Why won't this weight budge?!

CarlyJane1986
CarlyJane1986 Posts: 9 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Hello there,

I know there must be a million other posts like this one, but I am feeling so down in the dumps about it I just wondered whether anyone had any advice or encouragement for me!

I have gained what could probably be about 3 stone over two years when finished university and got a full time office job and I have found it so difficult to lose any weight. I finally got my head around it three or so months ago, and got going on everything, but it took me about 2 and a half months to lose 4 pounds. I was tearing my hair out and then I found MFP. I started on it and lost almost 4 pounds in my first week which I was so happy with and really thought I was on the road to something, but then this past week I have lost nothing whatsoever, no measurement change, no change in clothing feel, and I am so frustrated as to why!

I generally eat pretty healthy – I think… (I think that people can see my food diary if that helps – please excuse today as I have run out of anything for lunch!), drink around 3 litres of water a day, and try to get to the gym 3-4 times a week – as well as cardio, I also do free weights which aren’t logged in my diary. I also take Vitamin D, Calcium, Magnesium, Vitamin C, Iron, Vitamin B12 and B Complex, Fish Oil and Sea Kelp supplements.

I am sure that I am going wrong somewhere but I can’t see where!

Replies

  • OllyJ_79
    OllyJ_79 Posts: 126 Member
    What are your stats first off?
  • mfp2014mfp
    mfp2014mfp Posts: 689 Member
    1 week is nothing to be upset about, especially as a woman the fluctuations in water weight alone can be substantial.

    My advice would be read all all the stickys you can the info is amazingly helpful, choose a reasonale calorie deficit and an exercise you enjoy then just be patient. Time will pass anyway, how you treat your body in that time is what matters.
  • CarlyJane1986
    CarlyJane1986 Posts: 9 Member
    I am 27, 5ft 8in, currently weigh 12st 7lb and my ideal weight (for me) would be in the mid to low 10 stone region.

    Thank you roeroe5, I will definitely check your blog out!
  • OllyJ_79
    OllyJ_79 Posts: 126 Member
    That means your BMR is around 1580, and with your work and exercise routine, that'd put you around 2200 calories a day to maintain. If you want to loose weight at around 1lb a week that'd put you on 1700 a day.

    Your logging looks pretty good, weighing in grams etc. If you've not long started exercising more, its likely you will hold some water for a week or two, so the loss won't be linear. Eating 1200 a day however, you may find you lack the energy to work out very hard. I'd suggest you eat a bit more, at least 1500.
  • GuybrushThreepw00d
    GuybrushThreepw00d Posts: 784 Member
    1. I agree with eating 1500/day instead of 1200
    2. Eat back most of your exercise calories on the days you work out.

    Weigh your food, log everything and be consistent.
  • JustSomeEm
    JustSomeEm Posts: 20,282 MFP Moderator
    OP, weight loss isn't linear. Sometimes you'll lose 1 pound in a week, sometimes 3, sometimes nothing, and sometimes your weight may even increase by a pound or two. Just stay the course. I went through months where I would lose nothing for 3 weeks and then in one week I dropped 3 or 4 pounds. Don't let it mess with your head. Just keep doing what you're doing and the weight will come off. :flowerforyou:
  • Mangopickle
    Mangopickle Posts: 1,509 Member
    your calories look too low. You are not a WLS pt. Also I think there are 220 mg of sodium in the Uncle Bens precooked rice. Only the raw rice is 0. Looks like you have put yourself in starvation mode by accident.
  • CarlyJane1986
    CarlyJane1986 Posts: 9 Member
    Thank you all, I will try eating more calories, although this sounds completely scary and makes me worry I will gain weight!

    I just feel so down because I have been battling with it. Befor MFP I had tried so many different fads, such as Aloe Vera cleanses etc which actually ended up in weight gain weirdly and making me ill!

    I have been back at the gym for about 6 weeks now and I really enjoy it. I will keep battling on and hopefully will get some more results soon!

    Thank you all so much for replying to me.
  • OllyJ_79
    OllyJ_79 Posts: 126 Member
    Looks like you have put yourself in starvation mode by accident.

