really taking in. The type of food does not dictate weight loss, the amount of calories do.

    I had a trainer who said I ate far too less for the amount I burn so my body is starving but then I up my calories and still cant lose.

    This is BS. There are a lot of negative consequences to eating too little. Being unable to lose weight is not one of them (although I will admit that a temporary plateau may be an issue)

    Very confusing. I mostly eat plain fish, chicken, veg, fruit, nuts and seeds, so healthy food but still nothing. is the answer then to stick with 1,000 - 1,200 calories, continue exercising and lifting and don't eat back those calories?

    No the answer is to dial in the accuracy of your logging and consistent logging.
  • O2Bslimagain
    O2Bslimagain Posts: 120 Member
    look up the website : www.leanbodiesconsulting.com - they may have a few answers for you. Our bodies are all different. You might be doing too much cardio- I don't know how long you do cardio for, but that could be a reason. I try not to eat back my calories. You should be having a protein, carb and healthy fat with every meal. It is hard to say as everybody has an idea.

    I hope you find answers!
  • 3dogsrunning
    3dogsrunning Posts: 27,167 Member
    thyroid?

    Sounds like it could be.

    If it is, your levels need to be optimal or you still won't lose. Even if they are, it is much slower of a process.

    She has had her thyroid tested a few times and it's normal. She isn't accurately logging by her own admission. I don't understand why the thyroid is the likely issue?
  • tipsy1234dopes
    tipsy1234dopes Posts: 7 Member
    Yet another person who whimpers about why they can't lose weight but won't open their diary. Waste of time!
  • tipsy1234dopes
    tipsy1234dopes Posts: 7 Member
    No need to be sarcastic. My diary is open!
  • mactaffy84
    mactaffy84 Posts: 398 Member
    Thanks for your comments but it still doesn't explain how I can exercise for 12 hours a week, follow a calorie controlled diet and still not lose. I had a trainer who said I ate far too less for the amount I burn so my body is starving but then I up my calories and still cant lose. Very confusing. I mostly eat plain fish, chicken, veg, fruit, nuts and seeds, so healthy food but still nothing. is the answer then to stick with 1,000 - 1,200 calories, continue exercising and lifting and don't eat back those calories?

    You've already gotten the answer that is most likely: eating too much because you don't log accurately. Asking the same question just isn't going to change anything. Accept it as most likely and work on a plan to change things OR stick your head in the sand and keep hoping someone is going to have some magical solution for you. Your call.
  • fushigi1988
    fushigi1988 Posts: 519 Member
    No need to be sarcastic. My diary is open!

    It's not open
  • Will_Thrust_For_Candy
    Will_Thrust_For_Candy Posts: 6,109 Member
    Thanks for your comments but it still doesn't explain how I can exercise for 12 hours a week, follow a calorie controlled diet and still not lose.

    If you are not weighing, measuring and logging everything you have no idea how much you are really taking in. The type of food does not dictate weight loss, the amount of calories do.

    I had a trainer who said I ate far too less for the amount I burn so my body is starving but then I up my calories and still cant lose.

    This is BS. There are a lot of negative consequences to eating too little. Being unable to lose weight is not one of them (although I will admit that a temporary plateau may be an issue)

    Very confusing. I mostly eat plain fish, chicken, veg, fruit, nuts and seeds, so healthy food but still nothing. is the answer then to stick with 1,000 - 1,200 calories, continue exercising and lifting and don't eat back those calories?

    No the answer is to dial in the accuracy of your logging and consistent logging.

    +1

    I also think this could quite possibly be a troll....just sayin....