    Sorry, but no.
  • OllyJ_79
    OllyJ_79 Posts: 126 Member
    One thing, I don't see any liquids being logged, apart from the occasional espresso. If you are only drinking water and unsweetened black\herbal tea's that's okay. Anything else needs to be logged if you wan to be accurate
  • chatoune021
    chatoune021 Posts: 4 Member
    Same here. I started last week on Monday, my first week I lost 5 pounds. I was thrilled. This week is my second week and I lost one. It can be so discouraging, especially when you know/think you are doing the right thing: not eating too much, respecting your calories, going to the gym..
    But as I read other people's posts, I realize that this is going to be a long ride, that some weeks we will lose more than others...
    We just have to stay focused and keep doing the right thing I guess, hopefully it will go down :) Good luck
  • CarlyJane1986
    CarlyJane1986 Posts: 9 Member
    That's literally all I drink! An espresso with coconut milk in the mornings, herbal teas with no sugar or honey, and lots of water....boring, but true!
  • CarlyJane1986
    CarlyJane1986 Posts: 9 Member
    I am glad that other people are in the same boat and I am not going drastically wrong anywhere chatoune012 but it definitely is discouraging! I guess we are in it for the long haul and eventually the hard work will pay off. I just don't want to feel unmotivated.
  • joanna_82
    joanna_82 Posts: 151 Member
    Hi- we have similar stats- I'm 5ft 8 and I started out at 13st 1.
    I set my goals to lose 0.5lb a week and have had just under 1700 calories a day and have eaten back about half of my exercise calories, all some days if I am hungry.

    In 10 weeks I've lost 12 pounds so I can confirm that weight loss still happens on more calories per day. I know I couldn't survive on 1200 a day - I went for a slower weight loss so I could eat more and still keep to a healthy balanced diet.

    Good luck
  • OllyJ_79
    OllyJ_79 Posts: 126 Member
    Sounds as though you're set to go..remember to adjust your calorie allowance as you lose weight, as you get smaller, so does your BMR.

    There's a good site here that describes most of the things you'd need to know about the acronyms etc
    http://calorieline.com/tools/tdee
  • StaciMarie1974
    StaciMarie1974 Posts: 4,138 Member
    You will not lose every week. No matter what you do, it just is not how the body works. Could be water weight from sodium, time of the month, change in fitness routine. You have to give it more time. If you're now eating at a reasonable deficit, just keep going. Look at weight loss over 4-6 weeks for a trend. Not 1.
  • GuybrushThreepw00d
    GuybrushThreepw00d Posts: 784 Member
    Looks like you have put yourself in starvation mode by accident.

    Wat8.jpg?1315930535
  • Laurenloveswaffles
    Laurenloveswaffles Posts: 535 Member
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVjWPclrWVY

    Watch this when you get the chance. I think everyone who is not losing weight should watch this. It's a very common mistake :smile:
  • taylormoooon
    taylormoooon Posts: 130 Member
    Definitely going to hop on the "you're not eating enough" bandwagon! I'm only 5'3 and 1200 is way too low for me. The only thing that will make you gain weight is if you're eating over your TDEE which is probably at least 2000 calories for you but find out the exact number yourself online :) I would also suggest you start upping the heavy lifting. Try new rules of lifting for women or strong lifts 5x5 and you'll be surprised how your body starts to change. Also one more thing about cardio. It is definitely healthy for you to do but the only real reason for you to burn those extra calories is so that you can essentially eat more! Do not be afraid of food! It is our fuel!
  • CarlyJane1986
    CarlyJane1986 Posts: 9 Member
    Thank you all so much for your help and suggestions.....I am definitely going to try and up my calorie intake a bit....yippee for more food! Also taycupcake I am really wanting to really get going with more weights, have seen women with the most fab fit bodies from lifting! I don't want to be really skinny, I want to look fit and healthy!
  • AliceDark
    AliceDark Posts: 3,886 Member
    I'm a little confused by your diary -- are you using a food scale? It looks like you may be weighing some items, but then I'm not sure why you're not weighing your bananas as well.

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